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I used to own a lot of CDs. And by “a lot”, I mean a lot. Since I was a teenager in the late ‘90s a significant chunk of my disposable income went on music, but when Spotify launched in 2009 that began to slow down, until on July 29 2016 I ordered my final CD from Amazon (Drive Like Jehu’s self-titled album, if you’re interested).

I’ve been pretty much streaming-only ever since, and while I’ve purged a lot of CDs in recent years (mainly the albums I couldn't name a single song from without looking at the track-listing) there are a couple of hundred I can’t bring myself to get rid of.

Without a means to play any of them – I’d streamlined my hi-fi setup to include just a pair of Ruark MR1 Mk 2 speakers and an iFi Uno DAC connected to my disc-less MacBook Air when I moved out of London a few years ago – that seemed stupid.

But I spent a good chunk of my young adult life accumulating these shiny silver discs, some of which were acquired at gigs by obscure math-rock bands of the mid-2000s and certainly won’t be found on Spotify or Apple Music.

Even if they do now live in boxes under the stairs, existing as little more than a back-up archive to a hard drive full of ripped MP3s, they’re still part of my identity. And then one day the perfect solution dropped into my inbox.

What's in a name?

(Image credit: Future)

Try to buy a small, affordable CD player these days and you’ll mainly find cheap, plastic all-in-one systems made by companies called things like Pjlopj, Lvcdodvd and Gelielim (I actually made one of those up but I bet you don’t know which one).

Why was I choosing to listen to audibly inferior versions of stuff I’d spent so much time and money collecting?

In all honesty, the name FiiO isn’t much better, but the company at least has some recent pedigree when it comes to making hi-fi gear, with a number of its products earning five-star reviews right here on TechRadar. So news of its new $139 / £139 (around AU$275) DM13 CD player was music to my ears.

Here was a battery-powered CD player that’s barely any bigger than an old Sony Discman – not quite pocket-sized, but small enough to stash in a drawer when not in use – that has Bluetooth onboard so you can connect a pair of headphones, load up a copy of OK Computer and hit the streets like it’s 1997 all over again.

Mine arrived in the post just before Christmas, and its brushed metal chassis makes it vaguely reminiscent of Apple’s old Superdrive (RIP), particularly if you opt for the silver version. It can even convert CDs into MP3s if you hook it up to a computer.

I attempted to pair it with my Ruarks over Bluetooth but with its limited single-line display and very basic instruction manual, getting the two to talk to each other was like trying to change the clock on a microwave using only morse code.

Fortunately, it has standard aux and optical outputs as well, so I just dug out my box of miscellaneous cables (we’ve all got one) and went wired instead. I had created the perfect hi-fi setup for a millennial with limited space.

Don't look back in anger

(Image credit: Future) Top tips for CD revivalists

1. Check Ebay for CD bargains
A copy of Oasis’s debut album Definitely Maybe will set you back the best part of $35 / £30 on vinyl, but resellers such as Music Magpie (or Discogs in the US) have eBay shops where you can pick up a CD copy for far less. Try your local charity shops, too.

2. Only buy stuff you really love
If you start buying everything on CD you’ll quickly end up with a collection that’s hard to manage and you’ll be forced to purge some of it. Spotify and the other streaming services are the perfect tool for quality control, allowing you to try before you buy.

3. Keep your CDs out of the sun
My CD collection spent over a decade of its life by a window where it would catch the evening sun. As a result a good chunk has severely faded spines and partially bleached back covers, which bothers me from a sentimental perspective rather than a resale one. Try to look after yours better.

It’s not just because I’m a hoarder who can’t let go of the past that I’m planning to spend 2025 like it’s the height of Britpop all over again (and the Oasis reunion has nothing to do with it either).

Spotify’s refusal to increase its streaming quality has been bothering me for some time, but it was only when I was listening to some of those old MP3s that I realised just how noticeable it is. Why was I choosing to listen to audibly inferior versions of stuff I’d spent so much time and money collecting?

I also rarely listen to a full album from start to finish anymore, so rather than just switching to a different digital format I figured a CD player would be the perfect way to reconnect with music all over again.

I’m not the only one who’s plotting a physical-media renaissance. Sales of CDs rose 2% in 2023 and were up again 3.2% in the first half of 2024. That small upward trend is partially down to younger generations developing an interest in owning tangible formats but not having the disposable income to spend on vinyl (apparently it all goes on snozzberry vapes).

I get that. I bought a lot of my CDs for £7 or less in shops like Fopp or Rounder Records (another RIP) in Brighton, UK and the thought of spending over £20 on just one album back then would’ve horrified me. What if it was rubbish? (Which, considering a proportion of it was mid-noughties math-rock, was fairly likely.)

