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I've known John Ternus for almost a dozen years, but not this John Ternus, the newly minted Apple CEO and sudden global tech celebrity. So, color me pleased when he and his Global Marketing SVP Greg Joswiak agreed to sit down with Tom's Guide Global Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer and me for a podcast discussion that ranged from bringing Pencil to the iPhone and excitement around the foldable iPhone Duo to what AI means for innovation, and the big moment when Ternus realized he was about to become CEO of arguably one of the biggest and most important tech companies in the world.

It's kind of wild to watch someone who you think of as a brilliant but also normal and approachable guy transform into an industry rockstar almost overnight, and while Ternus, who is a 25-year Apple veteran and came directly from leading Apple's hardware operations, doesn't seem outwardly fazed by the transition, he's also attuned to the moment.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

"What an extraordinary privilege, right?" said Ternus with a wide grin. The reality is, I just love this place, right? It's in my blood. ...I love the people I work with. I love to be able to build the products that we all build together. And so, goosebumps...and excitement."

What Ternus didn't say is that he was in any way nervous, worried, or even had any fear about the sheer scope of the role. But then, that shouldn't surprise anyone, certainly not Joswiak, who sat next to Ternus and told me, "John will be too humble to say it. The product quality that we have is really — there's nobody in the industry close to what we have — and this has really accelerated during the time that John has started leading the hardware organization that became such an incredible part of designing for that reliability and as well as testing for it. It's just off the charts."

The AI of it all

Throughout our discussion, Ternus's excitement and commitment to doing things the Apple way is clear. He's clearly so deeply embedded in every aspect of the Apple product pipeline, and when I pressed him on innovation, he made it clear that, obviously, Apple is innovating, but that he also has a point of view and, naturally, it involves AI.

"[This is] the most exciting time in my career to be building product because AI presents all these new opportunities." Ever the big-picture thinker, Ternus quickly added that you can't develop AI without being "really thoughtful about and deliberate about" it.

(Image credit: Future)

Still, Apple's next phase of innovation seems inexorably linked to AI. "You can see what we're able to do now in our products that we were never able to do before." Ternus mentioned the new Smart Take feature on the iPhone Duo, which essentially knows when you want to take a photo without you explicitly telling it so.

• Also read: Apple CEO John Ternus on iPhone Duo, fixing foldable screens, and the end of the no-stylus 'rule

"Those are incredibly new, exciting capabilities for the kind of products we've made. But this also opens the door for new kinds of products, and so we're just really excited....I couldn't be more excited about our roadmap and what we have ahead of us, and yeah, it's going to be fun."

Rules? There are no rules

Ternus strikes me as maybe more flexible than Steve Jobs was on certain points. Take, for instance, Apple Pencil support on the iPhone Duo. That is an iPhone with digital stylus support.

In 2008, Steve Jobs famously dismissed stylus support for the iPhone. I think his exact words were, "Yuck."

Ternus, though, told me, " I've never really thought of it as a rule. We started with iPad. There was no Apple Pencil, right? And we proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that a touch interface on an iPad can be an amazingly capable and productive thing. But then there's things you can do with a pencil on that larger screen that are really powerful and capable. And I think we saw that opportunity here."

So no clear answer on innovation, but Ternus is smart about spotting and seizing opportunity.

His approach to whatever comes next is, it seems, rooted in his love of Apple and acting on those opportunities.

"I love making product," said Ternus, who added that he loves "doing it with the people here at Apple." He then pointed with some pride at the iPhone Duo, noting that he's "most excited to build amazing things like that."

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)iPhone is still the one

For all the changes at Apple, in the industry at large, and even trends around smartphone use, the iPhone remains firmly at the center of Apple's Ring. The introduction of the iPhone Duo, a wholly new form factor and the first two-in-one iPhone, is evidence of that, but so is how Ternus sees screens, in general.

During the keynote, Ternus, who seemed so at home on stage (both live and in the pre-recorded bits), pulled a bit of a head fake, talking about an Intelligent Personal Hub that for a moment sounded like a mythical AI wearable (iGlasses, anyone?). In reality, he was talking about the iPhone.

Ternus told me the company is not changing any strategy on wearables (AI or otherwise). After all, it has the AirPods and the Apple Watch, which are more AI-infused than ever. But he also made it clear that screens will remain an important part of the business, mainly because that's Apple's answer to customer demand.

"People want displays. You want to see information. You know, humans process information way more effectively visually than through audio. And so, having a display is amazing, and it fits in your pocket. And so, we don't see the phone losing significance in any way, shape, or form."

