ROG Xbox Ally review: I don't really know who this is for
The ROG Xbox Ally is a solid console in a vacuum, but doesn't offer the value of its competitors.
In August, I had the chance to try out the ROG Xbox Ally at Gamescom, and I was rather impressed by what I saw in the 10 minutes of Forza Horizon 5 that I was afforded. Two months on, after a few weeks with one in the comfort of my own home, I would be lying if I said that I was not underwhelmed by the console. For the sake of clarity, I want to make clear now that this is a review of the weaker, white ROG Xbox Ally, and not the more powerful, black ROG Xbox Ally X. The Ally retails for £499.99 in the UK ($599.99 in the US), a whole £300 ($400) cheaper than the Ally X, for which you get a weaker CPU and GPU, 16GB RAM instead of 24GB RAM, and 512GB storage compared to 1TB. They represent a collaboration with Xbox and ASUS, rebranding ASUS's existing ROG Ally duo with the Xbox stamp of approval. The clearest example of this is that Armoury Crate, the original Ally's means of tweaking and optimising your device's settings as well as launching games, has been replaced on the latter front by the Xbox App. This thankfully removes the need to use the rather clunky and bloated Armoury Crate as a launcher in favour of the Xbox App, which can detect and launch games from Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net or any other separate launchers you may have. This is a godsend, and aside from a few dodgy interactions where it launched Steam's Big Picture Mode instead of the game I had selected, works like a charm. In tandem with this, we now have a nifty Xbox button on the Xbox Ally which gives you easy access to the App as well as the Xbox Game Bar. Though it takes a touch of getting used to using all of this as your main means of navigating your games, once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze to use, and probably my favourite thing about the console. Unfortunately, that really is about it for what's new, and indeed, what stood out about the console. When it comes to actually playing games, I was rather underwhelmed. I was, of course, not expecting the Ally to be able to comfortably run the newest games, which it cannot, for the most part. At 720p and the lowest settings, Borderlands 4 averaged around 20fps and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sometimes crawled up to 30fps. I had, however, expected decent performance on some older titles, encouraged by my time with Forza at Gamescom, which does hit a reliable 50-60fps even at higher settings. That being said, many other titles from a similar time struggle significantly more. Elden Ring, for example, just about managed to hit 40fps on the lowest settings while standing idly by, before very quickly tanking to under 30fps as soon as I entered any kind of combat – not exactly ideal for such a demanding title. I had similar experiences with Alan Wake 2, Ghostrunner 2, Marvel's Spider-Man and more. Even The Witcher 3, a visually impressive game but a game that released in 2015 nonetheless, would drop from 50-60fps to below 40fps when using the dedicated Steam Deck graphics preset. The Ally should not be struggling with a decade-old game. Each performed slightly differently, though none to the level that I would expect from a device that retails for £150 more than a base Steam Deck, and this is all while plugged in – good luck trying to play anything more demanding than Dead Cells on a long journey. I have spent a tremendous amount of time in Armoury Crate testing various combinations of RSR, RIS, Radeon Boost and more. The exorcism I have performed to purge the likes of Copilot and its fellow Microsoft bloat may have helped marginally, but largely to no avail. The solution here is likely to mod the ever-loving hell out of some of these games, as you would on any weaker PC, and I'm sure that reckoning will take place in the weeks after release, but it's worth bearing in mind that this is the performance you will get out of the box. But the Ally does provide one excellent workaround, or rather, it did. View oEmbed on the source website Xbox Cloud Gaming allows you to stream games from the cloud, relying upon Xbox's more powerful hardware to do the heavy lifting while your console simply displays the output. This does require a good internet connection, so it's certainly not something that you would be doing away from home, but is a nice option to be able to play the newest games on your Ally. The reason I say "it did" as opposed to "it does," is that Xbox locks the highest 1440p streaming quality for Cloud Gaming behind its Game Pass Ultimate subscription, with the cheaper tiers getting 720p and 1080p respectively. This is still a decent option, but considering how big a selling point Cloud Gaming could have been for the Ally, it makes it all the more baffling that Xbox would choose to so rampantly increase the price of its Game Pass subscriptions mere weeks before release. I say this as someone that has been a Game Pass subscriber for many years until the price hike – the prospect of Game Pass on the go was my main reason for wanting a ROG Xbox Ally. Now, not only are you paying £500 for the Ally itself, but you're shelling out nearly £300 a year on top of that just to cover your Game Pass Ultimate subscription to make the most of it. View Green Video on the source website This reveals the real issue of the ROG Xbox Ally– its price point. For around £150 more than the base Steam Deck, you aren't really getting anything extra. The 1080p resolution is nice, but again, I have been forced to run most things at 720p anyway, so I would argue you're better off with the more expensive OLED Steam Deck, which you can fairly easily mod to use Game Pass on if that's a must for you. On the flip side, if you do want to play more modern games, once you factor in the exorbitant cost of Cloud Gaming, you may as well just purchase the more expensive and powerful ROG Xbox Ally X instead, or even waiting for the Lenovo Legion Go 2. The question I have been asking myself is: "Who is this for?" My simple answer is that I don't really know. It's too expensive to buy over a Steam Deck. It's not powerful enough to buy over its more expensive sister console. It doesn't add enough to be worth upgrading from the old Ally to. It doesn't excel at anything, leaving it lagging behind its competitors in every regard. It's the Xbox Series S of its duo, but while the Series S has a role as a cheaper console for a casual gamer, the Ally is inherently a more enthusiast piece of kit – nobody willing to drop £500 on a handheld console is a casual gamer just looking to play a few rounds of Call of Duty! That isn't to say it's a terrible console – it's not (hence the three stars). If you buy an Ally, I am sure you will get a huge amount out of it. My criticism is instead that I do not believe that it's worth buying over any of its counterparts. My main takeaway from my few weeks with the ROG Xbox Ally is that it showcases how good value the Steam Deck really is, and that is really not what you want from your new console's review period. The ROG Xbox Ally releases on 16th October 2025. Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Is the Meta Quest 3 worth it? Our review of the hot new VR headset
The world of VR can be a tricky thing to get into, and the Meta Quest headsets — formerly known as Oculus Quest headsets, prior to Facebook buying the company — generally represent one of the easiest ways for new players to get involved with virtual reality. This year, we've seen the arrival of the Meta Quest 3, the latest in this impressive range of headsets. Like its predecessor, the perennially popular Meta Quest 2, it does not require a PC to run a number of high-profile games. Heck, you don't even need to be plugged into a power source! Love gaming? Listen to our podcast One More Life! But with the Meta Quest 3 being priced at £479 by retailers like Currys, it's not exactly a small investment. We've been lucky enough to test out the headset for the last couple of weeks, and our primary goal here is to answer that one big question: Is the Meta Quest 3 worth it? Read on to find out with our full review! For more gaming recommendations, take a look at our pick of the best Xbox Series X deals on consoles, bundles and games. Is the Meta Quest 3 worth it? Our review at a glance Yes, we'd say that the Meta Quest 3 is worth it, especially if you're planning to be involved in VR gaming for the next five years or so. If that sounds like you, head over to Amazon or your retailer of choice once you've got the money saved! The Meta Quest 3 is a vast improvement on the Meta Quest 2 in all sorts of areas. For now, games will continue to come out on that older headset too, but we assume that developers will gradually begin to prioritise the Quest 3 over the next few years. Think of it like the difference between buying a PS4 and buying a PS5 at the moment. Sure, there are loads of games on the older system, but you'll get better graphics and a more future-proofed purchase if you opt for the most recent edition. Latest Prices Meta Quest 3 review: Why do we we recommend it? First things first, setting the Meta Quest 3 up is really simple, and the lack of wires continues to be a really nice touch. That's something that you can't say about the PSVR 2, this year's other big hardware launch in this space, which doesn't work unless it's plugged in. (Note: although the Meta Quest 3 runs loads of games wirelessly on its own, you can also connect it to a PC if you really want to!) Wearing the Quest 3 is pretty comfy, as well, even if you're a glasses wearer like me. The strap is maybe a little bit basic, and it did leave a red line on my head after one particularly intense session, but you won't be thinking about that while you're wearing the thing! In fact, speaking as a glasses user, I'd say that the Meta Quest 3 is the best headset I've tried in terms of truly achieving a nice clear image, even though the game is going through two sets of lenses (those on the headset and those on your glasses) before actually reaching your eyes. The view was crystal clear in every game I tried, helped along by the Quest 3's fish-eye lenses and its improved resolution. View Green Video on the source website Those are just the basics, though. What about the major upgrades and new features? The best of these, undeniably, is the vastly improved 'pass-through' cameras. While the previous Quest headset could take a rudimentary scan of your surroundings to save you from bumping into things, this new version can take a properly detailed image of your real-life gaming room and blend that seamlessly with your gaming experience. The possibilities here for augmented reality gaming experiences are really exciting, and Meta has even started making experiences that play up to this. There's a proof of concept demo called First Encounters, for example, where the pass-through cameras are used to make it look like aliens are bursting into your room. Blasting them is really fun, the stitching between realities is seamless, and although this is only a short experience, it really sells the concept and makes us want to see more developers embracing AR in their VR games. Of course, the Meta Quest 3 is a very new piece of tech, and there aren't too many games out there yet which really make the most of this feature. That's why we'd say that buying the Meta Quest 3 is really an investment in the next few years of VR. Being an early adopter now will really pay off later if developers embrace this tech. In the meantime, while we wait to find out what kinds of games will be made exclusively for the Quest 3, it's worth noting that there are loads of pre-existing VR games playable on this headset. In fact, the vast majority of the best VR games ever — titles like Beat Saber, Superhot, Vader Immortal, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and Walkabout Golf — are available on the Quest 3, and every game we tried ran very smoothly. We had a particularly good time with Eleven Table Tennis, which we'd never tried before. It was a good test for the controllers, which are just as light and easy to use as we've come to expect. One word of warning, though: if you're susceptible to motion sickness, we wouldn't say that the Meta Quest 3 has cured that problem, and perhaps there will never be a VR headset that fully does away with it. When I was playing Jurassic World Aftermath, a fun tie-in to the films, my stomach did turn a couple of times while running about. Most games will allow you to fiddle your movement settings, though, which should help you overcome that. The operating system on the Quest 3 could use a bit of work, as well, as it does get a bit fiddly and frustrating at times. But when you're in a game, everything works wonderfully. And we'd hope that the OS will be tweaked and improved over time, as more games come to the headset and it becomes an even better proposition. Here at launch, let's just say that we're very impressed! The Meta Quest 3 is out now and you can buy yours from retailers including Currys, Amazon and Argos— check out our Meta Quest 3 deals roundup to find the top deals on the market today. Listen to our One More Life podcast, subscribe to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter for all the latest gaming intel. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Backbone One mobile controller review: Next-level iPhone gaming
A travelling gamer's dream, the Backbone One offers many ways to extend your gaming time.
If your social media algorithm is anything like this writer's one, you may well have seen a bunch of targeted adverts for the Backbone One mobile controller. Your first reaction might be something along the lines of, 'Ooh, that looks nice, but is it worth forking out for?' If that's what you've been thinking, you've come to the right place for some answers, and plenty of analysis to boot. We've been sent a review unit of the Backbone One mobile controller and we've been testing it out on our iPhone 12 Pro for the last few months. We've used it at home, we've taken it on the go, and don't tell our colleagues but we've also used it sneakily in the office. Read on for our full thoughts! Jump to: Backbone One review summary What is the Backbone One? How much does the Backbone One cost? Backbone One design Backbone One features Backbone One setup Backbone One performance Should you buy the Backbone One? Where to buy the Backbone One Backbone mobile controller review summary All things considered, the Backbone One controller is a great way to extend your gaming time by transforming your phone into a multipurpose gaming device, working as it does with several cloud-streaming services as well as native mobile games (as long as the game in question has controller support). At nearly £100 (unless it's on offer), the price point isn't to be scoffed at, so you'll need to be sure that the games you want to play are compatible with this product (more on that later). You'll also want to remember that playing your home-console games on the go will always require a strong internet connection at both ends. The design is almost perfect, with great buttons and smooth-moving sticks, with the lack of grip on the rear being the only real downside. If you're looking for a phone-friendly controller, then, this could well be the product for you. Mobile gaming once meant little more than Angry Birds or Candy Crush, but controllers like this help you to play a higher calibre of game on the go. Good times! Latest prices What is the Backbone mobile controller? That's an easy one! The Backbone One mobile controller is exactly what you think it is. This is a gaming controller that slides onto your phone and allows you to play a variety of games on your handset in more of a console-like style. It makes your phone look like a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck, but at a fraction of the cost. As well as working with a number of native mobile games that you can find on Apple Arcade (or the Google Play Store if you opt for the Android version), the Backbone One is also compatible with various streaming solutions including Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Remote Play, Amazon Luna, NVIDIA GeForce Now and the soon-to-be-defunct Google Stadia. There is a D-pad and one analogue stick on the left-hand side of the controller, while the right-hand side has the other analogue stick and the face buttons. There are two different versions of the Backbone - you can get one with the Xbox buttons and one with the PlayStation buttons. Holding the two sides of the controller together is the eponymous backbone, a nice sturdy structure that can stretch to fit various different sizes of phone. You can get one with an Android connection, or one with an iPhone connection, depending on which sort of phone you prefer. How much is the Backbone mobile controller? The Backbone One mobile controller price is £99.99 GBP, whether you're buying from a third-party retailer like Very or Argos, or going straight to the source to place an order on the official Backbone website. At the time of writing, it is also currently on offer for £69.99 at Amazon (save 30 per cent). There doesn't seem to be a difference in price between the Android and iPhone edition, and there's also no cost change to be seen when you change from the one with Xbox buttons to the one with PlayStation buttons. Latest prices Backbone mobile controller design There's no denying that the design is one of the key appeals here. Even if you haven't spent much time thinking about gaming on your phone, those targeted Instagram ads do a great job of making the Backbone One controller look very attractive indeed. Slick is the word that comes to mind. The buttons have a great amount of click to them, while the triggers have just the right amount of give, and the whole thing slots seamlessly onto your phone with the eponymous backbone holding it all together. In seconds, your phone will look like a games console! That's the true achievement here in terms of design. The rounded corners of the controller complement the phone screen very well, allowing the whole package to coalesce into something that you'll be proud to be seen with in public. Backbone mobile controller features The obvious one is this: the Backbone One mobile controller clips onto your phone and connects via the charging port, automatically pairing and allowing you to use a console-grade controller on your mobile gaming platforms of choice. That, of course, is what you're expecting and the Backbone does that job very well. What you might not be expecting is the other cool features that are included. Our unit came with a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass, for example, a nice touch which would allow any customer to try out a whole host of big-name games that Microsoft has primed for cloud gaming. The controller itself also has a couple of welcome extra features. There is a 3mm headphone jack port, allowing you to connect any standard-audio-jack headphones that you have lying around. And there's also a port for your iPhone charger, allowing you to keep your phone topped up with battery power while you play. This comes in very handy if you're playing on the go and don't want to use up all your juice. There's also a free Backbone app, accessed by an orange button on the controller, which will help you make sense of which games are available on your device. Given that there are several companies offering gaming experiences on iPhones these days, this can come in very handy when it comes to finding inspiration. Backbone mobile controller setup In theory, the setup process for the Backbone One mobile controller should be incredibly simple - it's a plug and play device, so you should be able to attach it to your phone and start playing straightaway. You'll be prompted to download the Backbone app, but other than that there shouldn't be much in the way of faff. However, we did encounter one problem while we were setting up our Backbone controller, although this was more of an issue with our phone than anything else: we'd reached that point in our phone's lifespan where the charging port only seemed to work if you held the iPhone charger in an awkward position. This was just about workable in terms of charging our phone every night (especially in the age of wireless charging) but it did originally make it seem like the Backbone One wasn't working at all. Thankfully, the solution here was fairly simple. We'd been worrying about the need to send off our phone for an expensive repair, but it turned out that the only issue was a build-up of pocket lint inside the charging port. Once we'd scooped out all the dust that had gathered within the phone itself, the connection to the Backbone was really easy to make. And it now works fine every time, getting into a game in seconds. Backbone mobile controller performance So, we'd unboxed the Backbone and controller and managed to get it working. Now that all of the housekeeping was out of the way, the fun could really begin, and boy oh boy, there really is a lot of fun to be had with this handy attachment. Firstly, we played around with the Backbone within the comforts of our own home, with our high-speed broadband connected and all of our consoles nearby for any troubleshooting needs that might arise. At the time, we were in the middle of putting together our Two Point Campus review on PS5, so we booted up the PS5 Remote Play App to see what it would be like to control the console from another room using our iPhone 12 Pro and the newly-attached Backbone controller. Even though we happened to have the Backbone controller that has the Xbox button prompts printed on it (as opposed to the X, Square, Triangle and Circle of PlayStation), it still worked wonderfully as an extension of our PS5. Being able to use Remote Play and access your PS5 games from anywhere is a real boon for PlayStation owners, and the Backbone controller is an ideal way to make the experience on your phone feel just as enjoyable as the full-fat console version. The buttons, the D-pad and the triggers all felt great, and the game was really responsive. We didn't feel any lag, and we happily sunk a few hours into Two Point Campus without being anywhere near our console. Next, we took the Backbone controller to our office, where the Wi-Fi is maybe slightly less powerful and more in-demand. We loaded up Google Stadia (which sadly shut down in January this year) and managed to play a mostly-enjoyable hour of Cyberpunk 2077, and we also used the Xbox Cloud Gaming service to start a new save on No Man's Sky. In both cases, the games worked in a passable fashion, with the graphics holding up nicely on the iPhone screen, although Cyberpunk in particular started to feel a bit choppy after a while - it was particularly noticeable in combat and car-driving situations. We'd say this is a problem with our internet connection, however, as opposed to a flaw with the controller itself. Next we opted to try something a little more challenging. We left the office and took the Backbone to the park, where our iPhone claimed to have a strong 5G signal. Via Xbox Cloud Gaming, we loaded up Fortnite and joined a Zero-Build Solos match. The controller did its job really well, and it felt like we could still be competitive when the internet stayed strong, although signal drops did result in a couple of frustrating moments. And finally, we wanted to test out some native mobile games (as opposed to game-streaming experiences that rely on the internet), so we loaded up Apple Arcade and downloaded a few choice titles: the fun Mario Kart clone Warped Kart Racing, the tricksy platformer Floor Is Lava, the kid-friendly LEGO Star Wars: Castaways, the ever-beautiful Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, and 2K's dedicated NBA 2K23: Apple Arcade Edition. Of those, only NBA required an internet connection to play, with all of the others working just fine as offline solo activities (even with airplane mode turned on). All of these games were fun little experiences to explore, and the controller worked seamlessly with each of them, proving that there is more to do on Backbone than simply streaming your games from other platforms. All in all, we didn't feel any flaws with the controller itself. It feels great to play with, and the only nitpick we could think of is that the plasticky texture does get a bit slippery if you play with sweaty palms for a particularly long period of time. If you're looking for a controller that will work well with phone-friendly games, though, this is a very strong option to consider. Our verdict: Should you buy the Backbone mobile controller? If you're a gamer that travels a lot, or is unable to access console or PC for other reasons, we'd say that the Backbone One mobile controller is a great way to inject more gaming time into your life without breaking the bank. Before you buy one, though, we'd suggest having a think about which titles/experiences you're actually buying it for. There's a handy page on the Backbone website that shows you which games the controller is compatible with, so you'll want to make sure there is something to your tastes available. There's lots to enjoy on Apple Arcade, especially in the family-friendly realm, and those offline-enabled games will come in very handy in travel situations including long-haul flights and underground train commutes. And if you can ensure that there will be good internet wherever you're travelling to, all of those cloud-streaming options will be very handy as well. If you've got a PS5 at home but you're often not in the right room to play it, the Backbone could be a God-send for you. If what this controller offers aligns with what you want to play, by all means you should go for it! Where to buy the Backbone mobile controller The Backbone One mobile controller can be bought from a lot of major retailers, including the likes of Very and Argos, and Amazon, and it looks like the £99.99 price is very consistent across the board. Latest prices There is also an official Backbone website, where you can browse the whole range and order directly from the source if that's what you'd prefer. If you'd like to see the controller in action before you buy it, take a look at the trailer below. View oEmbed on the source website Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news, such as what is Amazon Luna? Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home — subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Razer Kishi controller review: Unlock your phone's gaming potential
Gaming is more popular than ever, and there are even more ways to play games in modern times, with mobile phone gaming really soaring over the last few years with no signs of slowing down. But some games can be a tad on the fiddly side, and that is even more irksome on a mobile, which is where the likes of the Razer Kishi come in. This is one of the most famous examples of a traditional controller being mapped onto the form factor of a phone. We've been sent a review unit of the Razer Kishi mobile controller (specifically the V2 edition for iPhone) and we've been testing it out on our iPhone 12 Pro of late to really put it through its paces. But how is it? Does it meet our mobile gaming needs? Read on for our full thoughts! Jump to: Razer Kishi review summary What is the Razer Kishi? How much does the Razer Kishi cost? Razer Kishi setup Razer Kishi design Razer Kishi features Razer Kishi performance Should you buy the Razer Kishi? Where to buy the Razer Kishi Razer Kishi review summary If you'd like to get to the point nice and quickly, suffice it to say that the Razer Kishi delivers exactly what we'd want it to. Mobile games that support controllers will work like a dream with it, as will cloud services (depending on your internet signal's strength), and the setup process quite literally takes mere seconds. There's no audio jack, so you'll need your Bluetooth headphones if you're playing on the go, but other than that this a perfect mobile-gaming controller. What is the Razer Kishi? The Razer Kishi is a controller designed for mobile phones, but with a difference! Whereas most tend to connect via Bluetooth, this connects directly, which means that the annoying lag you can get should be virtually non-existent. So AAA games will now be playable, dependent on the title, and you can really take your gaming on the road with you now! How much is the Razer Kishi? The Razer Kishi mobile controller's recommended retail price is around the £99.99 GBP mark – depending on which version you opt for on the Razer website – but you might find it a little cheaper in places such as Amazon. Shop around and you may be able to get one for closer to £65, which is a tidy saving if you ask us – so it's worth browsing around before buying. Note that we reviewed the V2 iPhone edition. Razer Kishi setup We're pleased to report that setting up the Razer Kishi is remarkably easy. We reviewed the iPhone version, and all we had to do was take the Kishi out of its box and attach it to our iPhone. The Kishi is adjustable in its width, so it should fit all the modern iPhones just fine. You stretch it over the back of your phone, making sure the input bit goes into your phone's charging port, and that's all it takes. It really is that easy! Your phone should detect the device instantly (ours did) and you will be prompted to download a Razer app that can point you towards compatible games. Razer Kishi design The design of the Razer Kishi is exactly what you'd expect from Razer. That is to say, it's darkly coloured and sleekly shaped, without being so over-the-top that you'd be embarrassed to be seen with it in public. In fact, we'd say it's so cool-looking that you'll be actively hoping that people spot it and ask you questions about it. The buttons and D-pad have a satisfying amount of 'click' to them, and the triggers have a generous amount of give, while the analogue sticks feel impressively responsive for such a small form factor. Here's one design point we'd particularly like to shout about: the Kishi has a subtle-looking but strong-feeling grip on its rear, meaning that you shouldn't have to worry about slips and spills on your commute (or wherever else you fancy using it). And here's one design point that slightly disappointed us: there's no 3mm audio jack here, meaning that you'll need to connect Bluetooth headphones rather than wired ones. Of course, Razer has you covered in that regard – you can buy the Razer Hammerhead earbuds from Amazon, and they will work perfectly with the Kishi. These are now available for 60 per cent off the original price at just £32. On the flipside of that: the Backbone One, one of the main competitors to the Razer Kishi, has the opposite problem. While it does have a headphone jack, the Backbone One does not have a good amount of grip on its back. So if you're wondering how to pick in the Backbone One versus Razer Kishi battle, that might be the deciding factor - which would you rather have out of those design options? Razer Kishi features In terms of features, the Razer Kishi's offering is fairly self-explanatory. This gamepad's primary feature is that it connects to your phone, making your Apple or Android handset look a bit like a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck, allowing you to play the best mobile games on the market in more of a console-like way. (Saying that, it's worth noting that not every mobile game supports controllers, although it is becoming more common. We'd recommend knowing which games you want to play on a Kishi before you buy one.) The Razer Kishi is compatible with a number of native mobile games as well as Apple Arcade, Xbox Cloud Gaming and PlayStation Remote Play (the latter of which will allow you to stream gameplay from your PS4 or PS5 straight onto your mobile screen, with the Kishi controlling your input). It does also work with Google Stadia, although that streaming service is shutting down soon. It'll work with NVIDIA GeForce Now, as well, which allows you to play a number of PC games on your phone over the cloud. In short, the Kishi unlocks the gaming potential of your phone. That's its sole reason for existing and we'd say it does it very well. Razer Kishi performance The Razer Kishi's performance is basically faultless. When you're playing a native mobile game that supports controllers, it really does feel like you've transformed your phone into a mini console. With these types of games, there's no discernible lag between your input and the movement on the screen, and the overall experience is a very positive one. Downloadable games from the likes of Apple Arcade and Netflix Gaming run like a dream here, as will any offline games you grab from the App Store or Google Play Store. As ever, with products like this, it's worth noting that game-streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS Remote Play, Google Stadia and NVIDIA Geforce Now do rely on a strong internet connection. And when you're streaming a game over the web, there's always a chance that your internet will drop out or sink to speeds where lag and lost connections are possible. If you're playing in a casual, chilled-out way, this won't be a problem. But if you're playing a competitive shooter or a sports game where milliseconds of stuttering could ruin your match, you'll want to make sure you're nearby to a powerful router if you're trying to use the Kishi and your phone to compete. The Kishi works just fine with all those services, but you're at the mercy of the internet! Our verdict: Should you buy the Razer Kishi? In the final analysis, yes, we would say that the Razer Kishi is worth it. If you're thinking about buying one, we're sure it will live up to your expectations. The price of admission isn't that high, and the potential you unlock with this purchase is significant. As is always the case with gaming tech, we'd recommend checking first which games you actually want to play with the Kishi before you buy one. The free Razer Kishi app is a handy way to check which controller-enabled games are available on your device. Are you away from your PlayStation enough that a dedicated remote-play controller is worth it? Does the Xbox Cloud Gaming library have titles you're dying to play? Are there native mobile games with controller support on your mobile of choice? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, game on! Where to buy the Razer Kishi The Razer Kishi mobile controller can be bought from a lot of major retailers, including the likes of Amazon and Argos. There is also an official Razer website, where you can browse the whole range and order directly from the source if that's what you'd prefer. Our handy widget below should pull together deals from around the web. If you'd like to see the controller in action before you buy it, take a look at the trailer below. The version we reviewed was the Razer Kishi V2 for iPhone. View oEmbed on the source website Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home — subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
With 4K streaming in-built, this affordable soundbar offers more than just good sound.
