One of my favorite controller brands has just released a new version of its excellent budget gamepad: the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller.
A refined version of the 8BitDo Ultimate C Bluetooth controller - which I also consider to be one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers - the 2C is currently only available in the US for an impressive $29.99. Coming in two distinct colorways - blue or pink - I imagine availability will extend to the UK and other regions in due time.
At a glance, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Bluetooth controller has some noticeable upgrades over its predecessor. The Hall effect thumbsticks look to be improved with sturdy metal rings and a pair of remappable bumpers have been added. These are situated between the triggers, much like the ones we see on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.
Another change is found in the wireless controller's overall aesthetic. The rear shell now bears a lighter shade of its main color (again, either blue or pink), which I think is a very pleasing touch. It appears that the d-pad and bumpers have also been further refined, this time offering a more tactile and responsive feel overall.
You're also still getting gyro aiming with the 2C - quite a rarity for controllers that are this affordable. However, it does seem like near-field communication (NFC) support for amiibo figures and cards is still absent here, just like the original model. Though that's an omission I'm willing to forgive, especially given the controller's low price point.
Much like GameSir, 8BitDo is a brand that I find to rarely miss the mark when it comes to controller design. I've tested and reviewed several 8BitDo products including the 8BitDo Ultimate and 8BitDo Arcade Stick, and always found something to love with the brand's hardware. Be that in overall quality, affordability, or impressive feature sets, it's a brand that I'm typically confident in recommending to those looking to buy a new controller.
You might also like...In the latest development in what has been a chequered few months for the WordPress hosting platform, the US District Court for the Northern District of California has sided with WP Engine in its battle against Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com.
The court’s order demands Automattic stop, “blocking, disabling, or interfering with WPEngine’s and/or its employees’, users’, customers’, or partners’ access to WordPress.org” and “interfering with WPEngine’s control over, or access to, plugins or extensions.”
Judge Martínez-Olguín also criticized Automattic’s defense, which argued WP Engine’s reliance on WordPress.org resource was self-imposed, noting Automattic’s targeted actions specifically against WP Engine exacerbated the harm.
WP Engine comes out victorious?The dispute began when Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg accused WP Engine of being a “cancer” for taking more than it gives to the open source project.
Mullenweg later banned WP Engine from accessing WordPress.org’s resources for free after days of tit-for-tat arguments.
Apart from blocking WP Engine’s access to WordPress.org servers, WP Engine also accused Mullenweg of seizing control of its Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin. In response to Automattic's drastic measures, WP Engine took legal action.
Judge Martínez-Olguín confirmed that Automattic’s “conduct is designed to induce breach or disruption.”
The court also heard WP Engine “experienced a 14% increase in the average number of daily cancellation requests between September 26 and 30, and an increase of 17% in cancellation requests between October 1 and October 14, as compared to September 1 through September 25.”
The Judge also demanded Automattic “[restores] WPEngine’s and Related Entities’ access to WordPress.org in the manner that such access existed as of September 20, 2024,” including to functionality and development resources, data resources, security resources and support resources.
A WPEngine spokesperson told TechRadar Pro, "We are grateful that the court has granted our motion for a preliminary injunction. The order will bring back much-needed stability to the WordPress ecosystem. WP Engine is focused on serving our partners and customers and working with the community to find ways to ensure a vigorous, and thriving WordPress community.”
We’ve reached out to Automattic for their responses to the court ruling, but did not immediately receive a response - however, Mullenweg did share another user’s X post seemingly indicative of his disagreement. It reads: “Agree with him or not, the court is forcing an open source maintainer into providing services to a user.”
UPDATE: Automattic shared the following statement with TechRadar Pro in an email:
"Today’s ruling is a preliminary order designed to maintain the status quo. It was made without the benefit of discovery, our motion to dismiss, or the counterclaims we will be filing against WP Engine shortly. We look forward to prevailing at trial as we continue to protect the open source ecosystem during full-fact discovery and a full review of the merits."
You might also likeA new report has pulled together two different threads of rumors concerning the future of the company’s flip foldable lineup following the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.
According to Korean news outlet Chosun Biz, the rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip FE smartphones will use Samsung’s own Exynos 2500 chipset, as the company has managed to overcome hurdles in the chipset manufacturing process. The report was shared on Twitter by notable leaker Jukanlosreve.
The direct mention of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE in this report adds to previous rumors of a cheaper folding phone from Samsung, though the use of a flagship-class Exynos 2500 chipset may suggest a more premium device than originally expected.
For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE uses Samsung’s own Exynos 2400e chipset, while the flagship Galaxy S24 models all use the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset from Qualcomm.
Samsung has been making efforts to move away from Qualcomm and towards its own Exynos platform for quite some time now but has faced difficulties with production, chiefly the inability to produce enough chipsets for the amount of phones the company sells.
It is currently the only major phone maker to not use a proprietary chipset in its flagship phones – Apple equips the iPhone 16 family with the A18 chipset, whereas Google implements its Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9 series.
The report quotes an unnamed senior official at Samsung, who noted that 3nm chipset production has “stabilized” after difficulties with mass production. The official added that “It seems difficult to install it in the Galaxy S25 series due to insufficient quantity, but it will be possible to fully install it in the premium models of the Z Flip series.”
Note the plural “models” in the above quote – this seems to support the idea that multiple new Z Flip phones are on the way, and the emphasis on premium may allude to more powerful specs for the rumored Z Flip FE.
If this is the case, the Exynos 2500 will seem right at home within the Galaxy Z Flip FE, though it may bring the total cost of the handset up somewhat.
No matter the price of the new Galaxy Z Flip devices, it’s likely we’ll see both phones make it to our list of the best folding phones.
Samsung have yet to officially comment on these developments, and likely won’t reveal either rumored phone until close to launch. For the latest official updates as we hear them, be sure to keep up with our Samsung Galaxy phones coverage.
You might also likeChinese smartphone and technology manufacturer Xiaomi has proven it can make waves in the electric vehicle market with the runaway success of its SU7 electric sedan – a high-performance Ultra version of which recently set a record around Germany’s Nurburgring.
Now, details and imagery of the brand’s debut SUV have been revealed via the company's Weibo site, alongside the name. Dubbed the YU7, the large SUV borrows several design cues from its sedan counterpart and features a nod to one its closest rivals in the nomenclature.
Tesla’s Model Y is clearly going to be Xiaomi’s number one target, with its newest vehicle tipped to offer battery sizes of 94.3kWh and 101kWh, which could equate to an all-electric range in excess of 400 miles on a single charge.
(Image credit: Xiaomi)The YU7 is also longer and wider than the Tesla counterpart, boasting styling that is reminiscent of Ferrari’s Purosangue performance SUV, with hints of Porsche Macan at the rear. It’s certainly not the most original piece of design, but it’s arguably a more purposeful-looking EV than Tesla’s almost formless Model Y.
The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s website, which publishes details of planned electric vehicle launches, suggested that the YU7 would receive a dual-motor powertrain that could offer a combined power output of 681bhp – almost 100hp more than the most potent Tesla Model Y Long Range Performance model.
There is currently no word on what the interior will look like, although we would expect it share many of its components (including its smartphone-derived technology) with the SU7 sister model. Xiaomi says deliveries of the YU7 will start in China next year.
Analysis: Xiaomi is shaking up the EV industry (Image credit: Xiaomi)Many scoffed at the thought of a smartphone-maker taking on some of the biggest names in the automotive game, but the company has proven that its domestic customers crave the absolute cutting-edge in technology.
The company had built and sold 10,000 SU7 models just 32 days after its initial announcement and then went on to hit its 100,000-unit sales target in 230 days. Since that point, it has out-sold Toyota in pure EV sales in China and has gone on to produce a 1,526hp, tri-motor performance version that out-gunned the most ferocious Porsche Taycan around Germany’s infamous Nurburgring.
Xiaomi is shaking up the market and the release of its long-awaited SUV model will only help bolster its sales. Tesla will likely be the most worried about the news, seeing as China has historically been one of its most successful markets.
But, like BYD, Nio and a whole host of fellow Chinese brands, it likely won’t be long before Xiaomi starts to look at other profitable global markets as it seeks expansion.
You might also likeIf you were paying attention to the iOS 18 launch, you may have noticed a new Vehicle Motion Cues feature that promises to help to combat car sickness. There's now an Android equivalent on the way – and we just got a better idea of how it's going to work.
The folks over at Android Police did some digging into the Google Play Services code on Android, discovering that the feature Google is planning – called, apparently, Motion Cues – is almost ready to be rolled out.
With a few tweaks, the Android Police team was able to get the feature working: You get a simple Motion Cues toggle switch, plus an Auto-enable when Driving option that has the feature kick in whenever your phone thinks you're in a car.
As on iOS, the feature puts small black dots at the edge of the screen, which then move to match the motion of the vehicle you're in. The idea is to remove the disconnect between your body feeling movement and your eyes seeing something fixed and stationary.
Coming soon The hidden screens enabled by Android Police (Image credit: Android Police)Google hasn't said anything officially yet, so we don't know when this feature is going to be pushed out – we might not see it until Android 16 arrives around mid-2025, though it could also be part of an Android 15 update. The feature was first spotted last month.
When it does turn up, you'll be able to activate it through the Quick Settings panel, Android Police reports – so with a quick one-finger or two-finger swipe down from the top of the screen you can turn it on and try and ward off any nausea.
Here's how Apple describes its own feature: "With Vehicle Motion Cues, animated dots on the edges of the screen represent changes in vehicle motion to help reduce sensory conflict without interfering with the main content."
That "sensory conflict" happens when there's a disconnect between what you see and what you feel, and Motion Cues should help – not just in cars, but in other places where you might get motion sickness (on a boat, for example).
You might also likeOne clear advantage the iPhone 16 and other iPhones have over Samsung’s devices is their MagSafe system, which allows you to magnetically attach wireless chargers, tripods, and other accessories to the back of them. But this is a feature that Samsung might be looking to match with the Samsung Galaxy S25 series.
According to leaker Roland Quandt (writing for WinFuture), Samsung is making a range of covers – including transparent covers and what’s being referred to as a “card cover” – with built-in magnets.
According to Quandt’s sources, these magnets will allow you to magnetically attach other accessories to the phone. So, in other words, the case might attach like any normal smartphone case, but its built-in magnet could allow you to attach additional magnetic accessories to the case.
This, then, could allow Samsung to somewhat replicate the MagSafe system without having any MagSafe-like tech built into the phone itself.
The Qi2 questionThis leak is all well and good, but recently we heard that the Samsung Galaxy S25 line might support the Qi2 magnetic wireless charging standard. This should mean that you wouldn't need one of these cases to attach magnetic accessories to the phone, as the magnets would already be built into the handset.
So, what’s going on here? It’s possible that both leaks are right, and that Samsung's cases contain additional magnets so you can securely attach accessories even with a case on the phone.
Or maybe the claims of Qi2 were wrong and Samsung’s MagSafe alternative will be powered purely by these cases. Quandt, for his part, said on Bluesky that he hasn’t seen any evidence of Qi2, but that he also wouldn’t be surprised if the standard was supported.
One way or another, though, it’s looking very likely that you’ll be able to use magnetic accessories with the Samsung Galaxy S25 and its siblings.
In other Galaxy S25 news, Quandt has also shared images of some Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra dummy units.
Post by @rquandt030 View on ThreadsThese images show the phone from all angles in both black and white shades, but they don’t really show us much that we haven’t seen before. As noted by Quandt, they also seem to lack the periscope camera we’re expecting the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to come equipped with – the device in question has the right number of cameras, but none of the lenses are the square shape we’d expect from a periscope.
As such, it’s possible that other details are wrong too, but these dummy units seem to otherwise line up with other leaked images, which show an S25 Ultra with slightly more rounded corners than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra but an otherwise similar design.
We’re expecting the Samsung Galaxy S25 series to launch in January, with leaks pointing to January 22, so we should get an official look at the design – and any MagSafe-like accessories – before long.
You might also likeWhether building a surround sound setup or simply investing in a quality home speaker, Sonos deals are essential to keeping costs low while securing excellent audio. It's easy to get carried away syncing multiple speakers for a full surround sound experience, but such a luxury audio system is well within reach if you play your cards right. After all, we're seeing more and more Sonos sales offering significant discounts across the range, so whether you're after premium or budget models, prices are looking pretty good these days.
Sonos speaker systems offer a wide range of wireless connectivity options to get your music pumping throughout your home. They can tap into your personal collection of MP3s as well as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. From soundbars to subwoofers, there are Sonos speakers for all occasions—though if you don't pick them up during sales seasons, be prepared for premium pricing.
We have hot deals for the whole line-up, including the Sonos Era 100, Sonos Roam 2, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Sonos Arc. Don't forget to check for Sonos promo codes, too.
Today's best Sonos sales and deals (Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Era 100 dealsA fantastic upgrade to the Sonos One
Dimensions: 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" | Weight: 4.45 lbs | Power supply: 100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Impressive BassCompact design3.5mm line-in option and BluetoothExpensiveThe Sonos Era 100 was released in 2023 with a launch price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, which is more expensive than the popular Sonos One speaker. The Sonos Era 100 is an upgrade to the Sonos 100 with the addition of Bluetooth and more connection possibilities, including an adapter that can add a 3.5mm line-in. You're getting room-filling sound with more bass, excellent detail and clarity, and stereo playback, thanks to the two side-firing tweets.
