Feed aggregator

How to watch 2025 Super League Grand Final live streams online, with the Wigan vs Hull KR clash carrying the potential for a seismic changing of the guard.

The Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL filter kit is a stackable filter solution for photography and video that moves away from magnetic attachment in favour of locking clips.

Peacemaker season 3 isn't on the cards, but this isn't the end of the line for its eccentric cast of characters.

Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit: two-minute review

Filters are an essential element of photography and video because, for the most part, they allow you to control exposure. Whether you’re aiming to manipulate shutter speed or to shoot at wider apertures than should be possible, filters are the way to achieve the desired results.

The Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit is a comprehensive filter kit built around a variable ND/polarizer and an ND32 filter, with a couple of video haze filters thrown in for good measure. This is a stackable kit, allowing you to combine multiple filters as required. Where this kit differs from others is in how the filters clip together and to the adaptor ring, rather than being magnetic.

Freewell rightly says clip attaching is a more secure system than magnetic, and results in less accidental adjustment of the variable ND. The only negatives to the system are that it’s not quite as convenient as magnetic systems, and you have to make sure the filter being attached is secure.

There are two Real Locking VND/CPL kits available: the Mega Kit and the All Day kit. I tested the Mega Kit, shooting both photos and videos to see how the kit as a whole and the individual filters perform. First, you have the base ring, and these are available from 49mm to 82mm with a lens cap that can be used with the ring left in place on the lens if desired. The filters are 82mm, so the adaptor rings step down, allowing you to use them across multiple lenses.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: James Abbott)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: James Abbott)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: James Abbott)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: James Abbott)

You can use the Mist filters, ND32 or any of the other separately available filters individually on the Base Ring. The variable ND is paired up with the polarizing filter, and using the two together works surprisingly well. To adjust the polarizing effect, you have to rotate the entire filter by releasing the rubber locking grips and turning it until the desired effect is reached. Then, to adjust the variable ND, you simply move the marker to the desired strength, which ranges from three to seven stops.

The kit also comes with an ND32 filter, which features a five-stop light-reducing density. This can be used in isolation or paired with the VND for up to a 12-stop light blocking density, so a couple of stops over a Big Stopper. With the VND at up to seven stops, there’s no color cast visible in photos, although there is a tiny hint of red or magenta when the ND32 is also attached.

When I say minor, I do mean minor – the color cast is only just visible to the color-trained eye, and this can be easily removed in editing software. When the ND32 is used in isolation, there is a slight cast that looks a little red, minimal again, like when stacked with the VND.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: James Abbott)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: James Abbott)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: James Abbott)

The ND filters are great for video, offering the ability to quickly control exposure while maintaining the correct shutter speed for capturing movement – the 180-degree rule. For landscape photography, you can extend exposure times to smooth water and blur clouds, while the filters also make it possible to shoot at larger apertures in bright conditions.

There’s no specific information about the glass construction of the filters, but you can see that they are coated, and image quality when using them is excellent. Color rendition is also excellent, with only the extremely minor aforementioned color cast issue. The two mist filters also work well and do what they’re claimed to do.

The Glow Mist 1/4 Filter blooms highlights slightly, smooths contrast and adds a cinematic haze without losing sharpness. With this filter, the haze spreads into midtones. In the examples below, you’ll see the sun star of the filter-free version remains, but with a bloom in the centre.

The Snow Mist 1/4 filter blooms highlights more than the Glow Mist 1/4 Filter and also smooths contrast, but with less spread into the midtones. This filter has completely bloomed the sun star into a circular highlight. Both of these filters can be used for all types of photography to apply cinematic haze effects, alongside being used for video capture.

Image 1 of 8

No filter (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 2 of 8

Glow Mist 1/4 (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 3 of 8

Snow Mist 1/4 (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 4 of 8

No Filter (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 5 of 8

VND at 7-stops (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 6 of 8

VND at 7-stops and the ND32 (12-stops) (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 7 of 8

No filter (Image credit: James Abbott)Image 8 of 8

Polarizer at full strength (Image credit: James Abbott)

My only minor gripe with the Mega Kit is that when the ND32 and two Mist filters are inserted into the smart leatherette Filters Case with a magnetic clasp, the middle and rear filters are a bit tight when removing them from the case. The case is, however, well-made and stores the entire kit away safely.