With people like me offloading hordes of old CDs there are bargains to be found – and while the format isn’t as indestructible as was once claimed, the discs are often in decent nick, even if the cases and liner notes aren’t.

You can connect a pair of headphones, load up a copy of OK Computer and hit the streets like it’s 1997 all over again.

I probably won’t ditch Spotify completely. As portable as the FiiO DM13 is – connecting a pair of Bluetooth headphones presented fewer issues and it does have skip protection – my pockets are only big enough for my iPhone 16 Pro. Streaming is also unbeatable when it comes to discovering new stuff, plus I don’t have space to add significantly to my existing CD collection. My bank balance wouldn’t thank me either.

But the contents of those boxes under the stairs is going to get a chance to shine again in 2025 – and it’s all down to another little black box with a silly name.

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The Norwegian chess grandmaster was fined $200 and given a warning by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to change into acceptable attire or be disqualified.

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• AWS is Netflix's only cloud computing platform
• But AWS is also part of Amazon, which owns Amazon Prime Video, a huge rival to Netflix
• Netflix engineers have been struggling to keep track of how much resources they use on AWS

Netflix, the world’s most popular streaming platform, may dominate home entertainment, but it’s struggling to manage one of its biggest operational challenges: cloud computing costs.

Despite its tech-forward image, Netflix has admitted it doesn’t fully know how much it spends on the cloud, an oversight made even more surprising given that its cloud provider, AWS, is part of Amazon - owner of Prime Video, one of Netflix’s largest competitors.

Relying on AWS for compute, storage, and networking, Netflix’s cloud infrastructure supports its global streaming service. Engineering teams use self-service tools to create and deploy applications, generating vast amounts of data. However, the complexity of this ecosystem makes it difficult for Netflix to understand exactly how resources are used and how costs accumulate.

Keeping its content flowing

The Platform Data Science Engineering (DSE) team at Netflix has taken on the task of untangling this problem. The team’s mission is to help the company’s engineers understand resource usage, efficiency, and associated costs.

Yet, as Netflix acknowledged in a recent blog post, its cloud cost management is still a work in progress.

To address the challenges it finds itself facing, Netflix has developed two tools: Foundational Platform Data (FPD) and Cloud Efficiency Analytics (CEA). FPD provides a centralized data layer with a standardized model, aggregating data from applications like Apache Spark. CEA builds on this by applying business logic to generate cost and ownership attribution, providing insights into efficiency and usage patterns.

The hurdles are significant. Netflix’s sprawling infrastructure includes services with multiple owners, varying cost heuristics, and multi-tenant platforms that complicate tracking.

Data delays and platform-specific customizations add a further layer of complexity. Regular audits and data transformations are necessary to maintain accuracy, but the company admits it has yet to achieve full visibility into its cloud spending.

Looking ahead, Netflix says it plans to expand its tools and incorporate predictive analytics and machine learning to optimize usage and detect cost anomalies.

While the company works to refine its approach, its situation highlights a striking irony: the world’s most popular streaming platform relies on its rival’s technology to deliver its own service, yet it is still figuring out the true cost of keeping its content flowing.

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Yellen told Congress her agency will need to start taking "extraordinary measures," or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling, as early as Jan. 14.

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• Look out for a new Play something button
• It picks out a recommended video for you
• Some users are seeing the feature on Android

There's an awful lot to watch on YouTube – more than 500 hours of content are uploaded every single minute, according to the official stats – and it seems YouTube is testing a feature to help viewers who are a bit stuck as to what to load up next.

As per 9to5Google, you might soon see a Play something button pop up while you're using the latest version of YouTube for Android. Tap the button, and a selected video starts playing through the YouTube Shorts interface.

It's not clear how YouTube is picking the video that gets played, but presumably your YouTube listening history and your recommendations are involved somehow. You'll then get served more videos after the first clip has finished.

Although the feature uses the portrait Shorts interface, it seems regular YouTube videos can get played as well. However, it's not something that's gone live for every user, as Android Police reports – so you might not see it.

Too much choice

YouTube on a foldable phone (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

This is actually something YouTube has been testing for a while, though the interface has been tweaked a little along the way. It would now appear that at least some more users are seeing the feature too, if not everyone.

And it's a feature that makes sense too: YouTube doesn't want its users stuck on a browsing screen, not knowing which video to load up next and spending more time scrolling than viewing (or even switching to another app entirely).

While it may seem a bit random to have YouTube pick something for you to watch, remember the platform knows a lot about you and your preferences – it may even be better at choosing what to watch than you are.

We'll have to wait and see if this new idea rolls out to everyone, but YouTube has been pushing out tweaks and upgrades on a regular basis recently – including skipping parts of videos and (for premium users) smart downloads for YouTube Shorts.

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Skip the stand mixer to blend, puree and whisk with a compact immersion blender.