Streaming players are what Roku do best. For over 10 years, the American brand has created devices to make it easier for us to watch our favourite streaming services on the bigger TV screen. Released last year, the Roku Streambar is one of the brand's newest creations and is designed to be a one-stop-shop for upgrading your TV. A combination of a soundbar and smart TV stick in one, the Roku Streambar not only brings apps and channels to your 'non-smart' TV but improves its sound, too. With any amalgamation, there are always doubts around whether these products are promising too much and if they can really deliver on both fronts. So, are you better off spending more on two individual products? Or does the Roku Streambar come through? In short, the Roku Streambar does everything it says it does. It's quick and easy to set-up, voice control makes searching the homepage simple, and both the sound and streaming qualities are excellent. But to answer these questions fully, we put the Roku Streambar to the test. We assessed its streaming quality, sound quality and design, alongside practical factors such as how easy it is to set-up and use. All this is considered against its price tag to decide if its good value for money and worth of a high star rating. Here is our Roku Streambar review as we put this affordable, all-in-one device to the test. Looking for more streaming devices? Read our Amazon Fire TV Cube review, Nvidia Shield TV Pro review and Chromecast with Google TV review. Or head straight over to our best streaming device round-up for our favourites. Jump to: Roku Streambar review: summary What is Roku Streambar? How much is Roku Streambar? Design Sound quality Streaming quality Roku Streambar set-up Difference between Roku Streambar and Roku Premiere Our verdict Where to buy Roku Streambar review: summary It is hard to find fault with the Roku Streambar. At £79.99, it offers brilliant value combining crisp sound with 4K streaming capabilities in one device. Voice control is offered via the remote and works well, particularly excelling when searching the Roku homepage. It offers a great range of streaming services and apps, including Disney+, BT Sport, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. There's no better device to upgrade an old TV with. Price: The Roku Streambar is available forr £79.99 at Amazon and Currys PC World. Key features: 4K streaming Automatically quietens loud adverts Voice remote Works with Alexa and Google Assistant Private Listening mode streams audio to your phone and allows you to listen via your headphones Free extra remote with the Roku mobile app Stream music with Bluetooth and Spotify Connect Access to apps including Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and BT Sport Pros: Great value for money Small soundbar fits into any set-up Can be mounted Produces crisp and well-rounded sound Great choice of channels and apps Cons: No Dolby Vision What is Roku Streambar? The Roku Streambar can be used to upgrade any TV with streaming apps and richer sound. Launched in September 2020, the Roku Streambar is a step up from a traditional streaming device like the Roku Premiere while still providing that same 4K streaming quality. It's both a decent streaming player and soundbar with a good sound and streaming quality, user-friendly homepage for an affordable price. What does Roku Streambar do? The Roku Streambar is designed to give you access to apps and channels such as Amazon Prime Video, Spotify and BT Sport and improve your TV's sound. One remote controls both elements and includes buttons for voice control, volume, pause/play and shortcuts to Spotify and Netflix. 4K HDR streaming Stream music via Bluetooth or Spotify Connect Automatically quietens loud adverts Ability to watch live TV along with streaming services like Netflix, NOW TV, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video Private Listening mode (via Roku app) so that you can listen to your TV audio through your headphones How much is Roku Streambar? The Roku Streambar retails for £79.99 and is available at this price at Amazon, Currys PC World, and Argos. Is Roku Streambar good value for money? The Roku Streambar is brilliant value for money. For an RRP of £129.99, the soundbar delivers 4K streaming quality that does not buffer and well-rounded sound that is a vast improvement on TV-only audio. It is on the smaller side, but the volume and quality of sound were impressive for its size. Plus, considering that soundbars can cost upwards of £800, you're getting a lot of extra features such as voice control for a very affordable price. For a full breakdown on costs, we have a dedicated explainer on Roku's costs. Roku Streambar design Almost half the size of most soundbars, the Roku Streambar should slot into any TV set-up you have without too much reorganising. With curved edges at each end, the sound covers an impressive area and is not noticeably one-directional. And while the Roku Streambar is not strictly designed to be portable, the size and ease of the soundbar's set-up mean that it is no trouble to unplug and move. You should have no problem moving it around the house and switching it to another TV once its in use. Style: With an all-black design, the Roku Streambar has a sleek yet simple design. The brand's name is positioned, also in black, on the front of the soundbar. Robustness: While not particularly heavy, the Roku Streambar feels sturdy. We had no concerns about it getting damaged while moving it about and setting up, and it feels well-balanced, so you do not have to worry about it tipping over or getting knocked. Size: The main hub is only 40cm long, 10cm deep and 8cm tall. It will fit comfortably on any TV stand or can be mounted. The accompanying remote is a tad smaller than a traditional TV one but has all the essentials, including play/pause, volume and home buttons. Roku Streambar sound quality When buying a soundbar, there is nothing more important than sound quality. Yes, the Roku Streambar has more additional features than most, but to do its job well, Roku has to first get the sound quality right. And it has. We saw an immediate improvement from our TV audio as the sound was crisp and well-rounded. The device has four internal speakers to create a rich sound with Dolby Audio. We saw the biggest improvement when it came to background tracks on games, TV shows and music, which were a lot clearer or, in some cases, noticeable for the first time. The volume range is good, too. We rarely had to go above 16 (out of 100) on the volume level, and the sound filled the room. This is helped by the curved shape of the soundbar, which means that the sound isn't only sent directly out of the device's front but to each side, too. Even when the volume was up high, the Roku Streambar had no problem picking up requests when using voice control. The voice control worked best when searching the homepage for apps or channels but was 95% accurate with any request, including pausing and playing TV shows or music. Roku Streambar streaming quality The Roku Streambar offers 4K HDR streaming of apps and channels, including BT Sport, NOW TV and BBC iPlayer. The picture quality was sharp and bright across the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube, and there was no lag. On occasion, a film took a second to load, but this is to be expected and is no different to if it was loaded on a smart TV. A Roku device is a good option if you want a more neutral offering than big entertainment brands such as Amazon or Apple. For example, on the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Amazon Prime Video content is incredibly prominent on the homepage. If you have an Amazon Prime Video membership, this is unlikely to bother you, but if you don't use it very much or at all, you may prefer the more balanced Roku TV homepage. Roku Streambar set-up: how easy is it to use? Roku prides itself on the set-up of its devices being easy, and it is. Everything you need to get started is supplied in the box. This includes the Roku Streambar itself, a remote, power adaptor and cable, high-speed HDMI cable and even two AAA batteries (for the remote). From the box to watching TV, the whole process took just under 18 minutes. This may seem like a while, but this did include all those fiddly elements such as making a Roku account, finding the Wi-Fi password and adding payment details for any subscriptions or downloads. All this considered, we were pretty happy. The instructions were clear, simple and largely prompted via the TV. It is also worth noting that this time would be considerably less if you have a Roku TV because several steps can be bypassed. Finally, we would also suggest downloading the Roku app. Some brand's apps can be a little superfluous, but Roku's actually has a few features that make it worth it. First, it comes with a free extra remote. If you're the type of person who is always losing everything down the back of the sofa, you need this. And second; is the Private Listening mode. Designed to let you watch TV without disrupting others, the feature allows you to stream the TV audio via the app so that you can watch with headphones in. For anyone with an unconventional sleeping pattern, works night shifts or doesn't want to cause too much noise, this function is brilliant. What is the difference between Roku Streambar and Roku Premiere? The two most obvious differences between the Roku Streambar and the Roku Premiere is the size and price of these two streaming players. Because of its additional audio features, the Roku Streambar is over 40cm long and has an RRP of £79.99, while the Roku Premiere is considerably less at £19.99 and is the same size as a fun-size chocolate bar. However, they both function by slotting into the HDMI port in the back of the TV and provide 4K streaming of apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, NOW TV and YouTube. The added benefit of the Roku Streambar is that it will also improve your TV's audio, including quietening overly loud adverts. Beyond this, both have the same Roku TV homepage, voice control and the same great variety of apps. The Roku app is also available with both devices and makes typing out passwords a lot easier. An extra remote is included within the app, along with the Private Listening mode that allows you to listen to the TV audio via the app with headphones. It is a great feature if you have a usual sleeping pattern or don't want to disrupt others in the house. The physical remotes look pretty similar, too, although the Roku Streambar's remote has the addition of TV controls such as volume and power buttons. Deciding between these two devices largely depends on how much you're looking to spend and whether you feel like your TV audio could do with a boost. If you feel like the latter applies to you, buy the Roku Streambar. Otherwise, the Roku Premiere will suit you just fine. If your TV does not have 4K capabilities, we suggest saving a bit of cash and trying out the Roku Express or NOW TV Smart Stick instead. To find out more about the USB-style stick, read our What is a NOW TV Stick explainer. Buy Roku Streambar for £79.99 at Amazon Buy the Roku Premiere for £19.99 at Amazon Our verdict: should you buy Roku Streambar? The Roku Streambar is punching way beyond its price tag. For £99.99, you not only get 4K streaming and access to apps such as Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify and YouTube, but also richer sound quality. The Roku Streambar is almost half the size of most soundbars, but it still delivers well-rounded sound that is noticeably better than that of a TV alone. Plus, the size means that it will fit into any TV set-up no problem. Admittedly, if you're trying to fill a cinema-sized room with sound, the Roku Streambar will likely fall a little short, but if you're simply upgrading a TV that has seen better days, there's no better device than the Roku Streambar. It goes way beyond any offering from even the best streaming stick for only marginally more than the Amazon Fire TV Cube. The streaming quality is great, with no lag and voice control via the app remote means that you can search the homepage hands-free. Roku has quickly become known as the go-to brand for affordable streaming devices, and the Roku Streambar is a true representation of this. Design: 4/5 Sound quality: 4/5 Streaming quality: 4/5 Set-up: 5/5 Value for money: 5/5 Overall: 4.5/5 Where to buy Roku Streambar The Roku Streambar is available at several retailers. £79.99 at Amazon £79.99 at Currys PC World £79.99 at Argos Looking to upgrade your TV setup? Head over to our best smart TV guide for advice on the best TV to buy. Then take a look at our best streaming service recommendations for something new to watch.
Best gaming chairs: A buyer's guide to the best PC gaming chairs
We tried and tested chairs across a range of budgets to help you find the best gaming chair for you.
A decent gaming chair is more than just the icing on the cake to the setup in your room. If you're as old as we are, you'll want to be as comfortable as possible – especially during those marathons in which we game for a little longer than we should. If you're on the hunt for a new gaming chair though, the first thing you'll notice is the plethora of options available. As with anything, if you're not sure exactly what you're after this can be a bit daunting. You might have a ton of cash spare and want the elitist of the elite, or perhaps you just want a more affordable, comfy seat in which to game, right? Whichever camp you fall into, we've compiled a list to help you out. With Christmas 2022 just around the corner, we hope to help you or a loved one game in comfort this holiday. How to choose the best gaming chair Before you start your gaming chair hunt, here are some key things you will want to consider! Price: There are many gaming chairs out there, and there is no average price to use as a guide. You will find some that could be considered ludicrously expensive, while others are so cheap that you will be left wondering whether it is even worth considering. If one is cheap, do look into why to make sure you aren't just throwing away your cash. Comfort: You can spend as much time as you like looking for the best gaming chair design and the best value for money, but everything else will be irrelevant if it doesn't provide you with a comfortable gaming experience. Comfort is key for a gaming chair so make sure you are buying one that others have said keeps you comfortable for long durations. Materials: A large part of what makes a gaming chair comfy is the materials used to make it. Cheap material can make chairs hard to sit on, and the last thing you want in a gaming chair is one that you slowly slide off due to how it was made - so keep an eye on that! Best gaming chairs at a glance Best overall: Secretlab Titan Best on a budget: Play Haha Best gaming chair to assemble: Razer Enki Best looking gaming chair: Corsair TC70 Best for longevity: Secretlab Omega Best gaming chairs to buy in 2022 Secretlab Titan Best overall Pros: Incredible comfort Easy to assemble Nice amount of customisation Cons: It's a really heavy chair Can dominate the room We do wish that Secretlab could have found a way to make this gaming chair a little on the lighter side, but we'll take the extra weight when the chair is this good. The Secretlab Titan really is one of the best gaming chairs that you can buy with great customisable aspects and a comfort level so good that you may never want to get off of it once you take a seat. Read the full Secretlab Titan review Buy the Secretlab Titan £429 at Secretlab Take a look at our what is Amazon Luna? explainer for more on the Amazon streaming service. Play Haha Best on a budget Pros: Fantastic price Comfier than you may expect - and for long durations. Cons: Set up is cumbersome There are those who would be suspicious of a gaming chair priced under £100 and especially suspicious of one under £70, but the Play Haha gaming chair is a worthy investment. You will get a chair that is comfy and looks great, and while assembling it is no fun at all, it remains excellent value for money and one well worth considering. Read the full Play Haha gaming chair review. Buy the Play Haha gaming chair: £69.99 at Amazon Razer Enki Best to assemble Pros: Excellent design and build Really comfortable to sit in Quick and simple assembly Cons: More work needed on the armrests No tilt function Gaming chairs can be clunky to assemble, but not so with the Razer Enki, which is quick and simple to do. And you will be delighted when you complete it as this is a great design that will look right at home in any set-up. There are some issues, the lack of a tilt function is odd, but this is worth every penny and will go the distance. Read the full Razer Enki review. Buy the Razer Enki: £339.99 at Razer Latest Deals Corsair TC70 Best looking Pros: Great comfort over a long period of time Sleek design Great for posture Cons: Set up is much easier with two people Annoyingly short arms The design of the Corsair TC70 is sleek and simple, and it would look perfect in a gaming set-up or even just as an office chair. It will help with your posture, and you will be unlikely to get uncomfortable even after hours of sitting in it. Setting it up is annoying and definitely easier with two people, but this is a gaming chair that we are happy to recommend. Read the full Corsair TC70 review. Buy the Corsair TC70: £219.99 at Amazon Secretlab Omega Best for Longevity Pros: Comfortable and long lasting Great quality material Cons: Unable to adjust the head pillow The Secretlab Omega, much like the Titan with which we opened this article, is a premium chair that doesn't come cheap. However, we rated it for longevity for a reason. After weeks of gaming on this chair, it'll be just as comfortable as the day you bought it. And believe us, it's hella comfy on the day you buy it. Plus, this version that's available on Amazon has some Batman branding on it, making it a perfect pick for DC Comics fans that also love to game. (If you fall into that category, don't forget to check out our Gotham Knights review while you're here!). Buy the Secretlab Omega: £479 at Amazon How we tested the best gaming chairs All the gaming chairs in this guide have been tried, tested and reviewed by our tech experts. Each chair was tested against the same criteria before being given a final rating out of five. The categories we considered included the design of the chair, how easy it is to assemble, any additional features and how it performs - especially over a long gaming session! And, of course, we looked at the price to determine whether it is worse the many pennies that some of them cost. To determine the scores (out of 5), we carried out a series of tests. For example, we timed the whole set-up process, and we spent a lengthy amount of time in the gaming chair to see how it performs over time. All the chairs to make it into our best gaming chair guide received an overall rating of 3.5 or higher. Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now. 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Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Generation) review
Find out if the new Amazon Echo Show 8 improves on its predecessor.
This month has seen the release of two new smart displays from Amazon; two welcome updates to their popular Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8. Naturally, we had to put them to the test, so to see how the smaller device did, head to our Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review or stick around to find out how the mid-range model fared. Featuring an 8-inch HD touchscreen and a 13MP camera with auto-framing, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) looks on paper to have a lot going for it. But is it an improvement on its predecessor, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (1st Gen), or does the execution of these new features fall short? To answer these questions, we tested the smart display against our rated categories of design, sound quality, ease of set-up and value for money to decide if we think the Amazon Echo Show 8 is worth your money. Here is why the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is one of the best smart displays you can buy right now. To see how other Alexa speakers compare, read our Amazon Echo Dot review and Amazon Echo Show 10 review. Or, head to our best smart speaker round-up. Jump to: Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) review: summary What is Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)? How much is Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)? Design Sound quality Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) set-up Difference between Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) review: summary The addition of a higher quality 13MP camera and a new auto-framing function makes for a better video call experience. This, combined with the reliably good voice control via Alexa and 8-inch HD touchscreen, makes the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) a brilliant choice, irrelevant of whether this is your first smart display or you're adding to a collection. For most rooms, the Amazon Echo Show 8 feels like the right balance between offering a good screen size to watch Netflix, YouTube and other streaming services while not taking up excessive counter space. This Amazon smart display remains one of the best on offer. Price: The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) costs £119.99 and is available from Amazon, Currys and Very. Key features: 8-inch HD touchscreen 13MP camera that auto-frames for video calls Built-in voice assistant Alexa Works with various streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix Doubles-up as a digital photo frame Built-in camera cover Pros: Good value for money Brilliant voice assistant with Alexa Bright display Good camera quality Cons: No built-in Zigbee smart home hub What is Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)? The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is the brand's new mid-range smart display. This new device replaces the original Echo Show 8 that was released in 2019. At £119.99, the new Amazon Echo Show 8 has a number of new and improved features, including a higher-spec 13MP camera and a new auto-framing function. However, there's plenty of features that remain the same, including Alexa built-in, numerous Alexa skills, and it still doubles up as a digital photo frame. What does Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) do? The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a step-up from Amazon's smart speakers. While the likes of the Amazon Echo Dot is best suited to playing music, podcasts and responding to various voice commands, the Echo Show 8 is set up for those who are more visual. It enables you to make video calls, watch your favourite Netflix series and see who is at the door via your Ring doorbell. 8-inch HD touchscreen 13MP camera that auto-frames for video calls Built-in voice assistant Alexa Works with various streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix Doubles-up as a digital photo frame Built-in camera cover How much is Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)? The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) costs £119.99 and is available from retailers including Amazon, Currys and Very. Latest Deals Is Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) good value for money? At £119.99, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is Amazon's mid-range smart display. It's a little more expensive than the smaller Echo Show 5, but it's still over £100 less than the premium Amazon Echo Show 10. However, buying the Echo Show 8 doesn't necessarily mean missing out on features. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a good balance between being compact and still offering enough screen to be practical. The smart display features comprehensive voice control via Alexa, good video call quality thanks to a 13MP camera and a responsive 8-inch HD touchscreen, making the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) great value for money. Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) design As the brand's mid-range, mid-sized smart display, the Amazon Echo Show 8 can easily fit on the kitchen counter or bedside table. The 8-inch display takes up most of the front of the device, with the 13MP camera in the top right. While the easiest way to control the Echo Show 8 is via Alexa, the smart display also has buttons across the top for covering the camera, muting the microphone and adjusting the volume. It's also obvious when the cover is across the camera lens because it swipes across to reveal a red underside. This means that you can tell from a glance if the camera is available or not. The touchscreen is responsive, and the default text is large enough to be read from a distance. The likes of alarms, reminders and routines can be chosen this way, although we found using the Amazon Alexa app to be easier. The app is extremely user-friendly and the easiest way to control multiple Alexa devices or to make announcements through any multi-room system you set up. Style: Available in Glacier White or Charcoal, the 2nd generation smart display looks extremely similar to its predecessor. Robustness: The Echo Show 8 does have some weight to it to keep it well-balanced but not enough that we'd describe it as heavy. This helps to make it feel well-made. Size: Featuring an 8-inch HD touchscreen, the Echo Show 8 measures 200 mm wide x 135 mm tall x 99 mm deep. Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) sound quality Featuring two 2.0-inch speakers, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is surprisingly good for a mid-range smart display. The device throws out well-balanced music that is of the standard of Amazon's more audio-focused echo speakers. The volume range is also pretty impressive, with the Echo Show 8 able to be turned up extremely loud. This is reassuring if you intend to use the smart display in a large or open-plan space. But, where the device excels is with speech-heavy audio. Podcasts and audiobooks are clear, and all speech is easy to understand, even with background noise. And, Alexa remains one of the best voice assistants on the market. Alexa has no problem hearing commands over loud music or background noise and is quick to respond to any questions with the correct information. Music, audiobooks and podcasts can all be controlled via the touchscreen, physical buttons or the Amazon Alexa app, but we found voice commands via Alexa to be the easiest. This allows you to control the smart display from a distance and is particularly useful when cooking or baking and you don't have a free hand. Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) set-up: how easy is it to use? Setting up the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) takes about 10 minutes and is fairly simple to do. Once the device is plugged in, you are prompted through the set-up process via the touchscreen. At this stage, it includes creating (or logging into) an Amazon account, choosing language settings and connecting to the Wi-Fi. Then, you're ready to go. The majority of the settings are controlled via the Amazon Alexa app. On the app, you can see all your Amazon devices in one place, make announcements through any speaker in the house and add new Alexa skills, including Fitbit, Uber and Netflix. Because the smart display needs to be plugged in to work, you are a little limited about where you can place the Echo Show 8. However, it is a similar story to most smart displays on the market. What is the difference between Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)? The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) was not the only new smart display to be released in June. The 8-inch smart display was revealed alongside the smaller Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen). Naturally, there are plenty of overlapping features thanks to Alexa, but there are a few differences to consider. First, and perhaps most obviously, is the size difference. The Amazon Echo Show 5 has a smaller 5.5-inch display, while the Echo Show 8 boasts an 8-inch HD touchscreen. This is reflected in the price. The Echo Show 5 is Amazon's cheapest smart display at £74.99. The Echo Show 8 is a little more expensive at £119.99 but still considerably cheaper than the premium Echo Show 10 at £239.99. Beyond this, the Echo Show 8 has a couple of additional features that help justify the price. The first is that the Echo Show 8 has a 13MP camera, a significant step-up from the 2MP camera of the Echo Show 5. This 13MP camera also comes with an auto-framing function for video calls to ensure that you're always centred in the frame even if you need to move about the kitchen. Choosing between the two smart displays will largely depend on your budget and how often you intend to use the camera. If you know you will use the camera daily for video calls or as an indoor security camera, it is worth spending a little more on the Amazon Echo Show 8. Our verdict: should you buy Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) The Amazon Echo Show 8 offers everything you could want from a mid-range smart display. The 8-inch display means it should slot in nicely into most settings without being overbearing. However, it is also big enough that it provides a better alternative to watching Netflix series on your phone and can be used as a digital photo frame when not in active use. It has all the features you'd want from a smart display, including Alexa built-in, a good-quality 13MP camera and a speaker that pumps out impressive sound for its price. Admittedly, it doesn't have a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, which would give you better control over managing your Alexa compatible devices, but that doesn't stop you from being able to connect your smart lights or plugs and using the Echo Show 8 to turn them on or off. Overall, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) continues to improve on the already-popular smart display that was the original Echo Show 8. Whether you're looking to buy your first smart display, or add to your growing collection, the Amazon Echo Show 8 is one of the best you can buy. Rating: Design: 4/5 Sound quality: 4/5 Ease of set-up: 5/5 Value for money: 5/5 Overall: 4.5/5 Where to buy Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Generation) is available at a number of retailers, including Amazon. £119.99 at Amazon £119.99 at Very £119.99 at Currys Latest Deals For more reviews and product guides, head to the Technology section.
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a flagship device without a flagship price. It has decent power and battery life. Just don’t go thinking it will replace your laptop anytime soon.
