TechRadar Reviews

The xTool M2 is priced at the entry level of the company’s fully enclosed machines, but as ever there’s no mistaking it for anything other than an xTool laser engraver. As I got into using the machine, I could see just how finely tuned it is. Whilst it’s lighter weight than many of its more expensive siblings, the laser engraving power, even from the 10W laser in my review sample, was exceptionally good.

Having reviewed these laser engravers for a few years now, there are several essentials I look for in any laser engraver for TechRadar Pro, and one top priority is that it's fully enclosed. While I might’ve looked at fully open designs earlier on, these days there’s really no excuse for an open-frame design other than cost. When it comes to running a business, safety is obviously paramount, so it makes sense to look for a fully enclosed rather than open-frame design.

Beyond the physical design, I've found a few extras that really help with the review process, simplifying the cutting, engraving, and placement of materials such as cameras. Then there are added features, such as air assist, that are essential for creating clean, crisp lines and reducing scorching.

What’s surprising for a machine of this price is that the M2 ticks all the boxes. It has dual cameras, one that gives you a good view of the entire workspace and a second that gives you a close-up view, air assistance built in, and, as ever, there’s a vent at the back that you can attach to your air filtration system.

But it goes even further by adding more head module options, so you can not only laser cut and engrave but also print and cut. Of course, coming from xTool, it also has a range of accessories that can further expand what you can do with this machine.

I’ve had the M2 for a couple of months and have really been able to give it a more extensive test than I usually would with these machines, partially because I’m interested in getting some of these for use within an educational establishment, and making sure that it’s easy, secure and robust enough is a major focus.

I’ve also been asked by several friends who have been looking at laser engraving machines and which option they should go for. At this price point and with the 610 × 569mm dimensions, it just, on paper at least, looks like a great option.

Sure enough, while I only have the 10W laser model to review in this test, I have looked at previous XTool machines with multiple module heads, and they’ve worked exceptionally well; I will take a look at the print and cutting heads later.

Initial setup was easy, and after I’d run through the unpacking, installing the module head and powering up, it was then just a case of connecting the USB cable directly to my MacBook Pro, installing xTool Studio, waiting for it to connect, allowing the firmware to update, and it was time to start.

The one slight oddity with the modular head is that it installs magnetically, although it requires a connecting cable for data from the head to the machine, which I found a little odd. Why this isn’t wireless or just uses contacts, I have no idea; possibly just to keep costs down, but once that cable is connected, getting into the utilisation of the machine is all pretty fast.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

What I like is that xTool has now introduced a safety video at the beginning, with a longer version that you can view online, and a really good tutorial which essentially enables you to get started with cutting projects such as placemats. You can see the results of this project in the pictures.

Those initial tutorials are essentially a no-brainer setup guide to using the M2, and when you run through those initial projects, which will take you less than an hour, you’ll be pretty proficient with how the machine works.

As ever, in the software you’re able to assign different parts to different cutting, engraving and scoring methods with a simple click; you highlight a path, enabling you to then assign it to whichever type of cut you want. Again, with xTool’s knowledge in the sector, this is all incredibly well thought out.

Essentially, over my two months with the machine, it sat in the corner of the workshop, attached to one of the xTool air filters, and ran seamlessly for every project I’ve thrown at it.

The workflow, from the ability to recognise the materials through to being able to preview so that you can accurately place your designs, and through to the cutting and extraction, all just works incredibly easily.

At present, if you’re looking for a new, fast, relatively cheap professional-level laser engraver for a small business, then you really can’t go wrong with the superb M2.

xTool M2: Price & availability

At present, the xTool M2 is available for $599 / £599 direct from xTool with the 10W laser. I've also often seen promotional offers on this price, so just keep an eye out.

If you’re looking for the colour print-and-cut bundle, which lets you make stickers and other projects, it's available for $749 / £749. There’s also the deluxe bundle, which includes everything, available for $989 / £989.

The laser cutter and engraver is also widely available from online retailers like Amazon.

xTool M2: DesignSpecs

Connectivity: USB computer connection confirmed; xTool software required.
Audio: Status buzzer
Camera: 5MP close-view camera + 16MP distance-view camera.
Size: 610 × 569 × 180mm
Weight: 12.3kg
Software: xTool software / xTool Studio ecosystem
Accessories: Depending on the bundle: laser module, CMYK inkjet module, RA3 Lite rotary system and other accessories.
Laser: 10W or 20W blue diode; optional 3W infrared module.
Laser work area: 426 × 320mm for 10W/20W modules.
Maximum XY speed: 600mm/s.
Maximum cutting claim: Up to 8mm basswood with 10W; up to 10mm with 20W.
Safety: Class 1 enclosed laser system.

The xTool M2 is instantly recognisable as xTool, with its sleek, simple white body and protective transparent yellow hinged lift-up lid. What’s impressive for a machine at this price is that it measures 610 × 569 × 180mm and weighs 12.3kg, which is handy, as I had to move it around quite a lot over the two months to install and remove other machines.

Part of the reason that this machine has been kept out in the workshop for so long is its manoeuvrability; when I needed it, I could just move it over to my computer desk. It was very easy to lift, carry and place, something that I don’t usually find with most of the laser engravers, other than the designs that I tend to avoid.

The full enclosure means this machine has a Class 1 laser safety classification, making it better suited to domestic small business and educational environments. If you work in a business, check whether your insurance covers this device classification.

The transparent upper cover helps keep everything safe; it's yellow and prevents the laser beams from exiting the machine. It also lets you monitor the laser engraving, and the two internal cameras let you view what’s going on remotely.

What’s impressive is that the relatively low-profile design accommodates objects up to 100mm thick. This is essentially for direct cylindrical engraving and without the use of any type of riser base.

It’s also great to see that there is built-in air assist, essentially keeping the smoke away from the beam where the laser hits the material, something which is usually done by an external pump. However, you still ideally need an air filter to use with the machine, or you can vent it out a window.

On inspection, it does feel a little more plasticky than the more expensive xTool machines. However, it’s still a great-quality, solid machine; when I moved it around the workshop, it felt robust.

Another point here is that, with such a large transparent upper cover- something that I have had issues with on other manufacturers’ models in the past, especially splitting- the design of that lid is again good on my unit, although the hinges are free and not sprung or cushioned. After what must be hundreds of openings and closings, it’s still in excellent condition.

One of the slight oddities of the design, which seems to be the case with so many of these enclosed laser engravers, is that there’s no honeycomb grid included in the box. Instead, you get four magnetic clamps that clamp onto the corners of any material you place, plus four alignment markers on the base of the machine.

At first, I wasn’t overly impressed with the design of these clamps. I would’ve preferred the honeycomb grid. However, it doesn’t take long before you realise just how useful they are, and not only do they hold offcuts of work nicely and securely, but they’re also extremely easy to use. After a few days of using them, I warmed to them and now see them as a slightly preferred method, to the point where I’ve made a few additional ones on the Prusa Core One to add to the original four.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)xTool M2: Features

What you get is a feature-packed machine from xTool, and in this review I’m focusing on the 10W laser, so that’s the entry-level version, but there is also a 20W blue laser available as well if you do need a little bit more power or, for that matter, speed.

Other modular heads are available, such as the 3W IR laser, which is designed for metal and plastic engraving. However, that’s not yet available on the market, and there’s an optional full-colour CMYK inkjet system with 1200dpi resolution and 40ml cartridge capacity. This is used alongside a cutter so you can create stickers and other printable objects.

One of the big features for me is the dual camera system. You have a 2-megapixel close-view camera and a 5-megapixel distance-view camera. These are both really useful, especially if you’re trying to refine the positioning of your designs.

From my experience with these machines, especially the F2 Ultra recently, I’d say this close-up camera is especially useful when using the 3W IR module and will probably also come in handy if you’re into printing stickers.

Like any product released today, AI plays a major role through the software. You have the automatic creation system, which is just a point-and-click system: give it a text description, and it will develop something for you.

But more than that, there’s also automatic material detection, which can essentially see what’s put into the workspace, evaluate it, and come up with a close match; through the test, I was really impressed with how well this worked. Essentially, once the material is detected, it adjusts all the settings to optimise for that material, rather than you having to look at a chart or work through trial and error.

Another major feature is the built-in adjustable air assist. You can adjust this in the software, but it essentially blows air across the laser, keeping the site where the laser meets the material clear of smoke. This means you get a much cleaner cut, and it also helps reduce scorching.

When it comes to file support, xTool, as ever, has an increasing library of assets that you can dip into to get straight into producing products. However, if you do want to import your own, then the new software supports SVG, DXF and PDF, and there’s plenty of flexibility, especially with the AI tool, to have a bit of fun with those files as well.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

One feature I really like, especially when trying to cram as many designs onto one sheet of 3mm basswood as possible, is the new smart nesting and batch filters, which, again, are activated through the software.

These seemed to work really well, optimising the spacing on the sheet of basswood well beyond anything that I could do myself, and once again this helps to cut down on costs.

In the software, when I entered a few materials that weren’t recognised by the system, there is a huge material database. This can be a little daunting, but you can take control of the settings manually if you need to. Just do a quick test chart, and then you should have the settings that you need for engraving, scoring and cutting almost any material.

As ever, being from xTool, there’s a range of accessories, including a rotary engraving system for cylindrical and spherical objects. Still, there’s a full list, and it is extensive on the xTool website.

xTool M2: Performance

As ever with these laser engravers, they’re either quick to set up and calibrate or it takes most of the day; thankfully, because this machine is from the xTool stable, it’s extremely easy to unbox and get up and running. That said, the paper manual inside was a little on the sparse side, even for xTool.

However, two very large QR codes on the packaging link directly to the online setup instructions and manual, which include plenty of pictures and information. The point is that the setup is extremely straightforward: position the M2, remove all the packaging, plug in the power, install the laser module with the connecting cable to the machine, and switch on.

Then, in the software, wait for it to connect, run any updates and follow, firstly, the safety guidance, which is a very quick video of less than two minutes, and then follow the tutorials. After completing it, you should be up and running.

Once I’d created some of the tutorial projects, including the placemats, I moved on to my own projects, creating a few boxes, a small display shelving unit and a few other bits and pieces, including a bracket that I needed for my van, and throughout I was impressed with how quick and easy this machine is to use.

This is, of course, an entry-level machine in the pro market of laser engraving, so whilst the machine is extremely competent, through use you do start to notice a few small design points. These points highlight that this is an enthusiast-level machine rather than a pro-level one.

The first of these is the overall design. Whilst the design is solid and works exceptionally well, there’s no kill switch on the side. If you want to use this in education or most workplaces, you’ll need to add something to kill the power yourself.

But really, other than that, there is very little here that doesn’t impress, even when you’re used to using something like the xTool P2. For me, the workflow from the P2 down to the M2 is similar; it’s just a smaller machine.

While it is obviously slower and less powerful, that 10W laser module will happily cut through basswood up to 8mm thick, as quoted by the company. Although I didn’t have any 8mm basswood available, the 3, 4 and 6mm basswood that I generally use cut through with absolutely no issue whatsoever in a single pass.

The maximum speed for the cutter is 600 mm per minute, which is mid-range, and in the test you obviously reduce that depending on whether it is cutting or engraving. What really impressed me was the engraving resolution. If you want to do some really fine detail work, the M2 is an ideal solution, and converting images into halftone and then bringing those in got some stunning results.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

As I went through the pack of test materials, including paper, wood and leather, I was just really struck by how easy the M2 is to use. The software is obviously great, but those two cameras do make a real difference to the precision of the laser, enabling you to get a preview of the material and really closely align the design to a fraction of a millimetre, which is far better than I have seen on even a lot of fibre lasers, where pure accuracy is definitely needed.

What strikes me about the xTool M2 is that it makes a lot of the more expensive xTool laser engravers a little bit obsolete. You get a relatively lightweight machine you can shift and move around, take off the work surface, and easily place on a lower shelf when not in use, freeing up loads of space.

You get a 10W laser for general work, and you can purchase the 20W when you need a little extra power or speed, plus a modular head system with the inkjet so you can push it for further projects.

What I liked was that the workspace area inside the machine is pretty decent, and whilst it’s not the largest out there, it’s surprisingly large for a machine of this size and far easier and safer to use than any open-frame laser engraver on the market.

While in this review I’ve looked at the M2 in isolation, it is worth pointing out that alongside the laser engraving machine, I have also added in the extractor filter, which is essential. I will update this review with the print head and cutter and possibly the 20W head at a later date.

xTool M2: Final verdict

The M2 is really easy to recommend. It’s a very well-priced, fully enclosed laser engraving machine.

A few things really make it stand out against much of the competition, including the built-in air assist, so no extra devices are sitting around on the work surface. But for me, what appealed was that I could quickly lift it and stow it away.

It’s a big machine, but at just over 12kg it’s not particularly heavy, and it’s quick and easy to disconnect and then plug back in.

Unlike some machines that require you to disconnect various pedal switches, air assist, and more, the M2 took a couple of minutes to disconnect and stash, then bring out and get up and running again.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

In the workplace, one major downside is that it doesn’t have that kill switch on the side, which will be an issue. Still, everything else is simple, and if you’re a small business, it makes a lot of sense.

Here you have a high-quality, high-end enthusiast or pro-level machine with a 10W laser. This lets you engrave plenty of materials, and you can also add the inkjet module to create stickers if you want. Plus, with a rotary tool, you can flip the head from vertical to horizontal to engrave cups, mugs, and more.

I’ve looked at plenty of these laser engravers over the last few years, and the xTool machines have always stood out for quality and attention to workflow; the M2 is especially polished for its price point and the audience it’s aimed at.

Should you buy the xTool M2

Value:

One of the most versatile machines that I’ve looked at for the price, making it exceptional value 

5

Design:

Great design; I just wish there was no need for the cable between the head and the machine

4.5

Features

Excellent range of features, and with a modular head and accessories, the possibilities are enormous

4.5

Performance

SSpeed, cutting power, and workflow are well balanced at this price range

4.5

Total

A superb, fully enclosed laser engraver at this price and a perfect option for any small business

5

Buy it if...

You want an all-in-one machine
If you have a small business or you’re a keen laser engraving enthusiast, then the fully enclosed design and flexibility to print, cut and engrave from this one machine make it a superb choice.

You need easier alignment
This is the first machine that I have seen with such accurate alignment for designs over materials, and the dual cameras just work incredibly well compared with other systems.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You only need powerful engraving.
If you need a fast, dedicated laser engraver, the 20W option will boost power, but it’s nothing compared with larger machines such as the xTool P2.

You’re working in an industrial environment.
While the machine is feature-packed, the lack of a side kill switch could be an issue, so check your safety requirements before purchasing the M2.View Deal

For more crafting tech, I've tested and reviewed all the best 3D printers and the best laser engravers.

L'Atitude 52°N smart glasses: one-minute review

A new smart specs maker has arrived on the scene, and it’s looking to arrive with a bang. The L'Atitude 52°N Smart Glasses are loud and proud, and after L'Atitude dispatched a slightly rocky first batch of review units to tech publications (including ourselves), I’ve been putting the newer, more production-ready glasses through their paces over the past month.

Let’s first unpack the selling points, which I discussed with L'Atitude’s founders (including ex-OnePlus engineer Gary Chen) in the weeks before my review. Made in Europe and unapologetically Euro-coded, with Berlin-inspired and, coming soon, Milan frame designs, these won’t be the glasses for everyone, and that’s okay, the team says; but they are for adventurers.

On board, you’ll find Goya AI (named after the Spanish painter, Francisco Goya), a dulcet-toned Southern California male voice assistant who’s eager to help you explore the world with features like AI Tour Guide, Live Translation, and the usual retinue of camera-laden smart-glasses features.

At least, that’s the pitch. On vacation with my lovely mom on the Greek island of Santorini, I put these supersized specs to the test, and although I can see them shaping up to be terrific travel companions, right now they’re dogged by big problems. From spotty software to an entirely unclear future in terms of how much its AI features will cost when the subscription plan kicks in sometime in the next year, it’s hard to recommend L’Atitude’s bold frames from a value perspective, at least for now.

(Image credit: Future)L'Atitude 52°N review: price and availability

• List price: starts at $465.00 (about £345)
• Availability: US, with UK availability expected soon.

The L’Atitude Berlin glasses start at $465, which converts to about £345, increasing to $520 if you opt for photochromic lenses. At the time of writing, they’re exclusively available in the US and EU, with UK availability to follow soon. You can choose from Obsidian (black) and Dune (greige) frames as well as grey gradient, orange, and photochromic lenses. These prices apply to both the currently available Berlin frames, as well as the upcoming Milan model, which offer a more delicate design.

Already, that’s a lofty list price, especially when compared to the comparatively expensive Meta Ray-Ban (Gen 2), which start at $379 / £379 / AU$689. And it gets worse.

The major dampener here is that these glasses will, at some point, also require you to take out a subscription in order to use the full set of features, but right now we have no confirmed pricing for this. I asked the brand about its plans in this area, and they told me: “Customers who purchase any Departure Collection [a.k.a. Either the Berlin or Milan frames] product by December 31, 2026 and register an account will automatically receive a complimentary 12-month trial of all AI features, requiring no separate purchase or activation.

“The trial starts as soon as the account is activated and grants full access to current and future AI capabilities, including upcoming releases, with a generous daily usage allowance of 60 minutes. After the trial period, users can continue to enjoy AI features with a subscription plan, while essential functions will always remain accessible. AI usage tracking will soon be available in the app for added transparency.”

As for pricing for said plan, various sources cite this as “less than $20” per month, though L’Atitude didn’t confirm this when I asked. So overall, this offers little comfort given that you’re already shelling out for an already expensive pair of specs, and until that final number is confirmed I can’t in good conscience give these glasses a higher value rating.

If you love the designs here, and especially the fact no other pair of smart glasses look quite like them, then you could argue that the value-for-money proposition is improved; personally, I still think it’s a hard sell.

• Value: 2.5/5

(Image credit: Future)L'Atitude 52°N review: specs

L’Atitude 52°N

Weight

50-51g

Camera

12MP Sony sensor, 1080p video recording at 30fps

Chip

Bestechnic BES2800 6nm chipset

AI Assistant

Goya AI, powered by Google Gemini

Battery

200mAh (case offers 8-10 full recharges)

Storage

32GB

(Image credit: Future)L'Atitude 52°N review: design

• Chunky but funky frames
• Lightweight with IP65 rating
• Charging case is a behemoth

Design is where L’Atitude takes its biggest swing, and while other fashion-first and adventurous designs have hit the market in 2026, I do think the brand is carving an exciting niche, especially in the European market.

Do I love how the Berlin frames look on my face? No, but the stylish, rounder new Milan frames weren’t available for me to try when I started my testing. Still, there will be some who find the boxy shape and unapologetically Berlin-esque chunkiness is right up their street.

The nose grips were fine, but overall the glasses were a little too big and loose of a fit for me. While traversing the famous steps of Oia, which are notoriously perilous, having to hold these onto my face while I looked down at the cobbled roads meant I took a bit of a tumble and hobbled home with a sprained finger and a nasty gash; I’d put a fair chunk of responsibility on my choice of shoes and general clumsiness here, though.

They are pretty well designed, though. At just 50-51g, they’re light and comfortable to wear, and though the plasticky frames aren’t quite as svelte as, say, some Ray-Ban Meta frames, they’re far from cheap-looking. They’re IP65 rated for weather and dust resistance, and a scratch-resistant treatment is applied to the lenses, meaning they’re towards the more durable end of the spectrum versus other currently available smart glasses.

As with many smart glasses I've tried, camera placement doesn't work with hair particularly well... (Image credit: Future)

The arms house the Bestechnic BES2800 6nm chipset and 200mAh battery, as well as some pretty punchy speakers for listening to music or podcasts, calls, or chatting with the AI on the go. In day-to-day settings while out and about, I found sound leakage to be pretty minimal unless someone’s very close by and you have the volume turned up; however, in a quiet room you can hear at least some of what’s going on on-device, even at lower volumes, albeit not clearly.

There’s a 12MP camera on the left-hand side of the frame, and a matching dummy camera on the right side. A recording light flashes while you’re filming or taking shots; this is pleasingly bright, so those around you will know you’re recording. If the light is covered, capture is immediately shut down; whether or not lights are enough to alert potentially unconsenting parties is a separate conversation, but for now, this is the privacy bar that’s been set by smart-glasses manufacturers. I tried several times to obstruct this and gladly found it’s pretty darn reliable.

The biggest design fault, for me, is the case. Now, these are bulky frames, but the charging case is a real heifer at 2 x 6.8 x 3.14 inches / 5.2 x 17.5 x 8cm (H x W x D), which somewhat defeats the purpose of branding these glasses as travel-friendly, as it’s going to take up a good chunk of your carry-on luggage space. Speaking of which, I noticed following both my flight to and from Santorini that the case had suctioned shut due to the cabin pressure on board, and I had to prise it open with a pin.

Still, the case is robust and well-made, and with its IP67 rating it’s hardy enough to come along on more adventurous trips, too. Plus, it lights up a nice orange color when the glasses are charging.

• Design: 3.5/5

FutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureL'Atitude 52°N review: Performance

• On-device photo transfers are a privacy boon…
• But some shots are lost in the void
• Great photos, decent video

L'Atitude really wants you to treat its glasses, and specifically Goya AI, as a travel companion; the moment you open up the app, the AI Tour guide feature is front and center. But how do they fare on the camera-hardware side?

Fairly well, I’d say. Horizontal and vertical photos captured by the 12MP Sony sensor, and cleaned up by the on-board AI, are comparable to results from my second-generation Meta Ray-bans, and the specs record well-stabilized 1080p video at 30fps (though this pales against the latest Meta Ray-Ban’s 3K capture), with clips from 30 seconds to three minutes.

FutureFuture

Even low-light and night shots came out pretty well, and I found that framing shots broadly felt natural, though some were a little wonky. The five-mic array captured my voice impressively clearly and without too much background noise, and the speakers deliver bright, clear audio.

With 32GB of on-board memory, there’s a decent amount of room to store photos and videos before sharing them from your phone — your content goes straight to your local companion phone app instead of a permanent cloud database, swerving the privacy minefield of your most personal moments living on someone else’s database.

That being said, uploading your content isn’t always easy. I most definitely lost a few shots — especially if my glasses ran out of battery before I had a chance to sync them — and syncing sometimes inexplicably stalls, and you have to wait a while to try again.

Elsewhere, everything works as expected; the touch controls on the arms are responsive and intuitive, and the battery lasts up to six hours — with moderate use, I generally saw four to five hours of usage. The case offers between eight and 10 full charges, and fast-charges the glasses to 70% in 20-25 minutes.

• Performance: 4/5

Goya AI is a lot better than when I tried it earlier this year, but it's prone to cutting you off and mishearing you (Image credit: Future / L'Atitude )L'Atitude 52°N review: AI features

• Goya AI often cuts you off
• Replies are spotty at best
• Tour guide feature is a work in progress

I’d originally tried some beta versions of these frames, and while the current software is far from perfect, it’s impressive to see how many kinks L’Atitude has ironed out in a few short months.

Contrary to earlier reviews you may have read, as well as my own experience, I’m pleased to report that many of Goya AI’s advertised features now work (hooray!), though in my experience it’s still not always quite as advertised.

Some of that may be to do with my main testing location; Santorini is beautiful, but there aren’t a great number of landmarks for which the tour guide feature could come in handy; and Oia, where we stayed, is a labyrinth of winding stairways, private paths and roads less traveled, so navigation — even on more developed software like Google Maps — is a challenge.

That being said, I did get to try the AI tour guide out on the ruins of the Castle of Oia, which it helpfully informed me were the ruins of the Castle of Oia, offering little else beyond a few brief words on its popularity as a sightseeing and photography spot in Santorini. This was all happening while I was fighting for my life not to be pushed off the edge of the castle walls by other tourists, so while it’s accurate, I wouldn’t exactly call it additive.

I tried this feature on a few locations back home in the UK to much the same results; sometimes, the synopses were more detailed, but I couldn’t seem to find any landmarks that offered the full walkthrough experience I’d hoped for when I first read about the “expert-level guidance” offered by the feature.

The five-mic array may help capture great audio for your video, but so much is lost in translation when speaking with Goya AI. Maybe it’s my British accent, but I found that more than half of my questions were entirely misheard, making for some hilarious if not mildly frustrating interactions with the on-board intelligence. It frequently cut me off, answered completely different questions to what I’d asked, and often couldn’t recall previous prompts.

Sometimes Goya AI does seem to understand you, but doesn’t want to execute your commands. When I asked it to take photos, shoot video, tell me what I’m looking at or play music from Spotify, Goya would occasionally spit out a totally random response at best, and at worst behave as though it was about to follow my command before doing big fat nothing. It had good days and bad days, so I have to wonder how much of this stems from connectivity issues. Regardless, spending much of your time yelling at your glasses is not what you want when you’re out travelling or in public places.

Translation to and from Greek isn’t yet available, so when I got home I tested this feature out with my Spanish friend. I wouldn’t quite call spoken-word translation live as advertised; Goya can handle approximately one sentence at a time, will need to think for up to 20 seconds, and will then speak it in your native language through the glasses. When I asked Goya to translate a written book synopsis from Spanish to English, though, it worked much more quickly and fluidly; with both tests, I was impressed with its accuracy, though it’s to be expected with Google’s Gemini under the hood.

• AI: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the L'Atitude 52°N?

Attribute

Comment

Score

Design

A bold first stab at the smart glasses market with broadly well thought-out design features, but one with a few small quirks

4/5

Performance

Decent cameras, decent sound, and decent battery. These are pretty good all-rounders, but again, there are quirks.

4/5

AI

Not quite frictionless and not quite as additive as I'd hope with its travel-first features, but these glasses do stick the landing on a lot of standard smart glasses features

3.5/5

Value

A bit pricey as-is, and until there's clarity on AI feature subscription costs, this score sticks.

2.5/5

Buy them if…

You love the Berlin look

I won’t take that away from you, even if it looks so wrong on my face — looks-wise these are a striking and exciting addition to a market that’s been fairly same-y for a long time.