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• URSA is designed exclusively to shoot Apple Immersive Video
• Each sensor can capture 8K video at a staggering 90fps
• Its 8TB onboard memory module can capture over 120 minutes of 3D video

Blackmagic Design, best known for its professional video editing and color grading suite DaVinci Resolve, has opened pre-orders for the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera, the first commercial camera designed to capture Apple Immersive Video for Apple Vision Pro.

First announced in June 2024, the camera is set to begin shipping in early 2025 and offers filmmakers new capabilities to create ultra-high-resolution 180-degree immersive video with Spatial Audio.

Apple Immersive Video is designed to deliver an enhanced viewing experience, placing audiences in the center of the action through detailed visuals and sound. To complement this, Blackmagic Design is updating DaVinci Resolve Studio early next year to provide a complete workflow for editing and producing Apple Immersive Video.

Certainly not cheap

The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive features a fixed, custom lens system designed for its large-format image sensor. The camera captures stereoscopic 3D content at 8160 x 7200 resolution per eye with pixel-level synchronization and 16 stops of dynamic range.

It can record at up to 90fps to a single Blackmagic RAW file. The lens system includes precise positional data calibrated during manufacturing, which is stored within the Blackmagic RAW file for use in post-production.

DaVinci Resolve Studio will add tools specifically for editing immersive video, including an immersive video viewer that allows editors to pan, tilt, and roll clips. Footage can be monitored on Apple Vision Pro or standard 2D displays. The software will also include export presets for easy delivery of Apple Immersive Video files, as well as tools to bypass certain effects for creating clean master files.

The camera’s design is optimized for high-end production, combining a magnesium alloy chassis with carbon fiber components. It includes connections such as 12G SDI, 10G Ethernet, and USB-C, along with 8TB of built-in network storage for recording. The Blackmagic Cloud integration allows footage to be synchronized in real time, enabling remote collaboration during production.

Priced at an eye-watering $29,995, the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive is available for pre-order directly from Blackmagic Design, with wider availability through resellers expected later in 2025.

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It’s been a busy year for DJI. Not content with being the drone brand to beat, it landed four new consumer flying machines on the market in 2024. DJI also gave us its latest action camera, two wireless microphones for creators and a host of accessories. We even got an unexpected e-bike collaboration.

That’s a seriously diverse set of products to launch in a single year. Generally speaking, DJI didn’t compromise on quality either: the Osmo Action 5 Pro is one of the best action cameras you can buy, while the DJI Mini 4 Pro takes the top spot in our list of the best drones, followed closely by the Air 3S and Avata 2. We awarded the DJI Mic 2 five stars in our review, too.

It’s rare to see such quality and variety from a manufacturer over a 12-month period, with no major misses to speak of. That’s one of the main reasons we named DJI as Camera Brand of the Year in our Choice Awards 2024, even as clouds form in 2025 ahead of a potential DJI drone ban in the US.

Want a run-down of those wins? In this annual review, we’ve rounded up everything DJI got right in 2024 – and looked ahead to what it’s got in store for 2025.

DJI drones in 2024 DJI Avata 2: FPV made better

(Image credit: Future | Nico Goodden)

The Avata 2 landed in 2024 as a successor to the original Avata, instantly becoming our favorite FPV drone. It impressed us during testing with both its versatility and accessibility: ready to fly right out of the box, features such as automatic takeoff and obstacle avoidance sensors mean that pretty much anyone can experience the thrill of first-person flight.

Seasoned pilots can exploit the Avata 2’s full performance by choosing to disable some or all of these features, although we did note in our four-star review that handling could be awkward in manual mode. Still, thanks to its impressive image quality and an immersive user experience, we rate the Avata as a hit.

• Read our in-depth DJI Avata 2 review

DJI Mini 4 Pro: Our new favorite folding drone

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Not just our favorite DJI drone, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is our pick of the best drones overall. In fact, we even named it Best Drone in our Choice Awards 2024. An evolution of the Mini 3 Pro, we rate it as the best sub-250g model ever made. Its specs tell part of the story, with 4K video at up to 100fps and support for DJI’s D-Log M color profile.

But the real improvements can be found in the top-tier safety features, the kind of which are usually reserved for premium models. That includes omni-directional obstacle avoidance and an extended transmission range of up to 20km, all in a featherweight package which is straightforward to fly.

Yet it may not be top dog for long, with new DJI Mini 5 and Flip models rumored for 2025.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mini 4 Pro review

DJI Air 3S: A top choice for enthusiasts

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

We already rated the DJI Air 3 as a compelling choice for enthusiast flyers. The Air 3S landed as an upgrade in 2024, albeit not one that changed too much. In our review, we commended its superb battery life and simple flight controls, as well as the all-round performance of its multi-camera setup.

