How to set up and update parental controls on Disney Plus
Here's how to set up parental controls on Disney Plus to protect children from unsuitable content.
Disney Plus is home to thousands of hours of content, and is the perfect place for children to watch their favourite series and films - from classics such as The Lion King and Aladdin to more recent child-friendly favourites like Luca and Elemental. Disney Plus is a great destination for children's entertainment, but it's important to remember that not all content on the streaming service is suitable for kids. Some of the best Disney shows and the best Disney movies are not age appropriate, and films and series go up to the 18-plus range. It's fair to say that many parents and guardians would feel faint at the thought of their child watching some of the gory scenes in The Menu and hearing the language in The Bear, so we're here to help you avoid this. Disney Plus has plenty of ways you can protect children and keep them from watching unsuitable content, so this guide is made to help you put these in place. All of these protection methods are easy to set up and can be updated as your child grows and also be changed for kids of varying ages. Here's how to set up parental controls on Disney Plus. Sign-up to Disney Plus from £4.99 per month You can find more kid friendly technology in our guide to the best fitbit deals and what is Amazon Kids+? Or if you want to check out some of the latest Disney Plus shows, read our Percy Jackson and the Olympians cast piece or our review of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. What parental controls does Disney Plus have in the UK? Disney Plus has four main ways to help make sure children's viewing is appropriate for their age. The parental control features Disney Plus provides are: Kids profiles: Disney Plus has preset profiles for children, ensuring only family-friendly content is available on these profile types Profile PINs: You can choose a PIN to lock user profiles and stop your child from accidentally opening yours or another family member's. You can also set a PIN that will prevent your child from leaving their profile at all. Profile creation limitations: This feature allows you to limit who can create new profiles on the Disney Plus app Content age rating restrictions: You can restrict content by selecting preset age ratings on Disney Plus, including 0+, 6+, 9+, 12+, 14+, 16+ and 18+ Sign-up to Disney Plus from £4.99 per month Check out how to change the language on Disney Plus. How to set up parental controls on Disney Plus Each parental control is set up easily and can be changed or deleted just as effortlessly. Here's how to set up each parental control: Kids Profiles The Kids Profile setting helps to protect children by only including film and television shows that are suitable for viewers of all ages. One of the biggest benefits is that you don't have to manually adjust which content can be seen in a Kids Profile, as it has been designed to feature only content that is suitable for the youngest of viewers. To set up a Kids Profile: Open your Disney Plus account on any device. Select the Add Profile option on the profile screen. Select a character icon for your profile. Enter a profile name. Toggle the Kids' profile setting to On. Select Save. Profile PINs The profile PIN makes sure your child can’t use other Disney Plus accounts and watch content that isn’t age-appropriate. The PIN is made up of 4 numbers you must enter to view content on a certain profile. Here's how to set one up: Go to your profile screen and select the option to Edit Profiles. This option will usually be directly above or below the circular profile pictures or in the top right-hand corner. Select which profile you want to edit/add a PIN to. Select Profile PIN under the Parental Controls section. Enter your password and select Continue. Enter, change, or remove a PIN and select Save. Profile creation limitation You can control what your children watch on Disney Plus by restricting the different profiles that can be created on your account. This prevents children from accidentally creating profiles for which you haven’t set up parental controls. Once the restrictions are enabled, a password will always be required when creating a new profile. Here's how to turn on the profile restriction: Navigate to your Disney Plus account settings. Under Settings, toggle Restrict Profile Creation to On. Enter your password and select Continue. Sign-up to Disney Plus from £4.99 per month To find out more about this month's best Disney Plus deals, take a look at our Disney Plus deal and Disney Plus ad tiers guides. How to set age ratings on Disney Plus The final Disney Plus parental control (setting age ratings) is probably the most popular. If you have a number of profiles in use on your Disney Plus account, you can customise each of them with a specific age rating. With this age rating in place, Disney’s library is set to automatically filter out any films or shows that aren’t suitable for that age bracket. And if your family only has one account? Now’s a good time to set up at least one more that’s purely for kids or adults. Here's how to set up age ratings: Open Disney Plus. Tap the profile icon, and then select ‘Edit profiles’ from the dropdown menu. Choose the profile with the age rating you want to adjust. Under the 'Parental controls’ section, select ‘Content rating’ and enter your account password. Now you can apply an age rating to the profile: 0+, 6+, 9+, 12+, 14+, 16+ or 18+. Sign-up to Disney Plus from £4.99 per month If you're interested in buying a Disney Plus subscription then check out our guide to the latest Disney Plus offers. You can also find out what to watch on Disney Plus and how much Disney Plus cost, and how many people can watch Disney Plus in our handy guides.
Best smart TV 2024: Top-rated budget and premium 4K TVs to buy this year
Here’s everything you need to know to find the best smart TV for you.
A television is a high-value items that nearly everybody will invest in at some point in their lives. That’s why the smart TV market is fiercely competitive, and one where new models appear at high speed and technology improves at a dizzying pace. It’s also a market that can be intimidating for buyers. It's hard to know where to start with such a huge range in prices and a truckload of numbers, acronyms and other jargon to contend with. And if there’s one thing you don’t want, it’s to end up with the wrong TV, a high-cost product that should last you for years on end. We’ve put together this comprehensive buying guide to stop that from happening. Along with our recommendations for the best smart TVs to buy, picked out from our tried and tested models, we’ll also take you through everything you need to know about picking out the perfect smart TV. So if you want to binge your favourite boxsets in the full televisual glory they deserve, but your 10-year-old telly just isn’t cutting the mustard, fear not – we’ve got you covered. Check out the best Amazon Prime offers and Amazon's new range of QLED Fire TVs. Smart TVs grant you access to a world of entertainment— check out our guide on how to get Disney Plus on your smart TV to get access to over 500 films and 850 series. Jump to: Best smart TV to buy at a glance Tips before you start shopping for a TV Choosing the best TV for your needs How much should I spend on a TV? Where to buy a TV in the UK? Best smart TV to buy in 2024 TV buying jargon glossary Best smart TV to buy in 2024 at a glance: Best 4K smart TV: Philips OLED+936, £1,499 Best smart TV for design: Philips OLED807, £1,799 Best smart TV for cinematic sound: Samsung QN95A (QE55QN95), £959 Best smart TV for picture quality: Panasonic JZ980 (TX-48JZ980B), £1,099 Best TV for streaming: TCL RP620K (55RP620K), £299 Best mid-range TV: Samsung Q70A (QE55Q70A), £749 Best small TV: Toshiba 32WK3C63DB, £169 Best smart TV for mounting: LG G1 (OLED65G1), £1,699.99 Best gaming TV: LG C1 (OLED65C1), £1,899.98 Best value for money TV: Sony X90J (XR-65X90J), £799 Best smart TV for brightness: Sony XR-65A95K, £1,747.02 Best lightweight smart TV: LG OLED 65C27LA, £1,538.79 Best smart TV for low latency: LG OLED48A2, £749 How to choose a smart TV: Top tips before you start shopping Here’s a checklist of things to do before you start shopping for a smart TV: Work out a budget. You can spend anywhere between £119 and £20,000 on a new TV, and it’s a good idea to filter your search by price when looking through retailers and Google Shopping. Don’t worry if you’re not yet sure how much to set aside: we’ll go into how much you should spend on a new smart TV later in this article. Know your optimum screen size. It’s crucial you pick a smart TV with a screen size that’s appropriate for your viewing space. Too small, and you’ll have to invest in some binoculars; too big, and the picture quality will be sub-par. We’ll go into screen sizes in the next section. List any must-have features. Whether it’s an OLED screen, an in-built voice assistant or even a soundbar giveaway, it’s always good to put together a wishlist of features. It will make your decision-making far easier. Frequently Asked Questions: What is the best smart TV brand? According to a Kantar Media UK survey, in 2019, an estimated 15.8 million people used Samsung TV sets, 11 million used LG sets, 7.4 million used Panasonic sets and 7.2 million used Sony sets. We can recommend all these brands as market leaders. You’ll also find reliable sets from Philips, TCL and Hisense. There’s much debate about which brand earns the top spot, but we can assure you that any smart TV you buy from these manufacturers will get you a television of assured quality and reliability. (That said, it’s always worth knowing a retailer’s returns policy before you make your purchase.) Which size TV should I buy? You might want the biggest television you can get your hands on, but it’s important to know which screen size works best for your viewing space. There may well be some leeway between sizes, depending on how rearrangeable your furniture is – the golden formulae to remember are that your viewing distance should be 1.5 times the screen size with standard HD televisions and 1-1.5 times the screen size for 4K televisions. Need to figure it out in reverse? Check out the screen size calculator in our what size TV should I buy article. We also have an article on how to measure a TV screen. How much should I spend on a TV? If you want to buy a good-quality television but want to keep your spending to a sensible minimum, £500 is a good figure to keep in mind. This will guarantee you a perfectly respectable television that’s 4K in quality and has an in-built streaming platform that will set you up with access to all the typical services. Entry-level 4Ks are growing ever cheaper, but you’ll likely be spending a minimum of £300. Certainly, if you’re looking for a small TV – 40-inch or lower – then you can easily keep your spending below £500. But the good news for budget spenders is that a modest spend doesn’t hinder you that much in terms of screen size: you’ll find smaller 32-inch sets for as little as £150, while at the other end, you can pick up older-generation 65-inch sets for as little as £450. Spend between £500 and £1,000, and you’ll start to find 55-inch TVs from industry leaders like Samsung and LG. It’s also at this price point you’ll start to find smart TVs that incorporate a few extra features. Most notable are the QLED and NanoCell tech that you’ll find in Samsung and LG TVs, respectively – these TVs will offer you a picture quality that’s richer, more vibrant and better in contrast. At this price, you'll also find the smart TVs have built-in voice assistants, and can potentially sync to other smart devices in your house. Choosing the best smart TV for your needs There are a number of key criteria that everybody should consider before they buy their next smart TV. Here they are: Do you like to switch the lights off when you watch TV, or do you watch it with an overhead light on, or chiefly during the daytime? It may sway your decision, especially if you’re choosing between a QLED and NanoCell TV. If you have any smart devices set up around your home, you may want to consider looking out for a TV with an in-built voice assistant like Alexa, Google Assistant or Samsung’s Bixby. Via your smart TV, you can potentially do anything from dimming the lights to adjusting your thermostat. Gaming fan? If you plan to connect your console to your television, it’s worth looking at the refresh rates in the specs of any TVs you’re looking at. The refresh rate simply means how many times the image changes per second: look out for sets with 120HZ or high. Skip straight to the TVs How much should I spend on a smart TV? Budget If you want to buy a good-quality television but want to keep your spending to a sensible minimum, £500 is a good figure to keep in mind. This will guarantee you a perfectly respectable television that’s 4K in quality and has an in-built streaming platform that will set you up with access to all the typical services. Entry-level 4Ks are growing ever cheaper, but you’ll likely be spending a minimum of £300. Certainly, if you’re looking for a small TV – 40-inch or lower – then you can easily keep your spending below £500. But the good news for budget spenders is that a modest spend doesn’t hinder you that much in terms of screen size: you’ll find smaller 32-inch sets for as little as £150, while at the other end, you can pick up older-generation 65-inch sets for as little as £450. Mid-range Spend between £500 and £1,000, and you’ll start to find 55-inch TVs from industry leaders like Samsung and LG. It’s also at this price point you’ll start to find smart TVs that incorporate a few extra features. Most notable are the QLED and NanoCell tech that you’ll find in Samsung and LG TVs, respectively – these TVs will offer you a picture quality that’s richer, more vibrant and better in contrast. Don't miss our LG or Samsung TV explainer if you’re in two minds about which brand to pick. You’ll also start to find smart TVs that have a built-in voice assistant, and one that you can potentially sync to other smart devices in your house. High-spend If you’re happy to spend upward of £1,000 – and admittedly, there’s still a dizzying range of prices – then you’ll find yourself in the OLED range, which is a good place to be: it will get you what’s the best picture quality, and will be for the next few years. It’s in the high-spend category that we start to see prices vary much more sharply between sizes: while 55-inch OLEDs start at around £1,200, be prepared to spend £1,500 to £2,500 on 65-inch sets and as much as £4,500 on 75-inch or 77-inch sets. Scroll down to the bottom of this article for a round-up of televisions of differing sizes for each of these categories. Where to buy a smart TV in the UK? The biggest retailers that stock smart TVs are Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, Very, AO and Appliances Direct. Some retailers like Currys also offer price-match promises, so if you see a television that’s cheaper elsewhere, hold them to it! Amazon often stocks TVs at the lowest prices, but those prices fluctuate incredibly quickly and can sometimes be listed with outdated RRPs. Use the online tool CamelCamelCamel to check an item’s price history on Amazon to give you a better sense of the deal you’re getting. Other features to consider when buying a new TV It’s always worth thinking about your TV viewing habits before you make a decision on purchasing a smart TV. Here are a few examples: Do you like switching the light off before sitting down to watch TV? Or, by contrast, do you typically watch television during daylight hours? It’s in the gloom that QLED and OLED televisions really perform well, but they sometimes struggle under bright light conditions. Are you a gamer? If there’s usually a console parked under your TV, you might want to seek out a television with a high refresh rate that stops your gameplay from juddering – look for sets marked as 120HZ or higher. Are you a film buff who’s sorely missing the cinema? You’re probably thinking about a TV with high-quality visuals, but it’s also wise to set aside some of your budget for a soundbar. You’ll often find that retailers sell TVs and soundbars together in bundle deals. Have you considered putting your TV on the wall? It can make all the difference to the quality of your viewing, and TV wall brackets are inexpensive. Don’t miss our how to wall mount a TV explainer to find out more. Best smart TV to buy in 2024 Philips OLED+936 Best 4K smart TV Pros: Superb 4K picture performance Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support Dolby Atmos sound Cons: Imposing design Not all HDMI inputs support 4K 120fps gaming Expensive Key features: Four-sided Ambilight Bowers & Wilkins Dolby Atmos sound system Advanced AI picture processing HDMI v2.1 connectivity When it comes to picture and sound, the Philips OLED+936 is one of the best 4K TVs currently available. Featuring the Philips Ambilight system, the smart TV has a ring of LEDs on the back of the screen that project coloured light onto the wall behind to create atmosphere as you watch TV. Despite its premium price tag, it’s hard to fault this Philips TV. Read the full Philips OLED+936 TV review. Buy Philips OLED+936 TV for £1,499 at Philips Philips OLED807 Best smart TV for design Pros: Excellent picture performance Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support Ambilight lounge lighting Cons: No 4K 120fps HDMI support Poor input lag Key features: Dolby Vision, HDR10+ support Android TV smart platform Freeview Play Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa The Philips OLED807 is a high-end 4K OLED TV with advanced picture processing, an Android smart platform and the brand’s signature Ambilight lounge lighting system. The smart TV is ultra-thin and comes with a vibrant picture that is sharp. The new Pure Cinema mode maintains clarity but still keeps the picture looking cinematic – no easy feat. Buy Philips OLED807 TV for £1,799 at AO Samsung QN95A (QE55QN95) Best smart TV for cinematic sound Pros: Mini LED backlight for better HDR Stylish super slim design Advanced OTS+ sound system 4K 120fps High Frame Rate support Cons: One Connect Box won’t suit everyone No Dolby Vision support Premium price point Key features: Mini LED Neo QLED screen One Connect Box Tizen smart platform Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support HDMI v2.1 connectivity The Samsung QN95A is at the top of the brand’s Neo QLED TV range. The audio is particularly punchy thanks to eight speakers, including two high up on the rear, that create a lot of on-screen movement. The QLED TV looks great even in a brightly-lit room and works with Google Assistant, Alexa and Samsung’s own Bixby. Read the full Samsung QN95A TV review. Buy Samsung QN95A TV for £959 at Amazon Panasonic JZ980 (TX-48JZ980B) Best smart TV for picture quality Pros Auto AI picture mode Universal HDR format support Good streaming and Catch-Up TV options Cons A bit pricey for the screen size Only two HDMI inputs support High Frame Rate gaming Key features: HCX Pro AI Processor My Home Screen smart platform Dolby Vision IQ Freeview Play It is in the picture quality where this TV excels. The OLED smart TV delivers a picture with deep blacks, superb contrast and rich, vibrant colours. Yes, it is a little more expensive than the same size competitive models but our TV expert thinks it's worth it. Reviewer Steve May writes: "There are rival OLED flat-screens from the likes of LG and Philips which sell for less, but they can’t match this Panasonic offering when it comes to HDR format support, which is class-leading. Read the full Panasonic JZ980 (TX-48JZ980B) TV review. Buy Panasonic JZ980 smart TV for £1,039 at Amazon TCL RP620K (55RP620K) Best TV for streaming Pros: Excellent Roku smart platform Freeview Play Stonking value Low input lag Cons: HDR not the brightest 1080p upscaling could be better Audio performance is average Key features: Built-in Roku smart platform Freeview Play Dolby Vision The TCL RP620K TV is a mid-range 4K HDR TV that offers brilliant value for money. The Roku smart platform is easy to navigate, and apps available include Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, AppleTV+, NOW, and BT Sport. Despite the rather affordable price, the picture quality is crisp. This makes the TCL RP620K a great option if you’re looking for a big smart TV on a limited budget. Read the full TCL RP620K TV review. Buy TCL RP620K TV for £299 at Currys Samsung Q70A (QE55Q70A) Best mid-range TV Pros: AirSlim design Object Tracking Sound LITE Cons: Only one HDMI supports High Frame rate 4K 120fps No Dolby Vision support Key features: QLED Edge-lit panel Tizen smart platform HDMI v2.1 connectivity Despite its more palatable price tag, the Samsung Q70A still boasts most of the features found in the brand’s more expensive QLED 4K TV range. It has a great picture brightness, good contrast and a vibrant display, with the usual range of picture modes, including Standard, Dynamic, Natural and Movie. Read the full Samsung Q70A TV review. Buy Samsung Q70A TV for £749 at Samsung Toshiba 32WK3C63D Best small TV Pros: Great value for money Freeview Play catch-up Toshiba Smart Centre Bluetooth music streaming Cons: Only 720p resolution No Disney+ app Key features: Freeview Play Amazon Alexa compatible Bluetooth built-in A brilliant, affordable small TV. The Toshiba WK3 TV is a great addition to any spare room or kitchen. It’s HD Ready and supports a good number of apps, including Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Twitch, BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub. The design isn’t flashy, but the picture quality is decent for what it promises. Read the full Toshiba WK3 TV review. Buy Toshiba WK3 for £169 at ebay LG G1 (OLED65G1) Best smart TV for mounting Pros: Top-notch 4K picture quality Interiors friendly design Cutting-edge panel 4K 120fps High Frame Rate support Cons: You’ll probably need to wall-mount a soundbar A bit on the pricey side Key features: High brightness EVO panel Gallery design 4K HDR with Dolby Vision IQ Web OS smart platform Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support HDMI v2.1 connectivity The ‘G’ in the LG G1 stands for ‘gallery’ as this TV is designed to be mounted on the wall. This won’t suit everyone, but we awarded it four out of five stars because it delivered a vibrant and cinematic picture quality, ultra-sleek design, and smart TV features, including Google Assistant or Alexa support. Read the full LG G1 TV review. Buy LG G1 TV for £1,699.99 at Amazon LG C1 (OLED65C1) Best gaming TV Pros: Excellent 4K picture quality Plenty of streaming app options Game Optimizer mode 4K 120fps High Frame Rate support Cons: Average onboard audio No HDR10+ support Smart Platform could do with customisation options Key features: 4K HDR with Dolby Vision IQ Web OS smart platform Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support HDMI v2.1 connectivity This premium 4K TV is packed with features. It can display high frame rate games at 4K 120fps from a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X console, works with Google Assistant or Alexa, and has a super slim OLED display. We recommend adding a soundbar for the full cinematic experience. Read the full LG C1 TV review. Buy LG C1 TV for £1,899.98 at LG Sony X90J (XR-65X90J) Best value for money TV Pros: Outstanding picture performance Dolby Vision HDR Dolby Atmos sound Cons: Poor Catch-up TV support No HDR10+ Not all HDMI inputs cope with 4K 120fps gaming Key features: Cognitive Processor XR processor HDMI v2.1 connectivity Google TV Works with Alexa and Google Assistant For less than £1,000, the 55-inch Sony Bravia X90J ticks a lot of boxes. The 4K LED TV works with Alexa and Google Assistant, picture quality with superb detail and colour depth, plus next-gen games console support for the PlayStation 5. It’s a solid choice for anyone after a powerful TV that won’t break the bank. Read the full Sony X90J TV review. Buy Sony X90J TV for £799 at Sony Sony XR-65A95K Best smart TV for brightness Pros: Extremely wide colour space Very bright Webcam Cons: Colour fringes Image quality of the webcam No HDR10+ The Sony XR-65A95K is a good all round OLED panel but it is its extremely wide colour space that truly makes it stand out. Thanks to the newly included Quantum Dot tech, this QD-OLED panel really makes every colour count. It’s also incredibly bright, adding to the overall vibrancy of the image, however the panel sometimes causes colour fringes a few pixels wide to appear on horizontal edges. Thankfully, that’s only an problem if you’re sitting really close to the screen so it shouldn’t be an issue for most people. It’s also worth pointing out that the new QD-OLED tech is also prone to the so-called burn-in effect if the same image is displayed for a long period of time. Overall, the XR-65A95K is a great panel with a bright, colourful display and a fantastic built in speaker, known as an ‘Acoustic Surface’, that covers the back of the panel to give you a powerful, clear sound. Buy Sony XR-65A95K for £1,747.02 at Amazon LG OLED 65C2 Best lightweight smart TV Pros: Strong contrasts Economical in SDR mode Lightweight Cons: Average pea brightness High energy consumption in HDR mode Convoluted menu LG opted to build its OLED 65C2 panel using plastic instead of metal making the overall TV exceptionally light at 17kg, perfect for mounting on the wall. And even though it is plastic, that doesn’t mean it looks cheap, this is still the premium build quality you expect from a TV at this price point. The plastic does come with one notable drawback, though. Because the TV doesn’t dissipate heat as well as many of its metal-made counterparts, the overall brightness of the panel is average at best. But this is still an LG panel and as a result you can expect strong contrasts and a solid colour space as well as a fantastic - if power hungry - HDR mode. Buy LG OLED 65C27LA for £1,538.79 at Amazon LG OLED48A2 Best smart TV for low latency Pros: Wide colour space Short game latency Cons: 60Hz panel No HDR10+ If you're on the hunt for a reasonably priced TV for gaming then the LG OLED48A2 is definitely worth a look. The wide colour space and short game latency will keep your games looking crisp and responsive. It’s worth noting that the low refresh rate of the display and the panels tendency to lose detail, especially in dark scenes, highlight the fact that this panel is on the cheaper end of the smart TV market. But given that lower price point, the LG OLED48A2 is no slouch when compared with its more expensive competition. Buy LG OLED48A2 for £749 at Amazon TV buying jargon glossary When shopping for TVs, we’re confronted with lots of acronyms and jargon. Here’s a glossary of terms, what they mean, and more importantly, whether they’re worth paying attention to. 4K Ultra HD – or 4K as it’s better known – has now become the default quality in televisions. It’s known as 4K because of the 3840 x 2160 pixels of definition that are offered – a huge step up from the 1920 x 1080 pixels of standard HD. Since nearly all televisions that are being manufactured now are 4K in quality – and are growing ever cheaper – you’ll definitely want a TV that’s 4K-ready. Take a look at our what is a 4K TV article for deep dive into what you can expect from a 4K television. 8K The image resolution of 4K television might have sounded impressive, but they can’t compare to the staggering 7,680 x 4,320 pixels offered by 8K TVs. While many 8K televisions are already on the market, they’re still far too expensive for the average buyer. Not only that, 8K resolution only really pays off in super-size televisions like 75-inch or 85-inch sets. Our advice is to pass over 8K televisions for now – they’ll likely grow much more affordable in the next few years. Smart TV This is a phrase that you’ll see on pretty much every TV set on the market now. Indeed, in a RadioTimes.com poll we conducted last year with over 500 readers, we discovered that 47 per cent of them already own a smart TV. A smart television is simply one you can connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and use for both app streaming and internet browsing. Read our what is a smart TV guide to find out more about how smart platforms differ, and which brands make the best smart televisions. To find out more about Google’s latest smart platform (something you’re likely to see on increasing numbers of sets), read our What is Google TV article. If you’re not currently in the market for a new television, you can add a smart device to your TV in the form of a streaming stick. The most popular brands are from Amazon and Roku, and our experts have tested several of them, including the Roku Streambar, Roku Express 4K, Amazon Fire TV Cube and Now TV Smart Stick. These have differing capabilities and picture quality, but they’ll also set up your non-smart TV for streaming. If you’re thinking of buying one, the best place to start is by reading our best streaming device article. LCD You’ve probably heard this acronym before since it’s been around for a while: it stands for Liquid Crystal Display. With the exception of OLED sets, all televisions still use LCD screens, which are illuminated by a rear backlight. LED The backlight we mention above is the LED or Light Emitting Diode. It’s this that shines through the LCD screen in order to provide you with your image, and they’re an integral part of all but the most advanced televisions. Sometimes TVs are marked as LED TVs, which really means they are still LCD TVs. Don’t worry if this is confusing, it’s not particularly important. HD This stands for High Definition TV - aka the next big thing of yesteryear. That’s not to disparage the 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution of HD televisions: the majority of UK households have these in their living rooms. But given that 4K is now so eminently affordable, we don’t suggest you buy an HD television now. You’ll also see HD Ready marked on older sets, which is a slightly lower resolution - to learn more about the differences, read our HD Ready vs Full HD TVs article. HDR HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, which is a kind of additional format that relates to 4K. There are many different formats out there, including HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+, and Advanced HDR by Technicolor, and there’s much debate over which is best. Different televisions support different HDR formats, as do streaming services – for example, Netflix delivers its 4K content in Dolby Vision. But since they’re all completely compatible, our honest advice is not to get too hung up on HDR. OLED This is a term that you should definitely pay attention when you’re shopping for a smart TV and one that probably explains the hefty prices you’ll encounter. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TVs currently enjoy top-tier status on the market, offering a rich, vibrant, high-contrast picture quality that’s discernibly superior to your run-of-the-mill 4K. Go for it, if you can afford it, and read our what is an OLED TV explainer if you’re curious. And if you fancy taking a look at a recently released, cutting-edge OLED television, you can read our guide to the Sony Bravia XR A90J. QLED QLED is Samsung’s homegrown, more affordable alternative to OLED. It makes use of traditional LCD/LED technology but introduces a layer of ‘quantum dots’ to further optimise the picture. Samsung has wisely positioned this as the stepping stone between typical 4K and OLED. We dive into the details in our what is QLED TV explainer. If you’re seeking out a TV that delivers an extra-high picture standard, but you want to keep your spending below £1,000, you should definitely consider Samsung’s QLED smart TV range. NanoCell Similar to QLED is NanoCell, a type of image tech developed by rival Korean brand LG. As we go into it our what is a NanoCell TV explainer, this technology optimises the quality of 4K television by introducing a layer of ‘nanoparticles’ that improve the colour range and blacks of whatever you’re watching. Again, it sits in the middle-ground between standard 4K sets and the elite OLEDs and is definitely worth considering. While models from the latest lines can cost around the £1,000 mark, you’ll find older sets for not much over £500. Neo QLED Samsung’s Neo QLED TV sets mark the next evolutionary phase in QLED tech, with the Mini LED lights being replaced by even smaller lights. These create a wider number of ‘zones’ across the TV screen, all of which can be little at different levels, which contributes to a sharper, more vibrant quality of image. To find out more, you can head to our Samsung QLED vs Samsung Neo QLED explainer. Take a look at our Samsung Q70A TV review to see what a Samsung QLED smart TV offers. Dolby Atmos This is something you’ll see showcased across a number of high-end smart TVs from the likes of LG and Samsung. It’s essentially a surround-sound audio technology that was first introduced to cinemas nearly a decade ago. Streaming services like Netflix offer some titles with Dolby Atmos compatibility, but it all depends on whether it’s supported by your television. If you’re someone who values high-quality audio with their television, one assured way is to invest in a soundbar, which can be used alongside (or more literally, directly under) the TV’s built-in speakers. Our experts have put a number of soundbars to the test, including the TLC TS6100, the Roku Streambar, the Sony HT–G700 and the Sonos Arc, which supports Dolby Atmos. Want to know more about Sky's new TV? Head over to our What is Sky Glass? explainer. Or, finish your TV setup with one of our best indoor TV aerials, or take a look at our top Disney Plus offers this month.