You want locally stored content

While I can’t guarantee that these offer absolute security and privacy, I can say that the direct-to-phone photo transfers offer some peace of mind, given reports of other brands’ privacy minefields.

Don’t buy them if…

(Image credit: Future)

You want to spare yourself a subscription

The great, looming unknown of the upcoming L’Atitude AI subscription fee is off-putting at best, and given many of the features are still works in progress, it’s hard to recommend these glasses to the budget-conscious.

You want top-of-the-range video cameras

Photo quality is competitive with that of smart specs from the big-hitting brands, but on the video front, 1080p at 30fps is a low bar.

How I tested the L'Atitude 52°N

• I took the glasses on my week-long vacation to Santorini, and tested them for around 10 hours in the UK
• I tried all of its advertised software and hardware features
• I used its AI to help enrich my vacation. Well, I tried.

As these are travel-focused smart specs, what better way to test them than to hit the road and take them on vacation? On my trip to Santorini, I tried their travel-focused software features, including the AI tour guide, asking for restaurant recommendations and questions about the island’s history, weather, and the like.

Having recently reviewed the second-generation Meta Ray-bans, I used those specs, which we rate as the best overall smart glasses pick for most people, as my main comparison point, but I’ve also sampled a range of other models at trade shows and in our offices over the past few years.

I ran the L'Atitude app from my iPhone 17 Pro.

• First reviewed: August 2026

Taking a photo and altering it, like you can do with Adobe Photoshop, is old hat these days, as so many apps allow you to do just that. But if you’re an artist who loves to paint, this type of software can’t replicate the feel of watercolours, oils, acrylics, and pastels as they’re applied onto a canvas.

Some developers saw this as a challenge: how to replicate painting on a canvas in the digital world. Escape Motions’ Rebelle is a serious competitor in this field, and have introduced a few new features with their latest 8th version. Let’s take a look at it.

You can check out Rebelle 8 by clicking here.

Rebelle 8: Pricing & plans

• A multi-platform software package
• One-off license at a cost that won’t break the bank
• Free trial available

There’s a lot of good news for people who like to own - actually own - multi-platform software: first of, Rebelle is available for Windows and Mac users (sadly, Linux fans are all too often left out of the loop, as they are here).

Even better, there’s no option to rent the software: you purchase it with a one-time fee of $90. Which is quite reasonable for software of this caliber, especially since you’re allowed to install it on up to three computers.

There is a more advanced version, called Rebelle Pro for $150. Finally, Escape Motions offers a very generous 30-day trial so you can check out the software and see how it works for you.

You will have to create an account with them in order to access it, but all they ask is an email address - you keep your credit card details to yourself.

All in all, this feels like a very good start. Rebelle 8 available to buy from developer Escape Motions by clicking here.

• Pricing & plans: 5 / 5

Rebelle 8: Interface

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• A well-designed interface
• Familiar enough to ease you in if you’re new to Rebelle
• Different enough that there’s going to be a bit of a learning curve

If this is your first foray into Rebelle, you’ll find the interface very similar to other image editing applications. You have two sidebars, one on either side. The left one focusses on your brushes, while on the right, you have your layers, color selections, and navigational options.

The rest of the screen real estate is devoted to your canvas, but that’s not all there is to it. Hop on over to the Menubar’s Window menu to see other tools, which are available by default as floating windows.

However the interface is highly flexible, enabling you to dock these windows into either sidebar, be it as their own unique dedicated area, or sharing the space with other tools - when that happens, a small series of tabs will appear above that shared section, allowing you to switch between them.

This allows you to create a unique setup to match what you need to see as you digitally paint your projects. You’re also able to export this layout to make it easy to set up Rebelle on another computer with your customized personalised setup.

Overall, the interface is similar enough to not feel intimidating, but different enough that it will take you a few minutes to understand where everything is, and what it does. But the main takeaway is that it’s well designed, and is easy enough to understand that it won’t take you long to get the gist of it.

• Interface: 4 / 5

Rebelle 8: Tools

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• So many brushes to play with, and so many parameters to explore
• Lots of different types of canvases
• Create truly unique projects… as long as you can handle some of the quirks

The tools available are pretty much all the various brushes you can work with - and there are so many. You start with selecting the type of brush from the top left section of the interface, like an acrylic brush, or one for watercolors, inks, pastels, etc.

Beneath that is another panel, with a handful of parameters to customize how the selected brush will paint on your chosen canvas, and you could easily leave it at that, but that would be ignoring the dozens of options further down the sidebar.

For instance, the Express Oil brushes have sub-categories, such as Round, Glaze, and Flat, and if that’s not enough, a drop down menu allows you to browse through and purchase additional ones.

The options and flexibilities are immense, and it can be a lot of fun to paint digitally in that way. You also have all the advantages of working on a computer, such as having multiple layers, cloning sections, erasing others, the lot.

There were a few things I was disappointed by, the biggest one being that I could only have one project open at a time. As someone who far too often has too many ideas on the go, this felt unnecessarily restrictive to me.

Another had to do with controlling the canvas itself. I work on a laptop and use a multi-touch trackpad for everything, but even with all the options I could find disabled, that canvas would move or suddenly zoom in or out at random moments.

Thankfully there’s a handy and simple keyboard shortcut to bring it all back to the centre, filling the screen, but it got really annoying by the end. I think the lesson here is don’t use the trackpad when doing serious artistic work with Rebelle.

Also, despite using a powerful computer to test this out (a laptop with an M5 chip), I felt like sometimes I had to wait a few seconds for the software to render the stroke I made. This app needs a lot of power.

• Tools: 4 / 5

Rebelle 8: What's new?

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)

• No revolutionary ‘wow’ additions
• Relatively small improvements makes creative life much easier

Version 8 brings a few refinements to this software package - nothing earth shattering, but they’re welcome additions nonetheless. Here are some I felt were important to mention.

The Canvas Panel has been streamlined, making it easy to select a new type of paper and see all those you don’t yet have, but are available for purchase - you can even test this new canvas prior to acquiring it (if this constant advertisement is not your thing, use the filter options to remove those as yet un-owned canvases from the list).

On the other side of the interface are your favourite brushes. That’s nothing new. But right next to them is a new tab, featuring all the latest brushes you’ve used in your current session. This is a most welcome way to help you keep track of what you’ve been working with without you having to do anything.

When it comes to painting, there’s always been a limit to how big a brush can be. In the standard sidebar, that’s usually up to 100. Switch to the Creator Brush panel and you can now go up to 3,000 which is almost big enough to cover an entire canvas with one brush stroke.

There’s also a new Symmetry tool which essentially cuts your canvas right down the middle and everything you draw on one side is instantly mirrored on the other.

And last on my list is the ‘Line’ tool which always allowed you to easily draw parallel lines, but now lets you add perpendicular ones as well, which can save you a heck of a lot of time.

Should I buy Rebelle 8?

(Image credit: Escape Motions // Future)Buy it if...

You’re a creative who’s always loved the feel of the brush on your canvas, are looking for a way to reproduce this digitally, and love the fact you only need to pay once to own the software.

Don't buy it if...

Your creative outlet doesn’t extend to replicating how real-life brushes work in a digital environment, and you’d be much happier with the likes of Photoshop or Pixelmator Pro instead.

How I tested Rebelle 8

I fired up my trusty M5 MacBook Pro for this review of Rebelle 8. I sadly couldn’t test the software on my PC laptop - it’s high time I upgraded anyway - although it does show that Rebelle needs more oomph than a lot of other software in its category.

The minimum requirements are an Intel i7 chip with 16GB of RAM, and my PC can’t match that. Considering the computations needed to simulate how real-life paint and brushes behave, I’m not surprised at all that Rebelle 8 would need more power than Photoshop.

But on my Mac, aside from the issues I highlighted in the review, I had no complaints, and the gallery on Escape Motions’ website shows how realistic the paintings done with Rebelle can end up looking.

For more creative tools, we tested the best photo editors and the best digital art and drawing software.

Terra Kaffe Demi: two-minute review

I've reviewed a lot of coffee and espresso machines over the years, and the Terra Kaffe Demi is one of my favorites. It's dead simple to use, and the results are incredible. Before the caffeine from my morning cup of coffee hits my bloodstream, I don't have the wherewithal to weigh and grind beans, put them in a filter, set up the machine to brew, and brew the coffee. I just want my coffee and I want it fast. But I like my coffee black, so it's important that it actually taste good. The Terra Kaffe Demi Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine hits all the marks. Plus it looks sleek and gorgeous in my kitchen while taking up very little space.

Pour fresh whole beans into the hopper and fill the water tank. Turn the dial on the side to scroll through your options: espresso, lungo, americano, and drip. Press once to select your pick. The conical burr grinder grinds your beans just right, and then brewing begins. In just seconds, you have your drink.

This lovely slice of tech doesn't come cheap, and it doesn't have the bells and whistles of some other similarly priced machines. If you want a machine that automatically froths your milk, or has a menu with dozens or even hundreds of drink options, this isn't the one for you. You must use whole beans; there's no pre-ground coffee option. But if the four drinks offered are sufficient for you, then keep on reading.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)Terra Kaffe Demi: price and availability

• Available on several websites including Amazon
• Retails for $795 (about £590 / AU$1,100)
• Comes in four colorways

The Terra Kaffe Demi is sold on a number of websites, including Amazon, Sur La Table, Nordstrom, Seattle Coffee Gear, and Terra Kaffe's own website. It retails for $795 (about £590 / AU$1,100) or can be rented from Terra Kaffe for $39 (£30 / AU$60) per month. There are four color options: Slate (black), Cloud (pale gray-blue), Forest (dark green), and Dune (tan).

Terra Kaffe Demi: specs

Name

Terra Kaffe Demi Compact Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Type

Automatic

Dimensions

15.7” / 39.9 cm (D)  x 7.5” / 19.1 cm (W) x 12.8” / 32.5 cm (H)

Weight

17 lbs / 7.7 kg

Brew styles

Espresso, Lungo, Americano, and Drip

Milk frother

No

Connected device

No

Terra Kaffe Demi: design

• Small footprint
• Sleek, minimalist aesthetic
• Four brew styles

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The Terra Kaffe Demi is a compact, sleek design with a minimalist aesthetic, perfect for a modern kitchen. A dot matrix style display screen shows on the front of the machine. The left side of the machine has the power button, but you'll use that only rarely. On the right side of the machine is the simple dial that controls everything. You can scroll through the menu by twisting the dial, and select by pressing it. A long press of the dial puts the machine to sleep. On the back of the machine is a 46.5 ounce (1375 ml) water tank. The 4.6-ounce (130-gram) bean hopper sits atop the machine.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

The Terra Kaffe Demi's spout can be raised and lowered to accommodate different sizes of cups and mugs. The maximum height is 5.7" (14.5 cm), which is high enough for many travel mugs. You'll want to lower it when you brew into smaller cups in order to minimize coffee spatter.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

The menu dial on the right side of the machine controls everything. The display on the front lets you know what's going on, whether the machine is rinsing, heating up, or ready to brew. You can choose your brew: Espresso, Lungo, Americano, or Drip.

Espresso is a concentrated brew, and the default is 1.6 ounces. Lungo is a longer extraction, and the default is 2.8 ounces. Americano is espresso plus water, and the default is a 1.6-ounce espresso shot plus 2.8 ounces of water, totalling 4.4 ounces. Drip is usually made with a drip machine, but the Terra Kaffe Demi makes a brew that tastes like drip coffee by pulsating the water through the grounds rather than applying the consistent high pressure needed to make espresso. The default Drip cup size is 5.6 ounces. There's even a Hot Water option, in case you want to make tea or hot cocoa.

You can turn the dial to dig into the Menu option if you want to change the brew temperature, strength, or amount. You can also adjust the number of espresso shots in your brew. When you're deep into the menu changing the settings, just press and hold the dial for a couple of seconds to bring you back to the drink menu. Or just wait about half a minute, and it will go back by itself.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

Cleaning the Terra Kaffe Demi is pretty simple. The machine regularly rinses itself, so it's probably a good idea to keep a cup under the spout when not in use. You'll want to empty the used coffee ground "pucks" from the waste bin, give the bin a rinse, and pour out the water that's collected in the drip tray pretty regularly. I do those simple tasks pretty much every day, but if you don't drink much coffee, you could spread it out to every few days.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

Once a week, Terra Kaffe recommends that you remove the brew unit and rinse it thoroughly. That sounds like a hassle, but it's actually quite easy and takes only a few seconds. I like being able to get into a machine and get it really clean. Many automatic coffee machines don't have that option, so I wonder how gunky they are getting over time.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / Future

Additionally, you'll need to run cleaning and descaling cycles on occasion, probably once every couple of months, depending on your usage. The machine will prompt you when you need to run those. The Terra Kaffe Demi does come with one packet each of cleaner and descaler. Once you use them, you can buy those products on their website.

There is also an internal clock, though that's not visible from the outside of the machine. It can be accessed in the settings menu. The reason for having a clock is that you can set the machine to automatically wake up, warm up, and be ready to brew at a specific time of your choosing. Warmup is pretty quick anyway, so I don't see much reason to do that, but if you're a rushing-out-the-door-every-morning sort of person, those seconds might count.

Another cool feature is that you can fully drain the machine, in case you won't be using it for a while or plan to put it into storage. Most coffee automatic coffee machines have water just sitting in the machine which ... can't be good.

• Design score: 5/5

Terra Kaffe Demi: performance

• Incredibly easy to use
• Use default brew styles or create your own
• Great results

As mentioned above, the Terra Kaffe Demi makes four different brew styles: Espresso, Americano, Lungo, and Drip. Each of them can be brewed at the default settings if you want to keep it simple. However, if you want to dig into the menu options, you can make all kinds of adjustments to each of those options. You can change the number of shots, the strength of the brew, the shot volume, and the brewing temperature. I used the default settings in my testing unless otherwise noted.

Espresso

I found the espresso quite smooth, strong, and delicious. The Terra Kaffe Demi gives it a lovely crema. I also tried brewing it over ice to make an iced coffee, which turned out great. The default shot volume is 1.6 ounces, or 50ml. The strength is "High" (.39oz/11g) and the brewing temperature is 205°F (96°C). All of those can be adjusted in the settings menu.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureLungo

A lungo is made by brewing more water through the coffee grounds than you would for an espresso. While the same amount of coffee is used for a lungo as it would be for an espresso shot, the higher water volume makes a taller, less concentrated drink. The default Lungo is 2.8 ounces, or 83ml. Everything else is the same as the Espresso settings listed above: "High" strength (.39oz/11g) and brewing temperature of 205°F (96°C). Again, those can be adjusted in the settings menu. I thought the Lungo was very good, nice and smooth but still plenty strong. It produces a lovely crema. I also tried this one iced, which diluted it a bit much for my tastes (though it might be perfect for someone else's.)

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureAmericano

An Americano is a regular espresso shot with water added, which is different from a lungo where the extra water is brewed through the coffee grounds. Coffee connoisseurs will be able to taste a difference between extra water brewed through the grounds and extra water added after. I can't really tell, but both options are offered in case you have a preference.

The default Americano is the same 1.6-ounce (50ml) espresso shot plus 2.8 ounces (83ml) of water, totalling 4.4 ounces (130ml). The espresso is brewed with the same strength and temperature as the above cycles, and again, all of this can be adjusted in the settings menu. Frankly, all this extra water made it a bit weak for my tastes, but it was nice and smooth. Even with all the water added, the crema remained intact.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureDrip

Technically, this is an espresso machine, so it can't make "drip coffee" the regular way. However, the Terra Kaffe makes a pretty good impression of a drip coffee by using a slower, pulsating water flow to lower the pump pressure. Continuous high pressure steam is used to make Espresso, Lungo, and Americano, but the Drip setting pauses and restarts the water flow as it brews, increasing the amount of time the water has contact with the coffee grounds.

The results were really quite tasty, though it does take longer to brew than it might with a dedicated drip machine. The default settings are actually the same as the Espresso: 1.6 ounces (50ml) shot volume, "High" (.39oz/11g) strength, and is 205°F (96°C) brewing temperature, all of which can be adjusted in the settings menu. More water is added to make Drip, so the total default volume is 5.6 ounces (166ml). It does produce a crema, which isn't expected in a drip coffee, but it works.

I fiddled around with the settings a bit, increasing the strength to "Max" and it still isn't a super strong cup of coffee. This is down to personal taste, I thought it was just strong enough but my husband thought it tasted weak.

I did put some in the fridge overnight to make iced coffee the next day. It was drinkable, but it did pick up a little bit of bitterness. The better way to make iced coffee is to use the Espresso setting (or Lungo if you like it less strong) and add ice.

Karen Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureKaren Freeman / FutureHot Water

The Hot Water option is great for making tea or other hot beverages. The default volume is about seven ounces (200ml) and the temperature is 201°F (94°C), but of course they can be adjusted in the settings menu.

Notably, the Terra Kaffe has a separate water nozzle, so it's not pulling (potentially bitter) coffee leftovers on its way through. You won't get stale coffee notes in your tea. It's close enough to the coffee nozzle that you wouldn't notice that there are two unless you look closely.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Terra Kaffe Demi?Terra Kaffe Demi score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It's not cheap, but if it means you're not buying pods or hitting the coffee shop, it could save you money in the long run.

4/5

Design

The Terra Kaffe Demi has a stunning design and is super easy to use.

5/5

Performance

While it only makes four drinks, it's simple and flexible and brews tasty beverages. However, the Drip setting doesn't brew a super strong coffee.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want a fully automatic coffee machine but you have limited space

Go from whole beans to the coffee beverage of choice with just a spin and tap of the dial. No need to do any thinking before your morning caffeine. And yet, it hardly takes up more space than a Mr. Coffee.

You want both espresso and classic drip coffee

You don't need two separate machines. Though the Terra Kaffe Demi is primarily an espresso machine, it makes both espresso and coffee (as well as a lungo or Americano).

You want a stunner on your counter

Choose which of the four colors suits you best, and you'll love the look of this sleek and minimalist machine in your kitchen.

Don't buy it if

It's too pricey for you

This type of machine is never cheap, and this one is no exception. You can factor in your savings from not running to the coffee shop or buying pods, but it's a bit of an initial outlay.

You want one-touch cappuccinos and lattes

There no milk frother included, so milk-based drinks are not on the menu. Of course you can buy a separate milk frother and froth to your heart's content, but that's another item to purchase.

You want a big cup of very strong drip coffee, not espresso

This is primarily an espresso machine, and the Espresso is plenty strong. But even on the Max setting, the Drip function brews just a medium-strength cup of coffee, to my taste. It will be likely be strong enough for most people, but not everyone.View Deal

Terra Kaffe Demi: also consider

Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

This one is a little bit pricier than the Terra Kaffe Demi, but it does have a built-in milk frother and nearly a dozen drinks on the one-touch beverage menu. And yes, it has several dedicated iced coffee drink settings, including a "cold brew." It comes with two separate hoppers for whole beans that you can easily swap out, plus it has the option for pre-ground coffee.

Check out my Ninja AutoBarista Pro Fully Automatic Espresso Machine reviewView Deal

Terra Kaffe TK-02

Step up to the bigger Terra Kaffe sibling, the TK-02, if you want a super-automated machine with 100,000 drinks on the menu. Connect the milk container and the machine froths the milk for you. The app lets you put your favorites on the touch display screen. You can even brew your coffee with a voice command to Alexa. And there is a chute for pre-ground coffee.

Read my Terra Kaffe TK-02 review.View Deal

How I tested the Terra Kaffe Demi

I brewed and drank every drink on the menu: Espresso, Lungo, Americano, and Drip. I tried the Espresso, Lungo, and the Drip (pre-chilled) over ice. I drank many cups of my favorites, Espresso and Drip. I drank all of them black and lightly sweetened. I tried the iced coffee with frothed skim milk as well. I cleaned and emptied the waste bin and drip tray every day or two. I pulled out the brew unit and cleaned that once as well.

First reviewed July 2026

The Creality Falcon A1C is a compact, fully enclosed desktop laser engraver and a leap forward for affordable laser engraving in a format that's far safer than the open designs I often see at this price.

While it’s more affordable, with the full plastic build, it actually pulls many features from far more expensive machines, including the slightly larger Falcon A1. Designed to sit on your desktop, it measures 336 x 377 x 341 mm, giving it an incredibly compact footprint. Essentially, it's designed to be accessible and usable whenever you need it.

While the design aesthetics might not match that of some rivals' larger machines, the workflow and robust build make it an ideal option for education and small studios where you want to experiment with the technology to create items and even have small production runs.

In this review, I had access to the 10W version, and from unboxing to setup it took no longer than 10 minutes. Activation required a single push of the button on the machine, then a few steps, and it was connected to the mobile app.

On the Mac, it took a few more steps, with the wired connection needed first before you can switch over to Wi-Fi, but in both cases it's one setup, and then you don't have to revisit it later.

When it comes to use, the Falcon Design Space software is once again well laid out, as I saw with the Falcon A1 and Falcon T1, and with a few sample designs I was able to cut directly onto the paper and the basswood supplied.

I was instantly impressed with the results, starting with the basic ruler sample. I laid out five from the outset, and with an 18-minute engraving on the small sheet of 3mm ply, the results were actually incredibly impressive, with little scorching or burning, if any, visible.

After a month of using the machine on small projects, the engraving quality across a wide range of surfaces was consistently good, with the best results coming from wood and paper.

I also had to connect the A1C to the Bambu Lab air filter because I didn't have the Falcon one to use, but it worked perfectly with no issues. So if you already have an air filter, it should work without the dedicated one from Creality.

During the test, I was purely focused on that 10W laser cutting materials on that 150 x 150mm working area. There is a lower-powered option at 5W if you mainly work with paper, and also a 1.2W IR laser module, giving you even more scope for this one small machine.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

What surprises me is the price, and whilst that is slightly reflected in the design and materials used, when it comes to pure functionality, this is a level of machine for its size that you just wouldn't have had a couple of years ago. It’s far better than any of the open-frame designs still available on the market.

One thing I would watch for if you're thinking about buying the A1C: note that there are two versions, and the cheapest doesn't include the camera, and that is a major part of the ease of use for this machine.

It also cannot be upgraded, so I'd really spend that extra money to make sure you get the version with the AI camera, which is the one I’m looking at here. I'd also push and get that 10W laser. It makes a huge difference, especially if you're going to be working with wood.

Even if you start working with paper, card, and acrylic, taking that upgrade is definitely something you're going to want to do in the future.

If you just want to laser small objects, then this is an absolutely superb option at an incredible price and a really good complement to the Creality Falcon range. It will be interesting to see where the company takes laser engraving technology next.

Creality Falcon A1C: Price & availability

To me, price Creality has set is great for a small-build entry-level engraver. But in my opinion, opt for the 10W model with AI camera for maximum future-proofing.

The basic 5W Falcon AIC is $199 from Creality or $299 for the 10W model. In the UK, it's similarly priced at £199 for the 5W version and £289 for the 10W.

However, there is a version with an AI camera attached, which is definitely the model that I would go for.

The 5W Falcon A1C with AI camera is priced at $259 at Creality's store, or $379 for the 10W model. In the UK, it's £249 for the 5W AI camera version and £369 for the 10W.

I'm also seeing the models with the AI camera on sale at Amazon in the US and UK, where you can get the 5W for $259 and the 10W for $379. It's more expensive there for UK readers, with the 5W retailing for £326 and the 10W at £445 at the time of review.

Creality Falcon A1C: DesignSpecs

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/BLE, USB
Camera: integrated camera on AI Camera model
Unit size: 336 x 377 x 341mm
Accessories: Optional rotary kit, air purifier, flexible fixture and related engraving accessories. Laser modules supported: 5W diode / 10W diode / 1.2W IR
Engraving area: 150 x 150mm
Maximum processing height: 148mm
Maximum working speed: 15,000mm/min
Focus: Automatic
Safety: Class 1, flame detection, tilt detection and USB safety lock
Weight: 9.7kg Basic / 9.8kg AI Camera model
Software: Falcon Design Space; LightBurn compatibility
Computer support: Windows 10 or later; macOS 11 or later; mobile app also available.

The Creality Falcon A1C is an extremely compact, fully enclosed laser engraver that comes in a variety of different options. In this review, I've been looking at the 10W version, which I highly recommend because it works with the widest range of materials and is a great starting point for any hobbyist, small business, or educational facility.

Alongside the A1C, I would also recommend getting the air filter, which uses a tube connected to the vent hole at the back. In this review, I haven't got Creality's version, so I've adapted it for use with the Bambu Lab air filter, which is used with the Bambu Lab H2D.

What I really like about the A1C's design is that it’s so compact, with a footprint of only 336mm wide and 377mm deep. Essentially, it fits neatly on the workshop workbench.

While the design is fully plastic and you can really feel where Creality has pulled back on the material use to make this as affordable as it is, it's still of decent quality and, with its visor lid ensuring that you stay fully protected from any laser rays, it's also a great option if you're just getting into laser engraving and definitely a big step up from the open-frame designs.

The machine itself, while light at just under 10kg, is well designed and sturdy, so it sits firmly on the work surface and stays put as you lift and close the lid. It's also worth highlighting that there is a security USB key on the back, so if you are using this at home and don't want the kids to get close to it, or if you have other people in the office, you can remove the key for safety; without it, the machine isn't usable.

Also, on the safety features, it has all the usual knock and tilt kill switches, as well as lid-lifting alerts. It also has a large safety stop button on the side, so if you are using this in education, it essentially has everything needed to pass most safety checks. However, you will need to check with your institution to make sure it is fully in line.

Now, whilst the build is fully plastic, it's all of really decent quality, and that weight helps ensure minimal vibration from the laser as it works away inside. It also has full autofocus, although you do need to activate it through the app software. It's essentially a pin that lowers with the laser head to touch the material's surface, ensuring the laser is perfectly focused, and you get the best possible cut, engraving, or score.

The system is simple and effective, and throughout the month of testing, it was completely faultless on the small work area, as long as I always remembered to hit that autofocus button before processing.

Another major feature of the model that I've looked at is the AI camera. Now, this produces a preview of the material on the platform, and I found the exposure was a little dark; sometimes, if using a darker material, you can only just make out where it’s placed in the work area. The front section, in contrast, is always perfectly visible.

