TechRadar Reviews

Cambridge L/R S: Two-minute review

The Cambridge L/R S is the first out of the gate of the British audio brand's new ‘L/R’ wireless range to attack the best stereo speaker systems market. It's also the most affordable: this L/R S sells for Ruark MR1 Mk3-adjacent money, which seems less than accidental.

The money buys a crisply accomplished standard of build and finish, as well as some proper specification highlights — not least of which is that this is an active, rather than a powered, speaker system with a dedicated block of amplification for each of its drivers and an active DSP crossover. A choice of five quite fetching colors doesn’t do any harm, and neither does the option of a real walnut veneer alternative — even if the latter comes at additional cost. Support for aptX HD Bluetooth connectivity, along with line-level analog, USB-C and digital optical inputs, means the L/R S can support a reasonably diverse and expansive set of sources. The provision of a pre-out for a subwoofer is a nice touch, too, although (as we shall directly see) not super-necessary.

No matter the source of the music it’s playing, the L/R S is a big, bold and quite assertive listen; but that’s not the same as saying it’s unsubtle. There’s plenty of detail retrieved to go along with the attack, good insight to complement the dynamism, and a fairly natural and neutral way with frequency response and tonality. Or, at least, there is until you reach the bottom of the frequency range — here the L/R S is rather too confident, and gives a little too much weighting to bass information. This isn’t at the expense of rhythmic expression or forward drive, though.

All of which means the Cambridge L/R S is immediately one of the very best pound-for-pound desktop stereo systems around, and one that demands very careful consideration indeed.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Cambridge L/R S review: Price & release date

• $549 / £399 / AU$949
• Released April 1, 2026 (in US/Europe)
• Originally announced in January 2026

The Cambridge L/R S wireless active stereo speaker system is on sale from April 1, 2026 in Europe and the USA — in APAC (Asia-Pacific) countries it’s already available.

In the United States it will cost $549. Or, at least, it will in any of the five colors in which it will be available — if you fancy the real walnut veneer you're looking at $599. In the United Kingdom it's going to go for £399/£449, while in Australia it is already selling for AU$949/AU$1049.

So the price, as well as the basic configuration, is very close indeed to Ruark’s class-leading MR1 Mk3. Coincidence? Hmm…

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Cambridge L/R S review: Features

• 100 watts of Class D amplification
• 21mm tweeter, 76mm mid/bass driver
• Wired and wireless input options

First things first: this is a genuinely active, rather than a powered, stereo speaker system. Any rival product at this sort of money uses one powered speaker to deal with inputs, outputs, amplification, decoding and all the rest of it, and then sends amplified analog information to a passive partner.

With the L/R S, though, Cambridge has gone another, more complex and inevitably more expensive way: although only the primary speaker receives mains power, there are two channels of amplification for each speaker, and a full DSP crossover which serves a PWM (pulse-width modulation) signal to each of the amplifiers. A bespoke four-conductor cable connects the primary speaker to the secondary, along which all power and digital audio signals travel. I don’t think I can be criticized if I use the word ‘over-engineered’ here, so I will – but I am also quite happy to use the word ‘admirable’.

The rear of the secondary speaker features a screw-down socket for connecting that inter-speaker cable, and a bass-reflex slot along the top. The primary speaker has these features too, but it also includes USB-C, line-level stereo RCA and digital optical inputs, plus a pre-out for a subwoofer, and Bluetooth wireless reception (with aptX HD codec compatibility). The optical and USB-C inputs support resolutions of up to 24bit/96kHz PCM – every incoming signal is resampled to 24bit/48kHz in the DSP before its delivery in PWM form to the amplifiers.

Power, incidentally, is of the Class D variety, and there’s 100 watts of it. Each driver gets 25 watts to play with — there’s a 21mm hard-dome tweeter behind a waveguide and phase cap above a 76mm mid/bass driver in each speaker. Cambridge suggests this layout results in a frequency response of 55Hz - 24kHz. The rear of the primary speaker also includes a button that operates as both a power on/off switch and as an input selector. It also features three toggle switches: one to let the speaker know if it’s the left or the right channel, one to tell it if the system is being used on a desktop or not, and one to let it know if it’s in free space or near a wall. And there’s a figure-of-eight socket for mains power, too.

• Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Cambridge L/R S review: Sound quality

• Expansive, detailed and upfront sound
• Direct and positive sonic attitude
• Slightly overplays its low-end hand

Yes, the L/R S is on the larger side for a desktop system but the sound it delivers is appreciably larger than that. Connected via USB-C and with a 24bit/44.1kHz FLAC file of Cate Le Bon’s Are You With Me Now? incoming, the scale and spaciousness of the presentation is initially quite startling.

The overall sense of scale is complemented nicely by the Cambridge’s ability to generate an organized, convincing soundstage and to focus well. There’s a fair amount of separation to the overall presentation, but at the same time a decent sense of singularity that prevents even complex recordings from sounding disjointed or untogether. Add in sufficient dynamic headroom for when the going gets especially loud or intense, and the Cambridge system sounds both bigger and more confident than its physical dimensions might suggest.

The tonal balance is fairly neutral despite a suggestion of heat at the bottom end, and frequency response once you get above the lowest of the low frequencies is smooth and even – the crossover between the two drive units is all-but imperceptible. The top of the frequency range balances attack against substance nicely, while the midrange communicates in a manner easily described as ‘lavish’. The system’s ability to reveal detail of any significance and give it appropriate weighting means voices are delivered with plenty of character and attitude.

There’s a little issue at the bottom of the frequency range. Basically, the Cambridge is slightly too pleased with the amount of low-frequency presence it’s able to liberate from recordings and just fractionally overplays its hand. There’s a little too much emphasis on the bottom end in the context of the overall frequency response available here, a minor bloom at the very bottom of the extension that can make bass sound just a touch too prominent and therefore slightly too remote from everything that’s going on above it.

Despite this, the L/R S controls its low-end activity carefully enough to ensure rhythms are expressed convincingly and momentum levels never dip below where they should be. And besides, I know perfectly well that if it comes to a straight choice, there are plenty of listeners who would choose ‘a little too much bass’ over ‘not quite enough bass’ every time.

All of the above applies if you choose to listen at volume levels somewhere between ‘background’ and ‘really quite loud’. Go beyond that and the L/R S loses a little of its admirable composure and its previously nicely open stage starts to sound a little flat and two-dimensional. It’s hardly a fatal flaw, though, and besides… it’s easily fixed. Just turn it down a touch.

• Sound quality score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Cambridge L/R S review: Design

• 226 x 134 x 180mm (HxWxD)
• Choice of six finishes, including a (cost-option) real wood veneer
• No grilles supplied

It is, admittedly, a little larger than the Ruark MR1 Mk3 that would appear its primary target, but the Cambridge L/R S is nonetheless compact enough at 226 x 134 x 180mm (HxWxD) to sit happily on even a modestly sized desk (as long as it’s reasonably tidy). At the same time, it’s just about big enough to not look too lost on a pair of regular speaker stands.

No matter where you want to position it, though, there are lightly rubberized little feet integrated into the bottom of the recessed plinth on which the main body of the speaker sits (which is why, from some angles, it seems to float), and there will be the option of a pair of angled ‘tilt’ stands to help aim the tweeters more overtly at your ears if the system is on your desk. These stands, of course, are a cost option.

There’s not even the option of any grilles, though. Having said that, there’s a hint of visual interest thanks to the identically sized black circles on the front baffle inside which the drivers are positioned which wouldn’t be available if grilles were fitted. Nor is there much to be gained in aesthetic terms by hiding away the orange tweeter or its waveguide, either.

The standard of construction is beyond reproach. The cabinet edges and corners are crisp rather than pointy, the recently updated brand logo at the rear of the top surface looks confident, and the sort-of kind-of matte finish feels as good as it looks in any of the five colors that are available. Take your pick from the white of my review sample, black, a bright orange, a fairly dark green or an unarguably dark blue — or if you don’t object to some extra expenditure, you can choose a real walnut veneer that tackles the L/R S even further into Ruark MR1 Mk3 territory.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Cambridge L/R S review: Usability & setup

• Bluetooth LE remote control
• Selection of EQ presets
• ‘DynamEQ’ technology included

First of all, of course, the primary speaker must be plugged into the mains. Then use the supplied 2m length of cable to join the two speakers together (Cambridge is readying a 5m alternative, for which it will naturally want some more money). After that, it’s just a question of establishing the physical or wireless connections you need to make.

There is no control app here, of course — this is not a networked system, after all. Nor are there any physical controls on either of the speakers (except that trio of toggle switches that help orientate the system before it’s running, the on/off power button or to cycle through the inputs), which could be considered an oversight. The only way to control the L/R S is by using the remote control handset that’s supplied in the packaging.

The handset itself is small, made of quite hard plastic and is not backlit but it covers off every function, and because it’s a Bluetooth rather than an RF device it’s far less reliant on having line of sight to the ‘primary’ speaker. It also gives access to a trio of EQ presets: they’re designated ‘normal’, ‘movie’ and ‘voice’.

Cambridge has included its ‘DynamEQ’ technology here, which is a gesture towards automated usability. It’s described as ‘intelligent optimization’, and makes bass and treble adjustments in response to any changes in volume you might indulge in.

• Usability & setup score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Cambridge L/R S review: Value

• Excellent sound for the price
• Lots of colorways, even if you have to pay extra for the walnut finish
• Expansive specification

Judge it in terms of engineering excellence, obvious competence where construction and finish are concerned, and the useful and reasonably expansive nature of its specification, and it’s hard to suggest the Cambridge L/R S doesn’t represent decent value for money.

And when you factor in the sound it’s capable of producing, well, it then starts to put it squarely in the 'market leaders' bracket for active speaker systems.

• Value score: 5 / 5

Should I buy Cambridge L/R S?Cambridge L/R S scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Active system, with USB-C, line-level stereo RCA and digital optical inputs; Bluetooth wireless (with aptX HD codec compatibility).

5 / 5

Sound quality

Expansive, detailed and upfront, but slightly overplays its low-end hand.

5 / 5

Design

Very solid build; six finishes, but walnut is a cost option; no grilles supplied.

4.5 / 5

Setup & usability

Bluetooth LE remote control; trio of EQ presets; no control app.

4.5 / 5

Value

Engineering excellence, plus superb sound, make it a pound-for-pound contender at the price.

5 / 5

Buy them if…

You want a desktop system that can nevertheless fill a room with sound
The L/R S sounds significantly larger than it looks.

You want a full-on system that can sit on a desktop if needs be
See above, but in reverse: despite the scale of its presentation, the physical dimensions of the L/R S make it fine for desktop use.

You’re (almost) all ‘bout that bass
The L/R S is no one-trick pony, but it does like a bit of low-frequency action.

Don’t buy them if…

There are inquisitive people in your home
A lack of grilles can sometimes be an invitation to prying fingers.

You like to turn it up to ‘11’
The Cambridge will play loud, but it’s not at its best this way.

You prefer your speakers in a wood finish
Real walnut is available, but it will cost you.

Cambridge Audio L/R S review: Also consider

Ruark MR1 Mk3
The most obvious alternative to the Cambridge L/R S, it features a phono stage for use with a turntable, it’s available in a real wood veneer at no extra cost, it’s even more compact and desktop-friendly and, most importantly of all, it’s got loads to recommend it where sound quality is concerned. As a powered speaker system of the more common type it’s not quite the Cambridge's technological tour de force, though, and the fixed-grille design could conceivably look a little frumpy next to the crisp minimalism of the L/R S. Here's our full Ruark MR1 Mk3 review.View Deal

How I tested the Cambridge L/R S

I tested the L/R S on a desktop, where it was wired via USB-C to an Apple MacBook Pro running Colibri software.

It was also connected wirelessly to an Apple iPhone 14 Pro (via the AAC codec) and a FiiO M15S (using aptX). It was also tested when positioned on a pair of Custom Design speaker stands and with a (pre-amplified) Technics SL-1300G turntable and Rega Apollo CD player connected to the analog RCAs and the digital optical socket respectively.

• Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee
• First reviewed: March 2026

IMOU Cell 3C: two-minute review

Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the Chinese surveillance giant Dahua Technology, Hangzhou-based IMOU has quickly established itself as a major player in the value segment of the smart home market. While other brands such as Reolink and Ring target the premium 4K bracket, IMOU's strategy with the Cell 3C seems to be to provide high-end features at a price that undercuts most of its major rivals.

Like the more expensive Baseus Security S2, the IMOU Cell 3C features a built-in solar panel mounted directly to the top of the camera body. However, while the Baseus features a clever motorized tracking system to follow the sun, the IMOU offers simpler manual adjustment. To maximize power you simply angle the 2.2W panel towards the sky, making sure you connect the USB cable supplied to the camera’s USB-C input. Alternatively, if the camera doesn’t have direct access to the sun, you can mount the solar panel separately in a sunnier location using the bracket provided.

Tilt the solar panel to face the sun, or mount it away from the camera if it's in a shady spot (Image credit: Future)

Whereas many security brands — particularly Amazon-owned Ring — charge a large monthly subscription to store recorded clips, one of the most compelling reasons to buy IMOU’s Cell 3C is the ability to store clips locally using a MicroSD card up to 256GB (not provided). Not only does this save you a significant amount in annual monthly subscription fees, it also ensures that potentially sensitive data stays within the home rather than on a remote server.

That said, if you don’t want to store recorded clips on a MicroSD card, it's possible to sign up to IMOU’s subscription service from £3.49 (about $5 / AU$7) a month — see the 'Price and Availability' section below.

Designed to be installed on the outside of a property with a clear view of the sky, the IMOU Cell 3C is supplied with a reasonably sturdy mount complete with wall plugs and screws.

I installed it on the outside of a garden office in my back garden at a height of around two meters. However, it can easily be installed in a front porch or high up on the outside of your main property (remembering you will still need to access it for recharging every few months unless you live in a very sunny climate).

The camera's mount is reasonably sturdy, and easy to install (Image credit: Future)

Whereas some outdoor models are dual-band Wi-Fi compatible (some will even work on 4G/5G cellular networks), the IMOU is only compatible with the 2.4GHz band. However, it connected to my broadband repeater at the back of the house without any problems. Featuring IP66 waterproof rating, IMOU claims the Cell 3C will work in temperatures between -20 degrees centigrade and 50 degrees centigrade, but this wasn’t put to the test.

Once installed, which takes around 20 minutes, it’s simply a case of downloading the IMOU Life iOS/Android app and adding the camera via the QR code on the side of the device. Unlike some apps, which boast very user-friendly menus (particularly those from companies such as Ring and Blink), IMOU’s app is much more difficult to navigate around.

IMOU Life isn't the easiest app to navigate (Image credit: Future)

That said, it offers everything you need when setting up. For example, you can select ‘activity zones’ where you want it to capture footage, such as a locked door or window, and ‘non-detection zones’ where you don’t want it to record such as a neighbour’s garden or a main road. You can also set the device to only operate during certain hours, such as after dark, and only alert you if it detects a human rather than movement from a tree or a car going past.

One unusual feature is a time-lapse mode that will automatically capture images at selected regular intervals. Pre-set modes include cloud movements (10secs), flowers (five minutes) and building construction (50 minutes). Alternatively, you can set the timer manually to take shots between 10 seconds and six hours.

Videos can be saved locally on a MicroSD card, meaning you don't have to pay for cloud storage unless you really want to (Image credit: Future)

Finally, to help deter burglars a built in 110dB siren and reasonably powerful spotlight (in flashing or solid modes) are also on board. These can be activated manually or, for the really paranoid, automatically when the devices senses movement. There’s also a built-in speaker and microphone for talking to someone on your property.

IMOU Cell 3C: price and availability

• Costs $55 / £49 / AU$129
• Available since September 2024
• Sold in US / UK / Australia

Typically, outdoor security cameras retail for between $200 / £150 / AU$300 and $250 / £200 / AU$400. So with a price tag of around $55 / £49 / AU$129, the IMOU Cell 3C certainly is excellent value for money — especially when you consider it comes with its own solar panel.

Also, whereas many manufacturers are effectively able to subsidize the price of the hardware through hefty monthly subscriptions, with the IMOU Cell 3C this isn’t necessary. Instead you can buy a MicroSD card for under £20 which can store up to 256GB of video footage — a far cheaper option than a monthly subscription.

However, if you really do want to pay for a monthly subscription there is that offer too. IMOU offers three subscription tiers. For £3.49 (about $5 / AU$7) a month IMOU Protect Basic provides seven days of cloud storage and AI detection, while for £5.29 (about $7 / AU$10) a month IMOU Protect Plus offers 30 days of cloud storage and AI detection.

Best of all is IMOU Protect Pro (£9.99, or about $13 / AU$19 per month), which not only supports multiple devices and 30 days of cloud storage, but also offers additional functionality such as Descriptive Alerts — summaries of what was detected so you know what happened without having to watch the whole video (much like Ring's AI-generated video descriptions).

• Value score: 5/5

IMOU Cell 3C: design

• MicroSD card slot for local storage
• Flexible battery/solar power options
• Lightweight tubular design

Like the Baseus Security S2 camera, the IMOU Cell 3C is a long, tubular device that — at first glance — looks more like a Bluetooth speaker than a security camera. Of course, the big giveaway is the solar panel that sits on top of the camera to provide additional power. This connects to the camera via a cable to a USB-C socket located on top of the device.

Screws and wall plugs are provided for mounting the bracket to the wall and the solar panel can either be unscrewed and mounted separately or kept on top of the camera (we opted for the latter). I had initially worried that the tubular design might be a little unstable when mounting to a wooden summerhouse/office. However, it’s actually pretty lightweight, tipping the scales at just 360g (13oz) without feeling too flimsy.

The MicroSD card slot has a weather-resistant cover to keep your recordings safe (Image credit: Future)

Underneath the camera there’s a weather-sealed flap covering the USB-C socket. This is used for charging the camera via the mains (a 5000mAh rechargeable battery is built in). Here you’ll also find a slot for a MicroSD card, supporting up to 256GB for local recording, as well as sync button for use during set up as well as a modest built-in speaker.

On the front of the device, there’s the 2K lens for capturing recordings, PIR (passive infrared) sensor for accurate movement detection, a small microphone for two-way audio and a reasonably powerful spotlight. Finally, there’s the solar panel on top of the camera which can be manually adjusted towards the sun to maximize power.

• Design score: 4/5

IMOU Cell 3C: performance

• Reasonable 2K image
• Stable video connection over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
• Reliable human detection and fewer false alerts

When it comes to performance, outdoor security cameras face multiple challenges. First of all, there’s the issue around power and how to keep the device running without a mains connection nearby. Thankfully IMOU has addressed fitting its device with a 5,000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a solar panel. As a result, even after using regularly for a couple of weeks, the device still has over 90% charge.

If you really want cloud storage, the option is available through IMOU ProtectFutureAdjusting the camera's sensitivity to light and sound can help prevent false alertsFuture

Then there’s the issue around video stability, given the distance between the home router and the security camera. Again, this didn’t prove to be an issue at all, with the device maintaining a steady connection throughout the testing period. Finally there’s the images themselves, both in terms of quality and quantity.

Given this is a 2K camera, image quality certainly isn’t the sharpest I’ve seen — nowhere near as good as from the 4K Baseus Security S2 camera which we reviewed last year (and which this model so closely resembles). Night vision is particularly disappointing, even with the reasonably powerful spotlight on.

Image quality isn't the best around, particularly at night (Image credit: Future)

However, where the IMOU excels is in the quantity of images. Whereas some models trigger loads of annoying false alerts, the IMOU records only what’s useful, thanks in part it seems to dedicated human detection algorithms.

• Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the IMOU Cell 3C?IMOU Cell 3C score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

When it comes to value, it’s difficult to beat the IMOU Cell 3C. It’s a pretty decent outdoor security camera with bags of features and a solar panel for under £50. Bargain!

5/5

Design

A long white tubular design, it looks very similar to the Baseus Security. However, it’s not quite as sturdy or as well designed as the Baseus model.

4/5

Performance

Picture quality from the 2K lens is a little disappointing. However it does deliver very accurate motion alerts and battery life is good.

3.5/5

Overall

A pretty decent outdoor security camera. What it lacks in image quality, it more than make up for in functionality and the price is extremely competitive.

4/4

Buy it if

You want a cheap solution

At £49.99, it is one of the most affordable solar-powered options on the market.

You hate monthly subscription fees

You don’t have to pay for a monthly subscription to keep your videos in the cloud. Instead, clips can be stored locally on a MicroSD card (available separately)

Don't buy it if

You want the sharpest images

While video quality is OK, if you want to zoom in on a particular area of detail in some captured footage, you may be left disappointed.

You have a very shaded garden

The solar panel needs direct sunlight. Otherwise, you’ll have to be taking the camera down every few months for recharging.

IMOU Cell 3C: also consider

Not sure if the IMOU Cell 3C is the right security camera for you? Here's how it stacks up against two of its closest rivals.

IMOU Cell 3C

Baseus Security S2 4K

Eufy 4K S330 security camera

Ring Outdoor Cam Plus

Subscription price

None required (optional IMOU Protect from £3.49 a month)

None

None

From £4.99 a month

Viewing angle

120° horizontal

145° horizontal

360° view

140° horizontal

Network connection

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi/4G

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)

Audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Video

2K (3MP) video resolution

4K video resolution

4K video resolution

2560 x 1440 (2K)

Power

Battery, solar

Battery, solar

Battery, solar

Mains, battery, solar

Hardware price

£49.99 (with built in solar panel)

£199 (with solar panel)

£189 (with solar panel)

£69 (£99 with solar panel )

Baseus Security S2

An outdoor camera with an innovative twisting solar panel to maximize power from the sun. Features 4K video resolution and a MicroSD card slot for storing footage locally.

Read our full Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera reviewView Deal

Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera

An innovative battery- and solar-powered camera, the Eufy 4K S330 can be used with the supplied 4G Sim card to capture recordings - ideal for those who live in areas with poor Wi-Fi/broadband.

Read our full Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera reviewView Deal

How I tested the IMOU Cell 3C

• I used the camera outdoors
• I installed it myself
• I tested all the features, including the siren (the neighbors weren’t happy)

Testing a solar powered camera in a rainy UK environment is far from ideal. However, as luck would have it, spring sprung during testing and I was able to check out the effectiveness of the solar panel in the sunshine.

After two weeks of testing, battery levels are still over 90%, which seems pretty good — though in the depths of winter it would be a different matter of course. I particularly like the fact that, while the app isn’t the easiest to navigate,

I haven’t been overwhelmed with lots of false alerts when a tree has swayed too much or a bird has flown past. Instead, it just sends me a push notification and stores the video clip each time a human is detected!

For more details, see how TechRadar tests, reviews, and rates products.

GMKtec NucBox K13: 30-second review

Looking back, the GMKtec NucBox K13 is the first mini PC that I’ve covered that uses the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V I’ve tested. It’s a Lunar Lake-era processor built on TSMC's 3nm process, not on Intel fabs that can’t handle such small track sizes. But it also represents GMKtec's first foray into the new generation of AI-capable, efficiency-first processors, and it makes a rather decent fist of it.

Where other makers adhere to their 4-inch boxes, GMKtec has gone with a shape and size that looks more like a docking station on the K13. The alternative layout offers plenty of room for port placement and extra room inside for an additional M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slot.

By replacing the 512GB or 1TB M.2 NVMe drive supplied with the K13 and utilising the second slot, it is possible to add 16TB of storage to this mini PC. However, while the storage can be enhanced, the memory is fixed at 16GB of LPDDR5X 8533 MT, as this is soldered to the mainboard.

That’s one weakness, and the lack of an OCuLink port is another. Though you can attach an external GPU using USB4, the 40 Gbps bandwidth of that technology is less than the 64 Gbps of an OCuLink configuration.

Overall, this is a powerful, small system with plenty of potential for power users. The only issue for any potential buyer is how much memory you might want, as AI tasks generally need lots, and how this system's price compares with others that might offer 32GB or more.

The lack of upgradability and OCuLink stop the K13 from entering our hallowed best mini PC collection. But it could be perfect for users who don’t need discrete graphics or more than 16GB of RAM.

GMKtec NucBox K13: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $670/£540/€610
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Direct from GMKtec and via online retailers

The NucBox K13 is available direct from the GMKtec website, as well as online retailers like Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Two configurations are available, both with 16 GB of soldered LPDDR5X RAM. The base model has a 512 GB SSD for $669.99, and the 1 TB variant is $719.99. Both are currently offered below their stated MSRPs of $899.99 and $949.99, respectively.

UK pricing is £536 and £580, and the Euro price is €609.99 and €659.99.

Based on the current exchange rates, US prices are about 7% higher on average. Not sure why that would be, but those are the prices GMKtec decides.

Those expecting a bargain on Amazon are likely to be disappointed, since the price on Amazon.com via the GMKtec Store is the MSRP of $949.99 for the 1TB option.

The price on the UK Amazon.co.uk is equally inflated at £788.96, and that’s just for the 512GB option.

Resist the temptation to buy through Amazon unless a significant coupon brings the price in line with the direct store. At MSRP, it represents poor value compared to gmktec.com.

In terms of alternatives to the K13 that use the same platform, there are only two that I’m aware of, and both are made by Acer. The Acer Veriton NUC (VN1502G) and Acer Veriton NUC AI, but both of these options are north of $1000, if you can find them.

In that context, a GMKtec NucBox K13 direct from the maker looks like a bargain. However, other platforms are available at this price point, and some offer more processing power and features that the K13 doesn’t match.

• Value: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox K13: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (8C/8T, up to 4.8 GHz, Lunar Lake, TSMC 3nm)

GPU

Intel Arc 140V (8 Xe2 cores, up to 64 TOPS GPU compute)

NPU

Intel AI Boost, 47 TOPS; Total system AI: 115 TOPS (INT8)

RAM

16 GB LPDDR5X 8533 MT/s (soldered, on-package, non-upgradeable)

Storage

512 GB or 1 TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 (pre-installed)

M.2 Expansion

1x additional M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slot (up to 8 TB per slot; 16 TB total)

Display Outputs

1x HDMI 2.1 (4K@120Hz), 2x USB4 (DP 1.4 Alt Mode) — triple 4K support

Front Ports

2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 3.5mm audio jack, power button

Rear Ports

1x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB4 40Gbps (PD 3.0 100W), 1x USB 2.0, 5 GbE RJ-45, 3.5mm audio, DC-in, reset button

Networking

Wi-Fi 6E (up to 2.4 Gbps), Bluetooth 5.2, 1x 5 GbE LAN

Power (TDP)

17W–37W configurable

OS

Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed); Linux supported

Dimensions

186 x 88 x 33.2 mm

Weight

523 g

Included Accessories

30W USB-C PD adaptor, 120W DC power brick, VESA mount bracket, HDMI cable, manual

GMKtec NucBox K13: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Docking station-inspired chassis
• Sophisticated cooling
• Easy access

The NucBox K13 makes, in physical terms, quite the statement. At 33.2 mm tall, it is the slimmest mini PC in GMKtec's current catalogue, and it achieves this thinness without resorting to the sort of brutalist cost-cutting that usually accompanies such design ambitions. The chassis is clean and purposeful, with a form factor that would not look out of place mounted behind a monitor or tucked beside a display on a reception desk.

Since Intel declined the opportunity to lead by example in the NUC market, we’ve seen more diversity, and the K13 is a prime example.

With a 186 x 88 mm footprint, the K13 is actually slightly wider than most of GMKtec's cube-format mini PCs, which is a reasonable compromise for the reduced height. The overall volume is modest, and the 523g weight makes it light enough to easily carry.

The front panel is fairly restrained: two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and a 3.5mm audio jack sit alongside the power button. Including a USB4 port on the front might have been a useful option, but these are both on the back. They aren’t cut-down USB4 variants, as they both support PD 3.0 (100W) and DisplayPort Alt Mode, which, when combined with an HDMI 2.1 port, enables up to three monitors to be connected to the K13.

Also on the back are a 5GbE LAN port, a USB 2.0 port, and a second 3.5mm audio jack. The choice of a single 5GbE port over dual 2.5GbE will delight some customers and horrify others, especially those who might want to segment a LAN. Given that you can add inexpensive 2.5GbE LAN ports to the USB 3.2 Gen 2 or USB4 ports using adapters, that’s something of a non-issue.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Cooling is managed by dual copper heat pipes and a single turbine fan. This configuration has proven effective in the slim NUC form factor, and Intel's own power budget helps considerably.