Amazon’s entire Fire tablet range has been designed to appeal to the widest possible demographic. The Fire 7 is a cheap and cheerful entry-level device. The HD 8, and HD 8 Plus occupy the lower and higher ends of the mid-range spectrum. There are even Kids Editions in each size. Then there’s the Amazon Fire HD 10. It’s a flagship device without a flagship price. It’s more powerful, with a larger display than its siblings – to appeal to more “pro” tablet users – all while offering the same level of entertainment features. In fact, it’s the only HD Fire tablet that actually has a Full HD screen (more on that later). But are all of these upgrades worth paying three times as much as the Fire 7? Plus, if you’re in the market for a more pro tablet, does Amazon’s flagship tick the boxes? To see how this tablet performs against its smaller sibling, you can read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus vs Amazon Fire HD 10 article. In our Amazon Fire HD 10 review, we look at what the 10-inch tablet offers compared to its siblings, we review its performance and display upgrades, and we see if there is still a place for a relatively cheap 10-inch tablet in today’s tablet market. To compare this device with other options, check out our best budget tablet, best tablet and best tablet for kids articles. Jump to: Amazon Fire HD 10 review: summary What is the Amazon Fire HD 10? How much is the Amazon Fire HD 10? Amazon Fire HD 10 features Amazon Fire HD 10 screen and sound quality Amazon Fire HD 10 design Amazon Fire HD 10 set-up Amazon Fire HD 10 battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 10 review: summary Price: RRP £149.99, now £134.99 Key features: 10-inch Full HD tablet powered by Fire OS – Amazon’s take on Android 32GB or 64GB of storage, both expandable to 512GB via microSD 2GB RAM 12-hour battery life Alexa-built in meaning this tablet can double up as an alternative to the Echo Show 10 Pros: Very affordable way to buy a full HD tablet Wealth of content on tap Easy to setup and use Three gadgets in one – a Fire tablet, Echo Show and Kindle Cons: Doesn’t have the wireless charging seen on the Fire HD 8 Plus Lacks support for native Google apps – including Drive, YouTube and Gmail The Amazon Fire HD 10 is available at Amazon for £134.99 What is the Amazon Fire HD 10? In the wider Amazon devices range, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is positioned as the flagship tablet. It’s more expensive than any of its siblings and promises 30% more power than the previous version. It also claims to have a 12-hour battery life. It comes in at £149.99 (RRP), meaning the HD 10 is three times the price of the entry-level Amazon Fire 7. Yet it’s only £40, and £60 more than the Fire HD 8 Plus and Fire HD 8 respectively. If anything, the Amazon Fire HD 10’s nearest competitor, price-wise, is the £139.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition. For the latter, though, you get a free Amazon Kids+ subscription bundled in, which explains its higher price. All Fire tablets, so the Fire HD 10 included, come with less-than-adequate 2MP cameras on the front and rear, and all are powered by Amazon’s take on Android – Fire OS. This software looks and feels largely like pure Android, albeit with a whole load of Amazon promotions and ads thrown in. However, the biggest difference is the lack of a Google Play Store and namely the lack of native Google apps. This means you can’t download apps for Google Drive, Google Docs, YouTube, Gmail and more. It is possible to access each of these services via Amazon’s pre-installed Silk browser as bookmarks, but the experience is clunky and less than ideal, especially if you’re a heavy Google user. Amazon doesn’t position the Fire HD 10, or any of its Fire tablets for that matter, as being productivity workhorses. They’re built for entertainment, and that’s what Amazon wants you to use them for, meaning the lack of Google apps won’t be a deal breaker for many. For the extra money when buying the Fire HD 10, you get a Full HD screen instead of a regular HD display and an octa-core processor, rather than a dual-core version. These give it both a viewing and power boost. It’s also larger and slightly thicker to accommodate the 10-inch display. Delving into the specs further, you’ll notice that the Fire HD 10 isn’t a flagship device across all categories. It shares the same battery life but doesn’t come with the wireless charging option of the Fire HD 8 Plus. It also has 1GB RAM less than the Plus model. Elsewhere, it charges an hour slower than the Fire HD 8 (four hours vs five). It is possible to expand the built-in 32GB or 64GB storage on the Fire HD 10, but it only accepts microSD cards up to 512GB. This is half the amount of additional storage seen on the Fire HD 10’s cheaper siblings. What does Amazon Fire HD 10 do? Amazon’s Fire HD 10 follows suit with the rest of the range, providing access to cheap, portable entertainment and browsing. As a result, it comes with all of Amazon’s own-brand services – Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible and Kindle pre-installed – and the likes of Netflix and BBC iPlayer are a click away via the Amazon App Store. Media streaming with Amazon Prime Video installed by default Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Amazon App Store Kindle e-reader and access to the Kindle Store, plus Kindle Unlimited (for an extra fee) Show Mode turns the Fire HD 10 into an Echo Show, complete with Alexa Skills Alexa built-in means you can use the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition to control Echo, plus other compatible smart devices, using your voice or the Alexa app Available in black, plum, blue and white How much is Amazon Fire HD 10? Unlike the smaller models in the Fire range, it’s not possible to pay extra to remove the lock screen ads on the Fire HD 10. This means you only get to choose between the 32GB or 64GB model and which colour you want. The Amazon Fire HD 10 price, when bought directly from Amazon, is as follows: Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB storage: £139.49 Amazon Fire HD 10 64GB storage: £167.39 You can also buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 from the following places: Currys: £129 Argos: £179.99 Is the Amazon Fire HD 10 good value for money? If you’re in the market for a cheap 10-inch tablet, even one that offers the hardware and entertainment of the Fire HD 10, £149.99 (RRP) may seem steep. In this respect, Amazon is very much a victim of its own success. By selling tablets so cheaply across the board, it makes a very affordable, Full-HD tablet that would – in normal circumstances – seem like a great deal, feel overpriced. It’s not, though. The Fire HD 10 is almost staggeringly cheaper than some of the rival 10-inch tablets from the likes of Samsung and Huawei. These rivals range from £170 up to £500+ for wildly different specifications. And, of course, Amazon isn’t stupid. It’s actually very shrewd with its tablet pricing strategy. By making the £149.99 10-inch version seem expensive, it makes the Fire HD 8 range more appealing. By pricing the HD 8 Plus at only £20 more than the lower-end HD 8, people almost feel obliged to go for the 8 HD Plus because it feels like such great value for money, comparatively. Amazon may lose out on £40 per sale for the HD 10, but it’s more likely to sell a greater number of the 8 HD Plus, meaning the losses are soon swallowed. All while offering a 10-inch model to those who really care about the better screen. This explains why Amazon added wireless charging to the 8 HD Plus and the 8 HD Plus only and why the expandable storage is better on the Fire HD 8 range. All things considered, the Fire HD 8 Plus represents better value for money than the HD 10, but we’d still recommend the latter. The larger, Full HD display lends itself much better to be a portable entertainment device, and it packs a whole load of punch for relatively very little. Despite what the pricing strategy would have you believe, the Fire HD 10 is still great value for money. Amazon Fire HD 10 features If you’ve read our previous Fire HD 8 review, Fire HD 8 Plus review or even our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review, the below is going to sound very familiar. The Fire HD 10 runs Fire OS, like all Fire tablets do, which means it also uses Amazon’s bespoke Silk Browser by default. Almost every element of this OS is geared towards making you sign up for various Amazon products and services. Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, Kindle and, of course, the Amazon Shopping app are all front-of-centre on the homepage and throughout the setup process. This, coupled with the lock screen ads, can become a bit much, but it’s ultimately what allows Amazon to price its tablets so low. So we’ll take that hit. A hit we struggle to take, however, is the lack of Google apps. This includes YouTube, Chrome and many more. This won’t feel like a big problem for some people, but it’s worth noting because we missed these apps. The standout feature for us in the Fire HD 10 – as it was in the Fire HD 8 and HD 8 Plus – is Show Mode. Either by asking Alexa to “enable Show Mode”, or enabling it via the on-screen controls, you can transform your HD 10 into an Echo Show 10. Without forking out an additional £240. Show Mode gives you the same full-screen Alexa experience as the original. It replaces the normal menus and app icons with a simple screen that you control with your voice. It’s great for propping the Fire HD 10 up in your kitchen to follow recipe videos, catch up on your favourite shows, ask questions, get weather and news headlines, and make video calls. Plus much more. It’s not an exact like-for-like, of course. The new Echo Show 10’s much better-quality, 13MP camera follows you around the room and keeps you in the frame, thanks to its rotating base. By comparison, the Fire HD 10 has a static, 2MP camera. Measly by comparison. On the plus side, you don’t have to keep the Fire HD 10 plugged into the mains, though. Nor is it £240. We’d go as far as to say the Fire HD 10 in Show Mode is better than a standard Echo Show because of this increased portability. We must warn you, though, if you’re using multiple Alexa-enabled devices – tablets, Echos or more – in the same vicinity, they’ll all spring into action when you call their name. This can get confusing. Amazon Fire HD 10 screen and sound quality As previously mentioned, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is the only Fire tablet to come with a Full HD screen. To be classified as HD, a display needs to have more than 921,000 pixels. To reach full HD status, it must have 2 million, minimum. The Fire 8 HD and 8 HD Plus both have HD screens, but they fall short of the technical definition of Full HD by around 1 million pixels. The Amazon Fire HD 10 has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1200, which equates to 2.3 million pixels. The day-to-day difference isn’t hugely stark, and you don’t really notice the shift unless the HD and Full HD screens are next to each other. The edges on the smaller icons and notifications are much sharper on the HD 10 than on the smaller tablets, but that is also because the screen is larger, so these icons themselves aren’t as small by default. The Full HD screen comes into its own when watching Netflix, Amazon Prime et al. High-quality content looks more crisp and vibrant, while the Full HD makes low-quality shows look even worse. The quality of sound that comes out of the Fire HD 10’s dual speakers is admirable. Just like the other tablets in the Fire range, its sound certainly isn’t loud enough to fill a busy room, but it’s enough to help you watch shows over the sound of your preparing dinner or similar. Thanks to the partnership with Dolby Atmos, the sound is much more well-rounded and less tinny than we’d expect for such a relatively cheap device. Plus, they do a good job of making voices sound clear when audiobooks are being read aloud or during video calls. Amazon Fire HD 10 design The Fire HD 10 has the same overall design as the rest of the Fire tablet range – a fat bezel, chunky shape, rounded corners, and plastic casing. Albeit in a larger size. It may be due to the way you hold the larger 10-inch device or the quality of the Full HD screen, but the Fire HD 10 doesn’t feel as cheap as its siblings. It’s more balanced, meaning it’s more comfortable to hold when used as a Kindle. It’s significantly heavier, too – weighing in at 504g vs the 355g of the Fire HD 8s – which subconsciously gives it a more luxurious, expensive feel. Conversely, despite this extra weight and heft, the Fire HD 10 doesn’t feel as robust as its smaller equivalents. This may be because there is more screen to break, but it’s a strange paradox. In terms of ports on the Fire HD 10, there’s a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, a USB-C charging port and a microphone. Amazon Fire HD 10 set-up Ease-of-use and simple, intuitive screens are at the heart of the Fire tablet range. The HD 10 is no exception. You’re guided through, step-by-step, how to get your Amazon Fire HD 10 connected to your Wi-Fi, signed into your Amazon account, and how to add on various Amazon services (or sign into them, if you’re already a subscriber.) You’re even presented with a screen of popular apps that you can download from the setup screen, rather than having to find them in the Amazon App Store. A series of promotional messages punctuate this setup and, while this is a minor inconvenience, it’s an inconvenience nonetheless. Amazon Fire HD 10 battery life and performance For every tablet we review, we test its battery life by playing an HD video on repeat. We set the brightness to 70% and have aeroplane mode enabled. This video loops from full charge until the battery goes flat. Amazon promises that the Fire HD 10 will last 12 hours, but it fell a little short in our test, reaching 10 hours and 14 minutes. This is a tad disappointing and worse than the battery performance of the 8 HD Plus. It’s only marginally better than the 8 HD. We did have a feeling that the HD 10, with its Full HD screen, would miss the mark by comparison, so this isn’t a huge surprise. The battery lasted a lot longer when using the Amazon Fire HD 10 for everyday tasks. The occasional game of SimCity, catching up with three episodes of a podcast, a video call with our parents, and general browsing for a few hours every day, saw the tablet last into the fourth day. The longest of any of the Fire tablets we’ve tried. This may have something to do with the fact it has a relatively souped-up, octa-core processor, the only processor in the range to have eight cores. Not only does this help improve the performance and reduce the lag, seen on other Fire tablets, but by seemingly optimising the software to work better with this processor means it works more efficiently with the battery, too. Don’t get us wrong. The Fire HD 10 isn’t lightning-fast, but it’s a noticeable improvement on other Fire tablets we’ve tested. It can be a little slow to switch between regular and Show Mode, and there can be delays when loading shows, but by and large, its speed is more than adequate for an entertainment device. Our verdict: should you buy the Amazon Fire HD 10? When tablets first hit the mainstream, a 10-inch display was the default for many manufacturers. It was large enough to distinguish the tablets from the, then, much smaller smartphone displays while positioning the tablets themselves as laptop alternatives. Over time, the screens on tablets (particularly those at the cheaper end) have shrunk, while smartphone screens have grown, and the two devices now occupy a very similar space. Today, you have the choice of smaller, cheaper devices aimed at more general consumers to either compliment or sit in lieu of a larger, more expensive phone. And pricey, 10-inch devices aimed at pro consumers looking to do everything and more on them. Amazon’s Fire HD 10 occupies a welcomed middle-ground. You get a well-balanced, largely well-designed 10-inch device on which to watch your favourite shows. It has enough power to do a range of tasks, and the addition of Show Mode just increases its versatility and appeal. All without charging a fortune for the privilege. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen and sound quality: 3/5 Design: 4/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 3/5 Overall rating: 4.2/5 Where to buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Amazon Currys Want to compare with other Amazon Fire HD models? Check out our Fire HD 8 review, Fire HD 8 Plus review and our Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review to help you decide, or, if you think you might prefer an iPad, check out our Apple iPad Air (2020) review.
Amazon's cheapest Fire TV Stick is simple but effective.
The first Fire TV Stick was released back in 2014, and since then, Amazon has upgraded and expanded its Fire TV range to include three smart TV sticks and the more sophisticated Amazon Fire TV Cube. The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite was one of the newest additions, having been released late last year, becoming the cheapest Fire TV Stick yet at £29.99. But does the price mean you're missing out? Or is there no need to spend any more? In our opinion, the answer largely depends on whether you're willing to spend £10 more. If you are, the result is the Amazon Fire TV Stick, which was also updated last year. For the most part, the features, such as HD streaming and voice control, are the same, but the extra addition of power and volume buttons on the remote do make for a more enjoyable TV experience. If you think having to swap between remotes to turn off the TV or change volume is going to bug you, you may want to think about paying that extra tenner. Otherwise, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is more than capable of streaming all your favourite shows. To find out how this smart TV stick compares to other devices, read our NOW TV Smart Stick review, Nvidia Shield TV Pro review and Roku Express 4K review. Or try our best streaming device round-up for more options. Jump to: Summary What is Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite? How much is Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite? Design Streaming quality Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite set-up Difference between Amazon Fire TV Stick and Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite review: summary Being the cheapest Amazon Fire TV Stick, you know that it isn't going to have the sophistication of the Amazon Fire TV Cube. After all, the bigger device is nearly four times the price. The Fire TV Stick Lite is simple but still gives you access to the Fire TV homepage, the same good choice apps and channels as all the other Fire TV devices, and HD streaming. The annoyance of having no volume and power buttons is lessened somewhat by circumnavigating it with voice control, but it is a little tiresome. Price: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is available from Amazon for £29.99. Key features: Full HD streaming Voice search via Alexa Voice Remote Lite Apps available include Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, NOW TV, YouTube and Netflix Pros: Good value for money Plugs into HDMI port and is hidden behind the TV Great choice of apps and channels Voice control makes it easy to navigate Batteries included Cons: No 4K streaming No volume or power buttons on remote Homepage a little heavy on Amazon Prime Video content What is Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite? The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is the cheapest of Amazon's Fire TV devices. For £29.99, the streaming stick offers full HD streaming of on-demand and streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. With the accompanying voice remote, you can use the Alexa voice button to control your TV and search the Fire TV homepage. What does Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite do? Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite gives you access to various on-demand and streaming services from one device. It is particularly useful for allowing you to stream on older TVs that do not have smart capabilities. Amazon makes four Fire TV devices, and the Fire TV Stick Lite is the cheapest at £29.99. Streaming in full HD Plays live TV along with streaming services like Netflix, NOW TV, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video Stream music from Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify and BBC Sounds How much is Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite? The Fire TV Stick Lite is Amazon's cheapest smart TV stick and costs £29.99. It is available from Amazon, as well as retailers such as John Lewis and AO. Is Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite good value for money? At £29.99, the Fire TV Stick Lite is the most affordable streaming stick Amazon has made to date. Despite being £10 less than the original Fire TV Stick, the Lite has many of the same key features. Both stream in HD and have the same Fire TV homepage and apps, making the Fire TV Stick Lite good value for money. The one major difference is that the Fire TV Stick Lite does not have power or volume buttons on the remote. If you don't think it will bother you having to switch between remotes, buying the Fire TV Stick Lite will save you a little bit of money, and it is unlikely that you'll feel like Amazon has scrimped on any other areas. Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite design Buying any smart TV device will mean another cable to contend with, but the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is one of the neatest. Like all the other Fire TV Sticks, the Lite plugs straight into the HDMI port in the back of the TV. This means that, for the most part, it is hidden and out of the way. The Voice Remote Lite that comes with the smart TV stick is smaller than a traditional TV remote. The design is extremely simple, with a total of nine buttons, including pause/play and home and an Alexa voice button. The voice control helps side-step the lack of volume buttons and makes the already user-friendly homepage easier to navigate. The Fire TV interface is dominated by Amazon's own apps and channels, especially when it comes to Prime Video shows. Anyone with an Amazon Prime Video membership will therefore find it extremely familiar and intuitive. Style: With an all-black remote and Fire TV Stick Lite, the design is simple but sleek. Robustness: Both the smart TV stick and remote are lightweight and designed to be portable. However, because of this, the device is solid and would travel well. Size: Measuring less than 9cm long and 3cm wide, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is small and easily hidden behind the TV. Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite streaming quality For voice search, Alexa is activated by the ‘microphone/voice’ button at the top of the remote. Fire TV is quick to respond to any request and had no trouble taking us to the requested app the first time. We found the voice search function made navigating the Fire TV homepage simple and quick. As the cheapest Fire TV Stick, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite only offers HD streaming. However, we found that we still enjoyed watching TV shows via the smart TV stick and that there were no buffering or delays between apps. It is worth noting that if you intend to use the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite to bring an old TV back to life, it might not be worth spending any more. The price of more expensive smart TV devices is largely justified because they can stream in 4K – rather than HD like the Fire TV Stick Lite. However, if you do not have a 4K TV, you will not be able to take advantage of these capabilities and therefore, saving some money with a cheaper device like the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite or Roku Express is definitely worth it. Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite set-up: how easy is it to use? The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite comes with all the equipment you need to get started, including AAA batteries and a power adaptor. You do not need to buy anything separately. The whole set up process took approximately 15 minutes, although software updates took up a good chunk of that time. We suggest going to make a cup of tea while you wait. Once the device is out of the box, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite slots into the HDMI port in the back of the TV, instructions will then appear on the TV screen, and you will be prompted through them. This includes entering the Wi-Fi password and logging into an Amazon account. When you are through this initial stage, you can adjust various parental and privacy settings and restore any apps you may have had installed on previous Fire TV devices. The parental settings allow you to filter out any non-age appropriate shows that you may not want younger family members watching on their profile. This is also an opportunity to add any additional apps you may want from first use, although you can add and download additional apps at any time. What is the difference between Amazon Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite? The Amazon Fire TV Stick and its cheaper counterpart, the Fire TV Stick Lite, are almost identical in design and features. For example, both will have the same apps and channels, including the newly-launched IMDb TV, which is free of charge to watch for those with a Fire TV device. However, there are a few key differences that are worth highlighting. The most obvious difference is the price. The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is £10 cheaper than the original Fire TV Stick. With the higher RRP of £39.99, the Amazon Fire TV Stick has additional power and volume buttons on the remote. This allows you to fully control the TV with the Alexa Voice Remote Lite, rather than switching to and from the main TV remote. The lack of volume controls on the Fire TV Stick Lite's remote can be somewhat worked around with the voice controls. Activated by a button on the remote, you can request the Fire TV Stick turn up or down the volume, negating the need for the main TV remote. Our verdict: should you buy Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite? If you have a lot of Amazon subscriptions and you want a cheap device to help you watch them all from one place, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite will do the job. The design of the smart TV stick and remote is simple but provides you with a way to stream a great range of apps and channels in full HD. Because the Fire TV homepage is very heavily geared towards Prime Video content, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite will always better suit those with a membership. Still, there's plenty of other on-demand services to watch too. The only slight annoyance is the lack of power and volume buttons on the remote. Many will be fine switching between remotes to change volume – or use voice control – but if you know it will bother you, you may want to consider spending just £10 extra for the Amazon Fire TV Stick. Design: 3/5 Streaming quality: 3/5 Value for Money: 4/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Overall rating: 3.5/5 Where to buy Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is available at several retailers. £29.99 £12.99 (save £15 or 57%) at Amazon £29.95 at John Lewis £29 at AO £29.99 at Very £29.99 at Currys For the latest tech news, guides and deals, check out the Technology section. Looking to upgrade your TV setup? Head over to our best smart TV guide for advice on the best TV to buy.
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is Roku's latest entry into the streaming stick marketplace. It improves on its predecessor and competes with Amazon's offering in key areas.
When Roku proudly announced the Roku Streaming Stick 4K back in September, it claimed the new device offered its best picture quality yet and a seamless, fast user experience. Now, we've got our hands on the new stick to check these claims out and decide if it's really worth your cash. According to Roku, a new quad-core processor makes the Streaming Stick 4K up to 30% faster than its predecessor. Working alongside upgraded Roku OS 10.5, the stick does work smoothly, delivering content at a moments notice. There's a good library of shows and apps, too, though the full extent of this obviously depends on how many applicable subscriptions you have. To make the most of the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, you'll need some additional app subscriptions on top of Roku's own ad-funded offering. This stick goes head to head with the recently released Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. For more on streaming sticks, take a look at our in-depth guide to the best streaming device for your TV or see how the cheaper Roku Express 4K and Roku Express compare. Jump to: Roku Streaming Stick 4K review: summary What is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K? How much is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K? Design Streaming quality Roku Streaming Stick 4K set-up Difference between Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Roku Streaming Stick Plus Our verdict Where to buy Roku Streaming Stick 4K review: summary The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the latest addition to the Roku streaming stick line-up, replacing the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which first became available back in 2017. According to Roku, the new stick is "more powerful than ever", making for a faster start-up and a more responsive experience. It does feel quick and easy to load up apps, and the stick is a great way to turn a non-smart TV into a smart TV if you haven't upgraded your set for a little while. The addition of HDR10 Plus — which improves colours and contrast — and support for Dolby Vision is noteworthy. It brings the stick in line with its key competitor, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. To make the most of the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, you will need some additional streaming service subscriptions. While Roku does offer its own range of shows and films — most of which are free to watch as the channel is ad-funded — it's not the most impressive selection. At time of writing, there was definitely a lot of filler in the Roku Channel line-up, including Jason Statham's truly awful fantasy adventure, In the Name of the King, and the equally unappetising White Collar Hooligan 3: Revenge in Rio. Of course, every streaming service is guilty of having some filler titles in the library, but Roku's channel seems a little heavy on these due to the fact it's funded by advertising rather than subscriptions. That said, it's free, and beggars can't be choosers. Channel 4's free streaming service also comes pre-loaded, and 4OD has some great options to bolster your free viewing. After the demise of Quibi, Roku bought up the streaming service's content, and much of it is now available to watch on the Roku Channel. Survive, starring Sophie Turner of Game of Thrones fame, is a real highlight. For sports fans, it's also easy to load up BT Sport, UFC, or NBA, though there is currently no access to Sky Sports, and additional subscriptions are required to access the content these apps offer. What is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K? The Roku Streaming Stick 4K really does what it says on the tin. It's a streaming stick from Roku, offering 4K picture quality. That said, Roku's previous stick also offered 4K picture quality. This one does make further improvements to picture quality though, works smoothly and offers a wide range of content. How much is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K? The Roku Streaming Stick 4K will set you back £49.99. If cost is a real issue, you can pick up the Plus for about £5 less. Comparably, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max has an RRP of £54.99. Amazon is currently selling the stick at £49.49, likely in a bid to undercut Roku. Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £39.99 on Very Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £49.99 on Amazon Roku Streaming Stick Plus | £59.99 £43.19 (save £16.80 or 28%) on Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 on Amazon Roku Streaming Stick 4K design The stick itself is pretty straightforward, as you'd expect. It slots into the HDMI port and is powered by a separate USB cable. You can plug this into the TVs USB port or use the plug provided. Unfortunately, the stick can't be charged and used without the power chord, which leads to it heating up slightly during use. It would be nice to be able to charge the stick and use it for a few hours without the power chord, but not being able to isn't a huge drawback as it's still compact and portable with the wire. In the box, there's the remote, stick, cable and some handy plug adaptors — so the stick easily fits a UK or European plug. Roku Streaming Stick 4K streaming quality The Streaming Stick 4K was introduced as the stick that would offer Roku's best ever picture quality, and it delivers. While the Roku Streaming Stick Plus did also offer 4K, it didn't come with HDR10 Plus capabilities. That's a great addition and means the stick offers an even crisper picture. Of course, the quality will also depend on the television you pair it with. We didn't encounter any issues with playback interruptions or loading during testing. Everything worked smoothly, and menus were responsive throughout. One issue we did notice during our time with the TV stick, was that it did heat up after extended use. It's not got its own battery, so it has to be plugged in while in use, as explained in the set-up section. This definitely contributes to the heat issue. While this didn't result in any streaming issues during our testing, it is worth noting and could be a cause for concern if using the stick for a lengthy streaming binge session. Roku Streaming Stick 4K set-up The stick itself is fairly simple to set up, but you'll need some AAA batteries for the Roku remote. Simply pop the stick into the HDMI port, plug the USB power cable provided into the TV's USB slot, and plug the other end into the Roku stick to power it up. Then, once you've connected to your WiFi and signed up for — or logged into — Roku, you're all systems go. Enabling other apps is simple, though the exact method varies from app to app. Amazon Prime Video offered an appealingly simple set-up, giving you a QR code to scan with a mobile device. The mobile device — logged into your Amazon account — then asks for permission for the Roku Streaming Stick 4K to login to your account, and access is granted seamlessly. What is the difference between Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Roku Streaming Stick Plus? The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is the direct successor to the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, so it offers boosted performance and adds HDR10 Plus and support for Dolby Vision. It's the best streaming offering from Roku right now, so if you're weighing up which to buy, you're better of with the Streaming Stick 4K. That's especially the case right now, given that the price difference between the two is minimal. Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £39.14 on Amazon Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £39.99 on Very Roku Streaming Stick Plus | £59.99 £43.19 (save £16.80 or 28%) on Amazon Our verdict: should you buy the Roku Streaming Stick 4K? The improvements made to the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, since the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, make it a real competitor to Amazon's offerings. The addition of HDR10 Plus and Dolby Vision means the picture is clearer than ever, and it's a joy to stream your favourite shows onto a 4K TV. Faster menus and better WiFi performance also improve the experience, and ultimately the stick is intuitive and straightforward to use. While simple, that's still a real bonus. Unresponsive and confusing menus can quickly become grating very, very quickly. Overall it's a simple offering that improves on its predecessor, and there's not a lot to choose between the Roku stick and the competition. Perhaps the Roku Channel could offer some more tempting free TV, but overall the stick is well worth the asking price, especially if you have a non-smart TV that could do with an upgrade. Where to buy the Roku Streaming Stick 4K The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is available from a range of retailers, but the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is the only one available at some large retailers at time of writing. Follow the links below to grab yourself a Roku streaming stick or its competitor from Amazon. Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £39.14 on Amazon Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £39.99 on Very Roku Streaming Stick Plus | £59.99 £43.19 (save £16.80 or 28%) on Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 on Amazon Want more information on how the Amazon Fire TV devices compare? Read our Roku vs Fire TV Stick guide. Or, head to our best smart TV guide.