One of the big differences between this machine and many others that I've looked at, especially at this size, is that, like some 3D printers, it has a raising platform. So essentially you put your material onto the platform, and it raises depending on the height and type of object and material that it’s made from.

This means that despite it being really small, you can also get a rotary attachment that fits perfectly inside, so you can do mugs and cups.

The platform is manually adjusted with a knob on the side, letting you raise or lower it depending on what you're putting inside, or it moves automatically when using the autofocus.

As this is also a compact laser engraver with an air system, you can secure paper and other objects to the platform, and for wood and acrylic there's also the grill platform you can pop those on top of.

Whilst this still feels, in many ways, like an entry-level laser engraving platform, I'm surprised by the volume of features it includes. They've been taken from professional laser engravers, so whilst this is relatively cheap, especially with all the present offers, it actually offers a very compact professional option at an incredible price.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Creality Falcon A1C: Features

In this test, I've been looking at the Creality Falcon A1C 10W diode laser option, which is good for wood, bamboo, paper, cork, cardboard, leather, glass and fabric. There's also a 5W diode laser option available. This is of lesser power, so any ambitions to cut through materials will have to be reduced.

However, if you just want to score or engrave, then the 5W option is actually a good choice. My personal advice would be to spend that little bit extra and go for the 10W version. That way, you are at least future-proofing yourself.

There's also an optional 1.2W IR module available, which enables even more engraving options. Essentially, the diode lasers let you engrave wood, paper, and soft materials, while the IR laser is designed to engrave and mark metals.

Swapping between the heads is relatively easy and, although I didn't have the IR head to test, the process is very straightforward. A simple securing screw can be undone without tools: drop out the head, pop in the new one, and the system automatically recognises the new head and updates the software, ready for you to get started.

Another feature I really like is full autofocus: you put the material you want to engrave underneath, hit autofocus, the head touches the material, and it focuses the beam. It's a mechanical approach, but it worked incredibly well.

Speed-wise, it can engrave at up to 15,000 mm per minute, which is relatively fast for such a small laser. For most of the test, I reduced this to a more standard 6,000 mm per minute for fill and line engraving, and 450 mm per minute for line cutting. These are the default settings, but after testing above and below, I found the factory defaults were by far the best.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

One of the things I really liked on the other Falcon machines is that you use the Falcon Design Space software, which is available for Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. It's really easy to use, well thought out and gives you plenty of options.

If you want to use third-party software such as LightBurn, that's also supported, so if you're working with other laser engravers and want everything under one roof, that is possible.

For connectivity, you can connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB. Mobile workflows are really easy: connect through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, quickly upload, select your settings, and move on.

On the Mac/PC, using Falcon Design Space, you initially connect through USB and, once set up, you can connect through Wi-Fi, which gives you plenty of options and has proven to be a really solid way of working.

Alongside the machine, there’s a range of accessories, including the rotary engraver, which is a standard accessory for most engravers. It's great to see it here as an upgrade option. There's also the air purification accessory, which I would definitely recommend if you are thinking of buying this or, for that matter, any laser engraver.

Creality Falcon A1C: Performance

Getting started with a Falcon A1C doesn't take long. It's a small machine, so unboxing and setting it up on the desktop takes no more than five minutes. Once the packaging is removed, the power is plugged in, and the cutting surface is installed, you can lower the platform using the dial on the right-hand side of the machine so the cutting platform and material can be slipped into place.

Before I got started, I also just wanted to check the emergency stop: testing this simply involved hitting the red button. Everything shut down, and it was the usual twist to power the machine back on.

Having a stop button on the side of machines is essential. This button enables you to kill the power, so that if one of the materials that you've popped inside catches fire, you can deal with it quickly. Hit stop, and that kills the power, so you're only dealing with the fire and not the laser moving as well.

I then popped in the first piece of 3mm ply, loaded up the iOS app and quickly ran through a couple of test engraves. I was surprised by how easy it was to connect to the app and get started; it took no more than five minutes.

I then moved over to the MacBook Pro and, again, it took a couple of minutes to connect the USB cable, do a quick test card and then disconnect the Mac, at which point I could use it over Wi-Fi back in the house.

Popping in materials was all easy enough, with that dial on the side basically activating the motor so the platform raises or lowers. You can then place your material in, hit autofocus once the lid is down, and it's then primed and ready to go. Back in the Falcon software, you can activate the camera to preview the material and the design you've loaded, move it around, and you're almost ready to go.

If you've downloaded a pre-designed cutting path from the Creality site, it's very easy, as the different cuts and engraves have already been highlighted. However, if you're importing paths from your chosen software, then you'll need to select the path and allocate line cutting or engraving.

Essentially, if you import your logo and want it to be a placemat with the logo engraved, Then you want the placemat to be cut out in a disc obviously, what you need to do is select the logo as your first engraving layer and assign that as a line engrave, and set the speed to 6,000mm a minute at about 60% with a one-time pass for 3mm basswood board.

Then, for the letters, create another layer with the text, select Fill Engraving, set the speed to 6,000 mm/min and power to 60%, and run one pass. Finally, you want your logo cut out of that mat, so select a circle from the shapes, draw it around your logo, select line cutting, set the speed to 450 m/minute and power to 80% with one pass, go to Processing and wait for your placemat to be cut.

Another level of ease is that there are loads of materials present; just select the material type and a preset for that is loaded. Through this test, I used basswood ply or paper for the majority of cuts, and these materials could be selected in the presets. With the AI camera enabling you to line everything up perfectly, it was very quick and straightforward to start getting impressive results from the outset.

During the test, I found that the small 150 x 150mm work surface was a little restrictive. For example, a placemat for a mug measuring 90mm x 90mm means you can only do one at a time. Also, if you want to do anything larger, then you will need a larger machine. However, for small home projects, there’s still plenty of scope.

The camera, while useful, is also limited. Seeing the material at the top left in the preview can be difficult because of its position on the laser head and, unless you have bright lighting in the workshop, the preview can look a little dark. There’s also a stop on using the camera while the laser is in action; this is just to review the material, not to monitor the project's progress.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Checking the quality of some engraving, it's exceptionally high, with a good, accurate laser delivering outstanding results considering the size and scale of this machine.

For fine detail, as you'll see on some of the coasters, you have to be very careful about how you convert the image for laser engraving. Still, after a few runs and a little bit of experimentation, you'll settle on the best results for the material that you're using.

Likewise, when it comes to cutting, there's very little, if any, scorching, which means that if you are doing small production runs, you can quickly wipe the wood afterwards and go straight to finishing with a bit of wax, depending on what you're doing.

Overall, the performance and quality this small machine can produce are exceptionally high, and for anyone or a small business looking to get into laser engraving, this is a great starting point and will absolutely show what can be done with this technology.

Creality Falcon A1C: Final verdict

Creality Falcon A1C is an interesting machine. It’s a Class 1 laser, and interchangeable modules enable you to swap between a 5W (optional) or 10W diode laser and a 1.2W IR head (Optional), and there's plenty of flexibility in what you can do with this machine.

My one thing to point out is that there are two versions of the machine. Just make sure you're opting for the slightly more expensive one with the AI camera, which is the version I've looked at in this review. The cheaper version doesn't feature the AI camera, so positioning is a little bit trickier, and you can't preview exactly where things go.

When it comes to use, the studio software makes things easy. Although there’s still a learning process, especially with putting your cutting and engraving paths onto different layers, after a few runs it's relatively easy to work out.

If you are totally new, I highly recommend downloading some pre-made templates and seeing how they are made; it all starts to make sense pretty quickly as you click through those layers.

Whilst the machine itself is cheap, you will have to pay extra if you want to purchase many of the accessories, including the 5W diode or IR heads, but even then they're not usually expensive compared with other laser engravers. One real limitation is the 150 x 150 work area, a size I normally associate with a fibre laser, not a diode like this.

However, that small size also means you can easily sit it on a desktop. It's great for a small workshop or anyone wanting to dabble in laser engraving, as it gives you a superb idea of what larger, more expensive machines can do, and 10W in a small machine like this is still substantial enough to create some pretty impressive products.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

When it comes to cutting quality, it’s exceptionally good, and the engraving quality is, too; at this level it's well above what you would normally expect.

If you are looking for a small, compact laser engraver, this is a great place to start. I would suggest spending that little extra and buying the air filter at the same time, and if you can afford it, the rotary addition is always a worthwhile accessory.

Should you buy the Creality Falcon A1C

Value:

Excellent functions and features for a machine at this price, giving you a true taste of what laser engraving is all about

4.5

Design:

The full-plastic design has a slightly cheapish feel, but with the small footprint it fits neatly on almost any work surface

4.5

Features

The autofocus feature just makes using this laser engraver exceptionally easy, as does the fact that it's fully enclosed, perfect for beginners

4.5

Performance

A 150 x 150 work area is slightly limiting, but aside from that, if you just want to work on small items, the cutting and engraving quality is superb

4.5

Total

An extremely well-priced and feature-packed compact laser engraver for both beginners and small businesses

4.5

Buy it if...

It's your first laser engraver
If you want your first fully enclosed laser engraver but don't like the idea of an open machine, this is a superb option at this price and surprisingly feature-packed.

You work on small, personalized products
If you focus on gifts, tags, jewellery, and other small products, the 150 x 150mm work area is a huge benefit and very easy to use.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need a large work area
If you're making products or multiple parts, the 150 x 150 work area will be a bit small, and if you want to mass-produce, you'll definitely need something bigger.

You may need a camera later
Don't go for the cheaper model without the camera. Whilst it will save you quite a bit of money, it also makes the machine more complicated to use.View Deal

For more crafting tech, I've tested and reviewed all the best 3D printers and best laser engravers.

Insidious, we meet again. For the sixth time, in fact. It's become one of the world's biggest horror franchises but the new horror movie is making me question whether or not it needs to carry on at all.

I should preface this largely negative review by saying that I was a huge fan of the first Insidious movie, and have been a fan of James Wan's ever since Saw. So it truly does pain me to say I did not have a good time with Insidious: Out of the Further, because I went in hoping to see an intriguing new entry, but what followed was almost entirely predictable.

Recently, we have seen some good horror sequels. Take a look at Saw X for example, which is infinitely better than some of the movies that came before it (I still can't get over how bad Jigsaw is). But Insidious: Out of the Further feels like a way to profit from the popular franchise without really adding much to it.

It's a shame, because it did have potential. Here, Alice Eve plays Gemma, a young mother who is raising her daughter in her childhood home. She lives a normal life until she discovers she can travel into The Further, which is a purgatorial realm of lost souls. Gemma realizes she can bring what lives in The Further back to the real world, which is great news for demonic entities who use Gemma to their full advantage. Cue carnage unfolding in our realm, and plenty of evil round the corner.

I first saw Alice Eve in Netflix's The Haunting of Bly Manor, and she is undoubtedly the best thing about Insidious: Out of the Further. As a new arrival to the Insidious franchise she's front and center of this sequel, and does a great job in the role.

Unfortunately, Eve's strong performance can't make up for the movie's many flaws. Insidious: Out of the Further is the scariest of the franchise due to the sheer number of jump scares, many of which have extremely loud audio to go along with it.

But the fact it was able to make me jump in my seat multiple times does not make it a good movie. The special effects and makeup feel really off, and not at all on the same level as previous movies. A lot of the narrative decisions frustrated me too, and I think it tries to take itself too seriously by stuffing loads of new lore into its runtime, making it feel bloated.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

It's essential to see the other Insidious movies first, which may seem obvious, but I would encourage you to rewatch (or at least read up on them) before you go and see Insidious: Out of the Further, otherwise you might end up feeling lost. This really is for die-hard Insidious fans who know their stuff, so casual fans might be left scratching their heads.

Insidious: Out of the Further does not come close to the quality we've seen in a wave of recent great horror movies. It pales in comparison to fresh horror hits like Obsession and Backrooms, despite the fact the trailer repeatedly reminds us that it's produced by the same people; Blumhouse and Atomic Monster.

Having said that, if you want to go just to be startled by a carousel of jump scares, it's a great choice. I'd recommend this for those who want to test their nerve, and it's best seen with a crowd for this reason. I would advise against buying any popcorn in case you throw it all over yourself, because the scares are certainly in abundance here.

But it's not a necessary addition to the Insidious franchise at all, and doesn't live up to the 2010 movie that started it all. After 16 years, perhaps it's time to put this franchise to bed for good.

Poco F8 Ultra: Two-minute review

The Poco F8 Ultra demonstrates what’s possible when performance doesn’t come at a premium. Packing a top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a huge 6,500mAh battery, and a bright 120Hz AMOLED display, it's among the very best phones on paper — but it's Poco's photography chops and unique Bose partnership that set the F8 Ultra apart from other ‘flagship killers’.

A trio of rear cameras steals the show. Poco phones (as well as those made by its parent company, Xiaomi) often sneak under the radar for photographic performance, but having shone in both day and nighttime environments during my testing, there’s rarely been any situation where the F8 Ultra’s cameras haven’t exceeded expectations. What’s more, Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 seems to finally be fulfilling its AI-centric potential, with genuinely useful photo features that allow beginners to fine-tune their shots to perfection.

The brand's Bose partnership sets an equally high standard. While for many, the addition of a dedicated 1620 subwoofer in the phone's rear panel may seem like a token gesture, partnering it with symmetrical, dual 115F speakers quickly highlights how ‘flat’ other phones sound without external audio devices. Bass is noticeable, and the overall soundscape is more than pleasant enough to enable most to ditch the headphones entirely, so long as the situation suits!

While the F8 Ultra's design may bear a striking resemblance to that of Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, that’s hardly a bad thing. The phone feels superb to hold and rivals its most premium opposition for style, despite its huge 6.9-inch display. The rounded corners, flat aluminum edges, and impressive thinness (7.9 or 8.3mm, depending on variant) help its size feel manageable, and it’ll quickly feel much like its more premium counterparts in everyday use. The denim-like variant is certainly an acquired taste, but I grew accustomed to it quickly and, frankly, it feels superb to use.

Under the hood, the combination of a huge 6,500mAh battery and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset is stellar. The F8 Ultra achieves all-day battery life with ease, all while retaining superb performance under strain from gaming or multitasking. The only drawback: it does suffer from the chipset’s trademark overheating problems. While I never found the phone to be fatally hot, this temperature increase is certainly noticeable when gaming for long periods, and it can lead to some performance drops as a result.

The phone's availability is another drawback. It's available in the UK via both carriers and retailers, but only via third-party retailers like Amazon and eBay in the US. Still, the latter is more than can be said for the best Xiaomi phones, so I suppose that's a small win. The Poco F8 Ultra isn't available in Australia at the time of writing.

Poco F8 Ultra review: Price and availability

• Launched for £749 / $729
• But it's now almost always on sale
• US price varies heavily depending on the seller

The Poco F8 Ultra undercuts almost any comparable phone when it comes to price. It launched for $729 / £749 back in November 2025, but is now available for significantly less — especially in the UK — likely due to the imminent release of the Poco F9 Ultra, which is rumored to land towards the end of 2026.

It's a win in itself to see one of Xiaomi’s devices available via Amazon or eBay in the US. It’s not available directly through carriers, though you’ll no longer have an issue using a US SIM with this device.

Even without a discount, the Poco F8 Ultra starts from the best part of $200 / £200 less than you’d normally expect to pay for a device boasting the latest chipset, triple cameras, and a huge battery. It even gets 4 years of major Android OS updates and 6 years of security updates. By which point, Xiaomi will almost certainly have released something of even better value to replace it.

Xiaomi and Poco do sell phones in Australia, but the Poco F8 Ultra isn't currently available in that region.

• Value score: 5 / 5

Poco F8 Ultra review: Specs

Poco F8 Ultra

Dimensions

163.33 x 8.3 x 77.82mm (Black) 163.33 x 7.9 x 77.82mm (Blue)

Weight

217g (Black), 220g (Blue)

OS

Android 16 (HyperOS 3)

Display

6.9-inch 120Hz HyperRGB AMOLED

Resolution

2608 x 1200

Chipset

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

RAM

12GB (256GB), 16GB (512GB)

Storage

256GB, 512GB

Battery

6,500mAh

Rear cameras

50MP wide (f/1.7) + 50MP periscope telephoto (f/3.0) + 50-MP (f/2.4) ultrawide

Front cameras

32MP (f/2.2)

Charging

100W wired, 50W wireless, 22.5W reverse wireless

Poco F8 Ultra review: Design

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

• iPhone-like camera plateau design
• Super comfortable to hold despite huge size
• Denim blue choice may not be to some people’s taste

Poco adopts a reliable yet stylish look for the Poco F8 Ultra. That said, the first thing that needs discussing is its Denim Blue option.

While the material itself isn’t denim — rather, Poco's own nano-tech material — it looks and feels as though you’re texting from a pair of Levi’s. It’s no doubt a strange experience to begin with, but you’ll quickly see the benefits of this new material, namely a complete lack of scratch marks and a nice grippy feel in the hand.

If you’re after a more traditional look, there is also a black variant. It uses Poco’s ‘Glass Fibre’, which gives a feel closer to that of a glass-backed phone. It should feel less slippery to hold and pick up fewer scratches than the competition, though you’re definitely likely to see more fingerprints here than on its denim-look counterpart.

Either variant is also pleasantly comfortable to hold despite the phone's huge 6.9-inch display. The F8 Ultra has a rounded aluminum frame and only weighs 220g at most (or 217g if you choose the black version). That’s over 10g lighter than an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and yet the weight cut doesn’t leave the phone feeling any less premium when you’re holding it, nor does it feel so light that it could be easily dropped or broken.

Where the F8 Ultra and the iPhone are more similar, however, is in their shared camera plateau design. In the case of the F8 Ultra, the plateau houses not only the rear cameras but also the subwoofer that headlines the phone's Bose partnership. Unlike many plateaus, the Poco F8 Ultra’s doesn’t protrude hugely despite its more-than-capable cameras, which we’ll cover later.

Aside from these features, the F8 Ultra's design bears little to shout about, which in many ways, is a win. The denim look is certainly a unique choice should you choose it, but both this and the black variant will soon leave you thinking you possess a phone far more premium than its price tag suggests.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Poco F8 Ultra review: Display

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

• Bright and easily viewed
• Great refresh rate
• Simple punch-hole front-camera

The Poco F8 Ultra’s display gives the phone a premium feel from the moment you boot it up. This huge 6.9-inch 2608 x 1200 AMOLED screen is capable of a 3500-nit peak brightness, which, while lower than many equivalent phones, does a faultless job of keeping the display punchy and viewable from almost all angles.

You also get a 120Hz refresh rate to play with, meaning scrolling through social media or gaming is smooth enough for even the most serious mobile gamers. This display also offers up to 480Hz touch sampling, which gives the screen a super-responsive feel, no matter if you're gaming or switching between apps.

The Poco F8 Ultra's display is also one of Xiaomi’s ‘eye-care’ displays. These use a combination of hardware and software to reduce eye strain, headaches, and sleep problems caused by phone displays. Technologies such as high-frequency PWM dimming and circadian rhythm adjustments are employed to keep you healthy and have little to no impact on the device’s performance.

All of this technology is housed under ‘Poco Shield’ glass, which is proprietary to Xiaomi and kept for only its most premium devices. In the months of using this phone, I’ve never found reason to doubt Xiaomi’s claims of improved scratch- and impact-resistance compared to industry-standard solutions such as Corning glass. I've been able to confidently use the F8 Ultra in crowded environments without a case, where, frankly, it’s had more than one abrupt meeting with a floor.

That said, the biggest part of why this phone feels so premium to use is just how much display it gives you to play with. It has a huge 94.25% screen-to-body ratio and opts for a simple punch-hole front camera. This, partnered with its huge size, leaves the F8 Ultra's screen feeling nothing short of flagship-worthy while you're streaming, gaming, or browsing. Good job, Xiaomi.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Poco F8 Ultra review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

• Brilliant levels of detail and vibrancy
• Low-light shooting is top tier
• Selfie camera has room for improvement

The Poco F8 Ultra’s cameras are nothing short of superb — whether you use them at night, for close-ups, or even just regular shooting.

No matter the subject, the Poco F8 Ultra captured a level of vibrancy and detail in each shot that, frankly, it had no right to given its price point. Most noticeably, while shooting in cloudier conditions, shots continued to be detailed and well-balanced, without falling foul of extreme white blowouts in backgrounds.

I did find focusing on the F8 Ultra a touch more fiddly than some might like, especially when looking to shoot in dimmer, indoor environments, but with time, it becomes manageable. That said, the phone was near-flawless in picking up the subject matter and retaining razor-thin focus margins to the rest of the frame.

Each of the three main cameras is 50MP, with the phone even offering a 50MP shooting mode to make full use of these megapixels — though it sacrifices much of the camera's adaptability should you choose to use it.

One of the standout inclusions on the phone's spec sheet is its Light Fusion 950 light sensor. Taking the F8 Ultra out for some night photography proved just how beneficial the device’s 43% improvement in light sensitivity (versus the F7 Ultra) can be. Details remained sharp, backgrounds were rarely a mere abyss of black, and the vibrancy I’d seen in the daytime remained to a surprising degree.

On the front of the phone, there’s a 32MP selfie camera which does a good enough job. It definitely leaves selfies a touch smoother than you’d expect given the quality of the rear cameras, and it's sometimes a touch excessive when adjusting skin tones in bright environments. But it’s still a camera I’d happily use to snap my next night out.

Whether you’re shooting selfies or regular shots, there are also a strong number of preset modes and effects you can use to make the shot your own if you aren’t a seasoned pro. It’s not quite as many as you’d get from something like a Pixel or Galaxy phone, but the Poco F8 Ultra's camera itself proved more than capable of providing strong results no matter the subject matter, even in my amateur hands.

Poco F8 Ultra review: camera samplesFutureFuture // Rob Dunne Future // Rob Dunne Future / Rob Dunne Future // Rob DunneFuture // Rob DunneFuture // Rob Dunne Future // Rob DunneFuture // Rob Dunne Future // Rob DunnePoco F8 Ultra review: Performance

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

• Flagship-level specs provide the expected power
• Doesn’t struggle with multitasking or intense games
• Brilliant audio capabilities

It’s frustratingly difficult to fault a flagship-killer's performance when it packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and DDR5X memory because, in short, it’s packing the same tech as its premium rivals, with a far smaller price tag. What’s more, there’s nothing to suggest any corners have been cut elsewhere on the F8 Ultra.

For example, I tested it with hugely demanding games such as Call of Duty: Mobile and Genshin Impact, and it never so much as dropped a frame. It’ll get a touch warm, as any phone would (including flagships), but, in fact, the alternative back panel material makes it far more manageable to hold when it does.

Day-to-day use is a doddle. Depending on the storage configuration you choose, you get either 12 or 16GB of DDR5X RAM, and 256GB or 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. Simply put, nothing is slow to load, and you’ll likely be able to multitask however you choose to without any noticeable slowdown.

What’s more, having now spent well over six months with the device (yes, I've been testing it for a while), these performance levels haven't dropped off whatsoever. The F8 Ultra is backed by a huge 6,500mAh battery, which we’ll cover later, and it's remained a remarkably capable phone for heavy-duty gaming sessions while I'm on the go. This performance is, in part, helped by its ‘Game Turbo’ mode, though, on trying with and without this option turned on, the difference is far less noticeable than you’d expect.

Streaming on the device is something I also came to enjoy thanks in no small part to its unique Bose subwoofer system. It’s well known that regular phone speakers often return flat, unappealing soundscapes, but the F8 Ultra’s Bose partnership quite simply throws this possibility out of the window. The subwoofer allows for a 2.1-channel audio system that restores the punchiness you want while watching intense TV series or horror films (in private, please).

Of course, the F8 Ultra is no match for a proper speaker or sound system, but I’ve certainly found myself more comfortable using the phone to play music aloud or quickly watch videos while at home without connecting to a speaker separately.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Poco F8 Ultra review: Software

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

• HyperOS 3 is simple enough for anyone
• AI is becoming increasingly involved in the experience
• Remains beginner-friendly without AI integrations

HyperOS has quickly matured into a clean and easy OS since its launch in late 2023. Yes, the ever-increasing amount of AI features may put off those keen to avoid extreme data collection in the name of convenience, but the software experience, regardless, is smoother than ever.

Navigating menus and finding settings and toggles throughout the device is smooth, and everything is essentially where you’d expect it to be. The functionality of some of the icon-based toggles could be clearer, but this is a problem that’s apparent across most Android OS packages nowadays.

Photo editing is so far the best use of Xiaomi’s increasing AI toolset. Beginners can quickly and easily improve their photos with an ‘AI Beautify’ tool that does a far better job than most auto-adjust photo tools I’ve come across in the past.

There are several more excessive options, such as sky adjustments, image expansion, and portrait adjustments, that may disturb photography purists, but, as yet, these tools aren’t quite as refined as they need to be for everyday use.

Outside of photography, you get several AI-based writing improvement, search, and speech tools that can be toggled to improve the everyday experience. Thankfully, having tested the Poco F8 Ultra both with and without these additions, the user experience remains simple enough if you’re keen to keep AI away from your everyday tasks.

All in all, HyperOS 3 more than matches up to the F8 Ultra’s premium specs; it provides a simple enough experience for casual users, while power users can make the most of its many customization options.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Poco F8 Ultra review: Battery

• Huge multi-day battery life
• Sub-hour charging times are very helpful
• Includes 22.5W reverse wireless charging

It’s no surprise that the Poco F8 Ultra’s battery credentials are flagship-grade. The phone packs a 6,500mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, and in testing, these figures resulted in months of day-long battery life and little worry about the speed of impromptu top-ups.

Slower use days will get you multiple days of battery life, which was a welcome surprise, and in truth you'll probably get beyond a day of endurance even with a reasonable amount of social media scrolling and general browsing.

Gaming and streaming were, understandably, the biggest drainers. But, even so, it would only make an hour or so’s difference to the battery life I’d come to expect. To this day, over six months later, I’m still never remotely worried I’ll run out of battery on the Poco F8 Ultra so long as I'm leaving the house with 40% charge or above.