With a TDP ceiling of 37W, the K13 is not a machine that will heat a room, and in practice, the fan is rarely audible under normal desktop workloads. GMKtec claims the design incorporates a dust-resistant architecture, though the specifics of it aren’t obvious from my internal inspection.

Access inside is probably the easiest I’ve experienced this year, with a single tiny screw holding the entire underside in place with the help of some magnets. With this removed, the two M.2 PCIe 4.0 2280 slots are accessible, along with a 2230 slot for the Wi-Fi adapter and the motherboard clock battery. There is no memory access, because that’s not removable from the mainboard.

The VESA mounting bracket is included as standard, and the K13's slim profile makes it an excellent candidate for monitor mounting. Deployment in this way adds minimal depth to the back of a display and keeps desk surfaces uncluttered.

In some promotional pictures, GMKtec placed the K13 on its end, but I’d strongly advise against doing so. There are no feet on either end, so either way you cut it, you will cut off airflow through the vents on those surfaces, which could lead to overheating.

Overall, this dock-style system seems a successful alternative to the common squashed-cube form factor beloved by many makers.

• Design: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)GMKtec NucBox K13: Hardware

• Intel Core Ultra 7 256V (Lunar Lake)
• Arc 140V iGPU
• 47 TOPS NPU

Luna Lake is a notable departure for Intel, as previous Core Ultra generations were straightforward evolutions, whereas Luna Lake is a complete rethink. The on-package memory architecture, borrowed conceptually from Apple's playbook, places LPDDR5X directly alongside the compute die, slashing memory latency and dramatically improving bandwidth efficiency.

The result is a processor that punches well above its 17W–37W power envelope, particularly in graphics and AI workloads.

The Arc 140V iGPU is notably better than the Iris Xe graphics that preceded it, and the 47 TOPS NPU combined with the 64 TOPS GPU compute, the total is 115 TOPS. That is a useful amount of AI processing, and not just a marketing exercise.

The CPU features eight cores arranged in a hybrid layout comprising four Lion Cove performance cores and four Skymont efficiency cores, and none of these cores has hyperthreading.

What I find truly odd about the Luna Lake chips is that prior to this, on both AMD and Intel silicon, it wasn’t uncommon to see cores with hyperthreading performing like those that didn’t have that feature. This was often due to code that tried to weave two parts of a process across different threads, where passing data from one thread to another on the same core caused delays that negated the duality.

That doesn’t happen on this chip, because each core can only handle one thread. But as I’ll talk about in the benchmarks, this processor can, in certain circumstances, appear to operate as if it were only a four-core processor, since some tasks won’t use the efficiency cores.

What I can’t deny is that single-threaded performance is strong, and the 3nm fabrication allows for excellent thermal distribution, enabling the turbo mode to be liberally utilised.

The real story, however, is the memory architecture. Rather than connecting to system RAM across a relatively slow off-package bus, Lunar Lake integrates LPDDR5X memory directly into the package using Intel's Foveros packaging technology.

The K13's 16 GB of LPDDR5X runs at 8533 MT/s, delivering a theoretical peak bandwidth of around 137 GB/s. To put that in context, the Ryzen 7 7735HS (as used in the NucBox K16) achieves approximately 100 GB/s with its LPDDR5X 6400 MT/s configuration. The K13 is approximately 37% faster in raw memory bandwidth, and the Arc 140V iGPU uses every bit of it.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Arc 140V integrated graphics are built on Intel's Xe2 (Battlemage) architecture, representing a generational leap over the Xe-LP graphics found in 12th- and 13th-generation Core processors. With eight Xe2 Execution Unit clusters, the Arc 140V delivers performance broadly comparable to a GTX 1650 in rasterised gaming.

That’s a significant step up from the Radeon 680M, and a rather humbling improvement over Intel's own previous integrated efforts. Hardware ray tracing is supported, as are XeSS upscaling, AV1 hardware encoding, and the full suite of Intel's media pipeline. Quick Sync, in particular, remains one of the strongest hardware video encode/decode implementations available in integrated silicon.

To be clear, it's not the AMD Radeon 8060S great, but for an integrated GPU, this is as good as it gets for Intel these days.

Another strength of this silicon is its integrated NPU, which can work alongside the CPU and GPU for AI processing. The NPU is 47 TOPS, meeting Microsoft's Copilot+ PC requirement and enabling local inference for AI features, including live captions, Cocreator in Paint, and the suite of Recall-adjacent productivity tools that Microsoft is gradually rolling out for Windows 11.

When the CPU, GPU and NPU are all working in conjunction through AI compute, throughput reaches 115 TOPS. That’s a meaningful figure for anyone running local large language models, AI-assisted code completion or automation workflows. It’s ideal for the Clawdbot agent if you’re feeling confident using that notorious tool.

Another factor in its AI usefulness is the second M.2 slot, making the K13 a credible candidate for a local AI inference workstation where fast NVMe access to model weights is useful.

This platform has seen duty on some expensive laptops, but it's almost unknown in the mini-PC space. Its appearance here hints that Intel is trying to clear existing Luna Lake chip stock before something new is released (Panther Lake), so this might not be the only small system we see it used on.

• Hardware: 4.5 / 5

GMKtec NucBox K13: Performance

Mini PC

GMKtec K13

ECS LIVA Z11 Plus

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Cores/Threads

8C 8T

14C 14T

RAM

16GB LPDDR5

32GB DDR5 (2x16GB)

Storage

1TB Huawei eKitStor Xtreme 200E

256 GB Phison M8256GCB5ECS-E192

Graphics

Intel Arc Graphics 140V

Intel Arc Graphics 140T

3DMark

WildLife

22653

21370

FireStrike

7364

7185

TimeSpy

3413

3879

Steel Nom Lt.

1914

3160

CineBench24

Single

116

127

Multi

508

872

Ratio

4.39

6.87

GeekBench 6

Single

2731

2879

Multi

9429

14465

OpenCL

25982

38919

Vulkan

26274

35463

CrystalDisk

Read MB/s

7132

3526

Write MB/s

6338

1843

PCMark 10

Office

7781

7404

WEI

Score

8.6

8.3

As no other machine I’ve seen uses the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V from September 2024, I thought another NUC that utilises a Core Ultra 200-series silicon might provide some interesting insights into the K13 and what makes it different from most small PCs.

The ECS LIVA Z11 Plus uses the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, an Arrow Lake-H chip from early 2025. On paper, the chip in the Z11 has a significant edge on cores, but its memory bandwidth is less, and the base clock speed of the 256V is 2.2GHz, over 2GHz on the 255H.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

What the comparison boils down to is that the Arc 140V GPU, with the extra bandwidth of LPDDR5 8533 MT/s, delivers more graphics performance for those tasks.

However, the single-core speed of the 255H is better, and with the extra cores, it wins all the multi-threaded tasks. And, as the graphics tests become tougher, as in Time Spy and Steel Nomad Lite, the 255H has a significant advantage.

One curious diversion is that the ECS LIVA Z11 Plus only had one 2280 M.2 slot, though it was rated for PCIe Gen 4x4 bandwidth like those on the K13. However, ECS only used a Gen 3 drive on that system, which couldn’t hit half the read or a third of the write speed of the one used on the K13.

That choice in the K13 was a major factor in the better PCMark and WEI scores, since SSD speed was what dragged down those results on the Z11.

What I haven’t included results for is AI, since while I have them for the K13, they weren’t collected for the Z11.

What’s worth noting is that the NPU on the 255H is only rated for 13 TOPS, whereas the one in the 256V is 47 TOPS. For those using AI Compute, that’s a big difference, and the 256V is definitely the processor you will want.

• Performance: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox K13: Final verdict

(Image credit: GMKtec)

The GMKtec NucBox K13 is, in the bluntest possible terms, the mini PC that Intel's Lunar Lake deserved from the outset. GMKtec has done due diligence by pairing the chip with the fastest possible memory configuration, designing a chassis that leverages Lunar Lake's efficiency, and adding 5GbE connectivity.

The weaknesses are real but hardly fatal. Sixteen gigabytes of soldered RAM will give some buyers pause, particularly in a machine otherwise configured for demanding workloads. The absence of OcuLink limits eGPU flexibility, but it’s not a port commonly found on cheap NUC models.

The LAN configuration supports 550 MB/s file transfers with the right infrastructure. And with USB adapters, it is still possible to make the K13 useful as a dual-homed firewall.

But if your use case is modern, efficiency-focused desktop computing, perhaps content creation, AI experimentation, clean-desk professional work, or a powerful behind-monitor media machine, then K13 makes a compelling argument.

Its iGPU is the best Intel integrated graphics available in a mini PC at this price, its AI credentials are genuine rather than marketing-department aspirational, and it achieves all of this whilst remaining practically silent under most workloads.

There is plenty to like here, and relatively few reasons to avoid this machine, not least the price.

Should I buy a GMKtec NucBox K13?GMKtec NucBox K13 Scorecard

Value

Competitive but needs monitoring vs Zen 4/5 rivals

4/5

Design

Strikingly slim; with well-considered rear I/O

4/5

Hardware

Arc 140V, 115 TOPS AI, 5 GbE LAN

4.5/5

Performance

Strong iGPU and AI, but modest multi-core vs AMD rivals

4/5

Overall

A modern, efficient mini PC for the right buyer

4/5

Buy it if...

You want practical AI features
With 115 TOPS of total AI compute and full Copilot+ PC compliance, the K13 is one of very few mini PCs that can run local LLM inference, AI-assisted productivity tools, and NPU-accelerated Windows features without compromise.View Deal

You need a slim, quiet machine for a professional environment
At 33.2mm tall and practically silent under normal loads, the K13 is purpose-built for desk-constrained, noise-sensitive settings. Mounted behind a monitor, it essentially ceases to exist as a physical presence.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

If 16 gigabytes of non-upgradeable RAM concerns you
The on-package memory is fast but fixed in size. If you foresee needing more than 16GB for large VM stacks, memory-hungry AI models, or future-proofing against increasingly bloated software, then a machine with socketed SODIMM slots offers more flexibility.View Deal

You need maximum multi-threaded CPU performance Lunar Lake trades Hyper-Threading for efficiency, and the eight-core/eight-thread configuration trails the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS and similar high-TDP mobile parts in sustained, heavily threaded workloads. If rendering, compilation, or simulation defines your workflow, consider the GMKtec K11 or the EVO-X2 instead.View Deal

Beelink ME Pro: 30-second review

The Beelink ME Pro is a hybrid Mini PC and NAS in one, powered by the lightweight Intel 95 CPU with integrated Intel UHD graphics. Like any mini PC, it features a full version of Windows 11, in this case, the Home edition, so if you want to access it directly and you're familiar with Windows, it's extremely easy to use. If you just want it as a NAS, you can install TrueNAS or similar.

However, once connected to your network, you can then simply connect other Windows, macOS, or Linux devices to access the internal storage in the same way as any normal NAS.

You can also utilise it as your media server, and while it comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home, the machine is also fully compatible with a range of NAS OS options, such as FNOS, UNRAID, and TrueNAS. You can also run Linux or a virtual machine such as Proxmox (PVE) or ESXi.

During this review, I utilised the pre-installed Windows 11 Home OS and configured network access for my Apple computers, enabling me to use my wired network as a central resource for storing files.

From the outset, it struck me just how versatile the small machine is. With those 3.5-inch bays, you can install large-capacity HDDs, for example, two 4 TB Western Digital Red drives. Then there’s space for three M.2 SSDs, with the machine pre-installed with a 120GB option that includes Windows 11 Home.

During the test, I also installed a couple of blank SSDs, which allowed me to install TrueNAS and test how the machine performed when used as a true streaming server throughout the Home.

One aspect that struck me from the outset was the build quality, just how well thought out this small machine is. Out of the box, it’s quick to get started, but over time, you can expand the storage to a massive 72 TB, which is really impressive for a device of this size.

Used to serve my storage needs in the office, mainly images and video, I was impressed by the speed over the wired network, and after setting up the two WD Reds as shared access for all machines on the network, I was also able to utilise the Plex media server.

However, while the ME Pro works well as a storage device, when used as a day-to-day PC, the power of the N95 CPU is rather limited, as reflected in the benchmarking scores. Even Microsoft Office applications, if pushed, struggled with anything too complex. Then there’s the integrated UHD graphics, which is perfect for video playback but not much more.

As a compliment to one of Beelink’s mini PCs this is a great option, but if you're thinking about buying this because it's a mini PC and NAS in one, then I would suggest you invest in one of the best mini PCs in our guide. Then pair it with the ME Pro as part of the ecosystem on your network rather than a day-to-day mini PC and NAS in one.

Beelink ME Pro: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $369
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Widely available

Depending on the configuration and the storage you intend to place inside, the price of the ME Pro can vary greatly. Our review sample is the N95 option with 12 GB of RAM and a 120 GB SSD, which will cost around $369 or £320.

For the more expensive option featuring the Intel N150, 16 GB of LP DDR4 RAM, and a 1 TB SSD, you would likely spend US$529.

At present, the Beelink ME Pro hybrid NAS and mini PC is available directly from the Beelink website, as well as Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

• Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Beelink ME Pro: Specs

CPU: Intel N95 / Intel N150
Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics

RAM: 12GB LPDDR5 / 16GB LPDDR5

Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
Ports: USB-A, USB-C (10Gbps), USB 2.0 ports, HDMI

Connectivity: 5GbE, 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Size: 166 x 121 x 112 mm
OS Installed: Windows 11 Home
Accessories: Power adapter, mounting hardware, documentation

Beelink ME Pro: Design

The Beelink ME Pro hybrid NAS mini PC is an innovative design for what is essentially a two-in-one machine. Alongside access to a very capable NAS with both 2.5 and 5 GbE connections, two 3.5-inch bays and three PCIe 3.0 SSD slots, it’s also a Windows Mini PC.

Considering it’s a NAS and Mini PC, it’s extremely small at 166 x 121 x 112 mm and weighs 2.1kg, though that is without the power adapter, any HDDs, or the SSDs installed. This still makes it one of the smallest NAS devices on the market, even for a two-bay model, and the fact that it’s also a fully functional Windows machine makes it even more impressive.

But there’s something more about the Beelink ME Pro that I really like, and that’s the fact that they have made it modular, so whilst at present the only options available are the Intel N95 or the Intel N150 motherboard, the motherboard can actually be withdrawn from the system and replaced with an AMD or ARM option, although at present these aren’t available, but are highlighted as future options on the website.

Installing the drives is simple, with the two bays pulling out, your 3.5-inch HDD sitting inside, and then screwing tightly into the bay, holding it steady. Beelink is keen to highlight that this holder design helps reduce vibration, avoiding any damage that might occur compared with NAS drive bays that hold drives loosely in by small plastic grommets.

The three SSDs are bolted and slotted into the underside, and the machine actually ships with one small 128GB drive pre-installed. I used the other two slots to hold additional storage and an alternate operating system.

Another feature of the device is the amount of cooling that has been incorporated, so through the front and base of the machine, air is drawn in, helping to ensure that the drives , motherboard, CPU and RAM stay as cool as possible, optimising performance.

Another nice design feature is that on the back, there’s a magnetic dust cover that is easily removed so that you can remove dust and ensure the airflow remains consistent. Again, it’s just an extra level of thought in the design.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

When it comes to ports, these are well laid out, with two LAN ports on the back, one of which is 2.5GbE, the other 5GbE, and HDMI so you can plug it directly into a monitor, two USB-A ports, and then around the front, there is another USB Type-A.

Through the test, I found this extremely useful, as I had a keyboard and mouse plugged into the two Type-A ports on the back when I was installing the TrueNAS operating system onto a secondary SSD, and I was able to do that using the USB key through the front USB Type-A port without having to reconfigure the rear ports. Obviously, after this, the port, along with the USB-C on the back, can be used to directly transfer files to the ME Pro.

Once everything was installed into the system and plugged in, there was just the usual process of finishing the installation for Windows 11 Home, then configuring the two HDDs into a RAID configuration or Windows equivalent and the SSDs. Since the machine is so small, I was able to position it happily on the shelf behind my monitor and plugged it directly into the router so it could be accessed by other machines on the network as well.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Beelink ME Pro: Features

The ME Pro is an interesting hybrid device, being both a NAS and a mini PC in one, and it balances that job pretty well with two HDD bays for mass storage and three SSDs for faster storage options. In the case of my review unit, I have two HDDs configured in Windows Simple (RAID 0) equivalent and the three SSDs, one installed with Windows 11 Home that ships with the machine, one with TrueNAS, and the other just as a mass storage device, all of which could be accessed easily from other machines on the network.

The machine is also available in other configurations, with the option that I’ve looked at in this review coming with the Intel N95, 12GB of LPDDR5 4800MHz and a 128GB SSD; this chipset is also available in a 512GB SSD option, then you can take the upgrade to the Intel N150 which has 16GB of LPDDR5 4800MHz and a 512GB SSD, and that again is available in a 1TB option.

Whichever option you choose, the HDD bays are up to you in terms of capacity, and each bay can hold up to 30TB. Alongside the SATA 3.5-inch HDDs there are also three M.2 NVMe drive slots, and these take M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0, and each is capable of taking 4TB, so you can get up to 60TB through HDD and a further 12TB through the SSDs, bringing you to a grand total of 72TB, which is one of the highest capacities that I have seen in this size of machine.

Beelink’s small NAS and mini PC in one is impressive, and the engineers have obviously looked very carefully at the cooling. Through the literature, the company is keen to point out just how much innovation has gone into the cooling system. Air is drawn through the front and base of the machine, pushed through the system and out of the back above the motherboard.

One of the things I didn’t realise during the test was just how cool the system ran. It wasn’t too hard to push the system hard because of that N95 processor, copying terabytes of data to the two HDDs and utilising Plex to watch back video. The machine was more than capable of keeping up with the demands, as long as you didn’t expect too much from it on the processing side.

Due to the design of the machine and its hybrid use, you have the option to install many common OSs; as I’ve previously mentioned, it comes with Windows 11 Home installed, but you can also install Linux if you so wish. Alongside either of those operating systems, you could also use it to run a dedicated NAS OS such as FNOS or TrueNAS, and in this review, I ran TrueNAS because it is an open-source option and free. You can also run a virtual machine, such as Proxmox (PVE) or ESXi, so potentially you could have your OS installed on one of the SSDs and another virtual machine on the final SSD, tailoring it to whichever use case you want.

Whilst the N95 is a relatively low-powered CPU, the integrated UHD graphics are great for running Windows. What that does mean is that it runs on extremely low power, so having this NAS sit in the background working will cost you a lot less than many of the larger, more powerful options on the market.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• Features: 4 / 5

Beelink ME Pro: PerformanceBenchmarks

CrystalDiskMark Read: 212.58
CrystalDiskMark Write: 204.26
Geekbench CPU Multi: 2034
Geekbench CPU Single: 1056
Geekbench GPU: 3190
PCMark Overall: 2786
Cinebench CPU Multi (Threads): 2601
Cinebench CPU Single (Threads): 900
Fire Strike Overall: 1064
Fire Strike Graphics: 1136
Fire Strike Physics: 5822
Fire Strike Combined: 394
Time Spy Overall: 362
Time Spy Graphics: 316
Time Spy CPU: 2261
Wild Life Overall: 2258
Steel Nomad Overall: 0
Windows Experience Overall: 8

Starting out with the Beelink ME Pro is straightforward. Just think of it in the same way that you would any standard mini PC; essentially, you run through the Windows 11 Home set-up process, finish off the last few steps connecting to your network, and essentially you’re set and ready to go. It’s a mini PC, albeit not an especially powerful one, as was proven with the performance tests.

However, if you do want to use it for basic word processing, office work, browsing the internet, and watching videos on YouTube, then it’s more than adequate for that. You can always connect a webcam and use it as an office meeting machine. Whilst the N95 isn’t especially powerful compared to the latest mini PCs on the market, it’s still a well-balanced option, especially for work-focused machines where high-end graphics and processing power aren’t usually required.

However, this is also a NAS, offering network-connected storage, and it comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed. It just makes the whole process easier, so if you work in a small home office and don’t have much IT experience, this could be an ideal solution for you.

To get started, I simply plugged the Beelink ME Pro into the back of my network hub, then attached the monitor, keyboard, and mouse so I could complete the Windows set-up and install two 4TB HDDs. I used Western Digital Red drives and configured these as the Windows equivalent of RAID 0, essentially a simple storage space. And, of course, you have the option to go for mirror or parity, the RAID 1 or RAID 5 equivalents.

The process is relatively easy: install the drives, then go to System > Storage in the Advanced Storage Settings. Select your storage space, create a new pool, select both HDDs, choose Simple, and you’re essentially done. You then have those 4TB drives as one usable 8TB drive. There’s no redundancy with the Simple configuration, but it does give you the speed. If you do want backup, set the drives as a mirror, which is the RAID 1 equivalent; again, it’s the same process, you just select Mirror rather than Simple.

Used in this way, those 8TB were fast to access, so I used them to back up my image and video files directly to the shared space I created on those drives.

When it came to the rest of the storage options using the SSDs, one of them was obviously taken by Windows 11 Home, and the other two slots I installed two Lexar 512GB SSDs; I installed TrueNAS on one and left the other as straight storage for TrueNas, and again, it was all very easy to do.

The SSD storage was prepared through TrueNas and once formatted it could be accessed directly or through the network. It’s worth pointing out that TrueNAS, needed to be installed from a separate USB key, and here I was really pleased to see that there was a USB Type-A slot on the front of the machine; the two on the rear were already taken up with the keyboard and mouse, and I didn’t want to unplug these or use an adapter.

The TrueNAS set-up was relatively straightforward, taking slightly longer than anticipated to run through the settings and connect the machine to the wired network, but once it was up and running, I was able to stream from Plex and use it again as a mass storage device. One of the issues here is that Simple (RAID 0) storage capacity that I had setup in the Windows install wasn’t accessible from the TrueNAS install. What really stood out here was just how well suited the N95 CPU was, and whilst it’s limited for general day-to-day use as an office machine, it makes perfect sense when used within a NAS.

The other point is that whilst the integrated UHD graphics might not be that impressive for the latest games, when it comes to streaming 4K footage it does surprisingly well and means that here we have an inexpensive solution that’s easy to understand compared with many standard NAS options.

Another point is that it can be left on 24/7; after the test, once it was installed, I literally just left it running in the background. After giving the TrueNAS installation a test, I switched back to Windows 11 Home and left it running as a large-capacity storage solution in the office. Whilst there were limited additional options compared with TrueNAS, it was just easy to connect to and use.

One of the main reasons I installed the Plex Media Server for Windows was to point it to the 8TB internal storage set-up and have Plex running as a background service all the time, directly accessible from all the machines in the house and then office.

By the end of the test, the ME Pro proved to be one of the easiest NAS solutions I’ve come across, offering easy integration, especially for Windows-based set-ups, and it will suit many home offices without IT backup or support.

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Beelink ME Pro: Final verdictAlastair JenningsAlastair JenningsAlastair JenningsAlastair JenningsAlastair JenningsAlastair Jennings

The concept of the Beelink ME Pro is a great one. It offers a straightforward, easy-to-understand network-attached storage solution, and the fact that it comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home means that almost anyone can set it up and use it just like another PC in your house or office, it just has more storage potential and the ability to be used as an effective shared network drive.

What I like about it is that you can easily install two large-capacity HDDs, and again, they’re set up using the Windows 11 storage solution which is familiar. The Windows 11 storage solution is just straightforward, and whether you choose to create a single large drive or mirror the drive, the process in the Windows interface is straightforward.

Then, once it has been created, right-click and select the share options so that anyone else on your network can access it. It really couldn’t be simpler.

The fact is, that for most home office workers this system is simple, essentially it’s another small machine with fast network connectivity with the ability to share its contents. Whilst it is a Mini PC, it should really be seen as a NAS or Media Server, the fact that it runs Windows 11 Home just makes it familiar and easy to use.

If you do want to take things a little bit further and turn it into a home media server, then with the installation of Plex you can instantly stream video from that master storage to any machine or smart device that you want, and whilst this does take a little bit more know-how and set-up, it is still relatively straightforward and there are plenty of user guides out there on how to do it.

But what really makes this interesting is the fact that you have those three SSDs on the base, so if you do want to install another operating system or NAS OS, such as I did with TrueNAS, then this again is possible, and you can use it in the home or office as a small home lab for experimentation, or if you turn it completely over to TrueNAS you have a very compact, large-capacity NAS that will offer you all of the usual features.

Whilst my review sample waseasy to use, straightforward, and worked exceptionally well for everything I wanted, many will feel that Windows 11 Home offers fewer features than some of the more involved NAS set-ups, but you can still install those over the Windows 11 installation. And what I really like is the part modular design.

The fact that you can insert so much storage, but also in future updates install an AMD or ARM motherboard all further add to its flexibility. If you are running a home lab and need to experiment with different CPUs and set-ups; this one small machine and the ability to slide the motherboard in and out again makes it extremely interesting.

At the end of this test I will definitely say the Beelink ME Pro is a perfect partner to Beelink’s other mini PCs, but more so to anyone with a mini PC looking for an easy way to boost its network storage without delving into something as complex as standard NAS box, and if you do run a home lab, again this is a great option with plenty of flexibility.

If, however, you’re just looking for a straight NAS with all the features and apps, then maybe something a little more advanced with a bit more processing power would be a better option.

Should I buy a Beelink ME Pro?

Value

Affordable hybrid mass-storage mini PC option that you can expand as your budget allows

4

Design

Extremely premium, compact all-metal build that will fit almost any space

4.5

Features

A great set of features and flexibility, meaning it can be as simple or complex as you need 4/5

4

Performance

Low-power CPU makes it okay for standard office work and being used as a NAS, but nothing too advanced

4

Overalls

Easy-to-use and extremely versatile home office NAS system

4

Buy it if...

You're crafting an office media hub
The ME Pro is ideal if you want a quiet, compact device for backups, Plex streaming, and centralised storage with fast networking.

You're running a small home lab
Got a set-up that needs flexible storage expansion and light virtualisation? This is a top pick without investing in a larger rack-mounted NAS system.

Don't buy it if...

You demand intensive processing
If you're planning to run multiple demanding virtual machines or CPU-intensive workloads, it's likely going to be just too much for the N95 model.

You want a machine for high-end gaming
Integrated graphics are not suitable for modern gaming or GPU-heavy creative applications.

For more essential computing, we've reviewed the best NAS devices.

Oscal Marine 3: 30-second review

The Oscal Marine 3 is a surprisingly stylish, slimline, rugged smartphone that breaks the usual design conventions. Gone are the cyberpunk-style, bulky rubberised outer casings; in their place is something a little bit slimmer and more refined in looks at least.

It is much simpler in design than its larger and heavier rugged smartphone counterparts. However, it does feature a technological illustration on the back plate, and the rubberised edges and corners, whilst not as dominant, are retained, highlighting that this isn't just a standard consumer phone but something altogether more rugged.

The phone is slim, and put side-by-side next to an iPhone 15 Pro, the actual thickness is pretty much identical, although it does feature a slightly longer screen, giving a bit more screen real estate for browsing the internet, answering emails and enhancing images.

Despite the slimline design being closer to consumer-level phones than rugged models, it is still fully waterproof. In testing, it was submerged for 10 minutes in a fast-flowing stream, then dropped and put through its paces to test its strength and ruggedness. Although it’s worth highlighting that the USB-C port at the base for data transfer and charging is open to the elements and this does caused me some concern.

The camera, both for daytime shooting and the infrared option, is on the whole pretty decent, not groundbreaking, and there's no cutting-edge imaging technology for the camera itself, although there are AI imaging Apps. They're just good standard cameras. Alongside the standard camera app, Oscal have included several AI applications, including ImageX. This offers impressive capabilities, but like all apps added to the standard DokeOS 5.0, after a few quick uses of the AI features, you're prompted to subscribe to the app's different AI models, and these all cost a lot.

Alongside the camera and imaging is a decent speaker which, considering its size, is surprisingly loud. Whilst it is a little bit tinny and requires a good shake after being submerged in water, it’s fine for listening to the radio whilst you work or for multimedia playback.

Through the test I found that the battery, whilst substantial, would last a good three days between charging depending on use, as long as I didn't use it too heavily for gaming or watching video. While it’s advertised as fast charging, the 18W charger takes around 2 hours to reach 50% from flat, which, by any standard, is not fast. However, a good overnight charge, and you're all set for another 2 to 3 days of solid use.