The lens caps have NFC built in, which takes you to the freewell website ‘Hub’ for tutorials, user guides and other stuff. It’s a bit of a gimmick and possibly unnecessary, but it’s certainly an innovative and unique feature.

The rear cap, which attaches to the VND/CPL, has a built-in gray card and white balance for color calibration. This, I have to say, is extremely useful, especially for video capture, where you can ensure color consistency when shooting without filters and with filters at different strengths.

Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit: key specs

Filter slots

Stackable

Adaptor rings

82mm included (49mm to 82mm available separately)

Polarizing filter

Built into VND

Case included

Yes

Lens cap

Yes

Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit price and availability

There are two Real Locking VND/CPL kits available: the Mega Kit and the All Day kit. These are available now at Amazon and the Freewell website. The All Day Kit is available for $250 at Amazon US and includes the VND3-7/CPL Base, an ND32, an 82mm Base Ring, an NFC Front Lens Cap, a White Balance Back Cap, a Filters Case and a Cleaning Cloth for. The same All Day kit costs £227.43 at Amazon in the UK. Australia price TBC.

The Mega Kit includes all of the above, plus a Snow Mist 1/4 and a Glow Mist 1/4. This kit costs $350 and pricing for both is in USD on the Freewell website, meaning if you live outside the US you'll need to check the exact cost in your own currency at the time of purchase.

The kits aren’t cheap, but they’re priced similarly to magnetic filter kits. Other filters can be purchased separately, as well as additional Base Rings, which come with corresponding NFC Front Lens Caps.

Should I buy the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit?

(Image credit: James Abbott)Buy it if...

You require convenience

This is a comprehensive stackable filter solution that can be used with a wide range of lenses.

You’d like portability

You would like a compact and lightweight filter system for photography and video capture.

Don't buy it if...

You need ND grads

If you’d like to use ND graduated filters to control sky exposure, you’ll need a square filter system.

You only need a VND

If you only need a variable ND filter, a simple VND will be a more appropriate and less expensive option.

How I tested the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit

• Used for photo and video capture
• Filters tested individually and stacked
• Tested in differing light conditions

I tested the Freewell Real Locking VND/CPL Mega Kit over a couple of weeks and used for a variety of photography and video shoots using different lenses with 82mm and 77mm filter threads. I used filters individually and stacked as required to assess performance in a range of configurations.

I also tested the filters in different light conditions to check their effectiveness in regard to the manufacturer's claims, as well as how the effects of the Mist filters work in different situations.

First reviewed October 2025

The Las Vegas Aces — once again — were an offensive force in the WNBA Finals, finishing off a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury with a 97-86 victory.

(Image credit: Rick Scuteri)

For a century, the BBC has broadcast the weather report for the seas around the UK. "The Shipping Forecast" has informed and lulled generations who tune in to hear it.

(Image credit: Lefteris Pitarakis)

The Sudan Emergency Response Rooms was considered a front-runner for the Nobel Peace Prize winner this year and last. Here's their story.

(Image credit: Caitlin Kelly)

We could get new MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, Mac minis, Mac Studios, and iMacs across the next few months.

The Samsung Art Store has expanded beyond The Frame TVs, and it's added new collections, themes, and other content to keep your eyes continually engaged.

Arattai Messenger has soared past five million downloads, surpassing Telegram and Snapchat, but faces scrutiny over its incomplete encryption.

President Trump said "left-wing radicals" have tried to tarnish Columbus' legacy, and the proclamation is a way to preserve it. Some experts say it's a way to erase the heritage of Native Americans.

(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker)

Soundpeats steps up with a higher driver count than past earbuds but a price that’s not elevated to match.

Soundpeats H3: Two-minute review

While you’ll most likely know Chinese headphone company Soundpeats from its dime-a-dozen budget buds, this rare foray into the mid-range market is still enough to pique interest… and to open wallets, because let me be clear: these are some of the best cheap headphones I’ve tested all year.

The Soundpeats H3 (no, you’re not expected to have heard of the H2) look like and sound like premium earbuds, and they make easy work of rivals at their price point, such as the AirPods 4.

The unique selling point here is the specs list, as the buds each have three drivers per earpiece (the AirPods, for example, have one) which let them handle the extremes of the audio spectrum with grace. They offer a vivid, insightful and well-defined sound, an expansive soundstage and support for a range of audio codecs.