And the phone's 100W charging makes charging a breeze. Getting back up to 100% is comfortably done in under an hour, though in my experience, it takes a tad longer than the advertised 38 minutes. 22.5W reverse wireless charging is also a handy addition for when friends find themselves in a pinch.

In my experience, you’d scarcely find better battery life at this price point. Only Poco's own Poco X8 Pro Max trumps the F8 Ultra for battery value, though you will get even better endurance from true flagships like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and OnePlus 15.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Poco F8 Ultra?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Poco F8 Ultra brings undoubtedly flagship capabilities to a mid-range price point. It's perfect if you’re keen to save without making huge performance sacrifices.

5 / 5

Design

Despite being a clear iPhone clone, the F8 Ultra lacks no amount of unique style. It’s premium to look at whether you go safe with black or opt for its denim alternative.

4 / 5

Display

Bright and smooth, it’s easy to see the Poco F8 Ultra’s premium intent as soon as you load up its huge display for the first time.

4 / 5

Performance

Nothing seems to stop the F8 Ultra from performing. Gaming and multitasking are a breeze, with little sign of let up no matter how hard you push.

5 / 5

Software

HyperOS is finally becoming the matured, reliable OS it was intended to be. AI is definitely a centrepiece, but it’s easy enough for anyone to use.

4 / 5

Cameras

Vibrant, detailed, and sharp, there’s little to fault about the Poco F8 Ultra’s triple camera array. That said, there’s room for some improvement on the front.

4 / 5

Battery

Multi-day battery life and super-quick charging. Using it makes you forget what worrying about battery life feels like, and it doesn’t stop for months.

5 / 5

Buy it if

You want all-day battery life and more

The Poco F8 Ultra’s battery size, charging speed, and superb processing capabilities make multi-day use the norm — it's perfect if you’re always on the move without access to quick and easy charging.View Deal

You’re a keen mobile gamer

The mix of top-tier processing capabilities and long battery life means you can be set up for hours of high-intensity gaming. No need to turn down the graphics settings, no need to turn on battery saver; just sit down and game as you wish. View Deal

You want an immersive streaming experience

The Poco F8 Ultra’s 2.1-channel audio system and huge 6.9-inch display make for a brilliant mobile streaming experience that simply can’t be matched by any phone of a similar price. View Deal

Don’t buy it if

You want a guaranteed point-and-shoot camera experience

While the camera is superb, in some settings, the focus can be fiddly, which, if you’re after a quick shot, is less than ideal. View Deal

Poco F8 Ultra review: also consider

Oppo Find X9 Pro

Oppo’s Find X9 Pro is a step up in all the things that make the Poco F8 Ultra great. Superb photography, huge battery life, and strong performance. Just be aware that it’s regularly a more expensive choice and lacks US availability.

Read our full Oppo Find X9 Pro review

Samsung Galaxy S26

The S26 is the ideal phone if you’re looking for decent photography, with strong AI integrations and an all-round better user experience. That said, you lose out on battery life and some of the photographic potential.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S26 review

Poco F8 Ultra

Oppo Find X9 Pro

Samsung Galaxy S26

Price

£749 / $729

£1,099 / AU$2,299

$899 / £879 / AU$1,349

Display

6.9-inch 120Hz HyperRGB AMOLED

6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED

6.3-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Cameras

50 MP wide (f/1.7) + 50 MP periscope telephoto (f/3.0) + 50 MP (f/2.4) ultra-wide

50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide + 200MP telephoto (3x)

50MP main + 10MP telephoto + 12MP ultra-wide

Processor

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

MediaTek Dimensity 9500

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Battery

6,500mAh

7,500mAh

4,300mAh

How I tested the Poco F8 Ultra

• Tested over multiple months
• Used as both a daily driver and second phone
• Compared with previous testing

Why you can trust TechRadar

☑️ 100s of smartphones reviewed
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech

I tested the Poco F8 Ultra over a period exceeding six months, with the phone arriving at the time of its launch.

In that time, it was either my main or secondary phone and was put through several forms of testing. This included extensive usage to test battery life, intensive streaming and gaming testing, as well as regular daily use to spot usability issues, bugs, and other problems consumers may face.

This review was conducted using my own experience of the phones industry alongside other experiences reviewing phones in similar price brackets.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: July 2026

JBL Live Beam 4 review

JBL is back with its new generation of touchscreen-equipped earbuds, and the JBL Live Beam 4 may just be my favorite of the bunch.

These in-ear wireless earbuds come with a number of improvements over their predecessors, including enhanced active noise cancelling capabilities, new “fidelity drivers” for more advanced audio, and better call quality to boot. That’s not to mention an updated UI for the smart charging case, which is packed with more features than ever before.

But are these changes good enough to cement the JBL Live Beam 4 as some of the best wireless earbuds that money can buy? Here’s what I think after weeks of testing.

Let’s start by talking about the smart charging case, which is the Live series’ unique selling point. Although it certainly borders on gimmicky, the revamped UI is actually pretty responsive, and is packed with plenty of functionality. You can adjust the ANC mode, equalizer, spatial sound settings, and playback settings, for instance, and 'favorite' certain settings for speedier access.

But that’s not all. You can also access tools such as a timer, flashlight, and a Find My Buds application, and also set a background — including a custom photo, which I loved doing. Gaining access to these instruments without needing to remove your phone (or other source device) may be handy in certain situations — like when your device is in a bag or on charge.

As chic as the touchscreen case is, though, I still found myself gravitating towards the JBL Headphones app on my phone — the ease of a larger screen, and the full control available in the companion software made it a more natural choice for me.

The feature-set available is pretty comprehensive just on the case though, and marks a vast improvement on the suite of features to be found in JBL's past screen-toting buds. On top of what I’ve already mentioned, you can activate a smart talk option — similar to Sony’s speak-to-chat feature. You can also customize touch controls, and alter how your voice — and the person on the other side — sounds on phone calls (there’s a natural, powerful, or bright version).

Given that JBL has also included ‘Perfect Calls 2.0’ tech, which harnesses an AI-trained algorithm, you may expect primo call quality here, but unfortunately, I found it to be a touch underwhelming. It was by no means bad, but during a call, my colleague noted how my voice lacked the clarity and definition they’d expected. When making a voice recording I found this to be accurate — my speech was clear enough, but there was a fair bit of sibilance, and background noises were pretty prominent too.

But let’s talk about arguably the most important feature of all — active noise cancellation. You can choose to have this on, off, or use a transparency mode, all of which are easy to cycle through in-app or on the smart charging case.

But just how good is the ANC on these earbuds? Well… it’s decent. We weren’t blown away by noise the cancelling on the JBL Live Beam 3, and despite some improvement, I still found them a little prone to letting external noise creep in. Whether it was passing by traffic, typing in my office, or chatter on buses, I could still hear a fair bit, even when listening at around 70% volume. The Beam 4 still dulled sounds effectively, and kept me focused on my tunes, but if you’re expecting the silence-inducing ANC of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, for instance, then you may be disappointed.

(Image credit: Future)

Anyway, I think it’s about time I started giving the JBL Beam 4 their flowers, because they impressed me in almost every other area — including what is arguably the most crucial of all: sound quality. These are a fantastic-sounding pair of wireless buds, especially with LDAC activated for higher-resolution Bluetooth streaming.

Right out of the box, the Live Beam 4 offer exciting, impactful, yet detailed audio. As is usually the case with JBL audio gear, the bass is fairly forward, but not to the point that it’s distasteful or ‘boomy’.

For instance, tuning into Soul Mass Transit System’s Feel Da Vibe, I was struck by the deep, hypnotic bassline, which rippled throughout the track effortlessly, never sounding lethargic or unrefined. In addition, synths in the mid-range and drums up high never sounded drowned out or obscured by the hard-hitting bass.

More stripped-back, acoustic tracks sound great on the Live Beam 4 too. For example, in 78 Rotações by Jards Macalé, fingerpicked guitars sounded expressive and vibrant, and the natural tonality of the raw playing was replicated with finesse. Sure, vocals could have been separated in the mix a bit more effectively, but I still really enjoyed the listening experience overall — subtle percussive elements and guitar licks sounded were positioned brilliantly, and the buds’ broad soundstage made for a surprisingly immersive presentation.

All in all, I’d argue that these are some of the best-sounding earbuds in their price range. Treble is controlled yet vivid enough to capture the excitement of more energetic tracks, mids are detailed and clean-sounding, and bass is impactful yet disciplined. One thing, though: keep Spatial Sound off. This setting only made my music sound compressed, and vocals sound artificial and shrill. You also have to turn LDAC off to use it, so I’d steer clear, personally.

(Image credit: Future)

Something else I really liked about the Live Beam 4 is their design. Their stems make them easy to remove from your ears, and the glossy finish on the exterior is pretty enticing. The case itself is pretty neat-looking too and is built to a very high standard. The display itself is fairly bright, and although the case is on the bulky side overall, it’s still small enough to slot into just about any pocket.

In the ear, the buds also feel phenomenally comfortable and secure. I never felt the need to take them out, even when listening to music for hours on end — something I honestly can’t say about a lot of competitors. They’re also IP55 dust and waterproof-rated, meaning I was able to use the Beam 4 even if it was pouring with rain outside.

So are the JBL Live Beam 4 worth their £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240) asking price? For me, it’s a resounding yes. They offer genuinely sophisticated sound, a really comfortable in-ear fit, and plenty of features to play around with. The smart case — though admittedly a bit of a gimmick — is responsive and a fun inclusion, and I enjoyed setting a custom background, using the built-in applications, and having swift access to EQ settings, for example.

The battery life — although unchanged from the previous gen — is still plentiful too, 12 hours for the buds, and up to 48 hours with the charging case is better than you’re getting from Apple and Bose’s flagship earbuds.

So, even if the ANC and call quality could be better on the JBL Live Beam 4, they still earn my hearty recommendation, and if you want wireless earbuds that come with a unique twist, they’re well worth checking out.

(Image credit: Future)JBL Live Beam 4 review: price & release date

• List price of £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240)
• Revealed in May 2026

The JBL Live Beam 4 were revealed in May 2026, about two years after their predecessor, the JBL Live Beam 3. They come in at £179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240), meaning they cost the same as the previous gen model did at launch (in the UK). We’re yet to receive any information about pricing or a launch in the US, but we’ll update this review if and when we hear more.

They’re priced competitively, coming in at a lower cost than top-tier rivals like the AirPods Pro 3 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2.

JBL Live Beam 4 review: specs

Drivers

10mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

12 hours (buds), 48 hours (with charging case)

Weight

4.9g (per bud)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0

Frequency range

20Hz-40kHz

Waterproofing

IP55

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the JBL Live Beam 4?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Broad feature-set within the charging case and app, but ANC and call quality could be better.

4/5

Sound quality

Impactful bass, rich mids, and vibrant treble and broad soundstage make for excellent audio.

4.5/5

Design

Ultra-comfortable in-ear fit, IP55-rated, and case is well-built, albeit bulky.

4.5/5

Value

A good price for earbuds that are this feature-rich and sound this good.

4.5/5

Buy them if…

You want the best sound-per-pound audio quality
For a pair of wireless earbuds in this price bracket, the JBL Live Beam 4 are excellent performers. They’re a little bass forward, but that doesn’t come at the expense of rich mids or vibrant treble. And with LDAC on, you can enjoy an even more detailed listen time after time.

You’re drawn in by the screen-fitted charging case
If you’re tempted by the Beam 4’s touchscreen case, then I have good news for you — it works like a dream. With a revamped UI, plenty of customization options, and tools like a timer and flashlight, there’s plenty of functionality to play around with. I also enjoyed selecting a photo from my phone’s library as a custom background — it’s such a thoughtful touch.

Don’t buy them if…

You want top-tier ANC
While the ANC on these earbuds is pretty decent, it’s not exactly class leading. If you want top-of-the-range noise-crushing capabilities, I’d still recommend checking out Bose’s flagship in-ears.

You want spectacular spatial audio
The spatial audio setting on JBL’s new Live Beam earbuds is by no means spectacular — in fact, it’s barely serviceable. Vocals lose clarity and songs will generally have a more compressed quality, meaning they deliver disappointing spatial sound.

JBL Live Beam 4 review: also consider

JBL Live Beam 4

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

Price

£179.99 / AU$269.95 (about $240)

$249 / £219 / AU$429

$149 / £119 / AU$199

Drivers

10mm dynamic

Custom high-excursion

10mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

12 hours (buds), 48 hours (with charging case)

8 hours (buds), 24 hours (with charging case)

11 hours (buds), 39 hours (with charging case)

Weight

4.9g (per bud)

5.6g (per bud)

4.7g (per bud)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.4

Frequency range

20Hz-40kHz

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

Waterproofing

IP55

IP57

IPX5

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple’s flagship noise-cancelling earbuds are a little pricier than this JBL model, but they’re occasionally on-sale for less than $230 / £200 / AU$350. And they offer excellent quality, with emotive, spacious sound, awesome ANC, and an ultra-comfortable fit. They could have better battery life, but otherwise, they’re a great pair of in-ears. Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
We were huge fans of the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 earbuds when we tested them last year. With impeccable sound quality, impressive noise cancelling, and a tempting low price, they really are the full package. Their bass output is a little less striking than that of the Live Beam 4, but we’d still recommend them without question. Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 review.

How I tested the JBL Live Beam 4

(Image credit: Future)

• I tested over the course of multiple weeks
• Mainly used Tidal when assessing audio quality
• Took with me on walks, public transport, and to the office

I spent multiple weeks testing the JBL Live Beam 4, and took them with me just about everywhere I went. This meant that I was able to test the buds’ noise cancelling in a wide variety of environments, including buses, the office, and while on walks in my city.

When assessing audio quality, I mainly used the music streaming app, Tidal, which supports higher-resolution streaming. I did also dip into Spotify from time to time, however. During my time with the Beam 4, I made sure to cycle through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a wide variety of genres, but I also bumped a ton of tunes from my personal library as well.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing audio gear here at TechRadar, and have reviewed everything from hulking party speakers to audiophile-friendly wired and wireless headphones. I’ve also tested several pairs of wireless earbuds from the likes of LG and Sony, so I know exactly what it takes for a product to stand out in this competitive segment of the market.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: August 2026

I was standing outside my Airbnb in Lisbon at midnight, trying to call my host because the door code wasn't working. My phone had data, but no actual phone number, since the eSIM I'd bought before the trip was one of those data-only deals. I ended up asking a stranger to borrow their phone just to make one call.

aloSIM covers 200+ destinations with prepaid data starting at around $3.50 per week, and, unlike most travel eSIM providers, many qualifying plans include a phone number through its sister app, Hushed.

aloSIM: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: aloSIM)

You can buy aloSIM data by single country, by region, or through the Global plan, either as fixed data with a set validity window or as a per-day unlimited plan.

The unlimited plans cap full-speed data at 2 GB a day. After that, speeds drop to 512 Kbps until the next day resets. That's fine for maps and messaging, but it'll slow down video calls.

If you're crossing borders on a single trip, regional or Global plans usually save money compared to buying a new eSIM at each stop, as long as your route stays within the countries covered by each bundle.

Here’s what the pricing looks like for the popular regions:

Metric

Global

Europe

Asia

Caribbean

Central America

North America

South America

British Isles

Australia and NZ

Starting price

$10.00

$5.00

$5.00

$6.50

$10.00

$5.50

$6.50

$4.50

$10.50

Countries

147

35

14

20

6

3

8

2

2

Frequent travelers also earn 5% back in aloCASH on every purchase, with credit that stays valid for a year and rolls over into future eSIM purchases. But the real reason to pick aloSIM over competitors like Airalo or Saily isn't the price. It's the bundled Hushed number.

What makes aloSIM different?

(Image credit: aloSIM)

aloSIM comes with a real phone number through Hushed, an eSIM profile that never expires, free hotspot sharing on every plan, and an app that runs smoothly across supported devices. Most competitors offer one or two of these. aloSIM bundles all four, and that's really the whole case for choosing it over a plain data-only eSIM.

Real phone number

Qualifying plans include a free US or Canadian number through Hushed, with calls, texts, and voicemail working over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Claim it from your aloSIM account after purchase, under Calling and Texting.

You get $3 in credit to start, then it's pay-as-you-go or a subscription. It doesn't matter if your trip has nothing to do with North America either; the number still works for calling and texting anywhere in the world once it's active. This matters most for calling a hotel or rental agency, not just messaging friends on WhatsApp.

Reusable eSIM profile

Once installed, the profile stays on your device permanently, not just for the current trip. Return to the same country six months or a year later, and there's no reinstall, no new QR code, no re-entering settings. You just buy another data plan and top up the existing profile. For frequent flyers to the same handful of destinations, this alone cuts real setup time.

Free hotspot sharing

Every plan includes tethering at no extra cost, so a laptop or tablet can piggyback off your phone's data without a separate purchase. Most competitors either charge for this or cap it at a daily limit. aloSIM doesn't meter it separately, though heavy hotspot use will still draw down your plan's regular data allowance faster.

The aloSIM app

Most day-to-day account management, plan purchases, and eSIM installs occur through the app rather than the website. A couple of features are worth knowing before you download it. Real-time usage notifications flag when you're running low on data, so you don't get stranded mid-trip. Automatic installation skips the QR code entirely on supported devices, pushing the eSIM straight onto your phone with a single tap.

aloSIM: Installation and activation

(Image credit: aloSIM)

If you've never used an eSIM before, aloSIM's step-by-step guide walks you through choosing your device model and the installation process, making setup one of the more beginner-friendly experiences available.

Setup takes about two minutes if your phone is already unlocked and eSIM-ready:

• Check: Dial *#06# and look for an EID number. If it's there, your phone supports eSIM. aloSIM also has a device checker on its site if you'd rather skip the dialing.
• Shop: Pick a destination, choose a data size, and pay in the app or on the website.
• Install: If you're buying through the mobile app, the 'Automatic Installation' button installs the eSIM directly on your device without scanning anything. On desktop, you'll scan a QR code instead. Stay on home Wi-Fi so the install doesn't glitch out.
• Activate: Decide whether your regular SIM stays active for calls, or you go fully dual-data with aloSIM handling everything. The eSIM connects automatically once your phone picks up a partner network at your destination.

aloSIM: Compatible devices

Most eSIM-capable phones from the last five or six years will work. If your phone is tied to a payment plan or locked to a carrier, none of this matters until it's unlocked. Check the full compatibility list if your phone is older or less common.

Here's the rundown by brand:

Brand

What Works

Things To Know

Apple iPhone

XR and newer, through the 17 series

Phones bought in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macao are excluded

Apple iPad

Air, Mini from 2019 on, Pro 11 and 12.9 inch from 2020 on

Cellular models only

Samsung Galaxy

S20 through S26, Z Fold and Flip 3 through 6, Note 20

US and Hong Kong versions of the S20, S21, and Note 20 Ultra aren't supported

Google Pixel

4 through 10 series
Any Google Pixel phone purchased in Hong Kong lacks eSIM support completely

Pixel 3 and 3a support depends on your carrier and region

Motorola

Razr (2019 onward), Edge series, ThinkPhone 25, and select Moto G models

Support varies by model. Check the official compatibility list for the latest supported devices.

Huawei

Mate 40 Pro, P40, P40 Pro

P40 Pro+ isn't supported. Support is limited to these models.

Select laptops

Dell Latitude, HP Elite, Lenovo ThinkPad, Microsoft Surface

Cellular or LTE versions only

aloSIM: Support

Support is available 24/7 via live chat, with a help center covering installation, activation, compatibility checks, and APN troubleshooting.

The refund policy covers two specific situations: your phone doesn't support eSIM, or you can't connect to a local network once you land. You'll need your original receipt and a short explanation of what happened. For connection issues, support will walk you through basic troubleshooting first, before approving anything. It's not a change-of-mind policy, and it won't help if you've already burned through your data.

And if you bought through a third-party voucher bundle like StackCommerce, the sale is final the moment you redeem the code in-app.

Think of it as a fair policy, but not a generous one. aloSIM will make you right if the eSIM genuinely doesn't work, but it won't cover buyer's remorse or a plan you simply didn't use. For a $5-$10 purchase, that's a reasonable trade.

aloSIM: Final verdict

(Image credit: aloSIM)

aloSIM isn't necessarily the cheapest travel eSIM, but it's one of the few that combine reliable international data with a genuine calling solution. It's a good option for travelers who expect to call hotels, rental agencies, tour operators, or receive verification texts while abroad.

If none of that applies to you and you only need mobile data, Airalo or Saily will save you money. But the moment you need to make an actual phone call abroad, aloSIM is the one built for it.

aloSIM: FAQsWhat is aloSIM?

aloSIM is a Canadian eSIM company that sells prepaid data in 200+ destinations, with plans usually starting at around $3.50. It's run by AffinityClick out of Ottawa, and many qualifying plans include a free phone number through its sister app, Hushed.

Can I use aloSIM on my laptop?

Yes. aloSIM supports select laptops, including certain Dell Latitude, HP Elite, Lenovo ThinkPad, and Microsoft Surface models, as long as they have a built-in cellular modem. That's rare among travel eSIMs, since most providers only support phones and tablets.

What happens if my phone doesn't support eSIM?

aloSIM offers a refund if your device turns out to be incompatible or you can't get a connection at your destination. You'll need to provide your original receipt and a brief explanation of what went wrong to start the refund process.

Is aloSIM good for group travel?

Yes, aloSIM works well for group travel since its regional and Global plans cover multiple countries with a single purchase. Each traveler still needs their own eSIM installed on their own device, since data and phone numbers can't be shared across a group.

How much data do social media apps use per hour?

It varies by platform. Video-heavy apps burn through the most data: TikTok uses close to 1 GB per hour, and Instagram Reels uses similarly high amounts. Standard feeds are far lighter. Facebook and Instagram use about 0.1 GB an hour, Snapchat around 0.06 GB, and Twitter barely registers at 0.004 GB. If you're on a 1 GB plan, an hour of TikTok can eat a week's data in one sitting.

How much data does video streaming use while traveling?

More than most people expect. Standard definition runs about 1 GB per hour on Netflix or Crave, jumping to 3 GB per hour in HD and up to 7 GB per hour in 4K. YouTube's bandwidth usage ranges widely, from 0.03 GB per hour at its lowest quality to over 9 GB per hour at 8K. If you're on a smaller aloSIM plan, switching to a lower streaming quality or downloading content over Wi-Fi before you leave will stretch your data much further.

I had been putting off travel eSIMs for a long time. Most looked the same: different logos, same big promise, and no way to know if they'd actually work until you were standing abroad with no signal. Then last spring in Barcelona, my local SIM just stopped working, and I was staring at a roaming bill I didn't want to open.

easySim is part of the easy® family, the same group behind easyJet and easyHotel, which makes it feel more trustworthy than most newer eSIM brands walking in cold. Plans start at $3.99, work in 200+ countries, and let you share data via a hotspot with no monthly fees or SIM swaps. The catch is that it's data-only, so no calls or texts. But for most UK and European trips, it's a simple, safe choice.

easySIM: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: easySIM)

Prices shift by destination, since some countries cost easySim more to license data for than others; that's the country breakdown above. Buying by continent instead? Regional plans follow the same logic, and here's what the smallest bundle (1GB, 7 days) starts at across each one:

Region

Starting Price

Europe

$4.49

North America

$5.99

Oceania

$6.49

Asia

$6.49

Middle East & Africa

$8.99

South America

$7.99

Caribbean

$12.99

Africa

$15.99

The European regional plan covers 36 countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, and Turkey. Check the full list on easySim's website before buying if your destination is less common.

For most travelers, fixed-data plans are the better pick. A 5GB or 10GB plan covers a typical one-or two-week trip without any slowdowns. Unlimited plans suit longer stays or heavy daily use, but if streaming is part of your routine, a large fixed-data plan will serve you better than the throttled unlimited tier.

easySIM: Key features

easySim keeps things simple. There's no plan store to dig through, and once the eSIM is installed, you top up whenever you need more data without touching the setup again. You'll get an alert once you've used 80% of your allowance, and if you lose your phone, easySim can disable the eSIM remotely so it's not sitting there exposed.

I also like easySim for the way its hotspot and network access function. Fixed-data plans come with fully unlimited hotspot, no daily cap the way Holafly imposes one, so you can share your entire allowance with a laptop or another device without watching a counter.

And in key markets like Spain and the UK, easySim switches between multiple local carriers instead of locking you to one, which matters more than you'd think until you're standing somewhere with one bar of signal.

easySIM: Installation and activation

(Image credit: easySIM)

Setup takes about five minutes, and you'll be done before the kettle boils. Install the eSIM before you travel so you can sort out any issues while you're still on Wi-Fi.

Here's the four-step process:

• Check compatibility: Dial *#06# on your phone. If you see an EID number next to your IMEI, your phone supports eSIM. Also confirm it's carrier-unlocked. easySim's website has a compatibility checker if you're unsure by model.
• Buy a plan: Go to easysim Global, pick your destination and data size (starting at $3.99), then pay.
• Install the eSIM: Your account shows a QR code or tap-to-install link within ten minutes. On iPhone: Settings, Mobile Data, Add eSIM. On Android: Settings, Connections, SIM Manager, Add eSIM. Stay on Wi-Fi for this step to avoid setup issues, then set easySim as your active mobile data line.
• Activate on arrival: Enable data roaming for easySim, the step most people miss, and it won't connect abroad without it. Turn off roaming on your home SIM too, or your phone might quietly switch back and charge you anyway. Single-country plans activate the moment your phone picks up a local network; regional plans may kick in as soon as the eSIM is installed.

(Image credit: easySIM)easySIM: Compatible devices

easySim works with lots of eSIM-compatible phones and tablets from all the big brands. Every device needs to do two things: support eSIM (not all phones do, even newer ones), and be unlocked from any specific network.

Here's a quick summary by brand:

Brand

Compatible Models

Key Exclusions / Notes

Apple iPhone

iPhone XS, XS Max, XR; iPhone 11–17 series; iPhone SE 2020 and 2022

iPhone X and older do not support eSIM. Some regional variants may differ, so check the exact model.