(Image credit: Future)

When I asked, though, about the missing iPhone 18 base model, Jozwiak reminded me that the Apple "Surprise and Shine" event was "the day to celebrate these new products."

I guess that's true. The iPhone 18 would've been less exciting and maybe less able to perform some of the feats now possible across Apple's myriad AI-enabled devices, and certainly would pale in comparison to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. But this keynote was also, in fact, a sort of elevated event. It wasn't just about the new gear. It was also about the new CEO, and Ternus delivered the exciting goods in the most Apple way.

"I think, you look across our whole portfolio and the beauty of Apple is its hardware, software, services and what I love is when all of these things kind of come together and interact and create an experience that is just bigger than the sum of its parts."

Ternus is now a bigger part of that equation, which could make Apple's next epoch even bigger than the last.

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Catch the rest of the John Ternus interview on Tom's Guide

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• AMD is putting data center-class AI hardware inside a desktop workstation
• The Halo Station combines 96 CPU cores with four powerful AI accelerators
• Up to 2.6TB of memory gives enormous AI models more local headroom

AMD's Threadripper Halo Station could become one of the most extreme desktop workstations ever built for demanding artificial intelligence workloads.

The device combines a 96-core processor with AMD Instinct accelerators and a huge memory pool designed for large local models.

Unlike conventional workstations, AMD is building this system around data center-class computing hardware inside a single deskside machine.

AMD packs data center hardware into a desktop

At the heart of the Halo Station is the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX, based on AMD's Zen 5 architecture and carrying 192 threads.

AMD lists up to 2TB of RDIMM system memory, while the accelerator side can add as much as 576GB of HBM3e memory.

Together, the system's CPU and accelerator memory can reach 2.6TB, giving large AI models far more room to run locally.

AMD also claims up to 16.4TB/s of combined memory bandwidth, giving large datasets rapid access to both system and accelerator memory.

The accelerator configuration can use four Instinct MI350P units, with each device carrying 144GB of HBM3e memory and 4TB/s bandwidth.

That design gives the machine a far larger high-speed memory pool than typical professional desktops built around a single graphics card.

AMD compares the system with Nvidia's DGX Station, whose GB300 platform offers 748GB of coherent memory across its CPU and GPU resources.

The comparison shows why AMD is focusing heavily on memory capacity, rather than treating processor core count as the main selling point.

A machine with this much memory can keep larger models and datasets close to the compute hardware instead of constantly shifting them elsewhere.

Halo Station is built for local AI work

AMD says the workstation is intended for researchers, model developers, engineers, creators, and organizations that need intensive workloads handled locally.

Its main role is running, training, and fine-tuning large AI models that would normally require access to expensive remote computing infrastructure.

The system can handle frontier-class models while supporting hundreds of AI agents operating within the same local environment.

That capability makes it useful for development tasks where repeated cloud transfers create delays, added costs, or data control concerns.

AMD also says the design allows sensitive data and intellectual property to remain on premises instead of moving through external cloud services.

The company unveiled a prototype at IFA 2026, with commercial availability planned for 2027.

AMD senior vice president Jack Huynh described the device as “the most powerful workstation in the world,” emphasizing its unusual computing scale.

Industry estimates suggest fully equipped systems could cost around $150,000, although AMD has not announced an official retail price.

Rack-mounted systems can cost far more than desktop workstations, so the Halo Station is not necessarily the world's most expensive computer.

The estimated price reflects the cost of combining a high-end CPU with multiple AI accelerators and several terabytes of memory.

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The iPhone 18 Pro was unveiled at yesterday's Surprise and Shine event, and if you've decided this is the smartphone for you, now's the time to get a case sorted. After all, this new handset isn't cheap, and if you're investing all that cash you'll want to take precautions against bumps, scrapes and scratches.

You can pick up cases from no-name brands for ultra-cheap prices at Amazon, but if you're serious about protecting your new iPhone 18 Pro, I wouldn't recommend it. I'd spend a bit more to pick up a case from a trustworthy brand, so you'll know it'll be good quality. Below, I've rounded up my favorite cases from my favorite brands — there are options direct from Apple, as well as CASETiFY, Mous, OtterBox, Snakehive and Spigen.

Each offers different things — some are more robust, some have fun designs, and some have useful extras like built-in grips and stands. I've added a little brand overview to the start of each section to help you make sense of the different ranges (because, let's face it, most of these look roughly the same).

Not bought your phone yet? Here are our iPhone 18 Pro first impressions, and a guide to Apple iPhone 18 Pro preorders.