I personally appreciated how Soundpeats didn’t follow the example set by most other mid-range and budget audio brands: the buds don’t turn the bass up to 11 to excite, at the expense of balanced sound, making them an option that offers something distinct from other buds you might be considering.

Audiophiles on a budget should add this to the shopping list straight away – and I do not write that lightly.

The premium sound is reflected in the design, with both the buds and case looking chic and classy. The earpieces also fit well and I never had problems with them falling out, which isn’t something I can say about many non-stem earbuds.

If there are issues with the Soundpeats H3, or at least reasons to temper your expectations, it’s in the features department. The battery life and active noise cancellation (ANC) are both a little below what I’ve experienced in other similarly-priced earbuds, and I had some app connection troubles (these didn’t affect streaming music, just using Soundpeat’s apps for some extra functionality).

Despite these small setbacks, the Soundpeats H3 are still exemplary earbuds that have certainly earned their way onto personal ‘best headphones’ list of 2025.

Soundpeats H3 review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Released in September 2025
• Costs $149.99 / £139.99 / AU$142
• Slightly pricier than AirPods (in most regions)

The Soundpeats H3 were released in September 2025, as a follow-up to 2021’s Soundpeats H2 – given that the new buds cost almost twice as much as their predecessors, and look vastly different too, it seems that the name is the only thing these buds have in common.

The new earbuds cost $149.99 / £139.99 / AU$142 (no, that’s not a typo, the buds are inexplicably cheaper in Australia compared to the rest of the world, given that an exact conversion would put them closer to AU$280).

That’s not cheap cheap like most Soundpeats earbuds, and it means the H3 bumps shoulders with the $129 / £129 / AU$219 AirPods 4, but any buds that serious audiophiles will be considering will cost a fair bit more. Top picks from Sony, Apple and Bose have much higher price tags.

Soundpeats H3 review: Specs

Drivers

12mm + dual balanced armatures

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (ANC off)

7 hours (buds) 37 hours (case)

Weight

6g (buds) 53g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Waterproofing

IPX5

Soundpeats H3 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• ANC is fine, but can be beaten by rivals
• 7/37 hour battery life (ANC off)
• Occasional app connectivity problems

According to Soundpeats, the H3 last for 7 hours of listening time before needing to be charged. From my testing, this figure is presumably with ANC turned off, as I listened with it turned on and just scraped the 5 hour mark.

Soundpeat’s figures continue to 37 hours for the case, which again would be lower if your noise cancelling is hogging all the charge. That’s still a fair amount higher than many other rivals though, so I can’t knock it.

Another case of ‘fine, but not the best’ comes with the noise cancellation, which will certainly take the edge off surrounding sounds but not remove them. Some of the environments I was in when testing the buds included the gym, near busy roads, on the train and on a flight, and the H3’s ANC would rarely totally remove a sound, but was decent at reducing its volume so your music could sit over the top.

I can’t say the same about Transparency mode, however, which seemed to amplify ambient noise while muffling voices – that’s the opposite of what it’s meant to do.

In an apparent attempt to make my testing job harder, Soundpeats offers two different apps which you can use to control the buds (they work independently, so you only need one, but to do my job well I have to test both): there’s the SOUNDPEATS app (all caps in the name, not my excitement) as well as PeatsAudio.

SOUNDPEATS has the same features as PeatsAudio but also a little bit less visual flair… when it picks up the buds, which wasn’t always the case during my testing. Sometimes I had to re-enrol the buds in the app to listen.

You can use the app to toggle what the touch controls do, change the volume and language of voice prompts, turn on LDAC, connect to multiple devices, test your buds’ fit to see if you’re wearing them properly and, in theory, play with a 9-band equalizer. I say ‘in theory’ because every time I tried opening this part of the app, I got an error message in Chinese and also an error screen saying an error occurred in English, so could never try it. This happened even when I reset the app and the earbuds.

PeatsAudio, meanwhile, has most of the features of SOUNDPEATS but the EQ actually worked. I sometimes found that LDAC toggled itself though, once when I was looking at (and not touching) the toggle on the app. Unless I’ve unknowingly been cast in a new Paranormal Activity movie, that’s a possible bug.

• Features score: 3/5

Soundpeats H3 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Light, well-fitting buds
• Handy touch controls
• Bulky carry case

I’ve never given Soundpeats kudos for original design, mostly because it’s never deserved any, but that’s certainly different now. The Soundpeats H3 have a unique and, dare I say, classy design.