The main issue with this rugged smartphone, however, is the processor, which is behind what you'd expect for a modern smartphone despite it’s AI credentials. Switching between applications is often laggy, and the screen can become unresponsive when running more intensive applications such as Lightroom. The analysis time in Lightroom is significantly slower than I have seen with many other modern rugged smartphones, and whilst the device's design makes it desirable, the processor's speed does let it down.

In reality, whilst the slimline design makes for a quite appealing rugged smartphone, the processor speed does limit its use, apps just take that much longer to load, but once loaded they generally run fine. Whilst it has a relatively decent camera and runs most apps at a moderate speed, if you need it for anything more intensive, especially switching between apps, you will find its processing speed is limiting.

Because of that, it's unlikely to trouble the devices in our best rugged phone guide. Ideally, this phone is suited to someone who wants a relatively lightweight, slim, rugged smartphone that they just need for occasional calls and checking email.

Oscal Marine 3: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $399
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Widely available

The Oscal Marine 3 can be purchased from Oscal's Amazon storefront via the website clicking here. It's currently priced at $400 / £400.

The rugged phone is also available from a limited number of alternative online stores, most notably in the US.

• Value: 2.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Oscal Marine 3: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specifications

CPU: MediaTek Helio G81
Graphics: Mali-G52 MC2
RAM: 8GB (+ virtual expansion)
Storage: 128GB + microSD/TF (Up to 2TB)
Left Ports: Dual SIM / microSD tray
Right Ports: Power button, volume controls
Connectivity: 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
Audio: Single loudspeaker
Camera: 16MP rear + IR night vision, 13MP front
Size: 174.6 x 83 x 10.7mm
OS Installed: Android with DokeOS 5.0
Accessories: Charger, cable, SIM tool

When I first opened the box and looked at the Oscal Marine 3, I was instantly struck by its slimline design and smartphone aesthetics. It was far nicer and easier to handle than most rugged smartphones. It also had a good premium feel and, whilst it is slimmer than most, it still has a good solid weight, and the overall design quality and build is exceptionally good.

Checking the phone itself, there’s a nice graphical detailing on the back that sets off the infrared, multi-AI cam, Infrared and main camera, whilst on the front, the surface is dominated by the large 6.56-inch 90Hz display with Selfi camera.

It retains the feel of many other rugged smartphones, with dimensions of 174.6 x 83 x 10.7 mm and a weight of 245 g. That's only just heavier than a standard consumer smartphone.

One of the other features that I liked about the phone from the outset was the number of physical buttons around the body. You have a customisable orange button alongside the microSD and dual SIM card slots on the left-hand side of the body. Then, on the right-hand side, you have the power button with fingerprint recognition, above which are the usual volume up and down buttons.

Otherwise, the rest of the phone is pretty simple, with just the main charging USB-C port on the base. Surprisingly, for a rugged smartphone, this isn't sealed, so it is open to the elements. During the test, I found this was something I had to watch out for, as mud and water can get into the port, and it can be a little tricky to clear it out.

One of the other features that I did like when using the camera was that you could assign that custom button as the shutter button, and this was especially relevant when using the underwater camera, as it essentially enables you to disable the touchscreen so that the physical button is used to operate the camera, which works extremely well.

Ultimately, this is a rugged smartphone designed to withstand the elements, and a key feature is its usual rugged certifications, including IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H, meaning it can be submerged in water and dropped from a height without too much issue.

• Design: 3 / 5

Oscal Marine 3: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Marine 3 is one of a number of new rugged smartphones that feature AI abilities, and this is a big part of this particular model. Behind that 6.56-inch 90Hz HD display the phone runs Doke OS 5.0 based on Android 16 and there’s the AI Software suite known as Doke AI 2.0.

The ruggedness is obviously the top feature of this smartphone and with MIL-STD-810H certification it just means it can stand up to more than most consumer phones, so it can be dropped from height and, with IP68 and IP69K ratings, it will withstand being dropped into water and covered in dust and dirt without issue, making it ideal for anyone who works outside or is looking for a decent smartphone that will withstand the elements.

Whilst rugged smartphones aren't really known for the quality of their cameras, it's interesting to see that this model features a 13MP infrared night vision camera, accessible through the standard app by tapping the night vision icon, which swaps the main 16MP camera for the infrared camera.

The camera app also features an underwater camera mode that essentially disables the touchscreen and enables you to configure the physical button to operate the camera.

The main camera is 16MP, which is very conservative for a modern camera. However, given the resolution, the picture quality actually seems very well balanced, and on the front, there is, of course, a 13MP selfie camera for video conferencing and selfies.

The 6.56-inch IPS touchscreen has a maximum brightness of 450 nits, which is pretty decent for general use, though in bright summer conditions it might get a bit tricky to see. However, on the flip side, during winter, with modes such as Glove Mode 2.0, the screen is surprisingly responsive even with touch-sensitive gloves.

Through the test, one common rugged smartphone feature that I was pleased to see is the ability to configure the custom side key, setting is a quick access to an app or feature.

As a rugged smartphone, navigation technology is essentially although it is a bit surprising that it's only 4G and not the latest 5 G. However, it does feature four-in-one navigation with GPS, GLONASS, BDS and Galileo.

The company has also included a toolbox of handy apps, including the usual compass, protractor, plumb line, and many others, which are useful if you're working in a trade or just need a few extra tools out and about.

One of the phone's more quirky features is the Smart-K speaker, which is surprisingly loud and louder than my iPhone 15 Pro. It is a bit tinny, but at least you can hear it in almost any situation.

The battery is another big part of any rugged smartphone, and here, with a 5000mAh battery, it supplies plenty of power for general phone use. It also offers fast charging. That battery will enable up to 6 hours of gameplay, 6.5 hours of video, 11 hours of web browsing, 22 hours of making calls, 25 hours of listening to music, and 288 hours on standby. There's a deep power-saving mode that works automatically in the background.

The phone does support reverse 5W charging, which means that if you have other mobile devices or electronics that need a charging boost, then this phone can act as a power bank.

The phone runs Doke OS 5.0, based on Android 16, and offers a good number of built-in apps, including all the usual Google options. There's also plenty of AI-powered features, including several bundled apps and a very decent system manager that enables you to free up space and keep the smartphone optimised. I also like that it features Notebook 3.0, which lets you easily keep notes and other content on your smartphone neatly organised.

Alongside the main OS, there’s Doke AI 2.0. This essentially offers DeepSeek-R1, ChatGPT-4o Mini, Gemini, Hi Doki, ImageX, Vidgen and Soundle. Whilst some of the features are free, given the processor speed, they all run surprisingly quickly, the only thing to watch out for is that some of these apps require a subscription after a certain amount of use. Many of those subscription values are expensive.

Whilst the AI apps do make your AI tasks that much easier they can come at quite a cost which is something to be aware of if they are of interest to you.

At the heart of this phone is the MediaTek Helio G81 processor, backed by 24GB of RAM (8GB + 16GB expandable), giving it plenty of memory to handle data. When it comes to storage, there's 256GB of ROM built in, and you can expand it to 2TB via a TF or microSD card.

No rugged smartphone would be without dual SIM support, and in the carrier tray, you can pop in two 4G SIM cards alongside a TF card to boost the storage. Other connectivity options include NFC support, so if you want to use contactless payment, then that's perfectly possible with this phone, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0.

• Features: 3.5 / 5

Oscal Marine 3: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Benchmarks

CrystalDiskMark Read: 570.4 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Write: 160.39 MB/s
Geekbench CPU Multi: 1332
Geekbench CPU Single: 397
Geekbench GPU: 979
SlingShot: 1718
SlingsShot Extreme: 1196
Wild Life Extreme Overall: 171
Wlidlife Overall: 634
Steel Nomad Overall: 61

The Doke OS, which is based on Android 16, is really well thought out, and there's plenty pre-installed to get you started, including the Doki and its selection of AI applications alongside what you usually expect from Google.

One of the first things I noticed about the phone, while running through some tests and opening some apps, was that app load times were relatively slow. They weren't instantaneous on opening and, when switching between applications, there was often a slight pause as the phone seemed to need time to catch up.

However, once the applications were open and I started to delve into their use, things started to smooth out. Looking at Google's suite of applications, including Docs and Sheets, both opened relatively quickly, and making adjustments to existing documents or adding to them was all relatively straightforward.

Likewise, opening Gmail and answering a few messages proved that this phone was more than fast enough for general day-to-day calls, email browsing, and using lighter apps.

As I progressed through the test, the fact that I was reverting to a standard 4G connection rather than 5G became an issue. Around my office, where generally we just get 4G, the speeds were okay, a little bit slower compared with my iPhone 15 Pro, but as soon as I went up to Salisbury, where 5G coverage is relatively good, the slower data speeds were very apparent.

The other point here was that whilst I'd expect those data speeds at 4G to be pretty solid in 4G-only areas, they were still slightly slower than on my iPhone 15 Pro, reaching a maximum of 20 to 30MB per second compared with the iPhone 15 Pro at 30 to 40MB per second.

As I started pushing the phone a little more, first using Lightroom, I was surprised by how long it took the app to load. Once it had loaded, I was able to access the image files on the phone and load them in, and again, it took a while for Lightroom to run through its standard analysis before I could start making any adjustments. Each image would take at least 20 to 30 seconds to properly load and be analysed before those adjustments could be made. However, once the phone had run through its assessment, all additional adjustment work were instantaneous.

I then decided to use CapCut. Using video footage taken from the phone, edits were relatively quick, and the phone responded well to putting together a short production. However, again, when loading CapCut and sometimes loading those video clips, there was a slowdown in processing, and whilst when everything had loaded things were quick and responsive, you just have to be patient while the phone catches up.

I then switched over to the Doke AI suite of applications, and here the phone seemed to handle them much better, applying AI enhancements to existing images and generating AI content. However, as I've witnessed with these Doke AI apps before, you only get a few uses before you're charged a monthly or yearly fee to continue using them. Whilst there are offers, it does feel like a bit much to pay such an amount per app rather than having a longer trial period for each.

One of the final tests was just to check how the phone would perform for gaming, and I was actually quite surprised by how well it handled games like Asphalt Legends, with relatively smooth gameplay and decent audio from the internal speaker.

In many more advanced games, the loading times are excessive. Once it's all loaded into the system however, the gameplay is relatively decent, and what really stands out here is that the speaker is far higher quality than I've come to expect from most smartphones, although again it's still a little tinny.

Checking out all the benchmarking tests again just re-emphasised that this is a good, solid smartphone for day-to-day use, as long as you don't want to run too many apps or play some of the more advanced games. Also, for almost any app you open, load times can be relatively slow, so in reality, this phone is best used if you want a slimline phone for making calls, using a few apps, and surviving out in the elements.

The final test was to check out how rugged this smartphone is, leaving it in a stream for 10 minutes to see if it would survive being submerged. Here, it had absolutely no issues whatsoever, with my only concern being that the USB-C port is exposed. During the test, as I started dropping it into muddy water and dirt, debris got into that port. At one point, it made it difficult for me to actually plug it in to recharge.

• Performance: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Oscal Marine 3: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At the end of the test, whilst I like the phone's design, there are quite a few quirks. At the same time, the fact that applications take quite a long time to load is a bit of an issue, especially as it seems to take a long time to analyse images, video, and other data.

Even when switching from one Android app to another, there can sometimes be a glitch or delay, and what really bugs me beyond anything else is that many of the apps are tied to advertising, so you can tap a functional feature and find yourself on the Temu website without warning. Some of the other apps will open up other subscription offers and models when all you want to do is get on and use the phone.

If you're after a straightforward phone with some AI enhancement, then this is an okay option. If I were going to buy this, I would probably suggest removing most of the AI-enhanced apps, since the subscriptions are expensive and they tend to redirect you to shopping websites.

There's also the issue that it's only 4G, not 5G, and everything is just a little bit sluggish. Another major issue is the price. At nearly £399 / $399, this isn't a cheap phone, and in reality, there are many other options out there that provide far greater processing power for a lot less money. Really, you're paying that much for rugged credentials rather than performance.

Should I buy an Oscal Marine 3?

Value

Expensive for the processing power, slightly balanced by the robust design

2.5

Design

Great looking design, slim with a very premium feel, but the USB port is exposed

3

Features

Night vision, durability and large screen are key features for this rugged phone

3.5

Performance

Entry-level but usable daily if you don't want anything too processor-intensive 

3

Overall

Tough tool for outdoor workers, limited appeal due to the power of the processor

3

Buy it if...

Outdoor survivability is essential
With these rugged specs, the Oscal Marine 3 is a durable phone for wet, dirty conditions where reliability matters more than gaming performance or speed.

You need a waterproof phone
You regularly work near water or in conditions where your kit and equipment can get wet, this ticks the right boxes.

Don't buy it if...

You run a lot of apps
Because of that slow processor, the phone is not good if you frequently multitask, edit images, or expect your apps to open instantly.

You need fast charging
Avoid this device is you expect fast charging speeds and processing performance from your smartphone.

For more durable devices, we've tested and reviewed the best rugged laptops and best rugged tablets.

One minute review

The Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM is a beautiful mess of a lens. It's impossibly light, cheap, and wide, but nonetheless comes with a few optical niggles that will likely make the more discerning pixel peepers baulk.

At $599 / £479 / AU$699.95, the RF 45mm f/1.2 has the potential to be an essential component of any Canon shooter's kit bag. And, it has to be said, it's a lens that doesn't really have any rivals or alternatives at this price point. No other brand, third-party or otherwise, offers an autofocus full-frame lens with f/1.2 for $600. Canon is definitely worthy of praise for this - it's an innovative, forward-thinking lens from a brand that's often criticized for its closed mount.

As mentioned, however, optically, the RF 45mm f/1.2 leans more towards 'character' than perfection. The bokeh is busy and swirly, while the chromatic aberration is off the charts at the widest aperture. Even with in-camera corrections, this lens imparts its character on every image if you're shooting wide.

You also don't get weather sealing or a lens hood. While this lens is well built and a great pairing with any of the brand's high-end mirrorless bodies, it's very much a lens that's been shoehorned into a specific price point. I can forgive the lack of weather sealing, but paying extra for the hood feels slightly miserly to me.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

If you can look past its flaws, however, the 45mm f/1.2 does offer a lot for the price. No other Canon lens right now offers as many creative options as this 45mm in the standard focal length. Emphasis on the 'creative' here, mind you, because the wide aperture opens possibilities for shots simply not possible on the usual kit lens.

Aside from serious low-light chops, this lens is also fantastic for environmental portraits, where you can blow out the background on a relatively wide scene.

In summary, the 45mm is an often frustrating lens, but one I can't help but like. I don't think it's a 'killer' lens that will cause Nikon and Sony users to switch, but it certainly is unique and praiseworthy. Is it one of the best Canon lenses? Technically, absolutely not. But is it worth it? Absolutely... if you're looking for 'character' rather than 'perfection', that is!

Price and availability

• It costs $599 / £479 / AU$699.95
• Lens hood is a separate purchase

At $599 / £479 / AU$699.95, the RF 45mm f/1.2 is cheap for a Canon full-frame RF lens, let alone one with such a wide aperture. It's much closer in price to the entry-level Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM (£239 / $219 / AU$299) than premium L-series glass - and offers a similar level of optical quality for the budget-conscious.

It's a good thing Canon has made this lens, too, as the brand currently doesn't support third-party glass on its full-frame mount. Unlike rival mounts from Nikon and Sony, Canon users have fewer low-cost alternatives outside of the usual starter primes and kit lenses.

Luckily, this lens is a great example of Canon doing something a little different. It's not quite a budget lens, but it's certainly unique, and definitely a sign that the brand is willing to try new things for its RF mount.

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM: specsCanon RF 45mm STM f/1.2 specs

Type:

Standard prime

Mount:

Canon RF

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

45mm

Max aperture:

f/1.2

Minimum focus:

0.45m, 0.13x max magnification

Filter size:

67mm

Dimensions:

78 x 75mm

Weight:

12.2oz / 346g (lens only)

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM: design

• Extremely lightweight for such a prime
• AF/MF switch, but otherwise very basic
• Customizable control ring

The RF 45mm f/1.2 features a customizable control ring and MF/AF switch, but is otherwise very minimalist (Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

As you'd imagine from a relatively affordable lens, the RF 45mm f/1.2 has quite a minimalist design. You do get a few handy controls, however, such as the MF/AF switch and a fully customizable control ring right next to the lip of the lens' barrel.

The action on the focus ring is smooth and well-damped, but the control ring has a nice solid click to it that pairs nicely with its burled metal finish. Otherwise, the lens features a wholly plastic build apart from the mount — you can expect a metal mount in all modern Canon lenses, including the higher-end L series models.

Speaking of which, build quality for the RF 45mm f/1.2 doesn't feel that far off from the premium lenses. There's nothing here to suggest that this is a cheaper lens in the RF line-up, aside from the lack of the distinctive red barrel ring. In the hand, the RF 45mm f/1.2 feels solid and sturdy enough for a lens of this type.

With that said, Canon has cut a few corners to build this lens at a price. For one, you don't get a lens hood included - nor does the lens feature any weather sealing. Perhaps the lens will hold up to some light rain, but I certainly didn't want to risk it with my review unit.

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

These points aside, the most impressive thing about the RF 45mm's design is that it weighs just 12.2oz / 346 grams - something that feels almost impossible for a lens with this kind of aperture. It really is the main selling point for this lens, in my opinion. The 45mm is so compact that you'd be mistaken into thinking this lens is an f/1.8 prime, given its size.

As you can see from the product pictures on this page, the 45mm pairs nicely with the EOS R6 Mark II, which is a full-frame body with a substantial hand grip. The lens is actually twice the weight of Canon's RF 50mm F1.8 STM prime (160g), but it's still light enough to hit that sweet spot where you don't feel like you're lugging around a huge piece of glass everywhere.

As stated, I tested this lens on the R6 Mark II. I think you'll also be fine if you pair this 45mm up with the Canon EOS R8, but the R8's comparatively small grip may result in a slight amount of front-heaviness. This is a light prime considering the aperture, but it's certainly no pancake lens.

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM: Performance

• Significant chromatic aberration at f/1.2
• STM autofocus is reliable
• Good center sharpness at all apertures

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

You may be wondering - if the RF 45mm is cheap, small, and extremely wide, what's the catch? Well, unfortunately, there are a few quirks when it comes to outright image quality for the 45mm F1.2 STM. This is definitely a 'character lens', for better or worse.

Firstly, the good stuff. If you're looking for those dreamy, blown-out backgrounds, then this lens definitely delivers. The aperture is so massive that you can get a good level of background separation here, even with relatively wide scenes. I could see this being a good option for environmental or full-body portraits on a budget.

The 45mm also offers a good level of sharpness. This is particularly the case in the centre of the frame, but stopping down the lens offers a great level of edge-to-edge sharpness. But of course, who's buying this lens to stop it down?

Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockClose of up corner bokehFuture / Alex WhitelockCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockClose of up corner bokehFuture / Alex Whitelock

No, people are going to buy this lens because they want to make full use of that f/1.2 aperture at this exceptional price. Annoyingly, there are a few caveats when shooting wide open with this lens, however.

The first is the busy bokeh - something which I think will likely be the most contentious attribute for prospective buyers. There's no escaping that, at f/1.2, you get a significant cat's-eye effect on the bokeh with the 45mm. Once you see it, you can't really un-see it, and the swirling effect gets more extreme towards the edge of the frame. I think some people will love the distracting swirly effect of this lens, whereas others will find it too busy.

After using the lens in a range of scenarios, I'm somewhere in the middle of the two camps. As you can see from the samples, the bokeh balls not only have quite strong cat's-eye shapes, but also hard to remove fringing. They're technically very imperfect, but there's obviously something to be said for a lens with this much character if you're going for a certain 'vintage' look. It's definitely subjective.

Canon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockFuture / Alex Whitelock

One thing I'm less on the fence about, however, is the extreme level of chromatic aberration this lens exhibits at its widest aperture. I don't think I've used a modern lens with this much CA in recent years.

The image above is a good example. You can see a significant amount of purple fringing around the backlit pattern on the wall. Towards the center of the frame, CA is relatively well controlled, but the fringing gets progressively worse toward the edges. It's notable because this particular shot is a JPEG straight from the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, with all in-camera lens correction applied.

If you do buy this lens, you're going to have to get well acquainted with the de-fringing tool in your photo editing app of choice. Luckily, this is one of the quickest and easiest fixes that anyone can make these days, so it's not a complete deal breaker for a relatively affordable lens like this.

In terms of focusing, the RF 45mm F1.2's proprietary STM stepping motor isn't as quick or silent as the ones featured in Canon's higher-end models, but it is more than sufficient, and able enough to provide quick and reliable autofocus at f/1.2 when paired with the brand's latest full-frame bodies.

One thing I did notice is a very small amount of focus breathing when close focusing at f/1.2. There is also a very slight whining noise when acquiring focus, which again, could be something worth considering if you're thinking about using this lens for video. With the example I've included above, you can see the lens slightly hunting for focus when it attempts to re-lock on the closer object.

Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM sample imagesCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/4Future / Alex WhitelockCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/1.2Future / Alex WhitelockCanon R6 Mark II, JPEG, taken at f/5.6Future / Alex WhitelockShould you buy the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM?Buy it if...

You want to shoot environmental portaits
I think this lens is perfect for slightly wider scenes where you still want to separate the subject from the background.

You shoot a lot of low-light work
What's an f/1.2 aperture good for? Low light, of course! It shouldn't even need to be said that this lens's extremely wide aperture is fantastic for making sure as much light as possible hits your camera's sensor.

Don't buy it if...

You need something weather sealed
As a cheaper lens in the Canon line-up, the RF 45mm doesn't feature any environmental sealing. This one isn't for use in extreme inclement weather.

You need perfect image quality
While the RF 45mm offers an extremely wide aperture, this comes with some optical trade-offs. This lens has a lot of character, unlike the more 'perfect' L-Series models.

How I tested the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

(Image credit: Future / Alex Whitelock)

• Canon provided me a sample unit for one week
• I paired the lens with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II
• I compared optical performance at various apertures

Canon provided TechRadar with the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM for one week only, which is a relatively short window for a lens review. With that said, I was able to fully test the lens in both studio and real-world scenarios.

During my week with the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM, I tested the lens across a wide range of apertures for both video and photography. In that time, I made sure to try to get examples at f/1.2 to show prospective buyers what to expect with such a wide aperture - including the various flaws that this lens sometimes showcases.

First reviewed March 2026

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Two-minute review

Nowadays, smartphone changes can usually be measured in millimeters and gram fractions. The era of sweeping hardware redesigns is all but done. Most of the updates we see seem to be in material swaps and growing and shrinking camera array plateaus. That's not a bad thing, certainly not judging by the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra I hold in my hand.

It's eminently familiar but also stunningly powerful and aesthetically sublime – even without last year's titanium. It's not a perfect Android phone (some day, Samsung will adopt MagSafe or something like it), but easily one of the best I've ever used or tested. It's the full package. A relatively slim and light big-screen mobile communicator, and a powerful pocket computer that, with its hidden S Pen, can even excite creative types or compulsive note takers.

Samsung gets away with not changing much by still delivering on all the promises of a great flagship phone.

It has excellent cameras, easily the best of not just the S26 lineup, but all recent Galaxy phones (even the foldables). It has the fastest chip, even, thanks to a bit of customization from Qualcomm, outdoing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 you might find on other Android phones.

The new S26 Ultra is on the left, the last, slightly squarer S25 Ultra model on the right. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The S26 Ultra hides a pair of truly remarkable features that are not evident at first glance but will surely be the most talked-about updates for some time to come. One is the Privacy Display, a true bit of display hardware innovation that has no equivalent on any other modern smartphone. Then there's the built-in gimbal. Strike that – it's not really a gimbal, just a wild bit of hardware and software engineering that lets you turn your camera up to 360 degrees while keeping the footage perfectly level.

It's a handset overstuffed with AI possibilities, adding this time Perplexity to Bixby (because why not?) and upping the creative and assistive capabilities of Galaxy AI. Google uses the S26 Ultra to give us a sneak preview of the agentic possibilities soon arriving on Pixels and all other supporting Android phones.

The list of AI abilities is long, overwhelming, and perhaps too much. It's not a weakness, per se, but I still don't know why one phone has so many. But then you also might wonder why the iPhone 17 Pro Max still has so few.

Samsung backs up the power and performance of this smartphone with way better heat and power management and excellent battery life.

And to top it all off, it's still $1,299 (£1,249 / AU$2,149). That's not affordable, but it is the same price as last year, which is more than can be said for the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus.

There's not enough here to trade in your still wonderful Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it would be a big leap from, say, the S23 Ultra or anything earlier, and will undoubtedly end up atop our Best Android Phones buying guide.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Price and availability

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 Ultra, along with the S26 Plus and S26, on February 25, as part of its Unpacked event (it'll hold another one later this year for foldables). It ships on March 11, 2026.

While the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus saw price hikes, the Galaxy S26 Ultra still costs the same in the US as the Galaxy S25 Ultra did last year: $1,299.99 ( £1,279 / AU$2,199).

It's available in a choice of seven colors wherever you buy: Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, and the online exclusives: Silver, Shadow, Pink Gold.

The phone ships in either 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage configurations, and every variant comes with 12GB RAM (16GB of RAM if you buy the 1TB model). If you go for more storage space, you will pay somewhat more than you did last year. In the US, the 1TB model is now $1,799.99, roughly $140 more than last year (you do get the extra RAM, though).

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is still a little more expensive than the base iPhone 17 Pro Max ($1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149), and both do start with 256GB of storage and offer comparable features. However, the S26 Ultra does include the integrated S Pen and all of that on-board AI. For now, the S26 Ultra might be the better value.

• Price: from $1,299 / £1,279 / AU$2,199

Storage

US price

UK price

AU price

256GB

$1,299.99

£1,279

AU$2,199

512GB

$1,499.99

£1,449

AU$2,199

1TB

$1,799.99

£1,699

AU$2,649

For the latest Galaxy S26 Ultra deals in your region, check out this Samsung Galaxy S26 deals page.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Specs

Here's a look at the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's key specs:

Dimensions:

163.6 mm (height) x 78.1 mm (width) x 7.9 mm (depth)

Weight:

214g

Display:

6.9-inch AMOLED 2X display

Resolution:

3120 x 1440 pixels

Refresh rate:

1-120Hz

Chipset:

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

RAM:

12GB / 16GB

Storage:

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

OS:

Android 16

Main camera:

200MP; f/1.4; 0.6µm sensor

Ultrawide camera:

50MP; f/1.9; 0.7µm sensor

Telephoto camera 1

10MP; f/2.4; 0.7µm; 5x optical zoom

Telephoto camera 2

50MP; f/2.9; 0.7µm; 10x optical quality zoom

Selfie camera:

12MP; f/2.2; 1.17µm

Battery:

5,000mAh

Charging:

Super Fast Charging 3.0, Super Fast Wireless Charging

Colors:

Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Price

From $1,299 / £1,279 / AU$2,199

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: design

• A subtle design refresh
• Thinner and looks a bit more like the S25 Edge (and like all the other Galaxy S26 phones)
• No more titanium

Leading from the rear, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge has had signifcant influence on the look of the entire Galaxy S26 lineup. Nowhere is this more evident, perhaps, than in the new Galaxy S26 Ultra.

At a glance, the 6.9-inch S26 Ultra looks a lot like the S25 Ultra, but if that new raised camera array looks familiar, it's because it's clearly based on the S25 Edge's two-camera platform. The platform makes sense when you realize the S26 Ultra is slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor (7.9mm vs 8.2mm and 214g vs 218g).

The S26 Ultra has a slightly softer and more pleasing look, thanks to the four corners adopting a more curved profile. Samsung also swapped out a key material, trading titanium for Armor Aluminum. Honestly, it's not something most people will notice, and I wonder if it helped Samsung save a little money on production costs. The other benefit might be that aluminium, a softer material, makes it easier to apply a wider variety of richer colors. My Cobolt Violet review unit is lovely, but I would've liked to see a few wilder hue swings like deep green or, yes, orange.

Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

As you would expect, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2 and the back by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. These materials should help protect it from scratches and cracks (if you drop it [Author's note: I did not purposely drop it]).

Beyond those updates and changes, nothing has changed. The power/sleep/Gemini button and long volume button are in essentially the exact same spots. There are a pair of microphone holes along the top edge. On the base are the SIM slot, speaker slot, and USB-C charge port.

Next to that trio is the S Pen. You press it to release the pen, which looks quite similar to the last S Pen but is in fact slightly thinner. I didn't find that it made any noticeable difference in usability.

Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

The entire phone is still rated IP68, which means it can handle a rain shower (or worse) and dust.

Think about the design this way: If you liked the looks of the S25 Ultra, you'll probably like the S26 Ultra. Sure, the camera bump grew (without demonstrably updating the camera hardware), but it's generally an attractive, big-screen Android smartphone with fresh colors to attract those who found the titanium hues wanting.

• Design score: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Display

• Size, resolution, and brightness unchanged
• Still an excellent display
• Privacy Display borders on breakthrough innovation

Samsung left its 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display mostly unchanged. it stil offers up to 3,120x1440 QHD+ resolution (though it defaults to 2,340x1080 FHD+ to save on battery life). It has the same brightness and ability to smoothly transition from 1Hz for a sleep screen to the buttery-smooth motion of 120hz. There's still a selfie camera cutout near the top of the display and a very thin channel between the frame and the screen for one of the loud and clear stereo speakers.

None of this is news.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The marquee feature and one that is, in fact, unique among smartphones is the Privacy Display.

As the name implies, this feature adjusts the screen so that people standing on either side of you, behind you, or even in front of you cannot read what is on your display. There are a few remarkable things about this feature. First, it's a hardware innovation, accomplished by controlling two different kinds of pixels: narrow and wide. These pixels are set in an every other pixel pattern: wide, narrow, wide, narrow.

In standard mode, both pixels are on, providing a 180-degree view of your S26 Ultra screen.

@lanceulanoff

♬ Epic News - DM Production

In Privacy Display Mode, the wide pixels turn off, and then anyone off-axis only sees a grayed-out or nearly black screen unless their face is perpendicular to the S26 Ultra display.

Here's the other remarkable thing: Because this is at a pixel level, the Privacy Display can be set to only hide a portion of a screen: think notification popups, password, and PIN entry.

You can access Privacy Display through settings or the Quick panel. On there, it lets you turn it on for the whole screen or set conditions: "PIN, Pattern, password, Notification popups."

I turned on Privacy Display and could immediately see it at work. First, I noticed that my own screen view looked slightly desaturated (maybe from the loss of wide pixels), second, the default Privacy Display mode isn't that effective. I could still make out the dimmed content, even when viewing the screen from an angle.

To really see the magic, you have to turn on "Maximum privacy protection." Once I did that, my screen looked almost black from an off-angle, and the same was true when I set it for conditions, like only blacking out my notification popups.

The third and perhaps best Privacy display feature is that you can enable it on a per-app basis. Imagine you don't want anyone see what your TikTok or Instagram algorithm looks like. Just turn on Privacy Display for those apps, and whenever you use them, they'll only be visible to you. I set it up for my TikTok and Instagram, and it worked perfectly.

This is the kind of feature I expect competitors like Apple, OnePlus, Motorola, and others to copy in short order. Privacy Display will change the equation when deciding which S26 is right for you (none of the other have this) and could tip the scales in Samsung's favor when considering a platform switch.

• Display score: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: S Pen

• Slightly smaller
• Still a great always-ready creative, notation, and AI tool

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Direct comparisons of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with, say, Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max don't entirely make sense. Afterall, only one of them has shipped with an integrated S Pen since the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

As an amateur artist, I love having the S Pen always on hand, perfectly hidden inside a powerful Android 16 smartphone.

The latest S Pen looks a lot like the last one, but it is slightly thinner, and the back end is now curved to match the curve of its S26 Ultra housing.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

In use, this S Pen is just as useful as its predecessors. It's a great implement for note-taking, marking up images, creating rough sketches for AI image generation, and making art. It recognizes pressure and orientation. There's even a button on the side that, in the Sketchbook app, gives you instant access to an eraser.

The S26 Ultra is also aware of the S Pen, and if it's been outside the phone and not used for a while, the phone will ask you if you have your S Pen.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: cameras

• Same camera array as the S25 Ultra
• Apertures grew on the lenses you'll use most
• Selfie camera got a big field of view upgrade
• Generally excellent image capture capabilities
• Noticeably less grain on night shots
• Super Steady to the max

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Before we dive into the photographic performance of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, let's pause a moment to look at the virtually unchanged camera array and selfie camera:

• Main camera: 200MP f1.4
• 5x telephoto: 50MP (also provides the 10x zoom through a sensor crop) f2.9
• 3x optical: 10MP f2.4
• Ultra-wide: 50MP f1.9
• Front-facing camera: 12MP f2.2

What's not evident there, though, are two significant changes on the 200MP Main camera and 10MP 5X optical zoom. Both cameras feature wider apertures (represented by lower f-stop numbers), which allows them to capture more light and makes them more effective in low-light situations.

In practice, this is an excellent set of lenses, and based on megapixels, they all beat the iPhone 17 Pro Max's 48MP lenses. However, even on the 200MP camera, you'll default to shooting at a binned 12MP (multiple pixels of information are applied to each final pixel). The iPhone 17 Pro Max defaults to shooting at 24MP.

I shot photos using all the cameras, often capturing the exact same image with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

All of these phones offer excellent cameras, and I found the image quality generally excellent. If anything, the S26 Ultra appears to have pulled even with the iPhone 17 Pro Max in most photo scenarios.

The S26 Ultra camera array on the left, the S25 Ultra cameras are on the right. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Samsung told me that their image processing now allows the phone to understand the native noise signature of each lens and adjust accordingly. What this means is my photo results are clearer and cleaner. Between that and the larger apertures, the low-light photography, especially nighttime photography ("Nightography"), shows a significant improvement. I noticed far less graininess in my star photography.

At one point, I shot a hyperlapse video that captures moving nighttime clouds and what might have been a pair of high-altitude jets. It's a lovely, low-grain seven-second video.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Color, truth, clarity, detail, and skin tones are the best I have ever seen for a Galaxy series phone, and they rival what I can get on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

We have the same 3X and 5X optical zoom options, as well as a 10MP zoom accomplished by doing a sensor crop on the 50MP telephoto. I like a good 5X zoom and appreciate the 10X option, even if it's not a true telephoto lens. What I steer clear of are the 30X and 100x space zoom options. They, too, can provide some eye-popping results, but I'm highly skeptical of the amount of AI applied to deliver these results. If you want photos that reflect reality, these AI-supported image creation modes are not for you.

The 12MP selfie camera. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

While Samsung didn't upgrade the front-facing selfie camera's megapixels or even add the ability to do landscape photos while holding the phone in portrait mode (called Center Stage), they did significantly increase the field of view to 85 degrees. When I took a selfie of myself, I was startled to see just how much of the surrounding scene the S26 Ultra can pull. I bet I'll fit a lot more people in my next Galaxy selfie.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

On the video front, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts some pro-level video capabilities, including the APV codec, and 8K at 30 fps video capture. Yes, you can shoot that high-resolution video and edit it on the phone (including applying things like the AI-powered Audio Eraser). However, I still can't edit 8K 30fps video on my go-to Android video editor, PowerDirector. But the feature that will easily impact most regular people is the Super Steady update that adds horizontal lock.

This is not just smoothing out tilts and turns. Using the S26 Ultra's gyroscope and accelerometer (and clearly some software and probably sensor cropping tricks), it is capable of holding the horizontal plane even as you turn the phone a full 360 degrees. I’m not kidding. I tried it. It works incredibly well and far exceeds the iPhone’s Action Mode.

@techradar

♬ Dream - Alex Lustig

• Cameras score: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: camera samplesLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: software and AI

• Brimming with AI
• Bixby has a better LLM for local queries and Perplexity for general knowledge
• Google updates Gemini for the Ultra
• Galaxy AI has more image manipulation and creation capabilities

Few phones illustrate our over-saturated era of generative AI more than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It has Bixby, Perplexity, Samsung Galaxy AI, and, of course, Google Gemini. Each has a role – some multiple roles – and there can be some overlap.

Samsung's long-term goal is for people to see this as an AI phone but not think very much about which AI got you where. Basically, the phone will get smarter over time, especially as its Agentic capabilities grow – and start to proactively do your bidding.

We're not there yet. In fact, the Agentic stuff, which lives with Gemini, is only with Uber for now (other third-party apps will follow). You're supposed to be able to ask Gemini to book you an Uber ride, and it will run off in the background, gather all the relevant bits, and have it set up in Uber so all you have to do is approve the ride.

I installed Uber on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and then asked Gemini to book me a ride to the airport. Gemini told me it could help, but it first asked for key information like my pickup address, pickup time, and the kind of ride I prefer.

While Gemini said it booked the ride. Nothing was booked. It also later told me it could not help with canceling the non-existent ride. (Image credit: Future)

Gemini told me it had booked the ride, but when I checked Uber, nothing was booked. I told Gemini to cancel the ride (in case I was confused), but Gemini couldn't do anything about the non-existent ride.

In general, though, my experience with Gemini (the default is Fast model mode) was good. I had many conversations with it and used it to identify things in my shelves, and with the live view, have it explain how to fix a leaky bathroom faucet. It's far from foolproof and has yet to learn how to pronounce my last name.

Gemini on the S26 Ultra is also a showcase for what's coming to other Android smartphones that can support the generative platform. For example, the phone supports Circle to Search's new Find the Look capabilities. These let you circle someone's whole outfit in an image, and Gemini will find all the clothing.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

I looked up an image of John Lennon from the 1970s, pressed down on the virtual home button, and launched Circle to Search. After circling Lennon, I asked Gemini to find the look (it identified his vintage white jacket), and then I asked Nano Banana to generate an image of me in the same look. I never got that to work, but Nano Banana did create a new image of John Lennon in the same look, with the rest of the Beatles standing nearby. I was a little surprised Gemini was willing to create imagery of a known figure. I also did the same operation with a photo of the actor Walter Goggins.

Samsung's own Galaxy AI is already a powerful and pervasive generative AI platform on the Galaxy S phone line; however, it now has some features.

I used it, for example, to make a simple cartoon sketch of my face and then transform it into a more polished comic, which I then used to generate stickers that I can now send to friends over Messages.

(Image credit: Future)

Galaxy AI's photo editing capabilities are very strong. I grabbed an apple, put it on a table, and took a photo. Then I asked Galaxy AI to take a slice out of the apple and put the slice next to the Apple. After a few seconds, it complied, and the results look real. When I had it take another AI shot at the photo, I noticed that the slice and the cutout on the apple didn't match up quite as neatly as they did on the first generated shot.

(Image credit: Future)

Next, I sketched a dinosaur eating the apple and asked Galaxy AI to convert it into art. The result was a tiny crocodile crawling behind the apple. Bascially my rough sketch was little more than inspiration.

In another instance, I asked Galaxy AI to add flowers to my orchid. It added flowers, but they were all carnations. I told Galaxy to make sure to add orchid flowers. It did, but put them next to the carnations.

(Image credit: Future)

Bixby is better at conversational queries, but it can still take some work to get Samsung's homegrown digital assistant to do what you want. I asked it to change the aspect ratio on my photos to 16:9, but had to repeat myself a few times to make it understand. Saying "sixteen colon nine" did the trick.

(Image credit: Future)

For questions that do not relate to the phone, Bixby now has Perplexity AI. If you ask, as I did, about the capital of Montana, Bixby won't hesitate but will tap directly into Perplexity in the cloud to get the answer. You'll notice that the result has a little Perplexity logo on it.

The truth is, I don't understand what Perplexity is doing here. Afterall, I can ask Gemini that same question and get the same (or even more tailored) result. Why did Bixby need general knowledge? Perhaps I'm underestimating how many people use Bixby.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a collection of "Now" features, including "Now Brief," which shows up as a home screen (and lock screen, if you choose) widget, Now Bar for adaptive reminders, and the new "Now Nudge," which can give you contextual reminders and information where and when you need it.

Now Brief is a fine widget with information about the weather, my schedule, and news, but I didn't find much use in the rest of the Now tools. I think I need to spend more time with the phone and let it learn a whole lot more about me before these tools become truly useful.

(Image credit: Future)

Last year, Samsung unveiled its powerful Audio Erase, which can remove distracting background audio from your videos. You can reduce voices, crowd sounds, and background noises, with customizable sliders for each control. It's effective, but if you turn the noise reduction all the way down, voices can end up sounding a bit robotic.

More intriguing is Audio Eraser's new third-party app capabilities, which you access via the Quick Panel. I tried it with TikTok and YouTube and could tell it sharpened and raised the dialogue a bit over background noises, but otherwise did not find it all that useful.

(Image credit: Future)

I like many of these AI tools, but I do think the system is a bit overloaded with options. I look forward to a time when there's a more consistent AI approach with zero redundancy. If one on-board AI can handle a task, there should not be another waiting in the wings to do the exact same thing.

• Software AI score: 4.5/5

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Performance

• A fast Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 for Galaxy chip
• Snappy performance in every task

Every year, Samsung gets the fastest available Snapdragon for its flagship smartphone, and every year it convinces Qualcomm to customize the chip, squeezing out a few extra Ghz of speed just for its phones.

In truth, the Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 for Galaxy is about more than just speed. It's customized to work better for the Galaxy S26 series across a range of tasks. Samsung claimed that it brings faster CPU, GPU, and NPU performance. This translates into better Geekbench benchmarks than the similarly named Snapdragon chips in last year's Galaxy S25 Ultra. Single-core and multi-core scores eclipse those on Apple's A19 Pro. GPU screens are harder to compare, though the iPhone 17 Pro Max silicon appears to be significantly ahead of those on the S26 Ultra.

Lance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / FutureLance Ulanoff / Future

Benchmark numbers tell you little about real-world performance. In everyday use, that last Ultra was fast, and this new S26 Ultra is fast. There's enough headroom that I doubt anyone will notice the difference. The NPU powers some pretty impressive local AI (like my cut Apple, and AI art generated from my primitive sketches).

I played PUBG and Asphalt 9 Legends on the phone and was impressed with how the games looked and the smooth and fast performance (Side note: I paired the S26 Ultra to the new Galaxy Buds4 Pro and loved the fit and surround-sound audio quality). Better yet, the S26 Ultra never got warm. I'll credit the new vapor chamber with the cooler performance.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's CPU is backed by 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. I can get 16GB of RAM if I pay for the pricey 1TB model.

Overall, this is a fast device ready to accomplish a range of tasks, including running some impressive local AI models.

• Performance score: 5/5

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Battery

• 5,000 mAh
• Fast wireless charging
• No MagSafe

I'm honestly impressed by the Galaxy S26 Ultra's battery life. Even with brightness turned up, the screen refresh set to a max 120hz, and resolution turned up to QHD+, it carried well past 24 hours of operation. If I lower the brightness and work with FHD+ resolution (which still looks great), it can last two days on a charge.

The 3-nanometer Qualcomm Snapdragon chip is efficient, and the OneUI 8.5 platform knows how to squeeze the most life out of a single charge.

Recharging can be done with a 45W charger, reaching 75% in about 35 minutes. A 65W wired charge could reportedly do the same in 30 minutes. I had my phone fully charged in under an hour.

The phone supports fast wireless charging with up to a 25W charger. What's missing, though, is any kind of MagSafe-style support. There are no magnets in the back of the S26 Ultra, which is a bit of a surprise considering we got Pixel Snap on Google's Pixel 10 phones.

Samsung is only promising that all the cases it sells will come with built-in magnets.

• Battery score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra score card

Value

Keeping the same price while increasing capabilities, speed, and photo quality is always a good thing. It's a pricey flagship but I think the inclusion of the S Pen makes it a better value than most.

4.5/5

Design

If you liked the design of the last Ultra, you should appreciate this incremental update that slims the phone down, makes it lighter and just a little bit softer around the edges. The new colors are a bonus, too.

5/5

Display

It's a fantastic 6.9-inch AMOLED that makes every image pop. Plus it has that fast and buttery-smooth 120hz refresh rate. The marquee update, though is Privacy Display, a one-of-a-kind innovation that actually does what it promises

5/5

Cameras

While this is essentially the same set of cameras as with the S25 Ultra, Samsung has upgraded the aperture on a couple of key lenses, thereby effectively upgrading light-capturing capabilities and we have a selfie camera that can fit more friends and family in the frame. Photos taken with all the lenses are excellent and Super Steady with horizontal lock is shockingly effective.

5/5

Software and AI

Samsung has stuffed the Galaxy S26 Ultra full of AI possibilities to the extent that the options can be overwhelming. You can use the powerful Gemini, the photo and creativity-enhancing Galaxy AI, the phone system-knowledgeable Bixby, or its new partner Perplexity. Each lets you do many AI-infused wonderful things (though some things don't always work as anticipated). Some consolidation is in order. At least OneUI 8.5 feels more consistent and useful than ever. The Now Brief is a useful widget, but I remain unmoved by Now Nudge and Now Bar.

4.5/5

Performance

The S26 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 for Galaxy is more powerful and efficient than ever. It's hard to find a task it can't handle.

5/5

Battery

Fantastic battery life; days if you keep settings to a mid-range resolution.

5/5

Buy it if...

You want the best Android phone on the market
There are cheaper Android phones, but few mix the power, performance, battery life, maximum AI options, and creative possibilities of the S26 Ultra. Honestly, it lives up to its name.

You own other Samsung products
I've said this before, and I'll say it again: Samsung lacks the same kind of deeply connected ecosystem that Apple has across its products, but it's not non-existent, and for every Samsung product you own, the utility of a Galaxy S26 Ultra to connect and sometimes control it all increases.

You want multi-day battery life and no-compromises power
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has not just Qualcomm's fastest mobile chip, it has one customized for the Galaxy line, which means even more power and bespoke performance.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
Even though the S26 Ultra is no more expensive than the S25 Ultra, it's still an expensive smartphone (though I encourage you to check out the many deals and trade-in options). There are cheaper and quite performant Android options like the new $499 Google Pixel 10a. Just know that you give up telephoto, an S Pen, and more than a few other flagship capabilities.

AI is not your thing
One of the S26 Ultra's biggest selling points is comprehensive AI possibilities. It has four (seriously) AI engines, and while that offers a lot of generative possibilities, some people just want a classic smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: Also consider

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max pushes the iconic iPhone in bold new directions and colors. It's recognizable, but different in ways that make it eye-catching. The performance is stellar, and the cameras set a new high-water mark for smartphone photography. For people who demand more from their smartphone, there may be no better choice.

Read our full Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a bold reimagining of Samsung’s flagship foldable smartphone. If a 6.9-inch display isn't enough for you, and you want to stick with Samsung and get most of that AI goodness, this foldable is the obvious choice.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is just a bigger Pixel 9 Pro, but that's good enough. It doesn't have exclusive camera features or extra RAM for a boost, it's just got a bigger display and a bigger battery. That means the Pixel 9 Pro is an even better pick this year, but it also means that you can choose your Pixel based on the size you like, not the features you need.

Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review

Galaxy S26 Ultra

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Galaxy Z Fold 6

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Price (at launch):

$1,299.99 / £1,279 / AU$2,199

$1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149

$1,999.99 / £1,799 / AU$2,899

$1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849

Dimensions:

163.6 mm (height) x 78.1 mm (width) x 7.9 mm (depth)

163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm

72.8 x 158.4 x 8.9mm (folded)
143.2 x 158.4 x 4.2mm (unfolded)

162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm

Weight:

214g

233g

215g

232g

Displays

6.9-inch AMOLED 2X, 120Hz

6.9-inch OLED

Main display:

8-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED

(2184 x 1968), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)

Cover display::

6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED

2X Display(2520 x 1080, 21:9), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz)

6.8-inch Actua display

Cameras

200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto, 50MP telephoto

48MP wide (24mm, f/1.78), 48MP ultra-wide (13mm, f/2.2), 48MP telephoto (8x optical zoom)

200MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP cover-screen, 10MP main-screen

50MP wide; 48MP ultra-wide; 48MP telephoto (5x zoom)

Chipset:

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Apple A19 Pro

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Mobile Platform for Galaxy

Google Tensor G5

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Tested the phone for almost one week
• Took photos across all the lenses
• I used the extensive AI tools
• I did work and play on it
• I benchmarked using Geekbench to see the comparative increase in performance over the last Ultra and how it stacks up with the iPhone 17 Pro Max's A19 Pro

Despite a historic East Coast snowstorm, I somehow received the Galaxy S26 Ultra on the same day Samsung announced it at Unpacked in San Francisco. I unboxed and started testing it within minutes of receiving it.

Since then, I've used it constantly and have done my best to push the limits of its processor and entertainment, AI and creative capabilities.

Why you can trust TechRadar

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

I connected the phone to Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro to listen to video, social media, and podcasts. I also connected the phone to a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra to help it track my activities and, hopefully, enhance the Now Brief reports

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: March, 2026

Have you ever seen the meme of an old British lady called Brenda shouting into a street microphone: "You're joking... not another one? Oh for God's sake, I can't stand this." Well, that's how I feel about adaptations of Sherlock Holmes.

After Benedict Cumberbatch took the role on in the self-titled BBC series, I didn't think that the fictional detective could be bested. However, new Prime Video series Young Sherlock has proved me wrong. We leave the comfortable familiarity of 221b Baker Street behind for Sherlock's (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) younger years, following his antics at Oxford University when brother Mycroft (Max Irons) gets him a job as a porter after a brief prison stint.

There, he meets eventual enemy Moriarty (Dónal Finn), together working to uncover a mystery that intimately involves Sherlock's family, especially his sly dad Silas (Joseph Fiennes). In a nutshell, it's the Holmes family as we've never seen them before.

It shouldn't feel ingenious for a snapshot of Sherlock's teen years to feel like a unique idea, yet it feels like something we've never watched before. Why? Unlike Netflix's Enola Holmes series, which focuses on an adapted version of Sherlock's sister, Sherlock himself becomes more accessible by digging deeper into the family history from his perspective.

Add Guy Ritchie's signature action and explosive energy into the mix, and you've got a solid end product that's vibing on pure adrenaline. Everything from the production design to casting of Young Sherlock is on point, and if we never got another detective adaptation again (which won't happen), we'd be going out with a bang.

Sherlock's stale story gets an electric revamp — think Peaky Blinders meets Fight Club

The first rule of Fight Club is not to talk about fight club, but I'll be recommending Young Sherlock to anybody who will listen. When I first watched the above trailer, I didn't really understand the show's intended motive. Why make something about teen Sherlock who seemingly likes punching people as much as he enjoys reading books?

Now I've seen the series, I see how surface-level the trailer actually is, and perhaps the fact so much has been withheld is the sign of a trailer well done. Understanding what made the man is at the key of the Prime Video show, turning him from an aloof intellectual prodigy into a vulnerable young man full of emotion, care, and reason.

The elephant in the room is Sherlock's mother and sister, reimagined as Cordelia Holmes (Natascha McElhone) and Beatrice, who we see in flashbacks. While Enola Holmes went in a different direction, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books make little mention of Sherlock's family, meaning creatively, they're there for the taking.

Cordelia is the key to understanding Sherlock's mind, with Tiffin's leading man prepared to lay down his life to protect her. Their minds work in the same way, and they're as enthused by the adventures and dangers of life as each other. They are kindred spirits, and yin and yang who fit lovingly together in a world that doesn't want to understand them.

Sherlock's relationship with Moriarty has drastically changed too. Instead of fiery villains, the pair are more like The Chuckle Brothers of the detective game. In hindsight, it's a shame to think that this connection ever changed, and perhaps with time, Young Sherlock can reinvent that. For now, the impeccable double act is a refreshing as a cool glass of water.

Young Sherlock's firing on all cylinders, from script to set design

Don't discount Zine Tseng. (Image credit: Prime Video)

The Gentlemen and MobLand taught us that Ritchie knows how to pack a punch on the small screen, and with a bigger studio budget comes bigger risk-taking. In Young Sherlock, they all pay off, taking us cross-continental on a journey across Constantinople, Oxford and the Parisian streets of the French Revolution.

These are all big set pieces, with my favorite in particular a trip to the Folies Bergère cabaret hall in episode 6, complete with every bombastic detail you could imagine. It's this sense of well-rounded craft that elevates the entire production, having through through the broadest scope to the most insignificant prop.

A special shoutout must be made to the theme tune, which is a compliment I seldom get to give these days. If the scenes played prior to its use haven't got you pumped up, you'll be wanting to throw yourself into a detective-filled mosh pit by the time it's over.

The stellar performances, the whistle-stop pace and dialogue being flawlessly executed at a million miles a minute are a heady mix. Sherlock's 'mind palace' is shown in a completely new light, with action sequences never committed to half-heartedly.

It's shows like Young Sherlock that rejuvenate your excitement about what TV can achieve, the impressive direction entertainment and design can collectively take. As far as I'm concerned, throw all the money at Ritchie that he wants if he keeps producing projects as dazzling as this.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Pokémon Pokopia has been somewhat of a mystery since its first announcement; it was evidently set to be a cozy game, but of what variety few could tell. Well, the answer is here; it’s part life sim, part town-building sim, part sandbox, and 100% great fun.

Nintendo passing the reins to Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force for this proved wise; their experience in making Dragon Quest Builders 2 proved invaluable in balancing Pokopia’s Animal Crossing-like cuteness and coziness with a solid storyline and satisfying gameplay loop. It's most certainly one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: March 5, 2025

As you’d expect, there’s always at least a little room for improvement, but overall, I am solidly impressed with the results; I found Pokopia incredibly hard to put down, and considering I’ve been working on a deadline to write up my review, that’s proved problematic!

Some prospective fans might be surprised to find that Pokopia is pretty story-driven; there’s ample side-questing, construction work, and resource collection to be enjoyed, too, but you’ll need to progress through the main quest lines to unlock new powers, areas, and Pokémon. While I love a sandbox game, the story focus of Pokopia really helps draw out the experience; had I not been working to a deadline, I could have comfortably enjoyed the first chapter (which I completed in roughly eight hours) for thrice as long.

I’m willing to hedge my bets that this will be a hugely popular title for the Nintendo Switch 2, and perhaps even a system seller; limited perhaps only by the fact that non-Pokémon fans might assume you’d need to love the monster-collecting role-playing games to enjoy Pokopia. Sure, you might miss out on a few references here and there, but I’d point any cozy game lover in the direction of Pokopia in a heartbeat.

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)Kanto region as you’ve never seen it before

In Pokopia, you play as a Ditto who awakens to a post-apocalyptic and alarmingly underpopulated world. It’s your mission to restore the land to its former glory, entice back the missing Pokémon, and perhaps, even, the humans that seem to have completely vanished without a trace. It’s a great concept with some surprisingly dark undertones, though no more sinister than movies like WALL-E, which broach similar topics.

For the uninitiated, the Ditto species has the ability to transform into other creatures; it’s relatively rare that the ability is used to transform into humans, but this particular Ditto, longing for its long-lost trainer, can maintain their former partner’s human form. Even more unusually, it’s able to concurrently mimic other Pokémon’s abilities, and it’s with these powers you’ll terraform the land around you. By all accounts, it seems like we’re in the Kanto region; in-game clues hint as much, though I’ve not reached a point in the main storyline where there’s absolute confirmation on that.

There’s a solid variety of really useful skills on offer, from Bulbasaur’s grass-growing Leafage to the power to glide acquired later in the game. These scale with you as your adventure progresses in a really satisfying way, speeding up the rate at which you can improve the environment and travel around the world. They do come with limitations; you’ve got a PP meter that refills each day, however, it’s pretty easy to refuel.

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

To learn these abilities, Ditto needs to see them in action, so the first call to order is creating habitats that missing Pokémon can live in. As you explore the various locations in the game, you’ll find hints for different habitats, which use a combination of natural objects like rocks, trees, flowers, and tall grass, environmental factors like height, as well as man-made furnishings to lure home different species.

Many are relatively easy to form, but some will require you to find or build items. I’d wager that despite powering through the storyline, I’m only about halfway through both the Pokédex and Habitat dex; there’s a lot of content to enjoy here.

It takes a village

The rarity of the Pokémon dictates how quickly it will appear, but after some waiting, different species will arrive and offer their support to Ditto as it works to improve the local towns. Each Pokémon has abilities to help these efforts; some can refine items like bricks and ingots, others can join your party to help as you quest around town, and some just know how to bring a great vibe to any function with abilities like Hype. Each have their own likes and dislikes, too, when it comes to decor.

Much like in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there are archetypes for characters and dialogue, and while there are lots of different topics, there’s a fair amount of duplication in line delivery when you stop to chat with Pokémon. It’s somewhat understandable given just how many species there are, but it’s frustratingly close to nailing it. The first time you meet a Pokémon, there’s a unique interaction that gives you a good idea of the wide-ranging personalities of these species, only to be quickly traded for more generic interactions. Conversations between other Pokémon are pretty consistently charming, at least, and show off their unique qualities much better.