What broadband speed do I need for streaming, gaming and more?
Not sure which connection speed is right for you? Read our explainer on broadband speeds for Netflix, gaming and streaming movies.
Households everywhere have seen their home internet put under more serious strain than ever, with days spent working from home becoming the norm and multiple devices being used at any one time. TVs, phones, consoles, tablets: they all take a toll on your bandwidth. And we know that internet speed is something that's likely important to you. In an official RadioTimes.com survey, we polled over 500 of our readers, and 75% of the participants indicated that it's important they have the fastest connection speed possible. So it’s important to choose your broadband package wisely, and find one with a connection speed that matches your household’s usage. Choose too slow a service, and you might find that your life descends into a nightmare of juddering TV shows, buffering wheels and lots of arguments with your co-habitants. Choose too fast a service, and all those problems will go away – but you might be wasting money on a service that’s far beyond your needs. What broadband speeds are there? Most broadband providers offer three broadband packages, each with an average speed listed in megabits per second, or Mbps (these aren’t to be confused with megabytes, which are eight times bigger). Here are the three main categories, followed by a top package that offers that connection speed. 0-12Mbps – The most basic broadband packages usually offer speeds in this range, sometimes via the old ADSL connection, though it’s being increasingly inched out by fibre broadband. Now, Brilliant Broadband | £20 per month, 11Mbps (12 months) 25-50Mbps – Most mid-range packages offer these connection speeds. Plusnet, Unlimited Fibre | £24.99 per month, 36Mbps (18 months) 50-150Mbps – It’s in this area that you’ll see the most pricy broadband packages. Virgin Media, M125 Broadband | £26.50 per month, 132Mbps (18 months) Virgin Media also released its own all-in-one TV streaming box last year called Virgin Media Stream. With just a just one time £35 activation fee that will be added on your first bill, Stream allows its broadband customers to pick and swap out streaming subscriptions such as Netflix and Disney+ each month. It’s worth noting that while you’ll hear phrases like ‘superfast’ and ‘ultrafast’ a lot, they aren’t official terms, in that there’s no consensus from Ofcom or the government on what connection speeds define them. It’s perhaps worth noting that according to this parliamentary webpage, Ofcom recognises ‘decent’ broadband as 10Mbps. So which service provider is right for you? Read on for our in-depth guide to picking the right broadband speed. What broadband speed do I need for streaming films and TV? Well, this is all about which format you like to stream your content, which can range from anything between Standard Definition, HD, Full HD and 4K. We’ll go into how many megabits per second (Mbps) you’ll need for each of them in just a second – firstly, though, an important disclaimer. When we list the required Mbps for an activity, we’re talking about the bandwidth needed for this standalone activity. A crucial part of choosing the right broadband speed is being able to guess how much internet activity is going on at the same time in your house. Consider the number of occupants in your house. Say you only have the one television in the house, and you watch non-4K content – you might think you’ll only need a basic package. But think about how many people in the home own a smartphone: don’t forget that these are streaming devices. And is anyone working on a laptop or home computer? It all stacks up. Broadband speed for Netflix, NOW and more If you have a smart television you can connect to your home broadband, you’re almost definitely granted access to all the big-hitter services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. For non-HD content, these services typically need anywhere between 1.5 and 3Mbps of bandwidth, and for HD, around 2.5 to 5Mbps. This is good news for people who live alone, or couples who don’t do much multiple streaming – the cheaper packages should have you covered. But 4K is a different matter entirely – we’ll dive into that in a bit. Broadband speed for a smart TV A smart television is simply one that can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi and turned into a device that can browse internet content, and stream from all the usual apps. Each TV brand uses a different smart platform, and some come with more features than others – to find out more, you can take a look at our what is a smart TV article. Since you can adjust the resolution you stream in from your TV, there’s no set optimum connection speed for using a smart television. If you want to stream content, but you don’t own a smart TV, you can always pick up an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku Express. Broadband speed for streaming in HD As mentioned, connection speeds of 2.5 to 5Mbps should be fine for streaming HD content. Choosing between a standard and mid-range broadband connection speed will probably boil down to how many people you think will be streaming at the same time in your household. Broadband speed for streaming in 4K Here’s where much more is asked of your broadband – to stream uninterrupted 4K TV, you’ll need a connection speed of around 25Mbps. That’s a lot of bandwidth, but after all, Ultra High Definition offers you a lot of picture detail – to find out more, read our what is 4K TV explainer. Certainly, if there’s more than one 4K-ready device under your roof, we would steer you in the direction of most ISP's (internet service provider's) mid-range packages. Don’t forget that many leading smartphones now can stream in 4K – and that’s a trend that’s only going in one direction. There’s going to be nothing more annoying than being forced to downscale the picture quality of whatever you’re watching on your 4K TV because it won’t buffer properly. What broadband speed do I need for gaming? We know that a portion of our readers are avid gamers: the results of our RadioTimes.com survey indicate that 28% of participants use their home broadband for gaming, with 27% having a console connected to the wi-fi. This is a real rabbit-hole of a question. Most solo player online gaming requires a fairly meagre bandwidth of 3Mbps or thereabouts. But online gaming is growing far more complex, especially with the rise of MMO (massive multiplayer online) games like World of Warcraft. In these games, often thousands of players connect to the service, which is more taxing on your connection speed. More draining on your broadband still are FPS games (first-person shooters), the most popular example being Call of Duty. With these ultra-fast, reflex-driven games, lag-free gameplay is vital, and it relies on all participating players having a low ‘ping rate’. That’s the subject of a whole other article, but we’ll say that gamers searching for peace of mind will need a connection speed of around 30Mbps. Do I need fibre broadband? Fibre broadband was introduced to the UK in 2008 and is now the prevalent form of internet connection. In contrast to the standard ADSL connection, which uses the traditional copper telephone to relay data, fibre broadband sends that information via optic cables that are faster and more reliable. Lots of ISPs now only offer fibre broadband, although some providers still include an ADSL connection in their basic packages. Unless you’re saving significant money, we would advise you to choose fibre. Here’s an interesting fact though: most fibre broadband packages actually employ both types of connection. This is called an FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) connection, meaning the fibre optic cable runs from the telephone exchange to your nearest street cabinet, and the connection is completed by a length of standard copper wire from there to your home. But FFTP (fibre to the premises) is on the rise, currently led by Virgin Media. This sends the fibre cable straight into your home, and as you would probably imagine, makes the connection much speedier. With the growing affordability of such ‘superfast’ connections, we think it’s fair to say that fibre is the way to go if you’re seeking out new broadband in 2023. Should I switch for faster broadband? That depends firstly on what stage you’re at in your current contract, and just how happy you are with your current provider. Hopefully, our guide has assured you that you needn’t upgrade to a higher speed service just for its own sake. Instead, we want you to make as informed a decision as possible. Think about the devices being used in your household, and calculate how much bandwidth they’ll require at the busiest times. How accurate are broadband speeds? In 2019, Ofcom introduced a new series of rules around the marketing of home broadband. In these new stipulations from the telecoms regulator, broadband providers have to be upfront about the MGALS (minimum guaranteed access line speed) of their services at the sign-up stage, whereas before that information had to be requested. If your home broadband is routinely demonstrated not to run at that speed, then you should be liable to exit your contract without a fee. If you’re currently in this situation, it’s definitely worth taking a look at Ofcom’s small print before you proceed with a grievance. These aren’t enforced rules: Ofcom’s code of ethics is voluntary, though a number of major ISPs have joined, including BT, Virgin Media, TalkTalk, Plusnet and EE. For more on broadband, head to our explainer on how long it takes to switch broadband providers, and check out our roundup of the best Sky broadband deals.
How long does it take to switch broadband provider? Tips before switching
Thinking about ditching your current ISP? Here’s a few pointers about what to expect when you switch broadband.
Everyone has spent a whole lot more time at home in recent times, and many UK households are still finding their home broadband is being put under unprecedented levels of demand. And if you're finding that your home broadband isn’t up to the task, then it might be time to think about moving to a new ISP (internet service provider). As you would probably imagine, broadband providers don’t exactly make it easy for you to leave them. We polled over 500 of our readers in an official RadioTimes.com survey, and learned that only 13% of participants are planning to switch service within the next year. And little surprise, since ISPs don't want you to desert them – and they don't make it easy for you to do so mid-contract. If you are thinking about switching services, you should expect a hefty cancellation fee if you’re in the middle of your current contract. But if you’re coming to the end of your contract, then it's definitely worth looking at the prices of similar services from other ISPs. We know that you're not likely to want to spend more: in the same survey, we found just 22% of participants are willing to pay more. Also, just 28% of those polled have switched provider in the last couple of years. But with service prices constantly fluctuating, it's far from impossible you'll find another provider out there that offers a superior service, and one that's cheaper, too. In this article, we’ll talk you through how long it takes to switch broadband provider, what you’ll need to do, and what to expect if you want to leave your contract earlier. Don’t miss our pick of the best broadband deals this month for all the latest prices and packages. Pay nothing for M250 Fibre Broadband until February 2024 at Virgin Media this Black Friday season Black Friday season is well and truly under way, with deals pouring in across a range of retailers and products. If you want to save on fibre broadband, Virgin Media is giving you the chance to pay absolutely nothing for the first three months of M250 Fibre broadband – that's a saving of £97.50, plus there's no initial setup fee. This 18-month contract is ideal for busy households with more than ten devices on the go, thanks to its 264Mbps download speed and 25Mbps upload speed. After the first three months the price will revert back to £32.50. Get M250 Fibre Broadband free for three months at Virgin Media How long does it take to switch broadband provider? It will vary depending on the providers and the nature of your switch, but in general, switching between broadband providers takes about two weeks. You might find it takes a little longer if there’s some installation work that requires a visit from an engineer – this is likely to be the case if you’re switching internet types, for instance, upgrading from FTTC to FTTP fibre broadband. Luckily, these days switchovers between ISPs are relatively smooth. If you're concerned about being unable to work without home internet, the good news is that you’re unlikely to be without a functioning internet connection for more than a few minutes. How to switch broadband provider Check what costs you’ll incur, if any. If you’re at the end of your contract with your current ISP, then you should be able to switch providers at no cost. But if you’re still mid-contract, then you’ll likely incur a cancellation fee. If you’ve decided to switch, then find the best possible replacement provider. To compare packages and prices from all the major ISPs, head to our best broadband deals article. Sign-up with the new provider and they will talk you through the next steps. If you’re switching from one Openreach provider to another (this includes BT, Sky and TalkTalk), then you won’t even need to alert your current ISP: that’s all done for you. If this isn’t the case, make sure you contact your existing broadband provider to let them know you’re moving elsewhere. Be nice: break-ups can be tough. Advice before switching broadband providers Is the time right for you to switch to a new ISP? Think very carefully if you wish to do this mid-contract since you’ll invariably have to pay a cancellation fee. These can be very hefty and are usually applied on a per-remaining-month of contract basis – so the earlier you wish to leave, the more you’ll incur. Being frank, unless you've found an excellent broadband package, it rarely pays cost-wise to move to a new provider prematurely. Is your current service too slow? You might need to seek out a package with a better average Mbps (megabit per second) connection speed. Make sure you know which speed is right for you and your household’s needs – read our what broadband speed do I need explainer for a full low-down. If you don’t think you’re getting the connection speeds your current provider advertised, you may have grounds to leave your contract without paying an exit fee. Several providers have signed up to Ofcom’s voluntary code of practice which lays out clear rules around keeping promised on advertised speeds. In any case, best be prepared for a bit of red tape: you’ll have to go through a formal grievance process, which will be laid out on your provider’s website. Have you checked the latest prices? Head to our pick this month’s best broadband deals, where you’ll find package prices from all the major UK ISPs collated and compared. Thinking about upgrading your television? There's no better time to do it than during Black Friday season- check out our guide to the best Black Friday TV deals for some big savings. We've also rounded up some advice on what size TV should I buy to make your decision that little bit easier.
Here’s everything you need to know about buying the correct size television for you.
By today’s standards, TVs used to be tiny. In 1997, the average TV screen size in the US was 22 inches; by 2020, it was 49 inches. As technology develops and image quality grows ever better, televisions only seem to get bigger and bigger. You’ll find a dizzying range of TV sizes on the market, ranging from little 32-inch countertop models all the way mammoth 85-inchers. But before you go ahead and buy the biggest TV your budget will allow, it’s worth knowing some essential information about TV sizes, viewing distances and how to get them both right in the space you have. If you're looking for a new television, be sure to read our comprehensive best smart TV guide. There's also our explainer on what is a smart TV for more info about smart televisions. How to choose the right size TV Most people want the biggest possible television they can fit in their living room - and the good news is that big televisions are no longer exclusively high-end (if, indeed, you can now call 55-inch or 65-inch televisions big). But the size of a television has to be offset against the amount of viewing space you have at your disposal. Invest in too large a television, and you might start to see the pixels that make up the image, which will spoil your viewing experience. Alternatively, you could buy a TV with a native resolution that simply can’t be enjoyed at the distance you’re watching it, and isn’t worth the money. Always keep in mind that screen sizes are measured diagonally, not horizontally, so it’s no indicator of a TV’s overall width. Nor does the overall screen size mean TV size, since nearly all TVs have a bezel frame surrounding the display. These are getting slimmer and slimmer as TV’s internal workings grow ever less bulky, but if you’re hoping to fit the biggest size TV possible into an alcove, you should definitely look at the overall size under the specs on a product page. It’s up to you how much wall or floor space you wish to give over to your TV, and where you wish to position your chairs and couches. But we can go to the relationship between screen size, resolution and viewing distance, to help you make the right decision in buying the right size TV. Once you've read this, head over to our explainer on How to measure a TV screen. If you're struggling to find a good tabletop spot for your television, it's always worth thinking about installing it on the wall with a bracket. Read our article on how to mount a TV to find out more. Recommended screen sizes by resolution With the optimum viewing distance in mind (read on for more about this), here’s the ideal screen size for each native resolution available on the market. HD/1080p Non-4K TVs now are generally only a wise investment if you’re seeking out a 32-inch TV or smaller - probably a supplemental one, for a bedroom or kitchen - and you’re keen to keep your spending on a budget. At that size, any higher resolution will make little difference. 4K It’s at around the 50-inch to 55-inch mark that a 4K-quality television really makes the difference. That said, you'll find plenty of much smaller televisions that have 4K, and they’re not disproportionately more expensive than non-4K either. Ultra HD is simply no longer the exclusive, high-price technology it used to be. 8K Thinking of buying an 8K TV? Good for you! Boasting a gargantuan 7680 by 4320 pixel resolution, 8K-quality TVs are available on the market, but decidedly high-end. For example, the Samsung 65-inch QEQ800 8K TV is well over £2,000 at Currys PC World. But don’t get envious: to really enjoy an 8K television in an average living room, you’d need to buy one of at least 75 inches to really appreciate the difference with 4K. This makes 8K sets, for now, exclusively for venue owners and show-offs. To make things simple, here’s our advice: buy 4K. Recommended TV viewing distances Your viewing distance should be roughly 1.5 times your screen size - but don’t worry, there’s some leeway in this. This certainly applies to 1080p HD televisions - any closer, and the image will start to degrade and look grainy. Fortunately, with the advance of 4K, there’s some leeway in this rule, and if you don’t have much space, you can get away with a 1:1 ratio between your screen size and viewing distance. Incidentally, while sitting too close to a television may give you a headache from straining your eyes, it won’t give your eyes any long-lasting damage. Optimum viewing distance isn’t about eye health, but getting the most out of your television’s picture quality. Screen size calculator Chances are you already have a set viewing distance in place in the room you watch TV. So to make things easy, here’s a table of recommended viewing distances for each TV screen size, for both 4K and 1080p HD televisions. Further tips for which size TV to buy Don’t assume bigger means costlier. There are plenty of other variables to take on board like brand reputation, additional picture technology and the age of the model. Keep in mind that prices vary wildly across TV sizes. For example, this LG 75-inch Smart 4K UHD TV currently costs around £600 less than this 55-inch Sony Bravia Smart 4K OLED TV because of the latter’s cutting-edge OLED technology. For more information on this high-end class of television, take a look at our what is an OLED TV explainer. On that note: just as it isn’t all about size, it’s not all about 4K either. Take a look to see if the TV features OLED - or in the case of Samsung, QLED - technology, which both use innovative pixel tech to make 4K picture as close to perfect as possible. A big screen deserves big sound to match. Add a soundbar to maximise the quality of your audio. They can often cost as much, if not more, than the TV itself. But retailers like John Lewis and Currys PC World often offer bundles which save you money, or include soundbars for free with the higher-end models. Know you want a big TV? Take a look at our guide to Sony's new superscreen BRAVIA TVs. Need to boost your signal in the meantime? Here's our best indoor TV aerial.
HD Ready vs Full HD TVs: what's the difference?
The devil’s in the details: here’s everything you need to know about the difference between these two TV formats.
Read any television’s specs, and you’ll find a stream of serial numbers, jargon, acronyms, patented technology names and all sorts of other stuff. Some of it you can ignore; some of it you can’t. And if you’re after an HD television, one thing you definitely need to know is the difference between HD Ready and Full HD TVs. This tech has now been around for a while: HD television was first broadcasted in the UK back in 2005, and there are now hundreds of Freeview channels that deliver their content in this format. But what is the difference between HD Ready and Full HD – and which is better? For a wider list of TV terminology that we’ve decoded, you can read the jargon glossary in our in-depth guide on best TV to buy. Read on for our explainer on the differences between HD Ready and Full HD televisions, followed by our pick of selection that is currently available on the market. What does HD Ready mean? HD Ready is certainly an unusual turn of phrase – and you’d be forgiven for thinking that any TV marked with the HD Ready logo can play high-definition TV, but you’d be wrong. HD television measures 1920 by 1080 pixels in resolution, but HD Ready sets only offer 1280 by 720 pixels by comparison. So how are HD Ready televisions set up to play HD content? They do it by using internal processors that downscale the resolution of the image. The resulting picture quality is, admittedly, better than Standard Definition television (a mere 640 by 480 pixels) – but it’s not HD. If you think this sounds confusing to the point of misleading, then you’re not alone. When HD Ready televisions were launched on the market, many people were underwhelmed by the jump from SD to 720p television and felt hoodwinked by the terminology. The best we can say about HD Ready as a phrase is that it’s less of a mouthful than, say, Almost HD But Not Quite. Which is better, HD Ready or Full HD? That’s easy: Full HD is better. In contrast to an HD Ready television, Full HD sets offer the full 1920x1080 resolution of high definition. You’ll often see Full HD sets marked with ‘1080p’ in their specs: this is short for ‘1080 progressive’ and tells you that the set contains an HD tuner, meaning there’s no downscaling (you’ll also hear the term ‘interlacing’) of whatever HD content you’re watching. The vagaries of HD Ready and Full HD television were once a subject of hot debate – but here’s the thing: by TV industry standards, this is all fairly ancient history. It was way back in 2005 the HD Ready license was granted, and televisions have drastically advanced since then. Just like their SD predecessors, HD Ready sets have been slowly inched out of the market in favour of Full HD television, which themselves have now been almost entirely supplanted by 4K. For more information on Ultra HD definition television, and how it improves upon standard HD, take a look at our what is a 4K TV explainer. HD Ready vs Full HD: which should you buy? Of the two, that’s easy: Full HD. HD Ready televisions were once a sensible option for people who wanted to avoid the high spend of a Full HD TV, but we’re talking about a decade ago. In 2021, you can pick up a Full HD television for less than £200. There is one exception to this: if you’re looking for a very small TV – around 24- to 32-inches – perhaps for a countertop or another secondary place in your home, and simply wish to part with as little cash as possible, then an HD Ready television will be perfectly fine. We've picked out a couple of excellent HD Ready choices on Amazon, both costing less than £200. The Toshiba, in particular, is a gem because it contains a feature you certainly wouldn't have got in the heyday of HD Ready television: a built-in voice assistant in the form of Amazon's Alexa. But here's our caveat: if you're thinking of buying any TV that's larger than 43 inches in size, we urge you to opt for 4K instead. (Your eyes are unlikely to notice the difference in resolution with any smaller sets.) If you’re unsure what size screen size is best for your viewing space, then read our what size TV should I buy article. HD television has definitely had its day - but 4K will be the standard TV resolution for the next decade or so. Before you buy your next TV, think in the long term. Choose wisely! Looking for more TV-buying advice? Head to our guide on how OLED TVs work or take a look at our advice on what size TV you should buy. Toshiba 24-inch WK3A63DB HD Ready TV with Alexa This compact T.V has Alexa built in so you won't need a remote or to even leave the sofa. It is HD ready with enhanced sound and a customisable Alexa home screen. Buy the Toshiba 24-inch WK3A63DB HD Ready TV with Alexa for £169.99 £139.99 at Amazon. Panasonic 32-inch TX-G302B HD Ready TV This Panasonic HD Ready T.V comes with a Freeview HD tuner so you have access to over 70 TV channels and 25 radio stations as soon as you're set up. It's easy to plug in your DVD player and games console thanks to both HDMI and SCART connections and there's also an SVGA port, so you can use your T.V as a PC monitor. Buy the Panasonic 32-inch TX-G302B HD Ready TV for £199.95 on Ebay. LG 43 Inch 43LM6300 Smart Full HD HDR LED Freeview TV This LG Full HD T.V has an in built platform for apps and streaming services so you can get your Netflix fix without any hassle. It also has a virtual surround sound system and plug-ins for USB so you can stream your own videos and music. Buy the LG 43 Inch 43LM6300 Smart Full HD HDR LED Freeview TV for £279 at Argos. Searching for a televisual bargain? Read our Toshiba WK3 TV review to see what the affordable model offers.
Where to buy printer ink, and the very best printer cartridges
Your printer is pretty much useless without the right ink or toner, but buying it is confusing. Here’s how – and where – you can pick up cartridges.