Apple iPad

iPad Pro 3rd gen and newer; iPad Air 3rd gen and newer; iPad mini 5th gen and newer; iPad 7th gen and newer

Cellular/LTE models only. Wi-Fi-only iPads do not support mobile eSIM plans.

Samsung Galaxy

Galaxy S20–S25 series; Galaxy Z Fold 3–6; Galaxy Z Flip 3–6; Galaxy Note 20 Ultra; select A-series models like A35, A54, and A55

Galaxy S20 FE and S21 FE do not support eSIM in most regions. A-series support can vary by region and carrier.

Google Pixel

Pixel 4–9 series, including Pixel 9 Pro Fold; Pixel 3a has limited support in some regions

Pixel 3 and older do not support eSIM. Pixel 3a support is inconsistent across regions.

Motorola

Razr 40/50 series; Edge 30 Pro; Edge 40/40 Pro; Edge 50 Pro/Ultra

Most Moto G-series phones do not support eSIM, though some newer regional variants may.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi 12 / 12 Pro, Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro, Xiaomi 14 / 14 Ultra, Mix Fold 4 global models

China-market models, Redmi, and POCO phones mostly do not support eSIM.

Other Android

OnePlus 11/12 global; Oppo Find X6 Pro and Find X7 Ultra; Honor Magic 5 Pro, Magic 6 Pro, Honor 90; select Sony, Nokia, ASUS, and Huawei models

Support varies a lot by region, carrier, and software version. Always check for an EID before buying.

Recent flagships are reliably supported. For anything older or less common, use easySim's compatibility checker on its website.

How easySim's six-month guarantee works

Most eSIM providers sell you data and wish you luck. easySim gives you 6 months to find out whether it actually works on your phone before it's your problem to solve alone.

• The guarantee covers one scenario: the eSIM can't be installed or activated, and you haven't used any data. Phone incompatibility is the usual culprit. Not every device that claims eSIM support plays nice with every provider, and you often don't find that out until you're already trying. Most rivals give you a much tighter window. Saily voids refunds once you've used 1% of your data . easySim gives you six months.
• What it doesn't cover: slow speeds once the eSIM is up and running or data you've already used up. Weak signal at your destination isn't grounds for a refund either. This guarantee is strictly for activation failures, nothing else.

To claim, get in touch via live chat, WhatsApp, or email, confirm you haven't used the plan, and explain what went wrong. Refunds are returned to your original payment method or to your easySim wallet. Reviewers on REVIEWS.io who went through the process describe it as quick, usually resolved within a couple of days.

This one matters most if it's your first eSIM or you're not fully sure your phone will cooperate. Some Android models are hard to verify in advance, and the guarantee is what takes the risk out of finding that out the hard way.

easySIM: Support

(Image credit: easySIM)

easySim has an AI assistant called Kerry that'll walk you through the app, check your phone for eSIM support, and handle the basic stuff.

For anything trickier, like an activation that's stuck, you're routed to a real person via chat, WhatsApp, or email. No phone line here, so don't expect to call anyone.

The FAQ section covers most of what you'd want to know before buying, including compatibility, hotspot, calls, and texts, so you can skip the chat entirely for those questions. The one recurring gripe is getting past Kerry before reaching a human for the harder stuff. Once you're through, resolution is fast.

easySIM: Final verdict

easySim is best for travelers who want affordable plans, unlimited hotspot, and one of the strongest refund policies in the eSIM market. For most UK and European trips, it's an easy recommendation.

Network availability varies by destination, though. Some countries get multiple carrier partners; others rely on a single local network, so your experience will differ depending on where you land.

If you need a local phone number or calls and texts, look elsewhere; easySim is data-only. And if you want the most feature-rich app experience, Airalo or Saily edge out the rest. For everything else, easySim does the job without the extras you probably won't use anyway.

easySIM: FAQsWhat is easySim?

easySim is a UK travel eSIM company. It sells prepaid mobile data plans in 200+ countries worldwide, starting at $3.99. It's part of the easy® family of brands, the same group that includes easyJet and easyHotel. It was started in 2023 by Jim Guest and Richard Gwilliam, who are based in Portsmouth, England. You install the eSIM once and buy data bundles as needed for each trip.

Is easySim connected to easyJet?

Yes, easySim uses a brand license from easyGroup, the company that owns the easy® trademark and includes easyJet. The two companies are separate, but easySim uses the easy® name under a proper agreement with easyGroup, which is chaired by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou. The travel connection and brand name are real; this isn't a loosely linked third party.

How does the six-month money-back guarantee work?

The guarantee applies when your eSIM can't be installed or activated, and you've used little or no data. If you encounter a compatibility issue or activation failure within 6 months of purchase, contact the support team via live chat, WhatsApp, or email to request a refund. The money is returned to your original payment method or your easySim wallet for future use. The guarantee doesn't cover cases where you used data, but the speeds were slow. It's only for when the service doesn't activate at all.

Can I use easySim as a hotspot?

Yes, every fixed-data plan from easySim includes fully unlimited hotspot and tethering. There's no daily cap and no limit on how much you share. A 10GB plan can be shared with a laptop or tablet. Unlimited plans support hotspots too, but shared data counts toward the 3GB per day of full-speed use. After 3GB, speeds slow down until the next day.

Can I make calls or send texts with easySim?

No, easySim is data only and has no calls or texts on any plan. Your regular home SIM runs at the same time as the easySim eSIM (this is called Dual SIM mode), and it handles your calls and texts as normal. Most travelers find this works fine. Apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime handle most communication over data, while your regular phone number remains reachable through your home SIM.

Which countries does easySim cover?

easySim covers 200+ countries. You can get single-country plans for the most popular travel destinations. The Europe regional plan covers 36 countries, including France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey. There are also regional plans for Asia, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania.

How does the Refer & Earn program work?

If you refer a friend and they complete their first purchase using your referral link, you both get wallet credits. Your credits are added to your easySim account and used as a discount on plan purchases. The exact amount of credits is shown in your account. It's a nice bonus for regular travelers who already tell friends and family about the service, and it adds real savings over several trips.

Does easySim have an app?

Yes. easySim offers Android and iOS apps, although most features are also available through the website. You can buy plans, view your QR code, and manage your account on any browser through easysim Global. Data usage alerts come through email or your account dashboard.

The last time I paid for carrier roaming was a four-day trip to Germany. €62 for data; I rationed so carefully that I barely loaded a video the entire trip. Three weeks after I got home, the bill arrived, and I sat with it for longer than I'd like to admit. That experience sent me looking seriously at travel eSIMs, and eventually to Jetpac.

Most providers in this space are near-identical. You pick a destination, buy a data pack, scan a QR code, and hope it connects when you land. The real differences between Airalo, Holafly, and the rest come down to pricing and country lists.

Jetpac does something none of them do: it accounts for the part of travel that has nothing to do with data. Your flight is delayed. The gate area is packed. You have three hours and nowhere to go. That's where SmartDelay comes in. Free airport lounge access, triggered automatically when your flight hits a 60-minute delay.

Jetpac: Plans and pricing

Jetpac sells three types of data packs: single-country, regional, and global. All are one-time purchases. No subscription is required. Plans activate automatically when you arrive at your destination.

Plan Type

Starting Price

Coverage

Data

Validity

Hotspot

Single-Country (e.g., Japan)

From $10

1 country

5GB-40GB+

4-30 days

Yes (unlimited)

Regional (e.g., Europe)

From $22 (on sale)

32-43 countries

10GB-40GB

30 days

Yes (unlimited)

Global

From $69.99

96 countries

30GB-50GB

30-365 days

Yes (unlimited)

Unlimited (select markets)

From $65.99

Select countries

Unlimited*

30 days

Yes (unlimited)

*Unlimited plans run at full speed for the first 3GB in any 24-hour period, then throttle to 1Mbps for the remainder of the day.

New user offer: Your first pack can be 1GB for $1, valid for 4 days. It is a real trial. Buy it before a trip, test connectivity on your specific route, then upgrade to a larger pack once you know it works for you.

Single country plans

Prices vary by destination. In Japan, as a benchmark, 5GB costs $10, 10GB costs $20, and 30GB costs around $30 with current promotions. The US plan costs $15.99 for 10GB over 30 days and is available via AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. These are fair prices for a destination-specific pack.

Single-country plans work well for focused trips. They activate upon arrival, and the clock starts only once you connect.

Regional plans

Regional packs are the sweet spot for multi-country travel. The Europe plan covers 32 to 43 countries, depending on how Jetpac counts them (independent reviewers land on 32 confirmed). At around $20 for 10GB (sale price; standard pricing varies; confirm on the live product page before publishing) or $34.99 for 40GB (sale price; $70 at standard pricing), it undercuts most competitors that offer similar coverage. Prices reflect current promotional rates as of June 2026 and are subject to change.

Other regions available include Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Oceania. Each region has its own country count and pricing.

Global plans

The global plan covers 96 countries, a useful number for frequent multi-region travelers, though short of the 200+ the homepage markets. It starts at $69.99 for 30GB over 30 days, rising to $249 for 50GB over 365 days.

It suits people who travel across continents in a single trip or want a single plan that works year-round without having to think about regions.

Unlimited plans

Available in select markets including the US, UK, and Japan. The daily speed cap is the key thing to understand: full speed for the first 3GB, then 1 Mbps until midnight local time. At 1 Mbps, you can browse and message without issue. Video streaming becomes inconsistent.

If you use a lot of data, a large fixed-data regional pack like Europe 40GB (currently on sale for $34.99) often delivers a better day-to-day experience than the unlimited tier.

Jetpac: Features

Jetpac keeps the product focused. The app is clean, the plan selection is not overwhelming, and the features that exist are useful rather than decorative.

• Global coverage: One profile, 200+ marketed destinations. The app connects automatically to the strongest available local network: T-Mobile and AT&T in the US, O2 and Vodafone in Germany, KDDI and SoftBank in Japan. You land, turn on data, and it picks up. No manual network selection needed.
• Single reusable eSIM: Install Jetpac once. On every future trip, you buy a new data pack, and it loads onto the same eSIM profile. No QR codes to scan again, no reinstalls. For frequent travelers, this saves real time over the course of a year of trips.
• Unlimited hotspot: All plans include full tethering with no separate cap on tethered data. Single-country, regional, global, unlimited, all covered. If your laptop needs to connect to the internet through your phone, any plan will handle it.
• Apps that stay active after data runs out: When your data pack runs out, WhatsApp, Google Maps, Uber, and Grab keep working at no extra charge. Running out of data at midnight in an unfamiliar city is a lot less stressful when you can still call a ride. Note: this applies to packs of 3GB and above.
• Paid lounge passes: For travel days without delays, Jetpac sells individual DragonPass passes in the app for $30 to $55, covering 1,300+ lounges worldwide.
• Fast Track security: Paid passes range from $12 to $20 and are available at select airports across Europe, the UK, and parts of China. Discounts of up to 50% regularly appear in the app. Not available in North America.

How Jetpac's SmartDelay lounge benefit works

(Image credit: Future)

Every eSIM on the market sells you data. Jetpac sells you data and then gets you into an airport lounge when your flight goes sideways. It's called SmartDelay and runs on Collinson's LoungeKey network, which covers 1,100+ lounges worldwide. The same infrastructure behind Priority Pass and DragonPass, except you're not paying $32 a visit.

Setup takes two minutes. After buying any Jetpac pack, open the app, go to SmartDelay, and enter your flight number and departure date. Register any time after booking, but no later than 24 hours before departure. You can add one companion, and each data pack covers up to two flights.

When FlightStats reports a qualifying gate delay, Jetpac sends the LoungeKey voucher straight to your email. Show it at the entrance and walk in.

Who actually benefits from this? Economy travelers without a premium credit card or airline status. If you're flying Ryanair or AirAsia and your flight goes sideways, you have no lounge fallback. This is it, at no extra cost.

A few real limitations I came across:

• Delays under 60 minutes don't qualify, even if they result in a missed connection
• Weather and ATC-coded delays may not trigger it, depending on how the airline files the reason
• Coverage is strong at major hubs like Changi, Heathrow, and Frankfurt, but thin at smaller regional airports. Check the lounge finder if you regularly fly from a secondary airport.

SmartDelay is included with every Jetpac pack, from the $1 new-user trial upward. No competitor at this price point offers anything close.

Jetpac: Installation and activation

Setup takes around five minutes on an iPhone. Android can take slightly longer if manual APN configuration is needed.

Here is the full step-by-step process:

• Download the app. Search "Jetpac Global" in the App Store or Google Play.
• Create an account. Sign in with your email (a one-time verification code is sent, no password required) or continue with Google or Apple ID.
• Buy a plan. Select your destination, choose a data size, and pay in-app via card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
• Install the eSIM. On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM. Name the line "Jetpac" and follow the activation steps. On Android: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM. Some Android models require you to enter APN settings manually. Jetpac's help center lists the correct APN by carrier.
• Turn on data roaming. This step is easy to miss. Go into your mobile data settings and make sure roaming is enabled specifically for the Jetpac line.
• Land and connect. The plan activates automatically when you arrive. Most users are online within two to three minutes of landing.

Two things to get right before you start. First, install on Wi-Fi, not mobile data. Installing an eSIM profile over cellular causes failures. Second, after activation, turn off automatic data switching on your device. If your phone reverts silently to your home carrier's data connection, you will be charged roaming rates and wonder why Jetpac is not working.

Jetpac: Compatible devices

Brand

Compatible Models

Notes

iPhone

XR, XS, XS Max, 11–17 series (all variants)

iPhone 14+ in the US is eSIM-only. China/Hong Kong models may not work

iPad

7th gen+, Air 3+, Mini 5+, Pro 11"/12.9" 3rd gen+

Cellular/LTE models only

Samsung Galaxy

S20–S25 series, Note 20/Ultra, Z Fold/Flip series, A54 5G

US, South Korea, China, and Hong Kong variants of S20/S21/Note 20 Ultra are NOT compatible. FE models not supported

Google Pixel

Pixel 3 through Pixel 10 series

Some older Pixel 3/3a models from AU/JP/TW are not supported

Huawei

P40, P50, Mate 40 Pro

Non-China-purchased units only

Motorola

Razr (2019+), Edge series

Region-dependent

Others

Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Nokia, ASUS, Honor

Model-specific. Check the compatibility page before buying.

If you are on a recent flagship like the iPhone 17, Pixel 10, or Galaxy S25, compatibility is confirmed. Jetpac's device page was last updated in November 2025 and covers current models.

For any older or less common device, use the compatibility checker at jetpacglobal.com before purchasing. Jetpac's support team also confirms compatibility over WhatsApp in minutes.

Jetpac: Customer support

Support is available via in-app live chat, WhatsApp, and email at support@jetpacglobal.com, with round-the-clock availability advertised across all three channels. Email is quoted within 24 hours; most reviewers report WhatsApp responses well within that, regardless of the hour.

Customer support is the most praised element; users regularly describe issues being closed within 10 to 30 minutes via WhatsApp.

Negative reviews cluster around Android installation failures (almost always solvable with manual APN setup), regional connectivity gaps, and occasional SmartDelay voucher delays. Reddit threads echo this, with iPhone and mainstream Samsung users rarely posting problems at all.

Jetpac: Final verdict

For most international travelers, Jetpac lands in a strong position. Data packs are priced fairly, the single reusable eSIM is a practical convenience, and SmartDelay is the kind of perk that actually changes the experience of a delayed flight, not just something listed on a features page.

The $1 new-user trial is the right starting point. Buy it before a trip, verify coverage works on your specific route, and size up from there. The risk is as low as a dollar.

The real limitations are specific. The global plan covers 96 countries, not 200+. Unlimited plans throttle usage after 3GB per day, making them a poor fit for remote workers or heavy streamers. Android setup is less smooth than iPhone. And SmartDelay only covers one companion, not the five older reviews suggest.

If you need a local incoming number, a truly unlimited high-speed connection, or coverage in very remote areas, competitors like Holafly or Airalo are worth comparing. For the frequent economy traveler who wants working data and airport perks without a premium credit card, Jetpac is the best option in its price range.

Jetpac: FAQs Does Jetpac offer airport lounge access?

Yes. Every Jetpac data pack includes SmartDelay, which provides free lounge access through the LoungeKey network (1,100+ lounges worldwide) when a registered flight is delayed by 60 minutes or more. You and one companion are covered. Paid DragonPass lounge passes are also available in the app for use without a delay.

How does SmartDelay work?

You register your flight in the Jetpac app at least 24 hours before scheduled departure. If FlightStats reports a qualifying delay of 60+ minutes, Jetpac automatically sends a LoungeKey voucher to your email and an SMS notification. Present the voucher at the lounge to gain access. No manual request or support call is required.

Can I use Jetpac on a cruise?

Jetpac covers land-based destinations and does not support maritime or satellite connectivity. At sea, the eSIM will not function. When your ship docks at a port in a covered country, the eSIM should pick up the local network, though signal quality depends on how close to shore you are and what carrier coverage exists at that port.

Does Jetpac support hotspot sharing?

All Jetpac plans include unlimited hotspot tethering with no separate data cap. You can share your connection with a laptop or tablet on any plan. If you are on an unlimited plan, tethered data counts toward the 3GB daily full-speed allowance, after which tethering continues at 1Mbps.

Is Jetpac cheaper than carrier roaming?

In almost every case, yes. Most international roaming plans from carriers charge $5–$15 per day for capped data. Jetpac's Europe plan offers 10GB covering 30+ countries for around $22 on sale (around $32 at standard pricing, verified June 2026). On a typical one-week trip, the savings are often $60–$100 compared to carrier roaming, and the lounge perk comes with it.

Can I get a refund from Jetpac?

Yes. Jetpac offers a 30-day refund window for data packs that cannot be installed or activated due to a verified technical problem on Jetpac's side, after completing troubleshooting with the support team. Refunds are not issued for device incompatibility or for packs that have been successfully activated and used. Approved refunds are processed within 5–10 business days to the original payment method.

Does Jetpac work with iPhone?

Jetpac is compatible with iPhone XR and all models through the iPhone 17 series. iPhones purchased in mainland China and Hong Kong may not be eSIM-capable. US iPhones from iPhone 14 onward are eSIM-only and fully supported. The device must be carrier-unlocked for the eSIM to work.

I first heard about ByteSIM at a hostel in Chiang Mai. A guy at my table was hotspotting his laptop, his tablet, and his friend's phone simultaneously. I asked what he was on. He showed me his ByteSIM app with a $2.90 entry, unlimited tethering, and coverage across 25 Asian countries on a single eSIM.

I switched that same night, sitting there on the hostel Wi-Fi. Over the next two weeks, hopping between Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea, I put it through its paces properly. Long rides, remote towns, underground metro tunnels. Here is what two weeks of daily use actually look like.

ByteSIM: Plans and pricing

ByteSIM splits its plans into two buckets. Local eSIMs for single-country travel and regional eSIMs for hopping across multiple destinations. What you pay depends on how much data you need, how long you're traveling, and where you're headed.

The pricing holds up well on larger packages; anything from 10 GB upward is genuinely competitive. Below that, cheaper options exist elsewhere. Unlimited plans are on the table too, though they come with a fair usage policy, so check the high-speed cap for your destination before committing.

Local eSIM Plans

Destination

Starting From

USA

$2.90 USD

Japan

$2.90 USD

Japan - 5G Ultra Unlimited by KDDI

$12.90 USD

Indonesia

$2.90 USD

Malaysia

$2.90 USD

Vietnam

$2.90 USD

Thailand

$2.90 USD

South Korea

$2.90 USD

Taiwan

$2.90 USD

The Japan 5G Ultra Unlimited plan by KDDI is a premium option for travelers needing the fastest speeds on Japan's leading 5G network.

Regional eSIM Plans

Region

Starting From

Global (125 Countries)

$4.90 USD

Europe Unlimited (57 Countries)Max

$2.90 USD

eSIM Europe (42 Countries)Lite

$2.90 USD

Asia (25 Countries)

$2.90 USD

China & Hong Kong & Macao

$2.90 USD

US & Canada

$2.90 USD

North America

$2.90 USD

South America

$2.90 USD

Note: Prices shown are starting prices and are subject to change. Always verify current rates on ByteSIM's website before purchasing.

ByteSIM: Features

ByteSIM's regional plans span up to 125 countries; most plans include free hotspot sharing, and select destinations offer local numbers for calls and texts. It's also one of the few eSIM providers that keeps Google and WhatsApp accessible in mainland China without a VPN.

• Unlimited Data: An unlimited data plan is included among ByteSIM's offerings. However, as with telecom networks, unlimited data doesn't literally mean what it says. There's a fair usage policy that limits how much high-speed data you can consume before browsing speeds are throttled to 128 kbps. This data cap varies depending on the underlying network.
• Regional Plans: Like many eSIM providers, ByteSIM offers regional plans that unlock network connectivity across multiple countries with a single eSIM. For example, the Asia plan provides coverage in 25 countries. If you plan to visit multiple Asian countries, you should choose the Asia plan, as it's more affordable compared to paying for a new plan in each country you visit.
• Unlimited Hotspot: With your ByteSIM data allowance, you can use your smartphone as a hotspot without limits. For example, you can share data with friends during your trip or connect your laptop to the internet from your smartphone. Many eSIM providers restrict how much data you can use in hotspot mode, but ByteSIM imposes no restrictions on most plans, though availability can vary by destination and carrier.
• Local Numbers, Calls, and SMS: On select destination plans, ByteSIM now offers local phone numbers with unlimited calls, texts, and data. This is available in destinations including the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and France. Check the specific plan details on ByteSIM's website to confirm availability for your destination.

ByteSIM: Installation

To install your ByteSIM eSIM, visit www.ByteSIM.com or download the ByteSIM app from the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS).

On the app or website, you can view all plans offered by ByteSIM, choose your desired plan and duration, and see the corresponding price. Enter your personal details, including your email address, and pay for your plan.

Scan the QR code to install your eSIM onto your device. Your plan will activate automatically when you connect to a local network at your destination.

With ByteSIM's step-by-step instructions, the installation process is quick to complete. If you need help, you can consult ByteSIM's FAQs page and blog or contact the support team. ByteSIM's mobile app isn't required to install your eSIM, but it makes the process smoother. After activating your eSIM, you can monitor data usage from this app or top up data if needed.

(Image credit: ByteSIM)ByteSIM: Coverage and speed

ByteSIM offers eSIM coverage in 200+ regions, or virtually all countries where it's possible. Whether traveling across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, South America, or Oceania, you'll find a suitable eSIM package on ByteSIM.

This widespread coverage is one of the main reasons for ByteSIM's popularity, particularly its regional plans that offer data coverage across multiple countries via a single eSIM. ByteSIM is also one of the few eSIM providers to offer reliable coverage in mainland China, including access to Google and WhatsApp without a separate VPN.

You can access 5G connectivity with ByteSIM if it's available in your location. As a ByteSIM user, you're dependent on local telecoms infrastructure in the country you visit, meaning speeds can vary. In urban areas, 5G connectivity is more accessible but can be unavailable in rural areas. If 5G is unavailable, you'll be switched to 4G or LTE.

If visiting these countries, you're more likely to enjoy 5G connectivity with ByteSIM.

ByteSIM: Support

(Image credit: ByteSIM)

ByteSIM offers support via email and WhatsApp, and both channels are genuinely quick. I reached out on WhatsApp when my eSIM wasn't connecting in Vietnam and had a response within a few minutes. Not a bot, an actual person who walked me through the fix. That kind of turnaround is not guaranteed with every eSIM provider.

If you prefer to sort things out yourself first, the FAQs page covers the usual suspects well. Device compatibility questions, step-by-step installation for both iOS and Android, and what to do when your connection drops or slows unexpectedly.

The blog sits alongside it with destination-specific setup guides that are actually useful rather than filler. Between the two, most issues get resolved before you need to ping anyone. The support is not the flashiest part of ByteSIM's offering, but it holds up when it matters.

ByteSIM: Final verdict

ByteSIM is not the cheapest option on the market, and the unlimited plans will cost you more than basic alternatives. But if you travel frequently, move between countries, and actually use your phone for more than maps and WhatsApp, the value proposition holds. Genuine hotspot freedom, solid China coverage, and a regional plan structure that saves you from buying a new eSIM every time you cross a border are the real reasons people stick with it.

Where it falls short is predictable. The 128kbps throttle after the daily cap is painful if you hit it mid-afternoon; calls and SMS are off the table on most plans, and topping up means buying a new plan outright. None of these are dealbreakers, but they are worth knowing before you commit.

If you are a light traveler who needs a few gigabytes in one country, there are cheaper options to start with. If you are moving fast across multiple destinations and need something that just works without micromanaging data, ByteSIM earns the recommendation.

ByteSIM: FAQsDoes ByteSIM work in China?

Yes. ByteSIM is one of the few eSIM providers to support mainland China, routing traffic through international servers so Google, WhatsApp, and YouTube remain accessible without a separate VPN. This works because the data travels through an international gateway rather than domestic Chinese infrastructure, which means the Great Firewall does not apply. It is worth noting that this only covers your mobile data connection. Switch to hotel or cafe Wi-Fi, and the usual restrictions kick back in.

What happens when I reach the unlimited data cap?

Once you hit the unlimited data cap, speeds drop to 128kbps for the rest of that day, then reset the following morning. At 128kbps, you can send messages and check emails, but streaming, browsing, and anything data-heavy will feel broken. The cap threshold varies by destination and carrier, so check the specific plan details before you buy.

Will my eSIM expire if I don't use it right away after purchase?

No. Your ByteSIM eSIM does not expire simply because you have not activated it yet. You can purchase a plan in advance and install it on your device before your trip. The validity period of your plan starts only when your eSIM first connects to a local network at your destination, not from the date of purchase.

Should I switch on Data Roaming when using a ByteSIM eSIM?

Yes. Data Roaming must be enabled on your ByteSIM eSIM line for it to connect to local networks abroad. Go to your phone's mobile data settings, select the ByteSIM line, and make sure Data Roaming is turned on. It is also recommended to turn off Data Roaming on your home SIM at the same time to avoid any accidental roaming charges from your home carrier.