Plus, there’s a distinct lack of sass here, too; you’re told Pokémon like Dartrix are “narcissistic” in the Pokédex, and yet he’s sweet as pie most of the time when you interact. Given there are so many mischievous, egotistical, and even downright aggressive Pokémon species, this feels like another missed opportunity from Nintendo to bring back some bite to its characters.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

Listening in as Kricketot helped Diglett find his groove in an impromptu jam sesh. So. Darn. CUTE. I also love the photo opportunities to capture various Pokémon hanging out in the wild.

Still, I love that the Pokémon walk around your town, interacting with furnishings and decor you’ve placed as well as eachother. Sometimes they’ll bound over to you for a chat, to make a request or even to play a minigame like hide and seek – while these are pretty easy, it’s nice to break away and build your relationships. The world feels really lively, and I wasn’t convinced it would from early game footage nor my demo experience last month; I’m always glad to be wrong in moments like this.

Some smaller details like this do get lost in the mix; for example, sometimes, you might struggle to find a specific Pokémon you need. Presumably to offload the weight of having lots of Pokémon in one area at once, sometimes the game will remove residents from the world – but they also can just have strayed far from home. I happened to notice that it was possible to use the Pokédex to search for them around the map, and it’s only through an item description that I learned you could use honey on a habitat to summon its resident back into the world. Missing these tips meant I spent a good few hours earlier in my gameplay running in circles, ironically, trying to find Far’fetchd.

Broadly, though, the game handles these quality-of-life features and attention to detail incredibly well, and feels like Nintendo learned a lot of huge lessons from the early versions of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, even if I can still foresee an impatient younger player missing a trick or two and facing some frustration off the back of it.

Make a house a home

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

The centrepiece of each town is its Pokémon center, which you’ll need to rebuild; thankfully, the PC stationed nearby grants access to the Poké Life app, where you’ll find daily challenges and shop items to help on your journey as well as launch multiplayer modes and claim rewards.

Broadly, you progress through the game by improving the town’s environment level, which can also be tracked on the PC. You accomplish this by improving the habitats of your new pals; each day, they’ll request everything from decor to environmental changes, and meeting their demands will help you level up. You might find that these satisfaction levels even change for the worse if, for example, it starts raining and your fire Pokémon doesn’t have shelter, so it’s well worth checking in every day to see how things are changing for your Poképals.

If a Pokémon’s natural habitat just isn’t working out, that’s fine too; you can build everything from quick and space-efficient shanty huts for smaller species to grander block houses that multiple Pokémon can call home. Making your own structures and placing blocks can be a teensy bit fiddly at times, especially if you’re repairing pathways or dealing with larger-scale buildings, but you can use mouse mode, which allows for a little more fine motor control. Personally, I didn’t get on with this control system; however, I have dyspraxia, so I struggle with mouse mode at the best of times. I can see some players finding it useful, though.

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

There are also ample opportunities for customization, especially when it comes to building. I think players are going to have a lot of fun with this feature, which will be massively appreciated when it comes to the multiplayer experience, where players can show off their home islands.

Plus, some great tech mechanics make building much more than a cosmetic exercise, some of which I’ve barely scratched the surface of; from minecarts to electricity circuits and beyond, it will take a lot to recreate the world as humans left it. Thankfully, Drifloon can whisk you away to a different dream island every day, where you can gather more resources if you’re running dry.

Strafing difficulty levels

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

Overall, the game is quite well balanced in terms of difficulty, but there are a lot of shortcuts you can figure out to speed your way through questlines and unlock more powerful moves more quickly.

The real-time element of the game is great for pacing, but it does have its quirks. Certain tasks like teams of Pokémon taking on construction work or processing materials, make you wait for the results, but in both cases, you can still make use of the Pokémon for other tasks at the same time, unless they’re operating machinery. And anyway, it’s actually pretty easy to build multi-resident houses yourself in Pokopia; all you really need is a one-block high wall, a doorway, three pieces of furniture, and voila, you can move in a few Pokémon and more quickly improve their satisfaction levels.

Plus, ome Pokémon abilities are pretty busted. You can bring most plant-type Pokémon along with you to any vegetable gardens you’ve planted and use their abilities to speed up crop growth – sure, they might run out of energy, but a quick Leppa berry sees them hop straight back to work. I’d have preferred it if, like with furnaces and other workstations, farming had been an assignable task, as its current setup somewhat flies in the face of the real-time cycle.

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

These kinds of min/maxing workarounds are often tantalizing, but it’s up to you as the player to moderate yourself and choose to enjoy the non-demanding pace Pokopia offers. Perhaps the game could have a few more guardrails, but it doesn’t make it any worse to play unless you’re looking for reasons to rush through.

Besides, there’s just so much to do in Pokopia. You want to build a museum and proudly display your collectibles? You got it. Want to focus on rebuilding all that which the humans left behind? There’s plenty of ruins to go around. Want to shirk off Ditto’s mission and just create 3D models of Pokémon out of dirt blocks? You do you, boo boo.

Most of my issues with this game have been surface-level, really; the attention to detail here is fantastic, it’s consistently great fun to play, and brimming with evident care for the now-30-year-old franchise.

Every aspect of Pokopia feels like a warm hug; the graphics are super cute, the interfaces are clean, the music is bright and comforting, and it’s full of life. It’s a breath of fresh air to have a spin-off that adds so much to the already-teeming world of Pokémon, and I, for one, am incredibly excited to see how players design their own cities and islands.

Should you play Pokémon Pokopia?Play it if...

You love a peaceful adventure
Part life-sim, part sandbox, part town-building sim, there’s a lot to love about Pokémon Pokopia and very little to raise your blood pressure.

You’re craving some self-expression
From character design to furnishings to building materials and beyond, you can really make the world of Pokémon feel like your own with very few restrictions.

You want an environmental feast
Pokopia is so darn cute to look at. Cutesy pastel hues, animated and vibrant Pokémon, and a great stripped-back soothing soundtrack make it a wonderful and immersive cozy experience.

Don't play it if...

You want Pokémon battles
While even I hoped for some semblance of classic Pokémon fighting, in a trainer-less world, it makes little sense to include any fighting mechanics.

You have poor self-control
The worst thing about this game, really, is that it’s easy to work around a lot of its real-time restrictions. If, like me, you’ve got poor impulse control and crave the dopamine hit of completed tasks, you might struggle to enjoy the slow pace – but there’s still plenty to enjoy.

Accessibility features

There are many of the standard expected accessibility features: text speed, customizable controls, camera speed and distance controls, as well as auto-adjust/follow.

However, outside of these, there’s little on offer; I’d expect and hope at the very least for font size adjustments, control sensitivity, UI settings, and closed captions for in-game sound effects, which would drastically improve the experience for a wide range of prospective players. I really hope these come in a future update.

(Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)How I reviewed Pokémon Pokopia

I spent 40 hours playing Pokémon Pokopia on my Nintendo Switch 2, working my way through as much of the main quest as possible in that time while also working towards rebuilding the various towns to my taste. I completed most of the early-game side quests, gathered a sizeable chunk of collectibles, and created a wide variety of habitats for my Pokémon.

I mostly played in docked mode, playing with my Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller and using standard settings on my Sony KD-49XH8096 TV, using Logitech Multimedia Z200 speakers or my Corsair Void MAX Wireless v2, but I also spent around 6 hours in handheld mode and tried mouse mode for easier block placement.

I compared my experience with Pokémon Pokopia to some of my favorite cozy, sandbox, and town-building games, from titles like Stardew Valley, Minecraft, and Terraria to Animal Crossing: New Horizons and games from the Two Point tycoon series.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: two-minute review

Fujifilm has updated its beginner mirrorless camera for photographers with the new X-T30 III, which comes four years after the Fujifilm X-T30 II.

It launches alongside a tiny new XF 13-33mm f/3.5-6.3 OIS kit lens (that's a 20-50mm effective focal length) that's smaller and lighter than the 15-45mm, the previous kit lens packaged with Fujifilm’s low-cost cameras. The portable pair weigh just 17.7oz / 503g combined.

Going on appearances alone, very little has changed. There's now a film simulation dial in place of a shooting mode dial, much like on other recent Fujifilm cameras including the X-T50, with all 20 simulations available, and the ability to add film recipe shortcuts.

The X-T30 III is available in three colors; silver, charcoal and black (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

Otherwise, the size, weight, profile and control layout are pretty much identical to the X-T30 II – this is a really small camera and lens combo that easily slips into a jacket pocket.

Headline features include the same 26MP sensor and current fifth-generation processor combo as used in the X-M5 and X-S20. This means the X-30 III sits below the pricer X-T50, which uses the latest 40MP stabilized sensor.

It has more in common with the slightly pricier X-S20, which with its in-body image stabilization, feels like a better pick. Otherwise, the specs are almost identical to those of the X-M5, which, with its viewfinder-less video-first design, costs less.

The notable change from the X-T30 II is that there's a film simulation dial rather than a shooting mode dial (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)

Despite its photography-friendly design, which also factors a built-in flash, the X-T30 III does in fact have the same video features as the compact X-M5, including 6K video with 10-bit color depth, 4K 60fps video and a vertical 9:16 short movie mode for social.

Personally, I think Fujifilm’s X-series range is getting a little crowded now, and would have liked to have seen the X-T30 III priced around 10% lower to help it to truly stand out for beginners.

However, it's still a compelling retro package – $1,150 / £1,000 / AU$1,950 for an attractive portable camera and lens with sharp 26MP stills and impressive 6K video is pretty respectable.

The X-T30 III is a tidy package with the 13-33mm lens attached (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)Fujifilm X-T30 III: price and release date

• Costs $999 / £829 / AU$1,679 body-only, or $1,149 / £999 / $1,949 with the 13-33mm lens
• Available in silver, black and charcoal
• Sales started on November 20, 2025

Designed for beginners, the X-T30 III was available from November 20 in silver, black and charcoal options, for a body-only price of $999 / £829 / AU$1,679, or with the new 13-33mm lens it costs $1,149 / £999 / $1,949.

The X-M5 remains the lowest-priced model in Fujifilm's range of X-mount cameras; the X-S20 is a fraction more, while the X-T50 is more again. Considering its features, I would prefer that the X-T30 III was around 10% cheaper in order for it to be more competitive.

I expect the silver model in particular to sell well. (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)Fujifilm X-T30 III: specs

Video

6K 30fps / 4K 60fps, 9:16 mode

Photo

26MP APS-C

Lens mount

Fujifilm X

Autofocus

Intelligent hybrid phase / contrast

Cont shooting

8fps (mechanical), 20fps (electronic), 30fps (electronic with 1.25x crop)

Screen

3-inch, 1.62m-dot tilt touchscreen

Viewfinder

2.36m-dot

Weight

13.3oz / 378g (incl battery and card)

Battery

NP-W126S (same type as in most of Fujifilm's current cameras), 425 shots

Fujifilm X-T30 III: Design

• Weights just 378g, same dimensions as the X-T30 II
• Film simulation dial in place of a shooting mode dial
• Built-in EVF, flash and tilt touchscreen

The X-T30 III is a tidy, compact retro package, especially with the new 13-33mm lens – the pair weigh less than most rival cameras without lens attached, and I easily slipped the combo into my jacket pocket when I wasn't using it. The camera is available in three colors and it certainly looks the part, especially in silver.

Just like the X-T30 II before it, the new model makes a great travel camera. The retractable design of the 13-33mm lens gives it almost pancake optic proportions, and shooting around the busy city streets of Rome, the setup drew very little attention. Conversely, when I switched to its X-series sibling, the Fujifilm X-H2S, while not exactly a massive camera, got glances from passersby, especially at the major landmarks, where candid street photography can seem almost impossible. Even the X-T5 seems heavyweight by comparison.

Happily, this doesn’t have a negative impact on the handling experience, and I was still able to reach all of the buttons and controls with my thumbs, while my index finger remained on the shutter release. If you’ve used previous iterations of the camera, or indeed other enthusiast-level Fujifilm X-Series cameras, you should fall right into step with the layout.

Tim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth Bevan

The pronounced thumb rest gives a decent grip, and I happily (and securely) held the camera with one hand in both horizontal and vertical formats. I was concerned about the balance I might find when using the wide-aperture primes I’d packed to accompany me on my shoot, namely the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR, which is on the bulky side. I needn’t have worried though, as even after several long days of shooting, the setup didn’t seem unduly imbalanced.

There's a quick menu button conveniently placed on that thumb grip, but all too often I found myself pressing it unintentionally. It's not a big drama as you just have to exit the menu, but it's something to be aware of.

One element I’m happy Fujifilm retained from previous models is the pressable control wheels. It’s a smart and sensible application of dual control – you can scroll through a menu and then select the desired item by pressing the wheel. It’s actually something I’ve wished more manufacturers would introduce as I’ve always enjoyed this underrated character of the X-series.

Tim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth BevanTim Coleman / Gareth Bevan

The rear touchscreen is tilt only and not fully vari-angle, which means you won't be able to easily shoot selfies.

I'm personally fine with the tilt design, which is handy for waist-level viewing. Also, the positioning of the USB-C, micro HDMI and mic ports on the side would obstruct a flip around screen, when those ports are in use.

The 2.36m-dot EVF is clear enough for such a small camera – I regularly used it rather than the screen, and it is particularly helpful on bright sunny days for photography.

Now, let’s talk about that new Film Simulation dial, which brings the camera in line with Fujifilm’s latest generation of cameras, including the X-T50. It replaces the mode dial which occupied the same space at the left side of the top plate, and now offers direct access to Fuji’s range of film simulations. While I can see the appeal if you regularly like to experiment with color profiles, and bearing in mind that film styles are something of a speciality of Fujfilm cameras, it’s more of a downgrade for advanced photographers.

(Image credit: Peter Fenech)

Personally, I switch exposure mode more often than color profiles, so I'm a bigger fan of the shooting mode dial which is sacrificed. Since I also shoot RAW all of the time, anything I might select using this dial is rendered pointless in the captured image unless I reapply the style in Lightroom – an extra step reintroduced, only later in the production process.

The styles are lovely, and I wonder if Fujifilm created a physical control for them in an effort to make them feel like more of a genuine photographic tool than a gimmick, but I fear it may have had the inverse effect. The dial now becomes the defining feature of the X-T30 III.

There is also a secondary impact on the practical use of the camera body. Inexplicably, once I got started using the X-T30 III, I couldn’t seem to work out how to place it in aperture priority mode, which is my default exposure setting. I test a lot of cameras, so this was an unsettling predicament.

I always like to think I’ve done some reasonable homework on a camera before setting off on a trip with it, but here I was in the darkened streets of the Italian capital at midnight, in the shadow of St Peter’s Basilica, unable to find Av mode. I can’t say that’s ever happened before, at least not since my first week of taking photos. Notably, this was never a problem with the X-T30, X-T30 II, nor any other Fujifilm camera. The addition of the film sim dial is my only culprit.

The Astia, Acros, and Velvia film simulationsPeter FenechPeter FenechPeter Fenech

Until I got my bearings, I resorted to the new auto mode instead which selects shutter speed and aperture based on the scene. The X-T30 III certainly feels designed for beginners.

There's a built-in flash, one of only three current beginner models with such a feature. The GN7-rated (ISO 200) flash is handy to have for sure, especially at parties. You only tend to get a built-in flash in beginner cameras which aren't weather sealed, like the X-T30 III, because they usually compromise weather sealing.

Speaking of which, the lightweight design does come with a few compromises. The build quality is a little plasticky, especially coming from a higher-end body like the X-T5. It didn’t especially bother me, considering how much I appreciated the camera’s low weight, but it isn’t a model with which I’d like to find myself stranded outside in a rainstorm.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: Performance

• New processor delivers 10% better battery life
• New Instax mode for instant photography fans
• Digital stabilization only

Packing Fujifilm's latest processor, the X-T30 III is a snappier camera than the X-T30 II. For example, 8fps (mechanical) and 20fps (electronic) burst shooting are sustained for 2x longer, for up to 173 JPEGs. That max speed can be upped to 30fps (electronic) with a 1.25x crop.

I didn’t count the individual frames, but even in RAW mode, the camera felt snappy and punched above its weight with regard to speed. I was able to shoot extended bursts of images, or several sequences in close succession, without the X Processor 5 notably struggling to clear the buffer before I triggered the shutter again.

Fujifilm also says battery life is improved by 10% thanks to the new processor, for up to 425 shots, and across a four-day trip, the two NP-W126S battery packs I had with me were more than enough. Of course, in more extreme temperature conditions, or if I had been exclusively shooting video, it might be a different story. It’s certainly a respectable battery life for a camera at this level, though.

Autofocus receives a boost, too, with Fujifilm's latest subject detection on board, which in addition to people can track animals, birds, cars, insects and more. I was very impressed by the speed with which the camera could snap between close and distant subjects. It also wasn’t easily fooled by tourists and traffic moving between the lens and my intended focal point.

It clearly isn’t a match for the advanced Dual Pixel CMOS AF system found in Canon cameras like the EOS R5 Mark II or EOS R6 Mark III, or even the comparably priced EOS R10, but it’s perfect for everyday photographic needs.

Peter FenechPeter FenechPeter FenechPeter Fenech

For me, the biggest sacrifice here versus a pricier model such as the X-T50, is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). There's digital image stabilization only, which is certainly better than nothing, but does somewhat limit the possibilities for smooth handheld video footage. The same goes for creative slow-shutter-speed photography.

Given the ultra-lightweight nature of the body, I did find getting sharp images at even moderate shutter speeds a challenge, and I always consider myself to have a steady hand. Perhaps I have been spoiled by seven and eight-stop IBIS systems, but I definitely missed it here. Given the limited aperture range of the kit lens, the optical IS within it struggled to have a meaningful effect once the sun dipped below the horizon.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: image quality

• 26MP stills and film simulations
• 6k 30fps, 4k up to 60p, and 9:16 short video mode
• 10-bit color depth for video

Ok, so pricier Fujifilm cameras such as the X-T50 and X-T5 boast Fujifilm's latest 40MP sensor for highly detailed photos, but the X-T30 III is no slouch, and still outshines other crop-sensor rivals for detail with its 26MP stills (and 14-bit 'RAF' format RAWs) – these rivals include the 20.9MP Nikon Z50 II, the 24MP Canon EOS R10 and the (older) 24MP Sony A6400.

It’s important not to get too caught up in pixel-counting and the X-T30 III is able to deliver exceptional levels of detail. Shooting in RAW, at base ISO and with a high-quality professional prime lens, the results are exemplary.

This is maintained up to around ISO800, where resolution starts to drop off. By around ISO6400, files have taken on a mushier appearance, and noise is most definitely present. It’s not as good a low-light performance as I’ve seen in some other high-end APS-C cameras, like the Nikon Z fc or Canon EOS R7, but given the target audience and price point, it’s not awful. In fact, up to around ISO4000 the fine grain is actually quite attractive, especially in black and white shots where it lends an almost filmic look.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

Having Fujifilm’s film simulations at your fingertips is handy and furthermore includes customizable film recipes, even if that makes shooting-mode changes much more of a hassle. I've shot using various profiles in the galleries above and below, including Velvia (vivid), Reala Ace, Acros (monochrome) and others.

An area where the camera really excels is in its auto white balance system, which is superbly accurate. Combined with Fuji’s renowned color science, the X-T30 III is able to render beautifully naturalistic tones. This was one of my favorite aspects of the original X-T30 (also reviewed in Rome, coincidentally) and revisiting the same locations, I was happy to see the trend had been maintained in its younger sibling.

Video quality is excellent, too – 6.2K video and 4:2:2 10-bit color depth is excellent at this price point, even if in-body image stabilization is missing. The footage looks great straight out of camera, ready to share on socials. It’s a shame the LCD doesn't flip or rotate through 180 degrees, as overall the X-T30 III would make an ideal vlogging camera, but it’s still versatile enough for casual videography or B-roll capture.

Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

I was especially keen to examine the performance of the new 13-33mm lens. This detail matters because most people will buy the camera with the new kit lens, which will spend most of the time on the camera.

As far as kit lenses go, it’s not bad at all and is capable of resolving a reasonable amount of overall detail. Impressively, sharpness is quite consistent across the frame, right out to the edges, even at 13mm. I’ll admit that I wasn’t expecting this and goes to show how far kit optics have come over the past couple of decades. This one is clearly designed to match the quality of the 26MP sensor, which it does admirably.

Don’t expect prime-level quality, but contrast and resolution are good enough for most shooting circumstances.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: testing scorecardFujifilm X-T30 III

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The cost is accessible to enthusiasts but you can find more spec for your money elsewhere

4/5

Design

Classically Fujifilm, the retro layout is a joy to use, although the build quality is quite plasticky for the price

4/5

Performance

The lack of IBIS is a problem, but autofocus and speed are up there with the best in class

4.5/5

Image and video quality

The X-T30 III is capable of outstanding images in good light, although it lags behind the competition at higher sensitivities

4/5

Should I buy the Fujifilm X-T30 III?Buy it if...

You want a super-portable retro camera
Only the X100VI is smaller in the Fujifilm family, but the X-T30 III provides access to the full range of XF interchangeable lenses. The body is almost small enough to fit into a jacket pocket, but expands any existing X-Series ecosystem.

You need speed over absolute image quality
The X-T30 III is a rapid-shooting performer that is also quick to start up. Meanwhile, its fast AF system makes it ideal for street photography and as a backup for wildlife and sports.

You're looking for your first X-Series camera
The X-T30 III is a perfect introduction to the Fujifilm system. It's uncomplicated (mode selection quirks notwithstanding) and the 13-33mm kit lens will cover most of your bases.

Don't buy it if...

You already own the X-T30 II
....or even the original X-T30, perhaps. There isn't really enough of an upgrade here to justify replacing your existing camera. You'd be better off investing in a higher-end model like the X-T5 if you want more features.

You own many heavyweight lenses
While the camera still works well alongside heavier standard primes, telephoto lenses like the XF50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR or XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR will feel greatly unbalanced when mounted to the X-T30 III.

You need to print large format
The 26MP sensor is a little conservative by 2026 standards, and you can find much higher-res cameras for similar money. Equally, while 4K video is available, cameras like the X-H line and single-digit X-T families offer superior quality footage, for larger displays.

Fujifilm X-T30 III: also consider

Nikon Z50 II

Available for exactly the same price as the X-T30 III, the Z50 II is a versatile mirrorless camera with Nikon's latest Expeed 7 processor for flagship performance, superb subject-recognition autofocus, and improved video features. Its excellent ergonomics and vari-angle touchscreen make it an easy camera to travel and shoot with, while color profiles can be uploaded from Nikon's app, much like Fujifilm film recipes. With lower-resolution 20.9MP stills and 4K video, the Z50 II can't quite match the X-T30 III for detail.

See my Nikon Z50 II reviewView Deal

Fujifilm X-M5

Smaller, lighter and cheaper, the X-M5 features the same sensor and processor as the X-T30 III – which likewise means 26MP stills, 6.2K video, 9:16 short movies and film simulations. The major difference is that the X-M5 lacks a viewfinder and has a vari-angle screen, making it the better pick for video.

See our Fujifilm X-M5 reviewView Deal

(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Gareth Bevan)How I tested the Fujifilm X-T30 III

• I spent time in both London and Rome, testing the camera in a range of lighting conditions
• I used the camera for several days, shooting multiple subjects from street photography to interiors and cityscapes
• I paired the camera with both the 13-33mm kit lens and a professional 56mm prime lens

I took the X-T30 III with me on a multi-day trip to Italy, where I knew I’d be shooting a range of subjects across a spectrum of challenging lighting conditions, inside and out. I made a point of shooting the camera as it would normally be used in practise, but also performed a standard regimen of technical tests.

To assess noise performance, I mounted the camera on a stable support, set Av mode (when I figured out how) and then shot a frame at each ISO setting, from the lowest to the highest. I also kept the camera in automatic white balance mode for the duration of the shoot, but also shot reference images with a custom WB or another preset where I felt it appropriate, so I could compare the camera's color decisions to my own preferences.

I took an X-H2S body along for the ride too, which made a good control camera for quality reference.

I used both the viewfinder and main LCD for composition throughout, and worked with the camera in both auto and manual focus modes at various points. Due to the nature of many of the locations in which I was shooting, I didn’t have much opportunity to thoroughly use the built-in flash – flash photography wasn’t permitted in most of the interior spots.

I used the 13-33mm kit lens extensively, but also switched to the XF56mm F1.2 R WR to see how much the cheaper optic may be limiting the maximum possible performance from the sensor and processor. All images were shot in RAW format and converted in the latest version of Adobe Lightroom, where no noise reduction or sharpening has been applied to the sample shots seen here.

• First reviewed: October 2025
• Read more about how we test

GameSir G7 Pro: one-minute review

GameSir is a controller brand that’s only gone from strength to strength over the last few years. Reliably offering forward-thinking controllers for Xbox and Switch consoles as well as PC and mobile, they’re (typically) competitively priced and offer more features and longevity than even first-party gamepads.

That trend continues with the GameSir G7 Pro, which has easily entered my top three on the GameSir tier list alongside the GameSir Tarantula Pro and GameSir Kaleid. Many of the features that make those other two pads so desirable are present and accounted for here: Hall effect sticks that prevent drift, as well as fantastic trigger lock and remappable button options.

On top of that, the G7 Pro leans into modularity. Similar to the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded or Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E., the G7 Pro has swappable d-pad and stick top modules (though the extra stick tops here are identical and act more like spares). You’ve also got the option to swap out the controller’s face and grip plates, though that’s strictly for cosmetic purposes.

Almost everything about the controller exudes quality; I’d use the G7 Pro over the official option any day. The only slight misstep here that prevents it from earning a perfect five stars, for me, is the face buttons. While using tactile micro switch tech like others in the GameSir lineup, these have a strange halfway bump that makes for a pretty lumpy press feel. It’s something you’ll likely get used to over time, but I definitely prefer the cleaner presses found on the GameSir Kaleid and competing pads like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G7 Pro: Price and availability

• List price: $79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)
• Available to buy now at GameSir’s website, as well as Amazon
• Multiple colorways and special editions exist at various price points

The standard GameSir G7 Pro comes in at $79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114), slightly pricier than most other GameSir models, though this is understandable when taking the additional modularity into account.

Many colorways and special editions are available for the G7 Pro, some based on games developed by teams in China, including Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Zenless Zone Zero. The latter even includes a layered keychain and is the one I received for this review.

As mentioned, prices vary for these special editions, and you can also pick up compatible face plates and stick tops from the GameSir website if you so desire.

GameSir G7 Pro: specs

Price

$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)

Dimensions

6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm

Weight

9.6oz / 272g

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 12 hours

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G7 Pro: design and features

Like many controllers in the ‘Designed for Xbox’ stable, the GameSir G7 Pro bears the approximate silhouette of the Xbox Wireless Controller. It’s a similar size and weight, but there are a number of improvements here that put the G7 Pro lightyears ahead of the official model.

From a pure look and feel perspective, I love this thing. The swappable faceplates add a good bit of personality and put forward a more cost-effective solution than Xbox’s own Design Lab, if you’re into the cosmetics of a controller, of course. The rubberized grips on the rear of the pad are sublime, too; among the sturdiest and most comfortable I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.

Staying on the rear of the controller for a second, you have a pair of remappable buttons that are strictly optional; you can flick a small switch on either side to fully lock the button, preventing you from pressing it if you’d prefer. You’ll also find the trigger lock toggles back here, as well as a switch for swapping between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity options.

The front of the pad is pretty standard stuff. You have an Xbox-like asymmetrical stick layout here, as well as the d-pad, face buttons, and Home and share buttons. A Multifunction button also exists here, as it does on other GameSir controllers.

This is immediately useful if you want to make quick and simple adjustments, such as headset and mic volume adjustment, and remappable button assignment. You can do all this in the GameSir Nexus app on Xbox and PC, too, but having on-device shortcuts in addition to that is a real boon.

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G7 Pro: performance

Once again, GameSir has provided a near-luxurious play experience at a mid-range price with the G7 Pro. Hall effect sticks are pretty standard nowadays (and arguably expected), but they’re here and feel great nonetheless.

One thing that really impressed me about the G7 Pro is its trigger locks. Again, nothing new, but I almost always prefer the tighter press of a digital trigger if given the option. On the G7 Pro, they work flawlessly, and it offers one of the most tactile and responsive digital trigger options in the business.