Amazon Echo Show 15 review: the biggest Alexa display, but is it the best?
The Echo Show 15 is an Alexa display that can be mounted on your wall. How does it compare to the rest of the series? Here's our review.
The Echo Show 15 is a logical next step for Amazon’s smart display series. Having covered the home counter space with Alexa-powered devices of various shapes and sizes over the past few years, the only way is up. Up on the wall, that is. One glance at the Echo Show 15 is all you really need to know its intentions. It’s a wall display to help oversee your smart home, and look good while doing it. With a black border and white bezels that more resembles an artistic frame than a piece of cutting-edge tech, the recently-released device will be a head-turner when placed on a wall of your home – and is especially well-suited to the kitchen. Like the rest of our guide to the best smart speakers, you can ask questions, play music, hear news reports, check recipes, set alarms, make calls and more. Unlike the others, the Echo Show 15 gives you a selection of customizable widgets and the ability to get that big 15.6-inch 1080p display – the largest you can get in an Amazon smart display as of writing – off the counter and onto your wall. The display size isn’t the only thing that's bigger. At £239.99, the Echo Show 15 is also one of the most expensive in the series, and if you want to place it horizontally for some reason, the cost rises by £30 as you have to buy an extra stand. So how does it compare to the other Echo Show devices? What makes it special? And crucially, is it actually worth your money? Here’s our Echo Show 15 review. Jump to: Echo Show 15 review: summary What is Amazon Echo Show 15? How much is Amazon Echo Show 15? Echo Show 15 design Echo Show 15 features and software Echo Show 15 sound quality Echo Show 15 set-up/installation Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 10 Our verdict and rating Where to buy the Echo Show 15 Echo Show 15 review: summary We tested the Echo Show 15 over the course of a week, setting it up inside an office and kitchen while pairing it with devices including a phone via the Alexa app and a Eufy video doorbell, alongside services including Spotify and Prime Video. Almost immediately after opening the box, we had one main question: Is there more to the Echo Show 15 than meets the eye, or is this simply a fancy new design? Ultimately, the Show 15 justifies its existence. It not only provides the typically-solid Alexa experience but doubles as an accessible entertainment centre, while the widgets make it visually pleasing and intuitive to navigate with touch controls and finger swipes - even if most are still a little too limited to be fully enjoyed. The display is big and bright, using a simple layout that’s easy to follow for all types of users and accomplishes its core mission of being a centre-piece for a family to share. Unfortunately, the Echo Show 15 does not have Zigbee compatibility so using it to actually power your smart home is much trickier than it should be. After setup, which takes approximately 10-20 minutes, it's clear that the Echo Show 15 will be best if you are already in Amazon’s ecosystem of devices. In terms of extra apps or widgets, there’s little-to-no wiggle room. The same goes for resizing and placing those widgets around the home screen, and we were constantly having to remember this is not a "proper" tablet when it comes to scrolling through apps – although it thankfully does have YouTube and a web browser. From online shopping to watching video content via Prime to listening to audiobooks, Amazon happily provides all of the add-ons and services you could possibly need. Often at a price or by signing up to a monthly subscription, of course. If you are already a keen user of Amazon’s services, you will likely have a blast with the Echo Show 15, although anyone used to Google Nest devices may find themselves a little lost at first, especially when it comes to navigating the system. For most users, the Show 8 has similar functions at a much more pleasing price point. And while the aesthetic is minimalist – there’s no getting around the fact that this is a beefy, heavy, piece of kit and essentially a digital photo frame on steroids. Subscription cynicism aside, the Echo Show 15 is the logical next step for the smart display series, and one that we hope continues to be refined in its future iterations. While this one doesn’t always hit the mark, it’s still a very promising direction. Price: £239.99 Key features and specs: 15.6-inch Full HD (1080p) smart display Alexa-powered -on screen widgets Five megapixel (MP) camera Portrait or landscape orientation Doubles as digital photo frame Can play YouTube. Netflix, Prime Camera cover switch is built in to frame Comes with wall mount in the box Pros: Great design that looks stylish New widgets are a welcome addition Works well as a smart control centre Wall mounting is a nice change Cons: Rigid widget placement options Touch navigation can be limited Takes up a lot of space when not mounted What is Amazon Echo Show 15? The Echo Show 15 is Amazon’s latest smart display that is powered by Alexa voice assistant technology. Unlike the other devices in the range – Echo Show 8 (£119.99), Echo Show 5 (£74.99) and Echo Show 10 3rd gen (£239.99) – the Echo Show 15 is designed to be a wall-mounted smart home and entertainment centre and stands out among the crowd by being based around interchangeable widgets. How much is Amazon Echo Show 15? The Amazon Echo Show 15 is priced at £239.99. It was released in the UK on 9th December 2021. The official Tilt Stand is sold separately, costing £29.99. Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at Amazon Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at Currys Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at AO Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at John Lewis Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at Argos Echo Show 15 design Whether it's on the wall or the countertop, the Show 15 essentially looks like a giant digital photo frame. Build quality is really good, with the thick black border and crisp white bezels giving off a premium, artistic, vibe. In our opinion, the model is meant to be wall-mounted and looks best at eye level. The fact it also serves as a literal way to display photos means it can seamlessly blend into your home’s décor. On top, you will find the camera cover slider, a button to mute Alexa and the volume controls. Speakers run down each of the sides, and the back is where you will plug in a power adapter and affix the plate for wall placement. Thankfully the front is free from logos or branding – with only the camera visible in the top left corner. It’s stylish, but not what we would describe as a subtle or nimble device - and that will be a pro or a con depending on your own personal design tastes. At 148 x 86 x 73 mm (W x H x D) and weighing 2,215 g – the Echo Show 15 is a bit of a chunky beast. On the wall, this won’t matter at all, but it’s something to be aware of as it lacks the portability of some of the other models in the range. Overall, it’s an attractive design that’s sleek, inoffensive and should work well in most homes. Read more Amazon reviews Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) review Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review Amazon Echo Show 10 review Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) review Amazon Fire HD 10 review Amazon Fire HD 8 review Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids review Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020) review Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite review Echo Show 15 features and software Until now, if you had used an Echo Show device you would be familiar with them all. But Amazon has shaken up the formula with the Echo Show 15 by basing the entire main layout around widgets that can be customised, re-ordered and re-sized. There are 14 in total – and from the Widget Gallery menu, you can add them to the home screen with a quick click. You can display up to six at a time, and pressing down on one will bring up a menu that lets you either remove or reorder them. Two of the default widgets – “Calendar & Reminders” and “Music & Audio” – have a large version that switches up the home layout completely by taking up much more real estate on the top left, and instantly limiting the widgets on-screen to four. This will also reduce the size of the left side’s gallery/clock. It’s all personal taste. Here’s the full list of the widgets you get as default: Alexa Suggestions Calendar and reminders Calendar and reminders (large) Cookpad recipe of the day Favourite photos Music and audio Music and audio (large) Reorder suggestions Shopping list Smart home favourites Sticky notes To-do list Weather What to eat In our set-up of choice, we decided to remove the large widget version to give that home screen gallery more room to breathe and to better show off the imagery, which you can change by swiping left or right. We chose to have four widgets on the right: music (via Spotify), weather forecast, shopping list and sticky notes. After a few days of using the device, we think that it works well as a first iteration but we would have liked Amazon to have gone a little bit further with personalisation and customisation. Widgets aren’t resizable and the layout ends up feeling rigid. You feel like you should be able to swipe the entire widget tray away, but it doesn’t let you. You can't change the position of the home screen clock in real-time, and having just two widgets doesn’t reduce the tray to match, it just leaves a menu open. It's can be frustratingly limited at times, and we would like to see a greater variety. However, the Echo Show 15 widgets are a welcome addition overall and the customisation irritants can be hopefully be improved in future software updates. As expected, navigating the Show 15 can be done via touch controls – swiping like a smartphone or tablet – or exclusively by using Alexa. We found that the performance of the device was solid throughout, although slightly less responsive than we would have liked. To be clear, it’s not laggy or sluggish –- but there were some slight loading delays when pressing down on some apps or opening up some of the menus. You can access the main menu by swiping down from the top of the screen, letting you alter settings, alarms, communication features, music, video, routines, smart home controls and more. Here is the full list of every menu option as default: Home Settings Do not disturb Alarms Brightness Notifications widget gallery Discover Communicate Music Smart home Video Routines Photo frame Aside from widgets, one of the next big additions to the Show 15 is Visual ID – which makes you take photos of your face (images are stored on-device) and can then tell who is using it – tailoring reminders, music, reminders etc to that person. It’s a really neat feature, but it is one that’s also rolling out to other Show devices, too. We paired the Echo Show 15 up with a Eufy smart video doorbell and it was a fairly seamless process by following the steps on the Alexa app, which you will definitely need to download to get the best out of the device. After the set-up, we could use the Show 15 to check the live feed of the doorbell. Although there was a slight delay in the feed loading, audio feedback when the button was pressed was immediate. We found the Show 15 to be a great digital frame. Not that you would pay more than £230 for that feature alone, but the choice of pre-set images was nice (we opted for the ‘nature’ pre-set) and you can have it display your own family photos, too. You can access additional features via the Video tab in the menu. It not only provides a portal to watch Amazon Prime Video, but also Netflix, YouTube and a Bing browser. It's a real shame that the Echo Show 15 does not have built-in Zigbee compatibility, unlike the Echo and the Show 10. Zigbee is a smart protocol that essentially lets devices communicate with each other. The fact it's missing from the Echo Show 15 means the device is instantly at a disadvantage as a true smart home hub. Echo Show 15 sound quality We moved to the Amazon Echo Show 15 after a few months of using the smaller and more affordable Echo Dot. To our ear, the overall audio profile coming from the two speakers was similar, and more than loud and clear enough for most users. We tested the speakers using a broad range of music genres – Foo Fighters, Laura Marling, The Villagers and Radiohead – alongside some Prime shows and movies – Bosch, Reacher and The Fast and the Furious. Bass was fine without being muddy, and the volume went louder than we would ever need it to be in a kitchen. There’s not too much customisation via touch controls when a movie is playing, and that includes a lack of volume control on the screen. Still, we didn’t have any major complaints here. While the Echo Show 15 is never going to provide a home cinema experience, it’s more than enough for background music or streaming content. Echo Show 15 set-up and installation Setting up the Echo Show 15 takes a little longer than the other devices in the series if you decide to physically mount it onto a wall – but luckily it comes with all the parts needed to do so: including a metal mount plate and the necessary screw fixtures. While you should use a spirit level (not included but there are phone apps for this) to make sure it’s straight, it comes with a paper template so you can identify the best place for it – and that has a guide for both horizontal or portrait hanging. From there, you drill through the holes in the template then attach the mount using the four screws. At this stage, pop in the power cord (which isn't long so it will need to be close to a socket) and slide the Show 15 onto the metal mounting plate. Make sure to have a glance around your kitchen and make sure it’s far away enough from cabinet doors or appliances – and we highly advise keeping it around the rough eye level of your family members. Remember that everyone is different heights and you don’t want one person to be forced to awkwardly stretch to use the device. Software-side installation is as straightforward as ever – especially if you are in the Amazon ecosystem with other devices and subscription services. Note that you will need an Amazon account to sign in, and you should download the Alexa app. You connect to your home Wi-Fi, set up personal details such as address, name and where the device is located. From there, the Show 15 lets you choose your photo display preferences and goes through a series of software updates if needed. Echo Show 15 vs Echo Show 10: what's the difference? Both the Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 10 are the same price, costing £239.99 in the UK at the time of writing. So which one is the best Echo model for you? First off is appearance. It’s an obvious point, but the Show 15 is designed to be wall-mounted while the Show 10 will sit on your desk, sideboard or countertop. The Show 15 looks like a fancy photo frame, but the Show 10 has a chunkier round body with a more traditional display that’s similar to the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8. While the new Show 15 offers the Alexa experience on the biggest possible display, the Show 10 has more interesting technology – thanks to Zigbee and a unique mode that automatically tracks your movement to keep the screen in view at all times. The Show 10 has a 10.1-inch display so it’s definitely smaller, but certainly not tiny. Complimenting the tracking tech on the Echo Show 10 is a much better camera (13 MP) compared to the Show 15’s serviceable but disappointing 5MP set-up. The Show 10 comes in black or white colours, while the Show 15 only has one style. Here’s the bottom line: If you have the countertop space and are constantly on video calls, buy the Echo Show 10. It has a better camera and will keep you in the frame with its neat tracking mode. If you want an Alexa smart speaker for the entire family with a big screen that can be kept on your wall, the Echo Show 15 is your choice. Our verdict: should you buy the Echo Show 15? The Echo Show 15 makes sense in the context of the wider series of Alexa smart speakers and marks a natural evolution by moving the device from the countertop to the wall of your home. It’s got the biggest screen out of all the models available in 2022 so far and works brilliantly as a family planner, video player and digital frame. The device is stylish and is likely to turn the heads of your visitors, especially those who aren’t used to seeing such technology so prominently displayed. Some aspects, however, could benefit from a bit more refinement – in particular the widget resizing and customisation, general responsiveness and the ability to add more third-party apps and services. The Show 15 is thicker and heavier than you may expect, and it’s a shame that the tilting stand is not included in the box. While some may see the lack of motion tracking as a downside, we get why it's not included. After all, Amazon has to differentiate it from the Show 10 – although we still would have liked to see Zigbee and a slightly better camera on the Show 15. If you don’t need a large screen, the Echo Show 8 is much more affordable and has similar capabilities. But with the Echo Show 15, Amazon has made an Alexa-powered family pinboard. We do like the vision. So if you don’t mind paying for the luxury and are a big user of Amazon services, this is a great companion for your home. Our rating: Design: 4.5/5 Sound quality: 3.5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Value for money: 3.5/5 Overall rating: 3.9/5 Where to buy the Echo Show 15 The Amazon Echo Show 15 is priced at £239.99. It was released in the UK on 9th December 2021. The official Tilt Stand is sold separately, costing £29.99. Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at Amazon Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at Currys Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at AO Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at John Lewis Buy Amazon Echo Show 15 at Argos For the latest news, reviews, guides, and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Generation) review
Everything you need to know about Amazon's new, smallest smart display.
Released on 9th June, the new Amazon Echo Show 5 is the second generation model of the brand's smallest and cheapest smart display. But, how much has the smart display changed from the original? And can the affordable smart display deliver on quality, or are you better off spending a little more? We answer these questions and more in our Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review. At first glance, it's hard to argue that this new Echo Show 5 doesn't deliver. It features everything from an accurate voice assistant in Alexa to doubling up as a digital photo frame when not in active use. Looking at the smart display's set-up, design, and sound quality, along with features such as voice control and camera quality, we put the Amazon device to the test in our Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review. And, here is why we think the new Amazon Echo Show 5 is the best choice if you're buying a smart display for the first time. For more on Amazon devices, try our Amazon Fire TV Stick review and Amazon Fire TV Cube review. Or, head straight to our best smart speaker guide. Jump to: Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review: summary What is Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)? How much is Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)? Design Sound quality Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) set-up Difference between Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review: summary The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is one of the brand's newest smart displays. It also happens to be the smallest and most affordable. And while it only has a 5.5-inch touchscreen display, it still has all the features you'd expect from an Amazon device, including voice control via Alexa, a 2MP camera for video calls, and can be connected to other Alexa speakers to make a multi-room system. If you're primarily looking for an Amazon device to play music off, you may be better with the Amazon Echo Dot. But if you want to dip your toes in the world of smart displays, there's no better option than the new Amazon Echo Show 5. Price: The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) costs £74.99 and is available from retailers including Amazon, Currys and Very. Key features: Built-in voice assistant Alexa 2MP camera for video calls and indoor security camera Works with various 'Alexa Skills' including Spotify, Uber, Just Eat and Fitbit Doubles-up as a digital photo frame Built-in camera cover Pros: Compact design Good value for money Brilliant voice assistant with Alexa User-friendly Alexa app Cons: Average camera quality Music occasionally sounds a little tinny What is Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)? Released on 9th June, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is the second generation model of the brand's smallest smart display. It was released alongside the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and joined the Amazon Echo Show 10, which was released earlier this year. Unlike a smart speaker, a smart display has a touchscreen that allows you to make video calls, watch TV shows and doubles up as a digital photo frame. What does Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) do? The compact size of the Amazon Echo Show 5 makes it ideal for living on your bedside table, where you can make the most of Alexa to set alarms, reminders and manage routines. It contains all the features you'd expect from an Amazon Echo Dot with the addition of a 5.5-inch touchscreen display. Built-in voice assistant Alexa 2MP camera for video calls and indoor security camera Works with various 'Alexa Skills' including Spotify, Uber, Just Eat and Fitbit Doubles-up as a digital photo frame Built-in camera cover How much is Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)? The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) costs £74.99 and is available from retailers including Amazon, Currys and Very. Latest Prices Is Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) good value for money? The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is one of the most affordable smart displays on offer. Google's cheapest smart display, the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen), costs £15 more at £89.99. The size of the touchscreen has a significant part to play in the price. The Echo Show 5 is one of the smallest smart displays you can buy with a 5.5-inch screen. In comparison, the Google Nest Hub is a bit bigger at 7-inches. However, beyond this, the Echo Show 5 has many of the same features as the more expensive Amazon devices, including Alexa, a camera for video calls, all the various Alexa skills, and it doubles up as a digital photo frame. There's no doubt that the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is great value for money. Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) design With a 5.5-inch touchscreen, the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is Amazon's smallest smart display. The majority of the device has a fabric grill finish, although the top of the screen is lined with buttons to mute the microphone, turn up or down the volume and cover the camera when needed. The compact size makes it perfect for being placed on a bedside table, which should allow you to make the most of the alarms, customisable routines, and reminders that can be controlled via Alexa. However, it is small enough to fit on pretty much any surface without becoming an annoyance. The screen resolution is only 960 x 480, but because of the size, it still looks bright and sharp. The same can be said for the 2MP camera. This isn't the best quality camera, and it can only be used in well-lit conditions, but it is a good improvement on the 1MP camera found in the 1st generation model. For those who would prefer an extra level of privacy, the built-in camera cover is there to be slid across the lens when not in use. Style: Available in three colours (charcoal, white and blue), the design is simple and similar to that of the 1st generation device. Robustness: The smart display is solid and feels well-made. It is weighted and balanced well so that there's no chance of knocking it or it falling over. Size: The Echo Show has a 5.5-inch display and measures 148mm wide x 86mm tall x 73 mm deep. It can easily perch on a bedside table or kitchen counter. Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) sound quality As you would expect with an Alexa device, most of the features are geared towards supporting speech more than music. This means that, on occasion and at high volume, music can sound a little tinny. However, we wouldn't go as far to say the sound quality is bad, and the volume range is brilliant for such a small device. The sound isn't particularly directional either, so you get the same volume and quality of sound from pretty much anywhere in the room. If you want to be able to listen to the occasional playlist while making dinner, the Amazon Echo Show 5 will do a more than good enough job for that. Where the Echo Show 5 really excels, though, is with the audio quality of speech and the voice recognition technology. The quality of podcasts is great, and Alexa remains one of the best AI voice assistants on the market. The voice assistant has no trouble hearing commands over loud music and is quick to respond. Alexa is pretty accurate, too. When asking for the Echo Show 5 to play albums off Spotify, we could generally get away with asking for the album title followed by the phrase 'on Spotify' without having to list the artist as well. It may seem fairly minor, but it does make the commands a lot less of a mouthful. When you'd rather speak to Alexa, the microphone can be muted. Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) set-up: how easy is it to use? From taking the device out of the box to being ready to go, the whole set-up process takes about 10 minutes. Once plugged in, you are prompted through the process via the Echo Show 5's screen. This includes logging into your Amazon account, choosing language preferences and connecting to the Wi-Fi. Then, you're ready to go. To get the most out of the Amazon Echo Show 5, downloading the Amazon Alexa app is recommended. With the app, you can link various Alexa skills to your account, including Fitbit, Spotify, BBC Good Food and Uber, set up routines or manage your preferences for camera and privacy settings. If you want to use the Amazon Echo Show 5 as part of a multi-room system, you can also use the app to make announcements through other smart speakers or displays in the house. Amazon suggests you can use this to tell the whole house dinner is ready without shouting, but you can get as inventive as you like. The smart displays do need to be plugged in to work, so that does limit you a little as to where you can place them, but this is fairly standard with all smart home devices. What is the difference between the new Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)? The Amazon Echo Show 5 was not the only smart display to be released in June, as the Amazon Echo Show 8 also got an upgrade. The two 2nd generation models have plenty of similarities, but there are a few key differences to be aware of. The two most obvious differences are the size and price. The Amazon Echo Show 5 is the cheaper and smaller of the two, while the Echo Show 8 boasts an 8-inch display and a price tag of £119.99. This means that the Echo Show 8 is almost double the size, providing more room for a bigger speaker system, too. The camera of the Echo Show 8 is also of a higher specification at 13MP, rather than the 2MP of the Echo Show 5. This should improve the picture quality of your video calls, along with the auto-framing feature available with the Echo Show 8 that will keep you centred in the video. However, beyond these differences, the smart displays are extremely similar as they both use Alexa, have the same Alexa skills and can both be used as digital photo frames. Choosing between these two Amazon devices will largely depend on what you want to spend and space limitations. Our verdict: should you buy Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)? If you're looking for your first smart display, or you're not looking to spend too much, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is a brilliant choice. At £74.99, it is one of the cheapest ways to get all the key smart display features, including video calls, voice control with Alexa, and it even doubles up as a clock and photo frame when not in active use. Its small size makes it perfect for a spot on the bedside table or on a kitchen shelf, and it can be used as an indoor security camera when you're out and about. If you primarily want to use it to play music, you might be better off with an Amazon Echo Dot, but the Echo Show 5 still has an impressive volume range for its size. Plus, the sound quality is more than good enough for casual everyday use when you just want to listen to the radio or Spotify. If you're new to smart displays or just want a small device to add to your collection, the Amazon Echo Show 5 delivers. Rating: Design: 4/5 Sound quality: 3.5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Value for money: 5/5 Overall rating: 4/5 Where to buy Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is available from a number of retailers, including Amazon and Very. £74.99 at Amazon £74.99 at Very £74.99 at Currys For more product reviews and guides, head to the Technology section. Looking for offers? Read our list of the best Amazon Echo deals.
Meet the Amazon Echo Show 10 – the most sophisticated Amazon smart display yet.
