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Top business tech tested: The best gear for professionals we reviewed for June 2026

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 07:31
All the best office, home office, and small business tech that impressed us over the last month.
Categories: Technology

Ereaders are only going to get smarter thanks to E Ink’s partnership with MediaTek, and it could be a big improvement to color displays — but AI is unfortunately involved

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 07:13
E Ink and MediaTek want to make future ereaders smarter, but that includes having AI-integrated features.
Categories: Technology

Ransomware groups grow revenue by almost 40% in Q1 2026

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 07:12
Initial Access Brokers are removing a major pain point helping ransomware operators steal more.
Categories: Technology

Motive fleet management review

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 06:27

Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) started in 2013 as a compliance-focused ELD provider and has since grown into a platform trusted by over 120,000 businesses, from owner-operators to Fortune 500 companies like Halliburton and Maersk. Today it covers GPS tracking, driver safety, asset monitoring, and fuel spend management from a single interface. If you're weighing your options, it sits among the stronger entries in our guide to the best fleet management software.

TechRadar reviewers spend hundreds of hours each month testing and comparing B2B software across every major category. For 2026, our top pick in fleet management is Samsara, which pulls ahead of Motive on several features including custom route locations and SMS-based geofence alerts. That said, Motive holds its ground in areas that matter most to regulated, safety-focused operations.

My evaluation covered GPS performance, compliance tooling, driver analytics, and real-world user sentiment across verified review platforms. What I found is a platform that delivers real operational value for mid-size and larger fleets, though with a few meaningful caveats worth knowing before you sign a contract.

Motive: At a glance

Attribute

Notes

Score

GPS tracking

Industry-leading 1–3 second refresh rate with a real-time Fleetview dashboard

5/5

Asset management

IoT GPS sensors track trailers and unpowered assets, updating once per minute

4/5

Usage analytics

DRIVE scoring factors in road and weather conditions alongside driver behavior

4.5/5

Cost control

Motive Card integrates fuel spend tracking and IFTA reporting in one dashboard

4/5

Compliance monitoring

FMCSA-registered ELD handles Hours of Service logging automatically

5/5

Alerts & notifications

Email alerts for geofencing and idle events; no SMS option available

3.5/5

Ease of use

Plug-and-play OBD-II installation takes under five minutes per vehicle

4/5

Price and scalability

Quote-based pricing and mandatory 12-month contracts limit flexibility for smaller fleets

3/5

Customer service

24/7 phone and email support, though response quality is inconsistent across user accounts

3.5/5

Motive scores highest where it matters most for regulated fleets: GPS tracking and ELD compliance both earn a five. The gaps appear in pricing transparency and support consistency, pulling the overall score to four stars.

For operations where safety and regulatory readiness are non-negotiable, the platform earns its place.

Motive: Features
  • AI dashcams detect 15+ risky driving behaviors, with all footage reviewed by human safety inspectors before alerts are sent to managers.
  • The FMCSA-registered ELD automates Hours of Service logging and generates audit-ready compliance reports.
  • The DRIVE scoring system adjusts driver safety scores based on road and traffic conditions, not just raw behavior data.
  • The Motive Card tracks fuel purchases and integrates IFTA reporting directly into the fleet dashboard.
  • Asset tracking via IoT GPS sensors covers trailers, heavy equipment, and unpowered assets with once-per-minute location updates.
  • The "Hey Motive" voice assistant lets drivers save dashcam footage or check drive time without taking their hands off the wheel.

Motive's feature set is built around four priorities: safety, productivity, compliance, and profitability. Its AI dashcam system can detect over 15 unsafe driving behaviors (as of March 2026), including eating while driving. Moreover, every flagged video is reviewed by a human safety inspector before it reaches the fleet manager. That extra layer of verification eliminates false positives, which is a persistent frustration with automated dashcam systems at competing platforms.

