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Cristiano Ronaldo and company take on an out-of-form and injury-ravaged Scottish side in Lisbon.

AI hype is in full swing, with companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta and Apple putting it in everything. There's a lot of new words being thrown around. This glossary is your one-stop shop.

Fatouma Zahara Hasan, a widow with a large family from the town of Chifera, has her photograph taken on a tablet as part of a vast registration drive to ensure that food aid funded by the United States in parts of Ethiopia is only provided to recipients that qualify.  '/>

After months of disruption in a massive national feeding effort by global groups, there's a scramble to digitally register more than 6 million Ethiopians to make sure food aid goes to those in need.

(Image credit: Ed Kiernan)

It's Glowtime! Well almost... The next Apple event takes place tomorrow (Monday, September 9) and we're expecting to see a huge number of new devices including phones, smartwatches and headphones, plus some major AI updates.

We'll be live on the ground in Cupertino to bring you all the big reveals from the launch, which takes place at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST (3am on September 10 for those in the AEST time zone). 

In the meantime, I'm here to bring you all last-minute leaks, rumors and insight ahead of the event, where we expect the reveal of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. We also expect the Apple Watch 10 to make an appearance, maybe joined by an Apple Watch Ultra 3. And for the audio lovers, there's room for the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2. Plus expect to hear a lot about Apple Intelligence and its role in these products. 

Of course, as well as following our live blog below you can catch the whole thing yourself via Apple's stream, and we've got full details on how to do that in our guide to how to watch the iPhone 16 launch event live. 

This showcase could be the biggest Apple event of the year, so without further ado, let's get into it. 

Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, wherever you are. We're a little over 24 hours away from the September 9 Apple event, which will almost certainly be one of the biggest tech product launches of the year. 

I'm here to give you a rundown of what to expect, the juiciest rumors so far, what I want to see, and more. So let's do this! 

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Right then, let's start at the latest leaks or rumors. And they come in the form a storage bump and improved video recording tipped for the iPhone 16 Pro models. 

This comes courtesy of analysts at TrendForce who have claimed that both the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are going to start at 256GB of storage this year. That would be a bump for the smaller phone, and a change I'd certainly welcome; after all the iPhone 15 Pro starts at 128GB of storage, which seems a tad miserly for a phone of its price. 

On the video recording side, 9to5Mac 's sources claim the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will be capable of capturing footage at a 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. That's a boost from the 60 frames per second on the current models. So for content creators, such a capability could be a worthy upgrade. 

(Image credit: Apple)

I feel the camera quality of the models you'll find on our best phones list are so high (at least for smartphones) that there's not much to differentiate the top models besides a preference for certain photography styles.

However, video capture could be the next frontier for phones to really battle it out in. And Apple has long led the way, so it's promising to see that the Cupertino crew could embrace 4K at 60fps video capture to put the next-gen Pro iPhones in line with the on-paper capabilities of the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra but add some Apple video processing magic on top of it. 

For more on the cameras we're expecting to see from the higher-end iPhones, check out our rundown on the iPhone 16 Pro camera rumors and predictions. 

Another rumor that caught my eye and has somewhat turned my stomach is one claiming the iPhone 16 Pro will come in a so-called 'Desert Titanium' color. 

This shade seems to sit in between gold and bronze. But whereas real bronze can develop a patina from age, which makes it mellow rather nicely in my humble opinion, it won't do that on a titanium chassis. From my experience using the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the titanium on the phone doesn't seem to scratch let alone stain and age in the same way as the steel on the rather lovely iPhone 13 Pro. 

So I'm not convinced that 'Desert Titanium' is the color iPhone fans have been waiting for. But I am prepared to be proved wrong, if indeed this rumor does come to fruition.  

There are four colors in total in the iPhone 16 Pro Lineup: white, black, gold and gray.The desert titanium color is kind of dark gold, similar to the old purple color, relatively discreet and deep pic.twitter.com/uDiNiBI4IzAugust 18, 2024

(Image credit: Future / Apple)

Speaking of colors, we've got a roundup of rumored iPhone 16 colors and the tipped iPhone 16 Pro colors. 

As someone who perhaps lack a bit of imagination when it comes to colors, the Space Black shade that's been hinted at for the iPhone 16 Pro could be the color for me; it's likely to take after the Space Black iPhone 14 Pro. 