If you don’t want your home printer to become an expensive paperweight, you’ll eventually need to refuel it with ink or toner. Doing so can often be confusing – and expensive – especially if you don’t know what you are looking for. We have all been there. You go to the trouble of connecting the printer to a phone or laptop, then navigate the settings which never seem to be quite right. Only then do you get the warning that you’re running low on ink or printer paper. Annoying, right? It doesn’t matter if you have a model from our best printer or best budget printer guides – they will all need compatible cartridges and printer paper to work effectively. So let’s break it down: here’s what you need to know about printer ink, and where to buy it. Here are the best Black Friday printer deals and when do Black Friday UK sales start and end to help you save a little more this month. Best printer cartridges to buy at a glance: HP 305 Original Black Ink Cartridge, £15.49 HP 305 Original Black/Colour Twin Pack, £28.49 HP 305 Tri-color Original Ink, £11.99 HP Combo 304 Tri-colour & Black Ink, £34.99 Palmtree Compatible 903XL Ink Cartridges Multipack for HP, £38.89 £29.89 Canon PG-545 Black Ink Cartridge, £19.99 Canon PG-540 XL & CL-541 Black/Colour Twin Pack, £39.90 Epson 29XL Black Inkjet Cartridge, £22.22 Epson 603 Black/Colour multipack, £49.99 999inks Compatible Multipack Epson T0711, £15.49 Essentials HP 301 Black/Colour multipack, £23.39 Brother LC3217 Black Cartridge, £21.99 Brother LC223 Black & Colour Cartridges, £63.29 Skip to our full printer ink recommendations. How to find the right printer ink OK, so it may sound simple, but searching Google for your printer model number followed by “ink cartridge” will bring up a list of compatible options. The second way is to look via the manufacturer’s website. For example, both HP and Canon let you search for matching ink using your printer’s model number. The same searches can also usually be made via the third-party seller websites: Search printer model ink at Canon Search for printer model ink at HP How to buy the right printer ink Printer cartridges and toners vary wildly in price – and there’s a lot of jargon that you will encounter when shopping around for new ones. So before we start, here is a run-down of the main terms involved – and what you should look out for. Inkjet vs Toner Broadly, there are two types you can buy: ink and toner. This is the first thing you need to look out for – don’t buy the wrong type as it may not be compatible with your home printer. If you have an inkjet model you need to buy ink cartridges, but if you have a laser printer you will need to be shopping for toner cartridges. Each store usually lists an approximate number of prints you will get with the pack. Single vs combination packs You can buy ink as a single cartridge or in a combination multipack. It’s just like it sounds, with the single options containing one colour – usually a cyan, magenta, yellow or black – and the multipack coming with every tone that you need. The single cartridges will be more affordable, but the combination packs may turn out to be a better longer-term investment if you will be using the printer often. OEM vs Compatible When searching in stores for printer ink, you'll find lots of cartridges and toners marked as OEM products, which stands for Original End Manufacturer. This means they were made by the brand that manufactured the printer they’re designed for. The bigger home printer brands out there are HP, Canon, Epson and Brother. Xerox and Kodak are two prominent makers of laser printers. On the other side, there are what's known as compatible printer cartridges, which is just the industry term for those made by third-party sellers. For comparison, it is often said to consider these ones like you would off-brand supermarket goods. You’ll often find compatible ink labelled as remanufactured, which means they are previously-used toner cartridges that have been recycled, and re-filled. Because of the lower cost, these are usually the most affordable ink options out there. While it is generally accepted that OEM cartridges contain a higher overall quality of ink, you will definitely save some money by looking at compatible ranges. Read this inkjet vs laser printers buyers guide for a comparison about the two types. Where to buy your new printer ink Here’s our list of online stores where you’ll find the best prices on cartridges and toner for both inkjet and laser printers – whether that’s OEM or compatible. Amazon It’s going to come as a major surprise to absolutely nobody that Amazon stocks a wide range of ink printer cartridges. You’ll find cartridges both from OEMs and third-party manufacturers, with the occasional small price drop on both. Buy cartridges now at Amazon Currys Currys stocks OEM cartridges, but it's the store’s own-brand Essentials range that is really worth looking at for your home printer ink needs. These are compatible with HP, Epson and Canon printers and come with a two-year guarantee. Buy cartridges now at Currys 999inks.co.uk You'll find a range of both toner and cartridges available at this online ink retailer, with a total of 27 different printer brands covered. You can either search for your cartridge by printer model or by selecting the ink cartridge model number. Buy cartridges now at 999inks.co.uk Cartridge People Another retailer that offers an easy search process via a drop-down tool, Cartridge People stocks both OEM cartridges and its own-brand ink alternatives – which, unsurprisingly, are significantly cheaper than the manufacturer's options. Buy cartridges now at Cartridge People Cartridge Shop Cartridge Shop’s store stocks a range of office equipment alongside its range of printer cartridges and toner. Despite prices being very low, the company offers a two-year 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning if your cartridges aren’t up to scratch or you face compatibility issues, you can return them at no cost. Buy cartridges now at Cartridge Shop Ink Factory Ink Factory makes its own line of ink cartridges compatible with the main brands, including HP, Canon, Epson and Brother printers. We have seen price drops listed against bundle products, so if you regularly replace your cartridges, it’s worth taking a look here to see if any offers are compatible with your printer. Buy cartridges now at Ink Factory Internet Ink Nottingham-based Internet Ink both manufacture and sell compatible cartridges that are – according to the company’s website – both half of the price of OEM equivalents and of a higher capacity. You’ll find cartridges compatible with HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Kodak, Advent and Ricoh available at this store. Buy cartridges now at Internet Ink Ryman The UK high-street stationery brand has ink cartridges available on its website and offers some of the best prices on OEM cartridges. Some of the offers are exclusively online. However, if you take your old cartridges in-store, Ryman will recycle them and offer a discount on your next purchase of printer ink, so it’s worth a look. Buy cartridges now at Ryman Staples High-street stalwart Staples sells both ink cartridges and toner, with a dropdown search function on its website that will find the right product for your machine. Keep in mind, though, that only OEM cartridges are on sale at this outlet. Buy cartridges now at Staples Wilko Wilko stocks OEM cartridges from Canon, Epson, HP, Brother and Samsung – but if you’re shopping at Wilko, it’s the store’s own-brand remanufactured ink cartridges you ought to look at. They’re particularly cheap, and available for each of the big brands we’ve already mentioned. Some deals are exclusively online. Buy cartridges from Wilko now Best printer cartridges to buy in 2023 By this stage, you should have a good idea of what type of cartridge you are looking for – and if not you should know how to search for the right ones online. Of course, there are dozens and dozens of different printer models – and there’s no one-fits-all ink or toner that we can point you towards. But if you need some general recommendations, here are our top picks of the best printer cartridges. HP 305 Original Black Ink Cartridge, £15.49 Approximate number of prints: 120. Compatible with: HP DeskJet 2710, 2720, 2721, 2722, 2723, 2724. HP DeskJet Plus 4110, 4120, 4122, 4130, HP Envy 6010, 6020, 6022, 6030, 6032 and Envy Pro 6420, 6422, 6430, 6432. A reliable choice, the HP 305 cartridge is perfect if you just need black ink for an HP DeskJet or Envy-series home printer. Not only do you get more than 100 pages, but the results “dry fast and resist water,” according to the manufacturer. Buy HP 305 Original Black Ink Cartridge at Currys HP 305 Original Black/Colour Twin Pack, £28.49 Approximate prints: up to 120 black, 100 Tri-colour. Compatible: HP DeskJet 2710, 2720, 2300, DeskJet Plus 4100, Envy 6000 and the HP Envy Pro 6400. If your HP DeskJet or Envy inkjet printer needs a top-up of black and colour ink, this HP 305 Original set is a great price and should have you fully covered. Buy HP 305 Original Black/Colour Twin Pack at Currys HP 305 Tricolor Original Ink, £11.99 Approximate number of prints: 100. Compatible with: HP DeskJet 2700, 2730, 4100, 4134, Envy Series 6020, 6030, 6420, 6430. If your black ink levels are fine but you need a dash of colour, this 305 Tricolour Original Ink is not only reliable and affordable but quite widely compatible. Buy the HP 305 Tricolor Original Ink at Amazon HP Combo 304 Tri-colour & Black Ink, £34.99 Approximate number of prints: 120 Black/100 Colour. Compatible: HP AMP 130, HP DeskJet 2000 series, 3000 series and 5000 series. Great for colour photos and everyday documents, this HP multipack of black ink and coloured ink is great for the money, and once the cartridges are finished you can recycle them for free with HP Planet Partners, a sustainability project. Buy the HP Combo 304 Tri-colour & Black Ink at Currys Palmtree Compatible 903XL Ink Cartridges Multipack for HP, £31.11 Approximate number of prints: 960 for black, 832 pages per tri-colour. Compatible with:HP OfficeJet 6950 All-in-One, OfficeJet 6960 All-in-One, OfficeJet Pro 6960 All-in-One, OfficeJet Pro 6970 All-in-One This is a compatible multipack for HP Officejet printers. Black, cyan, magenta and yellow colours are included in the set, each with a high page yield. Buy Palmtree Compatible 903XL Ink Cartridges Multipack for HP at Amazon Canon PG-545 Black Ink Cartridge, £19.99 Approximate number of prints: 180. Compatible with: Canon PIXMA iP2850, MG2450, MG2455, MG2550, MG2555, MG2555S, MG2950, MG3050, MG3051, MG3052, MG3053, MX495, TR4550, TR4551, TR4650, TS1150, TS205, TS3150, TS3151, TS3350, TS3351, TS3352, TS3355, TS3450, TS3451, TS3452. Canon’s Pixma series of home printers is hugely popular, and if you need a top up of black ink alone then this cartridge has a great 180 page yield. Print away! Buy Canon PG-545 Black Ink Cartridge at Currys Canon PG-540 XL & CL-541 Twin Pack, £39.90 Approximate number of prints: 180. Compatible with: Pixma MG2150, MG2250, MG3150, MG3250, MG3550, MG3650, MG4150, MG4250, MX375, MX395, MX435, MX455, MX475, MX515, MX525, MX535. Suitable for Pixma MG and MS home printers, this multipack has everything you could need for a re-fuel, promising a “smudge free and fade resistant finish.” Buy Canon PG-540 XL & CL-541 Twin pack at Amazon Epson 29XL Black Inkjet Cartridge, £22.22 Approximate number of prints: 470. Compatible with: Expression Home XP 235/245/247/332/335/342/345/432/435/442/445 series printers. If you have an Expression Home XP inkjet, here’s the perfect black ink for your documents, promising hundreds of pages and “sharp and well defined” results. Buy the Epson 29XL Black Inkjet Cartridge at Amazon Epson 603 Black/Colour multipack, £49.99 Approximate number of prints: 150. Compatible: Workforce WF-2835DWF, WF-2830DWF, WF-2850DWF, Expression Home XP-3100, XP-2100, XP-4100. If you have a Workforce or Expression Home printer from Epson, this is a great multipack, with the coloured cartridges coming with Starfish Cyan, Magenta, Yellow tones. You get up to 150 black pages and 130 pages of each colour. Buy EPSON 603 Black/Colour multipack at Currys Epson Compatible multipack (999inks), £15.49 Approximate number of prints: 495 pages per cartridge. Compatible with: Epson Stylus DX, SX series of home inkjet printers. (See full compatibility). This is a compatible (third party) multipack that will work with Epson Stylus DX and SX series inkjet printers. It’s not official, but it's so much more affordable. Buy Compatible Multipack Epson T0711 at 999inks Essentials HP 301 Black/Colour, £23.39 Approximate number of prints: 480 pages for black and 380 pages for tri-colour. Compatible with: HP Deskjet & Officejet & Envy home inkjet printers. This is a compatible multipack for HP Deskjet, Officejet and Envy inkjet printers from Currys. It’s more affordable than the official version, and has a wide range of compatibility and page yields, enough for an impressive 480 pages of blacks. Buy Essentials HP 301 Black/colour at Currys Brother LC3217 Black Cartridge, £21.99 Approximate number of prints: up to 550 pages. Compatible with: MFC-j5330dw, MFC-j5730dw, MFC-j5930dw, MFC-j6530dw, MFC-j6930dw, MFC-j6935dw. Suitable for a variety of Brother home printers, this is a single black ink cartridge that’s perfect if you need a top-up to reliably print some basic documents. Buy Brother LC3217 Black Cartridge at Argos Brother LC223 Black & Colour Cartridges, £63.29 Approximate number of prints: up to 550 pages per cartridge. Compatible with: DCP-J4120DW, MFC-J4420DW, MFC-J4620DW, MFC-J4625DW, MFC-J5320DW, MFC-J5620DW, MFC-J5625DW, MFC-J5720DW. This official Brother multi-pack includes coloured (Black/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow) and black ink cartridges – and that's all you could ever need for your home printer. Not only that, but each has an impressive page yield of more than 500 prints. Buy Brother Four Colour multipack at Argos For news, reviews, and deals check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section and why not consider signing up to receive our technology newsletter.
How to watch every episode of Buffy on Disney Plus
It's time to revisit the adventures of Sunnydale's resident vampire slayer.
It's an exciting time to be a Buffy fan as the smash-hit supernatural drama is celebrating 20 years since its unforgettable series finale. In other words, it's the perfect time for a rewatch. Sarah Michelle Gellar and her illustrious co-stars, including Alyson Hannigan and Anthony Head, won the hearts of a generation of fantasy fans in a TV show that is still considered one of the greatest of all time. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to binge-watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer as all seven seasons are available via Star on Disney Plus, which specialises in mature programming both past and present. As part of your Buffy celebration, be sure to check out the exciting slate of content right here on RadioTimes.com, where we're delving into a full RT Rewind on a true icon of the 1990s. For now, here's all that you need to know about how to watch Buffy online in the UK. How to watch Buffy in the UK Buffy is available to stream on Disney Plus, where it falls under the adult-oriented Star banner. There's plenty more available that will entertain fans of '90s paranormal cult classics (hey, it's a genuine niche) – for example, you'll also find every season of The X-Files is included on Star. Sign up to Disney+ now for £79.90 for a year or £7.99 a month If you'd sooner skip signing up to Disney Plus, you can always pick up Buffy on DVD instead. Buy the complete series boxset. What is Buffy the Vampire Slayer about? As the opening voiceover in early episodes recounts: "In every generation there is a Chosen One... she alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer." In the year 1997, the burden of vampire slayer fell to Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), an all-American gal who stepped up to the task of protecting her hometown of Sunnydale against an influx of vampires, demons and other supernatural pests - and preventing the end of the world on more than one occasion. Buffy was never alone in this task: she had help from her mentor/Watcher Giles (Anthony Head), witch/BFF Willow, smart mouth Xander and high-school bitch-turned-hero Cordelia. Buffy also had to contend with the smouldering advances of Angel, a vampire with a soul who pretty much set the blueprint for Hot Brooding Bloodsucker (and to whom Robert Pattinson owes a serious debt). There was also Spike, a bleach-haired punk vampire who was only intended to star in a few episodes, but was so well-received by fans he became a regular character. Beneath all the occult stuff and the now-rickety SFX, Buffy was always a relatable story at heart. We get to watch Buffy deal with high-school issues and grow up, often painfully, into a wise, responsible woman. We watch her relationships with her friends and family change along the way. We watch her fall in love. How many seasons of Buffy are there? There are seven seasons of Buffy all in all, and in the interests of avoiding a controversy among fans, we won't say which is best. (Season Five. It's definitely Season Five.) Buffy cast: Who stars in Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Sarah Michelle Gellar headed up the cast as Buffy, while her friend Willow was played by Alyson Hannigan, best known outside of Buffy as the flute-wielding Michelle in the American Pie films. Giles was played by Anthony Head, best known at that point for a series of Nescafe ads and becoming an unlikely sex symbol in the process. David Boreanaz played Angel, who got his own eponymous spin-off show which ran for five seasons. He was joined in this by Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia in both shows. James Marsters, owner of the sharpest cheekbones in this world or any other, played fan favourite Spike. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is available to stream on Disney Plus. Sign up to Disney+ now for £79.90 for a year or £7.99 a month. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. See what else you can watch with our Disney+ guide. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide to see what's on tonight or take a look at our best Netflix series guide.
iPhone 13 release date UK: when can you buy the new iPhone?
Apple's new iPhone 13 features an all-new camera and longer battery life. Here's when you can buy it.
The new iPhone 13 is finally here. Announced at last night's Apple event, the new iPhone has a range of new features, including a new A15 Bionic chip and a dual-camera set-up. In a stream watched by over 1.5 million people, Apple described the new phone series as "the best iPhones we've ever created". Available in five new colours, the iPhone 13 is joined by three other models; the iPhone 13 mini, the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. Here is everything you need to know about the new iPhone 13 series, including camera, display and battery life, along with that all-important price and release date information. For a full breakdown of all the products revealed at yesterday's event, read our Apple event summary or head to our Apple Watch 7 release date and iPad mini 6 release date pages for a more detailed breakdown from what to expect. If you want to find out more about the previous Apple series or the best iPhone for you, don’t miss our iPhone 12 review, iPhone 12 Pro review, iPhone 12 mini review and iPhone 12 Pro Max review. We've also compared the iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 to help you decide. iPhone 13 release date: when can you buy the new iPhone in the UK? All four iPhone 13 models will be available to pre-order from this Friday (17th September) in the UK. The new iPhones will then be officially released on 24th September. Pre-orders go live at 1pm and we expect various retailers to have stock: Sky Mobile EE Vodafone O2 Three Fonehouse Affordable Mobiles This follows Apple's usual pattern of iPhone pre-orders taking place on the Friday after the event, and the official release taking place the following Friday. However, for those waiting for the new Apple Watch, no exact release date has been announced, although it should be here this autumn. iPhone 13 price: how much is the new iPhone 13? Prices for the iPhone 13 will start at £779 ($799). The smaller iPhone 13 mini is marginally cheaper at £679 ($699). These prices shouldn't be too much of a surprise and match up to a similar price for what the iPhone 12 models were released for. It is the same when it comes to the new iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The Pro model will be available from £949 ($999), and the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the most expensive at £1,049 ($1,099). iPhone 13: specs at a glance 4 models (like the iPhone 12): iPhone 13, mini, Pro, Pro Max 5 colours for iPhone 13 and 13 mini: pink, blue, midnight (black), starlight (silver) and Product (RED) 4 colours for iPhone Pro and Pro Max: Sierra Blue, gold, graphite and silver Smaller notch for iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 mini has a 5.4-inch screen iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro have a 6.1-inch screen size iPhone 13 Pro Max has a display size of 6.7 inches Features new A15 bionic chip - fastest ever All models are 5G 1TB storage available on iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max models iPhone 13 battery life should last 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 "Biggest camera advancement ever" in the Pro and Pro Max models iPhone 13 design and display With an IP68 rating, all the new iPhone 13 models are water and dust resistant. This matches up with what we've come to expect from the iPhone 12, which also had the same protection. While the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have a new smaller notch, their screen sizes remain the same as on the iPhone 12 models. The iPhone 13 mini features a 5.4-inch Super Retina display, while the screen on the standard iPhone 13 is 6.1 inches. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max come with display sizes of 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches, respectively. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are available in five colours, including pink, blue, midnight (black), starlight (silver) and Product (RED). The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are available in a range of four colours, including Sierra Blue, gold, graphite and silver. iPhone 13 performance The iPhone 13 features a new chip from Apple called the A15 Bionic. The tech giant claims that this the fastest ever smartphone chip. All four models will be 5G phones, too. When it comes to storage, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini will be available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB configurations. However, if you love to down Netflix episodes, you may want to take advantage of the huge 1TB offered by the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. iPhone 13 battery life With any new release, one of the main demands most users ask for is to improve the battery life. And, Apple has listened. The new iPhone 13 has a battery life that should last 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12, while the smaller iPhone 13 mini will last 1.5 hours longer than its previous counterpart. This is extended even further when you get to the iPhone 13 Pro models, which will last up to 3.5 hours longer and can easily be classed as an 'all-day battery'. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. iPhone 13 camera All four iPhone 13 smartphones feature a new camera set-up. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini come with a new dual-camera set-up fitted with the biggest sensor Apple has ever put in a camera set-up of this size. On the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, you're paying a little more for a triple-camera set-up, including a wide, ultra-wide and telephoto lens. Apple describes it as its "biggest camera advancement ever" with 3x optical zoom on the telephoto lens. Naturally, this comes with a range of specialist modes, including a cinematic mode and night mode. For the Pro models, a new ProRes video mode will also be available early next year and is designed to shoot in 4K and up to 30 frames per second. Where will you be able to buy the iPhone 13? Many retailers have holding pages or those which ask you to register your interest for the new iPhone 13. The phone is expected to be available from all the usual providers, including Sky, EE and Vodafone. Sky Mobile EE Vodafone O2 Three Fonehouse Affordable Mobiles For the latest news, reviews and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section. Still unsure about what iPhone to pick up? Read our iPhone 12 vs mini vs Pro vs Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone SE comparison guides for a full breakdown of the key differences. For the best iPhone deals, keep an eye on our Black Friday iPhone deals page.
Sony Xperia 1 III phone release date, design, price and specs
Sony's latest flagship phone will boast the world's first 4K 120HZ smartphone display and 360-degree sound.
Sony’s new flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 III, is set to be released this month – and there’s plenty to be excited about with the new device. With a unique aspect ratio, high specifications and a distinctly premium vibe, the latest III series – which also includes a slightly smaller and more affordable Xperia 5 III – sports major camera and audio innovations, and both come with 5G. If you find all the numbers and numerals as confusing as we do, it's worth noting that Sony officials usually refer to them as the 'Xperia 1 Mark Three' series. The new smartphones were officially unveiled by Sony on 14th April during a live-streamed event on YouTube – with a number of photographers, filmmakers and video game developers explaining why the new line-up is set to be special. Now, anticipation is rising as the Xperia 1 III release date approaches. Read on for more about what you can expect from the new smartphone. And for a wider list of handsets due to launch this year, don't miss our new phones 2021 round-up. Sony Xperia 1 III release date & pricing Despite being unveiled months ago, the flagship phone is still not released in the UK – but the good news for Sony fans is they don’t have much longer to wait. The Xperia 1 III will be available in the UK starting 19th August in two colours: called Frosted Black and Frosted Purple. The Sim-free Xperia 1 III model will cost £1,199. The second smartphone in the series, the 5 III, will start shipping in the UK from September, coming in two colours: Black and Green. The Sim-free 5 III model will cost £899. Upon launch, Sony offers a free set of headphones with both phones. Anyone who buys a 1 III at launch is eligible to claim a pair of Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless noise-cancelling headphones, worth £329 RRP. Meanwhile, anyone who picks up the 5 III is eligible for a pair of its WH-H910N headphones, worth £250 RRP. There will also be pay-monthly contracts from networks. We've put together a list of the providers that offer tariffs for the Sony Xperia 1 II – they’re all likely to stock the Xperia 1 III when it releases later this month and the 5 III from September. Carphone Warehouse Mobiles.co.uk O2 Fonehouse Mobiles Phones Direct Sony Xperia 1 III specs Before we delve into specs in more detail, here’s a brief overview of the Xperia III specs, including screen size, camera, battery life, operating system and more. Display: 6.5-inch 21:9 CinemaWide 4K OLED Screen refresh rate: 120Hz Chipset: Qualcomm® Snapdragon 888 Dimensions: 165 x 71 x 8.2 mm Battery capacity: 4,500 mAh Operating system: Android 11 Colours: Frosted Black and Frosted Purple Connectivity: 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.2 Cameras: 12 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, 12 MP ultrawide, real-time eye autofocus, focal lengths of 16mm, 24mm, 70mm and 105mm. Audio: 360 Spatial sound technology, 3.5mm audio jack. Sony Xperia 1 III camera The cameras are always a major selling point with pricy flagship phones – and the Sony Xperia 1 III is certainly no exception. The Xperia series will boast a variable telephoto camera that will let you focus at lengths of either 70mm or 105mm. A zoom function makes dizzying advances in phone camera technology: you'll be able to zoom in up to 300mm with the image remaining crystal-clear. And there's also an exciting-sounding new real-time AF function that will allow you to track subjects while they're moving. In a rather sweet nod to the days of analogue photography, the Sony Xperia 1 III will have a dedicated shutter button and one that autofocuses if you press it halfway down, which sounds great. Sony Xperia 1 III audio Here's yet another first for the smartphone world: the Sony Xperia 1 III will deliver two-channel sound converted into a '360-degree' experience that claims to feel immersive. It’s the sort of tech we at RadioTimes.com are more used to writing about in relation to televisions – so it will be interesting to see how it works. Sony Xperia 1 III display On top of its photo and audio credentials, the Xperia 1 III boasts the world's first 4K 120HZ smartphone screen. It will definitely appeal to gamers who are looking for those super-smooth refresh rates. Gaming fans will also, no doubt, appreciate the Rewind Time Record function, which lets users retroactively record gameplay that can be streamed and shared. The display itself is OLED – an expectation of flagships these days – and 21:9 when in display ratio. This unusually long and thin aspect ratio has divided opinion, but it's good to see Sony stick to its guns. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 Sony Xperia 1 III design The display will be made of extra-tough Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while the casing is IP65/68 water-resistant, which thankfully sets it up to survive 'sudden rain' – a definite boon in this fair country of ours, even in summer. A classic 3.5mm headphone jack is also included. This might seem slightly archaic, but Sony is a company that values high-quality playback and knows that many people out there still want the quality offered by a corded connection or else own high-end corded headphones. The design is dominated by the 21:9 aspect ratio. It clearly won’t be for everyone, but it certainly helps the phone to stand out in a sea of competition from other brands, such as the iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. For the latest news, reviews and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section. Shopping for a new phone? Read our best Android phone guide. And if you want a cheaper model, don’t miss our best budget smartphone guide.
7 of the best universal remotes for your TV
Got a TV minus the remote? Here’s our pick of the best universal replacement TV remotes for LG, Samsung, Sony and more.
Maybe you’ve been given a second-hand TV that’s missing a few essential items, or perhaps your old TV remote has fallen foul of an accident and is damaged beyond repair, or maybe it’s simply gone AWOL and been lost to the strange netherworld that’s located down the back of your couch. In any case, there’s no need to panic. You won’t have to spend hours searching online for a remote that exactly matches your TV’s make and model number. TV remotes aren’t incredibly complicated pieces of tech – that’s why we suggest you look for a universal TV remote instead, as there are plenty of great options available to buy. In this article, we’ve put together a list of universal TVs remotes for all budgets and makes of television. If you’re setting up a new television in your home, you might also want to look at our guide on how to wall mount a TV, along with our best HDMI cable article. Looking to upgrade your old TV? Take a look at our best TV guide or head over to our LG C1 TV review and TCL Roku TV review to get started. What to look for in a universal remote You have two broad options when seeking out your ideal universal TV remote. The first is a one-for-all remote that will function across televisions of all brands. Some one-for-all remotes will also work with other devices, such as your DVD player or stereo, or can even be programmed to work across multiple devices. These are a wise choice for anyone who finds themselves struggling with a heap of remote controls and would like to streamline operations. The second option is a brand-specific universal remote, which might be made by either the brand itself or a third-party company. The benefit of choosing a universal TV remote that’s aimed at your television’s specific make is that the layout of the remote will likely be very similar to that of your original remote, so you’ll find it far more convenient. Which option you choose will be entirely down to you. If you have an older television, one thing to look out for – especially if you're looking for a brand-specific universal remote – is to be certain that the remote will work on non-smart TVs. This is something that should be clearly stated in the product listing. You can head always head to our what is a smart TV explainer for more info. One thing to remember: don’t forget to buy some batteries at the same time. Some of our recommendations come with batteries included or come available in battery/remote bundle deals. 7 of the best universal remotes All For One Contour Remote Best all-rounder The Contour remote is an all-for-one device that will work across all TV brands. It can be set up in three easy steps, and it also offers you customisability too. There’s a learning feature that lets you programme particular functions to particular buttons. Aside from the standalone remote, you’ll also find some bundles available, including HDMI 2.0 cable or multi-packs of AmazonBasics batteries. Buy now from Amazon for £10.99 Hama 4-in-1 Universal Remote: Best for multiple devices This universal remote from Hama is great if you have a number of devices that you wish to control from one centralised source. This option will let you operate four different devices, but there's also an 8-in-1 model should you need it. In order to pair it successfully with your TV, you will need to select and enter a specific code. Buy now from Amazon for £8.99 Foxtek Universal Replacement Remote Control for Samsung Best third-party remote for Samsungs This universal remote is designed for Samsung televisions of all kinds, including Full HD, 4K, standard LCD or top-of-the-line OLED. It also works with non-smart TVs if you own an older television set. Luckily, there’s no need to enter any model codes to set this up with your TV: it will automatically pair with your television when it’s activated. Buy now from Amazon for £9.95 LG Magic Remote Best for LG smart TV If your old remote was an LG Magic Remote, chances are you’ll want the exact same thing as a replacement. These remote controls are well-known for their ease of use – they offer users a cursor-like pointing feature along with a handy scrolling wheel. Better still, there are direct ‘hot keys’ that take you directly to both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video – perfect for all streaming addicts out there. Buy now from Amazon for £52.27 Angrox Universal Remote Control for LG Best budget LG remote A more affordable option for anybody looking for a universal remote for their LG smart TV. This remote is made by the third-party Angrox, but you won’t need to enter any kind of programming process to pair this with your television. Again, this remote features specific buttons that will take you through to Netflix and Prime Video – and in a nice touch, a pair of the required AAA batteries come included. Buy now from Amazon for £13.89 BCE Universal Remote Control for Samsung Best for non-smart Samsung This universal remote from BCE is a great budget option for anyone with a Samsung television, which includes older, non-smart models. Although it’s another universal remote made by a third-party brand, it won’t need any programming to pair with your television – providing it’s a Samsung set, and it should get going as soon as the batteries are in. Buy now from Amazon for £4.60 Earthma Universal Remote for Samsung Best budget-friendly Samsung remote This universal remote is designed for Samsung televisions, but Earthma also sells options for LG, Sony and Hisense. Each remote is designed with a different layout, each one being similar to the corresponding brand - so you shouldn’t find you need to adapt much when operating it. A great budget-friendly alternative to remotes made by the brands themselves. Buy now from Amazon for £5.99 From the best printers to the best smartphones, our experts put a number of devices through their paces.
Here’s everything you need to know about smart televisions.