The DRIVE scoring system is one of the platform's more considered design choices. Rather than penalizing drivers on behavior data alone, it factors in road conditions and weather when calculating safety scores, making those scores more defensible for driver coaching and insurance documentation. On the operational side, the Motive Card ties fuel spend directly into the dashboard, with IFTA reporting handled automatically.

Where Motive shows its limits is in areas competitors have developed further. There are no custom location alerts, no traffic or weather notifications built into the tracking view, and asset telematics update on a once-per-minute cycle rather than continuously. For most fleets, these are manageable gaps, though logistics operations with complex routing needs should note them before choosing.

Motive: Ease of Use

Setting up Motive is faster than I expected for a platform of this depth. Vehicles connect via OBD-II plug-in devices that typically take under five minutes each, and dashcams mount to the windshield with a straightforward wired connection. Most fleets handle self-installation using Motive's step-by-step guides, though professional installation is available for hardwired configurations or larger deployments.

The desktop dashboard is well-organized, giving fleet managers a real-time view of vehicle locations, driver alerts, and asset statuses. The mobile Fleet App covers most of the same ground for managers on the move, and the Driver App handles log management, dispatch updates, and coaching scores. The main learning curve sits on the driver side, where new users occasionally report friction during onboarding, especially with log editing workflows.

Motive: Pricing

Motive does not publish its full pricing publicly, which makes upfront cost comparisons difficult. Based on verified third-party sources, plans start at roughly $35 per vehicle per month, with higher tiers reaching approximately $40–$50 per vehicle for features like asset tracking, driver scorecards, and advanced compliance tools. Hardware costs are separate: the ELD device runs around $150, and dashcams and asset trackers add to that figure.

The minimum contract length is 12 months, and a notable share of users on review platforms flag auto-renewal terms and difficulty downgrading mid-contract as real pain points. Motive offers a free demo before purchase, which I'd strongly recommend taking before committing. For fleets with 10 or more vehicles that need ELD compliance, the per-vehicle cost tends to become more justifiable at scale.

Motive: Customer support

Motive offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat, matching what most enterprise fleet platforms provide. Across verified review platforms, sentiment is divided: many reviewers praise support agents for being responsive and knowledgeable, especially during urgent compliance questions or audit situations.

A significant portion of reviews describe templated, slow-to-resolve experiences, particularly for hardware issues and billing disputes. Some larger fleet operators cite this as a serious operational headache, with problems going unresolved over extended periods. Support quality appears to vary based on account size and issue complexity, which is worth factoring into your evaluation.

Motive: Alternatives
  • Samsara: Techradar pick for best fleet management in 2026, with custom location alerts, SMS geofence notifications, and a 30-day free trial that Motive doesn't offer.
  • Verizon Connect: Another strong option for enterprises already in the Verizon ecosystem, with more pricing information available upfront than Motive provides.
  • Geotab: Hardware-agnostic platform that gives larger fleets more control over data and integrations, with a more transparent pricing structure.
Motive: Final verdict

Motive is a well-executed platform for fleets where driver safety and ELD compliance are central concerns. The 1–3 second GPS refresh rate outpaces most competitors, the AI dashcam system is one of the more accountable in the market, and the FMCSA-registered ELD handles compliance logging with minimal manual effort. Real-world results back this up: Congruex reported cutting accidents by 80% after deploying Motive, and Southwind attributed over $2 million in insurance and fuel savings to the platform.

The weak spots are on the commercial side. Opaque pricing, mandatory 12-month contracts, and inconsistent support experiences create real friction, particularly for smaller fleets that can't absorb those risks as easily. If Samsara's pricing or feature set doesn't fit your needs, Motive is a legitimate alternative. Go in with a clear picture of your contract terms, and take the demo seriously.

Motive: How we tested

My evaluation drew on hands-on testing of the platform's core features alongside analysis of verified user reviews from G2, Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice. I assessed GPS performance, dashcam workflows, compliance tooling, and ease of setup, and compared Motive's feature set and pricing against leading competitors including Samsara, Verizon Connect, and Geotab.