Equally, I'd love to see the return of the dark green color Apple cooked up with the iPhone 13. As I write this I'm wearing a watch with a similar colored leather strap and just adore how the color looks close to British Racing Green; but I'm a Brit so of course i'm going to take a fancy to that. 

(Image credit: Future)

Right enough about colors and my peculiar preferences. Let's talk specs. 

As you'll see in our rundown of the tipped iPhone 16 specs, not a lot of change is expected externally. But under the hood, so to speak, we can expect a new chip, likely one that'll have enough power to drive Apple Intelligence features. So that means Apple could equip the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus with the current A17 Pro chip or perhaps a rumored A18/A18 Pro chip. 

My hope is Apple will aim to use the same chip for all four tipped iPhone 16 models so there's a degree of parity between them all, meaning they'll be ready to run with new AI features. And that should then aid the adoption and use of such smart tools, given the large reach of iPhones. 

Take a look at the rumored specs table below. 

(Image credit: Sonny Dickson)

On the iPhone 16 Pro specs side, it's predicted that the standard and Max Pro models will have a new chip, likely the aforementioned A18 Pro. But to help power AI tools, 8GB of RAM has also been tipped for the iPhone 16 Pro models. 

While I think there's some cool potential to AI features, I'm more enthused about the extra power an new A-series Pro chipset could bring to the table. The A17 Pro could handle genuine console-quality games, albeit with limited frame rates and lower-end settings. So I'm hoping a new chip for the Pro iPhones will improve upon that and give a genuine performance boost to the likes of Death Stranding, which got ported over to iOS. 

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

On the battery side of things, three out of the four tipped iPhone 16 models are expected to have a bigger battery, with the Plus missing out. 

That information is based on leaked battery capacities from Weibo user OvO Baby Sauce OvO, who claimed that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will apparently have a 4,676mAh battery, which would make it 5.7% larger than the 4,422mAh cell inside the iPhone 15 Pro Max. And the iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly have a 3,355mAh battery, which is up just 2% from the 3,290mAh iPhone 15 Pro. 

The standard iPhone 16 is tipped to have a 3,561mAh battery, which is up 5.8% from the iPhone 15’s 3,367mAh cell. But he poor Plus could get a smaller battery coming in at 4,006mAh, while the iPhone 15 Plus sports a 4,383mAh power pack. 

Of course, take this with a dose of skepticism and do bear in mind that size isn't everything on the battery side; efficiency and optimization is almost as important at getting a phone that has the electrical juice to get you through more than a day's worth of use. 

Unfortunately, there's no word on charging upgrades. So even with last year's move to a USB-C port, bringing an end to Lighting port iPhones with the exception of older models, Apple doesn't appear poised to up the electrical throughput the newer ports can support. 

That could be a pity as faster charging is one of the 4 things we reckon the iPhone 16 Pro needs to beat the iPhone 15 Pro and one of the 7 upgrades we want from the iPhone 16. 

Image 1 of 3

An unofficial render of possible iPhone 16 designs (Image credit: MacRumors)Image 2 of 3

An unofficial render of possible iPhone 16 designs (Image credit: MacRumors)Image 3 of 3

An unofficial render of possible iPhone 16 designs (Image credit: MacRumors)

So I may have inadvertently glossed over this earlier, but in terms of the rumored iPhone 16 design changes, it's been tipped that the standard and Plus models could have a vertical rear camera arrangement and sport an Action button.

I can't say the latter gets my heart racing, as I've always liked the diagonal orientation of the rear cameras on the previous models; a vertical layout is a tad dull and the same as many other phones. But the potential addition of an Action button does have my attention.

While the volume up button could work as a camera shutter trigger, the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro models just feels better for this. But I also have it configured to switch on the camera flash to act as a quick torch; it's a minor thing but in real-world use is often hugely handy and avoids me needing to tap away at a display. So bringing such a feature to the more affordable iPhones would get a thumbs up from me.

Image 1 of 2

An unofficial render of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max (Image credit: MacRumors)Image 2 of 2

A leaked photo of iPhone 16 Pro Max dummy units (Image credit: Sonny Dickson)

Over to the potential iPhone 16 Pro design and we could be looking at the phones getting larger displays. We’ve repeatedly heard that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will have a 6.9-inch screen, making its display 0.2 inches bigger than the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s, and that the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.3-inch screen, a jump up from the 6.1-inch display of its predecessor. 