In the UK? Head to my iPhone 18 Pro case roundup instead

Official Apple iPhone 18 Pro cases

At time of collecting this Collection, there are a couple of official Apple cases available for the iPhone 18 Pro. The TechWoven case is made from a custom woven technical fabric, created using 100% recycled polyester. It's available in a range of colors. If you'd prefer to let the color of the phone itself shine through, you'll be better off with the Clear case, crafted from "optically clear polycarbonate and flexible materials".

Apple Techwoven Case With Magsafe – Olive

Apple Clear Case With Magsafe

Apple Techwoven Case – Chambray Blue

CASETiFY iPhone 18 Pro cases

CASETiFY is a great brand to look at if you want fun designs. Its main collection is the Impact range, which is designed as a strong all-rounder. If you'd like more protection, there's the Ultra Impact case, which adds bumpers to the corners. You can also choose to add a stand, which takes the form of a hinged frame around the camera array.

If you really want to be able to throw your phone around, there's the Bounce case, with even bigger corner bumpers (this one doesn't seem to be available for the iPhone 18 yet, but I assume it'll arrive soon). All of these cases are available with a wide variety of different patterns and designs on their back panels.

The Ripple case range is made from soft-touch silicone, with a subtle rippled effect on the back panel. It's available in a selection of colors. Finally, the Alloy Ripple case has the same design but fashioned from aluminum.

CASETiFY Navy Dots

CASETiFY Compact 2.0 case — clouds

CASETiFY Compact case — stripes

CASETiFY Compact case — Zebra-brown

CASETiFY Ultra Impact case — clear

CASETiFY Ripple Case - yellow

CASETiFY Alloy Ripple Case

Mous iPhone 18 Pro cases

Mous makes a selection of sleek, streamlined cases. There aren't tons of patterns to choose from, but the build quality is premium. The brand's flagship case is the Limitless, but it also has a transparent Clarity case, a new Super Thin with two molded plastics fused for extra resilience, a barely-there Ultra Thin Aramid case, and an IntraLock case with patented mechanical mounting, designed for use on bikes and the like.

Mous Ultra Thin Aramid Fiber Case

Mous Limitless Light Blue Cover

Mous Limitless Speckled Black Cover

Mous Scratch Resistant & Shockproof Clarity case

Mous Super Thin cover, Navy Blue

Mous Intralock Phone Case — Black

OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro cases

OtterBox makes a few different case ranges, a number of which have added features like built-in grips and stands. The Defender Series case is built for maximum protection against drops and scrapes. The Commuter Series has special grippy sections and/or a retractable finger grip for secure, single-handed use, while the Symmetry Series features a 360-degree swivel stand / finger loop.

The minimalist Lumen Series is ideal if you want something streamlined, and the Sole Series comes with ridged tread around the case edge and fun, distinctive designs.

OtterBox Sole Series Phone Case - Midnight Circuit Black

OtterBox Defender Pro Series Case - Green Intrigue

OtterBox Commuter Series Case - Blue Sentiment

OtterBox Commuter Series Grip Case - Black

OtterBox Symmetry Series Stand Case - Umbra Black

OtterBox Lumen Series Case - Clear

Snakehive iPhone 18 Pro cases

Snakehive specializes in high quality leather products. It makes a slim leather case in a few different colors, and a leather wallet case in a few colors, and that's it.

Snakehive Leather Wallet Case — navy

Snakehive Slim Leather Case - Green

Spigen iPhone 18 Pro cases

Spigen makes a wide range of case options, with a particular focus on rugged protection. The core range has 'Armor' on the end: the Optik Armor has a sliding lens cover, Tough Armor T has a triple-layer build and built-in kickstand, Rugged Armor uses flexible TPU, Core Armor is streamlined with a grippy finish, and Slim Armor is an even more minimalist option.

Spigen Tough Armor T Case, Black

Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case, Clear White

Spigen Enzo Aramid T, Black

Spigen Thin Fit Case, Black

Spigen Liquid Air Case, Navy Blue

Spigen Rugged Armor Case, Matte Black

Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case, Neo One

Spigen Optik Armor Case, Abyss Green

Spigen Classic LS Case, Stone

Spigen C11 Series Velocity Edition

Spigen Ultra Hybrid C-One case, Bondi Blue

• Samsung's new portable SSD combines 8TB capacity with 4,000 MB/s reads
• The 8TB P9 offers ample storage for massive media libraries
• Samsung's fastest portable storage arrives with an unusually high price

Samsung's 8TB P9 portable drive has appeared on an ecommerce platform for $2,879.99, making it an unusually costly option for portable storage.