According to an Ofcom survey, in 2012 just 11 per cent of households in the UK had a smart TV - but by 2019, that had risen to 48 per cent. That's definitely reflected among our readers: in a recent RadioTimes.com poll we conducted with over 500 participant, we learned that 47% of them owned a smart television. So with nearly half of the UK population watching television through a smart set, they are clearly here to stay. But what is a smart TV, and what does a smart TV do? Read on for our lowdown on smart TVs, in which we cover what a smart television is, what they can offer, the leading smart TV brands and - most importantly of all - whether you should buy one. For everything else you need to know about buying a new TV, check out our comprehensive best smart TV guide. Know you want a big TV? Take a look at our guide to Sony's new superscreen BRAVIA TVs. What is a smart TV? In a nutshell, a smart television is one that can be connected to the internet - most probably, your home’s wi-fi. Whereas the TVs of yesteryear would only broadcast content from an antennae, cable, or a plugged-in AV source. (Rather predictably, these are now commonly known as ‘dumb TVs’.) What does a smart TV do? A whole variety of things. Given the way it supports a wireless internet connection, a good way to think of smart TVs is like a smartphone, only one you can put in the corner of your lounge and park your feet in front of. Firstly, you’re able to access a variety of apps from an app store. This technically includes streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Video, iPlayer and NOW TV - which is probably what’s on most people’s minds. You can also access social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also use a smart TV for general internet browsing, although without the keyboard that a smartphone offers, this generally makes for a clunky experience. That’s why most smart TV users instead stream content from their phone, tablet or laptop to their televisions: another key feature. It’s worth saying at this point that not all smart TV features are created equally, and different brands offer different bells and whistles with their televisions’ smart platforms. Should you buy a smart TV? If you’re buying a new television, yes. Indeed, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a recently made television that doesn’t come with smart capability. Some ultra-budget, tiny-sized TVs intended for kitchen counters might not be smart, but they’re few and far between these days. Interestingly, ‘dumb phones’ are enjoying an unexpected surge in popularity, as lots of screen-addicted users want to keep a lid on their anxiety levels. But we highly doubt the same will happen with television, simply because TVs don’t live in our pockets, and don’t have the same pervasive presence in our lives. But if you have a non-smart TV and don’t plan to buy a replacement set, you needn’t worry: there’s ways you can give your telly the added smarts. How to turn your TV into a smart TV Turning an older TV into one that’s smart is relatively easy, and there are two ways to do it. One is to invest in a device like an Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast or Roku Express, which are commonly known as a ‘TV stick’. If you pop these tiny little devices into the HDMI port of your TV and connect them to your home’s wi-fi, you can access all those streaming apps, and browse on the internet. Standard TV sticks usually cost around £25 to £35, while those that support 4K are usually around £50. (Bear in mind these won’t be so useful if your non-smart TV isn’t 4K-ready, which it probably isn’t.) As a one-off cost, TV sticks offer real value for money. You can read our Amazon Fire TV stick review, Fire TV Cube review and our Roku Premiere review for details of these handy little devices, and there's also our best streaming stick article for a run-down of the very best we've tested. But an even cheaper option is to buy what’s known as a ‘dongle’ for your TV. These are more like basic conduits that will connect a device like a phone or laptop to your TV. So you can access Netflix from your laptop’s browser, for example, and then send that to the telly. These devices are generally around £15. Of the two options, we suggest you go for the TV stick, since for a little more cash you get a lot more ease-of-use with their in-built platforms and remote controls. But hey, if you’re happy with operating from your device, dongles are perfectly fine. Smart TV vs Chromecast As we’ve laid out, it’s pretty easy to turn your TV into a smart device. So is it worth investing in a smart TV for its own sake? Well, as we’ve also said, if you’re looking for a new television, you’ll almost inevitably end up buying a smart TV anyway. The reason we’d push you towards buying a smart TV is for all the other things it will offer over a TV that’s not smart TV. For instance, you might be able to get your fix of The Crown on your 10-year-old telly with a Fire Stick. But watching those sumptuous interior shots of Buckingham Palace in gorgeous, crystalline 4K? That’s a whole other matter. That’s what it comes down to really: the wealth of other features most recent smart TVs will likely offer. Ultra HD picture quality is now more or less default - for more information, read our What is a 4K TV? explainer. This is simply the nature of the ceaselessly evolving world of television. What to look for when buying a smart TV Given the prevalence of smart TVs, you could argue this pretty much encompasses all TVs. But that’s a bit simplistic, so we’re going to take a dive into smart TV platforms, which differ from brand to brand, and what you should look out for in any online reviews you read. The first is the platform’s ease-of-use, since you’ll want your telly watching to be as smooth and intuitive as possible. A lot of this boils down to the algorithms of the platform, which takes note of the content you’ve watched (across multiple platforms) and will show similar shows or movies it thinks you will enjoy. Then there’s the effect processing power disparity, which will differ across the brand’s televisions. So while a platform can run ultra-smoothly on high-end TVs with more powerful processors, it might freeze and judder a little on cheaper sets. You should also look out to see if voice control is included. This might sound a little frivolous - after all, you’re already sitting with your feet up with a remote control in your hand. But anyone who owns a smart speaker will know that once you’ve barked a few orders at a voice assistant, you soon get very used to it. Via the smart platform, you can potentially ask your TV to read the news, tell you the weather and integrate it with other smart devices around your homes. Of course, one of the most important things to consider when buying any television is the quality of the image it will deliver. Depending on your budget, you might want to look out for sets with OLED, QLED and Nanocell screens - they will offer you 4K picture detail with even greater levels on quality. Read our what is an OLED TV explainer for more information on this distinctly deluxe screen tech. One thing you should know is that 4K streaming takes up considerably more internet bandwidth than that of Full HD content or lower. It's important to know if your home broadband is up to the task: make sure you read our what broadband speed do I need explainer to find out more. You'll also want to make sure you pick a television with the right screen size for your viewing space, so make sure you take a look at our What size TV should I buy? guide, and our explainer on How to measure your TV screen. Which brands make the best smart TVs? LG’s WebOS is widely regarded as the best smart platform, largely because of its Magic Remote technology. With this, you can use the remote much like the mouse on a laptop, moving the cursor around the screen with an incredibly simple fluidity. Take a look at the LG 55-inch CX 4K TV for an example of a TV with this OS, along with the Ultra HD picture quality that more and more people are coming to expect as standard. The WebOS remote also has a built-in mic, and you can give instructions to the Google Assistant. It also has all the capabilities of a Google Home smart speaker, meaning you can operate everything from your Philips Hue smart lightbulbs to your Nest smart thermostat through your humble telly. Then there’s Samsung’s Tizen platform, which has earned a good reputation for an user interface that’s simple and superbly intuitive. You can watch shows or films, whilst operating the platform via a two-tier strip at the bottom of the screen. The upper bar shows the content - films and programmes - while the lower one shows the apps themselves. It’s genuinely as easy to use as it sounds. The Samsung 55-inch 4K Q95T looks like a winning example of what you can expect from one of the brand’s televisions. Google’s Android TV platform, meanwhile, is one you’ll find on Philips, Sony and Hisense televisions. As the name suggests, it's much the same as Android, Google’s smartphone OS, only geared for TV. Also unsurprising is the built-in Google Assistant, which you can activate via a button the remote. Android TV displays its options, whether that be apps or content, in a series of easy-to-navigate ribbons across your TV screen. Check out the Sony Bravia XR A90J and Philips 58-inch PUS8545/12 4K TV for examples of smart televisions with Android TV. Google also recently rolled out a new smart TV platform - or strictly speaking, a kind of extra layer to Android TV - that you'll find in Sony's 2021 range of televisions, and no doubt plenty more in the months and years to come. To find out more, read our What is Google TV explainer. For more TV recommendations, take a look at our Toshiba WK3 TV review and Samsung Q70A review, or try our best indoor TV aerial guide.
These new earbuds from the Beats production line are an exciting new addition to the mid-range market.
Forgive us if we talk in cliches, but the phrase 'a marriage made in heaven' feels like one that can be applied to Apple and Beats. Back in 2014, the former bought the latter (for the tidy sum of around $3m), and it was five years later that the Powerbeats Pro, the fruit of their combined labours, were released. Of all the wireless earbuds our experts have tested, these are among our very favourite – and largely because Beats have successfully managed to sustain its own identity despite coming from the same production lines as the likes of the Airpods and Airpods Pro. That's why we were so excited about getting our hands on the all-new Studio Buds ahead of their summer 2021 release. Unless the ear hook-style Powerbeats, the Studio Buds are designed in the classic in-ear tradition. They're also priced noticeably lower and are missing one major feature that was an undeniable letdown. Read on for our expert, in-depth verdict of the Beats Studio Buds. For curated lists of our favourite earbuds, don't miss our best wireless earbuds and best budget wireless earbuds articles. Beats Studio Buds review: summary While they didn't leave us starry-eyed like the Powerbeats Pro, we were nonetheless delighted to discover that the Beats Studio Buds will enter the market this summer as an excellent mid-range contender. The sound profile will please everyone with realistic expectations of this price point, as should the solid noise cancellation. Best of all, though, is the gorgeous design and super-comfy fit offered by the Studio Buds. Jump to: What are the Beats Studio Buds? How much are the Beats Studio Buds? Design Features Beats Studio Buds set-up Our verdict Where to buy What are the Beats Studio Buds? These are the latest earbuds from Beats and a mid-range follow-on from the Powerbeats Pro, which were released in 2019. To compare them with similarly priced options from other brands, you can check out our Huawei Freebuds Pro review and JBL Reflect Mini NC review. What do the Beats Studio Buds do? Here's a run-down of what you can expect from the Studio Buds: Audio playback from your paired device in the form of both music and incoming calls. Two sound modes: ANC will offer you noise-cancellation, while Transparency lets in a little sound from the outside world through via a set of external mics. You can also talk to your device's voice assistant via the Studio Buds - and in the case of Siri, you can activate hands-free with the typically wake-word 'Hey Siri'. The Studio Buds are IPX4 water-resistant, which means they'll easily survive a sweaty session at the gym, but are best kept away from the poolside. On their own, these earbuds should last for approximately 8 hours and for 24 altogether with the charging case. The case charges via USB-C to USB-C connection. How much are the Beats Studio Buds? The Beats Studio Buds come in at £129.99, and are available to order at Amazon, Currys PC World and the Beats UK Store. You'll find the best offers listed directly below. Are the Beats Studio Buds good value for money? Absolutely – while earbuds (and good-quality ones for that matter) are growing increasingly more affordable, the high-class sound profile offered here for not that much over £100 means these should be definitely worth your consideration. The fact that they're so easy to operate via each earbud's push-button is no small deal either: while there are plenty of cheaper earbuds out there, many of them are hampered by needlessly fiddly UIs. Beats Studio Buds design Unlike the clamshell case of the Powerbeats Pro, the Studio Buds come in an ovoid box that opens to the typical deep charging wells you get with most earbuds. We like the lustre of the case, although that sort of matte surface does love to collect the grease from fingers and thumbs. Beneath the 'b' logo, a glowing light beneath the logo indicates if the earbuds are charging inside. The buds themselves are an exquisite work of design: both organic and sharp-edged at the same time. It’s hard for us to describe their shape – picture a piece of pinched clay that’s been neatly cut at one end, emblazoned with the Beats logo. Where the ear hook-style Powerbeats Pro are, inevitably, rather ostentatious, these are compact and unassuming, weighing just over 5g each. But this design isn’t all about appearances: as the visual instructions in the packaging demonstrate, the Studio Buds can be worn in two different positions in your ear, either in the concha (main cavity area) or tucked into the narrow channel between your tragus and anti-tragus. (No, we’re not ear experts. But we do have access to Google.) We found that both positions were snug and comfortable, with the latter for us being just that little better. To have two options two choose from is one of the Studio Buds' greatest strengths. After all, no matter, no matter how good the sound is, a pair of earbuds don't count for much if they're not comfy. The Studio Buds come in three colours: Black, White – more an off-white, in reality – and Beats Red, which is a bright, fire-engine colour. We were also very pleased to discover the Studio Buds still make use of a physical press button on both of those flattened faces. This is something that's being increasingly done away with (and to seriously mixed success) by brands who adopt sensor-based UIs instead. Beats, wisely, has kept the Studio Buds' interface decidedly simple. One tap starts and stops the track or accepts or ends the incoming call; two taps skips to the next tracks; three taps skips backwards; a sustained tap toggles between the ANC and Transparent sound modes. This means you can’t control the playback volume on the earbuds themselves - but we consider this a worthy sacrifice against the fiddly UI systems you get in other earbuds, which feels almost Morse Code-like in their complexity at times. Beats Studio Buds features With its hip-hop roots, Beats has long held a reputation for bass-heavy sound, and often to a fault. But any previous criticisms that Beats products have received for their overbearingly exaggerated highs, and lows certainly weren’t on display here. If anything, the sound leant towards the trebles: when we listened to ‘Organ Donor’ by DJ Shadow, we noticed the bassline was kept on a surprisingly tight leash. In terms of sheer horsepower, the Studio Buds will reliably see you through the noisiest of commutes (testing them in a quiet space, we had them set several notches below maximum). The ANC provided is of a sound level, though if you're relying on this as a function, we're going to steer you towards more expensive earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro or Jabra Elite 85t. Ultimately, the Studio Buds solidly deliver in terms of sound quality – it's more in their internal workings that we were most disappointed. That's largely down to the absence of Apple's H1 chip, which you'll find in the Powerbeats Pro and helps make those higher-end earbuds such as smooth experience when paired with iOS. For example, while the Studio Buds will automatically pair with your device when taken from their case, they won't automatically start or stop when inserted or removed from your ears like the Powerbeats Pro. In the Studio Buds' defence, they're a good £90 cheaper – and it's sort of feature you'll only notice if you've grown accustomed to it. As a whole, the Studio Buds' features fully justify the £129.99 price tag. What is the Beats Studio Buds battery like? Beats promise up to 24 hours of use from the Studio Buds, with eight hours from the fully charged earbuds and another 16 from the charging case, with the ANC switched off. If you do use them in noise-cancellation mode, the figure falls from eight hours to five. Those figures were certainly in line with our use across a 48-hour period. We were also pleased to discover the Studio Buds are a set of earbuds that come with a 'Fast Fuel' feature, which will give you an hour of playback from five minutes of charge. Always handy... if you're the forgetful type, like us. Beats Studio Buds set-up: how easy are they to use? Setting up the Studio Buds on our iPhone was a gloriously easy experience – which should be no surprise, given they come from an Apple-owned company. It took all of fifteen seconds to get them from their case to playing music in our ears. This largely comes down to the one-touch pairing function, a feature Beats has made much of in its pre-release publicity and is one that's available not just on iOS but Android too. Simply bring the Studio Buds into the close vicinity of your device, and a window will appear on your screen asking if you'd like to pair the two. Perhaps the closest we can come to phrase 'poetry in motion' in the world of earbuds. A USB-C to USB-C charger is included in the box, along with the Studio Buds, their case and a series of silicone ear tips in different sizes. This was a surprise to us: we expected a Lightning cable, as is the case with the Powerbeats Pro. This might prove an annoyance to anybody without a USB-C port in any of their devices: you'll need to invest in either a USB-C wall charger or a USB-C-to-USB converter. Our verdict: should you buy the Beats Studio Buds? If you're seeking out a mid-range set of earbuds, we'd urge you to give the Studio Buds serious consideration. While there are increasing numbers of excellent-quality earbuds out there for less than £100, these are very much worth the triple-digit spend, thanks to the lovely design and snug fit. That said, if you're a Beats devotee and you use iOS, the Powerbeats are undeniably worth the extra money, thanks to the H1 chip that is sadly missing here. As a whole, though? These are a major win for Beats. Review scores: Set-up: 5/5 Design: 4/5 Features (average): 4/5 Sound quality: 3.5/5 Value for money: 4/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy the Beats Studio Buds You can buy the Beats Studio Buds for £129.99 from Amazon, Currys PC World and the Beats UK Store And if you want to stay up to speed with all the latest earbuds news, rumours and releases? Sign up for the RadioTimes.com tech newsletter below. Seeking out affordable earbuds? Don’t miss our pick of the best budget wireless earbuds. For present inspiration, head to our tech gifts guide.
This is a fine-looking flagship, but it isn’t without its flaws.
First things first: to test the Huawei Watch 3, we paired it with an iPhone. Which you could very well argue is not a wise choice of smartphone to review a wearable that's undoubtedly aimed foremost at Android users. Plus, there's the simple fact that anyone who uses an iPhone or other iOS device, and is looking for a flagship wearable, will gravitate instead to an Apple Watch. That may be true – but we doubt it’s the party line over at Huawei. And the fact of the matter is, while Apple's characteristic insularity means its Watch range is only compatible with its own devices, the reverse doesn't apply. Huawei's watches can very much be paired with iPhones – they just have mixed results. And that was certainly what we encountered when we put the Watch 3 to the test. The Watch 3 belongs to an 'ecosystem' of new devices from Huawei, including the MatePad 11 tablet and Freebuds 4 earbuds, that are all supported by the all-new HarmonyOS, an umbrella operating system designed to tackle the cross-device glitches that can happen with connected smart devices. This is great news for Huawei phone users: handsets like the Mate 40, P40 and 30 series were recently updated with HarmonyOS, with other phones to follow. But how does it perform when paired with iOS? Read on for our expert verdict on the Huawei Watch 3. This is one of a number of Huawei wearables we’ve put to the test – be sure to read our Huawei Watch Fit, Watch Fit Elegant, Huawei GT2 Pro and Huawei Band 6 reviews. And for expert-curated lists of our favourite wearables, don’t miss our best smartwatch, best Android smartwatch and best budget smartwatch articles. Jump to: What is the Huawei Watch 3? How much is the Huawei Watch 3? Design Features Huawei Watch 3 set-up Our verdict Where to buy Huawei Watch 3 review: summary This is a fabulous-looking smartwatch, and definitely a leading flagship for Android users. We loved the smoothness of the 60HZ, 1.43-inch display, the reliability of the fitness functions, the classicism of the design and the build quality. But a couple of wince-inducing snarl-ups made this a bad fit for our iPhone, and if you belong to that tribe, we advise you to steer clear. We have a feeling this truly sings on HarmonyOS devices, however. The Huawei Watch 3 is available to buy from a number of stores including Amazon, Currys and the Huawei UK Store. What is the Huawei Watch 3? The Watch 3 is Huawei’s latest top-of-the-line smartwatch, released in June 2021. There’s been quite the delay in seeing this wearable land – the Watch 2 was released back in 2017. Given the turbulence Huawei has experienced on the Western market in the intervening years, we weren’t sure if we would see a successor to the Watch 2. But here it is. What does the Huawei Watch 3 do? Here’s a run-down of the Huawei Watch 3’s various functions and features: The Watch 3 will offer metrics on your heartrate, sleep levels, SpO2 (blood oxygen) and temperature. There are 100 workout modes available to track your activities, with automatic detection offered for six including running, walking and swimming. Huawei's voice assistant, Celia, is built into the Watch 3. The built-in GNSS sensor offers location tracking without the need of your phone's GPS to do the heavy lifting. You can control the music playing from your phone, and also store music on the watch itself. The Watch 3 is 5 ATM water-resistant, which means you can wear it in shallow-water activities like pool swimming. How much is the Huawei Watch 3? The Huawei Watch 3 has an RRP of £349.99, and since it’s such a recent release, we don’t expect that price to fall any time soon. The next down in terms of price is the Huawei Watch GT2 Pro – and that’s considerably cheaper at £179.99. But the true reigning monarch in the brand’s line of wearables is the Huawei Watch 3 Pro, which offers a longer battery. undefined Is Huawei Watch 3 good value for money? Being honest, we think Huawei is over-reaching a little with its asking price, but that's with the caveat that other brands like Apple and Samsung do exactly the same with their own flagships. This is largely down to the wealth of flashy-but-not-obviously-useful metrics offered in these high-end devices: examples here include the blood oxygen and temperature check controls, which come with little scope for analysis. (Should it need to be said, you should never rely on a tech device for medical advice over your doctor). But hey: this only makes us more excited for further innovations and developments from wearables manufacturers in the years to come. Who knows what smartwatches in a few generations' time will be able to do? Huawei Watch 3 design In design, build and aesthetics, the Watch 3 is a masterwork. It very much looks like a £349.99 smartwatch, that's for sure. While it’s not unique to this generation of Watch, we want to reassert that Huawei chose very wisely in not trying to ape the boxy, space-age style of the Apple Watch series. It offers a luxe and credible alternative to a futurist look that, we suspect, lots of Apple fans tolerate rather than like. Were it not for the fact that its face is blank when not in use, the Watch 3 could easily be mistaken for a high-end analogue watch. It comes with a leatherette strap that can be easily swapped out by two slide catches. We really appreciate the fact the Watch 3 is compatible with universal watch straps – so if you're thinking of retiring your current analogue watch but you like its strap, you'll have no trouble attaching it. The classic look extends to the series of face designs, some of which are built into the watch itself, with many more available in the Huawei Health app. There's a huge array of exquisite analogue-style designs to pick from, and plenty more digital-style ones too if that's more your cup of tea. At 54g, it’s a weighty smartwatch, without being cumbersome. As with most smartwatches that are packed with latest-generation internal parts, it's pretty deep at just a little over 12mm. That 1.43-inch (46.2) watch face might look pretty big on more slender wrists, but the amount of visual information it offers in comparison to slimmer smartwatches and fitness trackers still makes it worthwhile, we'd say. Lastly, we were delighted to find two buttons on the right-hand face, the upper of which strictly is a crown that you can rotate, whether it be zooming in and out of the honeycomb-style grid launcher or scrolling through functions. Huawei Watch 3 features And here’s where the Watch 3 is something of a curate’s egg: some parts are good; some less so. Let’s start with the positives. The Watch 3 is chock-full of all the leading fitness metrics you would expect from a flagship wearable, and those we tested all performed very well indeed. The heart rate sensor logged our details accurately, as did the sleep sensor, tracking our sleep duration and REM levels with excellent precision. It also did the same with our SpO2 levels (though, as we’ve said in multiple other reviews, this data isn’t exactly illuminating on its own: you’re best off taking it to your GP for substantive analysis). We also made good use of the Watch 3’s workout modes – in our case, an 11-mile walk in the Pennines. The Watch 3 did an excellent job of tracking our progress, albeit in kilometres, announcing each unit covered at regular intervals. And of course, there’s the three-ring system that will show your daily exercise, steps and calories. Swipe down, and you can compare that day’s efforts to those of previous days. Now, to the less good stuff, which largely comes from those ongoing iOS compatibility issues. The Huawei Watch 3 should be able to both play music from your phone, and store it so you can listen via the watch’s speakers if you want to. Unfortunately, when we tapped the music tile in the functions screen, the following message appeared: 'Respect of customer, huawei [sic] temporary does not support the device and the IOS [sic] mobile music matching provide online music service, after waiting for system upgrade can be normal use, if there is any inconvenience locations.' Which, frankly, is a little embarrassing. Huawei’s iOS hiccups are well-publicised, but to be met with a message in non-proofread, broken English doesn’t exactly scream ‘industry-leading wearable’. It’s this kind of seat-of-the-pants stuff that continues to tarnish Huawei’s reputation, and it's unlikely to convert any Apple Watch devotees, either. Also to our disappointment, we couldn’t get the Watch’s built-in assistant Celia to work either. You’ll need to go into the settings to switch on the wake-word setting – but no matter how many times we tried ‘Hey, Celia’, we were met with a ‘network error’ on-screen message, and nothing we could find online solved the issue. This may well be another iOS-related problem, but was a letdown all the same. We wanted to end this section on an upbeat note, which is why we left discussing the Watch 3's gorgeous AMOLED display until last. From the moment we charged the device and the words 'HarmonyOS' appeared on the screen, we knew we were looking at one of the most bright, sharp and vibrant smartwatch displays we've yet tested. The Watch 3 boasts a screen refresh rate of 60HZ, and it shows in the fluidity of every last graphic: even watching it charge was almost mesmerising. This, paired with a smooth UI, made the Watch 3's usability a fantastic experience. What is the Huawei Watch 3 battery like? Huawei advertises the battery life of the Watch 3 as anywhere between 14 days (in ultra-long battery life mode and with next-to-no usage) and 1.5 days when paired with an iPhone. For our three-day review period, during which we did some extensive testing, the Watch 3 lasted for about 48 hours before it needed charging via the magnetic cable. Huawei Watch 3 set-up: how easy is it to use? We got the Huawei Watch 3 up and running in the space of around an hour. That was largely down to it arriving minus charge, but in that time we got it up to 90 per cent in power. The Watch 3 arrives in a very slick-looking black box, the inside of which features the Huawei logo in embossed gold. Included in the pack is the watch itself, the magnetic charging cable and a set of paper instructions. The strap already comes attached to the watch face. The fitness features and metrics needed to be accessed via the Huawei Health app, so you'll need to make sure you've got that installed on your phone. Our verdict: should you buy the Huawei Watch 3? Are you an iOS user? Don't bother, buy an Apple Watch instead. We can't offer first-hand feedback on the Android experience, but on the assumption that the music playback feature works, and Celia the voice assistant steps up, this is a definitively exceptional smartwatch. And if you've got another device with HarmonyOS to pair it with? Lucky you. Review scores: Design: 4.5/5 Features (average) : 3.5/5 Functions: 3 Battery: 4 Value for money: 3.5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Overall star rating: 3.8/5 Where to buy the Huawei Watch 3 watch You can buy the Huawei Watch 3 from retailers including Amazon, Currys and the Huawei UK Store. We've listed the best offers on the Watch 3 below. undefined Still on the hunt for your perfect wearable? You may want to see what's on offer right now in our pick of the best smartwatch deals.
The first ‘truly wireless’ earbuds from Beats are a spectacular piece of audio tech, and offer a credible alternative to the AirPods Pro.