This change will apparently be achieved by having slimmer but taller phones with trimmed-down bezels, which is a-ok in my book. And I feel to be really 'Max' the iPhone Pro Max does need a display boost. 

Both iPhone 16 Pro models are also tipped to have a so-called 'Capture button' which is meant to act as a camera shutter button but also a means to physically trigger focusing with the likes of a half-press. This has me intrigued and could be a way to make the Pro phones feel more tactile and content-creation focused (pun partially intended). 

The iPhone 15 (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Time to talk iPhone 16 cameras. But don't hold your breath as we’re not expecting any big upgrades. According one leaker, the iPhone 16 will have the same 12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide camera as its predecessor, and will once again have two rear cameras. 

The big upgrades are likely to come on the software side, ideally with improved image processing helping deliver more dynamic photos; sometimes iPhones can lean too hard on natural colors and produce occasionally flat images. 

I'm not too fussed on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus not sporting any major camera hardware upgrades, as I think two cameras that perform well in point-and-shoot scenarios are plenty for most people. Sure the best camera phones offer more, but you'll pay for the privilege and not always find yourself leaning on the likes of a 5x telephoto zoom. 

The iPhone 15 Pro Max (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Zoom zoom! One of the tipped iPhone 16 Pro camera upgrades is it could get the 5x optical zoom periscope camera of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

As a big fan and current user of the 15 Pro Max, I do appreciate the flexibility of a 5x telephoto camera - it’s not overly long like the 10x zoom found on the Galaxy S23 Ultra but it’s also more flexible than a 3x zoom; I think Samsung realized that and dropped the 10x for a 5x zoom in the Galaxy S24 Ultra. 

However, I do still prefer the more compact size of a non-Max iPhone, so I’m enthused by the rumours that the iPhone 16 Pro could get the 5x camera; more zoom in a phone that can be mostly used one-handed, what’s not to like? 

The iPhone 15 Pro (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

In terms of other camera upgrades for the Pro phones, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could also get a new main sensor, one that the smaller Pro won't have. While the camera's resolution will apparently stick to 48-megapixels it could have larger 1/1.14-inch sensor. 

There are also reports that the ultra-wide camera for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will jump up to 48MP from 12MP. And that one or more of the iPhone 16 Pro's lenses will have a new type of coating. 

Finally, there are some hints that the the iPhone 16 Pro Max might get a ‘super telephoto’ camera. This would extend the zoom range from the current 5x to 10x or beyond. However, that rumor is a tad tenuous. Check out the rumored camera specs table for the iPhone 16 Pro below.  

Here's everything you should know about the privacy-minded search engine and all the other privacy tools and services it offers.

Don't break that streak -- use our tips and tricks to win each day.

These 2-in-1 computers upgrade the norm with touchscreen displays, 360-degree hinges, and detachable keyboards.

The union's members still need to vote on Boeing's proposal and decide whether to authorize a strike if the offer is rejected. If that's the case, a walkout could begin as soon as Friday.

(Image credit: Jason Redmon)

Hacktivism, a fusion of hacking and activism, has become a significant force in the digital landscape.

Driven by social, political, or religious motivations, hacktivists employ various cyber tactics to advance their causes, often targeting organizations or governments they perceive as oppressive or unjust.

They use their technical skills to promote change and their motivations are diverse, ranging from advocating for free speech and anti-censorship to protesting human rights violations or religious discrimination.

DDoS Attacks, Web Defacements, and Data Leaks

A new report by CYFIRMA has detailed that hacktivists see themselves as digital activists and often operate under banners of justice, targeting entities they believe need to be held accountable for their actions. While some groups focus on specific regional or national issues, others engage in broader campaigns that span multiple countries and continents.

One of the most prevalent tactics employed by hacktivists is Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks overwhelm websites with excessive traffic, causing disruptions and rendering them inaccessible. Hacktivists use various DDoS tools, including web-based IP stressors and botnet services, to target different layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model.

Web defacement is quite a common tactic, where hacktivists alter website content to display political or ideological messages. This approach embarrasses website owners and spreads the hacktivist message to a broader audience. Exploiting vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting or SQL injection, hacktivists can deface websites with relative ease. Platforms like Zone-X track and display defaced websites globally, increasing the visibility and impact of these actions.

Data leaks and doxing are also popular methods used by hacktivists to expose sensitive information. By exploiting vulnerabilities in databases or network security, hacktivists gain access to confidential data, which they then release to the public. Doxing involves publicly revealing personal information about individuals, often to intimidate or harass them. These tactics can have severe ethical and legal implications, highlighting the aggressive nature of some hacktivist activities.