The Sonos Era 100 also features hands-free control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, a beautiful compact design, and Trueplay technology, which analyzes the acoustics of your space to optimize your speaker's EQ.
Dimensions: 6.6" x 2.4" x 2.3" | Weight: .95 lbs | Power supply: 5V/1.5A (7.5W) USB power adapter | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Impressive audioLightweight, portable designExpensiveOnly 10 hours of battery lifeThe Sonos Roam 2 was released in 2024 and is our pick for the best Sonos portable speaker. The Roam 2 features a rugged design with an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating and weighs just under a pound, making it highly lightweight if you're in the market for an ultra-portable speaker. You're also getting impressive audio with powerful, rich sound and a balanced experience that Sonos speakers are known for, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Sonos Roam 2 retails for $179 / £179 / AU$299 and is available in Black, White, Olive, Sunset, or Wave. While this is pricey for a portable speaker, you can frequently find deals at third-party retailers like Amazon.
Read our full review: Sonos Roam 2
Impressive sound in a compact design
Dimensions: 2.68" x 25.6" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240V, 50/60Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Room-filling soundVirtual Dolby Atmos supportCompact designExpensiveReleased in 2021, the 2nd generation Sonos Beam remains one of the best mid-range soundbars from the company. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features a compact, sleek design, allowing you to easily situate it beneath your TV and seamlessly blend in. Despite its size, the Sonos Beam can still fill your home with sound, delivering impressive audio with Atmost and HDMI eARC compatibility.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is also a great choice if you're looking for a Sonos soundbar under $500 / £500. It had a starting price of $449 / £449 / $699 at launch, and because it's been on the shelves for a couple of years now, you can find frequent discounts on the soundbar.
Read our full review: Sonos Beam Gen 2
The best soundbar you can buy
Dimensions: 5.1" x 2" x 5" | Weight: 24.6 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Fantastic sound qualitySleek, discreet designDolby Atmos, TrueHD, and Dolby Digital PlusExpensiveOnly one HDMI portLaunched in 2020, the Sonoc Arc is still the company's best soundbar, thanks to the immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a video game, you'll feel like you're in the center of the action - no other speakers needed. The Sonos Arc is also easy to set up and features a sleek, discreet design mounted to a wall or beneath a TV.
At launch, the Sonos Arc cost $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, but after a price hike, it now retails for $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. Discounts are few and far between, so if you see the Sonos speaker on sale, you should take advantage.
Read our full review: Sonos Arc
Sonos and Amazon's Alexa is a match made in heaven
Dimensions: 4.8" x 4.8" x 6.4" | Weight: 3.92 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Full-bodied, rich sound Combines best of Alexa and Sonos Plays music while Alexa is mutedSonos and Alexa, Amazon's smart personal assistant, are a perfect match for one another - it's almost a wonder it's taken this long for the two of them to meet. Regardless, the Sonos One is here now, and it combines the best of both worlds. The One is able to call upon Alexa to answer basic inquiries, adjust appointments on your calendar, and, for Amazon Prime members, voice access to Amazon's expansive Music Unlimited library.
Read our full review: Sonos One
(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Beam dealsSonos Beam makes the soundbar integral to your music listening routine
Dimensions: 25.6" x 2.7" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | HDMI ARC?: Yes | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: No
Great compact designHDMI ARC compatibleSuperb soundApp isn't home theater friendlyNo Dolby AtmosDifficult non-HDMI ARC set-upIt was a long time coming, but the Sonos Beam was finally a Sonos soundbar worth waiting for. With a design small enough to match most TVs, it's equipped with smart features, innovation and exquisite sound that impresses. There are a few issues worth pointing out (the lack of Dolby Atmos at the price disappoints), but the way the speaker fits in with the rest of the Sonos eco-system makes it a must-have for those that have invested in other Sonos devices.
Providing you've got a HDMI-ARC compatible TV (which most modern ones are) it's easy to set-up and, if you've got other compatible Sonos speakers, it's a simple way to get wireless surround sound for your movies, too.
Read our review: Sonos Beam
Sonos Sub dealsLove bass-heavy music genres? You're going to need this
Dimensions: 15.3" x 6.2" x 15.8" | Weight: 36.3 lbs | Speakers: 2 | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz 2A AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Adds hefty amount of bassSuper easy set upStrange designCostly additionSonos systems are great. Like seriously great. We want to call them perfect, and yet without some sort of low-end support they just aren't. For that you need the Sonos Sub, the additional audio piece that adds a hefty amount of bass to your favorite music genres. The design here is a bit funky, we'll admit, but hey, if you were looking for a conversation starter (and ender) at your next house party, this is it. That said, it's 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches (389 x 402 x 158 mm) and weighs 36.3 lbs (16 kg). It's available in two colors – premium white gloss and premium black gloss – that can match either your Playbar or Play:5 speaker. Inside you'll find two Class-D amplifiers, two force-cancelling speaker drivers and dual acoustic ports that help the Sub reach a low frequency of about 25Hz.
Read our hands on review: Sonos Sub
So what’s a good deal for Sonos speakers?Good deals are subjective, obviously. But if we were in your shoes, we’d wait for at least a $50/£35/AU$75-off sale. These happen around the holidays, mostly, but do happen sporadically throughout the year as well.
If you’re looking for a recommendation, your best bet is to start your Sonos system with a Play:5, the big brother of the bunch, and work your way down. We also have a soft spot in our heart for the Playbar (it’s on our best soundbar list, after all) and a Play One is a great pick for kitchens, bedrooms and studies.
If you want the latest and greatest from Sonos, check out the brand-new Sonos Playbase – it's a speaker and TV stand all in one package. OK, without further ado, here are the best Sonos deals we’ve found today.
Whether building a surround sound setup or simply investing in a quality home speaker, Sonos deals are essential to keeping costs low while securing excellent audio. It's easy to get carried away syncing multiple speakers for a full surround sound experience, but such a luxury audio system is well within reach if you play your cards right. After all, we're seeing more and more Sonos sales offering significant discounts across the range, so whether you're after premium or budget models, prices are looking pretty good these days.
Sonos speaker systems offer a wide range of wireless connectivity options to get your music pumping throughout your home. They can tap into your personal collection of MP3s as well as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. From soundbars to subwoofers, there are Sonos speakers for all occasions—though if you don't pick them up during sales seasons, be prepared for premium pricing.
We have hot deals for the whole line-up, including the Sonos Era 100, Sonos Roam 2, Sonos Beam (Gen 2), and the Sonos Arc. Don't forget to check for Sonos promo codes, too.
Today's best Sonos sales and deals (Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Era 100 dealsA fantastic upgrade to the Sonos One
Dimensions: 7.2" x 4.7" x 5.1" | Weight: 4.45 lbs | Power supply: 100-240V 50/60Hz internal power supply | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Impressive BassCompact design3.5mm line-in option and BluetoothExpensiveThe Sonos Era 100 was released in 2023 with a launch price of $249 / £249 / AU$399, which is more expensive than the popular Sonos One speaker. The Sonos Era 100 is an upgrade to the Sonos 100 with the addition of Bluetooth and more connection possibilities, including an adapter that can add a 3.5mm line-in. You're getting room-filling sound with more bass, excellent detail and clarity, and stereo playback, thanks to the two side-firing tweets.
The Sonos Era 100 also features hands-free control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, a beautiful compact design, and Trueplay technology, which analyzes the acoustics of your space to optimize your speaker's EQ.
Dimensions: 6.6" x 2.4" x 2.3" | Weight: .95 lbs | Power supply: 5V/1.5A (7.5W) USB power adapter | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Impressive audioLightweight, portable designExpensiveOnly 10 hours of battery lifeThe Sonos Roam 2 was released in 2024 and is our pick for the best Sonos portable speaker. The Roam 2 features a rugged design with an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating and weighs just under a pound, making it highly lightweight if you're in the market for an ultra-portable speaker. You're also getting impressive audio with powerful, rich sound and a balanced experience that Sonos speakers are known for, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Sonos Roam 2 retails for $179 / £179 / AU$299 and is available in Black, White, Olive, Sunset, or Wave. While this is pricey for a portable speaker, you can frequently find deals at third-party retailers like Amazon.
Read our full review: Sonos Roam 2
Impressive sound in a compact design
Dimensions: 2.68" x 25.6" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240V, 50/60Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Room-filling soundVirtual Dolby Atmos supportCompact designExpensiveReleased in 2021, the 2nd generation Sonos Beam remains one of the best mid-range soundbars from the company. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 features a compact, sleek design, allowing you to easily situate it beneath your TV and seamlessly blend in. Despite its size, the Sonos Beam can still fill your home with sound, delivering impressive audio with Atmost and HDMI eARC compatibility.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is also a great choice if you're looking for a Sonos soundbar under $500 / £500. It had a starting price of $449 / £449 / $699 at launch, and because it's been on the shelves for a couple of years now, you can find frequent discounts on the soundbar.
Read our full review: Sonos Beam Gen 2
The best soundbar you can buy
Dimensions: 5.1" x 2" x 5" | Weight: 24.6 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Fantastic sound qualitySleek, discreet designDolby Atmos, TrueHD, and Dolby Digital PlusExpensiveOnly one HDMI portLaunched in 2020, the Sonoc Arc is still the company's best soundbar, thanks to the immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a video game, you'll feel like you're in the center of the action - no other speakers needed. The Sonos Arc is also easy to set up and features a sleek, discreet design mounted to a wall or beneath a TV.
At launch, the Sonos Arc cost $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, but after a price hike, it now retails for $899 / £899 / AU$1,499. Discounts are few and far between, so if you see the Sonos speaker on sale, you should take advantage.
Read our full review: Sonos Arc
Sonos and Amazon's Alexa is a match made in heaven
Dimensions: 4.8" x 4.8" x 6.4" | Weight: 3.92 lbs | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Full-bodied, rich sound Combines best of Alexa and Sonos Plays music while Alexa is mutedSonos and Alexa, Amazon's smart personal assistant, are a perfect match for one another - it's almost a wonder it's taken this long for the two of them to meet. Regardless, the Sonos One is here now, and it combines the best of both worlds. The One is able to call upon Alexa to answer basic inquiries, adjust appointments on your calendar, and, for Amazon Prime members, voice access to Amazon's expansive Music Unlimited library.
Read our full review: Sonos One
(Image credit: Sonos) Sonos Beam dealsSonos Beam makes the soundbar integral to your music listening routine
Dimensions: 25.6" x 2.7" x 3.9" | Weight: 6.35 lbs | HDMI ARC?: Yes | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: No
Great compact designHDMI ARC compatibleSuperb soundApp isn't home theater friendlyNo Dolby AtmosDifficult non-HDMI ARC set-upIt was a long time coming, but the Sonos Beam was finally a Sonos soundbar worth waiting for. With a design small enough to match most TVs, it's equipped with smart features, innovation and exquisite sound that impresses. There are a few issues worth pointing out (the lack of Dolby Atmos at the price disappoints), but the way the speaker fits in with the rest of the Sonos eco-system makes it a must-have for those that have invested in other Sonos devices.
Providing you've got a HDMI-ARC compatible TV (which most modern ones are) it's easy to set-up and, if you've got other compatible Sonos speakers, it's a simple way to get wireless surround sound for your movies, too.
Read our review: Sonos Beam
Sonos Sub dealsLove bass-heavy music genres? You're going to need this
Dimensions: 15.3" x 6.2" x 15.8" | Weight: 36.3 lbs | Speakers: 2 | Power supply: Auto-switching 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz 2A AC universal input | Wireless: WiFi | Voice control ?: Yes
Adds hefty amount of bassSuper easy set upStrange designCostly additionSonos systems are great. Like seriously great. We want to call them perfect, and yet without some sort of low-end support they just aren't. For that you need the Sonos Sub, the additional audio piece that adds a hefty amount of bass to your favorite music genres. The design here is a bit funky, we'll admit, but hey, if you were looking for a conversation starter (and ender) at your next house party, this is it. That said, it's 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches (389 x 402 x 158 mm) and weighs 36.3 lbs (16 kg). It's available in two colors – premium white gloss and premium black gloss – that can match either your Playbar or Play:5 speaker. Inside you'll find two Class-D amplifiers, two force-cancelling speaker drivers and dual acoustic ports that help the Sub reach a low frequency of about 25Hz.
Read our hands on review: Sonos Sub
So what’s a good deal for Sonos speakers?Good deals are subjective, obviously. But if we were in your shoes, we’d wait for at least a $50/£35/AU$75-off sale. These happen around the holidays, mostly, but do happen sporadically throughout the year as well.
If you’re looking for a recommendation, your best bet is to start your Sonos system with a Play:5, the big brother of the bunch, and work your way down. We also have a soft spot in our heart for the Playbar (it’s on our best soundbar list, after all) and a Play One is a great pick for kitchens, bedrooms and studies.
If you want the latest and greatest from Sonos, check out the brand-new Sonos Playbase – it's a speaker and TV stand all in one package. OK, without further ado, here are the best Sonos deals we’ve found today.