It starts with the charging case, which I’ll readily admit is too big to comfortably fit in a pocket, but it makes up for it with its looks. The shell is transparent so you can see the buds while a gold trim blends well with the black; opening the case reveals the buds as well as a leather-esque patterned design. Admittedly the panel pleading “Hear the difference” looks a little gauche, especially with its inconsistent font that sees the ‘f’s descend to different levels, but this error triggers the editor in me instead of the tech reviewer in me, so I’ll let it slide.

Talking of letting things slide, let’s slide out the buds. These are in-ears with no stem; the whole thing sits in your ear. I’m generally skeptical about the reliability and fit of buds like this, as I’ve tested too many that are too heavy and fall from your ears, but the Soundpeats H3 worked a dream. They sat comfortably in my ear, never falling out and barely being noticeable during listening.

I’m a fan of how the shape of the H3’s body loosely resembles an ear, making the buds look like a part of the body when worn. This has a functional benefit too, with a small raised section at the far side of the body to the bud bearing a little hook, which helps keep the bud in place.

Each bud has a touch control and I found these fairly convenient to use. It feels like you can tap anywhere to trigger the function, instead of on one specific area, so you won’t waste time hammering away at your ear hoping to pause your music.

One thing that could be better here is the waterproofing which, at IPX5, sits below quite a few rivals. That marks the buds as being fine against sweat and rain but not water immersion or jets of water.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Soundpeats H3 review: Sound quality

• Three drivers per bud
• Lovely neutral sound
• Range of codecs supported

(Image credit: Future)

Why do these buds rate so highly? This section. The Soundpeats H3 come with three drivers, more than most rival buds: there’s a 12mm dynamic driver paired with two balanced armatures which in tandem, according to the company, ensure the entire audio spectrum is covered.

It works too, with the H3 perhaps the best-sounding mid-range earbuds I’ve ever tested that don’t have a bass focus (an important distinction given that many rivals focus on powerful bass more than Soundpeats has).

Treble is clearly the focus here. The balance, brimming with clarity and making vocals and higher-frequency instruments sparkle with energy and clarity, is refreshing and insightful. This extends to mids, which get to make a rare and detailed appearance, after getting somewhat overlooked in the vast majority of similarly-priced wireless earbuds.

Lower frequencies aren’t as powerful as on many rival buds, but they’re better-defined too, which more than makes up for it – the integrated bassline these buds provide sits well in the mix without ever dominating or encroaching.

There’s a lovely sound separation going on too, spacing and layering each musical passage and instrument in a way that justifies the use of multiple drivers.

Not content with a solid array of hardware, Soundpeats has included support for a wide variety of wireless audio codecs too, including aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC, AAC and SBC. I only briefly tested with LDAC for fear of running down the battery (unless the app turned it on without telling me…) but the buds’ release at the same time as Spotify Lossless is a lovely little treat for audio reviewers.

• Sound quality: 4.5/5

Soundpeats H3 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve got an ongoing list of great-value mid-range wireless earbuds that I can recommend to people who ask for my advice – placement on the list boils down to whether or not I’d buy it myself if, god forbid, I stopped getting sent buds to test.

The Soundpeats H3 certainly earn a place on the list. They may not have the features of rivals but the audio chops more than make up for it. They sound great and, more importantly, distinctly different from most same-priced rivals – all for half the price of other audiophile-grade earbuds.

• Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Soundpeats H3?

(Image credit: Future)Soundpeats H3 score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Middling battery life and ANC, with some app connection problems.

3/5

Design

Attractive and lightweight buds, albeit with a bit of a big case.

4.5/5

Sound quality

The specs list doesn't lie with these well-tuned buds.

4/5

Value

They're not the cheapest buds ever, but they're a lot more affordable than other equally-great sounding buds.

4/5

Buy them if…

You like stem-less buds
It's rare that I rate in-ear buds that don't have stems, as they often have balance or fit issues, but not here.

You like detailed, expansive-sounding tunes
Bass-heads might look away, but we don't need them anyway (jokes! You're very welcome here). These are some of the best-sounding earbuds that don't focus too heavily on 'excitement' via low end clout.

You value codec support
I've tested some great-sounding buds that don't go the extra mile by supporting extra, higher-resolution Bleutooth codecs. Soundpeats has you covered if you want high-quality music wirelessly.View Deal

Don’t buy them if…

You need top-notch ANC
The noise cancellation isn't terrible, but plenty of other similarly-priced buds will beat the H3 for blocking out background sound.