Hacktivist groups increasingly collaborate to enhance their impact. These alliances can include partnerships with DDoS service providers, other hacktivist groups, or even state-owned threat actors. For instance, pro-Palestinian hacktivists have formed alliances with pro-Russian groups, while Indian hacktivists collaborate with Nepalese counterparts. Such alliances allow for coordinated large-scale attacks, amplifying the effectiveness of their operations and causing significant disruptions.

One notable example is the 'Holy League,' a coalition of over 70 pro-Russian, pro-Palestinian, and other aligned groups. These alliances facilitate knowledge sharing, joint planning, and resource pooling, making it challenging for targeted nations to defend against these well-coordinated cyber threats.

While hacktivism traditionally focused on ideological goals, some groups have shifted towards using ransomware for both financial gain and political purposes. The availability of leaked ransomware source codes, such as those from LockBit and Conti, has enabled hacktivists to develop their ransomware variants. Some groups, like Belarusian Cyber Partisans, have used ransomware to make political demands rather than seeking monetary ransom, highlighting the evolving nature of hacktivist tactics.

In addition to ransomware, hacktivists have found other ways to monetize their activities. They sell data obtained from breaches, offer training courses on offensive hacking techniques, and even charge for access to exclusive content on private channels. These monetization strategies provide financial support for their operations, enabling hacktivist groups to sustain and expand their activities.

Recruitment is vital for hacktivist groups, as they continually seek new members who share their ideologies. Many recruits are young, often between the ages of 16 and 24, and are drawn to hacktivism by a sense of nationalism or a desire to fight perceived injustices. Hacktivist groups use social media platforms and private channels to spread their messages, organize attacks, and recruit members. These platforms also allow them to showcase their successes, attracting new followers and enhancing their influence.

As hacktivist groups continue to evolve, their impact on digital infrastructure and global affairs cannot be ignored. Governments and organizations must remain vigilant, investing in cybersecurity measures, intelligence sharing, and international cooperation to counter the growing threat posed by these digital activists.

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Want to watch the Carolina Panthers play the New Orleans Saints? Here's everything you need to stream Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game on Fox.

Want to watch the Minnesota Vikings play the New York Giants? Here's everything you need to stream Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game on Fox.

We’re now just days away from the September 9 launch of the iPhone 16 series, and these are sure to be very expensive phones. But if you’re a member of the iPhone Upgrade Program, then you could get one for ‘free’.

Obviously, almost nothing in life is free, and certainly not smartphones, but at the very least you might not need to spend more than you already are.

Below, we’ll explain exactly what the iPhone Upgrade Program is, how it works, and whether you can use it to get an iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max without spending a single extra cent.

What is the iPhone Upgrade Program?

The iPhone Upgrade Program is a contract, much like if you bought an iPhone from a carrier, but this is offered directly by Apple.

You simply choose your iPhone and pay it off over either 20 months (in the UK) or 24 months (in the US) with 0% interest – though if you’re a UK customer there’s additionally a £69 upfront cost.

But once you’ve made 11 payments (in the UK) or 12 payments (in the US) you have the option to upgrade to a new iPhone. If you choose to do that, you just trade in your current iPhone with Apple, and start the program again with your new one.

If you choose not to upgrade, you can simply continue paying off your current iPhone and then keep it at the end.

(Image credit: Apple) Which countries have the iPhone Upgrade Program?

The iPhone upgrade program is available in both the US and the UK, as well as China.

However, the specifics of it – such as the costs and the program duration – vary slightly from place to place. So, where things differ, we’ve noted the different terms in the US and the UK.

What iPhones can you upgrade to as part of the program?

Currently, you can only get iPhone 15 models through the iPhone Upgrade Program. That includes the iPhone 15 itself, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. So, if you want an older or lower-end model, then this program isn’t for you.

Once the iPhone 16 line launches, we’d expect the iPhone 15 line to be replaced here by the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. So, yes, you should be able to get Apple’s so-new-they-haven’t-even-been-announced-yet iPhones on the Upgrade Program.

Of course, the monthly cost you’ll pay will depend on the model and its storage capacity. We don’t know the iPhone 16 line pricing yet, but as an example, the iPhone 15 costs from $39.50 / £42.95 per month on this program, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $58.25 / £65.45 per month.