B&H Photo lists the drive alongside 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB versions, priced at $2,520, $2,160, and $1,440, respectively.

The pricing makes the 8TB model cheaper per terabyte than its smaller counterparts, despite its unusually high overall purchase cost.

USB4 performance comes with 8 TB capacity

The P9 connects through USB-C and supports USB4 at 40 Gb/s, giving it enough bandwidth for the listed transfer speeds.

Sequential read performance can reach 4,000 MB/s, while sequential writes can reach 3,800 MB/s under suitable operating conditions.

Samsung says the drive is intended for professional creators handling large RAW photo collections and high-resolution video files, as the 8TB capacity can also support 12K video recording and direct capture when connected equipment supports those functions.

This portable SSD draws power through the host connection, so users do not need a separate power supply for normal operation.

Samsung claims the drive is protected against drops and can survive falls from up to 6.5 feet, approximately two meters.

Thermal controls are also designed to manage heat during demanding workloads, while the enclosure also resists vibration.

The enclosure measures 3.54 x 2.56 x 0.33 inches, making it roughly comparable in length and width to a typical smartphone.

It weighs just 3.39 ounces, or 96.11 grams, so the drive adds little weight to a portable work kit.

With 8TB available, the Samsung P9 can also reduce the need to carry multiple drives when handling large media files.

Security and device support are added to the package

The P9 uses AES 256-bit hardware encryption and password protection, which can help keep stored files inaccessible to people without the required credentials.

Samsung Magician Software also lets users manage the drive's password protection, giving them another way to control access to stored data.

The drive works with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, game consoles and tablets, so users can connect it to many types of devices.

It also works with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 at 20 Gb/s and earlier USB standards, although those connections cannot deliver the drive's full USB4 speeds.

Samsung says sustained write performance can support demanding tasks such as recording content directly to the SSD and editing files stored on it.

That could be useful for users who need to record or work with large files without first moving them to another storage device.

However, B&H currently lists the 8TB model as unavailable while offering customers the option to request an availability alert.

Anyone who submits that request should receive a notification when the drive becomes available, with shipping details then provided through the retailer.

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• OpenAI is developing a tool that can perform “well-defined research tasks”
• Described as a “research intern” the project met its aim to achieve automation by September 2026, ahead of a fully automated AI researcher operational by March 2028
• The company believes that automated research can “enhance human welfare” and make other contributions

OpenAI has confirmed its project to build a fully automated AI researcher is on schedule, hitting its September 2026 target of developing a "research intern". Capable of performing research tasks commissioned by a human, the "intern" is the main milestone in the completion of the fully automated system, which OpenAI aims to reveal in March 2028.

The research intern is capable of carrying out tasks that would take several days if completed by a human researcher.

OpenAI has justified the development of the automated AI researcher by citing the reduced cost of AI, and in defending critical infrastructure against capable AI threats. These are observations it may not have published had the Hugging Face incident not occurred.

Automated research?

During an October 2025 livestream, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the development of an automated AI researcher, and its intended milestone and target. "We think it is plausible,” he said, “that by September of next year, we have an intern-level AI research assistant and that by March 2028, we have a legitimate AI researcher."

Specifically describing the current stage of the project’s development, OpenAI explained its definition of ‘research intern’ as "a system that can carry out well-defined research tasks under human direction, including tasks that would take a skilled researcher a few days.”

The post continues: “AI research is a complex process with many potential bottlenecks […] agentic tools are meaningfully accelerating research progress.”

While this particular intern won’t be able to make coffee or find a box of paperclips, its automated research ability will presumably unlock those tasks for others to complete – such as the human commissioning the research.

Recursive self-improvement

The ChatGPT company clearly expects to hit its March 2028 target for the release of the publicly available automated AI researcher, but it also seems to have learned some important lessons. It argues against the use of recursive self-improvement (RSI) in developing automated research capabilities, noting that achieving that safely is not something that is currently achievable.

OpenAI’s post underlines its continued response to the Hugging Face incident, introducing safety steps at an earlier stage of product development. The update also explains how coding agents are used for development at the company, and confirms recent revisions to monitoring standards.

Noting that “Agent-powered AI research is still new, and we are still learning how to measure it,” OpenAI’s “intern” could herald some some considerable changes to the completion of research, when it the automated AI research tool is finally completed.

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If you missed out on Labor Day appliance sales, have no fear. Best Buy's very popular appliance sale is still live, and this year's offers are not to be missed. The retailer is promising that 'we won't be beat on appliance pricing', with up to 45% off in savings on refiregerators, washing machines, dishwashers and more.