You're a devout app user
While some earbuds users ignore the app, people who do spend time on PeatsAudio or SOUNDPEATS might find them frustrating.

Soundpeats H3 review: Also consider

Soundpeats H3

OnePlus Buds 4

AirPods 4

Skullcandy Method 360

Drivers

12mm + dual balanced armatures

11mm + 6mm

Custom Apple design

12mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Battery life

12mm + dual balanced armatures

11 hours (buds) 45 hours (case)

5 hours (buds) 30 hours total (with case)

11 hours (earbuds), 29 hours (total)

Weight

6g (buds) 53g (case)

4.73g (buds) 40g (case)

4.3g (buds); 32.3g (case)

11g (buds) 77g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Waterproofing

IPX5

IP55

IP54

IPX4

Apple AirPods 4
Given the similar price, these are a natural competitor, but despite their popularity we're not overwhelmed by the AirPods. Soundpeats H3's audio, look and battery life all win out here.

See our full Apple AirPods 4 review

OnePlus Buds 4
If you want top-notch ANC, these slightly-cheaper buds are what you need, and they're also unlike the Soundpeats in that the audio mix clearly favors bass. They're for a very different kind of user, but that means that if you're not keen on the H3, they might have what you're looking for.

See our full OnePlus Buds 4 review

How I tested the Soundpeats H3

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for 21 days
• Tested at home, in the office and on walks

I tested the Soundpeats H3 for at least three weeks in order to write this review.

For testing, the buds were connected to my Android phone and I used music platforms including Spotify, Tidal, Netflix, YouTube and various games. I tested at home, on walks around my neighborhood and on various modes of transport, including trains and planes.

I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar for six years now, including many earbuds across a wide range of prices.

• First reviewed in October 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Israel carried out airstrikes on southern Lebanon early Saturday, killing one person, wounding seven and briefly cutting a highway that links Beirut with parts of south Lebanon, the Health Ministry said.

(Image credit: Mohammed Zaatari)

Alexandra is one of many people who lost their jobs for posting about the conservative influencer's death. She described the online mob that got her fired as "state-sponsored censorship."

In the aftermath of a deadly militant attack in Kashmir in April, authorities have expelled more than 1,500 Muslims from India, often at gunpoint.

(Image credit: Pradeep Gaur)

Paradise season 2 has wrapped filming – here's everything you need to know about the hit Hulu and Disney+ show's return.

The CMF Watch 3 Pro looks impressive and packs a lot in, even if there are a few performance niggles preventing it from hitting the heights of the likes of the Amazfit Active 2.

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: One minute review

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)

The CMF Watch 3 Pro is Nothing's latest budget smartwatch, and no, that's not a typo. Bizarrely, the naming scheme has changed slightly, and the successor to the CMF Watch Pro 2 is the CMF Watch 3 Pro.

Naming confusion aside, the latest CMF watch brings with it some upgrades. The screen is now 1.42 inches up from 1.32 inches, and it's also slightly brighter, with slimmer bezels. In addition, there's now dual-band GPS onboard for improved workout tracking, a slightly bigger battery and it pairs to the new Nothing X app.

It's not all good news, though. The larger size makes the screen easier to use, but it also means that it may be too large for some wrists, with only one size available. Nothing has also ditched the swappable bezels on this model, and unfortunately, it costs more, too.

Overall, it's a stylish smartwatch with great software, extremely long battery life and plenty of features. Despite the higher MSRP, it's still very affordable. This higher price brings with it tougher competition, and unless you're a huge fan of the CMF styling, this one could be a tough sell.

It certainly doesn't seem worth a buy if you already own the CMF Watch Pro 2, but if you're coming from the original CMF Watch, this is a substantial upgrade. It's not perfect, but I've thoroughly enjoyed using it.

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Specifications

Component

CMF Watch 3 Pro

Price

$99 / £99 / AU$179

Dimensions

54 x 47 x 15.2mm

Weight

47g including strap

Case/bezel

Aluminum alloy

Display

466 x 466px AMOLED

GPS

Dual-band GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS / Beidou

Battery life

Up to 13 days

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3

Water resistance

IP68

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)

• £99 in the UK
• $99 in the US
• AU$179 in Australia

The CMF Watch 3 Pro carries an MSRP of £99/$99, making it £30 more expensive than the Watch Pro 2, which launched at £/$69 last summer. That increase could be a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the value proposition was one of the key selling points of previous models.