Motive: FAQsIs Motive compliant with FMCSA regulations?

Yes. Motive's ELD is FMCSA-registered and compliant with both US and Canadian Hours of Service mandates. It automatically records drive time, generates audit-ready logs, and calculates CSA scores using FMCSA data. This reduces manual compliance work significantly for fleets that operate across multiple states or provinces.

Does Motive offer a free a trial?

Motive does not offer a traditional free trial. It does provide free demos for qualified businesses, which give you a practical look at the platform before committing to a contract. Given that the minimum contract term is 12 months, I'd treat the demo as a serious evaluation step rather than a formality.

What hardware does Motive require, and how difficult is installation?

Motive uses plug-and-play OBD-II gateway devices that connect directly to a vehicle's diagnostic port and typically take under five minutes to install. Dashcams mount to the windshield and connect to a power source. Most fleets manage self-installation using Motive's included guides, and professional installation is also available for larger or more complex setups.

How does Motive handle driver privacy?

Fleet managers can customize which behaviors the AI dashcams monitor, which limits unnecessary footage collection and reduces liability exposure. You can also configure which alerts get sent and to whom, so drivers aren't flagged for incidents that don't meet your threshold. All dashcam footage is reviewed by a human safety inspector before it reaches the fleet manager, which prevents false positives from creating unnecessary friction.

What industries is Motive best suited for?

Motive works across trucking and logistics, construction, oil and gas, food and beverage distribution, and field services. It's particularly strong for operations that need FMCSA compliance, high-frequency GPS tracking, and structured driver safety programs. Smaller owner-operators can use it, but the pricing and contract structure tend to make more sense at the 10-or-more-vehicle mark.

Categories: Reviews

Early Prime Day deals are here, folks — you can already get three months of Audible or Kindle Unlimited for free

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 06:18
Two of Amazon's best live services are currently available with extended free trials ahead of Prime Day.
Categories: Technology

We asked 1,600 people if they'd upgrade to a foldable iPhone Ultra, and the results suggest Apple's next big product swing will divide opinion

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 06:14
Our poll suggests that the iPhone Ultra won't be a runaway hit, but it might still be somewhat successful for Apple.
Categories: Technology

DOJ will pause $1.8 billion fund, per court order. And, key primaries to watch today

NPR News Headlines - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 06:10

The DOJ says it will abide by a federal court order pausing its anti-weaponization fund. And, six states are holding primaries today. Here are the races to watch.

(Image credit: Win McNamee)

Categories: News

As AI Expands, Erin Brockovich Taps Communities to Map Data Center Concerns

CNET News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 06:01
The environmental activist is gathering community concerns on AI data centers across the US.
Categories: Technology

The Nintendo Music app just got a game changing update— now you can finally listen to the Mii Channel theme just about anywhere

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 06:00
The Nintendo Music app just got a major update, and now you really can listen to the Mii Channel theme just about anywhere — here’s everything you need to know.
Categories: Technology

What is the release date for Rivals season 2 episode 6 on Hulu and Disney+?

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 06:00
Rupert is well on his way back to regaining social glory in Rutshire — but when does Rivals season 2 episode 6 drop on Hulu and Disney+?
Categories: Technology

Could Your Nonstick Air Fryer Basket Make You Sick? Here's What You Need to Know

CNET News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:45
With concerns about PFAS at an all-time high, glass and ceramic air fryer baskets have become popular. Does that mean a nonstick basket will make you sick? Here's what you need to know.
Categories: Technology

Fitness trackers are back — hot on the heels of the Google Fitbit Air, Samsung is reportedly launching a new Galaxy Fit

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:30
The Galaxy Fit 4 fitness tracker could be in development at Samsung, and it could arrive later this year.
Categories: Technology