Almost four years after the first Amazon Echo Show was revealed, Amazon has released its third iteration – the Amazon Echo Show 10. Joining two other smart displays in the form of the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8, the Amazon Echo Show 10 is the largest, newest and most advanced Amazon device available. Released in February 2021, the Amazon Echo Show 10 is the first Amazon device to feature a 10-inch touchscreen display that follows you around the room as you chat, tidy or simply get on with your day. The result? The screen should always be in view, no matter how much you move around. In this Amazon Echo Show 10 review, we test out its sound quality, voice recognition technology and design, as well as practicalities such as set-up and how easy it is to use day-to-day. These are assessed against its price tag to decide whether it is worth spending your well-earned cash on. Here is why, despite a few teething issues, the new Echo Show 10 proves that Amazon remains leaps ahead of its competitors when it comes to its smart home technology. Is Alexa your voice assistant of choice? Head over to the best Alexa speakers and best streaming devices guides for our Alexa-powered favourites. To build up your smart home collection, try our best Alexa-compatible devices, too. Jump to: Amazon Echo Show 10 review: summary What is Amazon Echo Show 10? How much is Amazon Echo Show 10? Design Sound quality Amazon Echo Show 10 set-up Difference between Amazon Echo Show 10 and Amazon Echo Show 8 Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Echo Show 10 review: summary Designed to follow you around the room as you chat, cook or tidy, the Amazon Echo Show 10's display can rotate almost 360 degrees. This makes it not only the most advanced Amazon device but one of the most advanced smart displays regardless of brand. For £20 more than the Google Nest Hub Max, the Amazon Echo Show 10 offers sophisticated voice recognition technology, an extensive range of skills and apps, including Spotify, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and Uber. All that, and it can double-up as a digital photo frame. Price: The Amazon Echo Show 10 is available at Amazon for £239.99. Key features: Automatically follows the user around the room Built-in camera can be used for security Make video calls via Alexa app or Skype Voice control via Alexa Pros: Responsive 10-inch touchscreen Intelligent voice recognition technology Can be used as a digital photo frame Microphone/camera off buttons Great range of skills and apps available Cons: Occasional issue with locating the user What is Amazon Echo Show 10? The Amazon Echo Show 10 is the brand's most advanced smart display. With a 10.1-inch touchscreen, the Echo Show 10 can be used to make video calls, watch Amazon Prime Video or display your favourite pictures. It also has all the typical smart speaker features you've come to expect from the likes of the Amazon Echo Dot. These include weather, news and traffic updates, along with apps and skills such as Ring, Uber, Spotify, Skype and BBC Sounds. What does Amazon Echo Show 10 do? 13MP camera for video calls Automatically follows the user as they move around the room Can be used as a digital photo frame when not in active use Built-in camera can be used as an indoor security camera Compatible apps (known as Alexa skills) include BBC Sounds, Uber, Netflix and Spotify How much is Amazon Echo Show 10? The Amazon Echo Show 10 is available to buy at Amazon for £239.99. Is Amazon Echo Show 10 good value for money? At £239.99, the Echo Show 10 is Amazon's most expensive Alexa device. However, that price tag takes into account that several features are only available on the Echo Show 10. The first is that the screen automatically follows you as you move around the room so that it is always in view. It is currently the only smart display to offer this function, which is particularly handy during video calls or while cooking. The second consideration is the camera. The Echo Show 10 has a much higher spec camera than the Amazon Echo Show 8 or Echo Show 5. While the Echo Show 8 has just a 1MP camera, the Echo Show 10's is a 13MP camera. This will make a significant difference to your video calls or indoor security footage. Overall, we think the Amazon Echo Show 10 is good value for money considering the range and quality of features it offers. Amazon Echo Show 10 design With a 10.1-inch display, the Amazon Echo Show 10 is the biggest Amazon smart display. The shape is a little different to that of its predecessors as it now comes with a rounded, fabric base to allow the screen to rotate and follow the user around the room, rather than a square design. The elevated screen makes the device feel a lot bigger but does mean any photos, videos, or calls can be seen across the room with ease. Style: Available in two colours, charcoal and glacier white, the Amazon Echo Show 10 has a rounded fabric base. Attached to this is the 10.1-inch HD touchscreen that can rotate up to 360 degrees. Robustness: The Amazon Echo Show 10 is weighty, particularly the base, which has been designed to avoid it toppling over as the display follows you around the room. Size: This Amazon smart display is the biggest the brand makes. It has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the base is 6.7-inches in diameter. It also needs additional space cleared around the device to prevent anything from being knocked over when it rotates. Amazon Echo Show 10 sound quality With two 1-inch tweeters and a 3-inch woofer, Amazon has worked hard to improve the sound quality on the new Echo Show 10 compared to its older smart displays. And overall, the sound quality is good. There's a good range of volume, and music sounds crisp and balanced. It is more than good enough for casual everyday use, but if you primarily want to use the display for playing music, you might be better off with a smart speaker like the Google Nest Audio or Amazon Echo Dot. However, where this smart display performs best is when voice recognition technology is involved. Alexa is both responsive and accurate to requests for music, news and weather updates, and even when it comes to random trivia. The Amazon Echo Show 10 works with a huge range of 'Alexa skills' including Uber, BBC Sounds, Fitbit and even Pointless, so you can quiz against your friends and family. The screen is also incredibly responsive to touch. While we found it easier to navigate via voice commands, that does not mean you cannot set-up alarms and reminders manually with the screen itself. The display can also be controlled via the Amazon Alexa app, which is also the easiest way to manage settings, including turning off the motion. Amazon Echo Show 10 set-up: how easy is it to use? From the box, the Amazon Echo Show 10 takes a total of 15 minutes to set-up. As part of Amazon's push to be more sustainable, the smart display arrives in packaging that is 99% wood fibre-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. Everything to get started is included in the box, which is simply the device and a power cable with an adaptor. To begin setting up, the Echo Show 10 needs to be placed down in the location where you intend for it to stay. A paper cut-out is provided to ensure you have cleared enough space around the device before it is turned on. This ensures the Echo Show 10 will not knock over or break any nearby items. The next step is to turn on the device and follow the instructions on the screen. This will include downloading the Amazon Alexa app and creating an account if you do not already have one. The final element is setting how far you would like the display to rotate and a quick run-through of how to set up features such as alarms and routines. On a couple of occasions following the set-up, the Echo Show 10 struggled to locate us. However, we were prompted to give feedback on the motion, and by the end of the first day of use, the user detection and motion was much more accurate. What is the difference between Amazon Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 8? Our verdict: should you buy Amazon Echo Show 10? The Amazon Echo Show 10 is a combination of well-loved smart home features and new additional flares. The biggest addition is, of course, the display's ability to automatically move with the user as they move around the room, but there's also a new, higher-spec 13MP camera and better sound quality. These join sophisticated voice recognition technology in the form of Alexa, which allows you to set hands-free reminders and alarms, get news updates and make video calls. And when that's all done, the smart display can simply double-up as a digital photo frame or indoor security camera. Yes, at £239.99, there are definitely more affordable smart displays available, but if you want the most advanced device, you need the Amazon Echo Show 10. Where to buy Amazon Echo Show 10 The Amazon Echo Show 10 is available to buy at Amazon for £239.99. Latest Prices For more reviews, head over to our technology section. Or, try our Amazon Echo deals page for the latest offers on Amazon's smart speakers and displays.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is essentially a repackaged Fire HD 8 that costs £50 more – yet it’s an investment more than worth making in our view.
Before we had kids, we – very naively – said we’d never let our child become reliant on a tablet for entertainment. Fast-forward three years and various scenarios – car journeys, trying to cook dinner, working from home with them in tow, and more – have meant we’ve well and truly backtracked. On the plus side, our toddler now has a firm understanding of technology. He’s also learned things from YouTube Kids that we hadn’t taught him. Singing Happy Birthday to himself at his first birthday party, for instance. The tricky thing is that few brands make tablets designed specifically with children in mind these days. And even fewer pack them full of features and sell them for as relatively cheap as the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition. If you’re in the market for the best tablet for kids, you need to weigh up the price with how robust it is, as well as what protection it offers in terms of apps and parental controls. In our Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review, we look at the pros and cons of buying this child-friendly tablet versus buying a regular tablet. We compare the Kids Edition with the standard Amazon Fire HD 8. We also get our toddler to test how easy it is to use and how robust it is. Plus, we take a look through the various controls and customisation options to give you peace of mind. Head to our what is Amazon Kids+ explainer next to find out if the child-centric subscription is worth the money. Jump to: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition summary What is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? How much is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition features Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition screen and sound quality Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition design Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition set-up Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition battery and performance Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review: summary Price: £139.99 Key features: Full-featured, 8-inch HD tablet powered by Amazon’s take on Android – Fire OS A child-proof case comes as standard. Available in blue, pink or purple 32GB of storage, expandable to 1TB via microSD 12-hour battery life Every purchase comes with a free, one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ (formerly known as Fire for Kids Unlimited). This usually costs £79 a year, or £49 for Prime members and gives kids unlimited access to child-friendly apps, games and videos Amazon Kids+ includes educational apps for preschool, and key stage 1–3 Parental controls, including screen-time limits, are controlled via the Parent Dashboard available on the Kids+ phone app or via your Amazon account Amazon Fire HD Kids Edition comes with a two-year guarantee, and Amazon will replace the tablet for free if it breaks within this period Pros: Designed with kids first and foremost; it’s not just an adult tablet with child-friendly features tacked on or buried away Easy to set up and use Can be used as an adult tablet by setting up additional profiles Up to four children can share yearly Kids+ subscriptions Three gadgets in one – a Fire tablet, Echo Show and Kindle Cons Not cheap Basic design Sluggish No Google apps – including YouTube Kids The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is available at Amazon for £139.99. What is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? At its core, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is a repackaged Amazon Fire HD 8. It comes with all the features and design elements of the original yet is sold with a kid-friendly case, parental controls enabled by default, and free access to Amazon Kids+. For these additions, you’ll pay an extra £50 on top of the price of a standard Fire HD 8, or £30 more than a Fire HD 8 Plus. This price gap becomes even wider when you consider the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is £90 more expensive than the entry-level Amazon Fire 7. Hardware-wise, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition has an 8-inch HD screen. It’s powered by a dual-core processor and runs on 2GB of RAM. The tablet itself comes with 32GB storage, but you can expand that up to 1TB with a microSD card. On both, the front and rear is a 2MP camera, and Amazon promises a 12-hour battery life. The main difference between the Kids Edition and the standard Fire HD 8 is that the latter comes in an additional 64GB model. This is largely moot, though, given the fact you can expand both of them up to 1TB. The Fire HD 8 Plus, despite being cheaper, comes with an extra GB of RAM and wireless charging. All Fire tablets are powered by Amazon’s take on Android, called Fire OS, but the Kids Edition comes with an extra layer of parental controls and kid-friendly apps. Even if you don’t subscribe to Amazon Kids+, the Kids Edition has a redesigned web browser designed with child safety and security in mind. Compared to the £50 entry-level Amazon Fire 7, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition has dual speakers, tuned by Dolby Atmos, rather than a basic mono output, and it’s much faster thanks to having twice the RAM and twice the power. You can also buy a 7-inch Amazon Fire Kids Edition for £99.99 or upgrade to a 10-inch Kids version for £199.99. All Kids Editions of the Fire tablet come with a free year’s Amazon Kids+ subscription and child-friendly case. In our view, however, the 10-inch is too big for smaller hands (it might suit a teenager better) while the 7-inch isn’t powerful enough. The 8-inch Fire HD Kids Edition is the Goldilocks of the bunch. What does the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition do? Amazon has taken the ethos of its standard Fire tablet range – to provide access to cheap and portable entertainment – and made it child-friendly. Signing up to Amazon Kids+ is part of the setup process. You can alternatively download child-friendly apps via the Amazon App Store via your Parent Dashboard. When you switch to an adult profile, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible, and Kindle are all pre-installed. Games, apps, books, web videos and a child-friendly web browser are all included as part of your free subscription to Amazon Kids+ Media streaming with Amazon Prime Video installed by default Netflix, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, SkyGo and Disney+ available from the Amazon App Store on an adult profile Kindle e-reader and access to the Kindle Store, plus Kindle Unlimited (for an extra fee) Child-friendly Audible audiobooks on the Kids profile or the full catalogue on an adult profile Show Mode turns the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition into an Echo Show when using an adult profile, complete with Alexa Skills Alexa built-in means you can use the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition to control Echo, plus other compatible smart devices, using your voice or the Alexa app Skip to the deals How much is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition price, when bought directly from Amazon, is as follows: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition 32GB storage: £139.99 Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition 32GB storage with BuddyPhones headset: £179.98 (for ages 3-7) and £174.98 (8-15) This price includes a year’s Amazon Kids+ subscription worth £79 (£49 for Amazon Prime members). You can also buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition from the following places: Currys: £140 AO.com: £139 You can sign up for Amazon Prime for a 30-day free trial, after which it costs £7.99 a month. Is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition good value for money? On paper, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition seems expensive. Especially compared to the standard £90 Fire HD 8 and £110 Fire HD 8 Plus. Of course, it’s far cheaper than the £400 iPad Mini, as an example, but £140 is still an investment. In this instance, though, we feel it’s an investment worth making. When you add in all the extras, you’re getting a decent deal. The Fire HD 8 is £89.99; a shock-proof case is around £15; a year’s Amazon Kids+ subscription is, at best, £49 if you already pay for Prime. This takes the total to £154 – a saving of £14. Not huge, but it’s not quite the price difference it first seems. What’s almost priceless, though, is the fact that Amazon has taken a lot of the hassle out of setting up child profiles and navigating through parental controls on multiple apps. You’re also paying for the peace of mind that if it breaks, you’ll get a replacement for free. Adding to this is the fact you can set up multiple profiles on the tablet. This means it can become a family tablet – with a protected adult profile and access to standard apps, alongside the kid-friendly software features. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition features While the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition's hardware specifications are identical to the original HD 8, the software couldn’t look and feel further from it. The Kids Edition runs on a child-friendly version of the original’s Fire OS, which is a take on Android. The small homepage icons and dark colour scheme of the regular version have been replaced by brightly coloured pages and large thumbnails on the Kids Edition. The Recent Apps button has been dropped from the on-screen menu, while a Parents menu has been added in the bottom left-hand corner. Your child’s name and preferred colour scheme are shown on the home page, and you can swipe through to select Games and Apps, Shows, Educational Apps, and more. The most recently watched shows or apps are also shown, allowing your little one to jump straight back into what they were doing last time. The on-screen Home and Back buttons disappear as soon as any app or show is selected to avoid distracting your child or being knocked by accident. The extra money you pay for the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition secures you a year’s free access to Amazon Kids+, and we cannot stress enough how fantastic this service is. It contains all of our toddler’s favourite shows – Peppa Pig, Mister Maker, The Gruffalo, PJ Masks – and various other mainstream, plus more niche titles. All perfectly aimed at younger children. Not only does this make it incredibly easy for children to search, browse and select their shows, it means you don’t have to jump from Disney+ to Netflix to BBC iPlayer and so on, like you do on the standard Amazon Fire HD 8 or other tablets. There are then books your child can read, or that can be read to them, National Geographic collections, games, packs based on various kids’ interests such as cars, dinosaurs, animals and so on. There is even a child-friendly browser that has parental controls and restrictions in place by default. One downside – or an upside, depending on your view – is that the Amazon App Store does not support Google’s suite of apps. This includes YouTube and YouTube Kids. If your children are avid YouTube fans, this may not be the tablet for them. It is possible to watch YouTube via the web browser if need be. However, if you’re trying to wean them off watching hundreds of videos of other children opening Kinder Eggs, then this may be a major positive. Another more significant complaint is that many of the apps and games were too advanced for our toddler. Amazon says that the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is suitable for ages three and up, yet all the games and apps are pretty much lumped together and aren’t categorised by age. Our toddler would often click on games appropriate for his age, in terms of content, but too advanced in terms of controls. This led to quite a few frustrations. On the iPad Mini, he’s learned to press the physical Home button to go back to the main menu. He then selects which app he wants. The disappearing Home button on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition meant he was shouting for us every few minutes because he’d got bored of the app he was on and couldn’t get out of it. Considering we use a tablet to keep him amused because we need to get on with cooking, or while we’re cleaning up the mess from a recent arts and craft session, this defeated the point somewhat. A major plus point in the Kids Edition’s favour is that you can add multiple profiles, including a profile for yourself. Once you’ve enabled an adult profile, you get the full functionality of the Fire HD 8. This includes Show Mode. Show Mode is the standout feature for us in the 2020 versions of the Fire HD range. Rather than paying extra for an Echo Show 8, simply ask Alexa to enable Show Mode on your Fire HD 8 Kids Edition (with an adult profile selected), and you have a fully-fledged alternative. Show Mode gives you the full-screen Alexa experience. You can use it in your kitchen to get step-by-step recipes, see weather and news headlines from a distance, catch up on your favourite shows hands-free (in the bath, for instance), make video calls and add to your Amazon shopping list. Plus much more. What’s more, because the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition comes with a case and a stand, you don’t have to prop it up against something or pay extra for a dock – like you do with the HD 8 and HD 8 Plus. We should warn you, though, if you’re using it in Show Mode in the same vicinity as any other Alexa-enabled devices when you shout “Alexa”, they’ll all kick in. Eager to come to your assistance. This can get confusing! Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition screen and sound quality In our Amazon Fire HD 8, and HD 8 Plus reviews, we marked the tablets down slightly because the screens weren’t quite Full HD quality. They fall short of the technical definition of full HD by around 1 million pixels, and they only just qualify officially as HD. When judging the same screen, with the same resolution, on the Kids Edition, this dip in quality feels less important. As adults, many of us are used to 4K screens, but our toddler doesn't know the difference. Even our 10-year-old barely flinched at the fact that the display didn’t match up to our TV's quality. If anything, the quality – considering this is a tablet aimed at kids – feels more than adequate for what it’s being used for. Like on its “adult” sibling tablets, there are areas where the low definition is visible, on smaller icons and notifications particularly. Yet because the software is deliberately bright and colourful, and the buttons are all larger, this is less of an issue on the Kids Edition. The screen is highly reflective, though, which can create some problems. Not to mention the fact it shows up all of your child’s many sticky fingerprints. Thanks to the partnership with Dolby Atmos, the quality of sound that comes out of the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition’s dual speakers is decent. It’s not super loud, but this is a good thing for little ears. At full volume, the sound can become a little tinny on certain games and shows, but the speakers do a good job of making voices sound clear when audiobooks are being read out loud. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition design As the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition has the same overall design as the Fire HD 8 and HD 8 Plus, our critique is the same. It’s basic and looks cheap. This is due to its large bezel, chunky shape and size, rounded corners, and plastic casing. However, with the Kids Edition case attached, you don’t see any of this. It looks cheap and chunky, but then it’s meant to. The shock-proof kid-friendly case is overly big, but that’s deliberate. It’s designed to protect the tablet and make it easy for small hands to grab hold of. The volume controls aren’t easy to access because the case is so thick, but again we imagine that’s deliberate. To keep them out of reach of young users. Plus, the robustness and thickness of the case mean the balancing issues we had with the regular HD 8 models is no longer an issue. Moving onto the ports on the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, there’s a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, perfect for Amazon’s BuddyPhones headset, a USB-C charging port and a microphone. Skip to the deals Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition set-up The step-by-step guide on the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is straightforward to follow, and you can get multiple profiles added in minutes. You don’t need to set up individual Amazon accounts for your kids; they can just be added to yours. If you've been bought the tablet as a gift and don’t already have an Amazon account, you’ll need to set one up, but even this can be done via the guide. Unlike on the original HD 8 tablets, you don’t need to wade through a series of promotional messages and notices for Amazon’s services. Nor are you met with a host of pre-installed Amazon apps or ads when enabling a kid’s profile. The overriding benefit of buying this tablet for your kids is that you can rest assured, out of the box, this tablet will entertain your children safely and securely without you ever having to tweak and mess with various parental controls. You can, of course, edit these controls in Settings and via the Amazon Parent Dashboard, but if you don’t want to, or you don’t know how they’re protected as standard. Speaking of the parent dashboard, this is a great little app that lets you monitor usage and control screen time remotely, all with a very simple user interface. You can access it via the Amazon Kids+ app on your phone or via your online Amazon account. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition battery life and performance Amazon promises a battery life of 12 hours and, in our looping video test (in which we play an HD video on repeat at 70% brightness and with aeroplane mode enabled), the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition took 10 hours 2 minutes to go from full charge to flat. This is lower than what Amazon promises and three hours lower than the battery life on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus. However, even though the tablet shares hardware specs with the original Fire HD 8, the Kids Edition battery lasted around an hour longer. When using the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition for everyday tasks – playing a PJ Masks racing game, watching The Gruffalo (for the umpteenth time), helping Mister Maker draw shapes – the tablet lasted days. Literally. It only died by the end of day three. The Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is seemingly running apps and games that are less power-hungry and intense than those used on the standard models, which is reflected in the battery life. Performance-wise, though, the HD 8 Kids Edition is less impressive. It’s as sluggish as its siblings and even more so when you switch between profiles and enable Show Mode. It works fine once enabled, but getting there can feel like a slog. 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. Our verdict: should you buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition? Before we started writing this Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition review, we weren’t sure why anyone would buy a tablet aimed specifically at children in this way. Especially not when it costs substantially more than “adult” tablets with identical hardware specs. Yet, just like we backtracked on our toddler ever using a tablet, we’ve backtracked on this. You get the best of all worlds with the Kids Edition – minimal hassle and worry about what your kids are watching, minimal stress about them breaking it, maximum value for money. For £149, you’re effectively getting an Amazon Fire HD 8 (£89.99), a case (£15), an Echo Show 8 (£120) and a year of Amazon Kids+ (£79) – a bundle of products and services that would set you back more £300 if bought separately. Plus, you can’t put a price on being able to drink a hot cup of tea while they amuse themselves for five minutes. Interestingly, all the points we marked the HD 8 and HD 8 Plus down for don’t seem as relevant or as bad on the Kids Edition. It’s not perfect, but the things we’d change are very minor, and given how our toddler has taken to the tablet, he wouldn’t change a thing. Rating: Features: 5/5 Screen and sound quality: 3/5 Design: 4/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery life and performance: 3/5 Overall rating: 4.3/5 Where to buy Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Buy from Amazon Buy from Currys Buy from AO.com Latest Prices Still comparing tablets? Read our Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review or our best Android tablet guide. Searching for a tech or tablet deal?
We put the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max through its paces to see if it's worth your cash. Here's what we found.
This is Amazon's best Fire Stick — the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max offers better streaming quality and easy usage, all powered by an improved processor and topped off with WiFi 6 support. Really, it just does what it says on the tin, but it does it very well. You'll find a wide range of apps that are easy to install and use on the Fire Stick 4K Max, offering you plenty of choice in viewing terms. Remember though that to access many of these apps you'll need pre-paid subscriptions on top of the cost of the stick itself. However, there are a few free options like All 4 and Spotify. It's also the perfect device for turning a non-smart TV into a smart TV. Simply slot it into the HDMI port, plug it into the mains and off you go. Suddenly, your old television has so much more functionality and offers easily navigable menus with a wealth of content. Latest Prices Jump to: Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max review: summary What is the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max? How much is the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max? Design Streaming quality Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max set-up Difference between Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max Our verdict Where to buy Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max review: summary The Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max is Amazon's best-equipped, highest spec streaming stick. It sits at the top of the table in the Fire TV Stick family and offers 4K HDR10+ streaming quality. There's a wide range of apps including Disney Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime, All 4, BBC iPlayer, Spotify and many more. It's not hard to find something to suit your tastes. Setting the stick up is simple too, it plugs into the HDMI port on your TV and also into the mains power. Then, you calibrate your remote, install some software and you're ready to go. During testing, we experienced no issues with the reliability and streaming quality of the 4K stick. Of course, remember, it's also dependent on the quality of your television. Menu navigation is pleasingly snappy, thanks to that upgraded processor and we didn't have the irritating waiting times sometimes associated with streaming. There's also the option to play games on your Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max if you have a subscription to Luna, that is. What is the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max? The Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max is a streaming device from Amazon. It's a great way to turn a non-smart TV into a smart TV, offering a range of streaming services, including Amazon's own — Amazon Prime Video — alongside Netflix, BT Sport and many more. It's got full HDR support and offers 4K streaming — as the name suggests. That 4K selling point makes the stick a direct competitor to the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, which impressed us in testing. How much is the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max? The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max currently costs £54.99 direct from Amazon. Of course, to make the most of it you'll need a couple of subscriptions to streaming services too. Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 £32.99 (save £22 or 40%) at Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 at Currys Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 at Argos Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max design The one slightly irritating design flaw of the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max is that it needs to be plugged into the mains, rather than being able to use your TV as a power source via a separate wired connection. The equivalent Roku stick does this and earns a few points in the head-to-head as a result. Other than that small irritation, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max delivers exactly what you'd expect. The stick is easy to set up and use and comes with a charging cable, plug and remote. The remote does feel slightly on the cheap, plastic-y side but it gets the job done. It's no great beauty, but it will be plugged in behind your telly anyway, so it's not a piece of tech you'll look at often. The main homepage shows off content from a range of sources and allows you to make up a watch list from a variety of apps, which is always welcome. This can help to minimise the time you spend jumping from one app to another, searching for your favourite shows. The more you use the stick, the more Amazon will tailor the homepage suggestions to suit your preferences and viewing habits. That said, during testing the stick definitely had a predisposition to put as much Amazon Prime Video content on that home screen as possible — unsurprisingly. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max streaming quality Once we got the stick connected up to a WiFi network, we encountered no interruptions and streamed content from several providers with consistent picture quality and connection. All-new Amazon original documentary, Rooney, perfectly showed off how Amazon's Fire TV sticks and Prime Video service can work seamlessly together. It works just as well with other streaming platforms too. We fired up Netflix and experienced no issues while streaming The Witcher and Stranger Things. The addition of 4K HDR-compatible streaming is the main selling point of the stick. It's an iterative improvement on its predecessor but this is an improvement that's worth making. Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max set-up: is it easy to use? When you set up your Fire Stick 4K Max you'll need to connect it to the mains power. Connect the TV's USB port and you'll get a message saying that mains power is needed. A power cable and plus are provided for this but it might be a slight irritation if you've already got a huge tangle of wires and plugs behind your TV, as so many of us do. The Fire TV Stick will also install new software, ask you to select a language and then help you set up your remote. After that you select the apps you'd like installed and there's a pretty good choice — oddly Sky News featured but not Sky Sports, though BT Sports, UFC and several other options appear for sports fans. It's all fairly straightforward, especially if you already have an Amazon account. What's the difference between Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max? The Roku Streaming Stick 4K and the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max are natural competitors, but the differences between the two are — from a functional perspective — quite minor. Firstly, as we've already discussed, you'll need to plug the Amazon stick into the mains, whereas the Roku stick can cope using a wired connection to your TV. This is a small win for the Roku Streaming Stick 4K. The Roku streaming stick also offers more in the way of free content than the Amazon equivalent, through the ad-funded Roku channel. Much of the content on the channel is filler, but we found some entertaining shows and films there too and it's good to have more free options. The Fire TV Stick combats this by offering gaming through the subscription-based Luna app. Conversely, the Roku stick lacks a notable gaming option. The Fire Stick 4K Max is compatible with VPNs from the get-go, which Roku streaming sticks aren't. That will be a real plus for some viewers. The Amazon stick is a little bigger than its competitor and needs mains power. The remote feels slightly cheap and tacky too, whereas the Roku one is slightly more tactile. These are all minor setbacks and really there's not too much to choose between the pair for most users. Our verdict: should you buy the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max? The VPN compatibility of the Fire Stick 4K Max is a notable win over the Roku stick, but there are some downsides too — the cheaper-feeling remote and the need for mains power. Overall, we liked the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max. It's really easy to set up and use and offers a great range of content, plus high-quality streaming. If you find the VPN and gaming options appealing, it's likely to be the choice for you over the Roku device. However, the Roku streaming stick will persuade some with its additional free content. The Amazon stick doesn't have too many bells and whistles, but neither do most competitors. It's a fantastic way to level up an older television and access some top-notch entertainment. Where to buy the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max We've listed pricing and availability for both the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K below. They're such close competitors that a good deal might be the deciding factor. Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 £32.99 (save £22 or 40%) at Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 at Currys Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max | £54.99 at Argos Latest Prices Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £49.99 on Very Roku Streaming Stick 4K | £49.99 £29.99 (save £20 or 40%) on Amazon Latest Prices Want more information on how the Amazon Fire TV devices compare? Read our Roku vs Fire TV Stick guide. Or, head to our best smart TV guide.