Will my physical SIM still work while the ByteSIM eSIM is installed?

Yes. ByteSIM works alongside your physical SIM on dual-SIM devices. You can keep your home SIM active for calls and texts while using the ByteSIM eSIM for mobile data. This means you stay reachable on your regular number without incurring roaming data charges from your home carrier.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has become something of a legend over the years, being the one big game in the franchise that never left its original platform – the PlayStation 3.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: August 27, 2026

Finally, the port once thought impossible has returned in the new Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol.2. The first collection packaged the classic stealth trilogy with the MSX and NES games that preceded it, and this time around the package is headlined by the return of Metal Gear Solid 4 and the duo of the PlayStation Portable’s excellent Peace Walker and underrated Game Boy Color spinoff Ghost Babel.

Off the bat, it may seem like a bit of a raw deal for the second to only feature one bonus title compared to the first collection, which offers three of the greatest games ever made along with four bonus titles and two graphic novels.

However, the work done on Metal Gear Solid 4 is far more than the bare-bones re-releases of the first game and Bluepoint's 2011 HD Collection versions of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 found in its predecessor, while Peace Walker is a phenomenal mainline entry and Ghost Babel ranks among the series' greatest spinoffs (and is better than the NES games at least).

It's a fairer trade than the numbers suggest.

War has changed

(Image credit: Konami)

Metal Gear Solid 4 is the crown jewel of this collection, and unlike the first – which had some major issues at launch – I'm happy to report that this is a phenomenal port. Running at 4K and a solid 60 frames per second (fps) throughout with massively improved loading times between areas, it's hard to see any flaws in this version of the stealth classic… well, aside from those that were already there.

Long thought unportable due to being made specifically for the esoteric PS3 system architecture and a hefty number of licensed products appearing in-game, Metal Gear Solid 4 remains mostly intact.

You still have the iPod; you still see the PS3 console in your plane. However, Konami has gone back and remixed some elements to make sense on modern consoles, with the famous "we're on PS3" scene changed to your platform of choice – even if the almost 20-year difference in Christopher Randolph's voice is pretty obvious.

In fact, the only thing I noticed that was missing was the now-redundant installation menu featuring Snake smoking between chapters.

(Image credit: Konami)

Despite its notoriety, Metal Gear Solid 4 is a strange game. I'd even argue it's the worst of the six main games in the series, even if it is still a great time.

It gets off to a really strong start with chapters set in the Middle East and South America, featuring some incredible stealth gameplay with a unique battlefield stealth mechanic which allows you to manipulate the ongoing war between rebel militia and PMC groups.

It's a genius bit of game design, and it’s a shame that it's abandoned by the end of the second chapter.

After an Act 3, which boils down to a not-so-great tailing mission, Metal Gear Solid 4 goes off the rails with its plot, lengthy cutscenes, and gameplay segments.

Some of these are highlights of the game, such as the entirety of Act 4 or the final boss fight that ranks among the best in the series. However, some plot decisions and retcons make for the messiest story in the franchise's history – I won't go into detail, but a particular retcon about Metal Gear Solid 3's Para-Medic is a terrible choice that I'm still bugged by years later.

(Image credit: Konami)

What's there is still a great game I'd recommend to anyone, though it's a shame some of the most interesting gameplay elements are abandoned almost entirely, even if the rollercoaster ride of set-piece and fan-service moments is a joy to play through.

The opening to Act 4 in particular is one of my favorite gaming moments ever and still gives me chills to this day.

We're nomads, and we always will be

(Image credit: Konami)

Peace Walker, on the other hand, is an unsung part of the saga. Originally released on the PSP, it was somewhat overlooked, but this game is Metal Gear Solid 5 in all but name.

Taking place between Snake Eater and The Phantom Pain, Peace Walker is Metal Gear crossed with Monster Hunter, with a mission-based design that allows for short bursts of play. It introduced base management, weapon development, and nicking soldiers via balloon aspects that The Phantom Pain would later expand upon.

Best Bit

(Image credit: Konami)

Returning to Shadow Moses in Act 4 of Metal Gear Solid 4 is one of the greatest bits of fan service ever deployed in a game, and the needle drop of The Best Is Yet To Come still sends chills down my spine almost 20 years later.

While not quite on the level of the original trilogy, Peace Walker has a great story, which helps show how Big Boss eventually became the person we saw as a villain in the original MSX games – arguably better than The Phantom Pain did. It also features one of the best supporting casts in the series, with Kazuhira Miller returning from Metal Gear Solid and being fleshed out into one of the series' best, while the likes of Amanda, Paz, and Professor Galvez are memorable additions to the series canon.

I say Metal Gear crossed with Monster Hunter, but nowhere is that more felt than in the bossfights, which have you take on massive mecha over a prolonged period. While I like this in theory, these bosses are unfortunately the worst the series has to offer – and aside from the titular Peace Walker and true final boss – are not memorable in the slightest.

(Image credit: Konami)

Peace Walker also features co-op and versus multiplayer modes, which are present in this new collection, though I wasn’t able to test them over the review period. From my experiences with the HD Collection version, Peace Walker multiplayer is a blast.

This port is a bit rougher than Metal Gear Solid 4, mostly because there isn't too much you can do to make PSP assets shine in 4K. However, the addition of new higher-quality versions of the comic-book-like cutscenes by Ashley Wood is a welcome bonus

It's not over yet

(Image credit: Konami)

If you played Master Collection Vol 1, you will have a good idea of what to expect this time around. Both main games come with a Screenplay Book and Master Book, which features rundowns of the story, background info on characters, and strategy-guide-esque details to let you find secrets in-game.

There are also soundtrack selections and the ability to download other language versions of the games if you please. The Metal Gear Solid 4 edition also features the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database app, which was released on PS3 around the launch of the original game, although sadly its version of Metal Gear Online is not present.

And while the bonus titles included the original MSX2 version of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 – which I wrote about how good they are a few years back – and the less-good NES versions of them, this time around the only additional title is Metal Gear: Ghost Babel for the Game Boy Color.

(Image credit: Konami)

Ghost Babel takes gameplay akin to Metal Gear 2, but fuses it with some elements of the PS1 classic while adapting it to a stage-based formula for handheld. While it doesn't quite match the main series, Ghost Babel should not be slept on, as it's one of the best spinoff titles the franchise has to offer.

Sadly, that's it though. It's a shame, as the likes of Metal Gear Acid or Metal Gear Rising would've been much appreciated additions.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol.2 is another package of two fantastic games, with some great bonuses included. While it's mostly a vehicle to get Metal Gear Solid 4 out of PS3 jail, Peace Walker and Ghost Babel are two brilliant additions that you might have missed the first time around.

Should you play Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol.2?Play it if...

You didn't have a PS3
Metal Gear Solid 4 is out of PS3 jail after almost 20 years. For those who have been waiting, this is one of the biggest dream ports to finally get, and being able to play it in a version that sticks to a solid 4K resolution and 60fps is worth a return trip even if you did play it on PS3.

You never played Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Yes, Metal Gear Solid 4 is the main event of this collection, but Peace Walker is one of the best games the series has to offer. Not to mention an essential part of the storyline heading into Metal Gear Solid 5.

Don't play it if...

You haven't played Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1.
Metal Gear Solid 4 was made with the idea that you'll have the knowledge of the original trilogy of Metal Gear Solid games at a bare minimum, leading to a plot that will be extremely hard to follow for anyone not caught up. Not to mention that all of the emotional impact will be nullified without prior knowledge

Accessibility features

Both Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker have subtitles and controller remapping features, but otherwise the accessibility features included in this collection are the same as they were back in the original releases.

This means no color blind support, audio description, or gameplay tweaks are available – which could cause issues during moments in both games when tons of button mashing is required.

How I reviewed Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol.2

I played 12 hours of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol.2 on PS5 Pro using a DualSense Wireless Controller, on an LG C5 OLED TV with an LG-US70TY soundbar.

During this time, I played a full run of Metal Gear Solid 4 while skipping most cutscenes (as I had replayed the game very recently for comparison) through to the end of Act 4. I played through to the end of Chapter 1 of Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker, and roughly half of Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. I have played all of these games multiple times before this review, and was able to compare to other versions where applicable.

First reviewed August 2026

In this age of OLED everywhere, all the time, what hope for a mere LCD monitor launching into the market? Actually, the new Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP, a 32-inch 4K model, actually looks like a very compelling package for creative professionals, on paper.

It's built around LG's very latest IPS Black 2.0 technology, which offers much better contrast than any previous IPS panel tech. Maybe that will close the gap to all those OLED monitors with their perfect per-pixel lighting control?

The panel also comes with both HDR 400 certification and 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema colour space, not to mention Pantone Validation for design and print workflows.

Then there's this monitor's impressive connectivity. Along with the usual HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, you get USB-C with 96W of power delivery and a three-port USB-A hub. If that's not exactly exceptional, there are also DisplayPort and USB-C outputs for display daisy chaining, plus a full KVM switch to help streamline the sharing of this display across two computing devices.

As for obvious shortcomings, well, it's limited to 60Hz, and as that HDR 400 certification implies, there's no local dimming. But, again, maybe that high-contrast IPS Black 2.0 panel means this monitor can get by without local dimming? If it can, and given its fairly attractive price for such a well specified productivity monitor, this new Iiyama is a dead cert for a high ranking among the best business monitors we've tested this year.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: Design and featuresFutureFutureFuture

• Nicely engineered
• Good connectivity
• Daisy chaining capability has limitations

Specs

Panel size: 32-inch

Panel type: IPS Black 2.0

Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160

Brightness: 450 nits

Contrast: 3,000:1 (static)

Pixel response: 4ms

Refresh rate: 60Hz

Color coverage: 99% DCI-P3

HDR: DIsplayHDR 400

VESA: 100mm x 100mm

Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 in x1, DisplayPort 1.4 in x1, USB-C 96W PD in, DisplayPort out, USB-C out, USB-A hub x3

Iiyama's monitors are usually no nonsense to a fault when it comes to design. Aesthetic flair isn't exactly the brand's signature. The new Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP doesn't obviously buck that trend with its sober, minimalist styling.

That said, with slim, symmetrical bezels on all four sides of that 4K IPS Black 2.0 panel and a slightly slicker looking stand than most existing Iiyama models, this new 32 incher looks more contemporary than we've come to expect from the Japanese brand.

Functionally, the chassis gets the job done, too, thanks to a sturdy, well built stand and outstanding connectivity. HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C inputs are pretty much a given these days for a 32-inch 4K model at roughly this price point, which is currently £667 in the UK and likely around $800 when it becomes available in the US.

What you wouldn't automatically expect is a full KVM switch and support for display daisy chaining from the additional DisplayPort output. The catch with the daisy chaining feature, unfortunately, is that resolution and refresh support from the DisplayPort output tops out at either 2,560 by 1,440 at 60 Hz or 4K at 30Hz. The latter not really being a realistic option due to how sluggish and choppy it looks and feels.

It's a slightly odd limitation given you might expect a monitor with daisy chaining capability to support another display of the same specification. Still, there's a three-port USB-A hub, including two ports on the left bezel. So, connectivity is generally a very strong point.

Support for creative workflows is also pretty good thanks to Pantone Validation, which helps ensure color accuracy through the print pipeline, 6-axis color hue and saturation controls and numerous color space presets. For the record, it's all backed by a reassuring three-year warranty from one of the most respected brands in the display industry.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

• Nicely calibrated
• Crisp, clean font rendering
• Limited HDR capability

In performance terms, easily the most intriguing aspect of the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP is its IPS Black 2.0 panel technology. To put it into context, until the first generation of IPS Black LCD panel arrived from LG in 2022, most IPS monitors topped out at 1,000:1 static contrast, with some capable of 1,300:1.

IPS Black generation one upped that to 2,000:1. Now this new IPS Black 2.0 panel lifts contrast even further, to fully 3,000:1. That's on a par with many VA panels, which used to trade on their clearly superior contrast.

So, how much difference does IPS Black 3.0 make? Subjectively, it's relatively subtle. The Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP is still pretty obviously an IPS monitor and some of that characteristic IPS glow still leaks through in black tones.

On a related note, this HDR 400 display lacks local dimming. Long story short, you're never going to confuse this monitor with an OLED panel and its perfect per-pixel lighting control.

This Iiyama is not truly capable of HDR visuals. That said, as the 450 nit brightness specification implies, this is a very punchy panel and in that regard—full-screen brightness—it wallops any currently available desktop OLED monitor.

It's also very nicely calibrated and includes a comprehensive list of color space presets in its OSD menu. That includes both DCI-P3 and Display P3, the latter being the default color space used by Apple Mac computers.

What's more, if you hook up to a Mac over USB-C, MacOS's keyboard brightness controls are supported by the monitor, which is a welcome refinement.

Another positive feature is the matte anti-glare coating. Glossy display panels are currently in vogue, especially for gaming. However, the heightened reflectivity they involve can be problematic in many professional settings.

The matte anti-glare coating Iiyama has gone for does a good job of reducing reflectivity without introducing any coarseness or sparkle to the image quality.

Perceived contrast is also good for a matte panel. Sitting side-by-side with the latest RGB-stripe OLED panel technology in the same 32-inch 4K format, which is meant to "solve" the problem of font rendering for OLED panels, it's notable that this conventional LCD panel still has slightly crisper, cleaner text.

That said, if super sharp fonts are your thing, you might want to think about picking up a 6K 32-inch display, which can now be had under $1,000 / £1,000 on occasion.

Less impressive than the calibration, overall punch and visual clarity is the HB3201UHSNP's limitation to 60Hz refresh rate. The slightly sluggish response and juddery motion rendering is immediately obvious if you're used to 120Hz or above displays. Of course, high refresh is not a particular requirement for most pro creator workflows.

But it is an issue for daily sense of computing responsiveness and Iiyama should probably think about moving to 120Hz-plus across the range, or at least for non budget-orientated displays like this.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: Final verdictFutureFutureFuture

If you know a little about panel technology and came in hoping the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP's IPS Black 2.0 technology might be revolutionary, the reality is more prosaic than that. It's a small, incremental step in lighting control and contrast performance, rather than a major leap. Put simply, OLED panels still rule for HDR visuals, black levels and viewing angles.

However, not only is the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP still a step forward for conventional IPS tech, it's also a strong overall package. It's nicely calibrated and well optimised for professional and creator workflows.

It delivers a strong connectivity feature set, too, including USB-C, a USB-A hub, KVM switch and even display daisy chaining, albeit the latter capability has limitations. This new model is also that little bit sharper and more contemporary looking in design terms than we've come to expect from Iiyama, which is a welcome refinement.

Really, the one obvious limitation is the 60Hz refresh rate. Strictly, 120Hz-plus refresh isn't a professional or creator workflow requirement. But it does make daily computing feel slicker and more pleasant. And it would elevate what is already a very good display into a great one.

FutureFutureFuture

For more creator displays, we've tested the best photo editing monitors and best monitors for video editing.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Two-minute review

In our fast-moving and AI-juiced world of technology, the Google Pixel Fold 11 Pro Fold poses this question: is mere refinement good enough? After all, at a glance, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is indistinguishable from the Pixel 10 Pro Fold — at least until you take a closer look.

This new flexible-display phone is a cleaner and more elegant-looking device than its predecessor. It has tighter curves, thinner black bezels, and a smaller, refashioned camera bump. The 6.5-inch cover screen is larger, while still fitting within the same-size chassis.

Even the hinge is trimmer, appearing more flush with the overall body, which also happens to be considerably lighter than the last model. The hinge mechanics have been reengineered for smoother operation, and the main display is flatter and less noticeably creased.

The refinements continue under the hood, with a more powerful Google Tensor 6 CPU with a refreshing 2nm process. There's also the unusual addition of a HiLight LED module on the back that, when the phone is face down, can tell you about incoming calls, or give a visual complement to your hands-free Gemini interactions.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

None of these elements, though, add up to a sea change for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and, while the latest Gemini AI enhancements give it some exciting and powerful new features, you might be hard-pressed to justify an upgrade from the last-generation 10 Pro Fold. The leap from, say, the OG foldable Pixel, which had a shape more closely resembling the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, or even 2024's Pixel 9 Pro Fold, will be more significant.

This is still, though, a foldable that operates in the shadow of both the exciting new Galaxy Z Fold 8, and the quite powerful and larger Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which I also just reviewed. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold lacks the CPU power and camera performance of the Ultra, and the thinness and lightness of both the Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, and so falls short of being a head-turning alternative.

I still like the Pixel 11 Pro Fold for its large and bright screen, generally strong performance (despite lower benchmark scores compared to Samsung's new foldables), and overall strong photography, even if its cameras don't quite match up to the Z Fold 8 Ultra's. When compared to the similarly priced Galaxy Z Fold 8, however, it's the clear camera winner (adding a nice 5x optical zoom camera).

It also handily beats virtually all other foldables on dust resistance, achieving an IP68 water and dust protection rating, while Samsung's folds can only promise IP48 for water. In addition, the Pixel Fold is the rare Android to support MagSafe-style charging with Pixel Snap, which is an embedded magnetic ring that connects to virtually any MagSafe wireless charger and Google's PixelStand accessory lineup.

Overall, Google has nudged the Pixel Fold forward to a visually pleasing and performance-satisfying space — but I still look forward to a big leap in design and camera performance next year.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Price and availability

• Flagship-level foldable at a slightly more reasonable price
• It is more expensive than last year, though that's likely due to RAM shortages and pricing issues
• Only two color options

Google unveiled the Pixel 11 Pro Fold alongside the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL on August 12. The phone costs $1,899 / £1,799 / AU$2,770, which, in the US, is $100 more than the previous model. With RAM prices squeezing everyone, the price hike is unsurprising, and is unlikely to dissuade potential buyers.

That price, by the way, also puts it in alignment with the smaller and rather interesting Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which which has a list price of $1,899.99 / £1,699 / AU$2,699.

The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold is on sale now, as is available in two colors: Obsidian (black) and Olive. Our test unit arrived in Olive, which I think looks more like Sage, and it's a nice-looking color.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Specs

Here's a breakdown of the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold's key specs:

Dimensions:

Closed: 155.2 x 76 x 10.1mm
Open: 155.2 x 150.4 x 5mm

Weight:

239g

Display:

Cover display: 6.5-inch Super Actua display
Main display: 8.0-inch Super Actua Flex display

Resolution:

Cover display: 1080 x 2342
Main display: 2076 x 2152

Refresh rate:

Cover display: adaptive 1-to-120Hz
Main display: adaptive 1-to-120Hz

Peak brightness:

Cover display: 3,600 nits
Main display: 3,600 nits

CPU:

Google Tensor 6

RAM:

16GB

Storage:

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

OS:

Android 17

Cameras:

48MP F/1.7 main, 10.5MP F/2.2 ultra-wide

Selfie Camera:

Main screen: 10MP F/2.2
Cover screen: 10MP F/2.2

Telephoto

10.8MP F/3.1 5x optical

Battery:

4,806mAh

Charging:

30W wired, 25W wireless

Colors:

Obsidian, Olive

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Design

• Cleaner look with tighter hinge
• Slightly thinner that 10 Pro Fold
• Much lighter
• Camera bump is smaller

For some, the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be an acquired taste. The asymmetrical design, which features a flat edge and corners on one side and curves on the other, has not always been everyone's cup of tea. It's a design that's been around for a few generations now, but it still only makes full sense when you unfold the phone so that the larger 8-inch display is surrounded by four gently curved corners.

On one edge is a power/sleep/Gemini button that also doubles as an effective fingerprint reader (you can, as I did, also register your face for biometric security and add a PIN). Below that is the volume rocker. The SIM slot has moved from the top edge of the device to the bottom (eSIM is supported as well). On opposite edges are the stereo speakers, which can get loud enough to fill a room with clear sound that, no surprise, is mostly lacking in bass.

When I hold the folded phone in one hand, though, any dissonance quickly disappears, especially because the front features a full-sized 6.5-inch display, one that is wider than the cover screen on the similarly sized Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. While I get into the displays later, it's worth noting here that the appearance of the cover display is far more elegant now that Google has trimmed back the black bezel running around the cover display.

At 6.1 x 3.0 x 0.4 inches / 155.2 x 76 x 10.1mm when folded, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is virtually the same size as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but looks can be deceiving. It is ever-so-slightly thinner and, more importantly, the phone has somehow lost 19 grams and now weighs just 239g. That makes the phone much more comfortable to hold. Despite this, it's still not as light as the Z Fold 8 Ultra (215g) or the Z Fold 8 (201g). So if weight is a factor for you, you might want to investigate the Samsung line.

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The phone is built out of a combination of high-strength aluminum and aerospace-grade steel. On the front is ceramic glass, and on the back is a composite material with a truly pleasing satin finish. I really like that the back of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is slightly rougher than the last model; it feels wonderful in the hand.

The overall cleaner look is enhanced by the redesigned hinge. When the phone is folded, the hinge back sits almost flush with the rest of the phone's rear edges. Going deeper, Google reengineered the mechanism. While the phone is easier to open, the action feels somehow surer. That new hinge helps make the phone almost perfectly flat when open, and has helped to reduce the crease visibility (though it is still visible and, yes, you can feel it when you run your finger over that area).

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One slightly concerning thing I did notice is that when I unfolded the phone and then flexed the display a tiny bit (basically pushing back on either side to force it open a tiny bit more), I heard a clicking sound coming from the flexible display. There was nothing wrong with the screen, and while I could not see what was making the sound, I was able to repeat it. Fortunately, the sound eventually stopped; perhaps it was just the phone settling in.

On the bright side, this is the only foldable I know of that, with an IP68 rating, can withstand water and dust. Would I take the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to the beach? Maybe. I'd certainly have more confidence taking the Pixel than a member of the Galaxy Z 8 lineup, all of which are only rated IP48 for water protection. By the way, my test unit handled a test-dunk in the iconic fountain in Manhattan's Bryant Park like a champ.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Displays

• Larger cover screen
• Both displays go to a bright 3,600 nits
• Resolution of each display slightly beaten by Z Fold 8 Ultra

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Like so many other things with the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold, the device's pair of displays are not radically different from the last model's, but there are enough incremental improvements to still make them competitive and appealing.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the slightly larger OLED cover screen, which is now, thanks to a much thinner black bezel around it, 6.5 inches instead of 6.4 inches. The flexible main OLED panel is still eight inches.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Resolution on the two screens is virtually unchanged, with the larger cover display somehow losing a few pixels and ppi. On the 10 Pro Fold, it was a 2364 x 1080 display at 408ppi. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is 2342 x 1080 and 399ppi. Trust me, you won't notice the difference. The main 8-inch flexible screen is 2076 x 2152, which is the same as the last model. Neither screen matches the resolutions of the displays found on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Both screens get a nice brightness bump, with a max brightness of 3,600 nits. In direct sunlight at the seemingly always-sunny Bryant Park, both the cover and main screens did an excellent job of shining through the sun, so that I could easily navigate any menu, and effectively use the phone in folded and unfolded modes.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Both screens default to adaptive refresh mode, which extends from 1 to 120Hz. With it on, scrolling is silky smooth. It's also not bad in non-adaptive mode, which I assume is 60Hz, and which has the added benefit of saving on battery life.

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Consuming virtually any kind of content on either screen is a pleasure, although for a sit-back-and-enjoy experience, nothing beats the unfolded 8-inch display. I used it to play games, browse the web, and stream Netflix (outdoors over a strong T-Mobile 5G connection).

That screen is large enough to support multitasking. I easily split the screen in two to have a website on one side and photos on the other. There's also a bubble feature that essentially allows you to have a third app running (as long as it supports the function), which you can drag to one side of the screen or the other. That bubble app will continue running in the background unless you actively shut it down (you can drag it to the trash).

(Image credit: Future)

• Display score: 4.5 / 5

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Cameras

• Three good cameras
• 5x optical zoom is much appreciated
• Google is in danger of falling behind on the camera front
• Tons of photographic tools
• Magic Capture shows potential

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

No smartphone category has more cameras than folding phones, as in addition to the typical maximum of three lenses on the back of the phone, and a selfie camera, you get an extra selfie lens on the main screen. In total, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has five cameras; unfortunately, they are mostly unchanged from the last model. Here's what you get:

• 48MP wide
• 10.5MP ultrawide
• 10.8MP telephoto (5x optical)
• 10MP selfie (main screen)
• 10MP selfie (cover screen)

There's nothing wrong with these lenses and, with a larger sensor on the main camera compared to the 10 Pro Fold, Google has promised better low-light performance.

Still, when I compare this with what I can get on, say, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (200MP main and 50MP ultrawide), it all seems a little lacking. At least the Pixel outdoes Samsung on the zoom front, offering 5x optical zoom on a 10.8MP sensor, while the Z Fold 8 Ultra tops out at 3x optical with a 10MP sensor. The Pixel's two 10MP selfie cameras are good, if unremarkable.

In a vacuum, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold takes excellent photos — images you'd be proud to show off to friends and family and share on social media. I also, though, did some quick comparisons with my iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

There was a time when Google was credited with the best smartphone camera quality — its Pixel line even won MKHBD's Blind Smartphone Camera test between 2022 and 2024. In the past I've kept my praise of Pixel phone cameras somewhat muted, though I would have credited them with being generally on par with Apple, and usually surpassing Samsung.

In recent years, though, Apple, and especially Samsung, have upped their image-processing games, and this year I'm noticing that while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold takes excellent shots, they are not necessarily better than, and sometimes not as good as, similar photos from the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Photo taken with Pixel 11 Pro FoldLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with the iPhone 17 Pro MaxLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UltraLance Ulanoff / Future

Some of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold photos are grainy or a bit flat, especially those from the ultrawide. I think this is mostly due to the lack of pixels. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, in particular, has 48MP to work with, though it defaults to shooting at 24MP. Even so, that's simply more information in each pixel.