Solving the enterprise data optimization problem

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:26
Most organizations retain vast amounts of useless data, driving up costs and undermining governance without strategic lifecycle management.
Categories: Technology

AR glasses are here – and displays are defining their future

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:25
AI glasses validated consumer interest, but it is displays that will propel the category forward.
Categories: Technology

Thousands of compromised websites abused by DriveSurge in active ClickFix and FakeUpdates campaigns

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:05
SilentPush is warning about an Intial Access Broker campaign called DriveSurge that uses thousands of websites to deploy a backdoor.
Categories: Technology

Peacock: 15 of the Best Movies to Stream Right Now

CNET News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:01
Peacock has the titles that'll make your movie night pop.
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What's New on Peacock in June? 'Love Island USA,' 'Las Culturistas Awards,' 'Strung' and More

CNET News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:01
Chloe Bailey's new Peacock original thriller Strung is giving us all the creeps.
Categories: Technology

'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,' 'Challengers' and More Movies You Can Stream for Free in June 2026

CNET News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:00
Tons of recent releases, from blockbusters to independent films, are all streaming free this month.
Categories: Technology

'Nobody had dared try to solve it... until us!' — MQ Wang on how his company Zero Zero Robotics invented the world's first waterproof drone

TechRadar News - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 05:00
We talked with the Zero Zero Robotics co-founder and CEO about the challenges of building a truly groundbreaking flying camera.
Categories: Technology

I was amazed by the performance of the Xiaomi 17T — and only a few drawbacks spoil this otherwise great-value Android phone

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/02/2026 - 04:56
Xiaomi 17T: Two-minute review

The Xiaomi 17T is an Android smartphone with an impressive spec, including prestigious Leica lenses in the camera.

It looks almost identical to the iPhone 16 Pro, sharing pretty much the same dimensions and camera design. The bright Violet colorway of my review unit did help to make it a little less anonymous, though.

The 17T seems well-made. The materials feel quite premium, but peer closely and you’ll see it’s not quite on the same level as the best phones. It’s by no means flimsy, but it doesn’t quite match the refinement of others.

The display is sharp, vivid, and bright — as you would expect from a 1.5K AMOLED. The 120Hz refresh rate makes motion smooth, too. However, shades of black are perhaps a little too muddled, making it hard to discern fine details in dark content.

Xiaomi makes much of the Leica lenses in its marketing for the 17T, and on the surface, it's right to. There are three rear cameras: a 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 50MP 5x telephoto.

(Image credit: Future)

Taking photos is a breeze and the results are clear and vibrant, if not quite as stunning as those of other phone cameras. There are several AI features for shooting, but these are relatively basic compared to others — which I’m thankful for. There are also such features for the phone’s system as a whole, but again these are mercifully limited in scope.

The brand’s HyperOS is a superb instance of Android. It’s incredibly smooth and easy to navigate, free as it is from clutter or confusing UI elements. Numerous first-party apps come preinstalled, but they’re largely unintrusive. Many are poor substitutes for Google’s counterparts, although one or two are genuinely useful.

The overall performance of the 17T is excellent. Zipping between apps is seamless, while streaming Ultra HD content is entirely feasible. It’s even exceedingly capable when it comes to gaming, and best of all the unit keeps cool throughout all these tasks.

Battery life is also quite good. It lasted about three days straight on a single charge. And during this time, I used it for a variety of everyday tasks. Charging is quick, taking just over an hour to fully replenish the battery.

There’s no denying that the Xiaomi 17T offers plenty of performance and features for the price. There are a few niggles here and there, but not many Android phones offer better value for money.

Xiaomi 17T review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)
  • Starts from £649 (about $870 / AU$1,200)
  • Available in the UK in various colors
  • Reasonable price for the spec

The Xiaomi 17T starts from £649 (about $870 / AU$1,200) and is available now in the UK, but not currently in the US or Australia. Four colorways are available: black, white, violet, and blue. The base model features 256GB of storage, while the top model has 512GB, and costs £699 (about $940 / AU$1,300).