Beats headphone deals are far more commonplace these days. The previously premium cups have taken some serious price cuts over the years, which means cheap Beats headphones are often lining the shelves if you're browsing at the right time. We often see these headphones taking heavier discounts during holiday sales but if you're browsing outside of an event, there are still likely to be some solid offers on the table.
For you Beats deals hunters, that means some fantastic cheap Beats Headphones sales on the older models, although the new ones are often for sale as well. Thankfully, there are Beats Headphones prices for everyone as well, as prices range from just $69/£69 to $249/£249.
We're helping you find all the latest Beats headphone deals right here, with our price comparison software running through all the biggest offers on the web every half hour. Whether you're after one of the more luxurious models or a budget pick, you'll find all the lowest prices right here.
Beats headphones are something of an institution when it comes to consumer audio tech and are absolutely up there with the very best brands when it comes to popularity. Acquired by Apple back in the heady days of 2014, the Beats brand has gone from strength to strength and now encompasses a wide range of over-ear headphones and in-ear earphones, including some of the best wireless headphones.
Best earbuds for battery life
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 18h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5.7g | Colors available: Black, Arctic Purple, Transparent Red, Storm Gray | Year released: 2024 | Launch price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95
Long-lasting batteryCompact caseAffordableLacks active noise cancellationReleased in 2024, the Beats Solo Buds are the company's smallest, cheapest, and longest-lasting earbuds, retailing for only $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.95.
The most impressive feature of the Solo Buds is its exceptional battery life, with an incredible 18 hours of listening time. The Beats earbuds also feature a compact case and comfortable fit with four ear tip sizes included. While The Solo Buds lack audio features such as active noise cancellation and spatial audio, they still provide quality sound at an affordable price.
The best Beats earbuds you can buy
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 9h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5g | Colors available: Black, Silver, Ivory, Transparent | Year released: 2023 | Launch price: $169/£179/AU$269
Unique transparent designImpressive noise cancellationImproved microphone qualityLacks wireless chargingThe Beats Studio Buds Plus were launched in 2023 with a starting price of $169 / £179 / AU$269, only $10 more than the original Beats Studio Buds cost. The earbuds feature improved Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode and better microphone quality that filter background noise for crisp and clear calls. The most glaring new feature of the Studio Buds Plus, is the transparent design option, which allows you to see the inner workings of your earbuds, including circuits, power supplies and components. The Beats Studio Buds provide up to 36-hours of battery life and feature enhanced compatibility with both Apple and Android devices.
(Image credit: Beats) 3. Beats Fit Pro (2021)A cheaper alternative to the AirPods Pro 2
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 6h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 5.6g | Colors available: Black, Red, White, Gray, Blue, Pink, Yellow, Purple, Nude | Year released: 2022 | Launch price: $199/£199/AU$299.95
Comfortable and secure fitActive noise cancellationH1 chip for hands-free SiriExpensiveThe Beats Fit Pro were released in 2021 as workout-friendly earbuds that are an alternative to Apple's pricey AirPods Pro 2, costing $199 / £199 / AU$299.95 at launch.
The wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation and deliver impressive sound quality thanks to Apple's powerful H1 chip that gets you access to hands-free Siri. You're also getting a comfortable and secure fit thanks to the wing tip design, plus an impressive six hours of battery life, on-device controls, and new fun color options like Stone Purple and Sage Green.
Budget earbuds with active noise cancellation
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 8h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 10g | Colors available: Black, Red, White, Gray, Blue | Year released: 2021 | Launch price: $149/£159.99
Active noise cancellationCheaper than the AirPods ProQuality soundComfortable fitLacks H1 Wireless ChipThe Beats Studio Buds were released in 2021 as a cheaper option to Apple's AirPods Pro, with a starting price of $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$199.95, which is considerably less than Apple's earbuds.
The Beats Studio Buds deliver a powerful, balanced sound with dynamic range and active noise cancellation, a feature the below Powerbeats Pro lack. You're also getting a comfortable fit with three soft eartip sizes included and full volume and track controls on the earbuds, so you don't need your device to adjust your music. The Beats Studio Buds also provide an impressive 8 hours of battery life and are compatible with Apple and Android devices.
Beats cheapest earbuds
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 12h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 18.6g | Colors available: Black, Blue, Gray, Yellow | Year released: 2020 | Launch price: $69.95/£69.99
AffordableFast chargingLong-lasting battery lifeNot true wireless earbudsThe Beats Flex wireless earbuds are the brand's cheapest earbuds, retailing for just $69.99 / £59.99 / AU$99.95, which is significantly less compared to other premium earbuds. You're getting many of the same features of the Powerbeats Pro, including the Apple W1 Wireless Chip for seamless connectivity and a built-in sensor that automatically plays music when they're in your ears and pauses when attached around your neck. The Beats Flex also offer an impressive 12 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge will give you 1.5 hours of playback time when the battery is low
6. Powerbeats Pro (2019)Workout-focused earbuds
Design: In-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 9h | NFC: No | Controls: Touch | Weight: 22g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Navy, Moss | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $249/£219
Excellent battery lifeSnug fit while exercisingThe best in-ear Beats soundStill expensiveReleased in 2019, the Powerbeats Pro were the most exercise-friendly Beats headphones at the time, thanks to the hook that reaches behind the ear that ensures your Beats stay in place during any activity.
In addition to that signature bass-heavy sound, you're getting surprisingly adept quality in mid-range clarity as well as superior noise-isolation to the AirPods. Make no mistake, though, Beats are at their best with high-energy, big tunes. So, if you're hitting the gym, these are the Beats you want. They're not waterproof, mind, so be careful if you go running in the rain.
We're loving the 9-hour battery, and that can be boosted to around 24 hours thanks to the charging case that comes with the new Powerbeats Pro headphones. Running late? A five-minute quick charge gives you 90 minutes of playback. Nice.
Even better, the Powerbeats Pro see regular inclusion in cheap Beats headphones sales, making them a fantastic option for deal hunters in particular.
Cheap Beats deals on headphone models (Image credit: Beats) 1. Beats Solo 4 (2024)Beats latest over-ear headphones
Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 50h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 217g | Colors available: Black, Slate Blue, Cloud Pink | Year released: 2024 | Launch price: $199 / £199
AffordableImpressive battery lifeLightweight designLacks active noise cancellationReleased in 2024, the Beats Solo 4 are the company's latest over-hear headphones with a starting retail price of $199 / £199 / AU$329. The Beats Solo 4 are the successor to the 2016 Solo 3 and feature updates such as improved audio and a longer battery life.
The Solo 4 also includes an ultra-lightweight design, with comfortable earbuds and a secure fit, which make them great headphones for working out. You're also getting smart features for both Android and iOS – including Personalized Spatial Audio for Apple fans, which works great. While the Solo 4 headphones lack active noise cancellation, the price reflects that compared to similar over-ear headphones with ANC.
Beats best noise canceling over-ear headphones
Design: : On-ear | *Active Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 260g | Colors available: Black, Deep Brown, Navy, Sandstone | Year released: 2023 | Launch price: $349 / £349
Active noise cancellationImpressive battery lifeSleek designExpensiveThe Beats Studio Pro are the company's latest over-ear headphones, and their retail starting price is $349 / £349 / AU$530. The 2023 Studio Pro features a beautiful design that Beats is known for and come in a sleek fabric case with four different colors available: black, deep brown, navy, and sandstone. You're getting impressive sound, deep bass, and active noise cancellation with personalized spatial audio. The wireless headphones feature 40 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute fast charge will give you four more hours of playback.
2. Beats Solo 3 (2018)Still a fantastic pair of headphones
Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h | NFC: No | Controls: touch+wired | Weight: 215g | Colors available: Matt Black, Satin Gold, Satin Silver, Gloss Black, Gloss White, Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Red, Black/Red | Year released: 2018 | Launch price: $299/£250
Punchy soundExcellent wireless connectionOften available at a discounted priceIf you have a modern iPhone and want a pair of the best Beats headphones made specifically for Apple's latest range, you really should take a look at the Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones. In addition to a fantastic wireless connection and punchy sound, you're getting a huge battery run-time. A single charge can last for up to 40 hours which could last you for an entire week's worth of commuting between charges.
The Solo 3 Wireless are the most popular over/on-ear headphones in the Beats range and are regularly featured in cheap Beats headphones sales. They're also available in a whole range of different color designs so there's plenty of scope to choose a color scheme that best represents your personality - whether that's jet black or blingy gold!
They fold neatly away in a bag and don't look massive on your head - although there are no noise cancelling options with this model - for that you'd need either the Beats Studio 3 Wireless or the newer Beats Solo Pro. If you're looking for cheap Beats headphones prices on a set of over-ear cans that don't feel outdated in their spec, the 2018 Solo 3 model is for you.
(Image credit: Beats) 3. Beats Solo Pro (2019)Difficult to find in stock
Design: : On-ear | *Noise canceling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40h (22 with NC) | NFC: No | Controls: Touch and voice | Weight: 267g | Colors available: Black, Ivory, Dark Blue, Light BLue, Red, Gray | Year released: 2019 | Launch price: $299 / £269
Great noise-cancelation40-hour battery lifeUseful transparency modeStudier than the Solo 3 line and sporting a cool matte finish in each color, the Beats Solo Pro feels like the biggest step up in quality the series has seen in some time for its larger line of headphones. Beats work best with iPhones and pairs fast thanks to modern chipsets, and we love the hands-free Siri integration, too, which is a first on the Beats Solo Pro.
The active noise cancellation brings Apple's Beats somewhat closer to the best offerings from Sony and Bose, although those two are still ahead by some distance. We do like the simple one-button access to the transparency mode here, though. This optional feature allows some outside noise to come through, which can be handy in an office if you want to be aware of someone calling your name or make sure you're aware of traffic around you when walking or cycling.
You'll see one of the higher Beats headphones prices attached to this particular set of cans, but for a 2019 model with such power as these, it's easily worth it.
4. Beats Studio 3 (2017)The best Beats headphones for noise-cancelling
Design: Over-ear | Noise cancelling: Yes | Wireless: Bluetooth | Battery life: 22-40h | NFC: No | Controls: touch+wired | Weight: 260g | Colors available: Black, White, Blue, Red, Grey, Black/Red | Year released: 2017 | Launch price: $349/£299
Excellent noise-cancellingBetter batterySolid performanceThe Beats Studio 3 were first launched in 2017 with a starting price of $349 / £299, but since then, you can find frequent discounts on the wireless headphones. Using an over-ear, closed-back design, the Studio 3 is one of the best noise-cancelling sets of headphones Beats has ever made. The battery has massively improved, too, so that you can enjoy music for up to 22 hours, or 40, with the active noise cancellation turned off.
The Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones are a great match for users of modern iPhones missing 3.5mm jacks - you can pair them with any smartphone, though, thanks to the Bluetooth technology. The Studio 3 is available in multiple colors, including red, matte black, white, porcelain rose, blue, and shadow grey. They are more expensive compared with the Solo 3 Wireless, and they're bulkier and heavier, too - so do make sure you're aware of this before you buy.
The cheapest big Beats headphones currently available
Design: On-ear | Noise cancelling: No | Wireless: No | Battery life: N/A | NFC: No | Controls: Wired | Weight: 204g | Colors available: Black, White, Blue, Red | Year released: 2016 | Launch price: $99/£89
Budget-friendly BeatsGreat color optionsBalanced and rounded soundThe Beats EP headphones are the cheapest on-ear headphones in the Beats by Dre lineup and are a fine place to start if you've had your eye on the colorful stylings for a while. They're wired via a 3.5mm jack, but at least you'll never have to worry about them running out of battery juice.
Which cheap Beats headphones should you buy?On the over-ear and on-ear side of the Beats headphones range you'll find the Beats Solo Pro and Beats Studio 3 Wireless leading the charge with the best sound and highest price. The Beats Solo 3 Wireless is the most popular option, and also one of the more recent, with an on-ear slightly more compact design. Meanwhile, the Beats EP is a cheap Beats headphone option that goes for under $100. You can also still pick up a pair of Beats Pro headphones, made for DJs - though they're no longer listed on the Beats website.
Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro are the latest true wireless earbuds in the Beats in-ear headphone range, offering totally wireless listening with a sporty finish – think Apple Airpods but with better noise isolation and better sound.
They're backed up by the Powerbeats3 Wireless, the previous wireless option that connects the earphones behind your neck. The Powerbeats3 and the slightly newer Beats X, a more traditional style of wireless earbuds, are your best bet for cheap Beats headphone sales right now. However, at the bottom end, you also have the wired urBeats3 earphones, available with either 3.5mm or Lightning connector for an iPhone. This is where you'll find the best Beats headphones prices, but not necessarily the quality to back them up.
Cheap headphone deals are always ready and waiting to offer up a discount - whether you're on the hunt for the latest and greatest cups or something a little more wallet-friendly. We're rounding up all the biggest discounts on everything from Sony and Apple to Bose right here, as well as some of our favorite budget picks for extra strong value for money.
With every new product release, older generations will shuffle further down the price scale. That's a lot of tracking to make sure you're getting the best value for your cash possible. We've gathered this roundup of the headphones we're currently watching for the biggest offers - and our price comparison software will bring you all the lowest rates every half an hour.