Immediacy really is the keyword here. The micro switch-powered d-pad, as well as the claw grip bumpers and rear remappable buttons, all offer such clicky and immediate responsiveness that I can highly recommend this controller if you’re a competitive gamer.

The one misstep here has to be the face buttons, though, and it’s a real shame they don’t feel quite as nice as everything else on the G7 Pro. Here, as mentioned above, there’s an awkward half-press that makes the face buttons feel uncomfortably bumpy at first. I got used to it after some time with the controller, but the quality of them here is a noticeable step down from the brand’s other products.

On battery life, I managed roughly 12 hours on a single charge. That’s about average for wireless controllers at this price point, so no real complaints here. The inclusion of a charging dock is a really nice touch, and I found that it charges the controller fairly quickly, going from empty to full in about two hours.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the GameSir G7 Pro?Buy it if...

You want a controller that’s all about responsiveness
Immediacy really is the name of the game here. From the optional digital trigger locks to the d-pad and bumpers, everything about the G7 Pro is so tactile and clicky. It’s one of the most satisfying controller experiences I’ve had in quite a while.

You enjoy controller customization
Swappable face plates are a nice touch with the G7 Pro. GameSir sells a range of designs separately, making it easy to find a style that suits your preferences.

Don't buy it if...

Those face buttons sound annoying to you
Really the only downside of the G7 Pro is its face buttons. They just feel a little awkward and out of place compared to the immediacy and responsiveness of the rest of the pad’s modules. While far from unusable - and certainly not unresponsive - the relatively spongy feel is a letdown here.

Also consider...

If the GameSir G7 Pro isn’t quite what you’re after, here are a couple more recommendations that might fit your preferences a little better.

GameSir G7 Pro

8BitDo Ultimate 2

GameSir Tarantula Pro

Price

$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)

$59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$90)

$69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$105)

Dimensions

6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

6.2 x 3.9 x 2.4in / 157 x 99 x 61mm

Weight

9.6oz / 272g

8.7oz / 246g

11.52oz / 325g

Compatibility

PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile

PC, Nintendo Switch

PC, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

PC, Android (Switch version sold separately)

PC, Switch, Switch 2, Android, iOS

Battery life

Around 12 hours

10-15 hours

Around 12 hours

8BitDo Ultimate 2
Arguably the best controller in 8BitDo’s repertoire, it offers drift-eliminating TMR thumbsticks, improved remappable buttons, eye-catching RGB ring lights, and a sublimely smooth play experience overall. I highly recommend this one if you’re in the market for an affordable yet feature-rich PC controller.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review

GameSir Tarantula Pro
One of my favorite GameSir pads, the Tarantula Pro adopts a symmetrical stick layout like PlayStation’s DualSense Wireless Controller. You’re also getting high-quality TMR sticks here, and the build quality feels wonderfully premium despite the relatively affordable price.

Read our full GameSir Tarantula Pro review

How I tested the GameSir G7 Pro

• Tested for two weeks
• Primarily tested on PC with both wireless and wired connections
• Played a wide variety of single and multiplayer games

My GameSir G7 Pro testing largely took place on PC, using the controller in both wired and wireless capacities. As a fan of the best fighting games, I found the G7 Pro, its circular d-pad, and clicky remappable buttons, to be a wonderful fit for Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

I also got plenty of use out of its digital trigger option, allowing for quick and responsive access to alternate hotbars in Final Fantasy 14 Online.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January-February 2026

Razer Kitsune: One-minute review

Leverless controllers tailor-made for fighting games tend to be a sight more expensive than standard pads, and the Razer Kitsune certainly isn’t doing anything to change that. In fact, it’s one of the more expensive options available in the premium leverless bracket, coming in hotter than both the Corsair Novablade Pro and Victrix Pro KO.

It’ll put a serious dent in your bank account, so I definitely can’t recommend the Razer Kitsune to anyone wanting to dip a toe into leverless waters for the first time (the much cheaper 8BitDo Arcade Controller is ideal for that). Thankfully, those who do take the plunge will be rewarded with one of the most luxurious leverless controller experiences around.

What immediately stunned me about the Razer Kitsune was its weight - or lack thereof. It’s not much heavier than many of the best PS5 controllers, and manages this while presenting exceptional build quality and a remarkably razor-thin profile. Even compared to other impressively slim models like the Novablade Pro, the Kitsune would be the talk of the town at a Weight Watchers meeting.

The controller’s discreet nature makes it very portable-friendly, and thus ideal for taking to a buddy’s house for some casual 1v1s, or even to local tournaments if you’re the competitive type. That discreetness carries over to the Kitsune’s buttons, which are whisper-quiet and - as you’d hope - immediately responsive.

There are a couple of notable issues I have with the Kitsune. There’s no PS4 compatibility here, in terms of hardware, unlike the majority of its PlayStation-facing competitors. Instead, if you want to play older PS4 titles like Ultra Street Fighter 4 or Tekken 7, you’ll need a PS5 for that. You are getting PC compatibility here as well, at the very least.

I’m also not keen on the usage of Razer Chroma RGB lighting here. While not overly flashy or intrusive, it feels a bit tacked on and unnecessary, and probably drove up the price of the device all in all. And while I do wish there was a wireless connectivity option, I can see why Razer has kept the Kitsune strictly wired to allow for maximum responsiveness.

Overall, it’s a fine leverless controller if you’re willing to pay a premium for it. Its robust Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) cleaning options are also especially welcome, ensuring that you won’t flub directional inputs in the heat of the moment.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Kitsune: Price and availability

• List price: $299.99 / £299.99
• More expensive than other mid-range to premium leverless options
• Some designs are exclusive to Razer’s store, and cost even more

The Razer Kitsune is available to buy now for $299.99 / £299.99 in its standard black colorway. A Razer store exclusive ‘Esports Green’ variant is also purchasable for $10 / £10 more, and this is the one I received for testing and review purposes. Though honestly, I’d give this one a miss; it’s a pretty ugly shade of green.

That’s notably more expensive than many of its leverless competitors, including the Corsair Novablade Pro and Victrix Pro KO, both of which retail for $249.99 / £229.99. Even the Hit Box, one of the more popular and renowned options in the leverless space, can be had for much cheaper.

Razer Kitsune: Specs

Price

$299.99 / £299.99

Weight

1.8lbs / 0.82kg

Dimensions

11.7 x 8.3 x 0.8in x 296 x 210 x 19mm

Compatibility

PS5, PC

Connection type

Wired

Battery life

N/A

Software

Razer Chroma RGB

Razer Kitsune: Design and features

• Super impressive lightweight design
• Solid aluminum face plate
• Customizable 12-button layout

Purely from a design and build standpoint, the Razer Kitsune might be the nicest leverless controller I’ve ever used. It’s astonishingly discreet, being less than 2cm thick and coming in under a kilogram in weight. It’s noticeably smaller than many of its competitors, too, while still offering plenty of space to rest your hands on during play.

This compact design also doesn’t come with compromise. Build quality is - as I’ve come to expect from Razer - immaculate. The Kitsune is built from high-quality materials, fitted with a sturdy aluminum plate and a textured rubber grip mat on the underside for non-slip gaming.

That quality extends to the controller’s buttons. The Razer Kitsune has a 12-button layout that’s pretty standard for leverless controllers. Though you’ll also find a DualSense-like touchpad, and shortcut buttons for L3, R3, as well as Home, Menu, and Share inputs.

Rounding out the top of the controller are two small switches. One lets you toggle the Kitsune’s SOCD cleaning options (more on that in the performance section below), and the other switches compatibility between PS5 and PC. Be sure to have this one switched into the right place depending on your platform of choice.

At the top-rear of the controller, you’ll find a USB cable lock, which again is fairly standard for wired leverless devices. It simply does what it says on the tin; locking your cable in place so it won’t end up being detached during play.

My only real gripe with the Kitsune’s design is its Chroma RGB lighting. It’s not that I hate a bit of extra flair on a controller; RGB is something that helps some of my favorite controllers like the GameSir Kaleid and 8BitDo Ultimate 2 stand out, but it just feels a little unnecessary here, especially for such a competitive-focused controller. I get that Razer loves juicing up its products with RGB lighting from time to time, but it seems tacked on this time.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Kitsune: Performance

• Immaculately responsive buttons
• Button presses are whisper-quiet
• Plenty of SOCD cleaning options

The Razer Kitsune’s buttons operate by way of low-profile linear optical switches. In short, that means you’re getting whisper-quiet, immediate, and accurate presses. There’s no loud clickiness here, and while there is a bit of tactility lost there, the controller nonetheless remains incredibly responsive and satisfying to play with.

I tested the Razer Kitsune across a wide variety of fighting games in both online and offline environments, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, and I found it to be an excellent fit for all these titles. There were no compatibility issues to speak of whatsoever across PS5 or PC.

One major feature I’m a real fan of with the Kitsune is its robust SOCD cleaning options. Short for ‘Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions’, SOCD cleaning helps prevent misinputs when opposite directions are pressed simultaneously; either by accident or on purpose.

The Kitsune has four SOCD cleaning modes available, which you can switch between by holding the Share and Home buttons and pressing a direction. Neutral mode, for example, makes it so that no inputs are registered when an SOCD input occurs. ‘Absolute Up Priority’ mode, meanwhile, ensures that only the up input is registered when pressing up and down simultaneously. You can then toggle the lock switch to keep your preferred mode in place, with no danger of swapping it around during play.

It’s a shame that the Razer Kitsune isn’t compatible with the PS4 console, despite being an officially licensed PlayStation product. As mentioned above, you’ll have to play your old PS4 games on PS5 if you want to play them with the Kitsune, which is a slight shame for those with access to the older hardware.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Razer Kitsune?Buy it if…

You want luxurious build quality and money’s no object
While it does cost a small fortune, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth with exceptional build quality and an impressively lightweight design.

You enjoy controller customization
Razer sells Kitsune faceplates separately, and even provides a template you can download for the purpose of custom designs or commissions. On top of that, full button customization and SOCD cleaning options are very welcome.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re just starting out with leverless controllers
While I love the Kitsune, it’s not the one I’d recommend to first-timers. There are worthwhile cheaper options available like the 8BitDo Arcade Controller for those curious about trying leverless controllers for the first time.

Also consider...

If the Razer Kitsune isn’t pushing the right buttons for you, definitely check out the following two alternatives.

Razer Kitsune

8BitDo Arcade Controller

Corsair Novablade Pro

Price

$299.99 / £299.99

$89.99 / £75.99

$249.99 / £229.99

Weight

1.8lbs / 0.82kg

2.42lbs / 1.1kg

3.9lbs / 1.8kg

Dimensions

11.7 x 8.3 x 0.8in x 296 x 210 x 19mm

11.9 x 7.9 x 0.9in / 301 x 201 x 22mm

12.6 x 9.1 x 1.2in / 320 x 231 x 30mm

Compatibility

PS5, PC

Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC (Switch and Xbox models sold separately)

PS5, PS4, PC

Connection type

Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

N/A

Around 20 hours

Around 40 hours

8BitDo Arcade Controller
In my view, it’s the ideal leverless controller for newcomers. Great design and build quality, robust button options, and a price tag that’s ideal for introducing curious gamers into the leverless fold.

Read our full 8BitDo Arcade Controller review

Corsair Novablade Pro
Another fairly premium option, the Corsair Novablade Pro impresses on many of the same fronts. Brilliant build quality, discreet buttons, and handy customizable color-coding to help you get used to its unique button layout. Another real winner.

Read our full Corsair Novablade Pro review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Razer Kitsune

• Tested for one week
• Played a wide variety of fighting games across PS5 and PC
• Compared with the 8BitDo Arcade Controller and Corsair Novablade Pro

I spent roughly one week testing the Razer Kitsune for this review. In that time, I racked up several hours of playtime both online and offline across multiple fighting games. These included Street Fighter 6, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Tekken 8, and compilations like Capcom Fighting Collection 2.

As a leverless controller, I endeavored to test it in multiple play environments. That included at my desk with the controller both on my lap and on my desk, as well as sitting down on a chair to play on PS5. In all scenarios, I found the Razer Kitsune’s light weight and small profile to make for an extremely comfortable play experience.

I did prefer the design and performance of the Razer Kitsune compared to other controllers I’ve tested, including the 8BitDo Arcade Controller and Corsair Novablade Pro. That largely comes down to design and build quality, as well as the quiet nature of the Kitsune’s buttons. That said, I would still wholeheartedly recommend those other leverless controllers if you’re after a quality fighting game experience, albeit for less cash.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2026

Kodak Snapic A1: one-minute review

The Kodak Snapic A1 is a 35mm analog film camera designed and manufactured by Hong Kong-based Reto Production – the same company behind other licensed Kodak analog models like the Ektar H35N and Charmera. Priced from just $99, it's one of the more affordable ways to dip your toes into the world of film photography, and it comes loaded with enough retro charm to justify that novelty appeal.

The design is immediately striking. Available in off-white or dark gray, the clean-lined plastic body has just enough Kodak orange on the shutter button and logo to feel authentically branded without going overboard. It's a look that calls to mind the retro-futuristic aesthetic of classic science fiction movies rather than a straightforward throwback, and in my book that's a good thing. It slipped into my jacket pockets with ease, and the included neck strap and protective pouch are welcome additions that more budget-focussed cameras often skip.

Feature-wise, you get a three-element glass lens at 25mm with a fixed f/9.5 aperture and 1/100s shutter speed. There are two manual focus settings, plus an auto flash with red-eye reduction, automatic film advance and rewind, and a double-exposure shooting mode. A small but practical OLED panel on top displays battery life, remaining exposures, and current settings. It's basic by design, but thoughtfully put together.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

In good outdoor light, I found that the Snapic A1 delivers characterful, grainy 35mm shots with that all-important analog look. Vignetting and some chromatic aberration are present, but these feel like features rather than flaws. Indoors, however, the flash struggles; it lacks the reach and power to properly illuminate subjects beyond a few feet, making indoor shots a more hit-or-miss experience, particularly with slower film.

The main practical gripes are minor but worth flagging. The Mode button sits awkwardly on the left edge of the top plate, and it's easy to accidentally trigger it depending on how you hold the camera. There's also no lens cap, which makes the pouch essential rather than optional. And while the price is genuinely affordable for the hardware, film and processing costs ramp up fast. A single 36-exposure roll and a set of digital prints can run close to $40 / £30, meaning the ongoing cost of ownership is considerably higher than buying the camera itself.

Taken as a whole, I think the Kodak Snapic A1 is a fun, well-designed entry point into analog photography – and one of the best new film cameras for the money. It won't satisfy anyone looking for creative control or technical precision, but for casual shooters who want a stylish, pocketable film camera that just works, it hits the mark at a price that's hard to argue with.

Kodak Snapic A1: price and availability

• $99 / £99 / AU$179
• Ongoing costs of 35mm film and processing

The Kodak Snapic A1 is available to buy now, and refreshingly cheap at just $99 / £99 / AU$179.

Also supplied in the box are two handy accessories: a soft microfiber drawstring pouch for keeping the camera protected when not in use, and a corded strap that's long enough to fit around the user's neck or shoulder. Kodak could have shipped this with just a tiny wrist strap, so I was impressed with the extras.

You will, however, need to supply your own batteries (2 x AAA), and there are the added costs of 35mm film, its development and potential printing to consider as well. This can quickly add up: buying a roll of 36-exposure Kodak ColorPlus film and getting some medium-quality digital prints costs me almost £30 in the UK (around $40 / AU$ 57). So, despite the affordability of the hardware, the Snapic A1 isn't a particularly cheap camera to own.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Kodak Snapic A1: specs

Format:

35mm

Lens:

25mm f/9.5

Focus:

0.5m to infinity (two-stage)

Flash:

Built in

Exposure:

Auto

Battery:

2x AAA

Viewfinder:

Optical, direct vision

Size:

118 x 62 x 35mm, 120g

Kodak Snapic A1: design

• Small, stylish and built from sturdy plastic
• Just 120g in weight and 118 x 62 x 35mm in size
• Film is easy to load thanks to large rear door and auto wind

The top plate's OLED panel is a clever and very useful touch. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Kodak (or Reto, to be precise) has kept things pleasingly nostalgic with the styling. The camera body is ABS plastic but built to nice sturdy standards, and its clean lines and ivory white front (it's also available in a dark gray color finish), with a couple of flashes of classic Kodak orange on the shutter button and logo, bring to mind the retro-futuristic production design of something like 2001: A Space Odyssey. It's not just another 1950s or 60s-esque camera, and I really like that.

At under 120g and just 118 x 62 x 35mm in size, the camera is genuinely pocket-sized and I found it very easy to bring along to social events and out on hikes. There's no lens cap to protect the glass front element, which makes the included protective pouch all the more valuable.

While the Snapic A1 is fairly bare-bones in terms of features and functions, it does have some interesting design touches. By flicking a switch underneath the lens, for instance, I could toggle between close-up (0.5 to 1.5m) and far-off (1.5m to infinity) focus. And, up on top, there's an OLED panel that provides at-a-glance info on remaining exposures, battery life and the current flash and focus settings. It's monochrome and tiny, but easy to read and perfectly equipped for its job.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

My main gripe with the design is the placement of the Mode / M.E. button, which sits right on the left edge of the top plate, curving around to the left side of the camera. Often, when I was gripping the camera and about to take a shot, my left forefinger would hit this button and change the shooting mode. Depending on how you hold the camera, this may never become an issue for you, but it forced me to adjust the way I took photos, which I found a little annoying.

Getting film in and out of the camera is easy thanks to a large, easy to open rear door that provides plenty of room to work. There's a tiny plastic window on the door so that you can instantly see whether or not any film is inside. And, in a nice user-friendly touch, film winds on automatically between shots and will fully rewind once a roll is complete.

Kodak Snapic A1: performance

• Strong, characterful 35mm photos
• Flash isn't particularly powerful
• Solid battery life

Most cheap 35mm cameras use plastic lens elements, but the Kodak Snapic A1 has a three-element glass lens. It has a wide-angle 25mm focal length and a rather narrow fixed aperture of f/9.5, along with a fixed shutter speed of 1/100s.

There's the two-stage manual focus I mentioned above, as well as a flash (which can be set to automatic, on or off, and has a red-eye reduction mode), but other than that there's no way to control your exposures. This is very much a point-and-shoot camera, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing – simplicity is welcome – it does mean you need to know its limits if you want to get the best out of it.

Future | Sam Kieldsen

I shot using Kodak ColorPlus 200 speed film, with which the camera performs well outdoors in the daytime. I managed to capture some striking snaps that I'm very happy with, and I love the grainy look of those images. Indoors, however, I found that the flash doesn't have the reach or power to illuminate subjects more than a few feet away. It may fare better with 800 or 1600 speed film, of course, but in my experience my most successful indoor shots were all close-up portraits, where the flash could do its job properly.

Are the Snapic A1's photos "high quality" by today's standards? Not really – if you pull out a 10-year-old smartphone it'll take sharper, cleaner images than these; there's noticeable vignetting around the edges, particularly in the corners, and some chromatic aberration too.

Future | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam KieldsenFuture | Sam Kieldsen

But I don't think quality is ever really the point with a cheap 35mm camera – the look and feel of analog photos can't easily be replicated by digital filters and algorithmic tweaking, and you buy an old-fashioned camera like this for, ironically, the novelty of shooting on film. Yes, its photos aren't noise-free or razor-sharp edge-to-edge, but they have real texture and character.

If you do want to get a little more creative, the Snapic A1 can capture double exposures – just hold down the Mode button to select it, and the OLED panel will make it clear whether you're shooting the first or second exposure.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Battery life feels pretty solid to me. After shooting a 36-exposure roll of film on the camera, the battery indicator still showed as full, and according to Kodak users should be able to shoot around 10 rolls of 24-exposure film on a single pair of AAA alkaline batteries. Your mileage, of course, may vary depending on which batteries you're using and how frugal you are with the flash.

Should you buy the Kodak Snapic A1?

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Buy it if…

You want a break from digital photography
There's nothing like analog photography – and the Snapic A1 is one of the cheaper, simpler ways to shoot on 35mm film.

You want a compact, stylish novelty
Small, lightweight and stylish, this camera makes for a great talking point at parties, and it's beautifully simple to use.

Don’t buy it if…

You're not prepared for ongoing costs
Yes, the camera itself is cheap – but film and processing is very expensive these days, particularly in comparison to digital photography.

You want to learn about analog photography
The stripped back controls mean this is about as point-and-shoot as it gets. If you want to learn more, buy an old SLR or rangefinder.

Also consider

If you like your photography truly hands-on, consider the Lomography Konstruktor F (best film cameras), a plastic 35mm camera that you have to build yourself. It’s cheap to buy, though a little challenging to construct.

The Olympus Trip 35 (in our best film cameras round-up) is an all-time classic 35mm compact with auto exposure, zone focusing and a selenium metering cell around the lens that requires no batteries. A good used one won’t cost the earth and will give you great results.

How I tested the Kodak Snapic A1

• Used over a few weeks in different lighting conditions, indoors and outside
• Tested with Kodak ColorPlus 200 film
• Film sent to Analogue Wonderland for processing and development

Testing a film camera is a much slower process than reviewing a digital camera, because you can't look at the photos right away. In fact, I reviewed the Kodak Snapic A1 (a sample of which was sent to me by a PR rep) over a period of well over a month, taking it with me to various parties, hikes and events and snapping a photo or two until my 36-exposure roll of Kodak ColorPlus 200 film was spent.

I made sure to use the camera in all kinds of conditions – indoors and outdoors, day and night, bright and overcast – testing out the flash and focus controls.

I then sent the film to UK-based online film retailer and developer Analogue Wonderland for processing. They created digital scans for me to download – I opted not to pay extra for physical prints.

Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720: two-minute review

The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 is an open-back headset with a bass-heavy sound designed to impart as much impact as possible when playing games.

For a gaming headset, the Crusher PLYR 720 has quite a muted appearance; even the RGB lighting is restrained. In fact, the most prominent feature is the sheer bulk of the drivers, which are hard to ignore and aren’t exactly flattering when cupped over your ears.

The entire headset is built to a high standard. The materials feel premium and sturdy, and the various buttons and controls operate with a reassuring solidity. All this means the Crusher PLYR 720 ranks among the best wireless gaming headset in terms of construction.

Wearing the Crusher PLYR 720 is largely a joy, despite that aforementioned bulk. Even when wearing glasses, I experienced little fatigue on my ears or head, even after long sessions.

This is partly due to the thick padding of the earcups, although their inner circumference is smaller than you might imagine from the outside, which may be a problem for those with larger lobes.

The headband is also supremely comfortable. It has a second layer that stretches across the top of your head, therefore eliminating the soreness that single-layer headbands can cause — even those with soft padding.

However, the fit isn’t all that secure. Whenever I leaned my head back, the entire headset almost fell off completely, only saved by the grip of the headband.

Both the desktop and mobile apps for the Crusher PLYR 720 are easy to use and full of useful tweaks, complete with handy graphs and visualizations to help you make them. In my time with them, they ran smoothly without any glitches or stability issues.

(Image credit: Future)

The overall sound quality of the Crusher PLYR 720 is excellent. When gaming, every detail is audible and impactful, even with the bass dialed back. However, it perhaps lacks the treble clarity of the best headphones around. This is somewhat forgivable when gaming, but less so when listening intently to music. I still found the Crusher PLYR 720 enjoyable for the latter purpose, though, and it’s a better gaming headset than many in this regard.

Given the name, it’s no surprise that Skullcandy’s Crusher feature is the sonic highlight. This allows you to crank the bass of the Crusher PLYR 720 to frankly absurd levels. How much you need to dial in depends greatly on the specific source, but at its best it adds an unparalleled amount of weight to low-end frequencies, from gunshots to kick drums.

The Crusher PLYR 720 also gets THX Spatial Audio support. The head-tracking feature works well enough, although it lacks precision and subtlety. The surround sound distance adjustments also fail to impart a sense of space all that accurately.

Along with these features, there’s also the obligatory EQ graph, with four presets and four custom slots for tuning your own. However, I didn’t find any tweaking useful, as the default flat mode was sufficient for every scenario.

The microphone offers plenty of clarity, too, rendering my voice without distortion. It’s a small shame the stalk can’t be manipulated to the same degree as gooseneck designs can be, but I found the positioning adequate nonetheless.

Connecting the Crusher PLYR 720 to various devices was quick and easy, whether it was via the 2.4GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth. Also, being able to connect to your smartphone and your gaming system simultaneously is a blessing, as this allows you to alter settings in the mobile app mid-play.

The battery life of the Crusher PLYR 720 is quite impressive. Skullcandy quotes a time of 48 hours, and I believe this figure. Over the course of several days, when used with a variety of platforms, all sonic features activated, and RGB lighting on, it still had juice left.

All of these quality features come at a price, though, as the Crusher PLYR 720 sits firmly at the premium end of the market. There are great wireless headsets for considerably less, such as the Razer BlackShark V3 and the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless, but if you need untold amounts of bass in your life, the Crusher PLYR 720 scratches that itch like nothing else.

Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review: price & availability

• $269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99
• Available now in two versions
• Top-end of the market

The Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 costs $269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99 and is available now. Two editions are available: Xbox and multi-platform. Both are the same price.

If you want to save some serious money, then the Razer BlackShark V3 might be for you. In our glowing review, we highlighted its comfortable, lightweight design that felt more premium than its mid-range price tag suggests, as well as its impressive noise isolation and versatile sonics. For these reasons, we think it ranks among the best PC gaming headsets around right now.

For those who prize audio quality first and foremost, the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless is a better option. We were impressed with its immersive sound stage, although we were less taken with its microphone. This headset is also a lot cheaper than the Crusher PLYR 720.

(Image credit: Future)Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review: specs

Price

$269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99

Weight

0.78lbs / 354g

Compatibility

PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS

Connection type

Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C, 3.5mm AUX), 2.4GHz wireless (USB-A dongle)

Features

THX Spatial Audio, Crusher bass enhancement, eight-band EQ, 4 sound presets, Sidetone mode, plug-in mic

Battery life

48 hours

Software

Skull-HQ (PC), Skullcandy mobile app (Android and iOS)

(Image credit: Future)Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 review: design and features

• Very comfortable
• Excellent build quality
• Plenty of audio-based features

For a gaming headset, the Crusher PLYR 720 has a reasonably muted style. The design is devoid of any gamer-aesthetic touches typical to many in this sector. The premium-looking and feeling matte black finish even lends an element of sophistication.

The RGB lighting is similarly subtle: there’s some illumination strained through small strips and a honeycomb mesh on the drivers, but the lion’s share is reserved for the inside of the earcups — which, of course, you won’t see when wearing the Crusher PLYR 720.

I should also highlight the build quality of the Crusher PLYR 720, as it’s excellent. Despite it being a relatively light unit, it feels sturdy and well-made. I particularly liked the 180-degree rotating drivers, which is convenient when you want to take a break and hang the headset around your neck.

What makes the headset stand out above all else, though, is the bulky drivers. They’re very wide, which makes the Crusher PLYR 720 less than ideal as a travel companion; not only because the drivers take up a lot of space, but also because they don’t look particularly fetching around your ears.

Despite this bulk, the actual inner circumference of the earcups is quite small. Personally, I didn’t find them too small for my ears, but it’s possible others might.

In fact, I found the Crusher PLYR 720 exceptionally comfortable all-round. There’s plenty of padding on the earcups, yet its fabric is more breathable than many. Also, as a glasses-wearer, I can confirm that the cups don’t present any issues when sat on top the arms of frames.

The headband is solid yet flexible, and feels reassuringly durable. You don’t get any padding here; instead, there’s a supplementary band, made from an elastic material to fit snugly on your head, running underneath the main one. I found this incredibly comfortable; I didn’t experience any aching or fatigue at all, even after long sessions, as I have with many other headsets.

The adjustments for the earcup height are also excellent. They have a sufficient range to accommodate various head sizes, and the operation of these adjustments is very smooth with no notching. Despite this, the cups remain at your chosen height setting with a surprising amount of stability, which impressed me.

However, the overall fit of the Crusher PLYR 720 isn’t particularly secure. The earcup padding provided little friction to the side of my head, so whenever I tilted my head back the entire headset moved with it; only the grip of the headband kept it from falling off completely. However, this wasn’t an issue during normal use, so it’s a trade-off I’m willing to accept for the supreme overall comfort of the headset.

(Image credit: Future)

The switches and other controls on the Crusher PLYR 720 operate with a satisfying solidity and smoothness. There are three main buttons, all of which are easy to reach, thanks to their convenient positioning and generous size. One is named Custom, which is misleading, since as far as I can work out, can only be used to toggle THX Spatial Audio Head Tracking on or off.