Improvements included a larger sensor on the wide-angle camera, which yielded better quality in low lighting, plus front-facing LiDAR sensors for better obstacle avoidance after dark. If you already own the DJI Air 3, it’s not the most exciting new drone of the year. But if you want a capable mid-range model, it’s where we’d look first.

• Read our in-depth DJI Air 3S review

DJI Mini 4K: affordable 4K flying

(Image credit: James Abbott)

An upgrade to the Mini 2 SE, we think the DJI Mini 4K is now the best entry-level drone for beginners. It boosts video quality to 4K and unlocks 2x digital zoom, while keeping everything else the same. That means you’re still getting a 3-axis gimbal, solid wind resistance and flight times of up to 31 minutes – plus plenty of user-friendly flight modes via the DJI Fly app.

It’s also DJI’s cheapest Mini-series drone, which means it’s fantastic value for learners who are just getting off the ground. You don’t get luxuries such as object avoidance sensors or the latest subject tracking. But for many people, the Mini 4K will be more exciting than DJI’s flagship drones, simply because of how accessible it is: just $299 / £269 for the base kit.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mini 4K review

DJI Neo: FPV for beginners

(Image credit: James Abbott)

A miniature FPV drone with enclosed propellers, the DJI Neo is more than just a shrunken-down Avata 2. Lightweight and tiny, it landed on the scales in 2024 at just 135g – yet it also comes equipped with autonomous flight modes and AI subject tracking. We found it incredibly easy to operate in our tests, making it a top choice for first-time FPV flyers.

More experienced pilots won’t be impressed by its single-axis gimbal stabilization or limited flight speeds, but we still think the Neo is an exciting concept. Priced at just $199 / £169 / AU$299 for the base kit, it’s DJI’s cheapest 4K drone. With the option of controller-free flight via the app, it makes the fun of FPV much more accessible.

• Read our in-depth DJI Neo review

DJI action cameras in 2024 DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: a winning sequel

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

DJI’s Osmo Action series has firmly established itself as a big rival to GoPro’s Hero line of action cameras. That reached a climax in 2024 with the arrival of the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, which beat both the GoPro Hero 13 Black and Insta 360 X4 to claim the title of Best Action Camera in our Choice Awards.

The reasons for that are several: improving on the Osmo Action 4 in almost every way, it boasts a pair OLED displays, class-leading battery life and a 20m waterproof rating without a case. Peak video resolution of 4K is beaten by the top GoPro, but strong dynamic range and a useful SuperNight mode make it a capable all-rounder.

Factor in slick compatibility with the DJI Mic 2 (see below) for quality audio and we think the Osmo Action 5 Pro is easily one of DJI's biggest wins of the year.

• Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review

DJI microphones in 2024 DJI Mic 2: improved vocal recording

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to creating quality content, audio matters just as much as video. The DJI Mic was already one of our top picks for capturing reliable sound on the go. Its second-gen successor arrived early this year and brought significant upgrades. Those included 32-bit float audio which allows you to recover vocals at pretty much any volume, as well as AI-powered intelligent noise reduction.

Bought as a kit including two transmitters and one receiver, the DJI Mic 2 is yours for $349 / £309. Shipped in a charging case, it’s all automatically paired – one of many ways that the Mic 2 makes it easy for anyone to record better audio. Together with its pro-level features, that’s why we named it the Best Camera Accessory of 2024.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mic 2 review

DJI Mic Mini: better mobile audio

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Half the size of the Mic 2, the Mic Mini joined DJI’s accessory line-up late in 2024. A smaller, simpler and more affordable solution for recording quality audio wherever you’re shooting, the Mic Mini is pitched at content creators who mainly shoot with a smartphone. While the Mic 2 might offer more for professionals, the Mic Mini can’t be beaten for overall value and ease of use.

Tiny at 10g apiece, the two-mic system attaches by clip or magnet, and pairs seamlessly with your mobile via Bluetooth. A rival to the Rode Wireless Micro, it’s made more versatile by the option to use it with a camera thanks to the 3.5mm jack.

Our review found audio quality to be fantastic, even in noisy environments. Priced at a reasonable $169 / £145 / AU$245 for the complete kit, we predict that the Mic Mini will be a big seller for DJI.

• Read our in-depth DJI Mic Mini review

DJI accessories in 2024 DJI Goggles 3 and N3: eyes on the prize

(Image credit: DJI)

DJI gave us two new FPV headsets in 2024. The Goggles 3, launched with the Avata 2, are equipped with dual 1080p Micro-OLED displays and support for next-gen O4 video transmission. In our tests, that translated into “unparalleled image quality” and “the most immersive FPV experience available”. We also found the goggles comfortably light, compact and ergonomic.