We cover all the best headphones released, including over-ear headphones, noise-canceling headphones, and wireless headphones, so there's plenty on offer. Luckily, you'll find some pretty low-cost headphone deals here, so you won't have to break the bank to find a pair that should last. Prices start at around $20 / £20 on our list this week, and what's more, most of these headphones have been impartially reviewed by us, so you know what you're getting here.
Best headphone deals (Image credit: Apple) 1. Apple AirPods 4Apple's latest AirPods at a discounted price
Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .15 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 800ft | Battery life: 6 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 30 hours
AffordableImpressive noise cancellationQuality soundLacking on-ear volume controlApple's all-new AirPods 4 were released in September of 2024 and are available in two models: one with active noise cancellation, priced at $179 / £179, and one without, costing $129 / £129.
Apple says the AirPods 4 are the best-fitting AirPods ever and feature a new refined contour and shorter stem. The AirPods include Apple's H2 chip that supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation to improve the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Other features include new controls for playing music and muting calls, a case that delivers 30 hours of battery life, and support for USB-C for wireless charging.
Apple earbuds with premium sound and noice cancellation
Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .18 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 15m | Battery life: 6 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 30 hours
Frequently on saleBattery life is exceptionalImmersive soundExpensiveIn September 2022, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 were launched with a starting price of $249 / £249 / AU$399. The earbuds feature enhanced noise cancellation and overall sound quality thanks to Apple's new H2 chip and improved in-ear detection and touch controls for volume adjustment. The 2nd generation AirPods Pro also pack an extended battery life and a redesigned case that provides up to 30 hours of total listening time with Active Noise Cancellation using the MagSafe Charging Case.
Thanks to the release of the AirPods 4, you can find impressive AirPods Pro 2 sales, with record-low prices reaching well below $200 / £200.
Apple's cheapest earbuds
Headphone type: In-Ear | Weight: .14 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Bluetooth range: 10m | Battery life: 5 hours **Battery life (charging case):** 24 hours
Affordable for Apple earbudsSound is greatOne-size-fits-all designDon't lose them!Don't discount the Apple AirPods; while they may indeed be a pricier option, recent sales have driven prices down to an almost bargain price point, so much in fact, you can often pick them up for as low as $99 / £110.
There’s a lot about the AirPods that we like. They sound great, their battery life and charging speeds run laps around the competition, and it’s hard to overstate just how seamless the pairing process is. If the prices go down even further, as we expect later this year, they could just be a great value pickup - especially for those with an iOS device.
(Image credit: JBL) 4. JBL Tune 510BTCheap over-ear headphones
Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 5.6 oz | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery life: 40 hours
AffordableImpressive sound40 hours of battery lifeLacks noise cancellationThe JBL Tune 510BT have over 50,000 positive reviews on Amazon and are one of the best-selling headphones on the site. The over-ear headphones come with JBL's renowned Pure Bass sound to deliver powerful audio and feature Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 Streaming, so you can stream music and podcasts and take calls from your device. You also get an impressive 40 hours of battery life plus a quick five-minute recharge, which gives you two additional hours of listening time.
The best part about JBL's headphones is perhaps the price, retailing at just $49.95 / £39.99 and frequently discounted during holiday sales.
Sony's latest over-ear headphones
Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.5 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 30 hours
Excellent noise cancellationSmart ambient featuresSleek designExpensiveThe Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones follow their predecessor's steps by offering superb sound, active noise cancellation, and an expensive price tag. Sony's headphones retail for $399/£380/AU$650, which is more than the previous generation, the Sony 1000XM4s, which were priced at $349/£350/AU$549 at launch.
Sony's WH-1000XM5 offer improved noise cancellation, voice microphones for better video and audio calls, and an impressive 40 hours of battery life. Perhaps the most significant change in the WH-1000XM5 is the new design. Sony has gone with a sleeker and curvier style with slimmer headphones for superior comfort.
Premium headphones frequently on sale
Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.5 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 30 hours
Discounted regularlySuperb noise cancellation30-hour battery lifeExpensiveThe Sony WH1000XM4 are ranked in the top spot of TechRadar's best noise-cancelling headphones list, offering industry-leading digital noise cancellation technology. Whether traveling, walking, or in a busy office, these headphones will adapt to the sounds around you and block out background noise accordingly. The Bluetooth headphones also include Touch Sensor controls so you can easily skip tracks, control volume, answer phone calls, and more. The Sony WH1000XM4 provide up to 30 hours of battery life, with quick charging if you need a fast recharge.
The premium headphones don't come cheap, retailing for $349 / £349 / AU$549, but thanks to the release of Sony's WH1000XM5, you'll frequently find deals on the headphones, especially during holiday sales.
Budget over-ear headphones
Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 4.6 oz | Connectivity: Wireless | Battery life: 35 hours
Impressive soundSmart noise cancellationAffordableLacks 3.5mm jack and USB audioThe Sony WH-CH510 is our top pick for the best budget over-ear headphones, offering industry-leading digital noise cancellation technology. Whether you're traveling, walking, or in a busy office, these headphones will adapt to the sounds around you and block out background noise accordingly. The Bluetooth headphones also include Touch Sensor controls so you can easily skip tracks, control volume, answer phone calls, and more. The Sony WH-CH510 provide up to 35 hours of battery life, with quick charging if you need a fast recharge.
8. JLab Go Air True Wireless EarbudsBargain true-wireless earbuds
Headphone type:: In-ear | Weight:: 3.2 oz | Frequency response:: 20Hz-20kHz | Drivers: 8mm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Wireless range: 30ft | Battery life: 5 hours
Unbelievable priceGood connectivityIPX5 waterproof ratingPoor audioNo longer is true-wireless tech a feature reserved for the most premium of buds, thanks to the JLab Go Air - a pair of totally wireless earbuds available for the almost unbelievable price of just $29 / £29.
Sure, these are definitely on the more "budget" end of things, and subsequently, you shouldn't expect world-beating audio, amazing build quality, or premium features like active noise cancellation, but for $30 - you're definitely getting a pair of functional buds here.
Available in white, khaki green, black, and navy blue, the JLab Go Air True Wireless Earbuds feature an IPX5 sweatproof rating, 5 hours of battery life, and three different equalizer settings, which you can use to cater to your tracks of choice. Overall, that's not bad in our books and definitely worth considering if you want to get your hands on a pair of truly wireless buds without spending the $99 that the (admittedly much better) Lypertek Tevi go for these days.
(Image credit: JBL) 9. JBL Tune 750BTNCGreat headphones which are often discounted
Headphone type: : Over-ear | Weight:: 7.76 oz | Drivers:: 40mm | Connectivity:: Bluetooth | Battery life:: 22
Great valueGood audio and comfortNo waterproofingAverage battery lifeWant a pair of extremely solid, Bluetooth headphones that also pack in excellent active noise cancellation for under $100? Check out the JBL Tune 750BTNC.
While the JBL Tune 750BTNC have an official listing price of $129 / £120, we often see them go for as little as $99 / £89, which makes them one of the best headphone deals around right now. For that price, you're getting a ton of excellent features for the money, including active noise cancellation, great audio, and a pretty damn sturdy pair of headphones for the price.
The only downside we've found with these headphones is the lack of the latest Bluetooth support. These are on a slightly older version so don't quite have the wireless range of the newest premium headphones. There's also no waterproofing on these JBL's either, but otherwise, they get a hearty recommendation for us.
The cheapest studio-quality over-ears
Headphone type:: Over-ear closed back | Weight:: 1.01 lbs | Drivers:: 50mm | Sensitivity:: 98 dB ± 3dB | Connectivity:: Wired (3.5mm)
Excellent sound for the priceFoldableCan be a tight fit for bigger headsFairly dated aestheticIf you're looking for a cheap, no-nonsense set of wired headphones for your work desk or home use, check out the Tascam TH-02. These fully over-ear closed-back headphones aim to provide a detailed, studio-ready audio experience, but most importantly, retail for just $20 / £20 at Amazon currently.
Tascam is a trusted brand that has been around for many years, and the TH-02 is a good choice over the many nameless and unbranded headphones that tend to sit at this price point. You're getting some powerful drivers here, as well as a fairly robust (albeit slightly dated) plastic design that should last for a good time.
Of course, you probably won't want to be seen out with these giant old-school headphones, but for home use and sitting at the office desk, these headphones will give you plenty of quality and isolation for the price.
Quality over-ears from an Industry giant
Headphone type: Over-Ear | Weight: 1.2 lb | Frequency response: 16Hz-20KHz | Drivers: 40mm | Connectivity: Wired
Great soundingComfortable to wearBudget plastic constructionNo detachable cableWhen it comes to headphones, the general consensus is that you very much get what you pay for. But with AKG's K92, what you're getting is so much more. These headphones offer a level of sound quality that far outstrips their budget price tag. That being said, these are some of the largest cans you might ever find, and therefore might not be the best choice for anyone out there who has a petite noggin. Specs-wise, however, it's all good. The K92's professional 40mm drivers offer an extended 16 - 20,000Hz frequency response with a 113 dB SPL/V sensitivity level. It has a cable length of about 9 feet (3 meters) and weighs around 200 grams.
(Image credit: 1more) 12. 1MORE Triple DriverGreat value wired earphones that are often on sale
Headphone type: In-ear | Weight: 0.6 oz | Frequency response: 20-40kHz | Drivers: 3 proprietary | Connectivity: Wired (3.5mm)
Excellent build qualitySound fantasticRubber cable can snagOne for the audiophiles among you, the 1MORE Triple Driver offers quite simply some of the best audio quality available for under $100, and even better news, they also happen to go on sale frequently for as little as $70 / £80 right now.
For that price, you're getting a pair of specially tuned, audio engineer-approved earbuds that have a pretty novel set of (as the name suggests) proprietary drivers to blast out all your favorite tunes in perfect clarity. Subsequently, you can expect great performance from these, and the built and fit isn't too shabby either.
Remember though, these are fully wired earphones and therefore are subject to tangles, snagging, and general noises unless careful. If you'd prefer wireless, then definitely check out the other great recommendations on our list.
(Image credit: Lypertek) 13. Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbudsAstoundingly good value earbuds
Headphone type: In-ear | Weight:: 3.53 oz | Frequency response:: 20Hz-20KHz | Drivers:: 6mm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Battery life: 10 hours
Awesome valueGreat soundAbove average battery lifePedestrian designThe Lypertek Tevi firmly get our nod for the best true wireless earbuds you can buy under $100, and even better news for headphone deals hunters is that they are often discounted to just $89 / £89.
For that price, what's on offer here is pretty unbeatable. Not only have they got a great, balanced sound, but the excellent battery life, USB-C charging, and waterproofing just make for an overall awesome value package here.
While their asking price is firmly on the higher end, especially when compared to the cheaper options on our list, these headphones look, feel and sound like a much more premium set in themselves. Subsequently, if you're happy to spend that little extra that week, you definitely won't be disappointed with these great mid-range earbuds from Lypertek.
(Image credit: Amazon) 14. Amazon Echo BudsAlexa powered earbuds
Weight: 7.6 grams | Battery Life: 5 hours | Connection: Wireless | Bluetooth: 5.0 | Noise Cancellation: Yes | IPX rating: IPX4 (earbuds only)
Built-in Alexa voice assistantActive noise cancellation by BoseCheaper than AirPodsThe Amazon Echo Buds were released in 2019 with an affordable starting price of $129.99/£119.99. Thanks to sale events like Prime Day, we've seen the earbuds drop to as low as $99.99/£89.99.
The earbuds include Active Noise Reduction technology that was developed by Bose and feature an advanced microphone that allows you hands-free access to Amazon Alexa. The Alexa-enabled earbuds allow you to skip songs, adjust the volume, ask questions, and more completely hands-free. The sweat-resistant earbuds provide up to five hours of battery life and come in three different sizes for a secure and comfortable fit.
The iPhone 17 Pro probably won’t land until September 2025, but this being a high-profile handset we’re already hearing leaks and rumors about it – along with the rest of the iPhone 17 series.
The Pro will likely slot in just below the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and just above the iPhone 17 and perhaps the rumored iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim.
And while we don’t know loads about it yet, early rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Pro will have a new button, new cameras, and a new chipset, making this a potentially major and exciting upgrade. Below, you’ll find everything we’ve heard about the iPhone 17 Pro so far.
Latest newsThe iPhone 17 Pro might have just 3.5x optical zoom.View Deal
Cut to the chaseWe haven’t heard many iPhone 17 Pro release date leaks yet, but based on Apple’s usual patterns we can say that it will probably be announced in the first or second week of September, and indeed the one leak we have heard points to a September launch for the iPhone 17 Pro.
More specifically, it will probably be announced on the Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of the first or second week of September. Apple more often goes for the second week of September, leaving the most likely announcement dates as September 8, September 9, or September 10.
Pre-orders then typically open on the Friday of the announcement week, which would mean September 12, and the iPhone 17 Pro will most likely ship the following Friday, which would be September 19.
But it’s possible the various stages of the launch will happen a week earlier, or that Apple will break with its usual patterns.