For a smartwatch that monitors your health and tracks your fitness activity, the Garmin vívosmart 5 is second-to-none. Plus, it’s affordable, too.
The Garmin Forerunner 45 is best for fitness in our best budget smartwatch recommendations for its hugely reliable series of fitness trackers and its classic, easy-to-operate exterior, and we had a very good feeling about the Garmin vívosmart 5, too. When it comes to a budget smartwatch for monitoring your health, the Garmin vívosmart 5 is out of this world. It has extensive health features, including heart rate, hydration and respiration tracking, and blood oxygen monitoring, amongst many more. On top of that, the fitness features are great, too. There are preloaded fitness apps and exercises, GPS on the compatible Garmin Connect app on your smartphone, and 5 ATM water resistance so you can wear the Garmin vívosmart 5 in the shower and for swimming. Purchasing a smartwatch is a big decision, even for one such as the Garmin vívosmart 5 which is considered budget. So read on to find out if this smartwatch is the one for you. Jump to: Garmin vívosmart 5 review: summary What is the Garmin vívosmart 5? How much is the Garmin vívosmart 5? Garmin vívosmart 5 design Garmin vívosmart 5 features Garmin vívosmart 5 set-up: how easy is it to use? Garmin vívosmart 5 vs Fitbit Charge 5: which is better? Our verdict: should you buy the Garmin vívosmart 5? Where to buy Garmin vívosmart 5 review: summary The RadioTimes.com team love the look and feel of the Garmin vívosmart 5. The smartwatch we tested had a black, textured silicone strap with a small, acrylic face and one rectangular button at the bottom of the touchscreen. The strap is easily adjustable and, most importantly, it didn’t look cartoonishly big on our tester’s wrist. Some smartwatches, for example, the Honor Watch GS 3, are built for bigger wrists, and it can be a pain when it spins around on your wrist and can make it difficult to pull your sleeve over it. Not the Garmin vívosmart 5 — this smartwatch was wonderfully lightweight and compact. For £129.99, you can get your hands on the small/medium Garmin vívosmart 5 in black, white or cool mint. The large Garmin vívosmart 5 is surprisingly the same price, yet only comes in black. Price: £129.99 at Garmin, plus UK retailers such as John Lewis, Amazon and Currys Key features: Body battery energy monitoring Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen (SpO2) Sleep monitoring Stress tracking Women’s health Preloaded fitness apps 5 ATM water-resistant Pros: Extensive health features Assistance5 for incident detection Compatible with iOS and Android devices Social media notifications Week-long battery Easy set-up Cons: Connected (not built-in) GPS Limited fitness activities No music storage Touchscreen is not super responsive No contactless payments What is the Garmin vívosmart 5? The Garmin vívosmart 5’s predecessor, the Garmin vívosmart 4, was released back in 2018 as a simple, easy-to-use fitness tracker. Priced at £79.99, it comes in four colour variations (silver with grey band, midnight with black band, rose gold with berry band, and silver with azure blue band) and includes features such as sleep monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, body energy levels, and timers for certain activities like walking and yoga. Four years later, in May 2022, the Garmin vívosmart 5 dropped. It’s a much more advanced (and slightly pricier) version of the vívosmart 4, yet similarly focuses on monitoring your health and tracking your fitness. The Garmin vívosmart 5 smartwatch pairs with the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone so you can see everything in one place: your heart rate, respiration, hydration and activity all pop up on the main page, along with your stats for each day, plus women’s health details like your menstrual cycle if you decide to set this up. The smartwatch user can select a preloaded challenge to gain a virtual badge, for example, choose to walk 15k in the month of June or join a weekly steps challenge, or they can customise their own challenge. The wearer’s fitness and health news can be accessed on the app, and the calendar breaks down what the wearer did in a day. For example, on 23rd May, our tester walked for 25 minutes, completed two Relax and Focus and Cardio sessions, had a heart rate of between 93 bpm and 132 bpm and drained their body battery by -14. What does the Garmin vívosmart 5 do? The Garmin vívosmart 5 has a range of different functions. Here’s what you can expect. Body battery energy monitoring Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen (SpO2) Assistance5 for incident detection Sleep monitoring Stress tracking Women’s health like tracking your menstrual cycle Preloaded fitness apps 5 ATM water-resistant Hydration tracking Respiration tracking Fitness age Seven-day battery life How much is the Garmin vívosmart 5? The Garmin vívosmart 5 has an RRP of £129.99. The smartwatch comes in four variations: small/medium (19.5mm x 10.7mm x 217mm) which fits wrists with a circumference of 122-188mm and comes in three colours: black, white and cool mint. The large version (19.5mm x 10.7mm x 255mm) fits wrists with a circumference of 148-228mm, and only comes in black. It’s easy to swap out the straps on the small/medium model: simply pop out the screen and slide on another coloured strap. The bands are an additional £24.99 each on the Garmin website. All four variations are £129.99 at Garmin, and come with a two-year warranty. You can also pick up the Garmin vívosmart 5 in all colours from Amazon for the retail price £129.99, and Currys offer a two-year guarantee on the Garmin vívosmart 5, too. £129.99 at Garmin £129.99 at Amazon £129.99 at Currys Is the Garmin vívosmart 5 good value for money? The overall functions and quality of the Garmin vívosmart 5 justify the £129.99 price tag. The Garmin vívosmart 5 comes with a two-year warranty. This isn’t immediately obvious when you unbox the smartwatch. However, you can find all of the information on the Garmin website. It’s not necessary to buy add-ons to get the most out of the Garmin vívosmart 5 like it is for its main competitor, the Fitbit Charge 5 (which we’ll come onto in a moment). The Garmin Connect app is free and easy to set up, and that’s where you access all of your health and fitness data, as well as connect with other Garmin smartwatch users. The Garmin vívosmart 5 is pretty durable. The silicone is stretchy and would be difficult to snap. However, the band section around the screen is extremely thin; a positive as it’s easy to swap the bands, and a negative as the sides don’t feel very secure. Although most Garmin smartwatches have Gorilla Glass screens, for example, the Garmin Forerunner 945, the Garmin vívosmart 5 has an acrylic screen. The acrylic keeps the smartwatch lightweight (the small/medium watch is 24.5g and the large is slightly heavier at 26.5g), however, the Gorilla Glass is much more durable. Now in its seventh generation, Gorilla Glass is a brand of chemically strengthened glass which is designed to be thin, light, and damage-proof. The Garmin vívosmart 5’s screen gets smudged easily and, if you hold it to the light, you can see fingerprints all over it. That being said, we’ve tried and failed to scratch the screen. Let’s compare the Garmin vívosmart 5 to its predecessor, the Garmin vívosmart 4. The Garmin vívosmart 4 has a smaller screen which is a lower resolution and isn’t as bright as the Garmin vívosmart 5; the 4 also doesn’t have a touch screen, whereas the 5 does. The Garmin vívosmart 5 naturally has more advanced features, such as incident detection, and a wider range of preloaded fitness and health apps. Priced £50 more expensive than the Garmin vívosmart 4, we think the Garmin vívosmart 5 is worth the 50 quid. Garmin vívosmart 5 design The Garmin vívosmart 5’s aesthetic is best described as minimal. There are 12 watch faces to choose from, and this makes up the smartwatch’s lockscreen. Like everything on the Garmin vívosmart 5’s display, these watch faces are black and white. The Garmin vívosmart 5 isn’t super responsive, and we found that activating the smartwatch by twisting your wrist up and toward your face, and double-tapping the screen, didn’t work as well as pressing the button at the bottom of the screen. The touchscreen, too, isn’t sensitive. Our tester had to press fairly hard to drag and to tap. If you set the brightness to ‘Auto’, the display brightness adapts to the light. You can also manually change the brightness ('1-7', '7' being the brightest), and the Garmin vívosmart 5 warns you that the brighter it is, the more it’ll drain your battery. The same happens when you change the vibration from ‘Auto’ to ‘High’. The black silicone strap is textured, which means it stays still on your wrist — so no spinning here! It’s incredibly lightweight, and our team could wear it for days at a time and barely notice it was on their wrist. There are three other colour variations to choose from, too: silver with grey band, midnight with black band, rose gold with berry band, and silver with azure blue band. Garmin vívosmart 5 features As we’ve mentioned previously, the Garmin vívosmart 5 has health features in abundance, and the fitness functions work brilliantly, too. When completing one of the preloaded activities, for example, an outdoor walk, you can set interval workout and rest times, and then the watch vibrates to remind you to follow each one. With other activities, such as breath activity, the smartwatch displays written instructions coupled with vibrations. The lack of audio is something our tester actually preferred, as they find it startling when a smartwatch talks to them (particularly in public). However, you might prefer to hear instructions rather than read them. We found other features like incident detection particularly impressive for a budget smartwatch. To send an SOS, press and hold the smartwatch’s button until you feel three vibrations. Once triggered, the tracker sends a message with your real-time location to your preloaded emergency contacts. The Garmin vívosmart 5 can also detect incidents, like a fall, during outdoor activities, and will automatically notify your emergency contacts. For these assistance features to work, however, you have to be connected via Bluetooth to the Garmin Connect app. Back to health, the Garmin vívosmart 5 automatically tracks your sleep if you wear it while having a bit of shut-eye. It monitors your total sleep duration, as well as the amount of time you spend in each sleep stage: light, deep and REM. Based on this data, the smartwatch will give you a ‘sleep score’ from 0 to 100, so you can see the overall quality of your kip. The functions on the Garmin vívosmart 5 load quickly and efficiently — zero complaints here. Garmin vívosmart 5 set-up: how easy is it to use? From box to wrist, the Garmin vívosmart 5 set-up was effortless. The grey packaging is neat and simple: the front and two sides show a photo of your chosen watch, the name of the model, and its size, whereas the back has the Garmin logo and a QR code to pair with the Garmin Connect app. To connect your smartphone to the Garmin vívosmart 5 smartwatch (which is compatible with iOS and Android), simply scan the QR code on the back of the box, then install the Garmin Connect app, and enable ‘Allow new connections’ in your smartphone’s settings. Next, create an account on the Garmin Connect app, browse for your smartwatch, then, on your smartphone, type in the code which shows up on the smartwatch. You’re all done in less than 20-minutes. You can add information like your gender, height, weight, sleep schedule, goals and location to enable the smartwatch’s features. The box contains the Garmin vívosmart 5 smartwatch, a quick-start manual, safety and product information, and a 1m charging/data cable. There isn’t an option to buy a plug. Garmin vívosmart 5 vs Fitbit Charge 5: which is better? The Garmin vívosmart 5's biggest competition is the Fitbit Charge 5. The Fitbit Charge 5 is the closest rival to the Garmin vívosmart 5. What the Garmin vívosmart 5 lacks in certain features, for example, built-in GPS, music storage, always-on display and contactless payments, the Fitbit Charge 5 boasts. However, Fitbit charges a premium subscription (£7.99 a month or £79.99 a year) to access functions such as sleep and stress tracking, and fitness challenges, whereas the Garmin vívosmart 5 offers these for free. With some functions lacking in the Garmin vívosmart 5 (which the Fitbit Charge has) and the Fitbit Charge 5 charging you to access features which are available for free with the Garmin vívosmart 5, let's turn our attention to other similarities and differences between the pair. Both fitness trackers have an RRP of £129.99. However, you can purchase the Fitbit Charge 5 for £119 at Currys, and for £113 at Amazon. The Garmin vívosmart 5 and Fitbit Charge 5 come in multiple colour variations. You can get the Garmin vívosmart 5 in silver with grey band, midnight with black band, rose gold with berry band, and silver with azure blue band, and you can choose between black graphite with stainless steel, lunar white with soft gold stainless steel, and steel blue with platinum stainless steel for the Fitbit Charge 5. Where the Garmin vívosmart 5 has a black and white display, the Fitbit Charge 5 has a colour one. However, you can only purchase the Fitbit Charge 5 in one size, yet the Garmin vívosmart 5 is available in 'small/medium' and 'large'. The Fitbit Charge 5's screen is more durable than the Garmin vívosmart 5 as it's made from Gorilla Glass, whereas the latter is acrylic. With this in mind — and despite us enjoying the Garmin vívosmart 5 — we think the Fitbit Charge 5 is better value for money, especially as you can get Fitbit Premium for free for three months. Our verdict: should you buy the Garmin vívosmart 5? Yes. If you’ve read this review and think the Garmin vívosmart 5 is for you, we’d recommend you go for it. The Garmin vívosmart 5 is perfect for anyone who wants to keep an eye on their health and track their fitness. It’s also for people who know they’re likely to keep their smartphone on them when they’re out and about, as the Garmin vívosmart 5 has to be connected to the Garmin Connect app to enable GPS and functions like incident detection. Also, the Garmin vívosmart 5 is unable to do some ‘everyday’ functions like contactless payments. Design: 4 Value for money: 5 Features (average): 4 Functions: 4 Battery: 4 Ease of set-up: 5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy the Garmin vívosmart 5 The Garmin vívosmart 5 is available for £129.99 at UK retailers such as John Lewis, Currys, Amazon and Garmin. Looking for a saving? Check out our hand-picked Disney Plus offers for this month. Don't forget to read our best budget smartwatch guide.
The Honor Watch GS 3 has fitness and health apps in abundance. But with a classic, not-a-smartwatch watch look, it’s not clear who it's marketed towards.
Honor — previously owned by Huawei — started its collection with smartphones, before adding wearables, such as smartwatches. It previously only sold in China, but the launch of its Vmall online store in 2015 meant that customers in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe could buy Honor products. The RadioTimes.com team has put one of these wearables to test: the Honor Watch GS 3. The Honor Watch GS 3 is a good choice if you’re after a smartwatch to track your fitness and health, however, it probably won't be your first choice. Chinese brand Honor has to compete with the likes of Samsung, Apple and Huawei; if an android user wants to buy a smartwatch, more than likely, they’ll go to Samsung, and if an iOS user wants to buy a smartwatch, they’ll probably go to Apple. Huawei is also a contender for android users, and if you’re a fitness fanatic, you might be inclined to go for a Fitbit or Garmin smartwatch. So where does Honor fit in? What features does this smartwatch have that would make you consider it? It’s worth noting straight away that if you have an iPhone, the Honor Watch GS 3 isn’t compatible with iOS. The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s budget smartwatch, starting from £249, and it’s worth checking that out if you’re an iOS user. Jump to: Honor Watch GS 3 review: summary What is the Honor Watch GS 3? How much is the Honor Watch GS 3? Design Features Honor Watch GS 3 set-up Honor Watch GS 3 vs Huawei GT 2: which is better? Our verdict Where to buy Honor Watch GS 3 review: summary The Honor Watch GS 3 is crafted like a traditional watch, yet has most of the typical smartwatch functions. It’s clear that Honor's aim is to appeal to all generations — those who like a classic design but also have a modern life and rely on technology — by creating a timeless piece. Don’t be deceived by the look of the smartwatch into thinking it’s an everyday watch, the Honor Watch GS 3 is a health and fitness smartwatch. However, it lacks in functions for all three purposes (every day, health and fitness), for example, you can’t use it to pay or monitor the tide for coastal walks. Currently priced from £189.99 to £209.99, the price difference is down to the strap material. The Midnight Black version comes with a 22mm black fluoroelastomer (synthetic rubber) strap, whereas the Classic Gold (the one we tested) and Ocean Blue smartwatches have a brown and blue, respectively, nappa calfskin strap. Price: from £189.99 at Honor Key features: Compass and built-in GPS 5 ATM waterproof 4GB memory Stress and sleep monitors Fast charge: charge for five minutes for a whole day of usage View your activity and fitness history on the Honor Health app Pros: 14-day battery life Over 100 workout modes Route tracking features SpO2 and heart rate monitoring Interactive fitness courses Cons: Not supported with iOS Missing functions Difficult to set up What is the Honor Watch GS 3? The Honor Watch GS 3 launched in the UK in the middle of May 2022. It’s a smartwatch that predominantly tracks the wearer’s health and fitness, while still looking like a traditional watch. The Honor Watch GS3 comes in three variations: Midnight Black, Classic Gold and Ocean Blue. The straps are interchangeable, so you can swap styles. On the Honor Health app (which you have to download onto your smartphone and pair with the watch), there’s a huge selection of watch faces for you to choose from. It has a large watch face, and for our tester, the face was a few millimetres wider than their wrist. When you compare the size of the Honor Watch GS 3 to a Fitbit or the Garmin vívosmart 5, it is significantly bigger. However, as it weighs just 44 grams, it feels light on your wrist and is wearable for long periods of time; we’d be comfortable wearing it all day and overnight, too. The smartwatch’s brightness can be turned up so that you can see the screen in direct sunlight and with sunglasses on. What does the Honor Watch GS 3 do? The Honor Watch GS 3 hosts a range of different functions, particularly health and fitness ones. Here’s what you can expect. Dual-frequency band GNNS Compass and built-in GPS with route trackers and a ‘route back’ function 5 ATM waterproof 4GB memory Bluetooth Microphone and speaker Weather Heart rate monitor supported by an eight-channel heart rate AI engine for improved accuracy SpO2 monitor to track blood oxygen levels Stress and sleep monitors Over 100 workout modes (6 are auto-detected) Three rings on its display: dark blue measures the steps you’re taking with the goal of 10,000, blue measures your activity which should be 30-minutes, and pink measures your hours active with the aim of being active for 12 hours. The idea is to ‘close’ each ring to meet your daily goals Music Text and call notifications 14-day battery life with fast charge: charge for five minutes for a whole day of usage Large selection of watch faces View your activity and fitness history on the Health app How much is the Honor Watch GS 3? The Honor Watch GS 3 starts at £189.99 for the Midnight Black model and goes up to £209.99 for the Classic Gold and Ocean Blue versions. This is down to the watch strap: the Midnight Black has a black fluoroelastomer strap, whereas the Classic Gold and Ocean Blue smartwatches come with a brown and blue nappa calfskin strap, respectively. Buy Honor Watch GS 3 from £189.99 at Honor Is the Honor Watch GS 3 good value for money? No, we don’t think the Honor Watch GS 3 is good value for money. The smartwatch has a lot of health and fitness features, which is great. There are over 100 workout courses, for example, the wearer can choose from 13 running courses and 12 fitness courses, as well as select the workout they’d like to do — anything from outdoor cycling, indoor cycling, and rope skipping to pool swimming, open water swimming, and trail running are included. There’s also the option to record an ‘Other’ workout, such as hula hooping. For the fitness courses, the smartwatch talks you through them step-by-step. There's a voice which describes what to do, an image of the person so you can visualise, and a timer to count down the workout. The health features include heart rate, and stress, sleep and SpO2 monitors. All of which ran smoothly without complaint. So why is the Honor Watch GS 3 not good value for money? We believe if you wanted a smartwatch for fitness, you’d pick one with even more features that are compatible with your fitness lifestyle. For example, a smartwatch that you can wear during extreme sports, such as diving, and for less extreme sports, like swimming. The Honor Watch GS 3 requires you to change the calfskin strap before you hit the water (the rubber one, however, is 5 ATM waterproof). The set-up, which we’ll come to in a moment, was borderline painful. The Honor Watch GS 3 is not compatible with iOS; a fact which isn’t obvious on the website, it says it in small print right at the bottom of the webpage. Does the Honor Watch GS 3 come with a warranty? Yes. From the date of purchase, you have 24 months for the handset, 6 months for the charger, and 3 months for the charging cable. We'd recommend checking out the Fitbit Charge 5. Priced at £129.99 on the Fitbit website, the Fitbit Charge 5 is sleek and easy to use, and comes with premium health and fitness features. The Honor Watch GS 3’s predecessor, the Honor MagicWatch 2 is priced at £159.99. Although the Honor MagicWatch 2 is a bit cheaper, it doesn't have the same functions or as many workout options as the Honor Watch GS 3. Honor Watch GS 3 design The Honor Watch GS 3 has a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen with a 326 PPI resolution. It also has a 10.5mm ultra-curved slim design, and a polished 316L stainless steel watch body. The design is similar to the Honor MagicWatch 2, which has a 42mm watch face in comparison to the Honor Watch GS 3’s 45.9mm one, with its round face and not-a-smartwatch look. Honor watches in general, however, don’t have a distinct look in comparison to other brands such as Apple; the Apple Watch SE, for example, stays within the rounded rectangular tradition of Apple’s wider smartwatch line. There are two buttons on the right-hand side: an upper side button which wakes up the watch screen, accesses the feature list when on the home screen, and returns to the home screen. The lower side button also wakes the watch screen, accesses the workout mode list, and starts the workout process when on the workout list. Both buttons are responsive and work well. The RadioTimes.com team tested the Classic Gold smartwatch. It has a black screen when ‘asleep’, a stainless steel body, a black back, a gold buckle, and a round face. The Honor Watch GS 3 claims to be ‘fingerprint resistant’, which it isn’t. There aren't any lock screen options. You hold down both to turn the smartwatch off and to restart it. The wearer can turn the screen on for up to 20 minutes at a time; to do this, simply head to 'Settings' and tap on 'Screen on'. Once you select your screen on time, you will receive a notification saying: 'Longer screen times mean shorter battery life. Continue?'. Similarly, you can go into 'Settings', then 'Display and brightness' and adjust the brightness from 1-5 (5 being the brightest). The auto-brightness is set at about 3. There isn’t a night mode option. Honor Watch GS 3 features Most of the features we bullet-pointed above performed efficiently and without error. The 100 workout modes on the Honor Watch GS 3 were impressive. We tried out the outdoor and indoor walking workout modes, amongst others, one of the 12 fitness courses, and the ‘Neck and shoulder relaxation' routine: its aim is to reduce body tension in 3 minutes, and it worked! The animated course has an instructor which speaks to you, a timer, and a cartoon figure to show you exactly what to do. There are a few mishaps with the Honor Watch GS 3’s fitness tracking. Six of the workout modes are auto-detected, such as an outside walk. However, it takes 15-minutes of walking before the smartwatch realises. The steps aren’t accurate: one of our testers walked up and down the office floor without any of the steps counting. It turns out, you have to swing your arms more. Also, the wearer can’t see the battery unless they go into the Health app or they unlock the watch and scroll. One of the many watch face options shows it, but it’d be nice if the battery was shown as standard. Honor Watch GS 3 set-up: how easy is it to use? From box to wrist, the set-up process of the Honor Watch GS 3 was tiresome. The box is simple: it contains the watch name with a photo of your chosen watch design on the front. The plain white box is easy to open and, once inside, you’ll see the watch in one half, and the other pieces — a charging disc, charging cable (USB C to USB A) and warranty — in the other half. As we mentioned, the smartwatch isn’t compatible with iOS. Our tester first used their iPhone and, predictably, couldn’t get the watch to pair with it. Our team of four then took it in turns to use their own Android phones to try to pair with the watch. To pair, the wearer needs to download the Honor Health app, then create an account using their email address. The app will send a code to your chosen email address to input into the Health app, then you’ll be able to pair your watch via Bluetooth. For one of the RadioTimes.com team, the verification code was blocked from their email, for another, the verification code came through after an hour. Once the watch was synced with the app, it was pretty smooth-sailing, but the initial pairing was long. The team used a media press pack to set up the watch; if you’re a consumer, there aren’t actually any instructions. There aren't any instructions included in the Honor Watch GS 3 box. A booklet contained in the box tells you to go to a webpage, and click on your product, for example, wearables > Honor Watch GS 3, for the instructions. But as of the date of this review, the Honor Watch GS 3 isn’t there. Honor Watch GS 3 vs Huawei GT 2: which is better? We’d recommend checking out the Huawei GT 2 as a better alternative to the Honor Watch GS 3. The Huawei GT 2 has exactly the same layout and set-up as the Honor Watch GS 3, probably because Huawei used to be Honor's parent company, and it has more features, too, for example, it tells you when the tide is going in and out which is great for coastal walking. The Huawei GT 2 is also cheaper as it's been out for about a year. Get your hands on the Huawei GT 2 at Amazon for £119, at Huawei for £109, and at Currys for £179. Our verdict: should you buy the Honor Watch GS 3? We don’t think you should buy the Honor Watch GS 3. It’s difficult to tell who this watch is marketed towards. The fitness functions are great, but we’re certain that a fitness-conscious buyer would opt for a known fitness brand, such as Garmin or Fitbit. The smartwatch also doesn’t look like a fitness watch, it looks like a watch for everyday use. However, the smartwatch lacks functions such as weather and being able to pay, which would make it a good everyday smartwatch. We recommend you buy the Huawei GT 2 instead as the layout and functions are pretty much exactly the same, except the Huawei smartwatch has a few more functions. With a price tag starting from £109, the Huawei GT 2 is also £80 cheaper than the cheapest Honor Watch GS 3. Design: 3/5 Value for money: 3/5 Features (average): 4.5/5 Functions: 4 Battery: 5 Ease of set-up: 2/5 Overall star rating: 3/5 Where to buy the Honor Watch GS 3 So far, the Honor Watch GS 3 is only available to buy at the HONOR online store from £189.99. Looking for a saving? Check out our hand-picked Disney Plus offers for this month. Don't forget to read our best budget smartwatch guide.