More recently, we got the Goggles N3 – DJI’s cheapest ever FPV goggles. Less than half the price of the DJI Goggles 3, they’re designed to pair with the DJI Neo to make an affordable FPV package for novices. You can buy them standalone for $229 / £229 / AU$359, or bundled in with the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo for $449 / £449 / AU$839.

You get an LCD display inside instead of Micro-OLED screens, but despite the reduced price, the Goggles N3 still support O4 video transmission. That makes them a very compelling addition to the line-up. We’d argue that their affordability makes them an even bigger hit for DJI than the full-fat Goggles 3.

DJI controllers: refined flying

(Image credit: James Abbott)

With the release of the Avata 2 came new ways to control DJI’s flying machines. The RC Motion 3 gives you upgraded one-handed joystick control when you’ve got goggles on. Tested with the Avata 2, we found it an intuitive way to pilot the FPV drone. We reckon it’s better for novices than DJI’s gaming-style controllers, which give more experienced users granular manual control.

Speaking of gaming controllers, DJI also launched the DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 this year. Almost identical to the Remote Controller 2, it features integrated antennae and is optimized for the low-latency O4 video transmission system used by the Avata 2. In our review, we actually found that its ergonomics aren’t the best for flying in manual mode.

Then we got the RC-N3, launched with the DJI Neo and designed to be used with your smartphone mounted to the top. None of these are groundbreaking releases from DJI, but all three signify the manufacturer’s continued commitment to refining the ways in which fans can fly its drones.

DJI power stations: ideal for hardcore drone users

(Image credit: DJI)

Not content with the categories it already has covered, DJI forayed into new territory in 2024 with the launch of its power stations. The Power 500 (512Wh capacity) and Power 1000 (1,024Wh capacity) are designed to recharge DJI drones when you’re out in the field away from a mains electricity supply. We can see both units being popular with anyone who shoots for extended periods.

Performance depends on the drone you’re refueling, but DJI has given some rough numbers: a Mavic 3 Series drone will take 32 minutes to go from 10 percent to 95 percent. Besides getting you back in the air again, the power supplies can also boost other kit, including smartphones and laptops.

More recently, DJI launched a powerful add-on: the Power Expansion Battery 2000 stacks on top of the Power 1000 and connects via cable to give an additional 2,048Wh of capacity. What’s more, you can chain up to five of these for a maximum capacity of 11,264Wh, making it a serious solution for heavy-duty shoots in the wild.

• Read our in-depth DJI Power Station 500 review

DJI Avinox: riding into new territory

(Image credit: DJI / Amflow)

Talking of new categories, DJI made a surprising leap into e-bike technology in 2024. Taking everything it knows about battery and motor tech from its drones and gimbals, DJI has channelled its expertise into the Avinox Drive System.

Debuting on the Amflow PL, an electric mountain bike, the system can be accessed via a 2-inch OLED touchscreen on the frame. You can also hook up to the Avinox app to enable anti-theft mode, as well as change settings such as power and torque. DJI’s Smart Assist Algorithm will also automatically adjust how much assistance you get based on riding resistance.

The development is an exciting one for several reasons. It suggests that DJI tech could soon be found in some of the best e-bikes, especially as the Amflow brand is a startup “incubated by DJI”. It also indicates that the manufacturer has every intention of continuing to explore new industries and applications for its existing technology.

What to expect from DJI in 2025?

Even with the threat of a US ban looming, DJI doesn’t seem to have any intention of slowing down as we head into 2025. In fact, according to rumors it appears to be hitting the accelerator pedal instead, perhaps pre-empting a new Congress bill that could ban both DJI and Autel Robotics from selling new drones in the US.

We don’t have an official roadmap detailing exactly what the manufacturer has in store, but a number of leaks and rumors have given us a good indication of what new products we can expect next year.

DJI drones in 2025: aerial upgrades?

(Image credit: DJI)

DJI Flip

Recent leaks suggest that DJI is working on a tiny, foldable drone. A reliable source has revealed a video illustrating how the Flip could down into a pocketable size. The suggestion is that it will have O4 video transmissions, propeller guards like the DJI Neo and possibly Lidar collision avoidance.

It’s not clear where exactly it would sit between the DJI Neo and the DJI Mini 4 Pro, unless DJI pitches it as an ultra-affordable, beginner-friendly model like the DJI Spark. Some commentators posit the Flip as a spiritual successor to the Mini 3. Time will tell.

DJI Mavic 4 Pro

Leaked FCC filings in the US also suggest that DJI is gearing up to replace the triple-camera Mavic 3 Pro with the Mavic 4 Pro in 2025. We haven’t seen much in the way of concrete specs, although there’s a suggestion that it will feature a larger battery unit, which could come hand-in-hand with a new design.

