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• Chinese researchers are working to develop molecular hard drives with high capacity
• The drives use organometallic molecules to boost data density and efficiency
• A conductive atomic force microscope tip reads and writes molecular data

Chinese researchers are exploring the potential of organic materials to develop a new type of hard drive that could potentially store six times the amount of data compared to current mechanical models.

Traditional hard drives store data in binary form, relying on magnetized regions to represent ones and zeros, which limits storage capacity. Molecular hard drives overcome this by using self-assembled monolayers of organometallic complex molecules, such as RuXLPH, to significantly increase data density while maintaining ultra-low power consumption, measured at just 2.94 picowatts per bit.

A key component in the operation of molecular HDDs is the conductive atomic force microscope tip (C-AFM), which serves as the mechanical programming and read head. The tip applies localized voltages to the self-assembled monolayer, triggering redox reactions in the RuXLPH molecules. The tip’s nanoscale resolution allows precise control over molecular conductance states, allowing for multi-bit storage in an exceptionally small footprint.

Encryption at the molecular level

Another advantage of molecular hard drives is the enhanced security they offer. Unlike traditional drives that require separate encryption mechanisms, molecular HDDs feature in-situ XOR encryption at the molecular level. This capability allows secure data encoding and retrieval without additional hardware, reducing vulnerability to cyber threats.

The researchers demonstrated this by encoding and encrypting a 128x128 pixel image, proving the system’s ability to securely store and retrieve data.

The research was published in Nature Communications. The authors say future work will focus on improving miniaturization, increasing conductance states, and addressing environmental sensitivity.

Blocks & Files makes an interesting point however. “The working life of an atomic force microscope tip is currently measured at 50-200 hours in intermittent touch (tapping) mode versus 5-50 hours in continuous touch mode. Unless and until a long-lasting C-AFM tip can be created, this would seem to be a fatal flaw in their molecular hard drive concept. A second point is that the device has “ultralow power consumption of pW/bit range,” but this is for reading and writing, not spinning the disk, which would take more power.”

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• These are the fastest hard drives you can buy right now
• Race to 100TB HDD heats up as Seagate pulls rug under Western Digital
• Seagate smashes largest HDD world record with 36TB hard drive

AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro: One-minute review

Effectively an updated re-release of the initial AndaSeat Kaiser 3, despite the glamorous naming glow-up, the Pro line practically changes nothing compared to its predecessor. The only significant difference now comes in the form of the inclusion of AndaSeat's 5D armrests. These are the same controversial rests found in the Kaiser 4 line and the X-Air Pro as well. In fact, it seems the AndaSeat's pivoting that ‘Pro’ branding to be exactly that, an indication that the chair in question comes with those 5D beasties.

That said, it's not by any means a bad chair. The Kaiser 3 proved to be an exceptionally comfortable gaming throne, and the 3 Pro is no different (likely because it's identical). There's some fantastic comfort from the cold-foam padding, the leather is suitably soft (although it does lack some breathability), and the ergonomic support, including the magnetic headrest, is solid and dependable without being all-encompassing. If you're not a fan of the Kaiser 4's weird and wonderful pop-out backrest but want something a little more traditional than the X-Air series but are still curious about those wide-angled armrests, then the 3 Pro offers a good compromise between the lot of them, satisfying a hole within AndaSeat's own product lines.

Still, I've got some serious questions about just how many of these AndaSeat are shifting with the 5D option. The armrests just don't feel like quite the unique selling point that I imagine the company's hoping they'd become. Being able to flip up half the rest vertically, even at a variety of different angles, feels like a solution to a problem that we don't have. It's still one of the more comfortable gaming chairs out there today, mind you, and for the larger individual, the XL series is pretty top-tier in that regard; the bolsters aren't going to trap you in place like in some other offerings.

It's not all armrests and daisies, however. The build experience was a challenge. I had a few broken parts on my unit once it had finally shipped (although it did come to me directly from China to the UK), and a few bolt threads were seriously difficult to get secured, but that's not a huge deal, and once you've got it built, you're pretty much set. It's still far easier to piece together than the likes of the X-Air Pro.

Is it a contender for our best gaming chairs list? Perhaps, perhaps not. Yet, if you're interested in those funky armrests and don't want the pop-out lumbar that seems all the rage these days, it could still be a solid pick for your posterior to call home.