Given the spec, this is a reasonable price for an Android phone. It’s more expensive than the Xiaomi 15T, which features a less powerful processor, although it does have a bigger screen. It’s also more expensive than the Honor 600, which has similar specs, but doesn’t have as powerful a telephoto lens.

Xiaomi 17T review: Specs

Dimensions

6.20 x 2.96 x 0.32 inches / 157.6 x 75.2 x 8.2mm

Weight

7.1 oz / 200g

Screen

6.59-inch AMOLED

Resolution

2756 x 1268

Refresh rate

120Hz

Chipset

MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra

RAM

12GB

Storage

256GB / 512GB

OS

Android 16 (HyperOS 3)

Rear cameras

Main: 50MP (f/1.7); 5x Telephoto: 50MP (f/3.0); ultra-wide: 12MP (f/2.2)

Front camera

32MP (f/2.2)

Battery

6,500mAh

Charging

67W wired

Xiaomi 17T review: Design

(Image credit: Future)
  • iPhone-esque looks
  • Well-made
  • Included case is sufficient

At first glance, it’s hard to not see the similarities between the 17T and many iPhones — specifically, the iPhone 16 Pro. Both share virtually the same rounded corners, large square camera cluster, and dimensions. It weighs about the same, too, which is to say that it’s fine to hold and carry around in your pocket.

The design is neat and functional, if a little bland — although the Violet colorway of my review unit did lend some vibrancy. Every surface is flat and there are only three buttons: one for power and two for volume. The word ‘Xiaomi’ emblazoned on the back is quite small.

The 17T also comes with a case, which is a simple affair. It doesn’t feel particularly premium, but it should provide adequate protection for everyday use. I wouldn't trust it to protect the 17T from more extreme knocks and drops, though. Also, the case doesn't sit flush with or extend beyond the camera bezel; this part still sticks out, which means those lenses are more likely to take the brunt of any fall or slam.

Like the iPhone, the 17T feels quite premium in the hand. The body material is smooth to the touch and feels very solid. It’s not made from a single piece, though; the back panel is separate from the sides, and there is a small but noticeably gap in between the two, which is bound to fill with debris over time.

Xiaomi 17T review: Display

(Image credit: Future)
  • Bright and vivid
  • Sharp resolution
  • Useful Reading Mode

The Xiaomi 17T features a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K (2756 x 1268) resolution. Given these specs, it’s no surprise that content looks sharp and vibrant, making it great for productivity and entertainment. The 3500 nits peak brightness means you’re never wanting for more brightness, either. However, I did notice that shades of black are a little unrefined, meaning that details in dark content can get lost.

With a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, the screen provides supremely smooth scrolling and navigation as you flit around app windows. In its default setting, the 17T will automatically switch between refresh rates based on scenario, in order to balance performance and power usage. However, you can fix this to 60Hz or 120Hz at all times, and can even set it on an app-by-app basis.

There’s also a Reading Mode that can be set to turn on at certain hours or toggled manually. It filters out blue light and adds a slightly grainy texture, similar to that of paper. I did find this helped when reading reams of text, but that graininess isn’t great when viewing other kinds of content.

However, you can adjust this texture using a slider, letting you disable it altogether. You can also adjust the strength of the blue light filter, and even change the output to black and white only.

In use, I found the screen a little grabby at times, with my fingers and thumbs sticking slightly as I scrolled up and down. However, the effect wasn’t too egregious, and a quick wipe often remedied the issue.

Xiaomi 17T review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future)
  • 50MP rear cameras
  • Ultrawide and 5x Telephoto lenses
  • AI enhancements available

The Xiaomi 17T features three rear cameras with lenses made by Leica. Aside from the main lens, there’s an ultra-wide lens and a 5x telephoto lens. The main and telephoto lenses are capable of shooting at 50MP, although this drops to 12.5MP when selecting an aspect ratio other than 3:4, which is disappointing.