The iPhone 15 Plus (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd) Can you pre-order an iPhone 16 through the iPhone Upgrade Program?

iPhone 16 pre-orders haven’t opened yet, but when they do – which, based on past form, we predict will happen on Friday, September 13 – it’s very likely that you will be able to pre-order one of Apple's new phones through the iPhone Upgrade Program, as you could do so for previous models.

What else do you get with the iPhone Upgrade Program?

As well as the option of a new iPhone, you also get AppleCare+ as part of the iPhone Upgrade Program.

This provides accidental damage protection – meaning you can get your iPhone repaired for free (other than an excess) an unlimited number of times if it’s damaged accidentally.

AppleCare+ also gives you a battery service, access to an 'Express Replacement Service', and 24/7 priority access to Apple experts.

You can also optionally add theft and loss protection, though this costs extra.

(Image credit: Apple) How do you enroll in the iPhone Upgrade Program?

In the US, you can sign up for the iPhone Upgrade Program online, in an Apple Store, or via the Apple Store app. In the UK, you can only sign up at a physical Apple Store, though there is the option to reserve an iPhone online for pickup at a store, and then enroll when you collect it.

Other things to note about the iPhone Upgrade Program

When you get a new iPhone through the iPhone Upgrade Program, you can connect it to your existing carrier with no changes to the plan you have with them – your contract is just with Apple, not with a network carrier.

Apple will carry out a credit check when you apply for the iPhone Upgrade Program, so, depending on your credit rating, there’s a chance you’ll be refused.

Also, while you have to pay a certain amount before you’re eligible to upgrade, you can upgrade early by paying the remaining required balance at the time of the upgrade.

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The first tri-foldable phone is almost here, and we've got another look at it: the Huawei Mate XT officially launches this coming Tuesday, but images and storage options have already been posted online by Huawei.

You can head to the Huawei store now to see the Mate XT in a red finish with gold accents. The site now lets you reserve the phone in China, and the storage options are listed as either 512GB or 1TB, which both come with 16GB of memory.

Huawei previously posted the same image on social media, and noted tipster Evan Blass has also shared the picture of the phone with a different dark gray color. It looks as though these are the two colors that buyers can choose between.

Unfortunately, it looks as though the Mate XT won't be available outside of China – not least because Huawei devices are still banned in the US. The rest of us are going to have to wait to get our hands on a tri-folding phone.

Another fold

Huawei has history with foldables (Image credit: Future)

The addition of an extra fold to the standard foldable form factor adds an extra engineering challenge for Huawei, but it also means part of the main display can double up and be used as the outer display when the device is folded.

With the Mate X and the Mate X2, Huawei has previously produced two different types of standard book-style foldables: one folding inward and one folding outward. That technical know-how has no doubt been useful in creating the Mate XT.

We've also previously seen a teaser video for the Huawei Mate XT, which offers a brief look at the phone in use. We're still waiting for some key details about the phone, including the main screen size and the chipset that's being used inside.

All should be revealed on Tuesday, September 10: everything gets started at 2.30pm China time, which means it'll be 11.30pm PT on September 9, and 2.30am ET / 7.30am BST / 4.30pm AEST on September 10.

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Fans of word-find puzzles, you'll love this New York Times online game.

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer two-minute review

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer is a petite styler that performs surprisingly well considering its small size. In my hunt for the best hair dryer, I've yet to come across a compact styler that truly delivers full power and perfect performance, but the Dreame Pocket comes tantalizingly close. 

Despite weighing just 10.5oz / 300g and measuring a tiny 1.97 x 5.71 x 7.91in /  5 x 14.5 x 20.1cm, it has all the power and versatility of a full-sized styler. Its high-speed motor operates at 110,000 RPM and generates a powerful airflow of 70 m/s, all while keeping noise levels below 80dB. It provides five modes to suit different hair types and needs, ranging from Cold, Warm and Hot to the Instant Cold Air cool shot, and Hot & Cold Cycling mode designed to reduce potential heat damage. It comes with two attachments: the Unfrizz nozzle for sleek, straight hair, and the Curling nozzle for creating curls or waves.

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my long, thin hair using the dryer's Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed but the improvement in hair quality was worth this small time sacrifice. 