(Image credit: Future) AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro: Price and Availability

• List price: $550 / around £436 / around AU$866
• Available on Amazon US
• Leatherette and cloth versions

While the Kaiser 3 Pro is available in the US, unfortunately, the old Achilles heel of Andaseat strikes again in one region: availability in the UK. At the time of writing, you can only find the Andaseat Kaiser 3 Pro stateside. There's no UK availability sadly; although you can still purchase the standard Kaiser 3 and the XL version of that, you'll just be devoid of those 5D armrests (which might be a blessing depending on your perspective).

There's one major hiccup on the pricing of this thing though, particularly in the states, where the Kaiser 3 XL exists. That might sound a little ridiculous, but unfortunately, the price difference between the two is a staggering $100. That's quite a lot, for what effectively amounts to a different set of armrests.

On top of that, you can currently only get the 3 Pro in three different colorways: black, pink, or black fabric, and that's it. The standard 3 XL, with far better availability, has six leather options and one fabric option at your disposal. At least on Amazon, there is far better availability on AndaSeat's webstore directly, and even the option for an anti-stain PU leather variant too.

It's also quite a tricky one to place as the Kaiser 4 line also comes in at $570, just $20 more for arguably a more feature-rich chair with better build quality.

AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro: Specs AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro: Design and Aesthetics

• Classic bucket seat style
• Great material use
• Not particularly dramatic

Once you've finished building this thing, honestly, the Kaiser 3 Pro really does look the part. Certainly in its PVC leather edition that I have on test. I've been using, building, and reviewing chairs for longer than I care to admit, and honestly, the styling on the AndaSeats always impresses me.

It's not just following industry trends like some of the other offerings and brands do out there. Right now it feels like everyone either opts for weird and wonderful gaming-esque solutions that are overly ergonomic to the point of ridiculousness, or that old "it'll look nice in your CEO's office" vibe, or the holey grail super mesh, breathable air-fabric solutions (although AndaSeat does have one of those).

No, the Kaiser 3 Pro is just exactly that. It's a bucket seat design; it's got a touch of light orange thread running around it. It has a matte leather finish running through most of it, a pseudo carbon fiber-esque pattern leather in the bolsters, and everything just works. It's not gauche; it's not in your face; it's just a good chair like that. Odd to be complimented in such a way, good job AndaSeat the Kaiser 3 Pro is bang average (you can quote me on that), but honestly, in a world of gaming insanity, that needs praising.

(Image credit: Future) AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro: Comfort and adjustability

• 5D armrests are still so diabolical
• Lumbar adjustment is subtle
• Foam padding is luxurious but probably not good for you

I once had a long chat with Noblechairs' PR rep many years ago about why their chairs were so hard and so stiff compared to the competition. Their response was that, actually, it's better for your ergonomics to have a stiff-based chair so that your muscles don't atrophy and waste away. You feel more comfortable with stronger back muscles, and so forth. My argument, as a man who'd spent much of his youth gaming on a hard wooden chair, was fairly simple: "But it's not comfortable though." And it's true, it wasn't. The thing is, I do still have that Noblechair, and even after all these years, it's still remarkably good.

That said, the Kaiser 3 Pro, on the other hand, very much embraces that alternative way of thinking. Comfort is first and foremost a critical thing here, and you can tell that in the design and in the way AndaSeat advertises it. The soft padding, the seating, the bolsters, the plush, fluffy magnetic headrest—it's all designed to boost comfort above all else, and it works exceptionally well. There's just a real satisfaction about being sat in this thing for any length of time; you almost don't notice you're in it. Whether that's good for you long-term, it's hard to say, but for the moment it feels darn good.

(Image credit: Future)

AndaSeat's kitted out this particular model with its DuraXtra synthetic leather, which is apparently more abrasion-resistant, even more so than that found on the Kaiser 4. In fact, it's been tested for 5,000 abrasion cycles without breaking. An abrasion cycle simply takes a piece of material and rubs it repeatedly against an abrasive surface. Each cycle is marked as one, and the manufacturer measures how long that material will last. Interestingly, the leather on the Kaiser 4, it's a more premium option, is only rated for 2,000 cycles.

On top of that, you get a strong, sturdy steel base, solid castor wheels, plus built-in lumbar support for when you need it. It even comes with a fairly robust backrest recline and a rocking mode as well, for those who like the terror of tilting back.

Of course, I can't leave this review without discussing the wildly debatable 5D armrests on the Pro line. The entire premise of this model, in fact. In short, it can move up, down, right, left, backward, and forwards, rotate up to 70 degrees, and then split in half and fold upwards by 40 degrees if you'd like it to. That's a lot of movement, and yes, technically, that does help you get them exactly where you want them for everyone's weird and wonderful body shapes.