The Nvidia Shield TV Pro crams 4K streaming and PC gaming into one device.
Nvidia may be best known for its graphics processing units popular with gamers, but the brand also has its own range of streaming devices. The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is the brand's premium 4K streaming player that combines access to on-demand services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix and the ability to play games like Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us and Rocket League. But at £178.99, is the streaming device worth the price? We put the Nvidia Shield TV Pro to the test to find out. In this Nvidia Shield TV Pro review, we break down all the streaming device's key features from 4K streaming and AI upscaling to everything the brand's cloud gaming service GeForce Now offers. And, here is why we think the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is one of the best streaming devices you can buy right now. Want to know how the Nvidia Shield TV Pro compares? Read our Roku Express 4K review and Chromecast with Google TV review. Jump to: Nvidia Shield TV Pro review: summary What is Nvidia Shield TV Pro? How much is Nvidia Shield TV Pro? Design Streaming quality Gaming features Nvidia Shield TV Pro set-up Difference between Nvidia Shield TV Pro and Amazon Fire TV Cube Our verdict Where to buy Nvidia Shield TV Pro review: summary The experience of using the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is seamless. Offering a lot more 'oomph' than a basic streaming stick, apps are quick to load on the Nvidia device, the homepage is easy to navigate, and Google Assistant is built-in. However, the selling point is GeForce Now, the brand's cloud gaming service, and the AI upscaling that takes video from HD to 4K. Unique to Nvidia, the AI upscaling works in real-time to upgrade video for a crisper image and enhance finer background details – and it does a good job at it, too. The only minor qualm we have is that we can't help but wish that a shield controller was included in the package, but this is lessened somewhat by the fact that Xbox and PlayStation controllers also work with the Nvidia device. At £178.99, the Nvidia streaming player won't be within everyone's budget, but if you can afford it, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is one of the best streaming devices you can buy. Price: The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is available from £178.99 at Amazon, Curry's and Very. Key features: 4K streaming Chromecast built-in AI upscaling to boost video from HD to 4K Dolby Atmos GeForce Now cloud gaming service Pros: 4K streaming AI video upscaling from HD to 4K Chromecast built-in Market-leading gaming features Cons: Shield controller sold separately What is Nvidia Shield TV Pro? The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is the brand's premium streaming device. Powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor, the Shield TV Pro's set-up is a little more sophisticated than the entry-level streaming sticks, including the likes of the Roku Express and Fire TV Stick Lite. The brand currently has two streaming devices; the Nvidia Shield TV Pro and the cheaper Nvidia Shield TV. What does Nvidia Shield TV Pro do? Released just over a year ago, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro offers 4K streaming and gives you access to apps including Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, YouTube, Deezer and Twitch. Alongside these streaming capabilities, the streaming device also features GeForce Now, allowing you to play games such as Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on the TV. 4K streaming Chromecast built-in AI upscaling to boost video from HD to 4K Dolby Atmos GeForce Now cloud gaming service How much is Nvidia Shield TV Pro? The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is available from £178.99 at Amazon, Curry's and Very. undefined Is Nvidia Shield TV Pro good value for money? The Nvidia Shield TV Pro may be one of the more premium streaming devices, but that doesn't mean it's not good value for money. It is more powerful than the traditional streaming sticks, provides 4K streaming and, as it's an Android-powered device, there's a great range of apps to take advantage of. Even when compared to similarly priced devices like the new Apple TV 4K, the Shield TV Pro has a lot to offer and provides the most comprehensive gaming experience of any streaming player in the form of GeForce Now. Unique to Nvidia, the cloud gaming service connects to digital PC game stores so you can stream your own library of games on the TV. With such a broad range of features – executed to a high quality – there's no doubt that the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is brilliant value for money. Nvidia Shield TV Pro design Considering how powerful the streaming device is, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is surprisingly small. The streaming player is tall and slender, measuring 15.9cm x 9.8cm x 2.6cm (H x W x D). The black device comes with green accent details and features an HDMI port, two USB 3.0 ports and an ethernet port down the side. The streaming player comes with a remote control. Rather than being the typical rectangular shape, the remote is a triangular prism. The remote is pretty comprehensive and includes a Netflix shortcut button, a mute button, a navigation wheel and a button to activate voice control via Google Assistant. However, while Google Assistant is built-in, the Shield TV Pro also works with Alexa to work with both Alexa compatible devices and Google Home accessories. It also has IR control built-in so that it can be used to turn on/off or control the volume of the TV. Style: The sleek design means that the Nvidia Shield TV Pro should fit into any TV set-up without being an eye-sore, and it's small enough not to draw attention away from the screen. Robustness: To stop the streaming device from being accidentally knocked over, you can buy a stand for it, but it is sold separately. The Nvidia Shield TV Pro can stand up without it, but it is a little unstable. Size: The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is approximately the size of an A5 notebook. It's small and slender so you won't have to clear a lot of room on your TV unit for it. Nvidia Shield TV Pro streaming quality Along with a promise of 4K HDR streaming, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro also supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. There's no lag when switching between the homepage and apps and no buffering during TV series or movies, either. The picture quality is bright and crisp, helped by AI upscaling that will automatically enhance video from HD to 4K quality in real-time. Activated by a slider, AI upscaling can be easily switched on or off with an immediate difference. It's worth mentioning, though, that it won't work on everything. Anything you're watching needs to be 1080p (HD) or below for you to see the benefits, and you won't see any improvements on any picture quality above this. On the odd occasion, it can look a little artificial. However, for the vast majority of the time, the changes are subtle and just add a crispness to video that would have otherwise looked soft. There's no doubt it's a great addition that noticeably improves the TV-watching experience. Nvidia Shield TV Pro gaming features If you're considering buying the Nvidia Shield TV Pro, it is likely that it's gaming possibilities that have piqued your interest. The built-in GeForce Now cloud service is what elevates this streaming device into its own league. While most streaming devices primary function is to facilitate you watching streaming services such as Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix on a 'non-smart' TV, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro does that and goes beyond. GeForce Now gives you access to PC games without the need for a gaming PC. There are over 800 games available on the service, including the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Fortnite, Watch Dog Legion and Rocket League, with new games added every Thursday. By linking up your accounts, GeForce Now will also give you access to games you already own on Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect and GOG. The AI upscaling function can also be applied to gameplay to enhance the image in real-time up to 4K quality. Naturally, the streaming quality will largely depend on your internet speed, but games should play smoothly if you have a strong connection. We found the AI upscaling to exactly what it promised – with image quality improved in real-time. The effect it had on gameplay was similar to that it had on TV and was most effective at sharpening up far-off details, taking away some of the fuzziness you sometimes get in the background. To make the most of the cloud gaming service, you might want to consider paying for a Priority Membership for £8.99 a month. This will give you priority access to gaming servers and the option to play extended gaming sessions. There is a free membership for those who'd rather not pay; it just comes with the limitation of 1-hour gaming sessions and standard access to servers. Nvidia Shield TV Pro set-up: how easy is it to use? Setting up the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is simple. Once out of the box, the streaming device plugs into the TV's HDMI port and what follows is the typical flow of log-ins and Wi-Fi passwords. A small note; an HDMI cable isn't supplied with the streaming device, so it will need to be bought separately. Two AAA batteries are included, though, which is always welcome. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes, and the most time-consuming element is remembering all your passwords for various apps and streaming services. Apps are front-and-centre on the homepage making it easy to navigate. If you have used any other Android-based TV devices, it should look relatively familiar. However, the benefit of Google Assistant built-in is that, if you prefer, voice control can also be used to search the homepage. This can often be useful if you're struggling to find a specific app or TV show and don't feel like scrolling. To activate Google Assistant, hold down the 'mic' button on the remote. The Nvidia Shield TV Pro has a 16GB storage capacity. It's a decent, if not a massive amount, but it's on par with competition as the Amazon Fire TV Cube also offers 16GB of storage. What is the difference between Nvidia Shield TV Pro and Amazon Fire TV Cube? The Nvidia Shield TV Pro has some fierce competition from the likes of Google, Apple and Amazon when it comes to streaming devices – no more so than from Amazon's premium streaming player, the Amazon Fire TV Cube. At £109.99, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is the brand's most powerful and sophisticated streaming device. Compared to the standard Amazon Fire TV Stick, the Fire TV Cube also comes with more comprehensive voice control via Alexa, typically only found with Amazon Echo speakers. Like the Nvidia Shield TV Pro, the Fire TV Cube also provides 4K streaming and access to various streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Spotify, YouTube and BBC iPlayer. Choosing between the Nvidia Shield TV Pro will largely come down to two factors; how many Amazon subscriptions you have and whether you intend to use the streaming device for gaming. The Amazon Fire TV Cube is far more suited to provide quick and easy access to everything from Amazon Prime Video to Amazon Music Unlimited. However, if you want 4K streaming and gaming in the same place, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is the best streaming device for you. 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. Our verdict: should you buy Nvidia Shield TV Pro? With the Shield TV Pro, Nvidia has delivered a streaming player that offers more than just access to on-demand apps and streaming services. The streaming device is jam-packed with everything you could want from such a product, including 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos, and built-in Google Assistant. The homepage is user-friendly and easy to navigate – made even easier by the ability to voice search it. However, while executed brilliant thanks to the powerful NVIDIA Tegra X1+ processor, these aren't the selling points of the Nvidia Shield TV Pro. The best-selling point of this streaming player is GeForce Now. Making it hands-down the best streaming device for games, the cloud gaming service gives you access to over 800 games in a relatively painless manner. This comes with the caveat that you do need decent internet and either the use of your own controllers or face buying a Shield controller separately, to make the most of its gaming features. And yes, it does come at a slightly higher price point, but we think it is more than worth it for what the Nvidia Shield TV Pro delivers. If you want a streaming device that delivers more than the basics, the Nvidia Shield TV Pro is the one for you. Our rating: Design: 5/5 Streaming quality: 5/5 Gaming features: 4.5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Value for money: 4/5 Overall: 4.5/5 Where to buy Nvidia Shield TV Pro The Nvidia Shield TV Pro is available from a number of retailers. £178.99 at Amazon £179.99 at Very £179 at Curry's undefined Looking to upgrade your TV? Try our best TV to buy guide for some advice on where to get started. And, head to the Technology section for more reviews.
A much needed upgrade on the Google Chromecast Ultra.
Released late last year, the Chromecast with Google TV is the brand's latest smart TV device. Available in three colourways – white, coral and blue – the device's design is a sleeker take on the traditional, round Chromecast, but the improvements are internal, too. Serving as a replacement for the old Chromecast Ultra, the Chromecast with Google TV offers 4K streaming, voice control via Google Assistant and the new addition of a remote. Unlike the standard Google Chromecast, the new streaming device does not rely on you choosing content to cast. Instead, there is a Google TV homepage where you can find all the typical apps, including Spotify, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, pre-installed and ready to use. This new and improved streaming stick is more similar to what we are used to seeing from that of the NOW TV Smart Stick or Amazon Fire TV Stick, so we put it to the test to see how it compares. The streaming quality, voice recognition technology and design were all assessed alongside how easy the Chromecast with Google TV was to set up and how user-friendly the interface was to use daily. All this is considered against its price for us to decide whether its good value or not. So, it is worth spending £59 on the Chromecast with Google TV? Or do you get better value for money with the £20 cheaper Roku Premiere? The former is definitely more stylish, and here's why we think Google's multi-room technology makes it the perfect companion to the Google Nest Audio smart speaker. To find out more about the Chromecast's competition, read our Amazon Fire TV Stick review, Nvidia Shield TV Pro review and Amazon Fire TV Cube review. Or, check out our best streaming stick guide for a full rundown of our top-rated smart TV sticks. Jump to: Summary What is Chromecast with Google TV? How much is Chromecast with Google TV? Design Streaming quality Chromecast with Google TV set-up Difference between Google Chromecast and Chromecast with Google TV Our verdict Where to buy Chromecast with Google TV review: summary With a new voice remote powered by Google Assistant, Chromecast with Google TV is a decent step up from its predecessor, the Google Chromecast Ultra. The voice remote has only 10 buttons, including shortcuts to Netflix and YouTube, a home button, a power button and volume buttons. It streams in 4K HDR and delivers a bright and sharp image. Price: The Chromecast with Google TV is available for £59.99 at John Lewis. Key features: Offers 4K HDR streaming Voice control via remote Access to apps and channels including YouTube, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Spotify Cast phone screen, photos and music to the TV Pros: Plugs into HDMI port and remains hidden behind the TV Good choice of streaming services and apps Supports Dolby Atmos and Vision Batteries and power cable/adaptor included Three colourways available Cons: No pause/play button on remote What is Chromecast with Google TV? The Chromecast with Google TV is one of two streaming devices created by Google. The Google Chromecast is the brand's original device, and the Chromecast with Google TV was brought in last year to replace the Chromecast Ultra. The Chromecast with Google TV is the more expensive of the two and is the only one to offer 4K streaming. Powered by Google Assistant, the voice control on the Chromecast with Google TV is much more comprehensive and is done through the voice button on the new remote. To find out more about how this new device compares to the old Chromecast Ultra, read our Chromecast vs Chromecast Ultra guide. What does Chromecast with Google TV do? The Chromecast with Google TV gives you access to more than 400,000 films and TV shows, along with entertainment apps such as YouTube, Spotify and Deezer. Unlike the original Google Chromecast, it doesn't require you to cast from a secondary device such as your smartphone; instead, all the apps can be download straight to the Google TV homepage. This gives you one central location to view all your subscriptions and pick a TV show or movie to watch. Supports streaming in 4K HDR, Dolby Vision and Atmos Cast videos, photos and phone screen to TV Voice control via Google Assistant How much is Chromecast with Google TV? The Chromecast with Google TV is priced from £59 and is available at several retailers, including John Lewis, Currys PC World and Argos. Is Chromecast with Google TV good value for money? At just under £6o, the Chromecast with Google TV is a good, mid-range option. Prices for 4K streaming sticks begin at around £39.99 for the Roku Premiere and can be upwards of £199.99 for more premium streaming devices like the Nvidia Shield TV Pro. This device is on the more affordable end by that benchmark and offers a significantly more sophisticated set-up than its £30 counterpart, the Google Chromecast. Unlike the Chromecast with Google TV, the original device does not have its own interface; instead, it requires you to cast from apps on a secondary device like a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Compared to the Roku Premiere, one of the most obvious differences is that the Chromecast with Google TV is completely hidden from view when in use. A direct line of sight is required between the Roku Premiere streaming player and remote for it to work, so it needs to be placed on top of the TV stand or screen. While the Roku Premiere is small, some may prefer the more slick and out-of-sight design of the Chromecast with Google TV. Chromecast with Google TV design With a simple yet modern design, the Chromecast with Google TV plugs directly into the HDMI port and is hidden from view once in use. The accompanying remote comes in the same colour – in our case, white – is also simple and has a total of nine buttons. On the remote, you will find a Google Assistant button, shortcuts to Netflix and YouTube, and a mute button. One of the only major faults we could find with the Chromecast with Google TV was the lack of a play/pause button on the remote. Instead, the device requires you to use the navigation button at the top of the remote to press play on the TV display. It is hardly a make-or-break feature but can be a little fiddly. However, we found the Google Home app to be a brilliant companion to the streaming device. The app is extremely user-friendly and a great tool for managing settings quickly and efficiently. It is via the app that you can also cast your phone screen to share photos or videos with friends and family. Style: The Chromecast with Google TV is an oval-shaped device with a short, bendy HDMI cable. There are colour options of white, blue and coral available, and it is supplied with a small remote with rounded buttons and on each end. Robustness: Both the remote and streaming stick itself feel well made and unlikely to break if dropped. Size: Because it is not the traditional USB-style smart TV stick, it is a little bigger than the likes of the NOW TV Stick, but it is still completely hidden behind the TV once in use. Chromecast with Google TV streaming quality Paying a little extra for the Chromecast with Google TV means that you get 4K HDR streaming and support for Dolby Digital Plus and Vision. The picture was bright and sharp and had no problem with buffering during any videos, TV shows or films. For the price, we think you'll be hard-pressed to find better streaming quality. Google TV responded to the remote without any lag, and voice control was particularly useful when searching the homepage. Voice control is activated by holding down the Google Assistant button on the remote and found it quicker to use than scrolling through the homepage. However, the homepage is very user-friendly so, if you prefer to search manually, it is very intuitive. We particularly enjoyed how prominent YouTube was on the homepage. Because you sign into the Chromecast with Google TV with your Google account, you can also see a selection of new videos from your subscriptions on the homepage without having to log in to YouTube separately. This also allows you to click straight onto a video without searching out the YouTube app first, saving you time. Chromecast with Google TV set-up: how easy is it to use? Set-up for the Chromecast with Google TV can be done via the TV screen or the Google Home app. In both cases, the Chromecast with Google TV slots into the HDMI port in the back of your TV and you are prompted through the instructions. These include the usual of connecting to the Wi-Fi, signing into your Google account and choosing the apps you initially want at your disposal. More apps can be downloaded at any time from the App Store. Everything you need for this initial set-up is included in the box. This includes the streaming device, remote, power cable and adaptor and two AAA batteries. The process from opening the box to watching TV took less than 15 minutes. However, a good chunk of this time was taken up by updates and installing apps. We suggest making yourself a cup of tea while it does its thing, and it should be done when you get back. What is the difference between Chromecast with Google TV and Google Chromecast? The Chromecast with Google TV is Google's newest streaming device and replaces their previous 4K device, the Chromecast Ultra. The brand now has just two TV streaming sticks, the Chromecast with Google TV and the original Google Chromecast. The first difference you will likely notice is the price. At £59, the Chromecast with Google TV is a little more pricey than the £30 Chromecast. This price difference is reflected in the picture quality. While the Chromecast with Google TV streams in 4K, the Google Chromecast only offers HD streaming. The more expensive streaming device is also supplied with a remote, which is not available with the original Chromecast. This is because the new device has its own interface that does not require you to cast from a smartphone or tablet like the Google Chromecast set-up. The Google TV interface can also provide one homepage for all your apps, channels and subscriptions. To find out how this model compares to its older counterparts in more detail, head over to our Google Chromecast vs Chromecast Ultra guide. Or, check out our Chromecast vs Fire TV Stick and Roku vs Fire TV Stick explainers to see how they compare. Our verdict: should you buy Chromecast with Google TV? The Chromecast with Google TV is by far the sleekest smart TV stick on offer. Its rounded design certainly looks the part and showcases itself as a more elevated version of older Chromecast devices. The improvements don't end there, either. As the first Chromecast device to come with its own fully-formed interface, the streaming device does not require you to cast from a secondary device like a smartphone. The result? A more effortless experience that allows you to switch from Disney+ to YouTube in no time with the remote or via Google Assistant with voice control. And because the Chromecast with Google TV offers 4K streaming, once you're watching a show, the picture is clear and crisp. We did find a couple of quirks with the voice control, but once we'd perfected Google Assistant's preferred commands or phrases, it worked without a hitch and was extremely responsive. The Chromecast with Google TV is a brilliant option for anyone looking to upgrade from their old Google Chromecast. It can also be used to make a multi-room system by connecting to the likes of the new Google Nest Audio or smaller Google Nest Mini, making it the perfect purchase if you're looking to expand your smart home devices. That doesn't mean we would rule it out for newbies to smart home devices, though. The Chromecast with Google TV is extremely user-friendly, making it a good choice for anyone looking to get 4K streaming for under £60. Design: 4/5 Streaming quality: 5/5 Ease of set-up: 4/5 Value for money: 3/5 Overall: 4/5 Where to buy Chromecast with Google TV Chromecast with Google TV is available at several retailers. £59 at John Lewis £59.99 at Currys PC World £59.99 at Argos Latest Deals For the latest tech news, guides and deals, check out the technology section. Looking to upgrade your TV setup? Head over to our best smart TV guide for advice on the best TV to buy.
Moto G22 review: Android phone for under £150 – but is it any good?
Our verdict of Motorola's latest budget Android smartphone as put its specs and features to the test. What is the true cost of affordability?