Imagery which appears to show a test unit of the Mavic 4 Pro hints at a redesigned camera array, although that doesn’t give us much to go on. We also don’t know when DJI might be planning to officially announce the new model. But if the rumors are true, it’s certainly clear that 2025 will be another big year for DJI.

DJI action cameras in 2025: doing a 360?

DJI Osmo 360

Although its reputation is firmly established in the action camera arena, there’s one category in which DJI has yet to tread: 360-degree cameras. That could change in 2025.

The DJI Osmo 360 has been touted by some as DJI’s effort at taking on the best 360 cameras, including the Insta360 X4. FCC filings certainly point in that direction. That’s a crowded marketplace to enter and it’s not yet clear what DJI would be bringing to the table.

But given how impressed we were by the Osmo Action 5 Pro, plus the fact that GoPro has delayed the launch of its next 360 camera, the Max 2, a 360-degree camera from DJI could well be the one to beat.

DJI handhelds in 2025: getting steadier still?

DJI RC Track

Originally expected to launch with the DJI Air 3S, the RC Track controller is rumored to be an accessory designed specifically to work with the follow-me mode on DJI drones. Smaller than standard controllers, leaked images suggest the pared-back beacon will feature basic controls and serve primarily as a way for drones like the Air 3S to track you more accurately.

It’s not the first time that we’ve seen this kind of remote – the Skydio Beacon did something similar – but it is a new avenue for DJI, and one that would offer solo pilots and videographers more flexibility.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7

Another FCC filing points towards a new version of DJI’s handheld smartphone gimbal on the near horizon. We highly rated the existing Osmo Mobile 6 in our review, with its ability to help content creators capture stable handheld footage using the best camera phones.

We don’t know much about what fresh features to expect, and we’d hazard a guess that the Osmo Mobile 7 will be a refinement rather than a major revamp of what’s gone before. It seems likely that DJI will include support for Apple DockKit, which allows you to use gimbals with the stock iOS camera app.

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As we approach the end of the year, it’s almost impossible not to wonder what new changes will be coming to the tech world over the next 12 months - and it looks likely to be an intriguing year for the iPhone.

For once, it’s not about speculation surrounding the next flagship phone - the iPhone 17 range that’s likely to hit in the latter part of the year - but to do with the heavily-rumored iPhone SE 4.

We’re starting to get used to expecting a new lower-end iPhone model from Apple every couple of years. But there’s something a bit different in these rumors that’s caught my attention - and it’s nothing to do with the rumored hardware (such as a larger screen, Face ID or others, which you can read all about in our iPhone SE 4 leaked feature roundup).

No, the thing that’s got me is the strong possibility that the new iPhone SE could be coming with Apple Intelligence baked in, which would be huge for a phone tipped to be sold for under $500.

Smarter than your average budget phone

(Image credit: Apple)

Up until now, Apple Intelligence has been firmly marketed as available on the most expensive iPhones: the iPhone 15 Pro range and the latest iPhone 16 models.

While this is still all firmly speculation, to bring the AI capabilities to a lower-end model could be a huge selling point for Apple.

If it can build momentum for the features, it could help attract (and keep hold of) people who want to upgrade their smartphone but don’t care to spend huge amounts on a new phone just to get a bit of a spec bump.

While some buyers want multiple cameras and have strong opinions about the notch at the top of the screen, many others just want an iPhone - it’s what they’ve used happily for years and have an ecosystem of gadgets that it slots into.

These folks could well be enticed by an iPhone that can rewrite their emails in different styles, or enjoy sharing custom emoji with family group chats. But only if it’s at the right price.

A new potential poster child

(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)

This idea of the iPhone SE range being the ‘cheap’ way to get some of the latest phone functionality isn’t new - after all, the iPhone SE 3 was Apple’s way of offering 5G connectivity without needing to spend close to $1,000.

However, while the iPhone SE 4 would need a more powerful chipset to handle any Apple Intelligence features, that AI heart could bring improvements throughout the phone without the need for loads of other new hardware.

Apple’s promised updates to its suite of AI-powered tools will be “available in the months to come”, and that could tie in nicely with the expected spring launch for the latest iPhone SE. These additions will be important, as while the changes that came in iOS 18.1 and 18.2 (such as Image Playground and ChatGPT support) are OK, they’re not earth shattering.

If the intended new features are as useful as they’re rumored to be, such as on-screen awareness allowing users to simply ask the phone to interact with things that appear on the screen (such as editing a photo or saving a phone number sent), then they could entice users of older iPhones to upgrade.

So if the iPhone SE 4 does come with Apple Intelligence, I can easily imagine most of the launch being about bringing Intelligence to an even lower price point as the brand looks to enhance the functionality of its phones in new areas.

Taking cues from Google?