That said, the CMF Watch 3 Pro is already discounted to £79 in the UK, and considering how new it is, you might expect that price gap to close even further in the coming months. Either way, it still remains very affordable for such a feature-packed watch.

• Value score 4/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Design & display

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)

• 1.43-inch AMOLED display
• Dark Grey, Light Grey and Orange options
• Replaceable liquid silicon wrist strap

The CMF Watch 3 Pro features a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display, a big increase over the last generation's 1.32-inch display. It also has slimmer bezels, and it's slightly brighter, rated at 670 nits up from 620 nits. This size increase is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes the display nicer to look at and easier to interact with. But it also makes the watch very large.

It's still super lightweight, weighing only 47 grams with the strap attached, but it's a chunky unit. I'm a pretty big guy, and I think it looks nice on my wrist, but I certainly wouldn't want to go any bigger. Those with dainty wrists need not apply.

The CMF Watch Pro 2 was a dramatic redesign compared to the original CMF Watch, but with the third iteration, the design feels very familiar. It still has a minimalistic circular design with a single rotating crown that can be pressed like a button on the right-hand side.

One thing that has changed, though, is that the bezel is no longer swappable, so it's crucial that you pick the style that you like best when you buy it. Like before, there are flatter, more angular bezel options, as well as a more curvy version. The Light Gray model I have in for testing has the textured curved bezel: the raised lip should help keep the screen free from scratches, and it looks quite fetching, too.

The body of the watch is made from aluminium, and I think the bezel is too, but it looks and feels a little plasticky, which detracts from an otherwise premium experience.

As for the display itself, it's pretty great. It has a 60Hz refresh rate, which looks smooth enough when you're swiping around the OS, and while most of the OS is black, white and orange, colours look very vibrant when they appear. It's not the brightest display around, but I never had trouble reading it, and given the budget price point, I think the performance is acceptable.

One thing I didn't like so much, though, was the brightness of the always-on display. I usually like to keep the always-on display active, as it means I don't need to raise my wrist to glance at the time. However, this one is so dim and hard to read that it doesn't really seem worth the battery drain.

Like its predecessor, the Watch 3 Pro has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This means it's well protected against dust, and it can be fully submerged in freshwater, but Nothing doesn't recommend using it for swimming or in the ocean.

• Design score: 4/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Features

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)

• 131 sport tracking modes
• Nothing X app for Android and iOS
• Essential News and Recording Transcription

The CMF Watch 3 Pro runs Nothing's proprietary software, just like previous models, and the way that it functions is largely unchanged. As with the older models, Nothing's unique design language is present throughout the OS, and if you're a fan, you're sure to love the library of monochromatic minimalist watch faces.

What has changed is the companion app. The CMF Watch 3 Pro pairs with the Nothing X app, rather than the old CMF Watch app. The experience feels more polished, and the app looks nicer, in my opinion, but functionally, it's not that different. I was pleased to see that there are more options for health monitoring now. Rather than just being able to toggle on or off all-day heart rate tracking, you can now choose how frequently the sensor reads your heart rate.

Nothing has continued to add additional exercise tracking modes to the watch, and there are now 131 different options to choose from. This includes extremely niche activities like parkour and parachuting, as well as some sports I've never even heard of, like sepak takraw (a volleyball-like game from Southeast Asia). No matter what you're into, there's a good chance it's here.

There's a new feature called Essential News, which is supposed to read you a daily summary of your preferred news topics using AI, but I just couldn't make it work. That's a shame, as it seems like a cool feature, but I tried on a couple of different phones, and it would always say "Playing", but nothing would happen.

Recording Transcription is another new feature, and thankfully, this one actually worked. Essentially, you can record a voice memo on your watch, and then you can transfer it to your phone, where it will be transcribed into text.

It seems very accurate, but I'm just not really sure what the purpose of it is. I guess if you have a brilliant idea while you're away from your phone, you could use this, but I think there are very few people who will find this feature useful.

Another slight tweak is the music controller now displays album artwork, which is a nice touch. Keep in mind that there's no onboard storage with this watch, though, so you'll need to be paired to your phone to take advantage.