Given this impressive spec, it’s no wonder that the photos I shot turned out very well. They were sharp, and colors were vivid, although I can’t say they were as rich and as detailed as those taken with the best cameras phones. Shots that utilized the 5x zoom were great as well, although there was a slight but noticeable loss in clarity (we tested the Xiaomi 17T Pro's equivalent telephoto lens in detail elsewhere on TechRadar).

The camera app itself is easy to use. There are plenty of settings and adjustments available, and they’re readily available without digging too deep. On top of this, there is a range of filters available to change the tone, as well as a Beautify feature. There are various modes, too, such as a super macro mode for extreme close-ups, and a Pro mode that lets you make more advanced tweaks, from changing the ISO to setting the focus manually.

There are some AI features for shooting, but mercifully these aren’t as bloated or as useless as those on other smartphones. You can toggle AI recommendations, which can improve low-light and zoomed-in photos, among other automations.

Rather disconcertingly, there’s also a mole removal setting when taking selfies. As someone with moles on their face, I can say that this feature actually worked. Video can be shot in 1080p and at 30fps or 60fps. The results from my videos were smooth and sharp.

Xiaomi 17T review: Software

(Image credit: Future)
  • HyperOS is excellent
  • Xiaomi’s apps less so
  • Various but basic AI features

Despite its terrible name, the Xiaomi 17T’s HyperOS is fantastic to use. It has a soft visual theme that’s easy on the eye, and it’s simple to navigate, thanks to the uncluttered and intuitive layout. There are also plenty of explanations for many of its settings. It’s fast and smooth, responding quickly to gestures and when switching between apps.

Unlike some Android phones, the Notification Bar and the Quick Settings panel are separated. Both are easy to access, though, since you simply drag down from the left to access the former, and from the right to access the latter.

(Image credit: Future)

The Quick Settings panel has plenty of actions on hand, including the aforementioned Reading Mode and a screenshot tool (if you don't like using the power and volume button combination). You can of course substitute the default actions with a plethora of others, and thanks to that aforementioned separation between the Notifications Bar and the Quick Settings, the 17T squeezes in more than other phones can. However, unlike some phones, you can’t have multiple pages of these actions.

There are numerous first-party apps preinstalled on the 17T, but unfortunately many of these aren’t very useful. This is a problem for every Android phone that isn’t made by Google, since you get an unnecessary doubling-up of many apps, from file managers and photo galleries to note-takers and calendars.

And as with virtually all of these ersatz apps, I can’t recommend any of them over Google’s equivalents, especially if you have a Google account and want to sync your data over the cloud. Xiaomi even has its own app store, Get Apps, but having pursued its selection, I’m not sure I would trust downloading any of them.

There are some useful first-party apps, though. There's an app called Mi remote, which can be used to control all sorts of devices from all kinds of brands. I was quite amazed that it worked with my Sony Bravia TV, which is over a decade old.

On top of this, there's the Security app, which can scan for viruses. I can’t speak to its effectiveness in this regard, but the app has other functions besides this, such as app management, battery monitoring, drive cleaning, and speed boosting.

The 17T also comes preinstalled with popular third-party apps, such as Amazon Shopping, Facebook, Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, and AliExpress, to name a few — and none of which I asked for when setting up the phone.

Since this is 2026, you won’t be surprised to hear that the 17T has AI features, too. Mercifully, these are basic and unobtrusive, and are largely confined to speech and text functions, including AI-generated subtitles.

Xiaomi 17T review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)
  • Fast for all kinds of tasks, even gaming
  • Stays remarkably cool
  • Interesting haptics

Perhaps the strongest aspect of the 17T is its performance. No matter the task, it handled it well. I managed to stream 4K content without a hitch. Meanwhile, switching between apps was seamless, no doubt thanks to the 12GB of RAM on board, which is quite high for a smartphone.