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

All this reminds me heavily of 2019’s Google Pixel 3a - the ‘a’ range being the budget version of the flagship Pixel phones from the search giant, the closest equivalent to Apple’ iPhone SE models.

What was interesting there was that Google had brought many of the high-end photography features from the more expensive Pixel phone to the budget model. Using the on-phone AI smarts, owners of the sub-$400 phone were able to get access to advanced photography features like Night Sight (one of the earliest examples of computational photography being used to enhance night scenes).

AI was being used to add new powers without the need for expensive extra hardware, and that’s what could be on offer with Apple’s iPhone SE4 if the rumors turn out to be true.

If that’s the case, then we’ll likely see an acceleration in the race to use on-device intelligence to enhance what’s already there. We’re seeing that already - every brand is using algorithms to improve photographs, battery life and performance - but finding new ways to help users day to day using machine learning will be especially powerful at a lower price point.

If Apple does decide to make Intelligence the headline feature of the new iPhone SE 4, the success could depend on whether the new capabilities are alluring enough.

Users could be loath to ditch their fingerprint sensor, or be worried about going up to a ‘big’ phone (although 6.1 inches is still below the worldwide average smartphone display size). This is where the word of mouth or demonstrations from friends will be invaluable to Apple, with people keen to show off their AI artwork or being able to quickly do tasks that used to require more effort.

Of course, it’s unlikely the iPhone SE 4 will get all the Apple Intelligence features; things such as Visual Intelligence need the Camera Control hardware, and by locking certain capabilities to the higher-end models it will still give a reason for others to buy the more expensive models.

Should I wait?

(Image credit: Jon Prosser / Ian Zelbo)

So what does that mean for you, especially if you’re considering buying a new phone in the near future? I’d be sorely tempted to at least wait and see if Apple does, indeed, launch a new iPhone SE in the early part of 2025.

That’s because I want to know how the rollout of Apple Intelligence will continue, how long the full suite of promised features takes to arrive, and whether the rumored release date for those line up with the predicted launch of the new SE.

The key thing will depend on momentum. If Apple’s marketing campaigns for Intelligence continue apace, and showcase the new capabilities in onscreen awareness combined with enhanced photo editing or the like, then it could be a compelling reason for some to upgrade to a new iPhone for less than they might have expected.

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WD Black SN850P: One-minute review

As a big proponent of the WD Black SN850, I can’t deny that I’m a little disappointed with the WD Black SN850P. Although faster on paper, I found that the real-world performance of the SN850P actually lags behind that of the older SN850 - even scoring slightly lower in the PS5's internal storage benchmark. The design has taken a bit of a step back this time around too, as the SN850P ditches the cool, though admittedly slightly impractical, LED of its predecessor in favor of a much plainer, and presumably cheaper to manufacture, look.

This wouldn’t be a huge issue, but the SN850P comes in a little more expensive than not only the SN850 but also some of the best SSDs for PS5. When officially licensed alternatives like the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 can be found cheaper and will run a bit better, there’s no real reason to pick up the SN850P above the rest. That is unless you manage to find the 1TB or 2TB models on one of their fairly regular discounts, where price cuts of up to $50 / £30 make these products much more competitive.

There are also the larger capacity variants to consider. Seagate’s licensed drive doesn’t come in capacities above 2TB, so the SN850P is one of the only options if you want to keep things official at that size. The 8TB variant is also one of the few 8TB PS5 SSDs on the market right now from a major brand and is quite reasonably priced for what it is. If it’s either of these versions that you were considering, add half a star to the score above.

Otherwise, the WD Black SN850P is underwhelming on the whole. It’s a fine PS5 SSD that, thanks to its slightly overambitious price tag, fails to stand out.

(Image credit: Future) WD Black SN850P: Price and availability

• 1TB is $119.99 / £107.99
• 2TB is $189.99 / £184.99
• 4TB is $319.99 / £329.99
• 8TB is $749.99 / £705.99

The 1TB WD Black SN850P retails for $119.99 / £107.99, though can be found hovering slightly below that price at online storefronts such as Amazon. The 2TB costs $189.99 / £184.99, though again you can expect to pay a little less if you buy online.

Outside of sales, both these models cost a bit more than the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 equivalents (the 1TB model goes for $99.99 / £99.90 while 2TB is $159.99 / £159.90) - again, a drive that performed slightly better in my testing.

The cost then increases substantially as you move towards the 4TB model, which is $319.99 / £329.99, or 8TB, which goes for a massive $749.99 / £705.99. Although the most recent arrival, the 8TB has already started receiving discounts of about $50 / £50 that put the price in line with most other 8TB PS5 compatible SSDs making it a solid option if you can afford it.