The joystick for adjusting volume and other parameters is easy to use for the most part, although there isn’t much feedback when you move it. At least it’s hard to trigger accidentally, by, say, leaning against the back of your chair — something I’ve experienced numerous times with conventional volume wheels.

It’s a slight shame, though, that the jumps between the volume increments are quite large, meaning it's hard to dial in a very precise volume with the joystick; for such purposes, you’d be better served by the volume settings of your connected device or inside Skullcandy’s software.

Thankfully, the Crusher wheel doesn’t suffer from accidental triggering or overlarge increments. It’s tactile and smooth to operate, while the small point that sticks out makes it easy to know where exactly you are in the setting.

There are three ports on the Crusher PLYR 720: a USB-C port for charging and playback, a 3.5mm audio jack, and the microphone input. All are located on the left-hand driver. The various cables fit securely in these ports, and what’s more, they’re nicely recessed for protection from accidental disconnections.

The microphone appears to be as well made as the rest of the headset. The soft rubber feels more upmarket than many others, but while it can bend around, it’s not a true gooseneck, so gamers who are particular about their mic placement might be a little disappointed by its lack of maneuverability.

(Image credit: Future)

Skull-HQ, the desktop app for the Crusher PLYR 720, is feature-packed and quite easy to use. It has a faux-retro interface that employs the terminal font, tapping into that mid-nineties hacker vibe. It ran smoothly during my time with it; I didn’t experience any slowdown or bugs.

The layout is clear, although I was a little disappointed by the lack of explanations for certain features. Some are only denoted by symbols, which aren’t always self-explanatory. A tutorial for the joystick controls would’ve been appreciated, too, rather than having to always refer to the manual.

There are plenty of tweaks that can be made to the Crusher PLYR 720 in the app. These range from rudimentary RGB customizations and basic adjustments volume, game mix, and the sidetone function.

Beyond these, there’s an parametric EQ with FPS, RPG, Music, and Default (flat) presets to choose from. There are also four custom slots, allowing you to save your own sculpted sound. This is achieved by dragging eight points on a graph, with a range of 32Hz to 16KHz, to cut or boost frequencies by 12BD.

Various adjustments for THX Spatial Audio are available, too, including the ability to set speaker distance. Strangely, however, there isn’t a toggle for the Head Tracking function, as there is in the Skullcandy mobile app (which has a better, cleaner interface than Skull-HQ, by the by).

Then there’s a section for the Crusher bass enhancement. Here, you can alter the cut-off points for the low and high frequencies on another EQ graph. This is rather overkill for such a setting, but nonetheless I always welcome a visual representation for sonic settings. It’s also accompanied by a humorous ditherpunk face depicting various expressions depending on the strength of the Crusher setting.

Skull-HQ even features a hearing test, designed to calibrate the Crusher PLYR 720 based on your individual hearing. What’s more, a knock-off version of Space Invaders is buried in the app, too.

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: performance

• Skull-shaking bass feature
• Great overall for gaming and music
• Clear mic

The general sound of the Crusher PLYR 720 is punchy and clear, with all frequencies represented well. Overall fidelity isn’t quite up there with the best wireless headphones, though, which is most apparent when listening to music. This is due to the slight lack of crispness and clarity at the high end.

It’s the bass response that the Crusher PLYR 720 is sold on, though — thanks to its Crusher feature. Whether this is something you like comes down to personal preference, but I have to say that when the mood struck, I loved cranking the wheel to maximum and letting the drivers shake (and they really do shake) to my favorite bass-heavy tracks or to gunfire, something I certainly noticed when playing Counter-Strike 2.

However, you’ll find yourself riding the Crusher level frequently, as the prominence of the bass enhancement can vary widely between sources; even those you thought had a relatively tame low-end suddenly become a booming mess, causing the drivers to audibly rattle — even before you’ve enabled the extra Crusher Bass Boost on top. In fact, I wouldn’t want maximum “Crushing” for an entire session, even for sources that can handle it without distorting.

The THX Spatial Audio is reasonably effective. With Head Tracking enabled, changes to the audio space react quickly to head movements, without being too disconcerting or disorientating.

However, you’ll have to move your head by large degrees to notice the effect. Also, it’s a shame that the sensitivity of the effect can’t be adjusted, as it lacks the precision and subtlety of some of the best THX headsets and headphones. Adjusting the virtual distance of the surround sound speakers noticeably changes the soundscape, but at the cost of reducing fidelity. What’s more, I found it largely ineffective at imparting a realistic sense of space.

The microphone for the Crusher PLYR 720 is clear and largely free of distortion. The Sidetone mode allows an appropriate level of ambient noise to spill through, so you can hear your own voice more clearly.

(Image credit: Future)

During my time with the Crusher PLYR 720, it proved easy to connect to the various devices I tested it with. The 2.4GHz USB dongle allows for instant plug-and-play, and merely requires the flip of a switch on the dongle itself to change compatibility modes from PC to Xbox.

In terms of connectivity to Microsoft’s console, then, the Crusher PLYR 720 up there with the best Xbox Series X headsets. It also connected to my Nintendo Switch just as easily, via the dongle and Bluetooth.

Oddly, even though I had the Xbox version of the Crusher PLYR 720, it still worked with my PlayStation 5 via the dongle. There’s conflicting information as to whether this is intended or not: the printed manual states that the Xbox variant only works with the PS5 when connected via the 3.5mm audio cable, while the product page on Skullcandy’s website states that wireless play is possible with Sony’s console. If the latter is correct, it then begs the question as to why there are two versions of the Crusher PLYR 720.

It connected seamlessly to my Android smartphone via Bluetooth, with no discernable drop in audio quality. Better yet, you can connect to your phone and console or PC at the same time; during my testing, I was impressed by the ease with which it established and maintained these simultaneous connections. The benefit of this is that you can adjust settings in the mobile app on the fly, taking effect while playing your game.

Even with this multiplatform use, the battery of the Crusher PLYR 720 endured admirably well. Skullcandy claims it can last 48 hours, but with all the bells and whistles enabled, you can see lifespan deplete at a considerable rate in the software readouts. Still, it managed to last several long sessions over a few days, which, in addition to connecting to various devices, also involved activating all its various sound features and keeping the RGB lighting on.

Should I buy the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless?Buy it if…

You’re a bass head
Cranked all the way up, the Crusher function is truly monstrous, adding real impact to music and sound effects.

You want all-day comfort
I’m not sure I’ve tried a more comfortable headset than this. After very long periods, there were no aches on my head or ears.

Don’t buy it if…

You want isolation
This is an open-back headset, so you won’t be getting much isolation from the outside world.

You’ll be listening to lots of music
Although the fidelity is more than adequate when gaming, audiophiles might be disappointed with the lack of top-end clarity when listening to their favorite tunes.

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review: also consider

Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720

Razer BlackShark V3

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless

Price

$269.99 / £229.99 / AU$449.99

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$350

£159 (around $210)

Weight

0.78lbs / 354g

0.6lbs / 270g

0.7lbs / 336g

Compatibility

PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile

PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck

Connection type

Bluetooth, wired (USB-C, 3.5mm AUX), 2.4GHz wireless (USB-A dongle)

2.4GHz wireless, wired (USB), Bluetooth

Bluetooth, wired (USB-C), low-latency 2.4GHz wireless (dongle)

Features

THX Spatial Audio, Crusher bass enhancement, eight-band EQ, 4 sound presets, Sidetone mode, plug-in mic

THX Spatial Audio, detachable Razer HyperClear Super Wideband 9.9mm mic

Five-band EQ, 10 sound presets, Sidetone mode, custom button settings, plug-in mic with noise reduction

Battery life

48 hours

70 hours

50 hours

Software

Skull-HQ (PC), Skullcandy mobile app (Android and iOS)

Arctis Companion App

Beyerdynamic app

Razer BlackShark V3
The Razer BlackShark V3 is an excellent all-round headset, and it costs much less than the Crusher PLYR 720. We were impressed by its comfort, battery life, and superb audio quality. All this helps to make it one of the best gaming headsets currently available.

Read our full Razer BlackShark V3 review.

Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless
The Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless has a strong focus on sonics — unsurprising from a brand famed for catering to music professionals. Again, it’s much cheaper than the Crusher PLYR 720, although it lacks the features and build quality.

Read our full Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless review.

How I tested the Beyerdynamic MMX 150 Wireless

• Tested for several days
• Used for various scenarios and with multiple platforms
• Experience reviewing gaming headsets

I tested the Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720 for several days. Not only did I use it for gaming, but I also listened to music and watched videos with it on.

I tested it with a Windows PC, an Xbox Series S, a PlayStation 5, and a Nintendo Switch, connecting to each of these devices with the USB dongle. I also tested Bluetooth connectivity with the latter console, as well as with my Android phone. I used both the desktop Skull-HQ app and the Skullcandy mobile app to try out all the various features.

I’ve been gaming for decades, using a variety of headsets, headphones, and speakers for the activity. I’ve also reviewed a number of headsets professionally, all the way from budget wired offerings to premium multiplatform wireless options.

• First reviewed: February 2026
• Read more about how we test

If your business is looking for the best social media management tools to boost its online presence then Sendible is an ideal candidate, offering a complete package that delivers all of the tools for managing social media campaigns via its simple and easy-to-use platform. 

Sendible has a variety of tools for getting the job done, including the ability to schedule and queue your posts, along with managing calendars in order to create controlled campaigns. The overall design and usability is intuitive, there’s a strong emphasis on reporting capabilities, and Sendible also comes reasonably priced.

• Sign up for a Sendible plan

While rivals such as Hootsuite, Buffer, HubSpot, and Zoho Social all have their own pros and cons, Sendible is designed firmly for the social media savvy era, and even comes with a 14-day free trial to help get a sense of the software. 

Sendible users can also choose from a selection of different packages, ranging from very basic freelance options, which include a barebones set of features, through to a full-on White Label edition aimed at businesses trying to get a social media foothold.

Let's dive into our Sendible social media manager review.  

• How we test, review and rate on TechRadar

(Image credit: Sendible)Sendible: Plans and pricing

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Starting rate (paid monthly)

Creator

$25/month

$29/month

Traction

$76/month

$89/month

Scale

$170/month

$199/month

Advanced

$255/month

$299/month

Enterprise

$638/month

$750/month

Sendible has a range of plan and pricing options, making the suite well suited to different sizes of business user. Currently, pricing seems to be either US-, EU-, or UK-centric, though there are portals for the UK, the US, and European markets, too.

You can choose to pay monthly or yearly, with a 15% saving offered to those who pay for the full twelve months in one go. To illustrate typical package prices we’ll use monthly costs here, which start off with the Creator package, billed at $29 per month after a free trial and aimed at freelance workers, offering one user and six social profiles.

Next up, there is the Traction package, which also comes with a free trial and is then billed monthly at $89. Sendible says Traction is ideal for startup agencies and brands. The tier allows 4 users and 24 social profile options. 

Sendible’s Scale edition is its most popular, with the option for 7 users and 49 social profiles, along with custom and automated reporting, a content and hashtag library, and campaign management tools, billed at $199 per month.

(Image credit: Sendible)

Then, Sendible's Advanced edition includes 20 users and 100 social profiles for larger agencies, advanced permissions, bulk posting with custom tags, live report sharing, and white label as a paid add-on. The tier costs $299 per month, but there’s a free trial option too, if you want to get a sense of the features.

Finally, the Enterprise edition offers support for 80 users and 400 social profiles for $750 per month, flexibility that is clearly going to be useful for businesses that are on the up. While this level can be expensive, the number of features is impressive, as we'll get into now. 

• Best small business software of 2024

(Image credit: Sendible)Sendible: Basic features

Sendible has several core areas, all of which should appeal to businesses looking to get a strong hold on social media campaigning. 

The main areas of interest are Publishing, Collaboration, and Analytics, offering the ability to closely monitor how campaigns are going via a neat dashboard-style design. We found the software very easy to understand and use. 

Usefully, each of the plans outlined above adds in features and functions that are suited to the particular target market. In theory, this means your business will only pay for what it's using, rather than having lots of unused tools. 

The Creator edition includes unlimited scheduling, planning and publishing, monitoring and replying, plus reporting tools. 

Sendible provides a useful overview of which features each tier gets, and we recommend checking this if there is something specific you will likely need. For example, cloud integrations are reserved for the top two tiers. 

(Image credit: Sendible)Sendible: Professional features

Speaking of the top tiers, when we move up to Traction, users get all of the above plus team collaboration, post assignment and approval, user management, and a personalised demo to get the ball rolling. 

Similarly, the Scale tier includes everything in Traction alongside automated client reporting, a content and hashtag library, and custom approval flows, as well as personalised onboarding.

Finally, Advanced and Enterprise editions include everything in the Scale plan along with an optional white-labelling add-on, the ability to manage client permissions, merge tags, and the benefit of a dedicated account manager. This alone can be highly useful in a charged and rapidly expanding social media management department.

• Best online collaboration tool of 2024

(Image credit: Sendible)Sendible: User interface

Sendible can help tackle pretty much every social media management challenge, and is therefore compatible with all of the usual suspects, including Twitter (or X), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and basically everyone else.

To do that effectively Sendible has created a great little user interface, which is both easy to use and powerful, too. Some of its social media rivals can feel a little outdated, or feature-heavy, but Sendible has clearly been designed with ease-of-use in mind. 

(Image credit: Sendible)

Central to the effective nature of Sendible is its dashboard area, home to all of the core tools needed during daily activities. The dashboard is also crucial for setting up and managing campaigns, with menu options for scheduling and queuing posts. You can also dip into published items, check how the activity levels are going, and, subsequently, monitor the outcome. 

Overall, Sendible is all very straightforward, even in the beefier package editions, and we really appreciated how quickly everything fell into place, allowing space to get on with, well, actual work. 

• Best small business accounting software of 2024

(Image credit: Sendible)Sendible: Support

Not everyone is ready or able to hit the ground running when they embark on a social media marketing journey. In that respect, we like the way Sendible packs in plenty to help both the newbie and seasoned pro, as well as lone freelancers, while also delivering plenty of support for those higher up the ladder, offered in multiple formats across Sendible's website. 

We also like the ease of dipping in and seeing how fellow users have been faring with their Sendible suites, which is often a great way of pinpointing potential problem areas. That’s especially so if you’re working within a collaborative environment, or have new staff who might not be familiar with the way things tick.

As you’d expect, Sendible support staff can also be contacted directly, with the support center delivering plenty of options on that front.

• Best UK tax software of 2024

Sendible: The competition

Sendible covers an awful lot of bases on the social media management front, and there's also something to suit any kind of budget. 

However, to make sure your business gets exactly the right social media tool, it's worth checking out the likes of Hootsuite, Buffer, Loomly, Circleboom, and Zoho Social, all of which are perfectly decent competitors worthy of investigation.

Our guide to the best social media management tools also helps quickly see the pros and cons of each platform. 

(Image credit: Sendible)Sendible: Final verdict

Sendible offers a good selection of different package options for those with ambitions to raise their social media profile. For campaign purposes, it’s got all of the tools, especially if you work for an agency or a business. 

Crucially, Sendible includes rock-solid reporting capabilities, which many will find to be key in seeing how much of a return they’ll be getting on their monthly, or annual, investment.

It’s easy to see why Sendible Scale is the most popular, as the tier contains a host of great tools that will appeal to many, while not breaking the bank as some of its rivals can do on the higher-level packages.

• Sign up to Sendible

Agorapulse is a software package that lets you take better control of your social media management tasks. It can be used by medium-sized businesses and upwards, along with agencies that focus solely on social media activity.

It’s engineered to work seamlessly with popular social media tools, including the likes of X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. As of 2026, TikTok, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, Reddit, and Google Business profiles are also supported.

The great thing with Agorapulse is that it can amalgamate numerous social media management tasks and bring them all under one roof. That means it can be used to create and post content, make better contact with end users, and also keep tabs on how well content posts are performing.

Especially with the new AI features that have been rolled out across all plans, it's a compelling yet reasonably-priced option for managing your social media marketing workflow.

• Sign up for a Agorapulse plan.

Plans and Pricing

(Image credit: Agorapulse)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Starting rate (paid monthly)

Free

$0/user/month

$0/user/month

Standard

$79/user/month

$99/user/month

Professional

$119/user/month

$149/user/month

Advanced

$149/user/month

$199/user/month

Custom

Tailored pricing

Tailored pricing

Agorapulse offers a 30-day free trial (no credit card required) so you can explore its full feature set before committing to anything. There's also a permanent free plan for individuals, though it's limited to three social profiles and a modest post-scheduling cap, making it more of a tasting menu than a long-term option.

If you're ready to go beyond the basics, Agorapulse's paid tiers are now structured around four plans: Standard, Professional, Advanced, and Custom. Pricing is per user per month though, which is worth keeping in mind if you have a larger team.

The Standard plan starts at $79/user/month (billed annually) with unlimited post scheduling, a unified inbox, basic reporting, and the full suite of AI writing tools. It's a solid entry point for solo social media managers or small teams getting started.

Professional ($119/user/month annually) adds approval workflows, ad comment moderation, Instagram product tagging, and a link-in-bio tool. It's the sweet spot for growing teams that need tighter collaboration controls. Stepping up to Advanced ($149/user/month annually) brings bulk scheduling, shared content calendars, advanced ROI and ads reporting, and competitor benchmarking.

At the top end, the Custom plan is designed for large teams and enterprises. It includes unlimited social profiles, AI-powered reply suggestions, SSO, custom roles, multi-step approval workflows, and priority support with a dedicated Customer Success Manager. That said, you'll need to contact the Agorapulse sales team for a tailored quote if you want to be on the Custom plan.

(Image credit: Agorapulse)AI features

Agorapulse has made AI a core part of the platform rather than an afterthought, with most new features available across all paid plans. Its primary AI Writing Assistant helps you generate captions and post copy directly inside the publishing composer. Then the Organization Context AI lets you set your brand's tone and direction so every piece of AI-generated content stays on-brand.

The platform also introduced AI-generated alt text in 2025, covering Facebook, LinkedIn, Bluesky, X (Twitter), Instagram, and Threads. It works in 38 languages, which is a nice touch for internationally active teams. Separately, AI summaries are built into the reporting section, giving you a plain-language digest of your key performance data.

On the engagement side, Best Time to Publish uses AI to surface smart scheduling recommendations based on when your audience is most active. The Custom plan goes a step further with AI reply suggestions, which draw on your past conversations to propose contextually relevant responses in the inbox.

Most recently in January 2026, Agorapulse launched a ChatGPT and Claude integration via a self-hosted Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This lets you create and manage social content, track engagement, and organise your calendar directly from within ChatGPT or Claude. It's one of the more forward-thinking integrations in the social media management space right now and available to all plan users.

Basic features

The same goes for engagement tools, with the ability to manage Google My Business reviews, provision for an advanced social inbox, social CRM tools, comment monitoring and an automated inbox assistant all forming part of the potent feature set. Agorapulse also bristles with plenty of reporting tools, particularly on the higher-end packages with lots of functionality that assist you with working out your return on investment (ROI).

One of the surefire appealing aspects of Agorapulse is that it can be used on several different levels, depending on need. The software can also be boosted, with all paid plans being fully scalable with user count based pricing.

Core features

Meanwhile, the core feature set within Agorapulse centers around publishing, engagement and reporting. As you’d expect, the Free edition is thinner around the edges, with only 10 scheduled posts allowed at any time. This is compared to the unlimited capacity of the Standard or Professional editions. There’s plenty of publishing power too, with the likes of content labelling, and a unified calendar adding more muscle to the package.

If you commit to the Advanced edition, you’ll see the features and functionality explode with an unlimited asset library and bulk scheduling, along with the ability to assign and approve posts. Calendar sharing is more substantial here too.

(Image credit: Agorapulse)Premium features

It’s really worth considering some of the premium add-ons that you can get in order to increase the potential of Agorapulse. You can choose from the likes of Power Reports, shared calendars, and Competitive Benchmarking, all of which add extra weight to the software. If you’ve gone for the Custom edition, this can be tailored even more to suit individual needs.

(Image credit: Agorapulse)Interface and in use

Mounting successful social media campaigns can mean juggling lots of plates at the same time in order to get the job done effectively. Luckily, Agorapulse has developed an interface that is perfectly suite to time-poor executives, who need to dip in and out again, sometimes on the go. Indeed, the app side of things offers another helping hand with this, allowing you to co-ordinate campaigns no matter if you’re working in the office, remotely or on the move.

Support

For many business making their first foray into the world of social media management it’s the levels of support that often make the difference in signing up, or not. Agorapulse offers plenty of help on that front. There’s a dedicated support portal, which shares a similar setup to many others in this field, complete with searchable help topics and tutorials.

Lookout too for a raft of additional customer support options including email, live chat, and video depending on your plan. The options become more extensive as you move to the more expensive packages, but help is never far away no matter which of the editions you adopt. The enterprise-focused Custom edition really tops it off though, with one-to-one training as well as a dedicated account manager.

(Image credit: Agorapulse)Competition

The social media management marketplace is a hotbed of activity, with plenty of options aimed at helping businesses get more from their campaigns. As an alternative to Agorapulse, you can take your pick from hugely popular options that include SocialPilot, Buffer, eClincher, Sendible, Statusbrew, Loomly and Hootsuite, all of which are very decent competitors worthy of consideration.

Verdict

Agorapulse will meet the social media management needs of any type of business, but it’s best suited to larger concerns and agencies, which can fully exploit its potential.

The reporting capabilities in particular make Agorapulse a potent provider of data. If you’re running concerted social media campaigns, this software will be able to give you lots of information to justify your return on investment.

When combined with the bevy of new AI features that are accessible to free and paid users alike, its offer is hard to beat. Still, the per user pricing is something to be wary of if you have a large team but your social channels aren't mature enough to justify the added costs.

• You can signup to Agorapulse here.

Any business hankering after the best social media management tools should investigate Zoho Social, which offers the ability to co-ordinate all of your social campaigns from one place, lets any type of business to schedule posts, keeps track of the results, and compiles comprehensive reports.

Zoho Social's other benefit is working alongside other products in Zoho's portfolio, meaning a business should be able to exploit its power even more efficiently by integrating with Zoho Workspace, Campaigns, and CRM. 

Being able to work in a one-stop environment will be ideally suite to many companies, especially those who are looking to make workflow activities more efficient. Add on great iOS and Android apps and Zoho is an attractive tool. 

• Sign up for Zoho Social

Of course, there is still competition in the social media management space from the likes of Hootsuite, Buffer, HubSpot, and Circleboom, but for companies that have already bought into the Zoho suite, or are considering doing so, Social is one of the strongest options. 

Let's dive into our review of the Zoho Social social media manager. 

• How we test, review and rate on TechRadar

Zoho Social: Plans and Pricing

(Image credit: Zoho)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Starting rate (paid monthly)

Free

$0/month

$0/month

Standard

$10/month

$15/month

Professional

$30/month

$40/month

Premium

$40/month

$65/month

Agency

$230/month

$320/month

Agency Plus

$330/month

$460/month

Zoho now offers six plans rather than three, starting with a permanent Free tier that stays active once your 15-day trial ends. It covers one brand and six social channels, with a handful of AI credits to get you started.

From there, the Standard plan is $10/month (billed annually) and expands channel support to 11 platforms. The Professional plan ($30/month annually) adds advanced scheduling tools like bulk scheduling, CustomQ, and RSS feeds. The Premium plan ($40/month annually, $65/month monthly) steps things up with SmartQ, a full reporting dashboard, Zoho CRM/Desk integration, and an Inbox for managing interactions — now including WhatsApp and Telegram.

For agencies, the Agency plan ($230/month annually) supports 10 brands and up to 140 channels across five team members, while Agency Plus ($330/month annually) doubles that capacity to 20 brands and up to 280 channels. Both agency tiers include branded reporting and client access features.

(Image credit: Zoho Social)Zoho Social: AI features

Zoho has been quietly weaving AI into Social through its in-house assistant, Zia, which is powered by ChatGPT. The headline feature is Compose with Zia, which lets you generate captions, hashtags, and post copy from a short prompt. It's a practical time-saver if you manage multiple channels and need to keep a steady content rhythm without starting from a blank page every time.

Every plan comes with a monthly AI credit allowance that refreshes each billing cycle. Free users get 5 credits, Standard and Professional accounts each receive 40, and Premium, Agency, and Agency Plus plans bump that up to 80 credits per month. That should be more than enough for occasional use on lower tiers, though heavy users on Standard or Professional may find themselves rationing credits toward the end of the month.

If you're on the Agency or Agency Plus plan, you also get access to Reply with Zia inside the Inbox. This feature helps you draft or rephrase replies to customer messages across connected channels. It's the kind of feature that makes the premium agency pricing feel more justified, especially for small teams that handle large volumes of DMs.

Overall, Zia is a solid but not spectacular AI implementation, meaning that it handles the basics well without overreaching. What we'd like to see in future updates is AI-assisted scheduling recommendations beyond SmartQ, plus maybe a repurposing tool that adapts a single post across multiple channel formats automatically. Still, for a platform at this price point, having generative AI baked into every plan is a meaningful advantage for Zoho.

Zoho Social: Basic features

Even in its most basic incarnation, Zoho Social comes packed with a practical array of features and functions, and of course there is the 15-day free trial to get your head around what works for your business. 

Standard works for one brand and 10 channels, one team member, and includes compatibility with Facebook Pages, Facebook Groups, X (formerly Twitter) Profiles, Instagram Business Profiles, LinkedIn Profiles, LinkedIn Company Pages, Google Business Profile listings, and more. Recently, Zoho Social has also added in support for YouTube, WhatsApp Business, Telegram Business, Threads, Mastodon, TikTok, Pinterest, and Bluesky.

There’s a neat dashboard interface that helps to monitor posts, carry out multi-channel publishing, schedule your content, and compile a publishing calendar. 

Power tools include a link shortener, activity logging, user tagging, and the production of summary reports. An image editor also proves mighty handy if you don't want to splurge on Adobe Photoshop or similar. 

• Best productivity tool of 2024

(Image credit: Zoho Social)Zoho Social: Professional features

The Professional tier ramps things up a bit, offering one brand and 10 channels, and a one team member allowance. Users also get all of the Standard features plus a ream of others, including livestreaming, notifications, repeat posting, a media library, rescheduling of posts, RSS feeds, messages, the ability to pause and resume content, and the muting and blocking of accounts where needed.

• Best project management software of 2024

(Image credit: Zoho Social)Zoho Social: Premium features

Zoho has added a Premium edition to its portfolio, which is even better suited to larger businesses. You get all of the regular Professional features alongside a pile of extras, including the ability to export posts, collaborate between three team members, and use a dedicated reporting dashboard. 

In fact, the reporting capabilities of this package are pretty formidable, and there’s the added advantage of being able to use Social in tandem with Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk. It can also handle lead generation, so there is plenty of opportunity to get a decent return on your investment.

Zoho says the Premium option is its most popular and it's easy to see why, there's a good mix of high-end enterprise features without a huge cost. 

• Best CRM software of 2024

(Image credit: Zoho)Zoho Social: User Interface

Zoho Social has been designed to offer a full suite of tools aimed at improving your social media management fortunes. 

Zoho is certainly a comprehensive solution, no matter which of the three packages you decide to go for, and the core structure of Zoho Social focuses on the structuring of campaigns and the subsequent monitoring of your social activity. 

Collaboration is a priority too, helping team members work together and make sense of analytics and the production of those all-important reports, which can then be fed higher up the chain. 

Setting up and scheduling posts is quick and easy, and there’s the ability to collaborate using a publishing calendar, create content queues, and also curate content as and when it's needed. 

(Image credit: Zoho Social)

In our testing, we found that Zoho Social has been nicely designed, meaning that it’s simple to monitor all of your social media activity, with a listening dashboard, live stream, and the ability to send direct messages.

The collaborational aspect of Zoho Social is particularly impressive, offering the ability to define workflows, have team discussions, and assign roles and permissions proving to be the most practical aspects. The same goes for the useability of the analytical tools: lookout for comprehensive stats, the ability to produce custom reports, and also the ability to receive scheduled reports for your regular meetings.

Capping things off, the iOS and Android apps are a pleasure to use, making on-the-go social media tasks that much easier. 

• Best online collaboration tool of 2024

(Image credit: Zoho Social)Zoho Social: Support

All Zoho Social packages come with the same 24/5 email support, which should prove substantial enough for most needs. The Zoho website also comes with a very decent level of help files, tutorials, and supporting information designed to answer many common queries.