• Shop more top deals at Best Buy

Best Buy's Labor Day appliance sale is backed by their price match guarantee, which means if you find an appliance that's cheaper at an online or local competitor, Best Buy will match it. You'll find some of the lowest prices of the year on top-rated appliances from Samsung, Whirlpool, GE, and LG, plus you can score free shipping, which is a huge perk.

You can also save up to an extra $1,000 on appliance packages, an extra $300 off on laundry pairs, and free installation on qualifying dishwashers. Keep in mind that Best Buy's Labor Day appliance sale ends Wednesday, September 16, and you won't see discounts like this until the next big holiday sale, which is November's Black Friday event.

Best Buy's extended Labor Day appliance sale

Best Buy Labor Day appliance sale: save up to 45% off, plus free delivery
Best Buy's Labor Day appliance sale is stil live, with up to 45% off major appliances, including fridges, dishwashers, ranges, and microwaves from Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, and GE. The retailer is also offering free shipping, and you can price match to ensure you're getting the best deal.View Deal

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Allow me to introduce the new Philips 34B2U5900C. On paper, it's pretty much the ultimate non-OLED 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide productivity monitor for PCs and Macs.

If that sounds like a rather convoluted classification that amounts to faint praise, it's not meant to be. OLED monitors certainly have some clear advantages. But you simply can't get one that matches this Philips' core specification of 34-inch ultrawide with a 5K2K resolution.

That's important, because this display offers a level of pixel density and therefore text and image sharpness and clarity that no current 34-inch ultrawide OLED monitor can match.

What's more, even up against the traditional LCD competition, the Philips 34B2U5900C looks pretty special. The full 5,120 by 2,160 native resolution is supported at 120Hz refresh and there's even a 2,560 by 1,080 alt-mode resolution at 240Hz.

Intriguingly, this is a VA panel as opposed to the IPS type you might have expected from a 5K2K model, which is why the contrast is quoted at an impressive (for an LCD monitor) 3,000:1. Notably, the full 5K2K at 120Hz is supported over all three video inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-C. While we're talking connectivity, it's positively comprehensive, with dual HDMI to accompany the aforementioned DisplayPort and USB-C and the latter providing an outstanding 140W thanks to supporting USB-C Power Delivery version 3.1.

A KVM switch likewise means this monitor is perfect for sharing across two machines, perhaps a PC and a Mac or a laptop and a desktop. There's plenty more in the huge feature set, including sensors for both light and user proximity, the former designed to adjust the screen's brightness to suit ambient conditions, the latter allowing this monitor to dim when you step away from your desk.

For the record, this is a DisplayHDR 400 certified panel, which means it's on the very lowest rung for HDR support and capability and doesn't offer local dimming, let alone the per-pixel lighting control of an OLED panel. But, again, this class of 5K2K panel simply isn't available with OLED technology. On paper, the Philips 34B2U5900C looks set to feature strongly among the best business monitors you can get.

Philips 34B2U5900C: Design and featuresFutureFutureFuture

• Slightly dated design
• Fantastic feature set
• USB-C with 140W power delivery

Specs

Panel size: 34-inch

Panel type: VA

Resolution: 5,120 x 2,160

Brightness: 550 nits

Contrast: 3,000:1 (static)

Pixel response: 2ms

Refresh rate: 120Hz (240Hz aat 2,560 x 1,080)

Color coverage: 95% DCI-P3

HDR: DIsplayHDR 400

VESA: 100mm x 100mm

Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 in x2, DisplayPort 1.4 in x1, USB-C with 140W PD in, USB hub with 3x USB-A and 3x USB-C, ethernet, 3.5mm headphone

Immediate impressions of the Philips 34B2U5900C are of a slightly clunky, dated old thing with a particularly thick lower bezel. An ultra-slim OLED it most clearly is not.

But it's well put together and exceptionally ergonomic. The latter attribute is thanks to the combination of a base that swivels through fully 360 degrees and clearly labelled and easily accessible ports on the rear. If you're fed up with battling with hard-to-access monitor ports, you'll love the Philips 34B2U5900C.

Speaking of connectivity, along with the dual HDMI ports, there's a DisplayPort socket and USB-C. The latter supports the latest PD 3.1 spec and so can deliver fully 140W of power delivery to an attached laptop. That's well up on the 96W of previous generations of USB-C single-cable connectivity and means that you use a single cable to drive this display and fully power many high-spec desktop replacement portables.