WD Black SN850P: Specs WD Black SN850P: Design and features

• Design is a step down from the SN850
• Heatsink included out of the box
• 5-year limited warranty

The design of the WD Black SN850P is, in my opinion, a step down from the SN850. It’s got a similar overall look, with a sleek black heatsink constructed from a very robust feeling metal but lacks the little LED that was on top of the SN850. This was never a huge selling point, after all, you can’t exactly see it when it’s been inserted inside a PS5. But it still makes for an SSD that looks a bit cheaper on the whole.

Otherwise, you have the same white WD Black branding, plus a little label stating the name of the product. One noticeable departure is the introduction of a white PlayStation logo on the right-hand side, which matches everything nicely.

Although it looks very similar from a distance, the heatsink has actually been redesigned with a slightly different shape and a few more gaps for dispersing heat. Given that I never experienced any noticeable thermal throttling on the SN850, I can’t say that this seems necessary but it definitely doesn’t hurt. It also fits perfectly in the PS5 or PS5 Pro.

In the box, you get the SSD in a little clamshell package, in addition to some warranty and service information. You’re covered by a five-year limited warranty here, which does offer some peace of mind and means that this drive will likely see you through the rest of the PS5’s life if you opt to get one.

(Image credit: Future) WD Black SN850P: Performance

• Performance could be better for the price
• Initial benchmark score was very poor
• Reasonable results in real-world tests

When I first inserted the WD Black SN850P, the PS5’s internal benchmark measured it as a shockingly low 5,966 MB/s. This is still above the recommended SSD specs for the console, but nowhere near the advertised 7,300 MB/s or really what you would reasonably expect from a drive at this price. Luckily, when I reformatted the drive and ran the test again a little later it scored a more reasonable 6,338 MB/s so I’ll chalk that first number up to chance.

This second figure was still lower than I wanted, though, as the SN850, which is actually advertised with a 7,000 MB/s read speed, achieves figures in the 6,400 MB/s range on my machine. It also puts this behind the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, which recorded 6,459 MB/s.

Thankfully, the WD Black SN850P did fairly well in a series of real-world tests. Moving to the drive from the PS5’s internal storage, a 23.24GB copy of Vampire the Masquerade: Swansong was copied in just 12.61 seconds. A 33.35GB installation of Lords of the Fallen then took 15.89 seconds, while a 45.98GB installation of The Crew Motorfest took 21.02 seconds.

Testing some larger files, 101.9GB of Far Cry 6 took 43.74 seconds to copy while a selection of multiple games totalling 226.9GB copied in 3 minutes and 14 seconds. These figures are all adequate and not more than a few seconds behind equivalent transfers on the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

Copying back to the PS5, the 21.30GB Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising was ready to play in 1 minute 27 seconds, while Stellar Blade, which is 32.41GB, took 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Finally, the 38.34GB Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands copied back in 2 minutes and 34 seconds. These figures are all perfectly adequate, and realistically more dependent on the PS5’s internal write speed than anything else.

Ultimately, you’re not going to run into any performance problems using the WD Black SN850P. Every game I tested was smooth, with decent loading times and no noticeable slowdown. Just bear in mind that, unless you buy on sale, you can get drives with more oomph for the price.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the WD Black SN850P? Buy it if...

You find it on sale
The WD Black SN850P frequently goes on sale and if you manage to find it with a decent discount, it could be a much better value PS5 SSD.

You want an 8TB drive
The WD Black SN850P is one of the few PS5 compatible SSD drives available from a big brand in an 8TB capacity. It’s worth picking up if you’re in the market for the biggest possible storage upgrade.

Don't buy it if...

You want the greatest value
The 1TB and 2TB models could be cheaper. When there’s such strong competition, there are plenty of alternatives you can pick up that save a few bucks and run a bit better.

Also consider...

Wondering what to choose instead of the WD Black SN850P? Check out these alternatives. You can also see our guide to the best PS5 external hard drives for some external options.

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5
This officially licensed drive from Seagate comes in a bit cheaper than the WD Black SN850P, but performs slightly better in the real world. It’s the one to pick if you want an officially licensed drive.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 review

Kingston Fury Renegade SSD
This model is cheaper than the WD Black SN850P and much faster, clocking an impressive 6,500 MB/s score on the internal PS5 benchmark. Choose this for more bang for your buck.

For more information, check out our full Kingston Fury Renegade SSD review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5

• Used as primary PS5 SSD
• Tested over the course of a week
• Tested with a range of titles

I tested the WD Black SN850P over the course of a week, using it as my primary PS5 SSD drive and playing a wide variety of games from it. During my time with the drive, I was careful to look for any noticeable impacts on performance compared to the console’s internal storage.

I also assessed the drive’s performance using the built-in PS5 storage benchmark and by copying a large library of games in order to measure the time taken. I compared my experience to my hands-on testing of other PS5 SSD models including the Samsung 990 Pro, WD Black SN850, Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, and more.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2024.

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