• Best todo list app of 2024

(Image credit: Zoho Social)Zoho Social: The competition

The social media management marketplace is a hive of activity, with plenty of options aimed at helping businesses get more from their campaigns, which is ultimately good news for your search. 

Alongside Zoho Social you can take your pick from key players, including Buffer, Sendible, Loomly, Hootsuite, and Circleboom, all of which are very decent competitors worthy of consideration.

It's worth checking out our guide to the best social media management tools to quickly see the pros and cons of each offering. 

• Best cloud document storage of 2024

Zoho Social: Final verdict

Zoho Social has managed to pack in a great deal of features and functions into each one of these three social media management packages, which will make the suite instantly attractive to businesses of all shapes and sizes, although you’ll really want to head in the direction of the Premium editions to get the best set of tools. 

That’s especially so if you’re looking for detailed analytics and the ability to produce power-packed reports. Indeed, the Agency editions take that a step further and, while there is added cost involved, there’s no doubting the additional muscle these premium-priced products come with.

If you're already a Zoho customer across its CRM, Desk, Mail, Books, and Assist offerings, then tacking on Social is the best thing to do. 

• Sign up to Zoho Social

Buffer bills itself as a simple but effective, all-you-need social media toolkit for small businesses. It’s just one of many different social media management tools out there on the market, but the emphasis with Buffer is on affordability, which is always welcome given current trading challenges.

If you’re after a one-stop social media management solution then Buffer should do the trick, even within the confines of its free edition. To unleash its full potential though you’ll need to invest more time and money to access its full suite of tools.

• Sign up for a Buffer plan

Like its rivals in Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Circleboom, among many others, Buffer aims to make the world of a social media manager – or whoever has the keys to the social accounts – that much easier by automating scheduling, helping visualise content, and more. 

Buffer is also currently offering a free trial, so make sure to claim that, if you wish to first try out its features. 

Let's dive into our review of the Buffer social media management tool. 

• Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar

(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: Plans and Pricing

Plan

Starting Rate (Paid Annually)

Starting Rate (Paid Monthly)

Free

$0/month (up to 3 channels)

$0/month (up to 3 channels)

Essentials

$5/month per channel

$6/month per channel

Team

$10/month per channel

$12/month per channel

Buffer has kept a keen eye on simplicity with its pricing plans. 

There’s something for most if not all types of business, and payment can be done on a monthly or annual basis. If you’re simply starting out and want to gain some experience using a social medial management tool, the Free package makes a lot of sense. Better still, this comes with a £0 (or $0) price tag, which is ideal if you’re running to a tight budget and helps you manage up to three channels.

Next up is the Essentials package, which costs $6 per month or $5 annually per social channel. It’s easy to add additional channels when and if you need them, and by paying annually you’ll shave $12 off the overall cost over a year. You can try this plan free for 14 days and it’s suited to professionals who have to call on publishing, analytics and engagement tools as part of their daily brief.

(Image credit: Buffer)

The beefier Team package is aimed squarely at any businesses that have more of a collaborative arrangement going on. This offers much more user flexibility and costs $12 monthly, or you can knock $24 off the price by paying $120 annually. Additional channels can be added as and when they’re required, meaning lots of freedom for your business. 

While Buffer no longer offers a dedicated Agency plan since November 2025, it provides volume discounts across all plans for users who add more than 10 channels to a plan.

• Best email marketing service of 2024

(Image credit: Buffer )Buffer: Basic features

As with any scalable social media management tool, Buffer can be used in its most basic incarnation, most suitable if you’re just starting out. Buffer users get an array of basic publishing tools and a handy landing page builder as standard, but if you’ve got a desire to really boost your potential, head for the Essentials or upwards. 

The free tier comes with three channels, basic scheduling, a landing page, the ability to schedule 10 posts per channel at any one time (with no monthly limit), and a useful new AI assistant. 

Meanwhile, the Essentials plan comes with everything in the free tier, plus as many channels as you can wish for, unlimited post scheduling, analytics, and engagement tracking. Those last two might prove the difference between paying nothing and going for the $5 per month per channel option. 

All of the teams get iOS and Android apps, which make working on the go much easier, and support for 30+ app integrations including 11 native integrations and more through Zapier, plus two-factor authentication. 

(Image credit: Buffer )Buffer: Advanced features

By upgrading to either Team or Agency, you business will instantly have the ability to do much more. For example, scheduled posts per channel are limited to just 10 per on the free tier, rising to up to 5,000 on the higher tiers. Of course, it’s easy to work with the obvious social outlets including Instagram, Facebook, X (or Twitter), LinkedIn, and Pinterest on any edition of Buffer. Buffer has also added more social media channels than there were originally in its roster, with Bluesky, Google Business Profile, Mastodon, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube (Shorts) being now fully supported.

Similarly, on the higher tiers, there are assorted scheduling options, a calendar view, plus handy day to day features such as a link shortener capability and one for tweaking custom links, too. The paid-for editions also deliver features such as custom video thumbnails, multi-channel campaign delivery, and lots of cool options for tweaking Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook posts. 

To cut to the chase, the main features features that the non-free tier options get are advanced analytics, insights, and reporting. Essentials, Team, and Agency all get a performance overview, data access, and much more, while Team and Agency gain branded reports and a cover page. 

If you feel like any features are missing, check out Buffer's product roadmap. 

• Best web design software in 2024

(Image credit: Buffer )Buffer: Analytics and reporting

Vital ingredients for more efficient social media management are inside Buffer too, such as the power tools for checking audience demographics via machine learning insights, which is basically a smart way of tweaking and fine-tuning your results.

Buffer is also great for its tools that cover the array of analytics and reporting. The ability to get a performance overview is paramount, and that comes packed inside Essentials and upwards, along with more specific history details in individual posts, plus historical insights that help businesses build up a bigger picture scenario.

Users of non-free tiers can see insights into post performance, individual post analytics, data storage, tag analysis, hashtag performance, audience demos, Instagram Stories analytics, Shopify performance, custom and exportable reports, and more besides. 

(Image credit: Buffer)

Adding to the appeal of Buffer is its extensive range of reporting tools. After all, if you have no data to present at meetings the validity of the purchase will soon come into question, no matter how nice the graphs look. 

Buffer offers custom reporting tools, including exportable reports on the higher tiers. However, corporate users will find these options invaluable and presumably not mind the added expense of getting them.

The app also offers important comment detection, giving insights into potentially good or bad posts, alongside hotkey support. 

• Best graphic design software of 2024

(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: AI tools

Buffer has quietly built one of the more practical AI toolkits in the social media management space. At its core is the AI Assistant, which is available to all users (including those on the free plan) with unlimited credits. Rather than bolting on AI as an afterthought, Buffer has woven it directly into the post composer and the dedicated Create space, so you can tap into it exactly when you need it.

The AI Assistant is powered by OpenAI's GPT-4.0 and is channel-aware, meaning it understands the nuances of each platform you're posting to. If you're drafting for LinkedIn, it leans professional. For Instagram, it keeps things punchy and caption-friendly. You can also specify your target audience and adjust the tone so the output actually sounds like your brand rather than a generic AI bot.

Beyond drafting, the assistant handles repurposing and refinement. You can take an existing post and rework it for a different platform in one click, expand a short update into something more substantial, or trim down a long post for X (formerly Twitter) without losing the core message. The idea generation feature is handy too: say a bit about your business and it'll surface content ideas tailored to your industry.

Buffer has also integrated AI into its Community inbox with AI replies. This feature learns your voice and suggests contextual responses to comments across Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, X, and LinkedIn. Free users get five AI reply suggestions per week; paid plans include unlimited suggestions. It also includes a Comment Insights feature that surfaces themes and ideas from your comment section, helping you spot content opportunities you might otherwise miss.

Buffer: User interface

One of the best things about Buffer has been the way the designers have made the interface a joy to use. Much of this is down to the simplicity of the layout, with little to get in the way of boosting your social medial management potential. This extends to the more complex and feature-heavy premium products, too, even those that pack in powerful reporting tools and comprehensive data analytics.

While some rival services can feel overburdened with features, Buffer manages to treat the line perfectly, and we never really encountered any issues getting around. 

The addition of an AI assistant also helps with discovery of new features and creating ideas from scratch, which could be useful in smaller organisations with less people to bounce things off. 

We're big fans, and for anyone who cares about UI and UX, Buffer has you covered. 

• Best content marketing tool of 2024

(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: Support and transparency

We’ve been really impressed with the attention to detail displayed by Buffer support. Like everyone other social media rival, there’s a great starting point via an online help centre, which contains a searchable database of help topics, plus a whole host of tutorials and other insights into how to get the best from Buffer.

Anyone needing further help on a one-to-one basis can contact the Buffer Support team. The process is very straightforward: simply raise a ticket using one of the many different subject area options to trigger a response. The Buffer community is another aspect of the support options found inside this package that allows a wider range of contact options to users.

On top of support, Buffer offers some of the best transparency in the industry, regularly reporting everything via its transparency dashboard. For example, you can see that Buffer has over 191,726 MAUs, $1.9 million in MRR, and makes $28.06 per user on average. 

Buffer also publishes its staff's salaries transparently, breaks down what each subscription supports (eg, hosting, retreats, or salaries), and so much more. The addition really serves to build trust in Buffer as a company. 

(Image credit: Buffer)

• Best free software for SMBs of 2024

(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: The competition

While users with fairly basic needs will be able to make use of Buffer, this is a social media management package that will really come into its own for larger business concerns. So while the likes of Hootsuite, Sendible, Loomly, HubSpot, and Zoho Social are all competitor products worth looking at, Buffer's packages do have a great deal of scalability.

After spending many hours testing Buffer and its rivals, we can say that while some have more powerful features than Buffer at the absolute high-end, none of them manage to artfully combine so many features in a non-threatening and understandable way, which is a real plus. 

• Best free office software of 2024

(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: Final verdict

Buffer is one of the best full-service social media management suites you can get and there’s a package to suit all kinds of user. 

Naturally, the free edition lacks some of the muscle that comes with the premium editions, so it’s worth spending a little more if you want to boost your social media management potential. Along with its ease of use, there’s no doubting the potency of Buffer, while the capacity for expanding its capabilities is great, too.

For example, there are over 30 different third-party integration options, letting users harness the likes of Zapier and more. We’re also very keen on the ability to use Buffer quickly and easily on iOS and Android, creating room for more efficiency when you’re not able to carry out tasks at your desk. 

Overall, it’s easy to see why Buffer continues to draw in plenty of new customers since its 2010 launch, and we can't recommend its software highly enough. 

• Sign up to Buffer here

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: one-minute review

Fancy a Rematch? That’s right, Turtle Beach is back with the Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, which comes equipped with an all-new design, trusty C button, and a few other technical touch-ups.

There’s a lot to love about the Rematch, whether that be its drift-resistant TMR (tunnel magnoresistance) thumbsticks, its eye-catching semi-translucent design – which even features Super Mario himself, or its customizable GL and GR buttons. It’s also a pretty comfortable controller to use, with responsive triggers and face buttons, and incredibly seamless pairing.

I was also delighted with the controller’s generous 40-hour battery life, which competes with top controllers in our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories. Despite that, though, the Rematch certainly isn’t without its flaws.

One of the most glaring drawbacks is the controller’s omission of rumble technology. This can be crucial for certain in-game segments, and is generally a vital instrument to immerse players more deeply in their gaming experiences. I was also sad to see NFC tech left out, which lets you scan Amiibo in titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond or Kirby Air Riders.

When you combine those things with the Rematch’s lack of a 3.5mm port and its inability to wake your Nintendo Switch 2 console from sleep, I think it’s fair to say it's missing a few crucial features. And yes, although this model costs a fair bit less than the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, it's not exactly cheap. At more than $60 / £50 / AU$90, I’d hope for more expansive functionality.

All of that’s not to say that I disliked the Rematch – far from it. It’s a solid model overall that feels comfortable and effective in use, and the TMR tech is something that Nintendo’s official Switch 2 pro controller doesn’t have. And even with some missing features, it does support motion controls, which worked well in my experience.

Ultimately, I’d probably recommend waiting for a sale for this model. It’s a trustworthy, appealing controller that gets a lot of the fundamentals right, and it will almost certainly serve you well. At full price, though, I just feel that it’s a bit too thin on features.

(Image credit: Future)Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price and release date

• List price of $64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99
• Which is $20 / £20 / AU$20 less than the official Switch 2 Pro Controller
• Launched in October 2025

The Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 was released in October 2025, a few months after Nintendo’s latest system came to market. This Nintendo-licensed controller will typically set you back $64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99 – that’s about $20 / £20 / AU$20 less than the official Switch 2 Pro Controller. You can purchase it with the Mario design – pictured throughout this review – or in a more basic Charcoal Black colorway.

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: specs

Price

$64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99

Weight

0.8lbs / 0.4kg

Dimensions

6.3 x 5.3 x 2.6in / 160 x 135 x 65mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Wireless

Battery life

40 hours

(Image credit: Future)Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: design and features

• Beautiful semi-translucent design
• Remappable GL/GR buttons plus C button
• No NFC support, no 3.5mm port

Looks-wise, I’m a big fan of the Rematch controller for Switch 2. It has a semi-translucent design and is adorned with the Super Mario logo, as well as the Italian plumber himself. It's beautiful, fun, and a bit more charismatic than the swathe of plain black controllers that dominate the market. Red details really cement the fact that this is a Mario-themed, Nintendo-licensed model too, which is a nice touch.

As nice as it looks, though, I would argue that the controller feels a touch cheaper than its price tag may suggest. It's got quite a plasticky build, and some components, like the D-pad for instance, just lack that premium finish you’ll get from Nintendo’s official Pro Controller.

That’s fairly understandable, given that the Pro Controller is $20 / £20 / AU$20 more expensive, but that cheaper build isn’t the only sacrifice you’ll make if you do indeed opt for the Rematch instead.

For instance, this model doesn’t have NFC technology built in, which means that you can’t make use of Amiibos in games like Donkey Kong Bananza or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. I understand that this won’t upset most players as much as me, but as an avid amiibo collector, this felt like a significant miss. Pair that with the lack of a 3.5mm port for a wired headset, and the omission of rumble (which I’ll discuss more down below), and you’re not getting the most feature-rich model on the market.

However, the Rematch controller does still have some commendable aspects, like its GL and GR buttons – these can be mapped to different controls for different games, and can come in handy for item management in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for instance.

The C button in the center of the controller is also a big help if you want quick access to GameChat capabilities, something that you won’t find on a lot of third-party models.

(Image credit: Future)Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: performance

• TMR thumbsticks feel pretty good
• A whole lotta battery life
• Lack of rumble and can’t wake the console

The Rematch is an ergonomic, well-sized model with a pleasing weight to it, and it’s a very solid controller performance-wise.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of picking this controller over Nintendo’s official rival is that you’re getting TMR thumbsticks. This ensures strong responsiveness and precision, while also making stick drift less likely. More generally, the textured thumbsticks feel pretty good, and I experienced no issues with them across hours and hours of play.

In fact, most of the buttons feel pretty pleasing to use, whether that be the main face buttons, plus and minus controls, or the triggers. I especially appreciated the form of the ZL and ZR buttons, which slope upwards and are satisfying to press. The aforementioned GL/GR buttons are a welcome addition to boot.

My only real complaint when it comes to the buttons is some of the placements. For some reason, the home and plus buttons, as well as the minus and screenshot buttons, have been swapped around. To begin with, I found myself continually pressing the home button instead of the plus one, just out of sheer muscle memory. When playing with friends, I found that they would do the same, so this change felt more bothersome than anything.

Back to the good stuff, though, and I’m pleased to report that this controller delivers plenty of playtime. Turtle Beach says you get 40 hours from the Rematch, and from my time playing, I’d report that as accurate. That’s the same amount of time you’d expect to get out of the official Switch 2 controller, and competitive against other third-party controller manufacturers.

This model also supports motion controls, which I found to be surprisingly accurate. During my playthrough of Super Mario Galaxy, it was nice ‘n’ easy to grab star bits and navigate through menus – I still find the Joy-Con 2 controllers to be superior for motion-controlled games, however.

Having said that, Turtle Beach did leave a few functions out that could’ve put this controller's performance on par with the best of the best. For instance, there’s no rumble here, which is crucial for certain in-game mechanics and delivering a more immersive experience overall. You also cannot wake the console with the home button – something I love about my go-to controller, the Mobapad N1 HD.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2?Buy it if...

You’re looking for more advanced thumbstick tech
The Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 packs in TMR thumbsticks – one of its best assets for sure. This means that your controller will be less prone to drift than a controller using more traditional tech, like the official Switch 2 Pro Controller.

You want standout looks
I really like the semi-translucent design of this controller, and having Super Mario himself at the front and center feels like a nice touch. As I stated earlier, the market is filled with one-note, plain black models, so it’s nice to find something with a bit of pizzazz.

Don't buy it if...

You want the most feature-rich controller
Despite its nifty thumbsticks and swell design, the Rematch omits some fairly major features. For instance, there’s no rumble here, which can be crucial for immersing players in their gaming experiences. There’s also no NFC tech for amiibo, and you can’t wake the console from sleep mode, which is a shame.

You’re looking for something with a premium feel
As much as I like this controller’s look, I wouldn’t say it's the most sturdily or luxuriously built model. The Rematch has quite a plasticky feel, and for the price you pay, you may expect something a little more premium.

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: also consider

Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

8BitDo Ultimate 2

Price

$64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99

$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95

$69.99 / £59.99 / AU$90

Weight

0.8lbs / 360g

0.5lbs / 235g

0.5lbs / 246g

Dimensions

6.3 x 5.3 x 2.6in / 160 x 135 x 65mm

5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC

Connection type

Wireless

Wireless

Wireless

Battery life

40 hours

40 hours

15 hours

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Although it doesn’t have TMR or Hall effect, we still love the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Its luxurious build quality, excellent battery life, smooth thumbsticks, and ergonomic comfort just keep us coming back for more. Its inclusion of NFC and rumble tech gives it a bit of a leg up over this Turtle Beach model, although it will cost you a little more.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review.

8BitDo Ultimate 2
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is filled to the brim with high-tech features, be that TMR sticks, Hall effect triggers, or remappable L4/R4 bumpers. OK, its battery life really isn’t that great, especially if you’re using the flashy RGB lights, but there’s still a lot to love about this model.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across multiple weeks
• Compared against other wireless controllers
• Played a range of Nintendo Switch 2, original Switch, and retro titles

I spent weeks testing the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, during which time I played various games, exhausted its many features, and compared it against a handful of rivals.

In order to assess the controller’s capabilities in full, I played classic titles via Nintendo Switch Online, such as Chibi-Robo!, as well as games with motion controls like Super Mario Galaxy, and Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. Most of the time, I used the controller while my Nintendo Switch 2 was docked, and connected up to my Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar.

More generally, I’ve tested a bunch of Nintendo Switch 2 accessories – not only controllers, but also cameras like the Hori Piranha Plant Camera, screen protectors including the Genki Aegis Shield, and cases such as the official Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case.

• First reviewed: February 2026
• Read more about how we test

Sprout Social has been around for a while now and, as a result, has become one of the go-to software options for anyone needing the best social media management or SEO tools. 

The package, spread across several paid tiers, comprises a heady blend of social tools and marries those to a potent analytics edge, which produces a great all-round package for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Anyone looking to take on social media channels for the first time, or to beef up their levels of participation, will find Sprout Social offers plenty. There’s a neat dashboard-style management setup, allowing for easy co-ordination, while the ability to lets multiple users access it means there’s appeal for larger organisations too.

• Sign up for a Sprout Social plan

While Sprout Social comes with a potent yet user-friendly array of social media management tools, the company has worked to still offer an affordable and good value option. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Sprout therefore continues to be a hit with many business owners, who might not necessarily warm to a competitor like Hootsuite or Buffer. 

Let's dive into our Sprout Social social media management review. 

• Best affiliate marketing software of 2024

(Image credit: Future)Sprout Social: Plans and Pricing

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Starting rate (paid monthly)

Standard

$199/user/month

$249/user/month

Professional

$299/user/month

$399/user/month

Advanced

$399/user/month

$499/user/month

Enterprise

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

You can try Sprout Social for free using a 30-day trial, without the need for any credit card details, which is a great way to get to know the software. 

Following on from that, Sprout Social comes in three different packages, starting with the Standard edition, which currently costs $249 per user/per month when billed monthly. Alternatively, you can choose to pay for the Standard package on a $249 month-to-month basis.

Stepping up to the next package, the Professional edition is Sprout Social's most popular plan, currently available for $299 per user/per month and, again, billed annually. There is also the option to pay $399 month-to-month with this one, too.

Meanwhile, an Advanced edition costs $399 per user/per month billed annually. This has the option to pay $499 on a month-to-month basis if preferred. If you’re concerned about whether or not there will be enough benefits from the higher-end packages, requesting a demo is also possible, where a member of the Sprout Social team can talk you through the various features and functions.

Finally, there's an Enterprise tier, which is available for large organisations upon request. Sprout Social will tailor the app to your needs, and there is 24/5 support, plus a range of other features we'll get into below. 

• Best free project management software of 2024

(Image credit: Sprout Social )Sprout Social: AI features (New)

Sprout Social has invested heavily in AI over the past two years, consolidating its machine learning and automation capabilities under the Sprout AI brand. Rather than treating AI as a bolt-on feature, the company has embedded it across publishing, engagement, analytics, and customer care.

The most notable recent addition is Trellis, Sprout's agentic AI launched in Q4 2025. Think of it as an AI analyst that navigates the platform on your behalf, transforming large volumes of social data into business intelligence and surfacing actionable next steps.

Trellis is a meaningful step beyond basic AI-assisted suggestions and positions Sprout ahead of many competitors in terms of automation depth. You can also connect your Sprout data directly into ChatGPT, which opened up in Q4 2025 as well, for deeper content planning and research workflows.

On the content creation side, AI Assist lets you generate and refine social copy, write accurate alt-text for images, and automatically create subtitles for video posts in one click. The Optimal Send Times feature uses AI to identify the best windows to publish based on your audience's activity patterns. These tools are especially useful for teams managing multiple accounts across platforms, where manually optimising each post quickly becomes impractical.

Sprout AI also powers a smarter inbox experience. Sentiment analysis runs automatically across incoming messages, and AI-driven bot and spam filtering helps keep your engagement metrics clean by removing automated noise from your data. For brands using Sprout's Social Listening add-on, Smart Categories uses AI to surface the key themes driving conversations around your chosen topics .

Finally, the Influencer Marketing platform received a major AI overhaul in April 2025. The new version introduced natural language and topic-led creator discovery — replacing keyword-based search with a more intuitive approach that better reflects how social platforms actually surface content. A revamped Brand Fit Score and brand safety reporting also use AI to help you vet creators more quickly, reducing what used to be hours of manual research to a matter of minutes.

Sprout Social: Basic features

As you’d expect from a Standard package, the entry-level edition is more of a slimline edition of the software. Nevertheless, it does come with a decent array of tools aimed at users with lesser social media management needs than bigger businesses. 

Starting off, the Standard edition bundles in five social profiles, an all-in-one social inbox, the ability to publish, schedule, draft, and queue posts, and a social content calendar, to keep everyone on the same page. 

Users can also carry out review management, monitor profiles, keywords, and locations, as well as deploying social CRM tools. Reporting offers up group, profile, and post-level options, plus there’s the ability to deliver paid promotion tools to boost Facebook posts. 

Sprout also offers handy iOS and Android apps for working on the go. 

Sprout Social: Professional features

You’ll really want to invest in Sprout Social's popular Professional edition to benefit from more power tools. While this does involve additional costs, the set of features covers an awful lot of bases. Look out for unlimited social profiles, plus everything that comes packed into Standard. 

On top of that there is competitive reporting for Instagram, Facebook, and X, incoming and outgoing message content tagging, as well as custom workflows for multiple approvers. More advantageously, there’s scheduling for optimal send times and the benefit of response rate and time analysis reports. 

Crucially, Pro users get trend analysis for X keywords and hashtags, and the benefit of paid social reporting for Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Also useful for larger concerns is the helpdesk, CRM, and Social Commerce integration capabilities.

For most companies, Professional offers the perfect blend of features and price, and compares favourably to its rivals across the market. 

(Image credit: Sprout Social)Sprout Social: Advanced features

Finally, larger business frequently have the need for even more power tools, which can often be a needless requirement for smaller companies. 

Social Sprout’s Advanced package features add a lot more muscle to the software, especially for companies with a major push going on with their social media management needs. The Advanced package comes with everything in the Professional edition, and then adds on the likes of Message Spike Alerts for increased message activity email and push notification alerts when traffic is high.

There’s a digital asset and content library, and chatbots with automation tools. Advanced users can also work with saved and suggested replies, make use of an inbox rule builder for automated actions, and enjoy automated link tracking. X surveys to define CSAT or NPS come bundled good measure.

• Best free office software of 2024

(Image credit: Sprout Social)Sprout Social: Analytics and reporting

By the same token, the reporting aspect of Sprout Social is as impressive as ever. 

Users can create detailed insights into social media campaigns, get a handle on what works and what doesn’t, as well as producing shareable information that should work a treat in the board room. Naturally, it’s easy to export reports in popular file formats, including CSV and PDF.

Sprout Social has always been handy with its chunky analytics tools and this is an aspect that has become stronger in recent years. The higher-end bundles pack in lots of advanced features for helping combine analytics with lead generation and suchlike, adding value. 

In fact, sales and marketing teams should find it invaluable, while a feature like the Chatbot tool should help improve efficiency too by allowing administrators to build an assistant to help customer needs.

• Best content marketing tool of 2024

(Image credit: Sprout Social)Sprout Social: User Interface

Sprout Social has been in existence for quite a while now and has therefore evolved into a great on-the-go tool for anyone needing to manage their social media out in the field. 

Sprout Social offers iOS and Android mobile apps, both of which have been nicely produced and include more than enough functionality for most needs, even on the Basic edition. Considering its impressive feature set, Sprout Social is still fairly straightforward to setup and configure.

Even in its desktop incarnation, you’ll find Sprout Social to be fairly logical with its layout, especially considering all of the tools that come contained within. There are quick access menu options to commonly used tools like Messages, Tasks, Feeds, and Publishing, helping to improve the overall workflow. 

Similarly, you can get to those vital reporting tools with relative ease too. There are practical considerations too, with a settings area that lets you configure language settings and suchlike for users in other geographical territories.

• Best ecommerce hosting of 2024

(Image credit: Sprout Social)Sprout Social: Support

Anyone getting to grips with Sprout Social for the first time will find a whole host of great content at the online help center, including tips, tricks, and tutorials covering every aspect of the software, along with more advanced tools for helping to get the best from Sprout Social. 

If you need to get in touch there is a phone support number, the option to submit a request online or you can simply reach out via social media. The enterprise tier also includes 24/5 dedicated support, for any enquiries or help. 

While some rivals do go a little further when it comes to support, Sprout Social offers most of the things needed to make sense of the software and get the most out of your online social media presence. 

• Best graphic design software of 2024

(Image credit: Sprout Social)Sprout Social: The competition

Social media management tools are reasonably plentiful and, if you’re working to a tight or non-existent budget, some of them can be had for free. 

Small business owners might struggle to justify the cost implications of the beefier editions of Sprout Social. With that in mind, heading for something like the basic edition of Hootsuite might make more sense, but there’s also the likes of Buffer, HubSpot, Zoho Social, and Circleboom to ponder over too.

All of the different services have their own pros and cons – especially depending on your specific social media needs – and checking out a variety of cheaper (or free) tiers, plus free trials, is likely the best way to definitively find the best. 

• Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.

(Image credit: Sprout Social)Sprout Social: Final verdict

If your organisation has advanced social media management needs then Sprout Social offers plenty of appeal, including the ability to ramp up your efforts even more than that with the additional premium solutions. However, all of those extra features and functions add to the price tag, which for smaller businesses can soon make a Professional package seem like a sizeable investment.

Nevertheless, if you’ve got any kind of serious inclination to boost your standing in social media circles, and enjoy the data produced by Sprout Social, you’ll find this is a package that rarely disappoints. Even the Standard edition offers up a surprisingly potent dashboard of delights, via an interface that’s a joy to use, especially if you’re making full use of the iOS and Android apps. 

As we've said throughout the review, Sprout Social is far from an upstart in the space and so you can trust the company to maintain its product, offer quality support, and generally provide one of the best social media management tools in 2026. 

• Sign up to Sprout Social.