Beats was bought by Apple back in 2014 – and while the Dr Dre-founded brand has been allowed to retain its identity, you only need to take a look at the Powerbeats Pro to see who’s really sat on the throne behind the scenes. Yes, it’s the famed red ‘b’ logo that you’ll see on the side of these wireless earbuds, but traces of Apple’s ownership are still to be found everywhere, from the Lightning cable to the super-smooth iOS compatibility. But more interesting to see is how these square against another set of earbuds, namely the Apple AirPods Pro. These are slightly more expensive, but they offer something that the Powerbeats Pro don’t, which is noise-cancelling tech. By contrast, the Powerbeats Pro boast an earhook design that will keep them firmly in place – something that makes these a great workout companion. We were delighted to find that the Powerbeats Pro are a supremely well-designed set of earbuds that do both the Beats and Apple names proud – read on for our full, in-depth review. And if you're looking for a less expensive alternative, you may want to read our pick of the best budget wireless earbuds. Powerbeats Pro review: summary The Powerbeats Pro will offer you a secure fit, excellent sound quality and a highly convenient, hassle-free experience. Yes, you might not get the ANC offered by rival sets of earbuds at a similar price, but the fact that the Powerbeats Pro’s earhook design is both secure and comfortable is a major sell. The Powerbeats Pro are available at Amazon, Currys and Very. What are the Powerbeats Pro? How much is Powerbeats Pro? Design Features Powerbeats Pro set-up Our verdict Where to buy What are the Powerbeats Pro? The Powerbeats Pro are the cordless update on the original corded Powerbeats. Where those in-ear earbuds were connected by a cable, these are totally wireless. And where their predecessors plugged directly into a wall adaptor or device to charge, the Powerbeats Pro receive their battery top-up via a case – like, yes, the Apple Airpods. What do the Powerbeats Pro do? The Powerbeats Pro are all about audio playback, naturally, but here’s a breakdown of what these earbuds deliver: A maximum of 24 hours of playback: nine from the earbuds and another 15 from the charging case. The Powerbeats Pro are sweat- and water-resistant – in other words, they won’t give up on you no matter how hard you go in the gym. Both earbuds can operate independently – you can listen to just the one in your ear if needs be. You can also activate Siri via your Apple device’s wake word. It’s worth taking note at this point that the Powerbeats Pro do not have the noise-cancelling technology that you might expect in a pair of earbuds at this price. How much are the Powerbeats Pro? The Powerbeats Pro have an RRP of £219.95 listed on the Beats store – but we’ve seen certain versions offered for considerably less, so if you’re not dead-set on a specific colour, it’s worth checking all their different prices. You’ll find the best Powerbeats Pro deals listed below. Are the Powerbeats Pro good value for money? Yes. Given their superb design, secure and comfortable fit and levels of sound quality, the Powerbeats Pro proved to be worth every penny – and that’s against the full RRP. That you’ll likely find them on sale for as much as 30% less than that price is simply a bonus. Powerbeats Pro design Let’s get to the most important thing: how do the Powerbeats Pro fit in your ears? After a little wiggling, we slipped them into place – and we found they were both comfortable and undeniably secure. But if you do find that the fit is a little too constrictive, then you’ve got another three sizes of eargel included in the pack to try out. Earhooks aren’t to everybody’s taste, but we like the rounded, organic look of the Powerbeats Pro. They come in four muted, tasteful colours: Black, Navy, Moss and Ivory. Note the absence of any white version: we’re guessing that’s to ensure they don’t just look like the sporty version of the AirPods. In terms of the UI, both earbuds sport the same button and volume rocker. After a couple of days of frustrated sensor-tapping with another set of earbuds (you can read our in-depth Skullcandy Indy ANC review for more), we were frankly relieved to find a physical button and the extra volume controls. The controls are every bit as simple as they sound. Powerbeats Pro features We were hugely impressed by the sound quality that the Powerbeats Pro delivered. While sat working, volume set to two-thirds was plenty; even in a busy train station concourse, a notch below max was more than enough. Beats, of course, is a company known for pioneering heavy-bass sound products, which were aimed, in the early days at least, at a primarily hip-hop-listening audience who wanted that heavy thump. Luckily, the frequency curve you’ll find in the Powerbeats Pro is a lot more subtle than its products of yesteryear, and ‘Skinny Love’ by Bon Iver sounded just as good as the deep bass of ‘A Milli by Lil Wayne. Lows, mids and highs all receive the same excellent treatment. Oh, and if you’re judging us on our choice of music and concerned others might do the same to you, you’ll be pleased to hear that people sat near us while we reviewed reported very little noise leaking even at max volume, which is likely due to that highly secure earhook fit. One thing that we would like to see is a dedicated Beats app that might offer some more control over the sound delivered by the Powerbeats Pro – a few preset modes or some EQ customisation. Admittedly, there’s an argument to be made that the sound is so fabulous it doesn’t need any tinkering – but in a market where consumers increasingly want to stamp their own individuality on their products, this feels like an oversight, though. But the devil remains in the details, and it's here where the Powerbeats Pro shine. A perfect example is the fact that not only do these earbuds automatically stop playing when you take them out of your ears – but if you remove one, you can hit the button on the remaining one, and it will play independently. Convenience goes a hell of a long way with tech products earbuds. That convenience is boosted for Apple users due to the brand including its H1 chip in the Powerbeats Pro. If you pair these earbuds with an Apple product, they’ll automatically pair and connect with another device that uses the same Apple ID. So if you’ve connected the Powerbeats Pro to your iPhone, see what happens when you open your iPad or Macbook – you should be able to jump between listening from one to another very easily indeed. Lastly, you can also call upon the services of Siri by uttering ‘Hey Siri’ or whatever wake word you’ve got in place on your Apple device. What is the Powerbeats Pro battery like? The Powerbeats Pro will offer you a maximum of 24 hours of playback – the earbuds themselves will last for 9 hours, with another 15 hours of charge offered by the case. That’s an assured level of battery life, but better still is the Fast Fuel feature, which gives you a turbo boost of 90 minutes of playback from a mere five minutes in the case: perfect if you’re about to leave the house and forgot to plug the case in overnight. Interestingly, it’s a Lightning cable that’s included versus the USB-C connection that you’ll see with most earbuds. There won’t be any compatibility issues – but Apple, it seems, does rather like to mark its territory. Powerbeats Pro set-up: how easy are they to use? The Powerbeats Pro come in a Russian doll-like series of black packaging. Inside the outer packaging, you’ll find an inner case, and inside that, there’s another case. Open that, and you’ll find the clamshell-style charging case nestled in a moulded box, with the Powerbeats Pro inside, pre-charged and ready to go. Does this all sound like the pomp and circumstance that you might normally associate with an Apple product? That’s certainly what we thought. You’ll find the fold-instruction beneath the moulded case, along with the Lightning charge cable. But honestly, we’d be surprised if you ever need to open them. Setup was swift and simple: we had these playing music in our ears within the space of two minutes. Thanks to the inclusion of Apple’s H1 chip, these are totally set up to pair with iOS – so in the case of our iPhone, we didn’t even need to search for the Powerbeats Pro via the Bluetooth function. They simply appeared as a prompt on our screen. The case itself is pretty bulky as earbud cases go, measuring 7.7cm in both height and width. It's not one you can slip into a pocket, but that seems unavoidable since they house devices that, thanks to the earhook design, are larger than most of their rivals at 5.6cm in length. You might be forgiven for thinking there's a make-up mirror inside, but we love the semi-matte black finish. Our verdict: should you buy the Powerbeats Pro? Many people are probably deciding between these and the Airpods Pro. For those who are nervous about losing their earbuds, these are the far easier sell: the Powerbeats Pro will deliver an assuredly high-quality level of playback, and thanks to the earhook design, they will never abandon you on your morning run or at the gym. The reason you might opt for the Airpods Pro instead is due to the noise-cancelling tech being offered there. It does feel a little odd to see a pair of earbuds without ANC that have an RRP upward of £200 – but in all other regards, the Powerbeats Pro are a formidable alternative to Apple’s flagship earbuds. Review scores: Set-up: 5/5 Design: 4/5 Features (average): 4/5 Sound quality: 4/5 Value for money: 4/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy Powerbeats Pro watch You’ll find the Powerbeats Pro available from the following online stores and retailers: Amazon AO Argos Currys John Lewis Very. undefined Are you looking to upgrade your home audio? Don't miss our best smart speaker selection.
It’s fashion before fitness with the Elegant edition of Huawei’s mid-range smartwatch.
Call us shallow, but at RadioTimes.com, we’re suckers for pretty pieces of tech just as much as the next person. Especially wearables, since you, well, wear them. Innovative features and long-lasting batteries are all well and good, but they count for a whole lot less if they’re encased within devices that are either cheap-looking, hideous or both. Of course, price point does play an important part. Most consumers will be happy picking up a clunky fitness tracker if it does its job and costs less than a meal at a restaurant. But once you get to a certain price point, looks really do start to matter. This, no doubt, is why Huawei decided to develop a luxe version of the Watch Fit. The Elegant version of the brand’s mid-range wearable swaps out the plastic chassis of the display for gold-coloured stainless steel and brings in two new strap colours. And that’s about it. It should be no surprise that the Watch Fit Elegant has been given a higher price than that of the standard Watch Fit – but is this Cinderella edition worth the extra spend? Read on to find out what our experts made of the Huawei Watch Fit Elegant. To see how it compares to the original version, make sure you read our Huawei Watch Fit review. And for expert-curated lists of our favourite wearables, make sure you read our best smartwatch, best Android smartwatch and best budget smartwatch lists. What is Huawei Watch Fit Elegant? How much is Huawei Watch Fit Elegant? Design Features Huawei Watch Fit Elegant set-up Our verdict Where to buy Huawei Watch Fit Elegant review: summary As promised, the Watch Fit Elegant delivers a more upmarket and fashion-focused design than the standard Watch Fit – but little else besides. That isn’t an issue in itself: we highly doubt anyone at Huawei hopes to convert who already has a Watch Fit. All it means is that we're only steering those who prioritise style towards this: if you're after a reliable fitness tracker, there are plenty of far better (and cheaper) options out there. The Huawei Watch Fit Elegant is available to buy at retailers including Amazon, Currys and the Huawei UK Store. You'll find the best offers out there listed below. undefined What is the Huawei Watch Fit Elegant? Elegant by name, elegant by nature: this is the jazzed-up version of Huawei’s Watch Fit. Where that model has a plastic chassis, this has a gold-coloured, metal alternative along with a couple of new strap designs that ultimately makes it a much seemlier choice. The Watch Fit is Huawei’s mid-range offering – beneath it in the budget category, you’ll find the Huawei Band 6, and above there’s the Huawei GT2 Pro, which has a higher-resolution, sapphire-glass display and some more advanced fitness metrics. There’s also a new flagship coming very soon in the form of the Huawei Watch 3, which is due for launch in the summer of 2021. What does the Huawei Watch Fit Elegant do? In terms of features and functions, the Elegant version of the Huawei Watch Fit doesn’t deviate at all from the standard version. Here’s what you can expect from this wearable: It will track a range of health metrics, including heart rate, SpO2 (blood oxygen), stress and sleep quality. There are 96 workout modes included, and within them are 12 animated programmes – a personal trainer will appear on the display and guide you through a series of workouts. The Watch Fit Elegant has built-in GPS, which means it will both help you with wayfinding and also make a record of your journey if you head out for a run. There’s a menstrual tracker which will help you follow your ovulation cycle, sending you periodic reminders. Are you a nervous type? The Huawei Watch Fit has a guided breathing feature that should help you with your stress levels. The Watch Fit Elegant will deliver all the typical notifications from your phone, including texts, emails and social media alerts. (Since it doesn’t have a built-in cellular unit, it won’t, however, let you receive calls.) You can also control the music you’re playing on your phone, though it doesn’t contain any music storage capabilities. There are a number of different watch themes and displays to choose from. How much is the Huawei Watch Fit Elegant? The Huawei Watch Fit has an RRP of £129.99, but that’s actually been dropped to £109.99 at the Huawei UK store right now. Interestingly, this comes in the wake of the standard Huawei Watch Fit dropping to £79.99 at the UK Huawei Store. Is Huawei Watch Fit Elegant good value for money? If, first and foremost, you’re after an attractive smartwatch clear of wallet-stinging flagship prices, then most definitely. There’s no prettier wearable available at this price, and (to not beat around the bush) if you’d like something that resembles an Apple Watch, it’s the best substitute out there. But if a reliable fitness companion is your top priority, then we’d urge you to steer clear of the Watch Fit Elegant (and the Watch Fit itself, for that matter) in favour of the similarly priced Xiaomi Mi Watch. Dedicated runners should definitely consider the Garmin Forerunner 45, a distinctly old-school affair compared to the shiny, svelte Watch Fit Elegant – but with it comes a host of far superior functions and metrics. Huawei Watch Fit Elegant design In matters of design is, of course, where things really matter for the Huawei Watch Fit Elegant. We won’t argue with the product name: in a market where you often have to go to flagship devices priced over £300 for anything that might be described as stylish, the Elegant does deliver. Without wanting to pigeonhole any of our readers, our guess is that the gold finish and Frosty White (read: tasteful off-grey) will appeal mostly to women. In looks, the Watch Fit Elegant looks not unlike a slimmed-down gold Apple Watch. The chief difference is that the most affordable latest-gen version of the latter costs twice as much. There’s also a Midnight Black version, with the strap being the only difference. For our money, we think the white version is the prettier of the two. With a bezel that’s now stainless steel rather than plastic, the Watch Fit Elegant also feels like it has a superior build quality to the standard version, while the face has a glossier surface. The strap is just as comfortable, and ultimately, it feels like an actual watch on your wrist. The metal bezel does make the Watch Fit Elegant a little heavier than the standard – but at 27g, we’re hardly calling it a burden. As you can read in our Huawei Band 6 review, we’re not totally sold on Huawei’s wearables UI. We appreciate the inclusion of a push-button on the right-hand side of the display. But the way you tap it once to activate the home screen before tapping it again to call up the list of functions doesn’t feel entirely intuitive. We’re suckers, however, for Huawei’s range of watch faces. The standard one included here is a rose-gold, analogue-style aesthetic, which is distinctly at odds with the sportier design included in Huawei’s cheaper fitness bands. That’s all part of the appeal of the Watch Fit Elegant: it’s the sort of smartwatch you wouldn’t feel compelled to take off before heading out on a date. An always-on screen remains something of a unicorn at this price point, but you can set it to remain on for five minutes if you want to. Huawei Watch Fit Elegant features Now, we get to the functions of the Watch Fit Elegant, which are more of a mixed bag. We’ll say right now that if fitness metrics are your priority and looks aren’t particularly important, then pick up the Xiaomi Mi Watch instead, which is very close in price. Yes, the Mi Watch’s saucer-like display is going to divide opinion, but behind it is a set of metrics and a corresponding app (Xiaomi Wear) that outstrips that of Huawei Health, which has been dogged by all sorts of compatibility issues. But if you’re seeking out a stylish smartwatch, the Watch Fit will offer you a solid, but by no means perfect, set of tracking functions. To make full use of the heart rate monitor, make sure you’re wearing the Watch Fit Elegant tightly across the pulse – if not, you may alarm yourself by discovering your heart’s going at 130bpm while you’re sat typing at your computer. (Not that writing product reviews doesn’t come with its thrills, we hasten to add.) The SpO2 monitor delivers a percentage reading, but we’re still unsure how useful such readings are without some professional medical guidance, and remain pretty sceptical of the stress-tracking function, whose HRV (heartrate variability) algorithm is being superseded by more advanced tech in pricier wearables like the Fitbit Sense. But we’re just as fond of the animated coach that accompanies 12 of the 96 workouts included in the Watch Fit Elegant as we were when we put the standard Watch Fit to the test. Seasoned gym-goers might find these walkthroughs unnecessary, but if it helps get people off the couch and workout, then all the better. What should be clear from the above is that the Watch Fit Elegant isn’t a credible sell to anyone considering replacing their current Watch Fit with this jazzier model: with no addition in terms of features, it’s simply not worth the money. What is the Huawei Watch Fit Elegant battery like? Huawei advertises the maximum battery life of the Watch Fit Elegant as 10 days, which proved pretty accurate during our three-day test period when we put it under moderate use. It doesn’t have the stamina of the similarly-priced Xiaomi Mi Watch, mind, which offers an extra four days on top of that. But we think very few people out there will resent charging a device every week and a half or so. Huawei Watch Fit Elegant set-up: how easy is it to use? Since we had the Huawei Health app already installed on our phone, we were able to get the Watch Fit Elegant on our wrist within just a couple of minutes. But if you do need to download it, and set up an account with all your details (age, height, weight), then it should take around ten minutes. The Watch Fit Elegant arrives pre-charged but in a state of dormancy: you’ll need to charge it for a couple of minutes. Ours was at 85% battery. Pairing it with our phone via the Health app went without a hitch, although an (optional) firmware update did put it out of action for five minutes. Like most devices these days, you’ll need to find your own plug adaptor if you want to charge the Watch Fit Elegant at the wall. It charges via a secure magnetic connection on the rear face of the display. Our verdict: should you buy the Huawei Watch Fit Elegant? As we said, if fitness is your priority, then you’re better off spending the same on the Xiaomi Mi Watch or investing more on the Fitbit Versa. But on sheer appearances alone, the Watch Fit Elegant is worth the spend: it’s an attractive wearable that does exactly what we suspect the designers at Huawei wanted it to, which is to look much more expensive than it actually is. Review scores: Design: 4/5 Features (average) : 3.75/5 Functions: 3.5 Battery: 4 Value for money: 3.5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy Huawei Watch Fit Elegant watch The Huawei Watch Fit Elegant is available to buy at retailers including Amazon, Currys and the Huawei UK Store. You'll find the best offers out there listed below. undefined Look for a bargain wearable? Don't miss our pick of the best smartwatch deals this month.
Xiaomi’s top smartwatch is a mid-range wearable with lots of appeal - if your wrist is the right size.
Some wearables suffer from an identity crisis: are they a fitness tracker, or a smartwatch proper? Granted, all smartwatches offer fitness features of some form or another, but they justify their significantly higher prices with high-quality designs, powerful internal processors and super-smooth UIs. Fitness trackers, by contrast, will cover your needs at the gym or on the sports track, but they’re often pretty cheap-looking and uncomfortable with it. As much as we love a good budget-friendly fitness tracker, they’re not always that comfortable, nor something you’ll necessarily catch us wearing throughout the day. That’s why Xiaomi’s Mi Watch seemed, at first glance, a tough proposition: a smartwatch, but one pitched at the very bottom of the price range. Anything below this, and you’re in fitness band territory. We loved the Xiaomi Mi Band 6, but that comes with a £39.99 price tag, but the Mi Watch is three times the price. Is it worth the extra spend? Read on to find out what we made of the Xiaomi Mi Watch. For an in-depth run-down of our favourite wearables, don’t miss our best smartwatch and best Android smartwatch lists. Jump to: What is the Xiaomi Mi Watch? How much is the Xiaomi Mi Watch? Design Features Xiaomi Mi Watch set-up Our verdict Where to buy Xiaomi Mi Watch review: summary Our infatuation with Xiaomi continues with this pretty and reliable, though not entirely perfect, mid-range wearable. The Chinese brand has truly impressed us with the Mi Watch’s substantial 1.39-inch AMOLED display and easy-to-navigate UI system. You’re unlikely to get much from the blood oxygen and stress functions, but if you’re after an affordable wearable that looks good outside of the gym or running track, this is the best we’ve put to the test. The Xiaomi Mi Watch is available at Amazon. We've listed the best current offers below. What is the Xiaomi Mi Watch? Although it’s the brand’s most expensive smartwatch, the Mi Watch is very much Xiaomi’s mid-range offering in the wearables market (the brand’s remit is affordable and youth-focused). It has a noticeably better quality build and larger display than the budget-friendly Mi Band 6, which is £80 cheaper. You’ll also find there’s a Mi Watch Lite available. We’re yet to put this to the test, but we can tell you that the main differences between the two wearables are that the Lite features a tap-based screen and a boxy display. There's a substantial price difference: the Lite is £70 cheaper. What does the Xiaomi Mi Watch do? The Mi Watch offers the following features: 24-hour heart rate tracking, along with a blood oxygen (Sp02) sensor and a stress tracker that measures your HRV (heart rate variability). 117 workout modes are included, which will measure stats during exercise, like the distance you’ve covered and the calories you’ve burned. The Mi Watch offers built-in GPS, so you can leave your phone at home while you’re out running. Your sleep quality is measured and ranked to a score between one and 100. It will relay notifications like texts, emails and social media alerts from your smartphone, and can be used to operate the music you’re playing. How much is the Xiaomi Mi Watch? The Mi Watch has an RRP of £119. Is the Xiaomi Mi Watch good value for money? Very much so. Xiaomi is a brand that aims its products at the budget-friendly and mid-range corners of the market, and does so with great aplomb with the Mi Watch. At the price of £119, we would argue it still constitutes a budget wearable, but its classic design and large display make it look like a piece of tech that you might easily spend another £100 on. Yes, its features wouldn’t warrant that extra spend - but they’re by-and-large very good for this price point. Xiaomi Mi Watch design Where Xiaomi’s Mi Band watches are bright, simplistic and sporty-looking, the Mi Watch looks more like a classic timepiece, with a traditional lug-style strap and muted colour range. The strap itself is incredibly comfortable and held neatly in place by two separate toggles. The Mi Watch is available in three colours: beige, navy blue and black. Our test sample was the beige-coloured version, and we genuinely liked it. Xiaomi has clearly thought about colours that won’t look too garish in general day-to-day life: you could very much wear this at the office and it wouldn’t look out of place. Interestingly, it’s that ample 1.39-inch display that might turn some people off the Mi Watch: it might look a bit over-sized on smaller wrists. It might be because we’re now old enough for reading glasses, but we really liked the plus-size display. It's not often we find ourselves wondering if a smartwatch's display is too big, after all. Better still was the ‘always-on’ option, which will keep the Mi Watch’s display on indefinitely, rather than just for the typical five seconds. Yes, it will takes its toll on the battery, but we always think there’s nothing sadder than seeing a blank wearable on your wrist. The excellent design extends to the Mi Watch’s UI, too. We were very happy to see the various functions laid out in a grid-style display, which you access via a second tap of the home button. This is one of two buttons that make the interface a far smoother experience: we never like to rely on a touchscreen (although the Mi Watch’s is smooth and lag-free). Xiaomi Mi Watch features In its various functions, the Mi Watch was more of a mixed bag. Basic features like the heart rate sensor worked faultlessly, and are well displayed in the Xiaomi Wear app. It’s hard to fault the range of 117 sports modes available, either - especially when they’re facilitated by built-in GPS. That’s a handy feature of the Mi Watch: you needn’t rely on your phone’s GPS tracking if you go out for a walk or run. When we took this smartwatch out for a run, we found it delivered a mostly accurate reading of our location, with only a shortish delay. Such journeys can be stored away in the watch and assessed and compared later. Other features weren’t unreliable so much as unconvincing. The Mi Watch features an SpO2 sensor that measures your blood oxygen levels, but does little to explain these percentage readings to you. You’re best to mention these stats to your doctor if you want them to mean anything. In fairness, this isn’t an issue unique to Xiaomi: increasing numbers of wearables feature a blood oxygen sensor, but with little in the form of interpretation. We get the feeling the tech is being introduced to wearables largely as window-dressing right now. With any luck, the next generation of smartwatches will offer more in the way of SpO2 metrics and analysis. The Mi Watch will serve as a reliable extension of your phone, too, relaying all the usual notifications, though (unsurprisingly at this price point) it doesn’t have a built-in cellular unit for you to make or receive calls. Similarly, you can use the watch to control the music playing from your phone, but it doesn’t offer any built-in music storage. Outdoorsy types might appreciate a couple of features tucked among the Mi Watch’s features grid, namely an altimeter and compass. What is the Xiaomi Mi Watch battery like? Xiaomi promises a maximum of 16 days from the Mi Watch in 'typical usage' and up to 22 days in long battery mode. Then, if you repeatedly use the outdoors sport functions, it should last for 50 hours. We were impressed by the Mi Watch’s battery life, finding it only dropped by 7% after a morning of various feature and function testing. It was also nice to see a flat magnetic charging connection offered too Xiaomi Mi Watch set-up: how easy is it to use? As we’ve already tested another Xiaomi wearable, we had a little head start in the set-up process, as we already had the Xiaomi Wear app downloaded on our phone. But if we were to factor that in, the set-up of time for the Mi Watch is around seven or eight minutes. Say what you like about tech journalists who get as excited as we do about a product’s packaging, but we really did love the Mi Watch’s fun, slender, yellow box. It’s decidedly un-sporty-looking, which tells you something about the broad appeal of this smartwatch. It was great to open it up to find the watch laid out unbuckled inside. Take note: unless you’re planning to charge the Mi Watch from a mains-powered device, you’ll need to get hold of a wall adaptor, as there isn’t one included. The Mi Watch arrives in a state of slumber: we needed to charge it for a few minutes before it came to life at 87% battery. Downloading the Xiaomi Wear app went hitch-free, and when we went into the app to search for the Mi Watch, we managed to pair it with our iPhone with no issue at all. Our verdict: should you buy the Xiaomi Mi Watch? If fitness is your focus, we’d advise you to save money and consider Xiaomi’s fabulous Band 6 instead. The truth is that, these days, you can pick up a perfectly reliable series of metrics and trackers on your wrist for less than £50. If you're interested in more advanced fitness tracking you can justify spending more, and consider either the Fitbit Versa or Garmin Forerunner 45. But, if you’re seeking out a smartwatch that’s comfortable on the wrist and easy on the eye, we would argue the Xiaomi Mi Watch is the best value option out there. Rating: Design: 4.5/5 Features Functions: 3.5/5 Battery: 4/5 Value for money: 4/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Overall rating: 4/5 Where to buy the Xiaomi Mi Watch watch The Xiaomi Mi Watch is available to buy at Amazon. You'll find the best offers listed directly below. Look for a super-cheap wearable? Take a look at our pick of the best smartwatch deals.
The latest addition to Huawei’s Band line is very similar to the Honor Band 6, but it has one major advantage.