The problem, though? They're huge, seriously wide. The back part alone is 5.5 inches wide, tapering off to a 4-inch front, and they're 13 inches long, and honestly, it's just too much. It's incredibly difficult to get comfortable on them, particularly if you're on the shorter side of AndaSeat's recommended height range, and that's a problem, a big one because it makes it entirely difficult to recommend them for everyone.

AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro: Assembly

On to construction then, and honestly, it's a very simple process; there's little to write home about. Pop the castor wheels into the steel frame, insert the gas piston, attach the tilt mechanism to the base of the chair, pop on the plastic handles, slide it onto the gas lift, remove the bolts from the chair back, slide it carefully onto the brackets, and secure it in place with those same bolts. AndaSeat's tensioned backrest tilt arm even has a nifty bracket to help you slot it into place, which is a nice touch too.

The problem I had, however, was with the bolt threads themselves. Two of them in particular were incredibly difficult to secure, try as I might. I slackened them all off, tightened them all, and tried securing just the topmost bolt first, but nothing would do the job. In the end, I had to resort to pushing the entire chair base aggressively into the wall and leaning into the bolt with the included Allen key with no small amount of force to finally get it to purchase. Less than ideal, and hopefully a one-off, but a frustrating one nonetheless. Adding to my woes, the security bolt that's usually secured to the chair to stop the retention arm from snapping or moving during assembly had also come loose, so just something to watch out for if you do decide to take the plunge. Shipping can be a harsh mistress at times.

(Image credit: Future) Should You Buy The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro? Buy it if...

You want to dabble in weirdly big armrests
They're long, proud, can move in every way under the sun, and might be perfect for the taller human.

You just want a classic gaming chair
All bucket seat, all the time. It's a classic design, and it looks great in any gaming setup, no weird and wonderful shapes or ergonomic surprises here.

Don't buy it if...

If you're on the shorter side
Those weird and wonderful armrests are just too long to easily get comfortable on, you're going to have better luck with the standard Kaiser 3 or 3 XL.

You're after the best value from your chair
$100 for an upgraded set of divisive armrests is a difficult pill to swallow.

Also consider...

Not your style? Just want something without fancy frills, or looking for something that's refined the design beyond all expectations? Then try out these alternatives.

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
It's still our number one gaming chair of choice. It's even the same price as the Kaiser 3 Pro XL, remarkably, and has similar dimensions too, without being an XL design. If you fit in the weight and height categories, it could be a good pick. With top-tier quality, materials, and features, it's one of the comfiest chairs on the market and our favorite of the lot, with good reason.

For more information, check out our full Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL
No seriously, if you just can't get past those armrests or you don't want to take the risk, then the Kaiser 3 XL is the next best thing. $100 cheaper, it's equally one of our favorite gaming chairs of all time, making the top list for its comfort, quality, and generally cheaper price tag than similar alternatives.

For more information, check out our full AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL review

How I tested the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro

• Sat in it for more than two weeks in total
• Tested in multiple positions and compared to other chairs
• Used through all manner of tasks

I spent over two weeks working with the Kaiser 3 Pro using it as my regular office chair while analyzing its performance. I kept a detailed document open when using it, noticing any bugbears, and kept detailed records of my time building it, along with first impressions and more.

Similarly, I've had a lot of experience with both AndaSeat's 4D and 5D armrest systems and tested the Kaiser 3 XL as well, giving me particularly good insight into this lineup.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #371).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #372) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… You're pushing my buttons

NYT Strands today (game #372) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• VOTE
• MORE
• BIDE
• LEAN
• ROGUE
• POEM

NYT Strands today (game #372) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Works your TV

NYT Strands today (game #372) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 4th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #372) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #372, are…

• VOLUME
• BACK
• POWER
• HOME
• MUTE
• GUIDE
• CHANNEL
• SPANGRAM: REMOTE CONTROL

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

Losing a REMOTE CONTROL is really frustrating. As a scatterbrained person it's something I do a lot. It's almost a superpower – well if superpowers were useless and annoying.

Losing a remote is a great example of how powerless we are without technology – with the TV remaining on (or off) and stuck until the blessed “zapper” is located.

I've found ours in the fridge before and I once took it to work, leaving my wife at home having to watch National Geographic all day (there are worse channels it could have been stuck on) or pull the plug.