There's also a KVM switch, which makes it simple to share this monitor and, say, an attached keyboard and mouse combo, across two computing devices. The inclusion of an ethernet port means you can share networking across the devices, too. What's more, there's a multiview option allowing both machines to display on the monitor at the same time. Nice. Rounding out the connectivity is a three-port USB hub on the left bezel, with two USB-A ports and a single USB-C, plus a headphone jack.

Along with a light sensor that enables the 34B2U5900C to adjust its brightness according to ambient conditions and a proximity sensor that dims the brightness when you step away from your desk, perhaps the most unusual feature in a productivity context is the dual resolution mode. By default, the 34-inch panel runs natively at 5,120 by 2,160 pixels at 120Hz. That alone is pretty impressive for a productivity monitor with such a high resolution.

But Philips has also fitted this monitor out with a secondary dual-mode using pixel doubling to enable a resolution of 2,560 by 1,080 at 240Hz. It's the sort of feature that you'd expect on a gaming monitor. Exactly what the use case is for productivity, content creation or day-to-day computing isn't clear. But it hardly counts as a demerit to find it included.

Finally, color coverage of 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut is reasonable, but not really the stuff of professional content creation. That said, the 34B2U5900C is at least Calman Ready for rapid automated calibration using a colorimeter.

Philips 34B2U5900C: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

• Super sharp image quality
• 120Hz at native resolution
• Surprisingly good response

The central appeal of the Philips 34B2U5900C is its 5K2K resolution. On this 34-inch ultrawide panel, that native resolution of 5,120 b 2,160 pixels works out to a pixel density of 163DPI.

That's exactly the same as a 27-inch 4K monitor and, indeed, this ultrawide 5K2K format is essentially a 16:9 4K 27 incher taken out to the 21:9 aspect. Add in a gentle 1500R curve, and you have a fantastic combination of widescreen ergonomics for multitasking and media immersion, plus super-sharp image quality and excellent text quality.

That applies to both Windows and MacOS operating. What's more, among the comprehensive selection of color spaces in the 34B2U5900C's OSD menu are both sRGB and Display-P3. So, you have immediate presets to suit the native color spaces of both operating systems.

This panel looks particularly good with MacOS. The pixel density isn't quite Retina class. But the font quality is still excellent and the ultrawide proportions allow for running as many as three application or browser windows side-by-side, a use case that obviously applies to Windows, too.

It's something of a surprise to find Philips using VA panel technology for this new 5K2K display. IPS is more typical. But this is one of the best VA screens we've seen for a long time. First, you get excellent inherent contrast for an LCD panel at 3,000:1. So, there's noticeably less light bleed than a similar IPS panel.

Even better, despite VA's reputation for poor pixel response, Philips has included three levels of configurable overdrive, the middle setting of which delivers very, very good response for this type of monitor. Motion clarity is very much in line with the 2ms quoted response performance and, in subjective terms, you're giving nothing away to the IPS competition, albeit OLED panel tech is nearly a full order of magnitude faster.

Speaking of speed, the 120Hz refresh rate is a very welcome feature. This isn't a gaming monitor and triple-digit refresh rates are not really a particular requirement for most productivity or content creation workflows. But 120Hz still makes for slicker and more responsive day-to-day computing.

The 240Hz 1080p dual-mode of more questionable utility outside of gaming. Enabling it makes for clearly compromised clarity, that's for sure. But it's there for the occasional fast-paced gaming session, if that's your thing on the side.

If you're looking for limitations, there are two obvious if hardly debilitating weaknesses. First, HDR support is capped at the entry-level DisplayHDR 400 tier. That means a peak brightness of 400 nits and no local dimming. So, this isn't a true HDR display. But then even LCD monitors with mini-LED dimming struggle to deliver a consistent HDR performance. You need OLED and perfect per-pixel lighting for that.

The other marginal shortcoming is color coverage. You'll do better than 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut this monitor offers with an IPS panel. So, if maximising color accuracy for pro content creation workflows is critical, you may find the 34B2U5900C slightly wanting.

Philips 34B2U5900C: Final verdictFutureFutureFuture

If you're looking for a fantastic all-rounder that combines crisp image quality with ultrawide multitasking ergonomics, great connectivity and even some surprising speed, look no further than the new Philips 34B2U5900C. It ticks so many boxes.

The 5K2K resolution on the 34-inch ultrawide panel is the main attraction. And certainly makes for both super sharp visuals and lots of desktop elbow room. In this application, the VA panel tech works really nicely too, delivering excellent contrast for an LCD monitor. Add the 120Hz refresh at 5K2K native and surprisingly nippy pixel speed and you have a very quick and slick productivity monitor, to boot.