As a general rule, most fitness trackers cheaper than £100 look pretty similar. But if you want to play a seriously difficult game of spot-the-difference, take a look at the Honor Band 6 and the Huawei Band 6. To all intents and purposes, they’re identical. This will come as no surprise to those keeping an eye on the wider industry: it was back in November 2020 that Huawei sold its youth-focused sub-brand Honor to a consortium of Chinese buyers. That was good news for Honor, since it no longer had to deal with the trade restrictions that have been troubling Huawei’s position in the Western markets. Then, in April 2021, came its first independently released wearable, the Honor Band 6. And now we have this near-doppelganger, the Huawei Band 6. We say 'near' because although the Band 6s are almost indistinguishable, there’s just one feature that gives Huawei the advantage over Honor - which explains the £10 price difference. Read on to find out what we made of the Huawei Band 6, and how it compares to the Honor Band 6. For a run-down of our favourite wearables, check out our best smartwatch list and best budget smartwatch list. Jump to: Huawei Band 6 review: summary What is Huawei Band 6? How much is Huawei Band 6? Design Features Huawei Band 6 set-up Our verdict Where to buy Huawei Band 6 review: summary At the newly-reduced RRP of £59.99, the Huawei Band 6 makes for a very appealing fitness tracker indeed. Its larger-than-average AMOLED display and impressive range of workout modes were enough for us to see past the not-entirely-intuitive UI and the same dubious stress tracking that beset the Honor Band 6. The extensive 96 workout modes (in comparison to the Honor Band 6’s ten) makes the extra spend here totally justifiable. You can buy the Huawei Band 6 at Amazon, Currys and the Huawei UK Store We’ve listed the best current offers on the Band 6 below. Latest Deals What is the Huawei Band 6? The Band 6 is the latest generation of fitness tracker from Huawei, and the first one released since Honor moved away from the tech giant. In looks, it does away with the slim design of the Honor Band 5 (which is its true predecessor) by incorporating a display that’s 148% bigger. It’s a rung down the ladder from the Huawei Watch Fit, which features a larger-still display (1.69 inches), plus an animated on-screen instructor to guide you through your workouts. Read our Huawei Watch Fit review to see how this wearable performs. What does the Huawei Band 6 do? You can expect the following features from the Band 6: A range of tracking features, including heart rate, sleep quality, stress levels and SpO2 (blood oxygen). 96 different workout modes that will track, log and measure your performance across activities ranging from running, cycling and swimming to fencing, frisbee and Latin dance. A breathing exercises function to get you inhaling and exhaling at the appropriate speed. Notifications - texts, emails, social media alerts - can be relayed from your phone. You can operate your phone’s music account from the Band 6’s display (though there’s no built-in music storage, so you’ll always need your phone for your workout soundtrack). A ‘Find phone’ function will get your handset ringing if you’ve mislaid it. The logged data from the Band 6’s various functions can be inspected in closer detail in the Huawei Health app. How much is the Huawei Band 6? Initially, Huawei priced the Band 6 at £89.98 on its website. Being honest, that price tag would have tilted this review in a different direction. But the new asking price of £59.99 feels far more grounded, especially when set against the £49.99 cost of the Honor Band 6. Is the Huawei Band 6 good value for money? Yes. The new price is a reasonable one, and when you take into account that the Huawei Band 6 has nearly ten times as many workout modes as its equivalent at Honor, the extra £10 you’ll need to spend doesn’t feel at all disproportionate. Huawei Band 6 design The Band 6's evolutionary leap in design is very welcome: it looks far more expensive and upmarket than it actually is. Most fitness trackers in this price zone are slim affairs, with screens no wider than the straps they’re moulded into. So we’re very happy to see the 1.47-inch AMOLED display here. It’s also bright, clear and brought to life with a selection of genuinely cool display styles. The build of the Band 6 itself is pleasant without being particularly remarkable. We liked the matte-black finish and the comfortable fit offered by the traditional lug-style strap. The Huawei Band 6’s actual UI, though, is something of a mixed affair. We appreciated the inclusion of an indent button on the right-hand side (something manufacturers seem increasingly keen to dispense with entirely), but found the navigation system far from intuitive. To activate the display, you tap the button. Then to bring up the complete menu of functions you have to tap it again. If you don’t do that, you’re sent to a list of quick commands (which might have you wondering where all your money went). Of course, such things become second-nature in time, but other brands offer far smoother journeys. One feature we want to shout about is the option to keep the Band 6’s display on for five minutes, versus the five seconds you normally get. Most fitness trackers at this spec level only show the screen for very short periods of time, and it’s only expensive flagship wearables that boast ‘always-on’ displays. So to have this option is a real blessing. Huawei Band 6 features The Band 6’s metrics are, by and large, all solidly reliable and delivered via clear line-graph graphics on that larger-than-usual display (but, as ever, are best scrutinised in the Huawei Health app on your phone). We remain as sceptical of the stress-tracking feature as we did with the Honor Band 6: being prompted to offer multiple-choice answers to existential questions like whether you see any meaning in life does not feel like it’s got much solid clinical basis. Whether you decide to pay any heed to the results of the stress test is up to you. Far better is the staggering range of workout modes that the Huawei Band 6 offers - it's the central selling point over the cheaper Honor Band 6. Full disclosure: we did not put every last one of them to the test, so can’t vouch for the reliability of modes as diverse as karate and belly dancing. But, on our lunchtime run, we found the running mode responsive and accurate (though these workout modes don’t start automatically, unlike in other fitness trackers - you’ll need to start, pause and stop them yourself). These various functions can be logged and assessed in the Health app. But if you do want to go out on a run, or any such peripatetic exercise, then you’ll need to take your phone, since there’s no built-in GPS with the Huawei Band 6. It’s a wearable that definitely punches above its weight in terms of features against price - and for the most part, it does so successfully. What is the Huawei Band 6 battery like? The Band 6 delivers good battery life. They advertise 14 days maximum battery life, but of course that will be compromised by heavy usage. The good news is, after a morning of extensive testing, the battery level had only dropped by a few percentiles for us. Just as impressive is the speed at which it charges: we had it up from 80% to 100% within 15 minutes. In terms of charging, it’s markedly better than the Huawei Watch Fit, which has a lifespan of just 10 days max by comparison. Huawei Band 6 set-up: how easy is it to use? The Huawei Band 6 comes in a compact white case. Inside, you’ll find the watch itself, plus the magnetic charging cable and a paper booklet of instructions. As is standard with most devices these days, you’ll need to get hold of a plug adaptor elsewhere if you want to charge it at the wall. Since we already had Huawei’s Health app downloaded on our smartphone (and had gone through the account sign-up process, entering our personal information), our set-up time was fairly short. The watch needed to be attached to the charger to activate it, but it quickly displayed a power level of 80%. We found pairing the Band 6 with our iPhone a hiccup-free process, though an optional firmware update did add a few extra minutes to our set-up time. You can expect the box-to-wrist process to take somewhere between ten and 15 minutes. Our verdict: should you buy the Huawei Band 6? If you’re limited on cash, and not looking for particularly advanced features, we’d point you in the direction of the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 or Samsung Galaxy Fit 2, since both have better UIs and offer a smoother overall experience. But we know that the larger watch face and the variety of workout modes on the Band 6 will be very appealing to lots of people out there. At £59.99, it’s a competitive device. And just in case you haven’t figured out whether to go with this or the Honor Band 6? Sorry, Honor, but the extra £10 here is very much worth it. Rating: Design: 4/5 Features (average): 3.5/5 Functions: 3.5 Battery: 4 Value for money: 4/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Overall rating: 4/5 Where to buy the Huawei Band 6 watch The Huawei Band 6 is currently available at Amazon, Currys and the Huawei UK Store. You’ll find the best offers listed directly below. Latest Deals Still browsing for smartwatches? Head to our pick of the best smartwatch deals this month.
The latest entry in the Mi Band line delivers exceptionally well for the price.
Avoiding a brand simply because its name is difficult to pronounce (by Western tongues, we’re keen to add) is, of course, a very silly reason to do so. But we do genuinely wonder whether consumers in the US and European markets might have taken to the brand Xiaomi if it was easier to mention in conversation. That being said, much like Huawei before it, the Chinese company is well on its way to becoming a major global tech player – its smartphones, in particular, are growing increasingly popular outside of Asia. But what about the Mi Band 6, Xiaomi’s latest budget-friendly fitness tracker? This is becoming an increasingly crowded end of the wearable market, after all, and it's hard to criticise those who gravitate towards better-established names like Samsung, who offer a fantastic alternative to the Band 6 in the form of the Galaxy Fit 2. Can Xiaomi hope to make a genuine impact? Read on for our in-depth, expert verdict of the Xiaomi Mi Band 6. (And for the record: Xiaomi is pronounced ‘zhow-mee’. A bit like ‘zhuzh.’ Or Zsa Zsa Gabor. We hope this has cleared things up.) To see how this fitness tracker compares to other affordable options from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Huawei and Garmin, check out our best budget smartwatch list. Jump to: What is Xiaomi Mi Band 6? How much is Xiaomi Mi Band 6? Design Features Xiaomi Mi Band 6 set-up Our verdict Where to buy Xiaomi Mi Band 6 review: summary Small-but-mighty is our descriptor of choice for the Xiaomi Mi Band 6. Yes, it’s a budget-end fitness tracker, and it very much looks and feels like one. But features like SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking are seriously impressive at this price point, and the impressively accurate workout modes should win over those who are dithering over spending more on wearables like the Honor Band 6 or Huawei Watch Fit. The lack of built-in GPS means you’ll always need your phone close to hand while you’re exercising, but regardless the Mi Band 6 is a genuine rival to the similarly-priced, bigger-name rival, the Samsung Galaxy Fit 2. The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is available at Amazon, Maplin and the Xiaomi UK store. What is the Xiaomi Mi Band 6? The Mi Band 6 is Xiaomi’s latest instalment in the Band line. Looks-wise, it’s pretty similar to the Mi Band 5 - there’s a couple of millimetres’ difference in the design, but besides that, it’s no great evolutionary leap. But the screen is larger (1.56-inch, versus the 1.1-inch Band 5 display) and has a higher resolution of 152 x 486 pixels in comparison to the Band 5's 126 x 294. What does the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 do? The latest fitness tracker in the Mi Band line offers the following features: Text, email, calendar and social media notifications can be relayed from your phone. 24-hour heart rate tracking. Blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, which measures the quality of your breathing and, by extension, your sleep. 30 different fitness modes, including outdoor running, treadmill, cycling and walking (all of which will be automatically detected once you start doing them). New additions for the Band 6 include basketball, boxing, HIIT and Zumba. Female users can track their menstrual cycles and ovulation periods. A 5ATM waterproof rating, which means the Band 6 can safely stay on your wrist in the pool. Music playback: a Spotify panel, for example, will automatically appear on the watch from your smartphone. How much is the Xiaomi Mi Band 6? The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 has an RRP of £39.99. Is the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 good value for money? Without a doubt - and not only because you’re going to struggle to find the latest-gen fitness tracker from any major brand for less. Between the blood oxygen tracking, the crystal-clear AMOLED display and the strap customizability, the Mi Band 6 is a highly competitive offering from Xiaomi and one that should make rival brands sit up and take notice. Xiaomi Mi Band 6 design When we say the Mi Band 6 looks like a budget wearable, we don’t say this with any criticism. Like most affordable fitness trackers, it’s super-slim and super-light with it, weighing just 12.8g. But with that slender build comes a display that’s markedly bigger than its predecessor. (On its site, Xiaomi states that the Band 6’s screen is 50% larger than the Band 5, before going on to offer a disclaimer that figure is approximate. Make what you will of that.) What a display, though! Budget-end wearables are usually as cheap as they are due to the limited size of the screen. As a result, the best UIs on cheap wearables need to function like the visual equivalent of a haiku: short on space but elegant and concise with it. We were pleased to discover the Mi Band 6 completely fulfilled those criteria. The home screen displays four quadrants - steps taken, calories burned, battery level and PAI (an ideal level of exercise that’s unique to your height and weight - with perfect clarity. The touchscreen is easy to swipe up and down through. Lots of low-cost wearables have you squinting a little, but no so here. An additional highlight of the Band 6 is the fact that the watch face can be popped easily from its rubber strap. So while it’s only available in black, you can buy one of the other five colour options (blue, orange, yellow, olive and ivory). We found the moulded press-stud design of the strap a little tricky to fasten, but once in place, it stayed snug and secure without being uncomfortable. Xiaomi Mi Band 6 features The Mi Band 6 certainly punches above its weight when it comes to features. Perhaps the most notable example is the pulse oximeter, which measures your blood oxygen levels and gauges the quality of your sleep. That’s not a metric you’ll find in Samsung’s Galaxy Fit 2, which currently has an RRP of just 99p less. We were by and large impressed by the heart rate tracking and workout modes offered by the Mi Band 6, which proved accurate, frustration-free and with just a tiny lag. When we took the Mi Band 6 out on a run, it automatically entered ‘outdoor running’ mode and paused when we stopped (a feature that’s meant to allow for obstacles like traffic lights, but in our case mostly involved stopped to wheeze, wishing we’d laid off the biscuits throughout lockdown). It’s worth bearing in mind that there's no built-in GPS - so you’ll need to keep your phone with you if you do go out running. As a whole, we think it’s highly unlikely you’ll regret buying budget with the Mi Band 6. A lot of these wins come from Xiaomi Wear, a fun, accessible and nicely designed app - and one without the paywall elitism of Apple or the compatibility snarl-ups of Huawei. The heart rate, SpO2 and stress metrics are displayed clearly, and views can be toggled between day, week, month and year. What is the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 battery like? Set to power-saving mode, Xiaomi promises a 19-day lifespan from the Mi Band 6. When in normal mode, that drops to 14 days, and with its features in regular use, that drops again to 5 days. This is a pretty major drop-off, but given the range of features that are offered in this humble-looking device, we were impressed with the week’s worth of power this wearable delivered. Xiaomi Mi Band 6 set-up: how easy is it to use? Perhaps the biggest disappointment we had with the Mi Band 6 was the fact it arrived completely devoid of battery. Within 15 minutes, however, we had it up to 10%. After that, we started the setup process, which ultimately took 20 minutes. Downloading the Xiaomi Wear app to our iPhone was nice and easy. As with most health apps, you need to set up an account (one that gets activated via an email to your inbox), and following that, you’ll need to enter all the usual details: sex, age, height and weight. This went hitch-free, and it was via the app itself that we synced the Band 6 faultlessly with our smartphone. There’s a pretty comprehensive set of foldout instructions that come with the Mi Band 6. Curiously, one of the first instructions is to pop the watch face into the strap, which isn’t something you actually need to do. But it’s good to know that you can actually do this, at least: we honestly wouldn’t have realised the two components were separable otherwise. Our verdict: should you buy the Xiaomi Mi Band 6? If you’re looking for a fitness wearable, but one that involves minimal financial commitment, the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is among the very best out there. Athletes and dedicated fitness fans might get frustrated by the absence of built-in GPS and the relatively basic workout modes - but we’re doubtful they’ll be browsing at this end of the market in the first place. If you really wanted to minimise your spending, you might opt for the Mi Band 5 (which is now just £25) is now a better proposition - but the boosted display area makes this the far superior wearable of the two. The only other fitness tracker we’d recommend at this price is the Samsung Galaxy Fit 2, but as we said, that doesn’t come with a SpO2 sensor. Review scores: Design: 4/5 Features (average) : 3.5/5 Functions: 4/5 Battery: 3.5/5 Value for money: 5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 watch The Xiaomi Mi Band 6 is available from a limited number of retailers, including Amazon, Maplin and the Xiaomi UK store. You'll find the best offers out there listed directly below. Looking for a bargain for your wrist? Don't miss our pick of the best smartwatch deals this month.
Between the no-nonsense design and the excellent Connect app, Garmin’s budget-friendly wearables will be hugely appealing to dedicated runners.
Fitness trackers are now available at incredibly low prices – and we’re talking good-quality, ones too. Wearables like the Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 and the Xiaomi Mi Band 6 are both fantastic devices, each of which comes in at under £40. In other words: if you’re trying to bring an end to the symbiosis you’ve developed with your couch over the course of the last year, and you need a little tech-based encouragement to get up and start burning those cals, you’ve got no excuse. (Hey, we’re talking to ourselves as much as you.) But for those who already regularly exercise – and go running in particular – might want a smartwatch with a larger range of functions and features than those two (admittedly excellent) devices, the most obvious example being built-in GPS, which neither have. If you’ve got that in your wearable, you needn’t rely on your phone for wayfinding or route-tracking. Step forward the Garmin Forerunner 45, which, though being Garmin’s budget-friendly wearable, is still priced well into the triple figures. Does it justify that kind of spend? Perhaps committed trainers are better off coughing up even more for higher-end trackers like the Fitbit Versa and Ticwatch Pro 3? Read on for our expert, in-depth review of the Garmin Forerunner 45. And for our complete run-down of A-grade affordable wearables, don’t miss our best budget smartwatch list. Jump to: What is Garmin Forerunner 45? How much is Garmin Forerunner 45? Design Features Garmin Forerunner 45 set-up Our verdict Where to buy Garmin Forerunner 45 review: summary With its old-school look and fitness-focused metrics, the Forerunner 45 is an excellent smartwatch for those who want to incorporate a wearable into their training plan – but don't want to break the bank either. Yes, you'll find far cheaper fitness trackers out there, but they don't come with winning features like the Garmin Coach function or – crucially, for most runners – built-in GPS. The Forerunner 45 is available to buy from a number of retailers, including Amazon, John Lewis, Currys and the UK Garmin Store. You'll find the best deals listed below. undefined What is the Garmin Forerunner 45? As the name suggests, this is a smartwatch from Garmin aimed first and foremost at runners. It’s a successor to the Forerunner 35 but comes with a circular face (and is all the better for it, we'd say). Better still, it comes with a far larger workout memory – though interestingly has a two-day shorter maximum battery life than its predecessor. The Forerunner 45 is available with both a 39mm display and a 42mm display, but they're both priced equally. What does the Garmin Forerunner 45 do? You can expect the following features from the Forerunner 45: Heartrate, estimated VO5 and sleep tracking Six different sports modes, with another six in the app (you can move them back and forth from the app to the watch as you please) A Body Battery meter that gauges your energy levels based on the other logged data, such as heart rate and sleep levels Built-in GPS for wayfinding and journey recording Via the Garmin Connect app, you can use the Garmin Coach to set up personalised training plans Music control (though it doesn't offer any music storage, sadly, so your phone will need to provide the soundtrack to your run) How much is the Garmin Forerunner 45? The Forerunner 45 currently has a listed RRP of £159 at the Garmin UK store, but we’re seeing prices substantially beneath that across a number of retailers. Is the Garmin Forerunner 45 good value for money? Yes, and all the more so at those reduced prices that we mentioned. Total newcomers to fitness tracking don’t have to worry about spending any more than £50. But if you’ve signed up to a marathon, or half-marathon, or simply find that working towards solid goals is the best way of improving your fitness, we do think that the Forerunner 45 is worth the triple-digit spend. Garmin Forerunner 45 design The Forerunner’s old-school design is, without a doubt, the thing that is most likely to polarise people. There’s an argument to be made that a smartwatch that – at a cursory glance at least – wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of somebody from 25 years ago doesn't exactly scream cutting-edge. More to the point, a smartwatch that retails at £159.99 that doesn’t have a touchscreen UI is contentious at the very least. But we’re of the mind that, for sheer self-belief, if nothing else, Garmin should be commended for sticking to a time-held design and isn’t chasing fads. Many fitness trackers of today look pretty interchangeable: most feature a touchscreen display, most have anywhere between zero and two buttons, and most use some derivation of Apple’s three-ring metric infographic. A Forerunner wearable, by contrast, very much looks like a Forerunner wearable. This might boil down to generational preferences. If you’ve grown up in a world where swiping across high-res touchscreens is the norm, then operating a smartwatch with five separate push buttons might feel like attempting arithmetic with an abacus. But if you remember the days of hitting the light button on your Casio watch to tell the time at night (which, yes, you can do here), the Forerunner should make for a reliable and easy-to-use companion. Outside of the UI, there’s definitely a solid feel to the Forerunner 45, and we certainly appreciated the larger 42mm display of our test sample. And even better: unlike the tourniquet-like grip of cheaper trackers from other brands, the Forerunner 45 was a genuinely comfortable fit on our wrist. Garmin Forerunner 45 features We were pleased to find the no-nonsense aesthetic of the Forerunner is backed up by a mostly reliable set of tracking functions and metrics. We encountered no issues with the heart rate tracker or the VO5 measure for that matter (though the latter is estimated around heart BPM data: you’ll find more sophisticated versions on much more expensive devices). The sleep tracker was a little more fallible: the app tracked a sleeping period in the early evening when we were, in fact, watching TV - admittedly supine on the couch. Behind most successful fitness trackers is a well-designed app, and this is certainly the case with Garmin Connect. It’s a distinctly goal-oriented app, with a calendar where you can log your training sessions and enter a steps-based challenge with other app users. There's nothing like a bit of healthy competition to incentivise you, after all. The undeniable highlight of the Connect app, though, is Garmin Coach. This handy, app-based feature will generate a training plan for you: think Garmin’s take on the hugely popular Couch To 5K programme, except you have a choice of 5K, 10K and half-marathon. These plans are tailored to your current fitness levels, based on the health information when you set up the app. What is the Garmin Forerunner 45 battery like? Garmin advertises a maximum seven-day length of battery life from the Forerunner 45 when set to smartwatch mode. It’s in GPS mode that it really starts to consume power – you can expect up to 13 hours. That’s obviously a pretty serious climb-down from that week-long life in standard mode – but being honest, you’ll need to be a pretty ambitious athlete to require GPS mode for that long in a single session. All the same, it’s worth bearing in mind: sustained use will require a daily or near-daily charge. From our side, a mixture of both smartwatch and GPS modes had the battery down to 60% within the space of 48 hours. Garmin Forerunner 45 set-up: how easy is it to use? The Garmin Forerunner 45 comes in a compact, sporty-looking grey box – one that looks squarely marketed around fitness rather than lifestyle. We received a test sample that was partially charged, so we can’t account for how much juice comes in shop-bought models. But we successfully paired it with our smartphone without a hitch. Downloading and entering our personal details (age, height, weight) into the Garmin Connect app was simple and straightforward. Overall, the box-to-wrist process took around 15 minutes. Our verdict: should you buy the Garmin Forerunner 45? If you’re already committed workout routine, the Forerunner 45 is, we think, the most credible budget option out there. Perhaps you’ll want to spend more on the Fitbit Versa, but this wearable delivers a solidly reliable level of metrics for a lower cost. As its name more or less states explicitly, the Forerunner 45 is best for those who love running, though its sport modes do extend to activities like biking, cardio and yoga. And if you’re trying to convince yourself you love running? It’s a wise purchase too. Review scores: Design: 4/5 Features (average): 3.5/5 Functions: 4/5 Battery: 3.5/5 Value for money: 4/5 Ease of set-up: 5/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy the Garmin Forerunner 45 watch The Forerunner 45 is available to buy retailers including Amazon, John Lewis, Currys and the UK Garmin Store. We've listed the best deals on this smartwatch below. undefined Still on the hunt for your perfect wearable? Don’t miss our pick of the best smartwatch deals.
Look past the unlovely design, and you’ll find a reliable and long-lasting set of affordable earbuds.
An interesting turn of events took place while we were reviewing these earbuds from Japanese brand Panasonic. When we started testing the RZ-S300W, they had an advertised RRP of £109.99. And being honest, we weren't sure if they justified that asking price. But since we put the RZ-S300W to the test, they've since dropped on the Panasonic website to £69.99. That's a major price drop and one that completely changes what the Panasonic RZ-S300W are as a proposition. What were formerly mid-range true wireless earbuds are now a decidedly budget-friendly option: an increasingly busy end of the price spectrum, as companies like Skullcandy and up-and-coming brand EarFun, start to target what's clearly a lucrative end of the market. We’ll never complain about a reduction of this magnitude – and in fairness to Panasonic, it makes the RZ-S300W a far more appealing purchase. These are earbuds with undeniable strengths but a few flaws, too. Read on to find out more about what we made of the RZ-S300W. And if you want to look at a range of excellent budget options, be sure to read our pick of the best budget wireless earbuds. Jump to: Panasonic RZ-S300W review: summary What are the Panasonic RZ-S300W? How much are the Panasonic RZ-S300W? Design Features Panasonic RZ-S300W set-up Our verdict Where to buy Panasonic RZ-S300W review: summary The Panasonic RZ-S300W are a pair of reliable if imperfect earbuds. We loved the sound quality and the EQ control offered in the app; we didn’t love the cheap-looking design of the case or the aesthetic of the earbuds themselves. But they’re redeemed by their new double-digits price point and a sensor-based UI that’s far smoother than that of its competitors. These are a set of earbuds that are best for audiophiles who want to keep their spending out of the Airpods/Galaxy Buds zone of the price range. The Panasonic RZ-S300W are available from a number of sites, including Amazon and the Panasonic UK store. What are the Panasonic RZ-S300W? The RZ-S300W are Panasonic’s cheaper set of earbuds. To a certain extent, they’re characterised by what they don’t have, which is the noise-cancelling tech offered in the Panasonic RZ-S500. But that, of course, explains the £30 price difference. What do the Panasonic RZ-S300W do? The Panasonic RZ-S300W offers the following features: Audio playback via a Bluetooth connection 30 hours of battery life: 7.5 hours from the earbuds, 22.5 hours from the case Ambient Sound mode that transmits sound from your surroundings Voice assistant compatibility: you can call on the services of Alexa, Siri and the like via a tapped command on one earbud IPX4-level water resistance (as Panasonic state in the marketing copy, you needn’t worry if it suddenly starts to rain) Compatibility with the Panasonic Audio Connect app, which offers you full EQ control of your playback How much are the Panasonic RZ-S300W? The Panasonic RZ-S300W have a newly updated RRP of £69.99. That’s not a price we’re seeing reflected across every retailer – some are asking for £99.99 – but we doubt those prices will stay that high for long. Are the Panasonic RZ-S300W good value for money? In terms of sound quality and sound control, they most certainly are. But we also have to say that they look a little cheap with it, with rival sets like the EarFuns Free Pro looking more upmarket. But hey, looks aren’t everything, are they? Panasonic RZ-S300W design Here’s where we were most disappointed by the RZ-S300W: as we say, they’re not the prettiest earbuds out there. And more to the point, they’re not the prettiest among those of their prices or even those that are cheaper still. The sample we tested are billed as white, but in reality, they’re a kind of pale grey. The earbuds themselves are characterised by metallic ribbed edges that give them the look of a medical instrument. The green version, too, is kind of like the colour of mint ice cream: if that’s something you want stuck in your ears, well – we won’t judge. In the RZ-S300W’s defence, they’re also highly compact, with a height and width of 17mm and a depth of 28mm, weighing just 4g apiece. The matt plastic case is similarly small – but it also feels a little on the cheap side. Panasonic RZ-S300W features It’s in sheer function that the RZ-S300W really come into their own. We were hugely impressed by the sound quality offered by a pair of earbuds in the sub-£100 price category. Bass-heavy tracks like Moderat’s ‘A New Error’ sounded every bit as rich and substantial as they deserve, while the subtle layers of ‘33 God’ by Bon Iver came through with a clarity that we’re used to associating with far pricier earbuds. The RZ-S300W also offers an Ambient Sound feature that relays the content of your surroundings over whatever you’re listening to. This is a feature you’ll typically find in earbuds with ANC, so we were happy to see it here. But, while it did work on loud, clear speech from those within the vicinity, we wouldn’t suggest you rely on it for, say, eavesdropping (just a suggestion) – our feeling is that after a few more years of R&D, features like this will really start to amount to something. At their original RRP of £109.99, we were ready to bemoan the lack of noise-cancelling tech in the RZ-S300W. But since that price drop, we’re feeling more forgiving – especially when weighed up against the other audio-based strengths of these earbuds. Now, on to the RZ-S300W’s UI. Like many earbuds on the market, Panasonic has dispensed with any push buttons or toggles in favour of sensors that operate via a series of quick and long taps. If you’ve ready our Skullcandy Indy ANC review and EarFun Free Pro review, you’ll know that we at RadioTimes.com find these Morse Code-like series of commands complex at best and near-impossible at worst. But Panasonic has over-performed against those brands: whilst you’ll certainly have to memorise the assorted commands, we didn’t run into nearly so many hiccups as we’ve done in the past. Curiously, Panasonic says nothing of its Audio Connect app in the RZ-S300W’s instructions – which is a shame since this will open you up to controlling the earbuds via your smartphone. We were pleased to discover that not only will it tell you the battery level of each earbud and let you switch the Ambient Sound mode on and off, but there’s a whole EQ panel for you to tweak your sound’s lows, mids and highs: something that audiophiles will no doubt appreciate. What is the Panasonic RZ-S300W battery like? In total, you’ll get reported 30 hours of playback with the RZ-S300W – that’s 7.5 hours from the earbuds alone and another 22.5 hours from their cases. Those stats did indeed match our experience of using the earbuds over a few days. Panasonic has designed the RZ-S300W so that audio data is sent to each earbud independently, which consumes a lot less power than in earbuds, where this data is transmitted in a relay-type fashion. A lifespan of over a day is a pretty impressive stat for a set of earbuds of this price – by comparison, the Skullcandy Indy ANC, which have an RRP that’s £30 higher, will only last for 19 hours. RZ-S300W setup: how easy is it to use? The sample we received came with a full battery, and thanks to there being no pairing issues with our iPhone, we had these earbuds playing music within the space of a minute. If only Panasonic would try a bit harder to present these earbuds with a little bit more pizzazz: they come in some rather cheap packaging, the earbuds and case each nestled separately in a foam tray behind a layer of transparent plastic. We don’t expect the luxe-level ceremony of, say, the Airpods Pro or Powerbeats Pro – but come on, Panasonic: hype your products a bit more! Our verdict: should you buy the Panasonic RZ-S300W? Think carefully about what’s important to you. If you value your sound and having control over the mids, highs and lows via the app, these are a real bargain. But if you want something a little more fun and funky in your ears, we would point you in the direction of the similarly priced EarFun Free Pro. Rating: Some categories (sound quality and features) are weighted more heavily. Set-up: 5/5 Design: 2/5 Features (average): 3.5/5 Sound quality: 4/5 Value for money: 4/5 Overall rating: 3.5/5 Where to buy the Panasonic RZ-S300W The Panasonic RZ-S300W are currently available to buy from Amazon and the Panasonic UK store. You'll find the best deals on these earbuds listed below. undefined Looking for home audio too? Don’t miss our best smart speaker list.