The worst remotes are the tiny ones. I’ve gone through three for my Amazon TV Fire Stick, all possibly eaten by the couch (or a cat) but vanished forever after lengthy hours-long searches. I could tape an AirTag to it, but this seems an extreme measure considering how it's a housebound object.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, 9 March, game #371)

• PURR
• HISS
• SNUGGLE
• STRETCH
• SWAT
• BLINK
• POUNCE
• SPANGRAM: CAT BEHAVIOR

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #1140).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1141) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1141) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 4.

Quordle today (game #1141) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1141) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1141) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• A

• T

• T

• G

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1141) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1141, are…

• AVAIL
• THESE
• TITAN
• GAUGE

You know when there’s a really obvious word but you go for some random one instead? Well I did that today, completely missing THESE and putting, er, TESTE instead. What a balls up.

It had been going very well, with my Quordle muscle memory kicking in to land TITAN and AVAIL.

Oh well, at least I didn’t crash out.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1141) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1141, are…

• STRAW
• SNIDE
• MUDDY
• TRACK

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1140, Sunday 9 March: SKILL, IDEAL, WHERE, REHAB
• Quordle #1139, Saturday 8 March: WATCH, LAPSE, WREST, HEFTY
• Quordle #1138, Friday 7 March: GLEAN, SHINY, DECRY, MANGA
• Quordle #1137, Thursday 6 March: TRICE, EIGHT, BELCH, RIPER
• Quordle #1136, Wednesday 5 March: PLEAD, TWANG, MAJOR, RISKY
• Quordle #1135, Tuesday 4 March: FLOWN, ETUDE, TOPAZ, JOKER
• Quordle #1134, Monday 3 March: FRILL, KAYAK, REBAR, WORDY
• Quordle #1133, Sunday 2 March: TUNIC, GLOSS, DEBUG, LARGE
• Quordle #1132, Saturday 1 March: DENSE, BONEY, KITTY, SMEAR
• Quordle #1131, Friday 28 February: PASTA, RAZOR, PLUMB, DROOL
• Quordle #1130, Thursday 27 February: THIEF, CHAIR, ETHER, GRIME
• Quordle #1129, Wednesday 26 February: LOVER, SPIED, VAPOR, METER
• Quordle #1128, Tuesday 25 February: TWIST, TWEAK, MEANT, CLEAR
• Quordle #1127, Monday 24 February: LEASH, LEVER, TOTEM, CREME
• Quordle #1126, Sunday 23 February: RABID, RELIC, SCRAM, BASIS
• Quordle #1125, Saturday 22 February: ETHER, SONIC, VAUNT, ROUSE
• Quordle #1124, Friday 21 February: STIFF, PRIZE, SCOWL, DONUT
• Quordle #1123, Thursday 20 February: HASTY, DRAPE, FICUS, CRAZE
• Quordle #1122, Wednesday 19 February: ABATE, TROVE, VENUE, DRAPE
• Quordle #1121, Tuesday 18 February: TAMER, SCRUB, BRICK, DRIFT

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #637).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #638) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MONA LISA
• STATUE OF LIBERTY
• BOWLING
• SPHYNX
• VENUS DE MILO
• JOKER
• RUSSIAN BLUE
• RUG
• WHITE RUSSIAN 
• LIBERTY BELL
• COMEDY MASK
• TURKISH ANGORA
• RAGAMUFFIN
• CHESHIRE CAT
• BATHROBE
• TOWER OF PISA

NYT Connections today (game #638) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Types of kitty
• PURPLE: Coen Brothers classic
• BLUE: Altered tourist attractions
• GREEN: All-star grins

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #638) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: CAT BREEDS 
• PURPLE: ASSOCIATED WITH "THE DUDE" LEBOWSKI 
• BLUE: ATTRACTIONS ICONICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THEIR ORIGINAL
• FORMS 
• GREEN: FAMOUS SMILES 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #638) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #638, are…

• YELLOW: CAT BREEDS RAGAMUFFIN, RUSSIAN BLUE, SPHYNX, TURKISH ANGORA
• GREEN: FAMOUS SMILES CHESHIRE CAT, COMEDY MASK, JOKER, MONA LISA
• BLUE: ATTRACTIONS ICONICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THEIR ORIGINAL FORMS LIBERTY BELL, STATUE OF LIBERTY, TOWER OF PISA, VENUS DE MILO
• PURPLE: ASSOCIATED WITH "THE DUDE" LEBOWSKI BATHROBE, BOWLING, RUG, WHITE RUSSIAN

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Even though I guessed there was a CAT BREEDS category from my first look at the grid, I still made hard work of it. I thoughtlessly put WHITE RUSSIAN instead of RAGAMUFFIN. It was the realization that it was The Dude’s beverage of choice that set me on the right path.