There aren’t yet any iPhone 17 Pro price leaks either, but the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,849, so you can expect to pay at least that much for the next model.
Can you trust these rumors?So far there aren't any release date or price leaks, but based on past form we're almost certain that the iPhone 17 Pro will be announced in September.
A new button and a new color The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)The biggest iPhone 17 Pro design leak we’ve heard so far is that the volume buttons and the Action button might all be replaced by a single new key that can do the job of all those things. Exactly how it would do all those things is uncertain, but it may well have a similar design to the Camera Control button, meaning it can register different strength presses as well as swipes, and respond in different ways to each.
It's worth noting that Apple has previously made iPhone prototypes with unified volume buttons, including an iPhone 14 Pro prototype. The buttons here were solid-state rather than mechanical, and it's not clear whether the iPhone 17 Pro's implementation would be mechanical or not, if it even happens, but it could look something like this anyway.
The iPhone 17 Pro will probably also be available in at least one new shade, with one leak suggesting Apple is considering using one of the three colors pictured below. From left to right these are Dark Green Titanium, Teal Titanium, and Green Titanium, and the source says Teal Titanium is the most likely to get used.
(Image credit: Majin Bu)We’ve also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro might use a “more complex” aluminum design, rather than the titanium of its predecessor.
Another leak has since shed more light on this aluminum design, saying that the iPhone 17 Pro will have an aluminum frame and that the top half of the back will also be aluminum, with the bottom half remaining glass so wireless charging will work. The report adds that it will also have a larger rectangular camera bump than the iPhone 16 Pro.
A leaked image supposedly showing an iPhone 17 series frame lines up with this leak, and points to a Pixel 9-like camera design. You can see this below.
(Image credit: @Jukanlosreve)However, we've elsewhere heard a counter to this, with another source saying the iPhone 17 Pro will use titanium, not aluminum.
We've also heard the possibility of a different but still new iPhone 17 Pro camera design, as you can see in the image below. But this comes from a source with a mixed track record, so we're not convinced.
(Image credit: Front Page Tech / @asherdipps)This iPhone 17 Pro Max render got given a redo by its creator that paints the odd design in a new light. But it doesn't tell us any more about why Apple would go for such a design; Cupertino tends not to mix up iPhone design unless it facilitates a new feature or hardware.
There's also a small chance the iPhone 17 Pro could have a smaller Dynamic Island by hiding Face ID components under the screen, but another source claims the Dynamic Island won't be changing.
One smaller design change we might see either way is the presence of curvier sides than the iPhone 16 Pro has, though so far only one source has mentioned this.
And while we don't yet know how thick the iPhone 17 Pro will be, it certainly looks a lot thicker than the iPhone 17 Air in a leaked image.
As for the screen, the iPhone 17 Pro might have a 6.3-inch display, just like the iPhone 16 Pro, but it could be more anti-reflective than the current display, as well as being more scratch resistant.
We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro's screen could use a new technology that makes it more power efficient, durable, and overall better performing.
Can you trust these rumors?We fully expect the iPhone 17 Pro to have a 6.3-inch screen, since Apple only recently upped the display size with the iPhone 16 Pro. The other design and display leaks so far are worth taking with a pinch of salt though, as not many sources have weighed in.
Two upgraded cameras The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)The main camera upgrade coming to the iPhone 17 Pro could be a 48MP telephoto camera, up from 12MP on the iPhone 16 Pro. This 48MP telephoto camera has been mentioned in several iPhone 17 Pro camera leaks, including from reputable iPhone leakers, so this may well happen.
Most leaks suggest it will still offer the same level of zoom – namely 5x optical zoom, but one source differs, saying that the iPhone 17 Pro will instead offer 3.5x zoom, but will still be capable of 'lossless' 5x and even 7x by cropping into the image.
The other significant camera upgrade we could see is a 24MP front-facing camera, up from 12MP on the current model.
As for the main and ultra-wide cameras, leaks so far suggest they’ll stick at 48MP like on the current model. However, one source suggests that oddly the main sensor could be smaller on the iPhone 17 Pro, which might make it a downgrade.
We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro might be capable of 8K video recording, which would be up from the 4K of current Pro models.
And while less likely there’s also talk that the iPhone 17 Pro could have a mechanical aperture, meaning you’d be able to change the aperture and therefore also the depth of field.
Can you trust these rumors?So many sources have talked about a 48MP telephoto camera that this upgrade seems likely. We haven't heard as much about the other cameras though, including the rumored 24MP selfie snapper upgrade, so we're less sure of those specs. We also wouldn't count on the phone having a mechanical aperture, as that seems a bit niche for how much work it might involve.
The most powerful iPhone chipset yet The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)One thing we can be very confident about is that the iPhone 17 Pro will have a new chipset, one that will most likely be called the A19 Pro.
Not only is an A19 Pro chipset an obvious upgrade, but it has also been mentioned by multiple sources.
Beyond that, there’s a chance that the iPhone 17 Pro will get 12GB of RAM, which is something we've heard more than once, and would be an increase on the 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro. However most current leaks suggest that only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will get this upgrade.
The iPhone 17 Pro might however get a vapor chamber, which could help it avoid overheating and could also boost performance.
And as for the battery, Apple is reportedly considering using a thinner and lighter motherboard, which could free up additional space for a larger battery than in the current model. We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro could offer reverse wireless charging.
Can you trust these rumors?One of the few things we're almost certain of is that the iPhone 17 Pro will have a new chipset, since that's a standard yearly upgrade for Apple's phones. We hope it will also get a RAM upgrade, but so far it looks more likely to stick at 8GB.
You might also likeThe still rumored iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly be one of the biggest and best phones of 2025, headlining the iPhone 17 line – which will also probably include the iPhone 17 itself, the iPhone 17 Pro, and a new iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim model.
That final phone may steal much of the attention, but it’s the iPhone 17 Pro Max that will probably have the most impressive specs.
And while we’re not expecting it to land until September, leaks and rumors are already emerging – all of which you’ll find below.
Latest newsThe iPhone 17 Pro Max's telephoto camera might only offer 3.5x optical zoom.View Deal
Cut to the chaseThe iPhone 17 Pro Max – along with the rest of the iPhone 17 series – will probably be announced in September of 2025.
One source has specifically pointed to a September launch for the iPhone 17 line, and Apple almost without exception launches its new phones in the first half of September, so we can be quite confident of that much.
Prior to the iPhone 16 series Apple also usually announced the phones on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but with the iPhone 16 it went with a Monday instead, so we can’t be quite as confident of the exact day as in previous years.
Still, the second week of September is the most likely based on past form, meaning likely Monday September 8, Tuesday September 9, or Wednesday September 10. The Thursday or Friday is also possible, but those aren’t days we usually see Apple go for.
Either way, pre-orders for the iPhone 17 Pro Max will most likely start on the Friday of the announcement week, so our best guess for that is Friday, September 12 – though a week earlier on Friday, September 5 is also possible. And the phone will likely ship on the following Friday – meaning probably September 19 but possibly September 12.
We haven’t heard anything about the iPhone 17 Pro Max price either and that’s a bit harder to predict, since we don’t know whether Apple will raise the price from the iPhone 16 Pro Max or not. For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, so it’s likely that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will cost at least that much.
Can you trust these rumors?So far there aren't any price or release date leaks yet, so it's all just educated guesses, but we'd be surprised if this phone wasn't announced in September.
One button replacing three The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)So far we’ve heard of several possible design changes, including that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might gain a new button – or perhaps more accurately lose some buttons, as one report suggests it will have a single key that replaces the two volume buttons and the Action button.
Details on this button are light, but if it emerges, we’d imagine it might sport a similar design to the Camera Control key, so you can swipe across it to change the volume, or press it to trigger a custom action.
You can also get some idea of how it might look in an iPhone 14 Pro prototype, which includes a unified volume button (though this only combines two buttons into one, not three). According to various leaks, Apple has been working on versions of this idea for a long time, but it remains to be seen whether this sort of change will actually appear on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Another big design leak suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an aluminum frame rather than titanium, and that the top half of the back will also be aluminum (rather than glass), with the bottom half still being glass. The same source claims that the camera bump will be larger this time too.
We've also seen an image of how this might look, thanks to a leaked iPhone 17 series frame, pictured below, which has a Pixel 9-like camera cut-out.
(Image credit: @Jukanlosreve)On the other hand though another source has said the iPhone 17 Pro Max will stick with titanium, which seems more likely.
And we've seen another possible new iPhone 17 Pro Max camera design, as you can see in the image of an iPhone 17 Pro below. You can see a similar design in some iPhone 17 Pro Max metal molds that have leaked.
(Image credit: Front Page Tech / @asherdipps)We've also heard that at least some iPhone 17 models might have curvier edges than the iPhone 16 series, which could make them more comfortable to hold.
Also on the design front, one source claims that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in one of the three colors pictured below. These, from left to right, are apparently dubbed Dark Green Titanium, Teal Titanium, and Green Titanium. And apparently all three are being considered, but only one would be used if any, with the source speculating that Teal Titanium is the most likely.
(Image credit: Majin Bu)We’ve also heard that Apple could hide the Face ID components under the screen in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which might allow for a smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple now even has a patent for a technology that could enable this.
That said, a smaller Dynamic Island could instead be achieved through using a new ‘metalens’ technology for the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s proximity sensor, which is a claim we've heard more than once. Then again, another source claims the Dynamic Island won't be shrunk after all.
The source of the metalens claim also says that unsurprisingly the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a titanium frame, just like the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The same source also says to once again expect a 6.9-inch screen, and we’ve elsewhere heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s display might use a type of glass that’s less reflective and more resistant to scratches.
Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max's screen might use a new technology that makes it more power efficient and durable.
Can you trust these rumors?So far only one source has mentioned a new button, so we'd take this with a pinch of salt, especially as the Action button is a recent addition, so it would be strange to remove it already.
We're also slightly skeptical of the phone switching from titanium to aluminum, as that could be seen as a downgrade.
Changes to the camera design are possible, but this would be a big switch for Apple so we'll reserve judgment until more leaks emerge.
A smaller Dynamic Island is possible too, and has leaked multiple times, but it's more likely to be achieved through a new proximity sensor design than under-display Face ID.
A new telephoto camera The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)We’ve heard quite consistent tips about the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s cameras, with the most exciting claim being that the telephoto will have a new 48MP sensor, up from 12MP on the current model. We’ve heard this claim of a 48MP telephoto camera for the iPhone 17 Pro Max from multiple sources, including reputable leaker Mark Gurman, so this is very likely accurate.
However, this snapper may offer just 3.5x optical zoom rather than the 5x optical zoom of its predecessor, according to one source, though with 5x and 7x 'lossless' zoom possible through cropping.
This might also be the only rear camera that’s getting a significant upgrade – meaning 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras could make a return.
The front-facing camera might also be improved though, with one of the same sources saying the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a 24MP selfie camera, up from 12MP currently.
We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might be able to record video in up to 8K quality, up from 4K on the current model.
And in more surprising news, one source has claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a mechanical aperture, allowing you to adjust the aperture, changing the depth of field in the process.
It might not all be upgrades though, as we've elsewhere heard that the main sensor on the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be smaller than on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Can you trust these rumors?Numerous sources have mentioned a 48MP telephoto camera, so that much is very likely. The 24MP selfie camera hasn't been leaked as much, so we'd take that with a pinch of salt, but the claim comes from a credible source.
As for a mechanical aperture, we're skeptical of this, as it sounds like a major yet niche upgrade, but it's always possible. We're also not currently convinced that Apple would reduce the main sensor size.
A powerful chipset and loads of RAM The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)The iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly have an A19 Pro chipset – after all, the current model has an A18 Pro. Multiple sources have mentioned an A19 Pro chipset, and they’ve also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the current model.
That could be a major boon to its AI capabilities, and we've heard this 12GB claim numerous times. Though there’s some debate over whether both iPhone 17 Pro models will get 12GB of RAM or whether this RAM upgrade will just be for the Pro Max.
We've also heard that Apple could add a vapor chamber to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, helping it stay cool and perform better.
We haven’t heard much about the battery yet, but reportedly the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a thinner and lighter motherboard than the current model, which in turn might leave space for a larger battery, and we've also heard that it could offer reverse wireless charging.
Can you trust these rumors?The iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly have an A19 Pro chipset based on past form, and we'd say an increase to 12GB of RAM is very believable too, since it could help with AI.
You might also likeThe still rumored iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly be one of the biggest and best phones of 2025, headlining the iPhone 17 line – which will also probably include the iPhone 17 itself, the iPhone 17 Pro, and a new iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim model.
That final phone may steal much of the attention, but it’s the iPhone 17 Pro Max that will probably have the most impressive specs.
And while we’re not expecting it to land until September, leaks and rumors are already emerging – all of which you’ll find below.
Latest newsThe iPhone 17 Pro Max's telephoto camera might only offer 3.5x optical zoom.View Deal
Cut to the chaseThe iPhone 17 Pro Max – along with the rest of the iPhone 17 series – will probably be announced in September of 2025.
One source has specifically pointed to a September launch for the iPhone 17 line, and Apple almost without exception launches its new phones in the first half of September, so we can be quite confident of that much.