(Image credit: Future)

And all this is before we even get to the fact the Dreame Pocker dryer is foldable. This not only only means it can be easily stored inside its Dreame-branded storage bag ready for travelling, but it also allows you to adjust how the dryer is used. For example, when the dryer is in the "7" shape, it can be used on its own, or with the Unfrizz nozzle attached. You can then extend the barrel up into a "1" shape before attaching the Curling nozzle and turning the dryer into a curling wand. This hinged design additionally allows you to change the angle of the barrel mid-style, to help you dry hard-to-reach areas and bring a high-level of precision and control. 

The dryer isn't perfect, though. The performance of the Curling nozzle lets it down, and the attachments themselves are so clunky that they detract from the effort that has been made to pack a whole load of power into such a compact shape. That doesn't mean the Dreame Pocket isn't a good investment. Whether you need a quick touch-up on the go, or a full styling session at home, this hair dryer delivers professional results in a compact package. Just don't expect miracles.

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: price & availability

• List price: $159.99
• Available: US/EU

The $159.99 / €159 Dreame Pocket hair dryer is the latest launch in Dreame's growing hair care range, joining the $99 / €79 Dreame Gleam, and $129 / €129 Dreame Glory.

It's sold in the US as well as in a select number of countries in continental Europe from the Dreame website, and Amazon. The folding dryer is available in a Titanium Gold color and ships with two attachments – the Unfrizz Nozzle, and Curling Nozzle – as standard.

Its price and power puts the Pocket dryer in the mid-range bracket, sandwiched between the likes of the $129 T3 Featherweight and the $149.99 BaByliss Pro Portofino. Its folding design and compact, lightweight shape also position it in the travel dryer category, where its rivals include the $139 Drybar Baby Buttercup and the $199 GHD Flight+, while the attachments even draw comparisons with the Shark FlexStyle and even the Dyson Airwrap. 

As a result, the Dreame Pocket stands largely in a category of its own and this enhances its value for money and versatility. It's not cheap but these features go a long way towards justifying its price tag.

• Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer specs Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: design

• 3-in-1 folding design
• 5 modes and 2 airflow speeds
• Curling and Unfrizz attachments
• Comes with storage bag

The first thing I noticed about the Dreame Pocket hair dryer, other than just how light and compact it is at 10oz / 300g, was its folding design. Other foldable dryers tend to mask or disguise the folding mechanism. Dreame instead makes a feature of it by not only designing the hinge in chrome, while the rest of the dryer is a brushed gold color, but also in showing almost the full hinge itself. 

(Image credit: Future)

The mechanism is incredibly smooth and the barrel locks securely into place, whether you're using it as a standard dryer, in the so-called "7" shape; extending the barrel upwards into a "1" shape with the Curling nozzle attached; or when you're folding it in half, into an "N" shape, ready to pack into a bag. The Pocket dryer measures 1.97 × 5.71 × 7.91in / 5 × 14 × 20.1cm. 

(Image credit: Future)

On the rear of the cylindrical barrel is a curved filter, and there are just two controls on the dryer's handle – the Airflow switch, and a Mode selection button. This buttons are used to control Pocket's two airflow speeds, Low and High, and its five temperature modes:

• Cold 
• Warm
• Hot
• Instant Cold Air Mode 
• Hot & Cold Cycling Mode

The Cold, Warm and Hot modes are relatively self-explanatory. The Instant Cold Air mode is effectively a Cool Shot that allows you to blast your hair with cold air instantly, without having to re-cycle through the modes to reach the dedicated Cold setting. As the name suggests, the Hot and Cold Cycling Mode then cycles between hot and cold air as you style your hair, in a bid to reduce potential heat damage. I first used this feature on the BaByliss Air Wand and while it increases the styling time slightly, it makes a noticeable difference to the finish and feel of your hair. 

(Image credit: Future)

It's easy to see at a glance which mode you're using on the Dreame Pocket, thanks to color-coded LEDs on the Mode selection button. A solid blue light represents Cold mode. Press the button again and you'll see a solid orange light which represents Warm mode. A solid red light represents Hot mode, and the lights will repeatedly flash between red and blue on the Cycling Mode. To enable the Instant Cold Air mode, just press and hold the button until the light turns blue. Note that once you stop pressing and holding the button, the dryer will return to whichever mode was previously selected. 

The hair dryer comes with two attachments, designed to create and set a range of straight, wavy and curly styles, and which both lock in to place on the Pocket's barrel using magnets. The Curling Nozzle looks almost identical to the curling wand attachment on the Shark FlexStyle, and it uses the same coanda effect found on both the FlexStyle and Dyson Airwrap to pull the hair and wrap it around the barrel. This dries the hair and sets it into a curl or wave, depending on how tight you wrap the hair, and how long you hold it in place. 