My errors didn’t end there, though. Despite deducing Tourist Attractions was a link I tried to make a group containing MONA LISA rather than LIBERTY BELL, confusion which I can’t help but suspect was part of today’s cunning plan to baffle players.

Mona Lisa and CHESHIRE CAT aside, FAMOUS SMILES was quite the stretch. The JOKER maybe makes the cut, but COMEDY MASK?

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, 9 March, game #637)

• YELLOW: COMPUTER INPUT DEVICES MICROPHONE, MOUSE, SCANNER, TABLET
• GREEN: BUILDING MATERIALS BRICK, CONCRETE, METAL, STONE
• BLUE: HELPFUL DEED FAVOR, KINDNESS, SERVICE, SOLID
• PURPLE: #1 SONGS FROM 1982 ABRACADABRA, CENTERFOLD, MICKEY, PHYSICAL

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

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• iPhone 17 Air screen size and camera specs leak
• The handset could start at 128GB of storage
• It's set to be slightly smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max

It seems likely that the iPhone 16 Plus is going to make way for the iPhone 17 Air this year – and a new leak gives us a better idea of the specs the new phone will bring with it, and how it is set to stack up against the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

These specs come from tipster @OreXda (via Notebookcheck), and suggest the iPhone 17 Air is going to come with a 6.7-inch screen running at a resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels. A main camera resolution of 48MP and a selfie camera resolution of 12MP are also mentioned, as well as 128GB of storage (with other options probably available too).

That compares to a 6.9-inch screen for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, running at a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels. The same camera resolutions are listed – though the iPhone 17 Pro Max will probably have another couple of rear cameras too – and for this phone the internal storage apparently starts at 256GB.

If all that is accurate, then the iPhone 17 Air would be sitting between the 6.3-inch display of the iPhone 17 Pro and the 6.9-inch display of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, in terms of screen size – so there'll be plenty of choice on offer.

Thinner and thinner

pic.twitter.com/JL27Do53HXMarch 8, 2025

None of the specs listed here are designed to make the iPhone 17 Air stand out – instead it's going to be the super-slim frame that will carry the most appeal. The rumors are that the handset will measure just 5.59 mm front to back.

And 2025 could well be the year of the ultra-thin phone. We've already seen the launch of the thinnest foldable to date, the Oppo Find N5, and we're getting ready for the full reveal of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge – a phone we've only had a brief look at so far, and which will be going head-to-head against the iPhone 17 Air.

Based on unofficial renderings that have already popped up online, the iPhone 17 Air is going to come with a single rear camera, housed in a raised camera bar that extends all the way across the top of the back casing. It looks likely that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have raised camera modules too.

The usual chipset upgrades are to be expected, but it'll be interesting to see how Apple prices the iPhone 17 Air, which marks a new series within the iPhone family. Last month, Apple debuted the iPhone 16e, which starts at $599 / £599 / AU$999.

You might also like

• The iPhone 17 is rumored to go big on video recording
• iPhone 17 Air leak suggests it'll get next-gen battery
• Leaked iPhone 17 schematics show a speaker redesign

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Philips Sonicare 7100: Two-minute review

The Philips Sonicare 7100 isn’t quite as eye-wateringly expensive as the Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige, but at £350 (around $450 or AU$715) it’s still extremely pricey for a sonic toothbrush with a lithium rechargeable battery that will eventually decay. However, it’s a gorgeous piece of kit with a powerful motor, four brushing modes, three intensities, and a couple of cool accessories such as a charging travel case (downgraded from the Prestige's leather to cheaper plastic) as well as a stand. It's definitely up there with the best electric toothbrushes on our list.

The brush is very satisfying to hold and use. It feels premium: I’m used to very plasticky cheaper electric toothbrushes, so I’m pleased to say that if you're paying all this money, the Philips at least is satisfyingly weighty and incorporates metal into its design. Coupled with the black outer shell, it’s slightly reminiscent of a lightsaber, albeit one that cuts through plaque rather than Sith lords.