Prior to the iPhone 16 series Apple also usually announced the phones on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but with the iPhone 16 it went with a Monday instead, so we can’t be quite as confident of the exact day as in previous years.
Still, the second week of September is the most likely based on past form, meaning likely Monday September 8, Tuesday September 9, or Wednesday September 10. The Thursday or Friday is also possible, but those aren’t days we usually see Apple go for.
Either way, pre-orders for the iPhone 17 Pro Max will most likely start on the Friday of the announcement week, so our best guess for that is Friday, September 12 – though a week earlier on Friday, September 5 is also possible. And the phone will likely ship on the following Friday – meaning probably September 19 but possibly September 12.
We haven’t heard anything about the iPhone 17 Pro Max price either and that’s a bit harder to predict, since we don’t know whether Apple will raise the price from the iPhone 16 Pro Max or not. For reference, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, so it’s likely that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will cost at least that much.
Can you trust these rumors?So far there aren't any price or release date leaks yet, so it's all just educated guesses, but we'd be surprised if this phone wasn't announced in September.
One button replacing three The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)So far we’ve heard of several possible design changes, including that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might gain a new button – or perhaps more accurately lose some buttons, as one report suggests it will have a single key that replaces the two volume buttons and the Action button.
Details on this button are light, but if it emerges, we’d imagine it might sport a similar design to the Camera Control key, so you can swipe across it to change the volume, or press it to trigger a custom action.
You can also get some idea of how it might look in an iPhone 14 Pro prototype, which includes a unified volume button (though this only combines two buttons into one, not three). According to various leaks, Apple has been working on versions of this idea for a long time, but it remains to be seen whether this sort of change will actually appear on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Another big design leak suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have an aluminum frame rather than titanium, and that the top half of the back will also be aluminum (rather than glass), with the bottom half still being glass. The same source claims that the camera bump will be larger this time too.
We've also seen an image of how this might look, thanks to a leaked iPhone 17 series frame, pictured below, which has a Pixel 9-like camera cut-out.
(Image credit: @Jukanlosreve)On the other hand though another source has said the iPhone 17 Pro Max will stick with titanium, which seems more likely.
And we've seen another possible new iPhone 17 Pro Max camera design, as you can see in the image of an iPhone 17 Pro below. You can see a similar design in some iPhone 17 Pro Max metal molds that have leaked.
(Image credit: Front Page Tech / @asherdipps)We've also heard that at least some iPhone 17 models might have curvier edges than the iPhone 16 series, which could make them more comfortable to hold.
Also on the design front, one source claims that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in one of the three colors pictured below. These, from left to right, are apparently dubbed Dark Green Titanium, Teal Titanium, and Green Titanium. And apparently all three are being considered, but only one would be used if any, with the source speculating that Teal Titanium is the most likely.
(Image credit: Majin Bu)We’ve also heard that Apple could hide the Face ID components under the screen in the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which might allow for a smaller Dynamic Island, and Apple now even has a patent for a technology that could enable this.
That said, a smaller Dynamic Island could instead be achieved through using a new ‘metalens’ technology for the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s proximity sensor, which is a claim we've heard more than once. Then again, another source claims the Dynamic Island won't be shrunk after all.
The source of the metalens claim also says that unsurprisingly the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a titanium frame, just like the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The same source also says to once again expect a 6.9-inch screen, and we’ve elsewhere heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s display might use a type of glass that’s less reflective and more resistant to scratches.
Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro Max's screen might use a new technology that makes it more power efficient and durable.
Can you trust these rumors?So far only one source has mentioned a new button, so we'd take this with a pinch of salt, especially as the Action button is a recent addition, so it would be strange to remove it already.
We're also slightly skeptical of the phone switching from titanium to aluminum, as that could be seen as a downgrade.
Changes to the camera design are possible, but this would be a big switch for Apple so we'll reserve judgment until more leaks emerge.
A smaller Dynamic Island is possible too, and has leaked multiple times, but it's more likely to be achieved through a new proximity sensor design than under-display Face ID.
A new telephoto camera The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)We’ve heard quite consistent tips about the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s cameras, with the most exciting claim being that the telephoto will have a new 48MP sensor, up from 12MP on the current model. We’ve heard this claim of a 48MP telephoto camera for the iPhone 17 Pro Max from multiple sources, including reputable leaker Mark Gurman, so this is very likely accurate.
However, this snapper may offer just 3.5x optical zoom rather than the 5x optical zoom of its predecessor, according to one source, though with 5x and 7x 'lossless' zoom possible through cropping.
This might also be the only rear camera that’s getting a significant upgrade – meaning 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras could make a return.
The front-facing camera might also be improved though, with one of the same sources saying the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a 24MP selfie camera, up from 12MP currently.
We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might be able to record video in up to 8K quality, up from 4K on the current model.
And in more surprising news, one source has claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a mechanical aperture, allowing you to adjust the aperture, changing the depth of field in the process.
It might not all be upgrades though, as we've elsewhere heard that the main sensor on the iPhone 17 Pro Max could be smaller than on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Can you trust these rumors?Numerous sources have mentioned a 48MP telephoto camera, so that much is very likely. The 24MP selfie camera hasn't been leaked as much, so we'd take that with a pinch of salt, but the claim comes from a credible source.
As for a mechanical aperture, we're skeptical of this, as it sounds like a major yet niche upgrade, but it's always possible. We're also not currently convinced that Apple would reduce the main sensor size.
A powerful chipset and loads of RAM The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)The iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly have an A19 Pro chipset – after all, the current model has an A18 Pro. Multiple sources have mentioned an A19 Pro chipset, and they’ve also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the current model.
That could be a major boon to its AI capabilities, and we've heard this 12GB claim numerous times. Though there’s some debate over whether both iPhone 17 Pro models will get 12GB of RAM or whether this RAM upgrade will just be for the Pro Max.
We've also heard that Apple could add a vapor chamber to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, helping it stay cool and perform better.
We haven’t heard much about the battery yet, but reportedly the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a thinner and lighter motherboard than the current model, which in turn might leave space for a larger battery, and we've also heard that it could offer reverse wireless charging.
Can you trust these rumors?The iPhone 17 Pro Max will almost certainly have an A19 Pro chipset based on past form, and we'd say an increase to 12GB of RAM is very believable too, since it could help with AI.
You might also likeThe iPhone 16 line has only recently landed at the time of writing, and yet there are already numerous iPhone 17 claimed leaks – some of which emerged even before the launch of Apple’s latest phones.
As such – even though we’re not expecting the iPhone 17 and its siblings to launch before September 2025 – we already have some idea of what to expect from these phones. That includes camera upgrades, yet another new button, better screens, and even an entire new model.
Below then, you’ll find full details of all the credible leaks and rumors we’ve heard so far, and we’ll be updating this article whenever we hear anything new.
Latest newsThe iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could have 3.5x optical zoom instead of 5x.
Cut to the chaseThere aren’t many iPhone 17 release date rumors yet, but we don’t really need any, as Apple tends to follow a highly predictable pattern.
As such, based on past form we predict that the iPhone 17 will be announced in the first half of September 2025. Typically Apple announces the device on a Tuesday or Wednesday, but the company broke with that pattern for the iPhone 16 and used a Monday, so we aren’t totally confident of the exact day.
That said, Apple more often uses the second week of the month, so it could be announced sometime between Monday, September 8, and Friday, September 12, with September 8, 9, or 10 being most likely based on the weekdays Apple usually goes with.
In any case, the phones will likely then go up for pre-order on the Friday of their announcement week (meaning probably Friday September 12 or failing that September 5 if our guesses are right), and then ship on the following Friday, which would probably be September 19 but could be September 12. While those are all just predictions for now, one source has unsurprisingly pointed to a September launch for the iPhone 17 series.
As for the price, the only leaks there so far are for a new model possibly dubbed the iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone 17 Air (more on which below), but a report suggests this slimmer iPhone 17 model could have a starting price of $1,299 (about £1,000 / AU$1,950).
We would however take that with a pinch of salt, as that would be a higher price than the current top iPhone, and some other leaks suggest this would be positioned more in the middle of the pack.
Indeed, more recently we've heard that the iPhone 17 Slim could cost less than the iPhone 17 Pro, with the latest leak pointing to a starting price of $899 for the iPhone 17 Air, which would see it match the iPhone 16 Plus.
In any case, we can look at previous pricing for possible starting prices of the other models. The iPhone 16 then starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,599, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, so successors to these models are likely to cost at least this much.
Can you trust these rumors?The claim that the iPhone 17 Air could have the same price as the iPhone 16 Plus is believable, and the release date for all these phones will very likely be in September.
A new model We might not get a successor to the iPhone 16 Plus (Image credit: Future)You won’t be surprised to hear that we’re expecting an iPhone 17, an iPhone 17 Pro, and an iPhone 17 Pro Max, but what about the iPhone 17 Plus? Well, while that’s a possibility, several leaks have suggested that there might be a slimmer and more expensive iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim instead.
However, a reputable analyst predicts that the iPhone 17 Air won't be any more popular than the company's Plus and mini models.
There’s also an outside chance that we’ll see an iPhone 17 Ultra, either instead of or as well as the iPhone 17 Pro Max. This would be an ultra-premium model that would sit at the top of the line. But that’s seeming less likely, as it’s not something that’s been leaked much recently, though claims of an Ultra model still occasionally emerge.
Claims of an iPhone 17 Air though have arrived with more frequency, and from a number of reputable sources, so there’s every chance we could see a super-slim iPhone in 2025.
In fact, the latest leaks point to the iPhone 17 Air measuring even thinner than the competition, namely the recently-announced Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, at a possible thickness of just 5.44mm. That's even thinner than an unfolded Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.
What's more, the iPhone 17 Air is tipped to get Apple's new C1 modem, revealed with the iPhone 16e, unlike the base model iPhone 17.
Can you trust these rumors?Numerous reputable sources have pointed to an iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, so we'd think this is likely to make an appearance, though what it will actually be called is less clear, and we wouldn't count on seeing an iPhone 17 Ultra.
A new button The iPhone 16 Pro (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)One of the more intriguing iPhone 17 design leaks we've heard is that the iPhone 17 Pro and possibly other models could have another new button – this time a single button that would replace the Action button and both volume keys.
Details of this possible button are limited, but it’s easy to imagine it could work like the Camera Control key, allowing you to swipe to change the volume, and press it to launch an app or feature of your choice. Perhaps it would even accept both light and strong presses to launch different things.
Apple has actually experimented with unified solid-state volume buttons in the past, including on an iPhone 14 Pro prototype, so it's possible the idea is being resurrected for the iPhone 17 series.
And in a less likely leak, we’ve heard that Apple could equip some or all iPhone 17 models with under-display Face ID.
One other source has leaked three possible iPhone 17 Pro colors, namely Dark Green Titanium, Teal Titanium, and Green Titanium. Apparently only one of these will be used if any, and of these it's the Teal Titanium they suspect is most likely to be used. That's the middle shade in the leaked image below. That said, we suspect all three of these are brighter than Apple would opt for.
(Image credit: Majin Bu)In another leak, we've heard that all four iPhone 17 models could have an aluminum frame, which would be a change for the Pro models, as the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max use more premium titanium.
So that seems an odd shift, and the report adds that in the case of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max the top half of the back will also be aluminum, with the bottom half sticking as glass, and the camera bump being larger than on current models.
However, another leak has since refuted this, saying the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will stick with titanium frames.
Since then, we've heard that the iPhone 17 series could use the frame pictured below, which could make for a Pixel 9-like design, and somewhat lines up with the leak above mentioning an aluminum top half and a larger camera bump.
(Image credit: @Jukanlosreve)Another source has similarly claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro (and probably the other models) will have the design shown below.
(Image credit: Front Page Tech / @asherdipps)This source has also shared the possible design of the iPhone 17 Air, as you can see below.
It has a very slim build but a quite large camera block considering there's just one lens on the back. So we'd take it with a pinch of salt, though it does line up with another iPhone 17 Air design leak.
The same source has also claimed that the standard iPhone 17 will have the same camera design as the iPhone 16, so that model might not get this new camera bar.
Image 1 of 2(Image credit: Front Page Tech / @Zellzoi)Image 2 of 2(Image credit: Front Page Tech / @Zellzoi)Other leakers have since backed up these claims, with multiple sets of iPhone 17 dummy units being leaked, showing similar designs.
Some smaller design changes could be planned too, with one source suggesting that some or all iPhone 17 models will have curvier sides than their predecessors.
We’ve also elsewhere heard that the iPhone 17 Pro Max could have a narrower Dynamic Island than the current model, and that conflicting with one of the leaks above it will have a titanium frame, while the other models will apparently have a “more complex” aluminum shell, which may be a reference the the half metal, half glass rear leaked above. Multiple sources have now pointed to a smaller Dynamic Island, though one source says the Dynamic Island will stay the same.
One of these sources also claimed that the iPhone 17 will have a 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone 17 Air a 6.6-inch one, the iPhone 17 Pro will have a 6.3-inch display, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a 6.9-inch one. So that’s the same sizes as the iPhone 16 line, albeit the rumored new Air model could have a slightly smaller screen than the Plus model it might replace.