What impressed me even more, though, was how well it gamed. I managed to play graphics-heavy titles such as Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal and Asphalt Legends without issue. Both looked fantastic and ran as smoothly as I could’ve wished for. It also paired brilliantly with the GameSir X5 Lite, which is one of the best mobile controllers around in my view. Equally impressive was just how cool the 17T remained, with only the back warming up slightly.

One odd thing I noticed about the 17T, though, was its haptic response. It’s not bad, but I think it’s best described as springy, which is especially evident when typing. In one way, this prominent feeling is quite good for feedback, but it can feel like a slightly odd sensation at times, and is unlike the response from other smartphone haptics.

Connectivity also seemed to work well. I didn’t have a problem connecting to my Wi-Fi or to my Bluetooth earphones.

Xiaomi 17T review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life of the 17T is quite good. It lasted just over three days, during which time I used it for a whole host of tasks. This included streaming video, gaming, and web browsing, as well as connecting to Bluetooth earphones.

The battery saver feature turned on at 19%, and made the bold claim that it could eek out eight more hours. But this did indeed seem to be the case, which impressed me. Charging is quite quick, too, taking just over an hour to fully recharge.

Should I buy the Xiaomi 17T?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Like the iPhone in pretty much every way, but it doesn’t exude that same premium feel.

3.5/5

Display

Sharp and vibrant, but shades of black are a little harsh. Can be a little grabby at times, too.

4/5

Software

HyperOS is superb, but most first-party apps are surplus to requirements. AI features are basic and functional.

4/5

Cameras

The Leica lenses impress, but photos aren’t quite as spectacular as those taken with the best phone cameras.

4/5

Performance

Capable of all kinds of tasks, even high-end mobile gaming. It stays remarkably cool, too.

4.5/5

Battery life

Lasts for several days on a single charge, and recharging is very quick.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want great performance
Streaming and high-end mobile gaming are possible with the 17T, and it doesn’t seem to break a sweat when doing either.

You want a great OS
HyperOS is slick, fast, and very easy to use. It’s one of the best instances of Android I’ve used.

Don't buy it if…

You want a unique design
The 17T is virtually indistinguishable from the best iPhone models, so you better be okay with that.

You want the very best phone camera
Don't get me wrong, the camera in the 17T is very capable and impressive, but there are a few that can beat it for camera quality and features.

Xiaomi 17T review: Also consider

Xiaomi 15T
Despite the lower model number, the 15T actually has a bigger display than the 17T, at 6.8 inches. Other than that, though, its specs are remarkably similar. The biggest difference between the two concerns the CPU: the 15T has the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra, while the 17T has the 8500 Ultra. Both have the same RAM, storage, and very similar camera arrays. However, the 15T only has a 2x Telephoto lens, whereas the 17T has 5x.

Read our full Xiaomi 15T review

Honor 600
Another budget-conscious Android phone, the Honor 600 eclipses its price tag in some key areas. We were impressed with its luminous display, long battery life, and capable AI features — although some are a little disconcerting. Like the 17T, though, it also has an uninspired design, ripped straight from the Apple playbook.

Read our full Honor 600 review

Xiaomi 17T Pro
If you're after a slightly more premium experience, the Xiaomi 17T Pro packs a larger display, a bigger battery, and a slightly more powerful chipset than its non-Pro sibling. Its camera setup is identical, however.

Read our full Xiaomi 17T Pro review

How I tested the Xiaomi 17T

I tested the 17T for several days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks. I browsed the web using Google Chrome, streamed video on YouTube, including 4K content, and played demanding mobile games.

I also shot numerous photos, including those with the 5x Telephoto lens and the selfie camera, as well as video. I tried out as many of the phone’s features as I could, including its AI ones where possible. I also paired my Bluetooth earphones to test connectivity.

I’ve used numerous Android phones for over a decade, and currently use a Google Pixel 7a as my daily phone. I've also reviewed Android tablets.

Categories: Reviews

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