Then there's the excellent connectivity. The highlight is the USB-C interface with 140W capability thanks to Power Delivery 3.1 support. It means you can keep a very powerful desktop replacement laptop fully juiced, which isn't something the previous USB-C PD standards could achieve.

All told, this is comfortably one of the best monitors of 2026. It absolutely nails its high-DPI productivity brief and adds a surprising turn of speed that makes it a versatile display, even if gaming isn't exactly central to its all-business remit.

FutureFutureFuture

For more displays, we've tested the best monitors and the best 5K and 8K monitors.

Allow me to introduce the new Philips 34B2U5900C. On paper, it's pretty much the ultimate non-OLED 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide productivity monitor for PCs and Macs.

If that sounds like a rather convoluted classification that amounts to faint praise, it's not meant to be. OLED monitors certainly have some clear advantages. But you simply can't get one that matches this Philips' core specification of 34-inch ultrawide with a 5K2K resolution.

That's important, because this display offers a level of pixel density and therefore text and image sharpness and clarity that no current 34-inch ultrawide OLED monitor can match.

What's more, even up against the traditional LCD competition, the Philips 34B2U5900C looks pretty special. The full 5,120 by 2,160 native resolution is supported at 120Hz refresh and there's even a 2,560 by 1,080 alt-mode resolution at 240Hz.

Intriguingly, this is a VA panel as opposed to the IPS type you might have expected from a 5K2K model, which is why the contrast is quoted at an impressive (for an LCD monitor) 3,000:1. Notably, the full 5K2K at 120Hz is supported over all three video inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-C. While we're talking connectivity, it's positively comprehensive, with dual HDMI to accompany the aforementioned DisplayPort and USB-C and the latter providing an outstanding 140W thanks to supporting USB-C Power Delivery version 3.1.

A KVM switch likewise means this monitor is perfect for sharing across two machines, perhaps a PC and a Mac or a laptop and a desktop. There's plenty more in the huge feature set, including sensors for both light and user proximity, the former designed to adjust the screen's brightness to suit ambient conditions, the latter allowing this monitor to dim when you step away from your desk.

For the record, this is a DisplayHDR 400 certified panel, which means it's on the very lowest rung for HDR support and capability and doesn't offer local dimming, let alone the per-pixel lighting control of an OLED panel. But, again, this class of 5K2K panel simply isn't available with OLED technology. On paper, the Philips 34B2U5900C looks set to feature strongly among the best business monitors you can get.

Philips 34B2U5900C: Design and featuresFutureFutureFuture

• Slightly dated design
• Fantastic feature set
• USB-C with 140W power delivery

Specs

Panel size: 34-inch

Panel type: VA

Resolution: 5,120 x 2,160

Brightness: 550 nits

Contrast: 3,000:1 (static)

Pixel response: 2ms

Refresh rate: 120Hz (240Hz aat 2,560 x 1,080)

Color coverage: 95% DCI-P3

HDR: DIsplayHDR 400

VESA: 100mm x 100mm

Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 in x2, DisplayPort 1.4 in x1, USB-C with 140W PD in, USB hub with 3x USB-A and 3x USB-C, ethernet, 3.5mm headphone

Immediate impressions of the Philips 34B2U5900C are of a slightly clunky, dated old thing with a particularly thick lower bezel. An ultra-slim OLED it most clearly is not.

But it's well put together and exceptionally ergonomic. The latter attribute is thanks to the combination of a base that swivels through fully 360 degrees and clearly labelled and easily accessible ports on the rear. If you're fed up with battling with hard-to-access monitor ports, you'll love the Philips 34B2U5900C.

Speaking of connectivity, along with the dual HDMI ports, there's a DisplayPort socket and USB-C. The latter supports the latest PD 3.1 spec and so can deliver fully 140W of power delivery to an attached laptop. That's well up on the 96W of previous generations of USB-C single-cable connectivity and means that you use a single cable to drive this display and fully power many high-spec desktop replacement portables.

There's also a KVM switch, which makes it simple to share this monitor and, say, an attached keyboard and mouse combo, across two computing devices. The inclusion of an ethernet port means you can share networking across the devices, too. What's more, there's a multiview option allowing both machines to display on the monitor at the same time. Nice. Rounding out the connectivity is a three-port USB hub on the left bezel, with two USB-A ports and a single USB-C, plus a headphone jack.

Along with a light sensor that enables the 34B2U5900C to adjust its brightness according to ambient conditions and a proximity sensor that dims the brightness when you step away from your desk, perhaps the most unusual feature in a productivity context is the dual resolution mode. By default, the 34-inch panel runs natively at 5,120 by 2,160 pixels at 120Hz. That alone is pretty impressive for a productivity monitor with such a high resolution.