There’s some disagreement on the iPhone 17 Air’s screen size though, with leaker Ross Young claiming it will be slightly smaller at 6.55 inches, while @UniverseIce says to expect a 6.65-inch screen, and another source points to a 6.7-inch 2796 x 1290 one.
Also on the subject of the iPhone 17 Air, one report suggests it won't be as slim as Apple hoped, with the company originally aiming for around a 6mm thickness but apparently failing to achieve that, as it needs more space for the battery.
That said, we've elsewhere heard that the iPhone 17 Air will be just 5.44mm thick, while another leak similarly says the iPhone 17 Air will in fact be 5mm to 6mm thick, but that thanks to this it won't have space for a SIM card slot (so it will be eSIM only).
This report adds that the iPhone 17 Air will also only have one earpiece speaker, rather than two as is the case on other iPhones, and that it will have a “large, centered camera bump” housing just one lens.
We've also now seen an image showing how slim the iPhone 17 Air might be in comparison to the iPhone 17 Pro, and it certainly looks very thin there.
We've also heard that all four iPhone 17 models could have a 120Hz refresh rate and an always-on display. In fact, several sources have echoed this, saying that the base iPhone 17 will join its Pro siblings in having a 120Hz refresh rate and and always-on screen. We've heard this as recently as March 2025, with reputable leaker Mark Gurman saying as much.
So this wouldn’t be an upgrade for the Pro models, but it would be for the standard iPhone 17, and for the iPhone 17 Plus if we get such a phone.
Speaking of all the iPhone 17 models, a rumors has them all tipped to use Samsung's M14 OLED display, which features on the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. This would mark the first time the flagship iPhone lineup would feature 120Hz displays across the board, rather than only on the Pro models, a much requested feature. The current-gen iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are both limited to 60Hz.
However, the Pro models could still get a screen upgrade, with one source claiming that their displays will use a new technology that "improves battery efficiency, maximizes display durability, and enhances overall performance compared to existing display technologies.”
Finally, we’ve heard that the iPhone 17 line’s screens might use a type of glass that’s tougher to scratch and cuts down on reflections.
Can you trust these rumors?Apple bringing 120Hz screens to all four models is long overdue, so we certainly hope that's true, and it has been tipped enough that for now we'd say it's likely.
The talk of a new button is something we're less sure about, just because only one source has mentioned it so far, and they have a mixed track record.
We're also unsure about claims that all four models will have an aluminum frame, as that would seem like a downgrade for the Pro units. And the rumored changes to the camera design also seem questionable, but enough sources have mentioned this that it's certainly possible.
More megapixels The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)The iPhone 17 line could include several significant camera upgrades, including a new 24MP front-facing camera for every iPhone 17 model, up from 12MP on the current phones. It’s a claim this source (Jeff Pu) has made multiple times, most recently in March of 2025.
The same source also points to a 48MP telephoto camera for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, up from 12MP currently. We’ve also heard analyst Ming-Chi Kuo say similar, though they weren’t sure whether both Pro models would get this, or if only the iPhone 17 Pro Max would get a 48MP telephoto camera.
And leaker @UniverseIce has also said that the Pro models will have a trio of 48MP cameras, meaning an upgrade for the telephoto but not – at least in terms of megapixels – for the main or ultra-wide cameras. Mark Gurman (who has a great track record for Apple information) has also made this 48MP telephoto camera claim.
We've heard mention of a trio of 48MP cameras from another source too, but they also claim that oddly the main camera on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will have a smaller sensor than on the 16 Pro series, which sounds like a downgrade.
And one source has claimed that as well as a new 48MP sensor, the the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will offer 3.5x optical zoom, rather than the 5x of the current models. However, they would reportedly still offer lossless zoom at 5x and 7x by cropping the image.
We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Pro models could offer 8K video recording.
Elsewhere, another leak says the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air won't have a 5x telephoto camera. This isn't really surprising but it is disappointing. In fact, the iPhone 17 Air might just have one rear camera, with another source claiming the iPhone 17 Air will have a 48MP main camera and a 12MP front-facing one.
Finally, we’ve heard that Apple might be planning a camera with a mechanical aperture for at least one phone in the iPhone 17 series. This would allow you to adjust the size of the aperture, and therefore the depth of field.
Can you trust these rumors?The front-facing and telephoto cameras seem obvious upgrade choices in the iPhone 17 line, as their megapixel counts are noticeably lower than some of the other cameras. So there's a good chance those leaks will prove accurate.
A boost in power The iPhone 16 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)One leak suggests that – unsurprisingly – the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a new A19 Pro chipset, and that the other models will have either an A18 or A19 chipset. The same source also says to expect 12GB of RAM in the Pro models, up from 8GB currently, but that the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Slim will only have 8GB. They've now made this claim multiple times, so they seem confident of it.
Another source has echoed this, saying to expect an A19 Pro chipset and 12GB of RAM in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This chipset will reportedly be built on a new 3-nanometer manufacturing process, which could mean a big jump in performance.
That said, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will get 12GB of RAM, with the others stuck at 8GB, and that the Pro Max will also have an upgraded cooling system, and exclusively have “enhanced on-device AI capabilities.”
Kuo also claims that the iPhone 17 line could use a lighter and thinner motherboard, which would leave room for other components or a larger battery. And speaking of the battery, the iPhone 17 Air might have a high-density cell, giving it comparable life to current iPhones. We've also heard that the iPhone 17 Air might support MagSafe.
There’s also an outside chance that some or all iPhone 17 models could include under-display Touch ID, giving you a fingerprint sensor as well as Face ID, but we doubt that.
Finally, the iPhone 17 Air might use Apple's in-house 5G modem, but this reportedly doesn't perform as well as the Qualcomm modems the company currently uses - and we've heard that the base model iPhone 17 could even miss out on Apple's C1 modem.
Can you trust these rumors?New chipsets are sure to make an appearance, and we'd expect at least some models would get boosted to 12GB of RAM, especially as this could help with AI.
We'd be quite surprised though if Touch ID makes a return, even in under-display form.
You might also likeHollow Knight: Silksong does not currently have a release date, after being delayed out of its last window. Thankfully, we did get a short update during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event which let us know that it'll come out sometime in 2025.
So far, Team Cherry has revealed a fair bit of gameplay, a couple of trailers, and provided an update on the development of Hollow Knight Silksong nearly two years ago. In terms of upcoming games, Silksong is easily one of the most highly anticipated, so hopefully we see more of it sooner rather than later.
There's still plenty to learn about Hollow Knight Silksong, namely whether or not it can measure up to the lofty legacy of its predecessor. Here's what we know about the upcoming sequel so far, including a look at gameplay, all of the latest news, and what's been said about when Hollow Knight Silksong is coming out, and on what platforms.
Hollow Knight Silksong - Cut to the chaseHollow Knight Silksong is currently being developed for PS5, PS4, XSX|S, XBO, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch. Given that it's been quite a while since we had an update about the game, this is subject to change. If platforms for Silksong do change, we'll update this page.
What we do know is that it'll arrive sometime in 2025, according to a short glimpse during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event.
Hollow Knight Silksong trailersThe most recent trailer we've seen from Hollow Knight Silksong arrived as part of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase event in late 2022. This trailer, which you can view below, shows off gameplay, as well as a look at the new protagonist and setting.
There have been a few more trailers released for Hollow Knight Silksong over the last four years or so. We've included some of them throughout this article, but to see all of them you can head over to the game's official YouTube channel.
Hollow Knight Silksong story and settingHollow Knight Silksong is set in the haunted kingdom of Pharloom. Visually, it is a gilded, gloomy sort of area, not dissimilar to the deepnest setting of the first game. Hornet will start at the very bottom, having been brought there after being captured. From there, she must climb higher and higher, hunting down foes and ultimately determining the fate of the world around her.
Much like in the first game, Silksong looks likely to convey most of its story via NPC dialogue and lore found in the environment. A story is definitely there if you want to and it, but perhaps takes less of a spotlight when compared to other facets of the game. What we do know is that there will once again be a variety of bosses to take down, friends to meet, and subtle choices to decide on while you play. There's still a lot to learn about the story in Silksong, but we're betting most of it will be kept a mystery, right up until the game is in the hands of players.
Hollow Knight Silksong gameplay (Image credit: Team Cherry)Players will play as Hornet in Hollow Knight Silksong, who is a pretty stark contrast when compared to the Knight from the first game. She is much more agile, able to dart and grapple around the world, with her needle weapon in hand. Once again, players will be able to find new abilities as they progress, giving them options for customizing Hornet.
So far, we've yet to see too much gameplay for Silksong, but what's been shown looks to be a continuation of the platforming/boss fighting of its predecessor. You'll explore different zones, slowly unlocking the map. It's a Metroidvania game once again, meaning that certain areas are locked behind ability upgrades, with lots of backtracking involved. Boss fights look to be a big part of Silksong, with the gameplay trailer released last year having shown off a couple of the main foes we'll be taking on.
Generally, if you played Hollow Knight, it seems as though you'll be right at home with the gameplay in Silksong. We'll have to wait and see just how many new bells and whistles are included this time around, but, for now, the action is looking like more Hollow Knight - which is certainly not a bad thing.
Hollow Knight Silksong latest newsHollow Knight Silksong confirmed for 2025
During a sizzle reel that was shown during the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event, Hollow Knight Silksong is planned for 2025.
Hollow Knight Silksong delayed out of 'first half of 2023'
In a Tweet, Team Cherry's Marketing Director announced that the game will no longer hit its release window of the 'first half of 2023'.
It’s been more than eight years since the original Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017, and now we have the full lowdown on what’s next: the Nintendo Switch 2.
In a big Nintendo Direct at the start of April, the Japanese gaming giant showed off a whole suite of Switch 2 features and the games we can expect to see at the console’s June 5 launch and beyond, including one unexpected exclusive.
Given the original Switch is one of the biggest-selling games consoles of all time, we can expect the Switch 2 to build upon that success, which could make it the biggest deal in gaming this year… alongside GTA 6.
So let's get into what you need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2 and if it should be on your wish list this year.
Nintendo Switch 2: cut to the chasePre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 go live on April 8, then you’ll have a bit of a wait as the hybrid console will be released on June 5.
Pricing is a little more punchy than that of the original Switch, with the Switch 2 starting at $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95. But the better bet might be the Mario Kart World bundle, which costs $499.99 / £429.99 / AU$769.95; that's notable as Mario Kart World on its own costs $79.99 or £74.99, so by going the bundle way you’re saving a nice chunk of change.
For comparison, the original Switch cost $259.99 / £259.99 / AUD$435, but with the Switch 2 you do get a bunch of new features as well as hardware upgrades.
Nintendo Switch 2: design (Image credit: Nintendo)Ultimately, the Nintendo Switch 2 looks a lot like the original Switch, only larger - it has a larger display than the Switch OLED’s 7-inch panel coming in at 7.9 inches, and a bigger overall footprint with Nintendo stating approximate measurements of 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x 0.55 inches thick.
As a result the Joy-Cons are taller and also more curvaceous. They’ve dropped the prominent blue and red colors of their predecessors, though the left joystick has a blue accent and the right one has an orange accent.
(Image credit: Nintendo/IGN)As a result the Joy-Cons are taller and also more curvaceous. They’ve dropped the prominent blue and red colors of their predecessors, though the left joystick has a blue accent and the right one has an orange accent.
The buttons and their layout are the same as before, but there’s now a new square button with the letter ‘C’ in it.
This C button is actually used to control the new Game Chat feature, which is an in-built chat feature for Switch 2 users to talk to their friends by making use of a microphone in the Joy-Con.
(Image credit: Nintendo)Rather than slide and lock in place, like the Joy-Con controllers did on the original Switch, the ones for the Switch 2 snap into place via magnets; there are buttons below the Joy-Con triggers that look like smaller triggers and are used to securely detach the Joy-Cons.
Speaking of which, when they are detached the controllers have the same functionality as the original Joy-Con controllers.
However there’s a new mouse function that lets you place the magnetic side of the Joy-Cons on a surface where snores in it will act as a form of mouse.
(Image credit: Nintendo)Going back to the Switch itself, there are a few nips and tucks to the design of the power and volume buttons, and the ventilation grille now has three instead of five vents.
The biggest difference to the top edge of the console is the addition of a USB-C port that lets you connect accessories like the new Switch 2 Camera. The 3.5mm headphone jack makes a return for the Switch 2.
Speaking of that, on the bottom edge of the Switch 2 there are new downward-firing speakers, which should offer an audio boost.
Image 1 of 13An image of the Nintendo Switch 2 (Image credit: Nintendo)Image 2 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 3 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 4 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 5 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 6 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 7 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 8 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 9 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo Switch 2)Image 10 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 11 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo/IGN)Image 12 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 13 of 13(Image credit: Nintendo)As you'll see from the gallery above, there's a new kickstand, which like the one on the Switch OLED runs the length of the console but is hollow rather than a single panel. It looks to be more solid than the puny slither-like kickstand of the original Switch, and it looks like it could lock into several positions.
There’s a new more rounded dock for the Switch 2, which now includes a fan to keep the console cool as it can now output a 4K signal; that should make it perfect for one of TechRadar’s picks for the best 4K TVs.