• Features score: 3/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Luke Baker)

• Up to 13 days of battery life
• Heart rate, sleep, stress and blood oxygen monitoring
• Built-in dual-band GPS

One of the biggest functional changes with the Watch 3 Pro is that it now has dual-band GPS rather than single-band. How much this matters to you will depend on where you train, but whether you're in the built-up city streets or deep in the woods, you should be able to enjoy more reliable GPS tracking.

In my experience, mostly tracking walks and bike rides, the GPS was rock-solid. In fact, it was so accurate that it knew which side of the street I was on when I zoomed in on the map. Otherwise, while the array of sensors may have had some hardware upgrades, they perform the same functions as previous CMF releases.

Based on my heart rate readings from my other watches, my average and maximum BPM seemed to be correct. That said, there were a few times when the reading seemed way off, usually when I was wearing the strap slightly loose for comfort. I think you need this cranked down for the best tracking results.

The real star of the show here is the battery life. Nothing says it'll last up to 13 days on a charge, or around 4.5 days with always-on display enabled. I enabled as many features as possible, and used the watch extensively to test all its features, and I still managed well over four days per charge, so these estimations seem very accurate.

I usually wear the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro, so I'm used to exceptional battery life, but even still, the CMF Watch 3 Pro managed to impress with its longevity. If you hate charging your watch, this is an excellent choice.

Charging doesn't take too long either; it's around an hour and a half from flat to full. However, the magnetic charging puck could use a redesign thanks to an extremely flimsy connection, as the slightest of knocks can cause the watch to disconnect. It gets the job done, but it's among my least favourite charging cables.

• Performance score: 3/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

It's more expensive than its predecessor, but it's still a very affordable smartwatch, with a more premium build than much of its competition.

4/5

Design

Stylish, minimalist design, solid build quality, and a spacious OLED panel. However, it may be too large for some.

4/5

Features

Loads of tracking modes, a decent app and some novel additions that may or may not work.

3/5

Performance

Incredible battery life, smooth performance, and fitness metrics that are good enough for casual users.

3/5

Total

It looks the part and it performs well, but with a significant price hike, it's up against some stiff competition.

4/5

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You want a stylish watch that doesn't break the bank

The CMF Watch 3 Pro is very affordable, but it still looks very premium. That's true of both the software and the hardware. If you want to make a statement without spending a fortune, it's a good option.

You want long battery life

The battery life on this smartwatch is phenomenal. If you're a light user, it's certainly possible to go 13 days between charges, and if you're coming from a WearOS watch or Apple Watch, that's a serious luxury.

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: Also consider

Component

CMF Watch 3 Pro

Amazfit Active 2

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

Price

$99 / £99 / AU$179

$99 / £99

£62.99 / $75 / AU$99.99

Dimensions

54 x 47 x 15.2mm

43.9 x 43.9x 9.9mm

43.27 x 32.49 x 10.8mm

Weight

47g including strap

29.5g

24.5g

Case/bezel

Aluminum alloy

Stainless steel bezel, polymer frame

Aluminum frame, high-strength fibre polymer

Display

466 x 466px AMOLED

1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen

1.74-inch AMOLED touchscreen

GPS

Dual-band GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / QZSS / Beidou

Yes

No

Battery life

Up to 13 days

Up to 10 days

Up to 21 days

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.2

Bluetooth 5.4

Water resistance

IP68

5ATM

5ATM

Amazfit Active 2

The Amazfit Active 2 has the exact same MSRP and yet comes with some seriously advanced features, including an on-board AI assistant, seriously advanced tracking modes and sleek, slim design.

Read our full Amazfit Active 2 review

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

While not as advanced as the CMF Watch 3 Pro, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro offers a big, beautiful display and lots of fitness features at a significantly lower price.

Read our full Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro review

CMF Watch 3 Pro by Nothing: How I tested

Our reviewer wore the CMF Watch Pro as his primary smartwatch for over a week, while travelling, commuting and during regular workouts. It was paired with the Oppo Find X8 Ultra for the majority of the testing period, but was also tested with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to compare.

The tracking results were compared to historical results from the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro, as well as the built-in step counter on the smartphone and the Strava app for GPS accuracy.

President Trump threatened to place an additional 100% tax on Chinese imports starting on Nov. 1 or sooner, potentially escalating tariff rates close to levels that in April fanned fears of a recession.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)