But Philips has also fitted this monitor out with a secondary dual-mode using pixel doubling to enable a resolution of 2,560 by 1,080 at 240Hz. It's the sort of feature that you'd expect on a gaming monitor. Exactly what the use case is for productivity, content creation or day-to-day computing isn't clear. But it hardly counts as a demerit to find it included.

Finally, color coverage of 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut is reasonable, but not really the stuff of professional content creation. That said, the 34B2U5900C is at least Calman Ready for rapid automated calibration using a colorimeter.

Philips 34B2U5900C: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

• Super sharp image quality
• 120Hz at native resolution
• Surprisingly good response

The central appeal of the Philips 34B2U5900C is its 5K2K resolution. On this 34-inch ultrawide panel, that native resolution of 5,120 b 2,160 pixels works out to a pixel density of 163DPI.

That's exactly the same as a 27-inch 4K monitor and, indeed, this ultrawide 5K2K format is essentially a 16:9 4K 27 incher taken out to the 21:9 aspect. Add in a gentle 1500R curve, and you have a fantastic combination of widescreen ergonomics for multitasking and media immersion, plus super-sharp image quality and excellent text quality.

That applies to both Windows and MacOS operating. What's more, among the comprehensive selection of color spaces in the 34B2U5900C's OSD menu are both sRGB and Display-P3. So, you have immediate presets to suit the native color spaces of both operating systems.

This panel looks particularly good with MacOS. The pixel density isn't quite Retina class. But the font quality is still excellent and the ultrawide proportions allow for running as many as three application or browser windows side-by-side, a use case that obviously applies to Windows, too.

It's something of a surprise to find Philips using VA panel technology for this new 5K2K display. IPS is more typical. But this is one of the best VA screens we've seen for a long time. First, you get excellent inherent contrast for an LCD panel at 3,000:1. So, there's noticeably less light bleed than a similar IPS panel.

Even better, despite VA's reputation for poor pixel response, Philips has included three levels of configurable overdrive, the middle setting of which delivers very, very good response for this type of monitor. Motion clarity is very much in line with the 2ms quoted response performance and, in subjective terms, you're giving nothing away to the IPS competition, albeit OLED panel tech is nearly a full order of magnitude faster.

Speaking of speed, the 120Hz refresh rate is a very welcome feature. This isn't a gaming monitor and triple-digit refresh rates are not really a particular requirement for most productivity or content creation workflows. But 120Hz still makes for slicker and more responsive day-to-day computing.

The 240Hz 1080p dual-mode of more questionable utility outside of gaming. Enabling it makes for clearly compromised clarity, that's for sure. But it's there for the occasional fast-paced gaming session, if that's your thing on the side.

If you're looking for limitations, there are two obvious if hardly debilitating weaknesses. First, HDR support is capped at the entry-level DisplayHDR 400 tier. That means a peak brightness of 400 nits and no local dimming. So, this isn't a true HDR display. But then even LCD monitors with mini-LED dimming struggle to deliver a consistent HDR performance. You need OLED and perfect per-pixel lighting for that.

The other marginal shortcoming is color coverage. You'll do better than 95% of the DCI-P3 gamut this monitor offers with an IPS panel. So, if maximising color accuracy for pro content creation workflows is critical, you may find the 34B2U5900C slightly wanting.

Philips 34B2U5900C: Final verdictFutureFutureFuture

If you're looking for a fantastic all-rounder that combines crisp image quality with ultrawide multitasking ergonomics, great connectivity and even some surprising speed, look no further than the new Philips 34B2U5900C. It ticks so many boxes.

The 5K2K resolution on the 34-inch ultrawide panel is the main attraction. And certainly makes for both super sharp visuals and lots of desktop elbow room. In this application, the VA panel tech works really nicely too, delivering excellent contrast for an LCD monitor. Add the 120Hz refresh at 5K2K native and surprisingly nippy pixel speed and you have a very quick and slick productivity monitor, to boot.

Then there's the excellent connectivity. The highlight is the USB-C interface with 140W capability thanks to Power Delivery 3.1 support. It means you can keep a very powerful desktop replacement laptop fully juiced, which isn't something the previous USB-C PD standards could achieve.

All told, this is comfortably one of the best monitors of 2026. It absolutely nails its high-DPI productivity brief and adds a surprising turn of speed that makes it a versatile display, even if gaming isn't exactly central to its all-business remit.

FutureFutureFuture

For more displays, we've tested the best monitors and the best 5K and 8K monitors.

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