Photo taken with Google Pixel 11 Pro FoldLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with iPhone 17 Pro MaxLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UltraLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold Lance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with iPhone 17 Pro MaxLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UltraLance Ulanoff / Future

While I got mostly punchy, clear colors, the photo I took of a bright-pink crash helmet on a printed car track surface was disappointing. The orange from the track lines seems to have affected the helmet color, giving it an overall faint orange tint (an effect you may not be able to detect on your screen), something I did not detect in the same image from the Z Fold 8 Ultra or the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Lance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with iPhone 17 Pro MaxLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UltraLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with iPhone 17 Pro MaxLance Ulanoff / FuturePhoto taken with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 UltraLance Ulanoff / Future

I took a bunch of portrait-mode shots, and while I liked them, I also noticed that the Pixel could be a little heavy-handed with the cutouts. In one case, the bokeh cut away a tuft of my subject's hair. The iPhone seems to take a more subtle approach here.

(Image credit: Future)

There are a lot of AI-assisted photo features, including Camera Coach, which guided me on how to get a better picture of the fountain by reframing to cut out a distracting person, and the Magic Eraser, which I can apply by using my voice. I asked it to remove a guy in a blue shirt from one of my photos, and it did such a good job that you couldn't even tell the guy was ever there.

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I also tried out one of the newest features: Magic Capture. This is an interesting hybrid capture feature that essentially uses video to help you capture — or not miss — the perfect shot.

(Image credit: Future)

As I was walking through Bryant Park, I came across some bocci ball players. I set myself up opposite them, and selected the Gemini icon next to the camera icon to enable Magic Capture. This opens an interface that is essentially video capture. You point your camera at the subject, hit record, and then stop recording when you think you might have your shot.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold analyzes the video using AI, and identifies the perfect frames. In my case, I shot as the men were pitching their bocci balls. The AI presented me with a few best shot options I could save, and I was pleased to see that it always managed to capture the bocci balls mid-flight for the most dramatic shots. It also, however, holds onto low-resolution video of the entire capture. I'm not sure I need or want that.

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Macro shots and low-light shots look generally good, though the latter are not necessarily better than what I get from other flagship-grade smartphones. Video shot up to 4K also looks good.

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Overall, I think this is a good camera system that should satisfy most casual photographers. But I also think it will leave some wishing for more megapixels.

• Camera score: 3.5 / 5

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Software

• Android 17
• Easy access to Gemini
• No duplicate apps

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Google's Pixels may be my favorite Android phones because they're the closest thing we have to a pure-play Android interface. There's no duplicate gallery or web browser. The RCS messenger is the only one. It's a simplicity I've always appreciated.

Like other Pixels, the 11 Pro Fold also gets the latest Gemini technology, with a host of AI features that you may or may not use.

There are live translations for video, location-based suggestions, proactive actions, and automations in chats. Some of these tools work better the longer you've been using the phone, or when you allow Gemini to, say, connect to your other Google apps, so they can learn more about you and be, well, proactive.

Some, like Rambler and ASL-to-Text (for American Sign Language), are truly impressive. Rambler is the perfect speech-to-text tool for the mumblers among us, and while I have not used ASL-to-Text, I did see an inspiring demonstration during the Pixel launch. The phone and AI's ability to not only see and interpret the signs, but also facial expressions for emotional intent is kind of mind-blowing. I keep thinking that this is what technology and, especially, AI are really for.

Gemini remains a great tool for on-the-fly insights and, assuming you give it access, can see what's on your screen or even in your files, if you enable functions like Connected Apps and Gemini Live screen-sharing.

I especially like hands-free use, where I call out "Hey Google," and Gemini responds.

(Image credit: Future)

The new HiLight module (the white LED on the camera bump that's usually reserved for a flash) is a nifty little visual cue that Gemini is in use. It only works when the phone is face down. While I initially struggled to make it work, Google applied some backend updates, and now, when I say, “Hey Google,” the LED lights up in blue and white, animating as I ask questions, as it thinks, and then as it gives me answers (its voice and those answers come through the phone’s speaker system).

(Image credit: Future)

HiLight’s other purpose is letting me know when someone I know is calling me. To activate that, I went into Contacts and assigned my wife one of five HiLight colors. Now, when she calls — when my Pixel 11 Pro Fold is face-down on the table — the HiLight pulses in a very visible green.

(Image credit: Future)

HiLight is a cool, playful addition that might become even more useful when Google adds notifications like Messages for your high-priority contacts and other third-party app alerts. For now, though, it's more of a curiosity, and not necessarily a reason to buy or upgrade to this phone.

• Software score: 4.5 / 5

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Performance

• New Google Tensor G6
• 16GB of RAM
• Base storage of 256GB is a necessary upgrade

Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

Google has never produced the fastest ARM chips, but they are powerful and well-equipped for our AI reality, and the new Tensor G6 is no different. It posted strong GeekBench 7 benchmarks, but also ones that fell short of results I can get from Apple's A19 Pro and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. The differences are not vast, and I'd contend that in most day-to-day use scenarios you'll never notice the difference. Most modern flagships now have more processing power than they can use.

It's also good news that the SoC is backed by 16GB of RAM, a hearty amount to support local AI operations, and 256GB of storage (to start — you can go up to 1TB) to give you enough room to store all your photos, videos, files, and, yes, AI creations.

The Tensor G6 is, by the way, one of the first 2nm process chips in a flagship device. That could translate to better performance and, especially, more efficiency, which might mean better battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra benchmark scores

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Geekbench 7 single-core

2309

Geekbench 7 multi-core

6803

3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Unlimited

3110

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Battery

• 4,806mAh battery
• Yes, the battery is smaller
• Google is still promising all-day battery life

Yes, the battery has dropped from approximately 5,000mAh to 4,806mAh, but somehow you can still anticipate a full day of battery life — although how you define a full day will vary from user to user. With intermittent use, I got more than 24 hours of battery life. Our harsher Labs-based battery run-down test (with screen smoothness on) recorded about 12 hours.

Still, I suspect the generally decent battery life despite the smaller battery pack is in part due to the Tensor 6 processor and its 2nm process. As I mentioned, the 2m process is more efficient, and can help the SoC sip power as opposed to suck it away.

Your mileage, though, will certainly vary.

The other standout benefit of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's battery system is its Pixel Snap support. Think of this as Android's answer to Apple's MagSafe charging. As with all modern iPhones, there's a hidden magnet inside the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's chassis that will magnetically hug a Pixel Snap Qi-based charge stand — and, yes, it works perfectly with all MagSafe ones, too. Why Samsung has not added this feature to all its phones is beyond me.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold? Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

More expensive than the last Pixel Fold, but still a relative bargain compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

4.5 / 5

Design

A cleaner, more refined look in a much lighter body. Still thicker than competitors

4 / 5

Displays

Bright, colorful and smooth displays. Plus the cover screen is now bigger. Resolution slightly behind competitor foldables

4.5 / 5

Cameras

A good camera array that hasn't changed much since last year. Image quality is generally good, and often excellent, but competitors have caught up to and/or surpassed Google in some image scenarios

3.5 / 5

Software

The best Android experience on the market. A clean, unified interface and lots of powerful Gemini access

4.5 / 5

Performance

The new Tensor G6 offers more than enough power for every task, and is efficient enough to help extend battery life

4.5 / 5

Battery

The battery shrunk a little, but that does not appear to impacted have battery life.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want the best Pixel foldable to date
While not an overhaul, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's series of refinements add up to a more elegant and lightweight multi-purpose pocket device that Pixel fans will love.

You want more value for less
Sure, this Pixel Fold is more expensive than the last one, but it's still cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a folding phone that it generally meets (and sometimes beats) on most key specs.

You want more zoom
While many flagships are retreating to 3x or 4x optical zoom, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold offers a 5x optical zoom camera. Maybe, though, Google will up the megapixels to 48 next year.

Don't buy it if...

You want the thinnest and lightest fold
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 8 are both lighter and thinner options.

You want the best photography
I generally liked the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's cameras, but the photos didn't always match or beat similar shots from competitors.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review: Also consider

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 matches, in the US, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold on price but can't truly compete on the camera front. Still, if you want the lightest and most interesting foldable, this is it.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 review

Motorola Razr Fold 2026
For a great camera array and bleeding-edge battery technology, the Razr Fold 2026 might be the pick over the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, that is if you can get over the clunky design.

Read our full Motorola Razr Fold 2026 review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
The thinnest, lightest, and arguably most powerful foldable on the market, beating the Pixel 11 Pro Fold on most fronts. You'll pay dearly, but it's worth every dime.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra review

How I tested the Google Pixel 11 Pro FoldWhy you can trust TechRadar

☑️ 100s of smartphones reviewed
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold arrived late and to the wrong house, which meant I had a little less time with it than I would have preferred. Still, between my early hands-on time and my days of testing, I've gotten a clear sense of the qualities, and minor deficits, of Google's only foldable device.

I've used it for work, play, and communication. I spent time with Gemini and took a lot of photos, focusing on how this camera array compares to some of the best smartphone camera systems on the market.

I've been testing foldable phones for several years now, and I'm still impressed with how each new model improves year on year. And while I appreciate the work Google has done to improve its foldable, I can't help but think about what's next. Google, like the rest of the field, should soon be facing some formidable competition from Apple. So, as I test, I keep what's coming in mind — and pretty good may not be good enough.

I'm putting all this in the context of decades of phone-testing experience and 40 years as a journalist, which means I know how far we've come and understand the leaps we can make, sometimes, in a very short period of time. The folding space is, in some ways, just getting started.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2026

I picked up an Airhub eSIM the week before a trip to Japan last month. Landed at Narita, switched it on before I even cleared immigration, and had a working map on my phone by the time I got to the baggage belt.

That kind of frictionless setup is what Airhub is built around. It is an eSIM provider covering 190+ countries and regions worldwide, founded in 2020 and now serving over 5 million customers globally.

The catalog spans local, regional, and global plans, with some offering unlimited data, and a handful going further than most competitors by bundling voice calling and SMS into the plan. You get an actual international number, which means you can receive calls and texts even when you are offline.

On paper, Airhub ticks most of the boxes you would want before an international trip. In practice, my experience in Japan held up well. Coverage was solid across Tokyo and Kyoto, top-up was two taps in the app, and I never had to think about connectivity for the full two weeks.

A few reviewers have flagged the first-time activation flow as occasionally clunky, and single sign-on has thrown some users off, but the support team tends to sort these out quickly. For the price, it is hard to argue with what you get.

Airhub: Plans and pricing

Airhub's local plans start at $1.89 in some markets, with pricing varying by country and plan type. Many plans bundle an international number with voice and text alongside data.

Here are some popular examples of starting prices by country:

Region

Starting from

Plans available

United States

$1.99 USD

24 plans

United Kingdom

$2.85 USD

20 plans

UAE

$1.89 USD

16 plans

Thailand

$2.85 USD

15 plans

Switzerland

$1.90 USD

16 plans

Japan

$2.50 USD

17 plans

Australia

$2.98 USD

20 plans

Italy

$3.49 USD

17 plans

Canada

$2.49 USD

21 plans

France

$1.89 USD

18 plans

Brazil

$3.69 USD

15 plans

Spain

$3.40 USD

18 plans

While some regions, such as Latin America, may have limited coverage, Airhub's variety of plans and affordable rates still make it an attractive option for international travelers.

For travelers who need ongoing connectivity, Airhub also offers monthly rolling global subscription plans:

(Image credit: Airhub)Airhub: Features

Airhub covers the basics well and then goes a step further in a few areas that most eSIM providers skip. Here is what you actually get.

• It works the moment you land: Set it up before your trip, switch it on after landing, and you are online instantly. Maps, cabs, messages, and everything else work right away, with no additional setup required at the airport.
• plans that fit your trip, not the other way around: Whether it is a short break, a long vacation, work travel, or remote work, Airhub has a plan that makes sense for you. With up to 15 plan varieties per country, users can find an option that fits both their itinerary and their budget.
• Affordable voice and data plans: Airhub offers flexible global plans that give you the right data and calling options at a cost that makes sense. It is one of the few eSIM providers to include voice minutes and international phone numbers alongside data, depending on the region.
• Top up anytime: Running low on data? Just add more directly from the app or website. There are no new QR codes to scan or settings to configure again; your existing eSIM simply continues with the added data.
• Works perfectly with dual SIM phones: Airhub is designed to work alongside your regular SIM card. Use Airhub for data while keeping your home SIM active for calls and OTPs, giving you the best of both connections without any compromise.
• Voucher program: If you are a small retailer or mobile shop, you can take advantage of the Voucher Program to become one of Airhub's licensed distribution partners. It is a great way for small businesses to diversify their revenue streams without physically shipping SIM cards to customers.

Airhub: Installation

Getting started is easy. Just visit the Airhub website and purchase an eSIM plan. Buying a plan is as simple as choosing your destination, data package, and validity period.

Once you've completed your purchase, Airhub sends you an activation code with instructions to activate the eSIM on your device. The process rarely takes longer than two minutes. You can choose to activate your eSIM immediately or keep it installed without activating it until your travel dates.

If you have questions about specific plans, the onboarding process, or your device's compatibility, Airhub's customer service team is available to answer them around the clock.

To install and activate the eSIM, follow these steps:

• Purchase an eSIM data plan on the Airhub website or in the app. Select your destination, choose a plan, and complete checkout. You will receive an email with a QR code and installation instructions.
• On your phone, go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data. Make sure the Airhub eSIM is turned on.
• Set the Airhub eSIM to use Cellular Data and turn on Data Roaming.
• Scan the QR code provided in the email to install the eSIM profile. Alternatively, you can enter the activation code manually in your phone's cellular settings.
• Once installed, the eSIM may show "Activating" for some time, especially if you are not yet in the destination country. This is normal, and the activation will complete once you are in the coverage area.
• You can manage your eSIM by logging into the Airhub app. From there, you can check your data usage, top up, or change your plan.

(Image credit: Airhub)

You can also watch the YouTube tutorials on how to activate your eSIM on iOS and Android.

Airhub: Coverage and speed

(Image credit: Airhub)

Airhub's coverage spans more than 190 countries and regions worldwide, offering reliable connectivity for travelers. The company partners with local networks to design cost-effective plans, ensuring better regional coverage and pricing compared to some competitors.

However, Airhub's coverage in Latin America, while broader than before, still has some gaps in more remote destinations. The Latin America plan now covers Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, El Salvador, Uruguay, and Venezuela, with the Global plan further extending coverage to Mexico, Panama, and French Guiana. Travelers are advised to verify the availability of specific countries on Airhub's website before purchasing.

In terms of data speeds, Airhub generally provides 4G LTE coverage, with some plans offering 5G in select countries like Thailand. While most users report reliable connections and fast speeds, a few reviews mention occasional inconsistencies or throttling issues.

Compared to other eSIM providers, Airhub stands out for its wide variety of region-specific plans, often including voice minutes and text messaging. While competitors like Airalo boast broader global coverage, Airhub's regional focus enables more competitive pricing and greater plan flexibility in the areas it serves.

Airhub: Support

(Image credit: Airhub)

Airhub offers several customer support channels, including live chat and email. However, user reviews mention that response times across these channels can be inconsistent.

Some users report positive experiences, praising the quick turnaround time and helpful support staff. On the other hand, others have expressed frustration about late replies, changing support representatives, and unresolved issues.

There's also a detailed FAQ for users to look for solutions to common problems. Some of these contain step-by-step instructions for diagnosing and resolving even technical errors. But if you need a professional, email and chat are the only options because this provider does not offer phone support.

Airhub: Final verdict

Of all the eSIM providers we have reviewed, Airhub has the widest variety of plans. They range from regional to global and from short-term to long-term. It's also one of the few eSIM companies offering voice minutes and international numbers.

However, Airhub's inconsistent customer support and limited coverage in certain regions could be drawbacks for some users. Still, we feel that it's a solid choice whose benefits outweigh the disadvantages in the end.

Airhub: FAQsWhich devices work with Airhub eSIM?

Airhub works with most modern eSIM-compatible smartphones, including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer. It is recommended to check your device manufacturer's specifications to confirm eSIM support before purchasing a plan.

Can I use Airhub eSIM when traveling?

Yes. Airhub is designed specifically for travelers. You can set up your eSIM before departure and switch it on as soon as you land, giving you instant connectivity without needing to find a local SIM shop or deal with roaming charges from your home carrier.

How long will my Airhub eSIM work?

Airhub validity depends on the option you select at the time of purchase, ranging from 7-day short-term plans to 30-day and monthly rolling subscriptions. Your data allowance and validity period are clearly displayed before checkout and, once activated, within the Airhub app.

Can I use my physical SIM and eSIM together?

Yes. On dual-SIM devices, you can use your physical SIM and Airhub eSIM simultaneously. A common setup is to use Airhub for mobile data while keeping your regular SIM active for calls and OTPs, so you never miss important messages from your home number.

Is Airhub eSIM safe to use?

Yes. Airhub is a legitimate eSIM provider founded in 2020 and trusted by over 500,000 users worldwide. Purchases are processed securely, and the platform supports multiple payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency.

Where is Airhub eSIM based?

Airhub is owned and managed by GigHub Systems Inc., a company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States. However, Airhub offers eSIM plans for travelers worldwide.

Thermal Master DV2: 30-second review

The Thermal Master DV2 is a handheld thermal imaging monocular that the maker positions in different ways depending on which storefront is visited. On its own birdwatching page, it is billed as the first dedicated thermal camera built specifically for spotting birds and wildlife.

Elsewhere in the same company's catalog, and on Amazon, it appears instead as a general-purpose thermal monocular for hunting, camping and rescue work. Whatever your interest, the hardware underneath is identical.

At the centre of the device sits a 256 x 192 sensor with a 12-micron pixel pitch. Thermal Master runs that raw feed through what it calls the RazorX engine, a three-core processing pipeline built from an FPGA, an ASIC and an AI upscaling block badged X³IR. The result is a 512 x 384 output image, twice the native resolution, though this is achieved through interpolation rather than by a genuinely higher-resolution sensor.

Detection is rated up to 1000m for a human-scale target, with shorter recognition distances quoted for smaller subjects such as birds. A 10mm f/0.8 manual focus lens feeds that sensor, and the whole thing is viewed on a 5-inch touchscreen running at 1280 x 720. That screen rotates and folds, making it compact to carry and easy to use. And the camera can be used without a phone, making deployment quicker and easier.

Connectivity can be used for streaming over Wi-Fi or for offloading captured images and video from the camera, and it supports RTSP for near-no-lag transmission. A laser pointer helps mark whatever has been spotted, and a Picatinny rail fitting lets you mount the DV2 on other equipment.

Thermal Master sells the DV2 directly from its own site and through Amazon in several regions. Pricing is $499/£459 via Amazon, which seems reasonable since this isn’t a phone add-on, but a standalone camera.

The value of this product entirely pivots on the use case. If you need to identify animals or people at range, then it could be invaluable, but it's not suitable for every job.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Thermal Master DV2: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $500/£460/€530
• When is it out? It is available now
• Where can you get it? Direct from the Thermal Master website, with shipping from regional warehouses in the US, UK, EU, and China. And via online retailers.

At the time of review, the DV2 carries a price of $489 USD direct from Thermal Master. For that price, you get the camera, a battery charger, one battery and a few accessories, like the Picatinny rail attachment and carry case.

For quick delivery, it can be purchased from Amazon.com for $499, from Amazon.co.uk for £459.99 and from the EU Amazon sites for €529.99.

There aren’t any obvious retail competitors because professional bird watching isn’t something most companies see as a new market opportunity.

A more general-purpose device is the Axion Compact Thermal Monocular, but that’s priced at $1449.97 on Amazon for those in the USA.

A slightly more realistic choice is the TOPDON TS004 and TS004 Pro, monoculars designed for hunting, rather than birdwatching. The standard TS004 has a resolution of 256 x 192 and costs a little over $400, while its Pro brother is $759.95 and sports 384 x 288 resolution. The Pro quotes detection at up to 650 yards, which is less than the DV2.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 3.5/5

Thermal Master DV2: Specs

Spec

Detail

Sensor

256 x 192, 12μm pitch

Sensitivity (NETD)

≤20mK @ 25°C, f/0.8

Super resolution output

512 x 384 via X³IR interpolation

Lens

10mm f/0.8, manual focus

Field of view

17.5° x 13.1° (some listings simplify this to 18°)

Display

5 inch touchscreen, 1280 x 720, 360° rotating, 180° folding

Refresh rate

50Hz

Processor

Triple-core: FPGA, ASIC, AI upscaling block (RazorX engine)

Detection range

Up to 1094 yards for a human-sized target

Digital zoom

8x

Reticles

9 tactical modes, 5 colours

Colour palettes

5

Connectivity

Wi-Fi streaming, RTSP support confirmed independently, USB-C

Storage

32GB internal

Mounting

Picatinny rail adapter

Weight

512g including battery

Battery

1x 21700 5000mAh Battery

Warranty

2 years

Thermal Master DV2: Design

• Camcorder vibe
• Large touch screen
• Only one battery included
• Confusing buttons

Many handheld thermal cameras still borrow the shape of a barcode scanner or a torch, but the DV2 looks closer to a small camcorder. The optics are at the top end, with a lens cap protecting the manual-focus telephoto. The lens cap isn’t tethered, so I recommend not dropping that black item in the dark the first time you use this device.

Its defining feature is the fold-out 5-inch touchscreen, which rotates 360 degrees and folds 180 degrees, rather than staying fixed in one position. This lets the operator adjust the display if the target area is above or below the camera's natural line of sight.

The rotating, folding screen lets the display angle toward the eye, whether the DV2 is held low, mounted on a tripod, or fitted to a rail system via its Picatinny adapter.

A downside of this design choice is that if you fold out the display at 90 degrees to the camera, its most natural position, the weight causes the camera to fall over. Therefore, at a minimum, you need a small tripod, even if one isn’t included with the DV2.

To operate the device, the red button on the rear is depressed for what seems like an inordinately long time before a fancy video graphic announces that the DV2 is ready for action.

But before you do that, the 21700 battery needs to be inserted into the DV2, something you are told to do, but there are no indicators I could see which end of the battery goes in first.

Eventually, I found a video of someone demonstrating the camera and realised the correct orientation, but it wasn’t labelled or mentioned in the quick start guide.

Documentation for this product isn't a strong point, since months after release there is still no proper manual.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

What’s also slightly odd about the battery is that the case has positions for two, but Thermal Master provides only one. And yet, the charger accepts two. Given that the retail unit cost of a 21700 battery is less than $10, and it would be much less than that for Thermal Master, it's confusing why two aren’t provided from the outset.

If you don’t intend to buy another, then the charger is also superfluous, since you can charge the one included in the DV2 by using a provided USB-C cable. Except you might not want to, because you might struggle to power the DV2 while it's on a tripod, since the USB-C port is on the same underside as the threaded tripod hole.

That’s confusing, but the bit that genuinely made me scratch my head was that the second button next to the power on/off one didn’t initiate video and picture capture. No, it toggles through the different colour representations, something most people would set and forget.

To take a picture or video, you have to touch the screen, which, if you're zoomed in on a distant bird or animal, is likely to twist the camera and ruin the framing. Not sure who made the choice not to include a shooting trigger, but it was a poor decision.

Another slightly odd feature is that this device has a laser pointer, activated by a quick press of the power button. I can’t think of anything more likely to cause roosting birds or other wildlife to exit stage left than being shot in the eye with a laser, so why they included this, I’m unsure.

I'm also confused by the addition of the Picatinny rail adapter, which implies that after you've watched the birds, your next step is to shoot them. That's not really the sort of bird watching I'm familiar with, but what do I know?

Overall, the build quality is decent, and it feels relatively robust. From a design perspective, there appear to be numerous aspects where the engineers creating it didn’t really appreciate how it might be used and what potential customers might be expecting.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design score: 3.5/5

Thermal Master DV2: User experience

• Questionable ergonomics
• Dire mobile app
• Focus challenges
• Recognition vs detection

I might have got the wrong end of the stick, but the primary purpose of this device is to take pictures and video using the thermal sensor, isn’t it?

This seems obvious, but due to how poorly organized the device menus are for doing just that, perhaps I’ve entirely misunderstood this device.

I’ve already mentioned that you can’t initiate capture with a simple button, but the touch screen menu goes one step further. Taking a picture isn’t on the top-level menu; it requires you to go to a second page, and then a third, to do the one task this device is made for.

The top level is full of things you won’t want immediate access to, I’d contest, and this arrangement makes almost no sense I can fathom.

At first, I concluded you were probably meant to use the mobile app to take pictures so you don’t touch the camera, but I was wrong.

Connecting the camera to the phone involves an overly complicated procedure that would make anyone used to Apple or Bambu Labs products incandescent.

For starters, both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, so this won’t work in the field unless you bring a portable Wi-Fi access point along.

The phone needs an app that, for Android users, needs to be downloaded from the support pages and then side-loaded onto the phone. I’ve long been critical of Thermal Master apps, and how there is always a new one for each camera, and this one isn’t even on the Play Store.

Once you install the app, you can go to a specific page on the camera with no instructions on which icon it's behind, then get a QR code that connects the two.

To use this feature, you must be in control mode, where the barcode is shown, so you can’t do anything on the camera when the phone takes over. Once the two are connected, you have three features.

One of which is the color control, another is the Thermal Master eye (Red/Green imaging mode), and the other recalibrates on the image. There isn’t any way to change from still image to video, use the aiming reticule, hotspot tracking, or access the picture album, so 80% of what the DV2 does is unavailable.

But also, you can’t take a picture other than using your phone's inbuilt feature to take a screenshot. And, if you capture images using the phone, they are not transferred to the phone.

So anything you manage to capture needs to be downloaded from the camera in a separate exercise using a USB-C cable.

Being brutally honest, it appears that the hardware team started work on the DV2 many months before the software people, who appear to have met it a couple of weeks before it was launched.

I suspect that this connectivity was supposed to use Bluetooth, but time ran out, and it also did for all the other missing features of the phone app.

If you ignore the phone app nonsense - and I recommend you do - and focus instead on the functionality built into the camera, then the user experience is much better, if a little limited compared with some of the other Thermal cameras that this brand makes.

What’s lacking here is a visible-light sensor, the data from which could be used to enhance thermal captures and help with focusing. I’d put focusing as the single most challenging part of using the DV2, because when you're presented with blobs of moving colour on the screen, it's hard to tell whether they’re moving in or out of focus.