(Image credit: Future)

Dreame's Unfrizz Nozzle reminds me of the Flyaway attachment found on the Dyson Supersonic. It uses the Coanda effect to draw the hair towards the attachment, before using the so-called Bernoulli effect to reduce frizz and flyaways. The Bernoulli effect means that the faster the air, the lower the pressure. When used on the Pocket dryer, this effect helps calm flyaway hairs, causing them to lie flat. 

Both attachments are large compared to the compact dryer, and look almost out of place when attached. The Curling nozzle alone is the same height as the entire dryer and this detracts slightly from the travel-friendly nature of the whole setup. To put this into perspective, the dryer ships with a small Dreame-branded, waterproof storage bag which is only just big enough to store the dryer and its 5ft / 1.5m cord. You need to do some clever packing in order to get the zip to do up with the attachments inside, and even then, it's tight.

To truly appeal to all hair types, I would have liked to see the Dreame Pocket ship with a diffuser, but this is a minor point. Also, the Pocket is not dual voltage, unlike the GHD Flight+, which may limit its usability in regions with different electrical standards.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: performance

• 1000-watt motor
• High-speed motor operates at 110,000RPM 
• 79dB average noise

There is very often a trade-off in power and performance when you buy a travel hair dryer, or even a compact dryer for that fact. This is not the case with the Dreame Pocket. I was amazed – and I don't use that word lightly – with how well this dryer performed on my longer, fine hair. 

The airflow speed, even on Low, does a fantastic job of drying the hair quickly without blasting it into submission. Despite the small barrel and grille, the hair dryer manages to cover a large amount of hair as it dries, and being able to grip the handle completely provides a high level of precision and control, as does the fact you can subtly alter the angle of the barrel to direct the airflow. I had worried that the location of the buttons would cause me to knock them mid-style by accident, but this wasn't the case. They're perfectly positioned to be able to apply enough pressure to change the mode, without ever getting in the way. 

(Image credit: Future)

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my hair using the Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed. 

I experimented with all of the various combinations of airflow speeds versus modes and the best results I achieved were using the Pocket Dryer on Cycling mode at High speed. The smooth and sleek finish it creates is worth the slightly longer drying times, plus after four weeks of use, my hair felt and looked healthier. Adding the Unfrizz nozzle to the mix then further enhanced just how smooth and healthy my hair looked. This nozzle takes a little getting used to as you run it along the shaft of the hair but it makes a noticeable difference. It also helps bring second-day and even bed-hair under control. 

(Image credit: Future)

I had less success with the Curling nozzle, however. I've never rated the Airwrap all that highly because I find its curling wands to be poor, and I had the same issue with the Pocket dryer. To get the best results, your hair can't be too dry or too wet and getting this balance right is an art in itself. The Pocket's Curling nozzle does a better job, in my opinion, of pulling the hair into place than the Dyson, but it's still too unwieldy and temperamental for my liking. I get much quicker, better, long-lasting results with my curling tong. I also found the weight distribution to be a little unbalanced when using the Pocket in the "1" shape and this added to my frustrations. This is a major flaw in an otherwise fantastic dryer. 

(Image credit: Future)

On the plus side, the magnets do a great job of keeping the attachments locked in place when you need them to, while allowing you to swap the nozzles in and out easily and safely while styling. And the final positive feature of note on the Pocket dryer is how quiet it is. There is little difference, noise-wise, between the Low and High speed settings with both averaging just 79dB during my review period. It is easy to have a conversation, or hear your music or TV while using this dryer.  

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer? Buy it if… Don’t buy it if…. How I tested the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer

I used the Dreame Pocket as my go-to styler over the course of four weeks at home and during a weekend trip away. I used it most mornings as a replacement for my usual hair dryer – the Revlon One Step – to dry and style my long, thin hair. For travel testing, I packed the dryer in its storage bag and included it in my carry-on luggage for a weekend trip. 

To thoroughly test the dryer, I experimented with the full range of speed and temperature combinations, and nozzles. I paid close attention to the dryer’s features, how fast and effectively each of the modes and attachments worked, and how easy it was to use. I measured the decibel levels of the dryer on Low and High speeds throughout the testing period to achieve an average noise score. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

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