For people who want to game when in docked mode, there’s a rather similar peripheral that takes the Joy-Con and turns them into a single controller; this wasn't a highlight of the original Switch and we can’t say it looks much improved for the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2: display (Image credit: Nintendo)As mentioned, the Nintendo Switch 2’s touchscreen display comes in at 7.9 inches, and now has a 1080p resolution; double that of the original Switch.
Slightly disappointing is Nintendo's choice to go for a LCD rather than an OLED panel.
But the display now refreshes at a nippy 120Hz when running at full pelt. A variable refresh rate function should keep on-screen action smooth even if a frame rate is well below 120 frames per second.
Nintendo Switch 2: specs (Image credit: Nintendo)At the heart of the Nintendo Switch 2 is a custom chip made by Nvidia.
What specs that chip sports hasn’t been detailed, but it looks like this chipset isn’t an off-the-shelf one like the original Switch had.
Default storage comes in at 256GB, but can be expanded with the use of microSD Express cards up to 1TB. But do note: the microSD card that you may have used with the original Switch won’t be compatible with the Switch 2.
There’s a 5,220mAh battery that Nintendo reckons will provide between two and six-and-a-half hours of battery life. When the battery runs out of juice, it should take around three hours to recharge when the console is in Sleep mode.
Other specs include: accelerometer and gyroscopic sensors, HDMI output, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Nintendo Switch 2: games and features (Image credit: Nintendo)When the Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5 it’ll be joined by a host of games, the standout title looks likely to be Mario Kart World as the lead exclusive game.
One launch title with a sting in its tail will be Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which is basically an interactive demo that people will need to pay for, though Nintendo has yet to give us a price for it. I’d argue such a demo should be bundled for free.
Check out the full list below:
But there's a good bit more coming after the launch day, with a big exclusive in the form FromSoftware’s new title The Duskbloods due to come out in 2026, and Donkey Kong returning to the 3D realm with Donkey Kong Bananza being released on July 17.
Other exclusives include Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment coming at some point 2025, as will Kirby Air Riders, along with others.
There’ll also be a host of next-generation updates for existing Switch games, some of these will be free while others will be paid upgrades or offered to members of the Nintendo Switch Online – Expansion Pack service.
To round all that off, the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature DLSS and ray tracing, which should make its games perform better and look slicker, though which titles will use them hasn't been revealed.
Nintendo Switch 2: early thoughts @techradar ♬ original sound - TechRadarSo should you be getting ready to pursue a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order? Well that depends on how much of a Nintendo fan you are, how sold you are on the Switch 2’s features and launch titles, and if you’re happy to swallow an inflated price.
From my point of view, I don’t think waiting will hurt, and the later you buy into a games console generation, the more games you’ll have to play, the more options you’ll have for bundles and the greater chance of finding offers on the Switch 2.
However, I think there’s a lot to like here, and my colleague Gaming Hardware Editor Rhys Wood seems to be on the same page when he went hands-on with the Nintendo Switch 2.
The upgrades and nips and touches to the Switch 2 look like genuine improvements over the original Switch, which was and still is a console I love using. And I feel the potential to run better-looking games and the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, along with having a FromSoftware exclusive, will really boost the appeal of the Switch 2.
Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below and on TechRadar’s TikTok channel. Otherwise, keep an eye on TechRadar as we’ll bring you more news, analysis and opinions on the Nintendo Switch 2.
You might also like...New Disney+ movies are coming thick and fast now, aren't they?
After a lengthy barren spell, we've had four consecutive weeks where a new film had joined Disney+'s movie library. This week, one of 2024's final new movies in A Real Pain has landed on one of the world's best streaming services. Well, outside of the US, anyway – it landed on Hulu stateside in January.
Our best Disney+ movies is also packed with other great film suggestions. Bookmark that page for later, though, and read on to see if any of the recently released new Disney+ movies take your fancy first.
New Disney+ movies: April A Real PainRelease date: April 2 (available on Hulu in the US)
Runtimes: 91 minutes
Age rating: R (US) / 16+ (UK)
Directors: Jesse Eisenberg
Main cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Daniel Oreskes, Liza Sadovy, and Jennifer Grey
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score: 96% (critics); 81% (audiences)
Release date: March 26
Runtimes: 125 minutes
Age rating: PG (US) / 9+ (UK)
Directors: Barry Jenkins
Main cast: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman, Kagiso Lediga, Mads Mikkelsen, and Thandiwe Newton
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score: 56% (critics); 89% (audiences)
Release date: March 20 (available on Hulu in the US)
Runtimes: 108 minutes
Age rating: PG-13 (US) / 16+ (UK)
Directors: Geremy Jasper
Main cast: Sadie Sink, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Murray Bartlett, and Regina Hall
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score: 40% (critics); 64% (audiences)
Release date: March 12
Runtimes: 102 minutes
Age rating: PG (US) / 6+ (UK)
Directors: David G Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller
Main cast: Auli'i Carvalho, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Tudyk, Temeura Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, and Rose Matafeo
Rotten Tomatoes (RT) score: 61% (critics); 86% (audiences)
There aren't many other new Disney+ movies set to arrive this month, so another barren spell may be in-bound. For now, here are three films that are due to land on the platform over the next seven days:
Not up for a movie? Try our pick of the best Disney+ shows, see if there's a free Disney+ trial available, read our Disney+ review, or get the lowdown on the new Disney+ price points.
A new NYT Wordle 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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here.
It's time for your guide to today's Wordle answer, featuring my commentary on the latest puzzle, plus a selection of hints designed to help you keep your streak going.
Don't think you need any clues for Wordle today? No problem, just skip to my daily column. But remember: failure in this game is only ever six guesses away.
Want more word-based fun? TechRadar's Quordle today page contains hints and answers for that game, and you can also take a look at our NYT Strands today and NYT Connections today pages for our verdict on two of the New York Times' other brainteasers.
SPOILER WARNING: Today's Wordle answer and hints are below, so don't read on if you don't want to see them.
Wordle hints (game #1384) - clue #1 - Vowels How many vowels does today's Wordle have?• Wordle today has vowels in two places*.
* 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).
Wordle hints (game #1384) - clue #2 - first letter What letter does today's Wordle begin with?• The first letter in today's Wordle answer is S.
S is the most common starting letter in the game, featuring in 365 of Wordle's 2,309 answers. In fact, it's almost twice as likely to begin an answer as the next most common starting letter, C.
Wordle hints (game #1384) - clue #3 - repeated letters Does today's Wordle have any repeated letters?• There are no repeated letters in today's Wordle.
Repeated letters are quite common in the game, with 748 of the 2,309 Wordle answers containing one. However, it's still more likely that a Wordle doesn't have one.
Wordle hints (game #1384) - clue #4 - ending letter What letter does today's Wordle end with?• The last letter in today's Wordle is R.
R is a very common letter to end a Wordle answer – it's actually the 4th most common there, behind E, Y and T.
Wordle hints (game #1384) - clue #5 - last chanceStill looking for more Wordle hints today? Here's an extra one for game #1384.
If you just want to know today's Wordle answer now, simply scroll down – but I'd always recommend trying to solve it on your own first. We've got lots of Wordle tips and tricks to help you, including a guide to the best Wordle start words.
If you don't want to know today's answer then DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER BECAUSE IT IS PRINTED BELOW. So don't say you weren't warned!
Today's Wordle answer (game #1384) (Image credit: New York Times)Today's Wordle answer (game #1384) is… SHEAR.
I might start a petition for WordleBot to remember past Wordle answers.
Right now, it doesn't do that, and while I'm sure that makes sense in terms of it treating every guess on its own merits for a more objective analysis, it can make for some ridiculously unfair assessments.
For instance, today I faced a choice of four words on my third guess: SWEAR, SPEAR, SHEAR and SMEAR.
As everyone will surely remember, SPEAR was the answer to game #1,353 exactly one month ago, so I immediately ruled that out and played SHAME next. This would guarantee me the answer in four, because the H would indicate SHEAR, the M would point to SMEAR and if neither of those two letters changed color than it would have to be SWEAR.
But this was not good enough for WordleBot. It awarded me only for 70 for skill and complained that "Although SHAME left only one possible solution, some of this was luck: If the solution had been SWEAR, there still would have been two words to choose from."
Which is true, of course, UNLESS YOU REMEMBERED THAT SPEAR WAS AN ANSWER ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO, which everyone will have done. I deserved a 99 for skill there and I want the NYT to fix this, please, or I will continue to whinge.
As it happened, SMEAR had also been a past answer (game #414), but I didn't remember that. If I had done, I'd potentially have scored a three here instead, because I would have had a straight 50/50 between SWEAR and SHEAR and who knows which I would have chosen…
Anyway, that's irrelevant – and I'm happy enough with my four. SHEAR has an average of 3.8, but given that my opening UNCUT left more than 1,000 possible solutions, the fact that I narrowed it down in three more guesses is not terrible.
Now, if only I can convince the 'Bot of that too…
How did you do today? Send me an email or let me know in the comments.
Yesterday's Wordle hints (game #1383)In a different time zone where it's still Wednesday? Don't worry – I can give you some clues for Wordle #1383, too.
* 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).
C is a very common starting letter in Wordle – in fact, it's the second most common of all, behind only S.
Repeated letters are quite common in the game, with 748 of the 2,309 Wordle answers containing one. However, it's still more likely that a Wordle doesn't have one.
E is the most common letter to end a Wordle answer by far. That's one of the reasons why many of the best start words, including SLATE, CRANE, CRATE and STARE, all end with one.
Still looking for more Wordle hints? Here's an extra one for game #1383.
Yesterday's Wordle answer (game #1383) was… CURSE.
I don't think I'm an evil person, but I will happily admit that I want WordleBot to do badly. I get a little jolt of pleasure when I beat it. I yearn for the day when it fails entirely.
This is, obviously, entirely irrational; it's mere computer code and doesn't know me or care whether I beat it. But nobody ever said we messy sacks of flesh and blood had to be rational, so there you have it: I want WordleBot to do badly.
Unfortunately, yesterday, it scored a two – and in the process completely destroyed my good spirits after I'd finished in three.
I was so pleased with myself, too; after successive fours for BOOTY and JEWEL, here was a classic Wordle 3/6. But the 'Bot had to spoil my party.
That said, it had a massive advantage because its start word, CRANE, left a mere three answers. With STARE leaving 12 and RAISE leaving nine, among others, it's unsurprising that the average is a low 3.6. This is not a hard Wordle.
I was fortunate with my start word too – just not as lucky as the 'Bot was. My random word generator served up PLUSH, which gave me a yellow U and green S, and duly cut my possible answers list to 16. Not bad at all.
I came up with about half of those, mostly based around a T or E at the end: BURST, GUEST, QUEST, GUISE, CURSE and NURSE. I also found GUESS and FUSSY.
Based on those words I decided to play GUEST – it might have left me a 50/50 between CURSE and NURSE, but would otherwise point the way to all of my answers (and it would even give me a two if correct).
Inevitably, the 50/50 scenario played out. But here I had some more luck, guessing CURSE and scoring that three. I was delighted, too – well, until I saw WordleBot's score.
Wordle answers: The past 50I've been playing Wordle every day for more than three years now and have tracked all of the previous answers so I can help you improve your game. Here are the last 50 solutions starting with yesterday's answer, or check out my past Wordle answers page for the full list.
If you're on this page then you almost certainly know what Wordle is already, and indeed have probably been playing it for a while. And even if you've not been playing it, you must surely have heard of it by now, because it's the viral word game phenomenon that took the world by storm last year and is still going strong in 2024.
We've got a full guide to the game in our What is Wordle page, but if you just want a refresher then here are the basics.
What is Wordle?Wordle challenges you to guess a new five-letter word each day. You get six guesses, with each one revealing a little more information. If one of the letters in your guess is in the answer and in the right place, it turns green. If it's in the answer but in the wrong place, it turns yellow. And if it's not in the answer at all it turns gray. Simple, eh?
It's played online via the Wordle website or the New York Times' Crossword app (iOS / Android), and is entirely free.
Crucially, the answer is the same for everyone each day, meaning that you're competing against the rest of the world, rather than just against yourself or the game. The puzzle then resets each day at midnight in your local time, giving you a new challenge, and the chance to extend your streak.
What are the Wordle rules?The rules of Wordle are pretty straightforward, but with a couple of curveballs thrown in for good measure.
1. Letters that are in the answer and in the right place turn green.
2. Letters that are in the answer but in the wrong place turn yellow.
3. Letters that are not in the answer turn gray.
4. Answers are never plural.
5. Letters can appear more than once. So if your guess includes two of one letter, they may both turn yellow, both turn green, or one could be yellow and the other green.
6. Each guess must be a valid word in Wordle's dictionary. You can't guess ABCDE, for instance.
7. You do not have to include correct letters in subsequent guesses unless you play on Hard mode.
8. You have six guesses to solve the Wordle.
9. You must complete the daily Wordle before midnight in your timezone.
10. All answers are drawn from Wordle's list of 2,309 solutions. However…
11. Wordle will accept a wider pool of words as guesses – some 10,000 of them. For instance, you can guess a plural such as WORDS. It definitely won't be right (see point 4 above), but Wordle will accept it as a guess.