Once focus is dialled in, as long as you don’t move the camera, you definitely need a tripod; then you can develop a practical workflow.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

What’s important to realise is that this is for capturing things that aren’t especially close, and this hardware would be of zero use to anyone repairing electronics or fixing engine problems. And, because it's not meant for that, some of the features seen on other cameras, like floating temperature text, are missing on the DV2.

Also, the range of this device allows you to identify the thermal signatures of humans and animals long before you can determine where they are going or what they are doing.

Hilariously, to make this understandable, the DV2 datasheet breaks this down into four detection range levels, where the thing being detected will trigger up to three pixels on the sensor. These are 300m for a 1.8m human, 250m for 1 1.5m Hog, 200m for a 1.2m Coyote, and 50m for a 0.3m Dove.

Where I live in England, we have only two of those creatures since Wild Hogs and Coyotes aren’t endemic, but I get the idea. The camera's relatively high frame rate helps with identification, but only when they’re larger than three pixels on the sensor.

Thermal Master marketing takes this capability and extrapolates it to claim the camera can detect human-sized heat signatures at 1094 yards (1000m, or 1km). To be clear, at that range, an adult human would be a single pixel on the sensor, and for them to be recognised as such, they’d need to be four times closer.

I guess the single pixel, if consistently lit, might tell you something is coming, just not what it was.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• User experience score: 2/5

Thermal Master DV2: Camera

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Image output is a 512 x 384 frame, built from a native 256 x 192 sensor through the RazorX engine's AI upscaling. As with any interpolated output, this can improve apparent detail without genuinely increasing sensor resolution.

And, in the DV2, this works well enough, making the thermal image clear and readable, with good separation between different heat sources even at a distance.

Digital zoom is available up to 8x, but zooming this way involves taking smaller and smaller sections of the sensor area, which results in grainy/blocky results. When you start with such a low sensor resolution, this is always going to be an issue.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Five colour palettes are available for translating temperature data into a viewable image, along with nine tactical reticule modes in five colours, a feature set that leans towards the hunting and outdoor positioning of the device rather than its birdwatching marketing. Since that type of hunting isn’t common in the UK, I can’t comment on its usefulness for that role.

But in other regions, where the number of people accidentally shot by others during the hunting seasons is significant, it could be a lifesaver.

A 50Hz refresh rate should keep motion reasonably smooth when tracking a moving subject, whether that is a bird taking flight or an animal moving through undergrowth. The issue here is that there is a sweet range where this can happen, but the further out a target is, the more difficult it becomes to track, especially if it moves out of frame.

There is a tendency to scan wildly around, trying to locate the heat source before it moves behind an obstruction or leaves the area entirely.

The camera offers similar technology to what Thermal Master is providing with its accessory phone cameras, but the optics here are predictably better. That results in better end results and clearer images, even if the resolution is still relatively low.

• Camera score: 3/5

Thermal Master DV2: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The device's underlying hardware is solid. However, other aspects of this device are less than perfect, and the lack of proper documentation alongside some less-than-polished software detracts from the overall experience.

That’s a shame because the fundamental foundations of this device are good; it just needed to come to market in a more holistic package than it did.

I hope Thermal Master is motivated to finish the DV2 like it patently should have been. With some effort on the interface and software components, it could be something all dedicated birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts will want in their backpacks.

But at this time, especially in terms of the software and menu ergonomics, it still needs some work.

Should I buy a Thermal Master DV2?Thermal Master DV2 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Not inexpensive, but impressive specifications

3.5/5

Design

Poor button choices and menu arrangement

3.5/5

User experience

Limited phone app that works over WiFi

2/5

Camera

Zoom is digital, and sensor is 256 x 192, but the optics help

3/5

Overall

Solid hardware let down by rushed software

3.5/5

Buy it if...

You are tracking at range
The ability to pick up thermal data at a range of 1km is useful, but only if you are looking for people or larger animals. This camera can determine people-sized heat signatures at range, rather than small birds at a distance.

You wish to remain unseen
A handheld thermal monocular with a rotating, folding touchscreen rather than a fixed eyepiece is an advantage if you wish to remain out of sight. Light from the screen might be visible at night, but you can adjust the brightness.

Don't buy it if...

You want to capture using a phone
At this time, the phone app can relay a live feed using RTSP, but it can’t capture images or video. And, the connection between the two requires a WiFi network. Those expecting complete remote control with a phone will be disappointed.

Your interest is birds at range
If small bird detection at real distance is your primary use case, then this is a problem. Because the sensor is low resolution and there is no optical zoom.

I reviewed Nioh 3 back in January of this year, and it quickly cemented itself as one of the best soulslike games in my eyes.

Changes it made to the series' formula, including a clear distinction between Samurai and Ninja styles, as well as a shift to vast explorable open maps, really helped it to stand out from the pack.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: August 19, 2026

Now the game's first of two major expansions, Hell Rising, has arrived. It's not as expansive as Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree or Lies of P: Overture (it took me around 8-10 hours to complete all main missions and a handful of side quests), but it is more Nioh 3 in the best way possible.

Long story short, if you enjoyed Nioh 3 and played it all the way to completion, you'll find a lot more to love about Hell Rising. You can expect all-new enemy types, challenging boss encounters, a new weapon archetype, as well as a sprinkling of added skills, ninjutsu, and onmyo magic.

You will need to be caught up in order to properly access the DLC, though. Hell Rising requires you to have beaten the base game, and you'll want to be rocking a competent endgame build to face its higher difficulty and level recommendations. Enemies hit harder than ever, and bosses are among the toughest in Nioh 3 as a whole. So be sure to kit yourself in Divine tier gear (ideally with your preferred set bonuses) before jumping in.

Beyond the grave

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Nioh 3: Hell Rising takes place in 1651 during Japan's short-lived Keian era.

After being appointed Shogun at the end of the base game, protagonist Takechiyo learns of a resurgence of the Crucible and the demonic forces brought on by it. So, they travel to the Keian era with their spirit allies in order to quell the threat for good.

It's a simple setup, but I enjoyed Hell Rising's narrative. New allies join the fight alongside Takechiyo, including Yagyu Jubei and Rodrigo—a swordsman and politician hailing from Spain. New cutscenes typically bookend major boss fights, and I must say a late-game twist has beautifully set up the upcoming second expansion (a release date for which has yet to be revealed).

Best bit

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Area variety is really impressive in Nioh 3: Hell Rising. You'll traverse water-logged villages, skirt around an active volcano, as well as invade a laboratory staffed by foreign alchemists looking to harness yokai power for themselves. Levels have a surprising amount of verticality, too, helping the new map to feel suitably dense.

You do have kind of a test to pass in order to access the DLC proper, and that comes in the form of Yagyu Jubei.

He's essentially the gatekeeper boss for Hell Rising; the game's way of checking if you're truly ready for the challenges ahead. I actually found him to be among the hardest of the new bosses. He's fast, and commands wind and water elemental attacks. Oh, he's also really good at dodging through your ninjutsu techniques, so building up status effects on him is a challenge in and of itself.

Before the fight, though, the DLC almost immediately introduces you to the new Hoko and Shield weapon archetype. I think they're a fantastic addition to Nioh 3's roster of armaments, and there are versions for both Samurai and Ninja styles.

Your gameplan with the Hoko and Shield is to time your strong attacks (and certain Martial Art skills) to negate incoming enemy attacks. They're a more defensive weapon by nature, and its skill tree includes abilities to both engage and disengage enemies at a distance, as well as ranged attacks such as tossing the shield in various ways. It's a high-risk, high-reward weapon type that I ended up using for a decent chunk of the DLC's runtime.

I loved my time with Nioh 3: Hell Rising, and I'm now eagerly anticipating the second expansion and all the additions and new bosses that brings. I do have a couple of issues with Hell Rising, though, that I hope get addressed in future content.

For one, bosses from the base game get reused quite frequently. You'll see many of the base game's yokai bosses at least once in Hell Rising (one particularly annoying one actually appeared twice).

I found it a shame because the DLC's new bosses are all wonderful, engaging challenges. Recycling these older bosses with no noticeable changes felt like padding, and weren't much of a challenge beyond their larger health pools and higher attack power.

There were also some particularly mean enemy ambushes late on in the DLC, particularly in the Crucible zone that acts as its capstone. You'll be shoved into tight corridors and tiny rooms fairly frequently here, as mobs of yokai swarm in. It was the only time during the DLC that I felt the game was being just a touch unfair.

Should I play Nioh 3: Hell Rising?Play it if...

You loved Nioh 3
Yes, this one's fairly obvious, but I think Hell Rising is currently the pinnacle of what Nioh 3 has to offer. If you loved the base game and you're simply wanting more, you'll get a lot out of this first expansion.

You're excited for more build variety options
The Hoko and Shield weapon, along with all-new ninjutsu, onmyo magic, and yokai Soul Cores, all expand your options when it comes to building a Samurai or Ninja (or both!) kit that best suits your playstyle. Better yet, you can take it all back into the base game if you're keen to replay it on the higher Shogun's Journey difficulty.

Don't play it if...

You were hoping for a meatier package
At 8-10 hours, Hell Rising is a relatively bite-sized expansion. It's still excellent at this length, but if you're wanting something more sizable, I'd recommend waiting until the second expansion comes out so you can play both back to back.

Accessibility features

Nioh 3: Hell Rising's accessibility features remain the same as they were in the base game. For more information, check out our full Nioh 3 review in order to get a brief overview of what's on offer.

How I reviewed Nioh 3: Hell Rising

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Nioh 3: Hell Rising took me approximately 8-10 hours to finish on my first playthrough of it. That included all main missions and bosses, exploring most of the new map, and completing a handful of side quests.

I played the expansion on PC, carrying my base game character from my original Nioh 3 review into the DLC. I played through Hell Rising with the Valve Steam Controller (2026), and used my RIG 900 Max HS gaming headset for more immersive audio.

First reviewed August 2026

A friend who travels for work recommended FlexiRoam after a three-week trip through Southeast Asia. He's the kind of person who researches everything before he books, so when he said it was the one eSIM he'd actually use again, I paid attention.

It's not the cheapest option, and there's a transparency issue worth knowing about before you buy. But it does a few things that most eSIM providers haven't bothered with, and once you see them, the usual set-and-forget approach starts to feel a little basic.

• Take a look at more of the best eSIMs for international travel

FlexiRoam: Plans and pricing

FlexiRoam organizes its plans around four travel scenarios. Local plans cover a single country, regional plans span zones like Asia or Europe, global plans work across 200+ countries and 20 airlines, and in-flight plans handle in-air connectivity on select carriers. For most international travelers, the global plan is where the comparison starts.

Data

Validity

Price (USD)

Per day

8 GB

90 days

$58

$0.64

20 GB

180 days

$129

$0.72

40 GB

270 days

$149

$0.55

70 GB

360 days

$172

$0.48

100 GB

360 days

$206

$0.57

300 GB

360 days

$438

$1.22

Prices reflect current discounted rates. Always verify the latest pricing on FlexiRoam's website before purchasing.

For in-flight connectivity, FlexiRoam sells separate 24-hour plans: 1GB for $7 and 2GB for $12.60, compatible with 20 airlines. Coverage varies by aircraft model and route, so check airline compatibility on Flexiroam's website before committing. Unlimited inflight plans are also available at separate pricing.

Across the board, FlexiRoam sits at the expensive end of the eSIM market. The long validity windows and per-country multi-network access go some way toward justifying that cost for frequent or multi-destination travelers, but shorter trips have cheaper options elsewhere.

Flexiroam: Features

FlexiRoam lets you switch automatically across multiple local carriers. It shares data with other users via FlexiShare without the battery drain of conventional hotspotting. And it's one of the few providers with dedicated in-flight data plans.

• Network Switching: FlexiRoam's modern eSIM technology enables users to switch between mobile operators smoothly via remote service provisioning. You always have uninterrupted internet access, even when visiting regions too remote for your primary carrier.
• FlexiShare Functionality: FlexiShare is a unique feature offered by FlexiRoam that allows users to share their data plans with others through the FlexiRoam App. FlexiRoam says this approach drains your battery less than traditional WiFi tethering.
• In-flight Data Plans: FlexiRoam is one of the few eSIM providers to offer dedicated in-flight data plans, allowing you to stay connected during flights on select airlines and aircraft. Unlimited inflight plans are also available; check FlexiRoam's website for current pricing. Travelers should verify airline compatibility on FlexiRoam's website before purchasing.

Flexiroam: Installation

Once the eSIM plan is purchased, users receive a QR code or eSIM profile via email. They can then install the FlexiRoam eSIM by scanning the QR code with their device's camera or by following the provided instructions to download the eSIM profile.

The first-time setup process is entirely digital, performed through your phone's settings. There is also an in-app guide to help you along if you feel confused. FlexiRoam eSIMs activate automatically upon reaching your travel destination, so there is no unintended data loss.

For device-specific guidance, FlexiRoam provides step-by-step setup guides for iOS, Samsung, and Google Pixel devices, available directly on their website.

(Image credit: Flexiroam)FlexiRoam: Coverage and speed

FlexiRoam offers coverage in over 200 countries and regions, partnering with multiple local service providers in each country for the best possible performance.

Regarding data speeds, some users have reported slow connections or throttling in certain destinations. Compared to other eSIM providers, FlexiRoam's destination count exceeds even Airalo. However, Airalo partners directly with local telecom providers, which can lead to better speeds in many regions.

While FlexiRoam offers a wide variety of plans with different validity periods, plans can be priced highly in certain countries. Since you can't see carrier information before purchasing a plan, experience in remote locations can be a hit or a miss.

FlexiRoam: Support

(Image credit: Flexiroam)

FlexiRoam offers several customer support channels, including email (support@flexiroam.com), social media (Facebook, Instagram), messaging apps (Line, WhatsApp), and in-app support through the FlexiRoam App.

There's no phone support, which stings if you're mid-trip and something stops working. That said, FlexiRoam's support team does show up in the comments on negative reviews, reaching out directly rather than letting complaints sit. It's not a fix, but it suggests the company is at least paying attention.

FlexiRoam: Final verdict

FlexiRoam is not the eSIM I'd hand to someone who just needs the cheapest option and doesn't want to think twice about it. But for frequent travelers who've hit the ceiling of what a basic eSIM can do, it's worth a serious look.

The multi-carrier switching and FlexiShare are genuinely useful, not just checkbox features. The in-flight plans put it in a category of its own. And the global coverage is as wide as it gets.

The cost is real, and the lack of carrier transparency before purchase is frustrating in a way that feels avoidable. Customer support is a work in progress. If those are dealbreakers, cheaper and more straightforward options exist. But if you travel often enough that connectivity actually affects how your trip goes, FlexiRoam earns its price more often than not.

FlexiRoam: FAQsWhat does FlexiRoam do?

FlexiRoam provides eSIM (embedded SIM) solutions that allow users to access mobile data services in over 200 countries without physical SIM cards. It also provides global deployment and connectivity solutions for IoT devices.

Where is FlexiRoam based?

FlexiRoam is headquartered in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its parent company, FlexiRoam Limited, is publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Its plans are accessible worldwide, with support for multiple global payment methods.

How do I check if my device is eSIM compatible?

You can check eSIM compatibility directly in the FlexiRoam app or on the website before purchasing a plan. Most modern smartphones launched from 2020 onwards support eSIM technology, though support varies by model and region. It is always recommended to verify your specific device model on FlexiRoam's compatibility page to avoid any issues at checkout.

Can I use FlexiRoam on a dual SIM phone?

Yes. FlexiRoam works with dual-SIM phones, allowing you to keep your physical SIM active for calls and OTPs while using the FlexiRoam eSIM for mobile data. This is a convenient setup for travelers who do not want to lose access to their home number while abroad.

Which data plans can be shared via FlexiShare?

FlexiShare is available on Global and most Regional Data Plans. You can share your data allowance with other FlexiRoam users directly through the app, without the need for traditional WiFi tethering.

What payment methods are available?

FlexiRoam supports a range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and FlexiRoam Wallet Credits when purchasing through the app. This makes it accessible for travelers across different regions and preferences.

What should I do if I experience data connection issues?

If you experience connectivity issues, start by ensuring the FlexiRoam eSIM is set as your active data line in your phone settings and that data roaming is enabled. Restarting your device can also resolve most common connection problems. If the issue persists, reach out to the support team via email at support@flexiroam.com for further assistance.

Two years of travel eSIMs, and the routine never changed: buy a package, burn through it unevenly, lose whatever's left, start over next trip. Instabridge breaks that cycle. Your balance never expires, converts automatically when you cross borders, and the same app maps 20 million free WiFi hotspots worldwide.

I tested it on a real device, went through every plan, researched, and priced it against the main alternatives.

One thing worth knowing before you buy. The original Instabridge AB went bankrupt in March 2019 and was acquired from its estate by Degoo Backup AB.

The company you are buying from today, Instabridge Sweden AB, is a different legal entity. It is active, solvent, and growing fast enough to acquire Nova Launcher in January 2026. CB Insights still flags the old bankruptcy event, which looks alarming out of context. It is not relevant to the current business.

For budget travelers in well-covered markets, the case is solid. Here is the breakdown.

• See our full list of the best eSIMs for international travel here

Instabridge: Pricing and plans

Instabridge runs two distinct products inside the same app. The travel eSIM is a data-only global product covering 190+ countries. The US Mobile plan is a separate domestic offering that includes a phone number, calls, and texts, but only works within the United States. They are different products with different pricing logic.

Plan

Coverage

Price

Data

Validity

Single-country

1 country

From ~$2

1GB to 20GB

7 to 30 days

Global

116+ countries

From $8

1GB to 20GB

7 to 30 days

Pay-as-you-go

190+ countries

Per GB (varies)

No cap

Never expires

US Mobile Free

US only

$0

1GB first month; earn more via ads

Monthly

US Mobile Pro

US only

$15/month (marketing page) or $19.99/month (Terms of Service). Confirm in-app before purchasing.

10GB/month

Monthly

Single-country plans start from $2 and are the most cost-efficient option for trips that stay in one destination. The Global plan covers 116 countries with a single purchase and makes the most sense for back-to-back trips across different continents. Regional or single-country travel will be cheaper if you are staying in one part of the world.

The pay-as-you-go model is what genuinely sets Instabridge apart: you top up with credit, pay per gigabyte as you use it, your balance never expires, and it converts automatically when you cross into a new country. Enable auto-top-up only if you want it. Check your account settings after purchasing.

Instabridge: Features

Instabridge packs more into a single app than any other travel eSIM on the market. Beyond the data plans, you get a WiFi hotspot map, a data-saving browser, a built-in VPN, and hotspot tethering across 10 devices, all included at no extra cost.

• Non-expiring PAYG data: Most eSIM providers sell fixed packages that lapse after 7 or 30 days, whether you use them or not. Instabridge's PAYG model lets unused credit roll over with no deadline, and the balance converts automatically when you enter a new country. For frequent travelers on short trips, this removes a constant source of frustration.
• Single eSIM for all destinations: You install one eSIM profile once. It works across all supported countries without reinstalling, switching profiles, or visiting the app to unlock a new region. Plan management is handled entirely within the app itself.
• Hotspot tethering across 10 devices: All Instabridge plans support hotspot sharing, with a generous limit of 10 connected devices. This is not restricted to premium tiers, which sets Instabridge apart from providers that charge extra for tethering access.
• Free WiFi hotspot map: Over 20 million crowdsourced networks with verified passwords are accessible from within the same app as your eSIM. In areas where mobile data is expensive or patchy, this gives you a free fallback without needing to manually search for networks.
• Data-saving browser: Built into the app, the browser claims approximately 10x data compression compared to a standard mobile browser (per Instabridge's own figures). Results vary by content type. It works best for text-heavy pages and standard news sites, less so for image-heavy or interactive content.
• Earn free data: On the Free and US Mobile plans, you can earn additional data by watching short ads, completing in-app tasks, and referring friends. The amounts are modest but useful for light or backup usage.

Instabridge: Installation and activation

Setting up Instabridge takes about 3 to 5 minutes. The only hard requirements are an eSIM-capable smartphone and an unlocked device. You do not need to contact your home carrier or request any special eSIM permissions.

Before starting, confirm two things. First, check that your phone supports eSIM by dialing *#06#. If an EID number appears in the result, your device is eSIM-compatible. Second, make sure you are on Wi-Fi before you begin. Installing an eSIM profile over mobile data causes failures, and you will need to contact support to regenerate the activation code.

Here are the steps to get set up:

• Download the Instabridge app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Create an account using your email address, Google account, or Apple ID.
• Browse the available plans, select your destination and data amount, and complete the purchase.
• Tap Activate in the app and follow the on-screen prompts to install the eSIM profile on your device.
• In your phone's Settings, label the new line (for example, "Instabridge"), set it as your mobile data line, and enable data roaming.
• Return to the Instabridge app and confirm that activation is complete.

Plan validity does not begin until you make your first connection, so you can install the eSIM days in advance without losing any of your paid time. After setup, turn off automatic data switching in your phone's settings. If left on, your device may fall back to your home SIM, triggering roaming charges from your carrier instead of using the Instabridge plan.

If you switch to a new phone, contact support before deleting the eSIM from your old device. They will regenerate the profile for you.

Instabridge: Compatible devices

Instabridge works across a wide range of devices, from the latest iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 down to older models most providers have quietly dropped, including Sony Xperia, Fairphone, and the Google Pixel 3. If your phone supports eSIM, there is a good chance it is on the list.

Brand

Compatible models

Apple iPhone

XR, XS, XS Max, 11 series, SE 2 (2020), 12 series, 13 series, SE 3 (2022), 14 series, 15 series, 16 series, 17 series

Apple iPad

Pro 11" (A2068, 2020+), Pro 12.9" (A2069, 2020+), Air (A2123, 2019+), standard (A2198, 2019+), Mini (A2133, 2019+)

Samsung Galaxy S

S20 through S26 series

Samsung Galaxy Z

Fold, Z Fold 2/3/4, Z Fold 7; Z Flip, Z Flip 3/4/5/6, Z Flip 7

Samsung Galaxy Note

Note 20, Note 20 Ultra 5G

Samsung Galaxy A

A54 5G, A55 5G, A56 5G

Google Pixel

3 through 10 series, Pixel Fold

Huawei

Pura 80, Pura 70, P40, P40 Pro, Mate 80 Pro, Mate 50 Pro, Mate 40 Pro

Xiaomi

17 Series, 15 Series, 14/14 Pro, 13/13T/13 Lite/13 Pro, Redmi Note 13 Pro+, 12T Pro

Motorola

Razr, Razr Ultra (2025), Edge 60/60 Pro, Razr 5G/40/40 Ultra, Razr+, Edge+, Edge 40 series, G52J/G53J/G54 5G, Razr 2019

Sony Xperia

1 VII, 10 III Lite, 10 IV, 10 V, 1 IV, 1 V, 5 IV, 5 V, Ace III

Oppo

Find X9/X8/X5/X3 series, Find X3 Pro, Find N2 Flip, Reno 14F 5G, Reno 5A, Reno 6 Pro 5G, Reno 9A, A55s 5G

OnePlus, Nokia, Fairphone

OnePlus Open, 12, 11; Nokia XR21, X30, G60 5G; Fairphone 5, 4

If your phone was purchased through a US carrier and has not been unlocked, Instabridge may not activate correctly. Contact your carrier to confirm unlock status before buying a plan.

Instabridge: Support

(Image credit: Instabridge)

Instabridge offers support via email at support@instabridge.com and through in-app chat. There is no phone support line. The help center at help.instabridge.com covers common setup questions, account management, and troubleshooting guides.

Response times vary. The US Mobile marketing page states support can respond "usually within minutes" for US Mobile subscribers. For the travel eSIM product, multiple independent reviewers report response times ranging from several hours to over a day for anything beyond basic activation questions.

If your eSIM isn't working and you want a refund for unused data, email support with your purchase receipt. Refunds are handled case by case and are not automatic. Instabridge also provides one free eSIM profile regeneration if the original code has expired or failed during installation.

Instabridge: Final verdict

Instabridge does more than most travel eSIM providers and charges less for it. The pay-as-you-go model is genuinely useful, the WiFi map is something no competitor offers, and one eSIM across 190+ countries without reinstalling is a real convenience. In well-covered markets such as Europe, the US, Japan, and South Africa, it holds up.

The weaknesses are just as real. Support is slow, Android is noticeably buggier than iOS, and the VPN routes through Poland, which adds real latency if you are travelling in Asia.

Buy it if you travel frequently, stick to well-covered destinations, and want data that never expires between trips. Skip it if you need calls and SMS, travel off the beaten path, or rely on support being available when something breaks abroad. At this price point, Instabridge is worth a shot if you’re sure of your priorities.

Instabridge: FAQsWhat is Instabridge?

Instabridge is a Swedish travel eSIM provider founded in 2012 and headquartered in Stockholm. It covers 190+ countries with pay-as-you-go and fixed-term data plans, and bundles a 20-million-hotspot WiFi map, a data-saving browser, and a free VPN into the same app. The travel eSIM is data-only. There are no calls or SMS on the global product. Instabridge also offers a separate US Mobile plan that includes a phone number, calls, and texts, but it only works within the United States.

Does Instabridge data expire?

Instabridge data expiry depends on the plan type you choose. Fixed-term bundles (both single-country and Global plans) expire after 7 or 30 days, depending on the option selected. The pay-as-you-go credit, however, never expires. Your balance carries forward indefinitely and converts automatically when you travel to a new country.

If you travel regularly and want standby data that is always ready without worrying about validity windows, PAYG is the right model. After setting it up, check your account settings to decide whether you want auto-top-up active.

How does the Instabridge free WiFi map work?

The free WiFi map works by collecting real network passwords from users who connect to a hotspot and verifying that it works. Open the map tab, tap a nearby pin, and your phone connects using the stored password. When a network stops working, users mark it inactive, and it gets phased out of the database. The first time you connect to any hotspot through the app, you may be asked to confirm whether the password still works.

That confirmation is how accuracy stays current. Coverage is strongest in high-traffic cities across Europe, North America, and East Asia. In less-traveled destinations, expect a higher rate of stale entries.