At 62,000 bristle motions per minute, the Philips Sonicare 7100 is on a par with the Sonicare 9900 Prestige in terms of its brushing performance. It’s got four brushing modes (Clean, Sensitive, White and Gum Health), and each one has three intensities, for 12 brush settings in total. It’s a case of trial-and-error to find the right one for your brushing routine, and I have a sneaking suspicion that a few of these setting and intensity combinations end up being repeated, based on sound and mouthfeel alone.

However, one thing’s for sure: this toothbrush is powerful. After using my cheaper, lower-powered brush for a while, the blast of the full-power Clean setting on the Philips was surprising, to say the least – a bit like grabbing onto a metal handrail and experiencing a static shock. After prolonged usage, and with the option for such a high-power setting should I want it, I’m not sure I could go back to my comparatively underpowered usual toothbrush.

(Image credit: Future)

The power is evident in the motor, which does emit a moderate whine: using my phone’s decibel meter app, I measured readings of 55-57 decibels, equivalent to a soft conversation. The Ultim8 Supermouth brush, which I’m also testing, measured 44-46 decibels in comparison. The Philips is at the louder end, then, but it’s worth it for that extra oomph.

The battery life – up to three weeks – is largely immaterial, as your brush will likely either be on the charging stand or in the charging travel case most of the time. However, such a good battery life does mean that when you’re caught on the hop – for example, taking your case on long trips – that the brush will hold out and still provide a good clean.

There are only two issues I have with the Philips Sonicare 7100. The first is its price: while it’s an excellent toothbrush, it is more expensive than most in its category, although it does seem to receive frequent discounts. The second is in its name – Sonicare. This is a sonic toothbrush, which is a lot better than a manual brush, but some studies have shown that some oscillating brush heads are marginally more effective at getting rid of plaque than sonic ones. Our guide to sonic vs rotating toothbrushes can tell you more, but the power of the Philips will ensure that with regular proper usage, you’re still getting a great clean.

Philips Sonicare 7100: Specifications Philips Sonicare 7100: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• £349.99 in the UK (around $450 / AU$715)
• Frequently on sale
• The Sonicare Expertclean 7500 is the similar equivalent model in US and Australia
  

The Philips Sonicare 7100 is available in the UK priced at £349.99 (around $450 / AU$715). This is crazy money for a toothbrush, but it’s frequently on sale: at the time of writing, Amazon has it for £158.99 (around $205 / AU$325). I don’t know what it is about electric toothbrushes that means they're priced so highly and then get such severe and almost permanent discounts, but it’s a recognized phenomenon.

Want one in the US or Australia? Philips doesn’t sell the Sonicare 7100 there as it categorizes its products differently in those regions. However, it does sell a very similar Sonicare Expertclean 7500, with four relabelled modes (Clean, White+, Gum Health and Deep Clean) and a slightly differently-shaped charging case. That retails for $199 / AU$312.

If the Sonicare 7100 wasn’t so frequently on sale I’d consider it poor value. However, it should be fairly easy to pick this brush up for around £150-£200, which makes it a very good buy indeed.

• Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Philips Sonicare 7100: Scorecard Philips Sonicare 7100: Should I buy? Buy it if...

You want more power

Want a serious sonic clean? The Sonicare 7100 has the power to tackle the toughest plaque.

You want to brush on the go

The charging case is convenient and very well-designed, with space for your brush head.

You want lots of options

With four modes, each with three intensities, you’ve got 12 combos to choose from.

(Image credit: Future) Don't buy if if...

You can’t find it on sale

No toothbrush that I’ve yet tried is worth spending £350 / $450 / AU$715 on.

You want an oscillating brush head

As powerful as the Sonicare line is, if you’ve been advised to use an oscillating brush head by your dentist, consider the Oral-B iO Series.

You want to repair it

Unlike sustainable toothbrush manufacturer Suri, this toothbrush is not designed to be taken apart.

Also consider

Suri Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush

The best sustainability-focused sonic toothbrush.

Read our Suri Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush review

Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige

The best premium electric toothbrush.

Read our Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige review

How I tested

I used the Philips Sonicare 7100 for one week. I charged it using both the plug-in base and carry case, tried all the different modes on the toothbrush, and used a decibel meter app to calculate how loud the brush was compared to other brushes on the market.

First reviewed: March 2025

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(Image credit: Kathleen Moffitt, Destiny Clifford, Sonia Diaz, Cynthia Kellrey, Sarah Humm, Pam Cummings, Krista Watson, Nancy Burns, Tom Connelly, Kevin Pilgrim, Jeremy Alvarez)

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