Win back your spend from Currys on these top TVs ahead of Euro 2020
In a partnership with Sky Media, the retailer is giving shoppers the chance to claim back their spend on a number of leading TVs.
Football fans have had a rough time over the last year, that’s for sure. As the world went into lockdown, lovers of the beautiful game have had to miss out on the thrill of watching their teams play IRL, being forced to watch from their couch rather than the stands. On top of that, there was the disappointment of having Euro 2020 put on hold as the world went into lockdown and international football matches became no longer safe. But if you’re a football fan who's still feeling despondent, you can take heart in two things. Firstly, the rescheduled Euro 2020 championships are due to kick off less than a month away. Secondly, if you’re thinking about upgrading your TV ahead of the games in June, you’ve now got the perfect opportunity. (Or the perfect excuse – whatever you’re calling it.) Right now, Currys PC World is offering TV shoppers the chance to win back their money on a number of select TVs from major brands, including Samsung, Sony, LG and Philips. The retailer has partnered with Sky Media, ahead of the Euro 2020 (yes, UEFA is sticking with that name) championships kicking off in early June. For more about the tournament, don’t miss our guide on how to watch Euro 2020, and for a run-down of match times, you can head to our Euro 2021 dates article. England’s first game is at 2pm GMT on Sunday 13th June against Croatia. Which TVs are included in the offer? Here’s our top pick of the tellies you’ll find covered in the offer. We’re impressed by the calibre of TVs that are included in this deal. You’ll find sets that have OLED visuals, AI-powered picture quality, built-in voice control and – in the case of Samsung’s QEQ700 – 8K picture resolution. That’s serious, cutting-edge picture quality – but for most people, we'd say this offer is the perfect opportunity to upgrade to 4K. Either way, the fact that a couple of sets are on sale right now is simply an added bonus. We’ve linked to the 55-inch models, but you'll find other sizes available if you click through to the Currys website. Samsung 55-inch QEQ700TATXXU 8K HDR QLED TV with Bixby, Alexa & Google Assistant | £1,499 £1,145 from Currys PC World Sony Bravia 55-inch XR55A90JU 4K HDR OLED TV with Google TV & Assistant | £2,699 from Currys PC World LG 55-inch CX6LA 4K OLED TV with Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa | £1,399 £1,198 from Currys PC World A quick heads-up: you can only enter the competition 32 to 42 days after your purchase date, so best set a reminder on your phone. But when you do enter, you’ll find out instantly whether you’ve won back your money or not. Head to the Currys competition site for more details and T&Cs. You have a one-in-20 chance of winning: much like the bookies' predictions on England winning the cup, those are odds we like. Not sure which of these TVs is the right one for you? Head to our in-depth which TV to buy guide.
These earbuds from young brand EarFun are the world’s smallest noise-cancelling earbuds.
Everybody loves an underdog, right? While major tech companies like Apple and Samsung continue to dominate the earbuds market, Hong Kong-based company EarFun is making a small splash with its line of fun, affordable products. And there’s the key word: affordable. While the latest generations of Apple AirPods and Galaxy Buds will have you spending well into the triple figures, EarFun has wisely noticed that not everybody has the resources to spend on these (admittedly fantastic) earbuds. Advances in tech mean that there’s now a burgeoning market out there for true wireless earbuds that can cost well under £100 – such as the EarFun Free Pro. But low in price doesn’t necessarily mean light in features – and the EarFun’s major claim on behalf of the Free Pro is that they are the world’s smallest noise-cancelling earbuds. On top of that, they boast a low-latency feature that’s aimed squarely at gamers who want to minimise the lag between what they’re seeing and what they’re playing. Forgive us, though, if we’re a tad suspicious of such features being included in a device that’s priced at just under £60. So how did the EarFun Free Pro perform when we put them to the test? Read on for our full, hands-on review. And to see how these earbuds compared to other budget-friendly options, make sure you look at our best budget wireless earbuds round-up. Jump to: What are the EarFun Free Pro? How much are the EarFun Free Pro? EarFun Free Pro design EarFun Free Pro features EarFun Free Pro set-up Our verdict Where to buy EarFun Free Pro review: summary Ultimately, we were really taken with the EarFun Free Pro, and we would most definitely recommend them to anybody seeking out a budget-end set of true wireless earbuds. They’re not perfect, with a fiddly button-tapping interface that will take a little perseverance, but they were a comfortable fit and delivered a solid level of ANC given the price. But one thing that’s missing is an app where you can control the low-latency and noise-cancelling features from your device. The EarFun Free Pro earbuds are available at Amazon. What are the EarFun Free Pro? The EarFun Free Pro are EarFun’s cheaper pair of ANC true wireless earbuds. Other earbuds in the EarFun range include the EarFun Air Pro, which deliver noise cancellation to a higher decibel level (38dB), and the EarFun Free, which are the most basic earbuds in the brand’s range and don’t feature any ANC tech. What do the EarFun Free Pro do? The EarFun Free Pro offers the following features: Audio playback via a Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connection Noise-cancelling ANC mode Low-latency mode for gaming and movies IPX5 sweat- and water-resistant Compatibility with wireless chargers (except for MagSafe charging) Your device’s voice assistant can be activated via the earbuds How much are the EarFun Free Pro? The EarFun Free Pro have an RRP of £59.99. Are the EarFun Free Pro good value for money? Yes – while the ANC tech doesn’t compare to significantly more expensive earbuds like the AirPods Pro, the EarFun Free Pro more than hold their own at the budget end of the market. The fact they fit so comfortably is no minor win either in a product at this price, either – these will serve you in good stead during your commute, run or gym session. EarFun Free Pro design The EarFun Free Pro are essentially rounded rectangles that, unlike lots of other earbuds, go backwards across your ears rather than forward. Like the Skullcandy Indy ANC, they feature a convenient two-component eartip design – the inner part goes into your ear canal; the outer part features a little hook that lets you lift them from their case. We found the eartips already in place on the EarFun Free Pro were a perfect fit – but if that’s not the case for you, then there are another three sizes in the box to try out. We would be lying if we said they were the prettiest earbuds out there, but they are – as EarFun is so eager to remind us – the small ANC earbuds out there, measuring 20mm across the face and 25mm from face to eartip. Where other earbuds from the likes of Skullcandy and Beats are pretty ostentatious, these are small and unassuming. The compact nature of the EarFun Free Pro extends to the case, which measures a svelte 67mm by 25mm by 31mm. They’re available exclusively in black, although there was a limited-run Oluv Edition available for some time, specially tuned by the musician Olaf Lubanski. EarFun Free Pro features Given the EarFun Free Pro’s price, we went in with measured expectations, but we were happily surprised by their sound quality. Certainly, bass-lovers will be pleased by the lows that are delivered – the funky bass track on Thundercat’s ‘Them Changes’ was resoundingly deep and clear. The mids and highs suffered and grew a little tinny as we pushed the volume to the max – but in terms of volume itself, these earbuds won’t disappoint. The ANC feature also delivered well. In the marketing blurb, EarFun says the Free Pro’s noise-cancelling tech will mask out sounds of up to 28dB – to give you some context, a nearby whisper averages at 30dB. It’s in environments with this kind of low-level ambient noise that ANC works most effectively: ideal if you’re worried about returning to the office after many long months of working in silence at home. Unfortunately, the Free Pro suffer from an overly complex UI that will likely take some patience and gritted teeth to master. Unsurprisingly, given how small these earbuds are, the designers have decided to eschew any actual buttons or toggles in favour of a sensor-tapping system across both faces. You’ll most definitely need to consult the manual for these: some commands require double-taps or even triple-taps on specific earbuds to activate. And they’re not entirely intuitive: to increase and decrease the volume, you’ll need to slowly tap either earbud. Tap any faster, and chances are you’ll pause whatever you’re listening to instead. The Free Pro certainly aren’t the only earbuds out there hampered by such a convoluted system of commands – you can read our Skullcandy Indy ANC review to see how those earbuds had similar issues. But with the Indy ANC, you could always resort to using the Skullcandy app on your device to activate features like noise-cancellation. This sadly isn’t the case with these earbuds since EarFun has yet to put out their own app. What is the EarFun Free Pro battery like? In normal mode, EarFun advertises the Free Pro’s battery life as seven hours by themselves and 32 hours with the charging case. With the ANC switched on, that drops to six hours or 27 hours with the charging case. After testing these earbuds for a day, we found those figures were accurate. We were also impressed by the charging times, which were also advertised accurately. The Free Pro will return to full power after an hour in the case, while the case itself will charge in two hours via the included USB-C cable. If you own a wireless charger, the case will charge in three and a half hours – though it’s not compatible with Apple’s MagSafe magnetic charger. EarFun Free Pro set-up: how easy are they to use? Setting up the Free Pro on our iPhone was an exceptionally smooth process. Since they came pre-charged and automatically entered pairing mode when removed from their case, we had them playing music in our ears in less than a minute. Inside the white-coloured packaging, you’ll find the EarFun Free Pro inside their case, already charged and ready to go. Beneath that, there’s the extra eartips, a frustratingly short 10cm USB-C charging cable, as well as the instruction booklet. Like we say, best hang on to these: you’ll probably need to consult it as you get the hang of the sensor-tapping commands. Our verdict: should you buy the EarFun Free Pro? If you want to keep your spending to a minimum, these are most definitely worth the purchase. There’s a trade-off in terms of sound profile and ANC quality, but that’s to be expected in these budget-end earbuds. The tapping system is annoying, but that’s counterbalanced by the compact design and comfy fit. Maybe it’s EarFun’s little-guy position on the market that makes us fond of these wireless earbuds – the next thing this young company really needs to do is channel its energies into an app befitting its products. Rating: Set-up: 5/5 Design: 4/5 Features (average): 3.5/5 Sound quality: 3/5 Value for money: 4/5 Overall rating: 3.5 Where to buy the EarFun Free Pro At present, the Ear Fun Free Pro is only available from Amazon. Looking for new home audio too? Don’t miss our best smart speaker round-up.
OnePlus Watch unveiled - and now available to buy
There's much to get excited about with OnePlus's maiden voyage into wearables, which comes in at £179.
In a product launch that was livestreamed on YouTube on March 23, OnePlus not only unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 9, but something else entirely different: its very first smartwatch. In the third segment of the streamed event, OnePlus representative Vita Hsu talked audiences through everything that the brand's very first wearable is going to offer. The Chinese company is yet to become a household name in the UK – but we have a feeling this is going to change in the months to come with the release of a wearable that comes packed with features, but at a cost that's distinctly modest in comparison to other flagship wearables (we're looking at you, Apple Watch 6 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.) Read on to find more out about OnePlus's very first wearable – what you should expect from it and how much it will set you back. Plus, get to know the brand with our OnePlus 9 Pro vs Oppo Find X3 Pro comparison. OnePlus Watch price and release date During the livestreamed event on March 23rd, the most crucial information was left until the very end: the cost of the OnePlus Watch, which comes in at £179. That puts it in the same ball park as the Fitbit Versa, cost-wise. The OnePlus Watch was launched on to the UK market at 11am on Monday 26 April, and is available from a number of retailers online Buy the OnePlus Watch from Amazon now for £179 (third-party seller) What to expect from the OnePlus Watch Here's a list of all we learned about this new smartwatch from the OnePlus livestream event on March 23rd: The OnePlus Watch will come in two colour scheme: Moonlight Silver and Midnight Black. The watch face will measure 46mm in diameter – something that Vita Hsu full admitted was on the chunky side, but stylish with it. This watch will be made of a material never used in wearables before: cobalt alloy. This is a rare material, and apparently, 50% of the watches that OnePlus make with it get rejected. This sounds kind of wasteful to us, but you can't say that OnePlus don't value high-quality design. The display features a 326ppi screen and one that has 50 different design for you to choose from. Alternately, you can upload a photo and personalise the face. The OnePlus Watch will feature blood oxygen monitoring, which's a useful gauge of your sleep quality. If you find yourself seated at a desk for long hours, it will tell you when to get up and stretch. There will be over 110 workout modes available, covering forms as exercise as diverse as dancing and parkour. (But obviously, that doesn't mean you shouldn't advise you proceed with caution.) You can drop 500 songs directly on to the OnePlus Watch and play them without any need to pair your phone. The OnePlus Watch will be IP68 waterproof and dust-resistant. Finally, this new wearable will feature a pretty astonishing battery life. OnePlus promises that it will last up to two weeks. And if you're as sceptical about that as we were, Vita Hsu was quick to assert that heavy uses will find it lasts for a solid week. Our wearables experts at RadioTimes.com are already hugely excited about putting this brand-new smartwatch to the test. You can be sure that we'll be reviewing a test sample in the near future – to stay up to speed with all our latest tech news and reviews, you can sign up for our newsletter. Buy the OnePlus Watch from Amazon now for £179 (third-party seller) Seeking out a smartwatch in the sales? Don't miss our pick of the best smartwatch deals.
The new purple iPhone 12 has arrived – here's how to buy it
In a tech launch dominated by bright colours, Apple threw this unexpected addition to the iPhone 12 range our way.
There were both surprises and disappointments for iPhone fans during Apple’s launch event earlier this week. Those hoping for any official disclosure around the iPhone 13 were left wanting: not a single detail was dropped about Apple's next flagship phone, which is slated for the typical autumn release. However, the execs at Apple did throw a curveball our way in the form of a brand-new, purple-coloured iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini. That’s right: a purple iPhone. And it’s just been made available to buy now. Bright colours definitely made for a theme during the Apple Spring Loaded event on Tuesday: the event opened with a rainbow-like arc sweeping through the grounds of the brand’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. We were also dazzled by the all-new iMac, which is available in six bright, prismatic colours. But while viewers were anticipating a new generation of iMac to be unveiled, nobody saw this new version of the iPhone coming. It’s not the first time a purple iPhone has been available: the iPhone 11 is available in a lilac colour. But it’s nothing like the rich, deep purple of the new 12. If, like us, you’re reminded of the signature colour of a certain confectionary company, then you’re not the only one. Apple seemed to revel in the purple iPhone 12's chocolatey connotations by introducing it in a segment with ‘The Candy Man’ from ‘Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory’ as the backing song. Purple iPhone price and where to buy As everybody knows, flagships don't come cheap - and certainly not when they're coming off Apple's conveyor belt. The good news is that the new purple iPhone will be priced exactly like every other handset in the range. The SIM-free purple iPhone 12 handset has an RRP of £799, while the iPhone 12 mini costs £699. They're both available to buy now. Where to buy the purple iPhone 12 SIM-free Apple iPhone 12 mini: £624 at Amazon £624 at Currys £624 at AO £674 at Very Apple iPhone 12: £724 at Amazon £724 at Very £724 at Currys £724 at AO Other iPhone 12 deals If you'd rather not fork out that amount of money in one go, there are now a variety of iPhone 12 contracts available that include the new purple colourway. Not sure which iPhone is right for you? Compare the iPhone 12 vs mini vs Pro vs Pro Max in our guide. iPhone 12 mini - from £699 iPhone 12 mini 64GB, O2 - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data | £30 upfront, £38.95 a month iPhone 12 mini 64GB, EE - unlimited minutes and texts, 50GB data | £0 upfront, £38 a month iPhone 12 mini 64GB, iD Mobile - unlimited minutes and texts, 50GB data | £29.99 upfront, £32.99 a month iPhone 12 mini 128GB, Vodafone - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data | £o upfront, £43 a month iPhone 12 - from £799 iPhone 12 64GB, Vodafone - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data | £0 upfront, £43 a month iPhone 12 64GB, O2 - unlimited minutes, texts and data | £30 upfront, £49.37 a month iPhone 12 64GB, EE - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data | £0 upfront, £44 a month iPhone 12 128GB, iD Mobile - unlimited minutes, texts and data | £49.99 upfront, £43.99 a month What else was launched at the Apple event? The purple iPhone was an exciting announcement, but it definitely played second fiddle to a host of other products due for a 2021 release from Apple. Much was made of the all-new AirTags, a Tile-like device that lets you track down missing items with your paired phone. You can take a look at our Apple AirTags release date page to find out more. There was also the new iMacs, which boast an even slimmer build than before, along with a larger, 24-inch display that offers 4.5K resolution, plus newly designed aluminium keyboards that come with the Touch ID that we’re accustomed to seeing on iPhones. The real showstopper came in the form of the iPad Pro, which boasts all sorts of innovative new features like a mini LED display, a Thunderbolt connection, and a ‘Center Stage’ function that lets the camera automatically follow people in-shot as they move back and forth. For a more in-depth look, check out our new iPad release date page. That said, the name mentioned most throughout Spring Loaded of the M1, Apple’s new chip. Offering 75% faster speeds across both the iMac and iPad Pro, this cutting-edge little processor seems to be behind all the latest developments and features. Though nothing was revealed, we have a feeling the M1 might find its way into the next generation of earbuds - you can read our Airpods 3 release date page for all the latest rumours. And if purple just isn’t your colour, and you’d rather hold on for the next handset from Apple, there’s our iPhone 13 review. Find out more about this phone at the September 2021 Apple event summary. Interested in the iPhone 12? See how this handset weighs up against its rival in our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 comparison.
Apple Spring Loaded event summary: new iMac, purple iPhone and more
Here’s everything you need to know about all the new products and updates that were announced during Apple's 'Spring Loaded' event.
Apple's 'Spring Loaded' event unveiled a whole host of exciting new products and updates. We got the rundown on new devices like the new iPad Pro, the all-new AirTags tracking devices, and the all-new iMac. As expected, we didn't hear anything about the iPhone 13 or AirPods – we should get updates on those later in the year. Our live blog is over now, but here's our summary of the main highlights during the event: New iPad Pro prices announced New Liquid Retina XDR display and mini LEDs coming to the iPad Pro The new iPad Pro gets 5G connectivity The M1 chip is coming to the iPad Pro The all-new iMac has been revealed! Apple TV goes 4K AirTags have finally been unveiled! The iPhone 12 will be available in a new purple colour Apple plans to be carbon neutral by 2030 We also have a recap of the most recent Apple Event (September 2021). Apple Spring Loaded event live blog 19:05: A sign-off from Tim Cook That seems to be the end of the proceedings, and we’re back with Tim Cook. He gives us a quick recap of all that’s already been discussed – the new iMac, AirTags, the M1 chip, the iPad Pro, Apple TV – before the camera pulls out to reveal the Apple headquarters in all its glory. We feel like we’ve just walked off a rollercoaster ride – of the best possible kind. 18:58: The iPad Pro will be $799 and $1099 across respective sizes Bose has just confirmed the price of the iPad Pro models in US dollars – that works out as approximately £573 and £788 pounds. Of course, the actual numbers may match that of the US prices, as official UK prices yet to be confirmed. 18:55: Glowing testimonials from creatives Creatives adore Apple, and that’s not changed. Officials from the likes of Procreate and LumaFusion attest to the vast capabilities of the new iPad Pro, with an emphasis on that XDR display and – you’ve got it – the M1 chip. Plus, the new Thunderbolt connection is given lots of praise, and we think this will be a major sell for visual artists, musicians and filmmakers who are already using the iPad Pro. 18:51: New Liquid Retina XDR display and mini LEDs coming to the iPad Pro 1000 nits full-screen brightness, 1,600 nits peak brightness: these levels of brightness you’ll get in the new iPad Pro. Goodness, the stats just keep coming and coming. We’re also pleased to find more about the mini LEDs that we knew would feature in the iPad Pro: smaller, more diffuse lights that offer more control over the various zones of the image. In other words: a more vibrant and high-contrast image. 18:49: Center Stage camera function on the iPad Pro will follow you around the room A ‘huge step forward’ is heralded in the iPad Pro - 12MP Ultra Wide camera and a feature called ‘Center Stage’. This uses the devices machine learning to let the camera follow you around the room - so if, say, you’re cooking while on a video call, it’s the ideal fix. 18:47: iPad Pro gets super fast 5G We were hoping this would be confirmed – Bose has just announced that the all-new iPad Pro will support 5G connectivity – that’s connection speeds of 3.5 GbP/S. It’s ‘blazing speeds’ rather than blazing performances this time. 18:43: The M1 chip delivers a 75% faster CPU performance on the iPad Raja Bose, the iPad Product manager, is clearly very proud of the M1. His emphasis is on the terrifically improved performance, which delivers incredible results in digital painting, image processing and video editing. Apple remains an industry leader for creatives, thanks to the chip’s ‘blazing performance’ and ‘complex effects. 18:40: Apple are REALLY keen to chat M1 We’re back with John Ternus, who now talks us through an entirely different product. Which involves abseiling and breaking-and-entering, it seems. At least, that’s what the promo video suggests. Actually, the intruder has just entered the Apple headquarters to steal the M1 chip – and it’s Tim Cook in disguise! Clearly, Apple is keen to champion the capabilities of their homegrown, brand-new chip. 18:36: 4.5k retina display, 1080p camera in the new iMac These are statistics we like the sound of. Apple is clearly aware of how much multitasking a family computer needs to do, as the next segment focuses on a busy household. The emphasis is all about the new computer’s speed and multitasking capabilities. 18:35: New magnetic power connection, Touch ID keyboard Noviello lays out various new features in the iMac accessories, these include a magnetic power connection and a Touch ID incorporated into the aluminium keyboard. She also gives a call-out to the iMac’s Big Sur OS. 18:31: ‘Best camera ever in a Mac’ Navpreet Kaloty is on hand to talk about the camera that’s going into the iMac. The new M1 will reap all sorts of benefits thanks to its ‘neural networks’ – its camera will auto-correct images along six different criteria, including noise, focus, colour and contrast. Colleen Novielli is back, now, to chat performance in the new iMac. She says its GPU is 85% faster than previous models – a pretty incredible statistic. Photo editing software is twice as fast. And there are plenty of games to enjoy too. 18:25: The all-new iMac is unveiled! Whoo! The latest generation of iMac is finally revealed. Here’s what’s been announced by Colleen Novielli: Six different colours to choose A single sheet of glass makes up the front displays The back is where you’ll see that colour scheme (the rainbow theme of the intro is now starting to make sense) It’s way more compact than the previous iMac The M1 chip is far smaller than processors, hence the super-slim build. The display measures a seriously impressive 24 inches and 4.5K retina display. That’s right: 4.5K. Colleen herself describes the new iMac as ‘awesome’. We’re not going to disagree. 18:17: Apple’s smart TVs are next on the agenda We’re introduced to the next generation of television, the Apple’s TV 4K – and the A12 bionic chip that’s going into these televisions. Expect better frame rates, Dolby Vision. Unsurprisingly, they pair particularly well with iPhones, which can auto-correct the output of your TV with an app on your smartphone. Pretty cool, Apple! 18:15: Apple TV+ gets a shout-out Back to Tim Cook and over to the world of Apple TV. Apparently, Ted Lasso is one of Tim Cook’s favourites. Indeed, it’s the next series that forms the basis of the next segment. It’s an important reminder of how, in the year 2021, Apple is as serious a cultural force and not just as a tech manufacturer. 18:12: AirTags available April 30th There’s the first release date we got: the AirTags will be available as of April 30th. So by the end of the month, you can have one of these goodies strapped to your bag or wallet. 18:11: The AirTags are officially unveiled Okay, and now here’s something that we expected: an introduction to the Apple AirTags. Apple’s cute video, featuring a man crawling into his sofa searching for his keys, does a pretty good job of explaining what these tracking devices are all about. We’re happy to see how you get to personalise them and turn them into something of a style statement. The technology is undeniably cool: the AirTags will tell you in feet how far you are from your missing object. 18:09: The iPhone is going purple Surprisingly, the iPhone gets an early mention – with a song from ‘Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’ an unlikely soundtrack. That’s because the next one is being launched in purple. Wow. The iPhone 12 in purple is available on April 30th, with preorders starting on Friday. 18:07: Cook talks Apple card, Apple Podcast, iPhone An unusual opening move: Cook announces the ‘Apple Card Family’, which is part of Apple’s ongoing mission to reinvent the credit. Spouses and partners can now merge their credits, and anyone in the family over 18 can use it. There’s also a brand-new look to the Apple Podcast page, with channels and podcast subscriptions. A flashback to the very first Podcast page was very nostalgic – it looks kind of prehistoric. Here's what the new Podcast app should look like: 18:03: Tim Cook introduces Spring Loaded And we’re off: Apple is treating us to an exciting shot of rainbow colours arcing around Apple Park. And Tim Cook, Apple CEO, is on hand. He assures us ‘better days are ahead of us’ - a reference to the pandemic, of course. He also told us that Apple aims to be carbon-neutral by the year 2030 and to remove one million tons of carbon a year. Clearly, as a company, it has its sights on a bright future. 17:53: Apple’s tech launch has just kicked off Stand by, lights, cue music – and we’re underway with Spring Loaded. The stream is now live. That name is still making us chuckle. Even after a year of Covid restrictions, it’s still a little strange seeing these tech launches take place entirely online. A quick reminder: You can watch this either via Apple's website or on YouTube. Settled in? Okay, let’s see who from Apple introduces the launch... 17:36: Apple Pencil another likely fixture in today’s launch Less talked about (but still on lots of people’s radars) is the third-generation Apple Pencil – or the Apple Pencil 3. A leaked video has been doing the rounds online since this morning, which suggests it will continue in the white, glossy tradition of its forebears. The previous Apple Pencils have always made a natural companion to the iPad (magnetically) connecting it to the side, so it stands to reason the latest generation of both products will be unveiled today. 17:20: Other products that might get unveiled today There are other items that may get a mention in the launch today. One is the latest generation of Apple earbuds, the (not officially called) AirPods 3. However, we think it's unlikely they'll be unveiled as online leaks suggest that the new Airpods won't go into production until the third quarter of the year. The other is the (also not officially called) iPhone 13. The reason that's a long shot at today's event is that, as everybody knows, iPhones are always released in the autumn. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of rumblings on the gossip mill about both products – take a look at our AirPods 3 release date page and iPhone 13 release date page to find out more. 17:00: What we know so far about the launch In a nutshell, here's what we know so far about Spring Loaded: Apple is due to unveil a selection of its products slated for a 2021 release. We think this will include a new range of iPads, and the all-new AirTags (tracking devices). Check out our new iPad release date page and Apple AirTag release date page for more rumours about these items. 16:40: The Apple Store is currently down The UK Apple Store is currently down – but relax, people: there's no cause for alarm. This always happens in the lead-up to a major Apple product launch, presumably as the sales folks do the digital equivalent of clearing the shelves and making space for the shiny new merchandise. We're already excited! 16:20: Apple Spring Loaded event due to stream at 6pm Welcome to RadioTimes.com's live coverage of this evening's Apple Spring Loaded event. We'll be posting regular updates on everything that's announced during the livestream, which you can tune into at YouTube or on Apple's website. It's likely to run for about a couple of hours, from 6pm BST – that's 10am over in sunny Cupertino, California. How to watch the Spring Loaded event Apple's Spring Loaded was livestreamed on the official Apple site and YouTube. You can rewatch the whole thing via Apple's YouTube page. Weighing up if your next phone will be an Android or iPhone? Check out our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 guide to help you decide.
Honor Band 6 watch review: new budget wearable comes with 148% larger display
Honor's latest wearables comes with a larger display, extra functions – but a bigger price tag too.
When is a fitness tracker no longer just a fitness tracker? This might sound like the beginnings of a joke, but it’s actually the question we asked ourselves when we tested the all-new Honor Band 6. With its lightweight design and moulded strap-width display, the Honor Band 5 was very much a no-frills fitness tracking band. But its successor now boasts a larger, more modular display and a few extra features too. While it's still very much an affordable fitness tracker, it also looks a hell of a lot like a more advanced smartwatch. The sudden evolutionary leap in the Band line might, in some part, be due to Honor parting ways with Huawei – it was sold by the Chinese tech giant back in November 2020. Under Huawei's auspices, Honor was very much positioned as its budget-friendly sub-brand. (You'll still need to use the Huawei Health app to make full use of the Band 6's features). Perhaps now, though, Honor's plan is to start to make flashier devices at a greater price – since the Band 6 is significantly more expensive than the Band 5. So the real question we should be asking ourselves is this: does the Honor Band 6 justify that mark-up in its price? We wore the Band 6 for several days and tried out its various features – here’s their verdict on how it performed. If you're on the hunt for a smartwatch in this price category, don't miss our Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 review. Jump to: Honor Band 6 review: summary What is the Honor Band 6? How much is Honor Band 6? Design Features Honor Band 6 set-up Our verdict Where to buy Honor Band 6 review: summary The Honor Band 6 does occasionally overreach – most noticeably in a decidedly iffy stress-tracking function – but it redeems itself by offering a reliable set of other functions, a smooth and lag-free UI, and an impressive charging speed. It’s by no means our favourite budget fitness tracker, but the Honor Band 6 is still worth its asking price. The Honor Band 6 is currently available to buy at Amazon. What is the Honor Band 6? The Honor Band 6 is the company's latest generation in the Band line. Honor has always historically set its sights on the budget-friendly smartwatch market, with the flagship Honor Watch GS Pro notably cheaper than equivalents from Apple, Samsung and Fitbit. Price-wise, the Band 6's closest equivalents are the Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 and the Xiaomi Mi Smart Watch Lite. What does the Honor Band 6 do? Here’s a run-down of the various functions and features you’ll find in the Honor Band 6: The Honor Band 6 will track and report a number of stats: heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and stress. For this, you’ll need to install the Huawei Health app on your phone. This smartwatch also offers cycle tracking for female users, but it’s limited to Android users. There are ten pre-set workout routines that will track and analyse your performance. Call, text, email and social media notifications are relayed from your paired smartphone. Weather reports are also available. How much is the Honor Band 6? The Honor Band 6 is on sale with an RRP of £44.99. Is Honor Band 6 good value for money? Yes – but only just. It should be noted that the Honor Band 5 has an RRP of £29.99, so that means the Band 6 is 50% more expensive – even for a piece of budget tech, that’s quite the price hike. The jump in price seems to be explained by two main things: the larger display, which we found to be a worthwhile addition, and some additional tracking features, which we were less fond of – read on to find out more. Honor Band 6 design In design, the Honor Band 6 is pretty anonymous and functional-looking, but that’s what we would expect of an entry-level wearable. At this price point, this isn’t the sort of smartwatch that you pick out to match your favourite top. We did, however, appreciate the selection of display designs that come included in the watch, including the retro-looking one that you see at the top of this article. Despite the change in design, the Band 6 is still a slender wearable that might look a bit odd on chunkier wrists. But its display – as Honor proudly advertises – is 148% bigger than that of the previous watch in the Band line. This new watch features a display that measures 1.47 inches (3.7cm) diagonally, and it's a more-than-welcome upgrade. It still has its limits: only truncated excerpts of emails and texts are displayed on the screen. But the larger screen size pays off with the data visualisation that’s offered in the heart rate, SpO2, sleep and stress graphs, which are clear and easy to manipulate via the touchscreen (you can toggle between day, week, month and year views of these ongoing stats). There’s also the core target display, which is clearly, ahem, ‘inspired’ by Apple’s three-ring system. In Honor’s case, these three data sets (steps made, distance covered, exercise undertaken) are strictly horseshoe in shape – but they do exactly the same and are just as useful as visual cues of your daily targets. It’s a watch that will fit nice and snugly (as it needs to) on even the spindliest of wrists, and there are three colour schemes available: Meteorite Black, Coral Pink and Sandstone Grey, the last of which we tested. Honor Band 6 features We found that the majority of the Band 6’s features performed exceptionally well. As soon as it was on our wrist, it began its heart rate measuring. The following morning, we found a detailed report on our sleep quality too. It also automatically sensed before we went out on an evening run and recorded the performance without a hitch. Unfortunately, the Band 6 let itself down in the form of a stress test that performed reliably but, frankly, felt like it was based on some dubious metrics. Rather than feeding back your stress levels in real-time via the display, the Band 6’s stress function can be accessed via the Huawei app – it will give you a snapshot of where your stress levels are at. To get it up and running, you’ll need to ‘calibrate’ the tool – to do this, you’ll need to agree or disagree with ponderous statements like ‘I don’t see any meaning in life.’ Without casting aspersions on the Institute of Psychology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, we’re not convinced such existential questions can be legitimately answered via multiple-choice, and certainly not one that doesn’t offer you a neutral or agnostic answer: you either agree, strongly agree, disagree or strongly disagree. When we tested ourselves on three separate occasions, it was nice to be told that we handle stress well. But it didn’t feel particularly rigorous – not compared to the stress-testing function in the (admittedly much more expensive) Fitbit Sense, which measures the electrical activity in your skin, a proven phenomenon in the fight-or-flight response. There’s also an irony in the fact that a device that is supposed to help you regulate your stress is also one that will deliver a constant barrage of text, WhatsApp messages, email and social media notifications to your wrists. Luckily, should you want to (and we most certainly did), these notifications can be deactivated, and the vibration alert, which is pretty fierce, can be toggled from strong to weak. The second disappointing feature came with the menstrual cycle tracker. This wasn't something we were able to test – and not only because of our Y chromosomes but also because of our iPhone. A closer look at the small print on the Honor website explains it’s only available on Android 5.0. What is the Honor Band 6 battery like? Honor advertised the battery life as a maximum of 14 days in length. We found that after a week of sustained use, the power dropped from full to 40%, suggesting a battery of life of between 11 and 12 days: an encouraging result. Better still is the quick-charge feature, which Honor proudly states as ‘Charge for 10 minutes, wear for 3 days’. We can tell you that after 10 minutes plugged in at the mains, the Honor Band 6 jumped from 39% to 76% in power. Like a lot of low-spec tech, what basic fitness trackers lack in bells and whistles, they typically make up for by being low-maintenance when it comes to battery life. The Band 6 is no exception. Honor Band 6 set-up: how easy is it to use? Setup on our iPhone was a straightforward process that took less than five minutes. Inside the outer blue and white box is another load of white packaging, in which you’ll find the Band 6 nestled and partially charged for immediate use. Beneath that is the magnetic charging cable, which measures an impressive 50cm in length. As is the norm these days, there’s no wall adaptor included, should you wish to charge at the mains. You’ll need to download the Huawei Health app and then create an account before accessing its various features. (Best have some scales to hand: you’ll need to enter your weight). Although we found connecting the Band 6 to our iPhone via Bluetooth was hiccup-free, some ugly-looking formatting in the Health app suggested some deeper compatibility issues with iOS. Our verdict: should you buy Honor Band 6? If you’re after a budget wearable with a larger display than the norm and some impressive core tracking features, the Honor Band 6 is a sound purchase. It might be pricier than the Band 5, but it’s still a great no-frills addition to your fitness routine. Just leave the stress-tracking feature alone: it won’t do you any favours. Rating: Design: 3.5/5 Features (average): 3.5/5 Functions: 3.5/5 Battery: 4 /5 Value for money: 3.5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Overall rating: 3.5/5 Where to buy the Honor Band 6 watch Right now, the Honor Band 6 is only available on Amazon. But since the Honor Band 5 is stocked by the likes of Argos, Ryman and (refurbished at) OnBuy, we expect the 6 to become more widely available soon after its UK release. Looking for a wearable that’s cheaper than usual? Don’t miss our pick of the best smartwatch deals.
Honor Band 6 release date, price and features - now available to buy
Honor’s new budget-friendly wearable has just hit shelves in the UK.
Update: we've now put this fitness tracker to the test. Read our take in our Honor Band 6 review. As much as we love flashy flagship wearables at RadioTimes.com, we’re also rather fond of a budget fitness tracker too. That’s why we're very excited at the imminent arrival of the all-new Honor Band 6. Honor's latest wearable has been available to buy in China since November 2020 but is yet to be officially released to the UK market. Interestingly, we have noticed that the Band 6 is available on Amazon, but at a price that's way over double our predicted RRP. Stock is very limited, so if you're willing to spend this much, we suggest you get buying now. Buy the Honor Band 6 from Amazon We will be delivering an expert, in-depth review of the Band 6 in the very near future. We are interested to see whether this no-fuss, low-cost fitness tracker will make it on to our best smartwatch list. If you're on the hunt for an affordable fitness tracker, you may want to cast an eye over our Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 review. Read on to find out what you can expect from the Honor Band 6. Honor Band 6 release date Unfortunately, we can’t yet confirm a set date that the Honor Band 6 will become directly available on these shores. Honor has sent out information about its new wearable’s specs and features – but is rather circumspect about its release date. Our guess is that if it’s not during what’s left of March, then it will follow soon in April. Make sure you bookmark this page, as we'll update it once we know for certain. Honor Band 6 price Again, Honor hasn't given us a definitive RRP. So perhaps it's worth looking at the RRP of its predecessor, the Honor Band 5. This went on sale for £29.99 when it was first released, so it's fair to expect much the same from its successor. Buy the Honor Band 6 from Amazon Of course, it's extremely unlikely both wearables will cost the same amount. So perhaps the Band 6 will be positioned as a slightly pricier wearable – and if not, you can be sure the asking price of the Band 5 will drop upon its successor's release. Honor Band 6: what to expect Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from the latest wearable in the Honor Band series: A 1.47-inch AMOLED display marks a 148% increase in display area compared to the Honor Band 5. Budget-friendly wearables often suffer from the sort of screens that have you wincing – but not so hear. There will be, we're told, an 'extensive library' of watch faces to let you personalise the Band 6. It's going to come in three stunning colours: Meteorite Black, Sandstone Grey and Coral Pink. In terms of health-tracking functions, the Honor Band 6 will feature the same blood oxygen (Sp02) monitoring introduced as a software update to the Band 5. You can also expect an optical heart rate sensor, and thanks to an AI algorithm, this smartwatch will monitor your heart rate in real-time around the clock. Stress is bad, sleep is good: this, we can all agree on. The Honor Band 6 will come with some sleep tracking functions that will log how much deep sleep, light sleep, REM sleep, awake time and naps you take each day. Better still, it will give you some tips on how to improve your sleep quality. You'll find 10 workout modes included, which cover everything from outdoor and indoor running to rowing. While you're training, the Honor Band 6 will feedback with real-time data to help you improves upon your performance. Now here's what we love about lower-end wearables: their stupendous battery life. True to form, the Honor Band 6 will last up to 14 days off a single charge and around 10 days under heavy usage. No need to fret about charging daily – hey, you're trying to keep your stress to a minimum, right? When paired with your smartphone, the Band 6 can double up as a remote for your camera and your music playlist and deliver all the usual call, text and emails notifications. We can't wait to get our hands on Honor's latest wearable. To stay up-t0-date with all our latest tech news and reviews, you can sign up for the RadioTimes.com tech newsletter below. Buy the Honor Band 6 from Amazon Looking for a new wearable? Take a look at our pick of the best smartwatch deals this month.
Skullcandy’s very first pair of noise-cancelling earbuds aren’t without their flaws – but they’re priced wisely against costly competitors.
Things change fast in the tech world, and Skullcandy has been working hard of late to survive in a hugely competitive audio marketplace. The U.S. brand rose to prominence in the early Noughties with bright, funky-looking headphones, but its star declined somewhat in the post-iPod years as substance seemed to give out to style. Skullcandy is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity, and one that we’d say is largely down to a wise price positioning. Rather than competing with Apple, Samsung, Bose and Sennheiser's high-end efforts, it has kept its recently released audio products fun and affordable. After all, not everybody needs (or can afford) aficionado-level sound in their ears. For many people, earbuds are simply a light, convenient addition to their work or gym bag. So it comes as little surprise that Skullcandy’s first-ever pair of noise-cancelling earbuds are also one of the very cheapest on the market. Of course, this can go one of two ways – but for the most part, the Indy ANC do their brand proud. Read on for our in-depth review of these noise-cancelling earbuds, and for a look at another recent release from the same company, don’t miss our Skullcandy Dime review. You may also want to compare these earbuds against other affordable options in our best budget wireless earbuds article. Skullcandy Indy ANC review: summary The Indy ANC earbuds are beset with a few issues but hold their own in the form of a snug fit, appealing design and realistic price tag. If you manage to get to grips with the button sensors, you’ll likely find these a solid companion on your commute, run or gym session – but the limited noise-cancellation might not hold up in office spaces where you can’t get away with the volume at full blast. But we loved the Personal Profile customizability, which palpably improved the audio clarity. The Skullcandy Indy ANC earbuds are available from Amazon, Currys PC World, AO and, of course, the Skullcandy store. What are the Skullcandy Indy ANC? How much are the Skullcandy Indy ANC? Design Features Skullcandy Indy ANC set-up Our verdict Where to buy What are the Skullcandy Indy ANC? The Indy ANC mark Skullcandy’s first foray into noise-cancelling earbuds. They’re not the first earbuds from Skullcandy to sport the Indy name, though: you’ll find the Skullcandy Indy True are still available, minus the ANC and with a short battery life. What do the Skullcandy Indy ANC do? The Indy ANC offer the following features: Wireless audio playback from your connected device (via Bluetooth). Three pre-set audio modes: Music, Podcast and Film. Noise-cancelling mode. A ‘Personal Profile’ option that will tailor the sound quality exactly to your needs. Although only a mini-USB cable is included, the Indy ANC also supports wireless charging. Both earbuds sport built-in Tile compatibility – so if you lose both or just one of them, you'll be able to track them down with that app. How much is the Skullcandy Indy ANC? The Skullcandy Indy ANC have an RRP of £99.99, though we are currently seeing minor reductions from some retailers. You’ll find the cheapest prices below. Are the Skullcandy Indy ANC good value for money? Yes – Skullcandy has priced them strategically in an ever-expanding marketplace. The closest competitors to the Indy ANC are the Panasonic RZ-S500WE-W and the Sony WF-1000XM3. However, these are still noticeably more expensive and will deter people who are keen to stay out of triple-figure spending. We’ll dive into the Indy ANC’s strengths and weaknesses – and they definitely have both – in the following sections. Skullcandy Indy ANC design In looks, the Indy ANC are a real winner. We actually tested them alongside the Dime, Skullcandy’s budget-friendly option – and while we were fond of those cheap and cheerful earbuds, these are definitely the classier options. They also weigh more at 76g (in the case), but that’s undoubtedly what offers the superior battery life. The long, spindly design of the Indy ANC will likely divide opinion. At 4cm in length, they certainly aren’t discreet, but they have a streamlined appeal. Interestingly, while Skullcandy has historically stocked brightly coloured headphones and earphones, these are only available in True Black. While nestled in their case, the Dime’s lights glow red, while a series of white glowing dots on the outer case. We liked the two-component design of the eargels – alongside the typical parts that go directly into your ears, there’s also an outer part that features little hooks that you can pinch to remove the earbuds from their case. It’s thoughtful little touches like this that remind you of Skullcandy’s pedigree. Like the Dime, all it took was a switch of eargels to the larger size (included in the pack, along with a second standard size) for them to provide us with a super-comfortable fit and one that survived our evening run. Skullcandy Indy ANC features Skullcandy has a reputation to live up to, and luckily the Indy ANC delivers in terms of sound quality. We were pleased to find the bass levels heavy, and the sound didn’t distort too heavily when we turned it up to the max. Audiophiles may be disappointed to find that there aren’t any advanced EQ settings to adjust, however. The noise-cancelling feature comes in the form of a low-level hiss that’s designed to cancel out the audio clutter of your immediate surroundings. We found that ANC tech offered by these earbuds is more limited than pricier equivalents – but it was still enough to drown out the sound of our doorbell from the adjoining hallway and (unlike lots of ANC audio tech) isn't intrusive. You can toggle between noise-cancelling and ambient modes via the earbuds sensor buttons (more on those in a bit), as well as the three pre-set audio modes: Music, Podcast and Film. But you’ll definitely want to download the Skullcandy app to your phone and set up your audio ‘Personal Profile’. This takes a couple of minutes: essentially, you’re played a series of beeping sounds at various pitches and volumes; you answer yes or no to those you can hear and those you can’t. We thought it sounded a little gimmicky, but we were pleased to discover that it did indeed improve the clarity of the audio – the sonic equivalent of sliding a photograph into focus. It’s with the button sensors that we ran into problems with the Indy ANC. These earbuds are reliant on what feels like an over-elaborate tapping system that isn’t at all intuitive. While a double-tap to either earbud to play and pause isn’t so difficult, it’s easy to accidentally do this while single-tapping each one to adjust the volume (left takes you up, right takes you down). Toggling between the ANC and ambient modes (three taps) proved very difficult, and in the end, it was simpler to go to the app on our smartphone. These UI issues also plagued the Skullcandy Dime earbuds – and while we totally acknowledge that such things can become a habit, we still hadn't got to grips with the button system after 60 hours of use. Our feeling is that these earbuds would have benefitted with an extra button, whatever the minimalist appeal of having just the one. What is the Skullcandy Indy ANC battery like? The Indy ANC has a maximum battery life of 19 hours: five from the earbuds themselves and another 14 from the case. We noticed that the case did a swift job of charging the earbuds: they went from 9% to 73% in a matter of minutes. Skullcandy Indy ANC set-up: how easy is it to use? Setup was straightforward, and there was enough power in the earbuds for us to try them out straight away. Including downloading the Skullcandy app and going through the Personal Profile test took about five minutes to get the Indy ANC up and running. The Indy ANC are packaged with some pomp and circumstance: you lift the black inner packaging like a drawer from the outer box. Inside, you’ll find the earbuds presented separately from the case. There’s a foldout instruction booklet included – the fact that one entire side of the instructions is given over to the various button-tap combinations should tell you how complex they are. There's also a QR code displayed on the inside boxes, which will take you to a set of similar instructions on the Skullcandy website. Also included is a very short USB charging cable – as is pretty standard these days, you'll need to find your own wall adaptor. Our verdict: should you buy the Skullcandy Indy ANC? While noise-cancelling headphones are growing steadily affordable, our feeling is that you should be prepared to spend more if you plan to rely on them on a day-to-day basis in environments with a constant level of background noise (perhaps you’re thinking of that return to a busy office after a year of working remotely). But at a sub-£100 price, the Indy ANC win on their solid sound quality, comfortable fit and a quietly assured design. Since these are some of the priciest earbuds in Skullcandy’s largely affordable portfolio, we were concerned style would win out over substance – but this isn’t the case. Ultimately, our 3.5-star verdict boils down to that pesky sensor-tapping system, which might prove an annoyance on runs, at the gym or in other situations where you don’t want to be reaching for your phone. Review scores: Set-up: 3/5 Design: 4/5 Features (average): 3/5 Sound quality: 4/5 Value for money: 4/5 Overall star rating: 3.5/5 Where to buy the Skullcandy Indy ANC earbuds The Skullcandy Indy ANC are available from a handful of online retailers: Amazon Coolshop Currys PC World Skullcandy Seeking out new home audio too? Don’t miss our best smart speaker list.
Skullcandy has, for the most part, hit the mark with this budget-friendly set of in-ear wireless earphones.
Just in case you’re unfamiliar with American currency, a dime works out as approximately seven pence. We’re at pains to stress that, at £29.99, the Skullcandy Dime costs a fair bit more than that – but in comparison to, say, the Apple Airpods Pro, they're hardly an expensive purchase. The Dime isn't the only pair of budget-friendly earbuds out there at this price – you’ll find cheaper rivals from Lenovo and JVC. But neither of those manufacturers are audio-first brands. By contrast, Skullcandy shot to fame in the Noughties with its stylish range of headphones, and the U.S. brand now has a reputation to protect in a market where Apple and Samsung are taking up increasing amounts of space. Wisely, Skullcandy is carving out its own space in the market by rolling out a number of audio products in the mid-range and budget-end categories. But are the Skullcandy Dime a genuinely decent affordable option, or are they best consigned to the bargain bin of history? Our experts have put them to the test. Read on for our in-depth review of the Skullcandy Dime – we go into price, features, design and ease of set up. For a more mid-range offering from the brand, take a look at our Skullcandy Indy ANC review. And for a look at other affordable options, be sure to take a look at our pick of the best budget wireless earbuds. Skullcandy Dime review: summary The Dime ultimately prove themselves a worthy pair of budget-friendly earbuds, let down chiefly by a temperamental UI. But the sound is of a reliable quality, and the design genuinely compact and pocket-friendly. Some might get frustrated by the 12-hour-max battery life, but the Dime earbuds are comfortable, nicely designed, and are unlikely to give you any buyer’s remorse at the price of £29.99. What is the Skullcandy Dime? How much is the Skullcandy Dime? Design Features Skullcandy Dime set-up Our verdict Where to buy What is the Skullcandy Dime? The Dime is Skullcandy’s cheapest wireless in-ear earbuds. The next pair up is the Skullcandy Sesh Evo, which have an RRP of £49.99 and offer a longer, 24-hour battery life and Tile app compatibility. What do the Skullcandy Dime do? The Dime earbuds are all about getting audio from your connected device into your eyes, of course. But let’s take a look at a few key features: A 12-hour-maximum battery life (3.5 hours from the earbuds and 8.5 hours from the case). The Skullcandy Dime will also relay calls from your phone, along with music and podcasts. These earbuds are IPX4 sweat- and water-resistant. The Dime earbuds are currently only available from the Skullcandy website – and sadly, they're currently out of stock. But Skullcandy has told us that new stock should arrive on 27 April, and you can register your interest below. Stay notified of the Dime's availability at the Skullcandy store How much are the Skullcandy Dime? The Skullcandy Dime earbuds have an RRP of £29.99. Are the Skullcandy Dime good value for money? Yes. We were nervous that the Dime would be a lacklustre set of earbuds that leaned far too heavily on the Skullcandy name. But, our quibbles with the button-tapping aside, this is a pair of earbuds that are an excellent choice for anyone looking for in-ear, wireless audio at no great cost. Skullcandy Dime design Full disclaimer: we tested the Dime earbuds immediately after Skullcandy’s Indy ANC earbuds, which cost an extra £70. When put beside the pricier Indy ANC, the Dime shows a definite climb-down in design and quality compared to their pricier big sibling. They boast a nice design, with slats in the lid that reveal the skull logos on the earbuds. You can pick these up in four different colour schemes: dark blue/green, light grey/blue, dark grey and true black. In our humble opinion, those first two options look far cheaper than the monochrome versions. Design-wise, the Dime’s winning feature is the ultra-svelte design. Measuring a mere 6.22 by 3.89cm and weighing just 32g, the case is so small that you may actually want to use the built-in looped hook to attach it to your keyring: it’s about the same size as an electric car fob. There aren’t many pairs of earbuds out there that can genuinely go into your pocket like this. At first, we found the Dime a little uncomfortable in our ears – but after replacing the gel ear-nibs with a larger size included in the pack, that problem went away. These are a genuinely unobtrusive addition to your ears but also fit securely: the best of both worlds. Skullcandy Dime features We’re not being sarcastic when we say the sound quality of the Dime matches its £30 price tag. These are budget-end earbuds that deliver budget-end sound: solid and reliable, but a little tinny when turned up to the max. Audiophiles will need to look elsewhere – and likely spend in the triple figures, too. Needless to say, there’s no noise-cancellation at this price point, and sadly you can’t connect the Dime to the Skullcandy app to tweak your sounds. But really, the Dime should be judged in terms of ease of use and convenience – and here’s where we did run into some issues. We got the earbuds up and running in no time (see below) but found them a pain to operate. There’s a single button on either earbud and while we appreciated the simplicity, we found the sequence of button-taps hopelessly complicated. Luckily, the various commands are catalogued in both the included fold-out manual and the Skullcandy website. Trust us: you'll need them. Tapping either earbud once to play and pause is simple enough, but then holding your finger down from anywhere between two and four seconds will do anything from unpair the Dime from your device to activating your device’s voice assistant. Like anything, these commands will probably become a habit over time – but intuitively, they most certainly aren’t, and we found it far easier to use our phone instead. Anyone planning to wear these while running or working out or in any other phone-free situation might find this an ongoing annoyance. What is the Skullcandy Dime battery like? Budget tech typically comes with a lifespan that pips pricier equivalents, but here’s where we see a clear trade-off between size and capability. While the Dime does have a remarkably small charging case, it only has a collected battery life of 12 hours – that’s 3.5 hours from the earbuds themselves and another 8.5 from the case. Ultimately, this amounts to a set of earbuds that will need mains charging on a daily or near-daily basis, depending on your levels of use. That’s no disaster, but we would have loved for the Dime to be just a little more low-maintenance. Skullcandy Dime set-up: how easy are they to use? We got the Dime earbuds up and running in about 35 minutes. This could have easily been just five minutes, but they arrived low in battery, with a message recommending we charged them in the case for half an hour: a minor niggle. These earbuds come in a long, thin, rectangular box. Inside, you’ll find the earbuds in the case in a white inner box that features a QR code, which, when scanned, takes you through to an instruction page. (Foldout instructions are included, but these are printed in Bible-size text, so the QR code seemed like the easier option.) The online instructions guided us through what was an undeniable hassle-free pairing process: the Dime automatically went into pairing mode, removed from their case, and popped up on the Bluetooth display on our iPhone with no issue. Our verdict: should you buy the Skullcandy Dime? If you have no need for the noise-cancelling tech or better-quality sound of pricier earbuds, the Dime will more than perform. That button-tapping system might take a little getting used to, but its shortcomings are offset by a comfortable fit in your ear and a fabulously compact build. And did we mention they cost just £29.99? Review scores: Setup: 5/5 Design: 4/5 Features: 3/5 Sound quality: 3/5 Value for money: 4/5 Overall star rating: 3.5/5 Where to buy the Skullcandy Dime? Right now, you can only register your interest in stock availability at the Skullcandy store – but as and when the Dime earbuds are available from other retailers online, we'll be sure to update this page. Stay notified of the Dime's availability at the Skullcandy store And if you're keen to stay up-to-date with all the latest tech news, releases and deals? We suggest you sign up for the RadioTimes.com tech newsletter. Keen to take your home audio up a notch? Don't miss our best smart speaker round-up.