Everyone knows the key to buying an affordable Android handset is being willing to compromise. The old adage remains true: you get what you pay for. Still, perhaps more than any other phone maker, Motorola has been able to strike a rather impressive balance between price and usability via its G-series. So we were intrigued to go hands-on with the new entry in the line-up, the Moto G22. Priced from £139.99 and coming with some alluring specs, including a 90Hz refresh rate, 5000mAh battery and a 50MP camera, it’s very easy to see the appeal. So let’s stay on the bright side, as the plus-sides don’t end there. Despite being all plastic, the overall design looks nice. We liked the clean Android 12 software. And it’s great to see the inclusion of both face and fingerprint unlocking, too. If you sensed a “but” on the horizon, you were right. Unfortunately, the G22 has many of the common issues that plague any handset that dares to get too close to that £100 mark. We found performance to be consistently slow, and while we did like the general size of the LCD display, brightness was lacking. It won’t come as too much of a surprise that spending around £150 on a handset won’t get you award-winning tech, even though many of the devices on our best budget smartphone list have a lot of worthwhile qualities. So does the Moto G22 do enough to earn a spot, and who exactly is this ultra-affordable phone for? Jump to: Moto G22 summary How much is the Moto G22? Moto G22 features Moto G22 battery Moto G22 cameras Moto G22 design Our verdict Where to buy Moto G22 review: summary The Moto G22 is a budget Android smartphone that will suit anyone who wants a good-looking handset with great battery life and solid camera set-up. It will be fine for basic games and internet browsing but it can definitely be slow at times, so if speed and performance are your priority then it will be best to look elsewhere. Don't miss our guide to the best Motorola phones of the year so far. Price: From £139.99 Key features and specs: Android 12 operating system with no bloatware MediaTek Helio G37 processor 5000mAh battery gives up to two days of use Expandable storage of up to 1TB (microSD) 50MP rear camera sensor, 16MP selfie camera Pros: Attractive overall design Solid screen size Good battery life Cons: Laggy performance Poor brightness No IP rating How much is the Moto G22? The Moto G22 is priced from £139.99 (4 GB RAM, 64GB Storage), available via UK retailers including Currys, John Lewis, Argos, Lenovo and Amazon. This is a tricky price point. It’s as cheap as we would advise going for a phone, but anyone used to a high-end handset will have an uncomfortable experience. While the G22 will have an audience, there’s a lot of competition out there. Adding an additional £50-100 to your budget will open up a variety of significantly more impressive handsets, including the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 (£199), Samsung Galaxy A22 5G (£209) and the Poco M4 Pro 5G (£209). If you want to stick with the Motorola brand, consider the Motorola Moto G50, which starts at £199. Buy the Moto G22 at Currys Buy the Moto G22 at John Lewis Buy the Moto G22 at Mobiles.co.uk Buy the Moto G22 at Lenovo Buy the Moto G22 at Argos Moto G22 features Despite performance often feeling sub-par, the Moto G22 is certainly not a bad smartphone, and there are some key features that stood out during our time with the review unit – a “Cosmic Black” variant with 64GB of internal storage. We will start with the size of the handset. The G22 is comfortable to hold and can just about be used without needing two hands. The plastic construction definitely makes it stand out as a budget phone, but that also works to keep the weight down and at 185g it will never become troublesome to have in your pocket. The 6.5-inch LCD screen (1600 x 720 HD+ resolution) is fairly crisp and clear for the money, although we consistently wished that the brightness could go further. While it was fine for indoor conditions, you may struggle when the sun’s out. We used the G22 with brightness all the way up through the two-day test. We were also not very impressed with the colours shown on the display. There are two modes: Natural and Saturated, alongside a colour temperature slider that runs from “cool” to “warm.” In the end, we kept it on Saturated as the Natural option made the screen a washed-out orange-yellow hue that was just no good. The Motorola phone, which does not have 5G connectivity, comes with Android 12, and it was great to see there was no bloatware (typically unwanted pre-installed software) when it was booted up. We had no complaints with the general feel of the phone’s UI, either, and the entire layout is minimalistic and easy to use. The display has a 90Hz refresh rate, meaning that scrolling through apps should be silky smooth. On paper that’s a major selling point. However, we found that it often didn’t matter. The MediaTek Helio G37 processor seemed to struggle, and the slow performance resulted in us encountering some lag and stuttering when opening or switching apps. Navigation sometimes felt a little sluggish, too. It’s strange to say, but we kind of got used to it by the second day of use. It is very likely our opinion was tainted by coming straight from a Google Pixel 6. Despite the navigation feeling slow, we actually found multiple games performed well during our tests. We downloaded titles including Need for Speed: No Limits and Marvel Contest of Champions and they consistently ran without issue. You will find stutters here too on occasion, especially with more power-intensive titles, but the handset won’t struggle to play the more basic game apps. If 64GB of storage isn’t enough, you can add up to 1TB more by using a microSD card, and the phone comes with a 3.5mm jack on the top for wired headphones. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection worked well when pairing wireless earbuds, too. Moto G22 battery If performance is a downside of this budget Android, then the battery is the opposite. The G22 has a 5000mAh battery that will easily last you two days of moderate use. While the length of a battery will always be determined by how much you are using the device, we were impressed by how much juice this had in the tank. We started a 10-hour YouTube music video when the phone was at 90% and it lost approximately 10% in an hour of constant use. Music streaming was significantly better. Streaming a Spotify playlist for one hour resulted in a loss of just 4%. As an extremely rough guide, when it was at 65%, the handset’s battery settings menu said there was still one day and 23 hours remaining. In our charging test, it went from dead to full in about 2.5 hours using the wall adapter. While that’s not the speediest, you’re unlikely to have many complaints with how much charge you get from 100%. With pesky performance issues in mind, keeping the smartphone at 60Hz refresh rate will enhance the battery life even more. Moto G22 camera The G22 has a quad-camera set-up, consisting of 50MP (megapixel) wide, an 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro sensor. The selfie camera is 16MP. We found it was a perfectly capable set-up for the money, with solid image quality when snaps were taken in brighter conditions, especially with the main lens. Here's a collection of shots taken using the main sensor: View Gallery on the source website And here are some snaps showing the wide vs ultra wide lenses: View Gallery on the source website As you can see, the results are pleasingly detailed and should be enough to satisfy most users who are shopping at this price point. It's assuring to know that paying budget prices no longer means you will be left with poor cameras by default. Overall, while the set-up won’t be very useful in darker conditions due to noise levels, the results are very solid when there’s a better amount of light. Ultimately, we had very little to complain about (again, for the money) and shots were adequately detailed with natural colours. Sure, it’s a no-frills system on the G22, but it does work well. Read more Motorola phone reviews: Motorola Edge 20 review Motorola Moto G50 review Motorola Moto G30 review Moto G200 5G review Moto G 5G Plus review Moto G22 design The G22 is a good looking budget phone. The all-plastic construction doesn't feel cheap, and we liked the coloured shine on the rear matte panel. As mentioned, we also liked the overall size of the phone (163.95mm x 74.94mm x 8.49mm) and it’s easy enough to use with one hand. The screen’s bezels are pleasingly small, too. Ports are where you would expect them to be. The G22 power button, doubling as a fingerprint sensor, is on the right-hand side with the volume toggle. On the bottom sits the speakers and USB-C port, while the SIM slot is on the left. The good news for wired headphone fans, the top of the phone has a 3.5mm jack. It’s a safe design, and it’s pretty much what you expect when you pitch a budget Android phone. For a handset under £150, we had zero problems with the look. One thing to note is there’s no IP rating, with Motorola describing the phone as being “water-repellent.” Not a huge surprise, but definitely a factor to note. Our verdict: should you buy the Moto G22? The G22 is another commendable low-cost effort from Motorola. It’s for anyone who needs a very affordable phone and doesn’t care about having the best specs and performance, with a bigger priority on the design and battery life. Perhaps it is a child’s first phone, you need a new handset for calls and the occasional Google search, or you're going abroad and require a phone that can be thrown into a bag without too much worry. There is definitely an audience for it, but it’s obvious that anyone coming from a flagship handset – or even a model from our best mid-range phone guide – is likely to have a pretty miserable experience. Battery life, design and camera specs are some wins for the device at this price point, but there is little doubt that performance can sometimes struggle. The display just isn't bright enough either, and paying just £50 more gives you an AMOLED panel in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11. With the G22, being so affordable often comes at a cost. Our rating: Features: 3/5 Camera: 4/5 Battery: 3/5 Design/set-up: 3/5 Overall: 3.25/5 Where to buy the Motorola Moto G22 The Moto G22 is available to buy at multiple popular UK retailers: Buy the Moto G22 at Currys Buy the Moto G22 at John Lewis Buy the Moto G22 at Mobiles.co.uk Buy the Moto G22 at Lenovo Buy the Moto G22 at Argos For news, reviews, and deals check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section.
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro review: Android tablet for fans of big displays
Our verdict of the latest Android slate from Lenovo as we go hands-on to test its specs, features, display, battery life, performance and more.
Lenovo’s Tab P12 Pro is a large Android tablet that offers a sleek premium design, a 2K display, solid battery life and a Dolby Atmos quad-speaker set-up. The plus-sides don’t end there. Its 120Hz refresh rate keeps performance running smoothly, it comes with a stylus pen that snaps to the back of the tablet with a magnetic pull, the bezels around the 12.6-inch screen are tiny and the aluminium body is not only sturdy but thinner than the iPad Air (5th generation). Inside, it’s got a high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor and up to 256GB of storage. Want to do some typing or document editing on this thing? No problem. There’s an optional keyboard and a dedicated “productivity mode.” Want to play games? It handles graphically intensive apps without hassle. On paper, Lenovo has clearly attempted to tick every box of what a modern tablet should be. In reality, we would only really recommend it to anyone with a “big high-res display” at the very top of their priority list. While there’s a lot we liked about Lenovo’s Tab P12 Pro, we ultimately found it hard to love. It attempts to be all things to all people, but never finds its own identity and is overshadowed by other tablets that have recently hit the market, including that aforementioned Apple slate. But does the Tab P12 Pro do enough to earn a spot on our best tablet guide? We tested it to find out if it was worthy of inclusion, and here’s the verdict. Our experts have been hands-on with a lot of Android and iOS tablets in recent months, so don’t miss our guides to the best Android tablet, best budget tablet and the best tablet for kids, which are all based on extensive personal testing. There’s a variety of tablets that are very well-suited to older users, too. If that’s of interest, be sure to read our guide to the best tablets for older people in 2022. Jump to: Lenovo P12 Pro review summary What is the Lenovo P12 Pro? How much is the Lenovo P12 Pro? Lenovo P12 Pro features Lenovo P12 Pro display Lenovo P12 Pro camera Lenovo P12 Pro design Lenovo P12 Pro set-up Lenovo P12 Pro battery/performance Our verdict Where to buy Lenovo P12 Pro review: summary Like its predecessor (here’s our Lenovo P11 Pro review if you are considering that model), the Tab P12 Pro seeks to combine entertainment and productivity, with a 12.6-inch high-resolution display and the option of adding a keyboard case for typing on the go. For any creative type, there’s a stylus in the box, which is great to see – although the keyboard add-on required to fully use the productivity mode does not appear to be widely available in the UK at the time of writing. The 12.6-inch display is undoubtedly nice, and after using the device for multiple days we were convinced that’s the reason to buy this tablet. It is more affordable than the similarly sized Samsung Tab S8 Plus and iPad Pro. But for us, the form factor wasn’t always ideal – despite the well-built chassis being pleasingly thin. It was sometimes awkward to hold, and it is not what we could describe as portable. Price: The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro (128 GB) is priced at £749.99 via the Lenovo website, but can be purchased for £629.99 when using the code SPRING22 at checkout. The Tab P12 Pro model with 256GB of storage is available for £799.99 at Very. Key features: Large 12.6-inch 2K (2560x1600) AMOLED display Slim bezels and thin aluminium frame 13MP autofocus + 5MP wide angle camera setup Bundled with a Precision Pen 3 stylus Fingerprint reader in the power button, Face unlocking JBL quad-speaker system with Dolby Atmos Pros: The display is large, smooth and crisp A great device for watching content Thin bezels and aluminium frame Cons: Too expensive to be competitive Software is not as good as rivals No 3.5mm headphone jack What is the Lenovo P12 Pro? The P12 Pro tablet is a successor to the P11 Pro and was released in the UK late last year. It’s got a 12.6-inch 2K display and a very thin (5.63mm) frame, with a quad-speaker set-up, 120Hz refresh rate and a Precision Pen 3 stylus in the box. It runs Android 11, with Lenovo usually providing one future OS upgrade. We tested the “Storm Grey” model with 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage and this review is based on our experiences without the keyboard accessory. How much is the Lenovo P12 Pro? The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro (128 GB) is priced at £749.99 from the Lenovo website but can be purchased for £629.99 when using the code “SPRING22” at checkout. The Tab P12 Pro model with 256GB of storage is available for £799.99 at Very. Buy the Lenovo P12 Pro at Very Buy the Lenovo P12 Pro at Lenovo Let’s get it out of the way up-front: the P12 Pro is too expensive to recommend right now, but that may change if it gets discounted this year. It’s pricier than the Apple iPad Air 5th generation and the new iPad mini 6th gen, although more affordable than the similarly-sized 12.4-inch Samsung Tab S8 Plus, which starts at £849. The Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch) is £1000 or more, but that’s on a completely different level when it comes to chip quality, app performance and the software user experience. If you need a big display on an Android slate above all else the P12 Pro may be worth your money, but the overall package can't compete with rivals at this price point. Lenovo P12 Pro features The features set of the Lenovo P12 Pro won’t be a surprise to anyone who has used an Android tablet before. It has everything you would expect, including the variety of usual Google services – Play Store, Drive, Maps, Gmail, Docs etc – and comes with Netflix, Amazon Music, Microsoft Office, OneNote and more pre-installed. The Instant Memo app lets you take advantage of the in-box stylus to create notes using the pen, and there are plenty of other creative and drawing apps available via the Google Play Store if you want to take advantage of the large display for artistic projects. The stylus, known as the Precision Pen 3, connects to the back of the tablet for wireless charging, doubling as a place to store it when not in use. We liked the snappiness of the magnetic pull but found the placement to be a bit awkward when holding the tablet in the vertical position as it clashes with your hand. This won’t be a problem if you hold the tablet on its side, though. There was no bloatware (unwanted apps) pre-installed on the tablet so you will be mostly starting with a blank canvas when it comes to populating the home screen with app software of your choosing. Two Lenovo services are here: Project Unity, which lets you use the tablet as a secondary screen for a Windows computer, and “Productivity Mode,” which can be used in combination with a keyboard accessory (which is sold separately) to mimic a more laptop-like experience. You can navigate the Tab P12 Pro using gesture controls or the more traditional layout that shows three buttons. The Face recognition login – which is paired with a PIN number or pattern – was easy to set up and worked flawlessly when tested. We unlocked the tablet using our face ten times in a row without issues. The audio that pumps out from the Dolby Atmos quad-speaker set-up is great. It goes louder than you would ever need it indoors, and the sound was crisp, clear and bassy without ever becoming murky even when it was cranked up. If you plan on taking the P12 Pro tablet into the real world you better have a pair of wireless headphones, because there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack to be found. That’s not too surprising as most tablet-makers are ditching them these days, and Lenovo gets a lot of credit for including a USB-C to 3.5mm cable inside the box. Lenovo P12 Pro display If there’s one aspect of the Lenovo P12 Pro that deserves some praise, it’s the display. That’s one of the big reasons to buy this tablet, in our opinion. The panel is a 12.6 inch (2560 x 1600) AMOLED touchscreen that goes up to 600 nits of brightness, which is roughly comparable with the Apple iPad Pro and more than the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, which offers approximately 500 nits. We found little to complain about with screen performance, which is aided by the 120Hz refresh rate that keeps scrolling through apps feeling silky smooth. We also loved the small size of the bezels (the borders around the screen). The bezels are smaller than your fingertip, and the compact size doesn’t interrupt the user experience when holding the tablet. They are significantly smaller than the borders found on the iPad Air 5th generation, which we reviewed just before this. Lenovo P12 Pro camera We never recommend using a tablet’s rear camera to take serious photography – that is still the domain of smartphones or DSLR cameras. But there is a perfectly fine dual camera set-up on the P12 Pro, a 13MP main lens and a 5MP wide lens. We found results to be perfectly fine in bright conditions outdoors, but there was unwanted noise when shooting in darker conditions. Not unexpected, and it will be more than usable if you want to be taking basic, casual, photos. Thankfully, the positioning of the front-facing camera is on the longer side of the tablet, meaning that it’s centred when you are doing video calls in the horizontal position. The selfie camera is an 8MP lens with face detection, although there is nothing as fancy as Apple’s Centre Stage tracking tech to be found. It is perfectly usable for video chats and the P12 Pro comes preinstalled with Google Duo. Lenovo P12 Pro design The design of the Lenovo P12 Pro feels premium and minimalist. There’s no big branding and the glass front looks great when matched with the metallic grey aluminium back. It’s a look we have seen before but continues to work. The USB-C port is in the middle of the bottom panel, with a speaker on each side. On the right side of the tablet (in vertical orientation) are the volume buttons, the top is where you will find the power button with fingerprint sensor, a microSD card slot for expanding the storage and the remaining two speakers. On the left side of the P12 Pro is a trio of magnets for attaching the optional keyboard accessory. Lenovo P12 Pro set-up: how easy is it to use? We found setting up the P12 Pro to be straightforward and easy to follow. Anyone who has recently set up an Android device should find it familiar. It offers a guided process as you choose language, agree to Lenovo policies, connect to your home Wi-Fi, copy any apps or data, sign in to your Google account, choose a web search engine and set your password or face scan. It takes well under 10 minutes in total. Lenovo P12 Pro battery life and performance If you are a Netflix binger or heavy tablet gamer, the P12 Pro provides more than enough power thanks to its 10000mAh+ battery capacity, which supports up to 45W fast charging. How much power you get will always depend on your daily usage, but Lenovo has said the Lenovo P12 Pro is able to handle up to 17 hours of online video, and up to 10 hours of internet browsing from a single charge. In our tests, which involved playing a continuous YouTube video with brightness at around 75% to see how fast it would drain, the battery dropped 30% in four hours, 10 minutes. That means you could watch multiple movies and still have power to spare. Charging from 45% back to full took under one hour and 24 minutes. Inside the P12 Pro is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor (3.2 GHz), which is fairly high-end but lacking when compared to Apple’s M1 series. While the skin of Android 11 used on the device wasn’t our favourite experience of all time (it is fairly generic and doesn't match the premium vibe of the tablet’s look) we didn’t experience lags or stuttering when using apps or playing games. We tested multiple mobile games downloaded from the Play Store – including Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and CarX Rally – and found them to run without issue on the slate, and the colours and clarity looked very good on the large display. One big saving grace in terms of software may be Android 12L, which is currently available as part of a preview program. This update makes Android 12 work better on big screens like the Tab P12 Pro, but currently takes a bit of work to get operational so it’s not likely to be a major draw for now unless you are fairly tech savvy. Our verdict: should you buy the Lenovo P12 Pro? Do you want a large display for stylus drawing and Netflix binges but don’t want to pay Apple or Samsung-level pricing? The Lenovo P12 Pro could work for you. It has a solid battery, the build quality is premium and the screen bezels are tiny. For everyone else, there are better options in terms of both affordability and portability. At the moment, the Tab P12 Pro costs between £629.99 and £800 in the UK, and that feels like it's too much for what you are actually getting. The Apple iPad Air (5th gen), which has a 10.9-inch display, starts from £569 and offers a much better user experience and software performance, at least in our opinion. OK, so you want to stick to Android. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, with an 11-inch display, is priced from £649 and also comes with a stylus in the box. The Xiaomi Tab 5 has an 11-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate screen and a premium design for under £400. Want Lenovo? The Tab P11 Plus now starts from just £229.99. The Tab P12 Pro is at its best when used as a way to watch videos from streaming services at home, or for artistic projects that require the use of a stylus. But it’s not for everyone, and there is honestly better value for money to be found elsewhere. Our rating: Features: 3.5/5 Screen quality: 4/5 Design: 3.5 Set-up: 4/5 Battery/performance: 4/5 Overall rating: 3.8/5 Where to buy the Lenovo P12 Pro Buy the Lenovo P12 Pro at Very Buy the Lenovo P12 Pro at Lenovo For news, reviews, and deals check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section .
Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) review: the best iPad for most people
Apple's latest 5th generation iPad Air packs the same M1 chip found in the Pro model and retains a sleek premium design. But is it worth a buy?
Stylish and powerful, the iPad Air 5th generation may be the best option for most tablet fans out of the entire 2022 Apple iPad line-up so far. It’s actually pretty shocking to see how far the iPad series has come in recent years. In 2022, with a multitude of customisable widgets, Apple Pencil 2 stylus support and the Magic Keyboard you can effectively use the tablet for work, entertainment and creative projects without suffering too many major compromises. While Apple’s “What’s a computer?” iPad TV ad from a couple of years ago was widely mocked (and is still strangely irritating, to be fair), the company has continued to improve the iOS tablet experience. Last year, Apple updated the base iPad (9th generation) and the significantly more compact iPad mini (6th generation), too. Let’s be clear: the iPad Air 5th Gen won’t replace your laptop or desktop, but the tablet is now much more than a way to watch Netflix while under the covers. For those who can afford it, it is likely to become your go-to device for video calling, reading news, browsing the internet, iOS gaming and some working while on the go. There are some spec downsides, but these are only really apparent if you compare it head-to-head to the even pricier 12.9-inch iPad Pro, particularly the 120Hz refresh rate, known as ProMotion technology, and the ability to sign in via Face ID. We used the iPad Air (5th Gen) over the course of a week to get a feel for its design, gesture controls, battery life, performance, stylus support, keyboard support and much more. So keep reading to find out our final verdict on the latest iPad. For more 2022 tablet coverage, be sure to read our breakdown of the best Android tablet, best tablet for kids and our verdict on the best tablet of the year so far. Jump to: iPad Air (5th Gen) review summary What is the iPad Air (5th Gen)? How much is the iPad Air (5the Gen)? iPad Air (5th Gen) features iPad Air (5th Gen) display iPad Air (5th Gen) camera iPad Air (5th Gen) design iPad Air (5th Gen) set-up iPad Air (5th Gen) battery life iPad Air (5th Gen) sustainability Our verdict Where to buy Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) review: summary The iPad Air 5th Gen is for someone who doesn’t need the power of the iPad Pro, prefers a bigger display than the iPad mini and better specs than the base iPad 9th Gen. It is the all-rounder in the series: portable, lightweight and thanks to the addition of Apple’s M1 chip, performance and speed are better than ever before. Price: Like other models, the Air 5th Gen has two variants: Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi/Cellular. The cost goes up in correlation with your chosen storage size - coming in 64GB or 256GB. Here is a breakdown of the iPad Air (5th generation) UK pricing: Wi-Fi: 64GB: £569 | 256GB: £719 Wi-Fi + Cellular: 64GB: £719 | 256GB: £869 Key features: Has a crisp 10.9″ Liquid Retina display Powered by the Apple M1 chip 12MP ultra-wide front camera with Centre Stage 5G connectivity (cellular model) Works with Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio Compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) Touch ID fingerprint authentication Charges via USB-C instead of Lightning Pros: Fantastic 10.9-inch display Speedy software performance Has Apple’s M1 chip Cons: No Face ID biometrics Yes, it’s still pretty expensive No 120Hz refresh rate What is the iPad Air (5th Gen)? The Apple iPad Air (5th generation) was released on 18th March 2022. Powered by the speedy M1 chip and running iPadOS 15.4, the slate sits under the iPad Pro in the most recent line-up of tablets in terms of pricing and performance. It is thin and portable, with compatibility with a range of accessories including the Magic Keyboard, the Smart Keyboard Folio and the Apple Pencil (2nd generation). The design hasn’t changed since the predecessor, so anyone who owns the iPad Air (4th generation) should think twice if the new specs are actually needed before upgrading. How much is the iPad Air (5th Gen)? The iPad Air (5th Gen) with 64GB of storage and Wi-Fi is priced from £569 in the UK. The Wi-Fi model with 256GB of storage is priced from £719. There are also two cellular models that have support for 5G. They are priced at £719 for 64GB of storage and £719 for 256GB of storage. There are no higher storage models. It is certainly not what we would classify as an affordable tablet (check out the best budget tablets for those) but it’s in line with what you expect for the Apple brand and the specs it comes with. One of its main competitors will be the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 slate series, which is priced between £649 and £999 in the UK. iPad Air (5th Gen) features When it comes to software features on its tablets, Apple likes to share. The Air 5th gen runs iPadOS 15, so it will be a familiar experience if you have ever used a Pro, mini or base iPad model. You mostly pay for size and hardware differences, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to shout about. It should be noted that despite them not being unique, the feature-set on here is still very impressive. One of the biggest changes with the new iPad Air isn’t visible to the eye. Inside the frame is Apple’s M1 chip – the same as the Pro model. This results in around 60% faster performance and 2x faster graphics performance compared to the previous iPad Air 4th gen. Essentially, it’s more powerful than ever, able to run tasks such as video editing and mobile gaming with ease. We had no issues with stutters or lag during tests – and all software was silky smooth. Thanks to the software, the iPad Air 5th Gen supports Universal Control that can make it become a secondary display to your Mac computer, even dragging and dropping content between the two devices. This is a welcome feature for many Apple users, as are the adaptive volume controls. If you rotate the tablet, this feature (which can be turned off) makes sure that the volume control layout always feels natural. The audio that comes from the quad-speaker set-up is also solid, handling all types of genres and giving off a generally pleasing sound profile that’s more than loud enough for indoor use. The synth on Flume’s “Insane” was pulsing, the guitars on Metallica’s “Battery” were chugging, and Nirvana was suitably distorted. If you are using this as a media device, it will handle audiobooks and Netflix with ease. Also at the top of our favourite feature list is compatibility with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and cases including the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, which attach magnetically. The keyboard is a game-changer for anyone who views these devices as little more than a big phone. It’s bulky and weighty, but transforms the Air 5th Gen into a mini Apple laptop – with a fully working trackpad and keys that have nice travel and overall usability once you get used to their smaller sizing. The trackpad shows a cursor as you move around the display but you will run into difficulties if you attempt to use this as a fully-fledged computer. It works best as an add-on for notes and document editing, with some navigation still done via touch. But this was a pleasant surprise and we see it being great for anyone who travels. The split view multitasking remains easy to use and speedy to control. Tapping the three-button icon at the top of an open app lets you choose multiple modes, such as having multiple apps open at once and opening one on top of the others. And all of the apps you expect to see are back, including Photo Booth, Facetime GarageBand, iMovie, Stocks, Pages, Find My, iTunes Store and Keynote. The big warning for anyone moving from Android is that you will definitely need to make an Apple ID to have a decent experience. Apple is pretty strict about that, and you won’t be able to download new apps from the store without one. The Apple Pencil 2nd Gen sits magnetically on the top or side of the iPad, depending on how it's rotated. It's a shame that, unlike Samsung, Apple doesn’t provide a stylus in the box. This is an extra that costs an additional £119, and while it's definitely nice to use, we don’t think that it feels necessary unless you are a creative type. While the iPad Air 5th Gen is our choice as an all-rounder, it’s not an iPad Pro killer. It lacks some features that exist to set the two apart. Specifically, it has a 60Hz display (the Pro has up to 120Hz), there’s one rear camera (the Pro has two) and there’s no support for Face ID, only offering you Touch ID for the biometric login. iPad Air (5th Gen) display Whether you want to browse the internet or watch a couple of hours of Netflix on a flight, the Air 5th Gen display has you covered. It’s a lovely panel. The 10.9 inches is a sweet spot between the Pro’s 12.9-inches and the mini’s 8.3-inches and has more than enough brightness (500 nits max) for all types of content. It’s responsive to use and scrolling with your fingers feels smooth, even without the high refresh rate found on the Pro. The display has not had a drastic upgrade from earlier models in the series – but will be pretty noticeable for anyone who is coming from an older iPad. While the brightness is more that enough for indoor use, the Air 5 display is noticeably reflective when brought outside. Everything is still more than readable and image quality is solid, but you will definitely see some reflections and irritating glare from the sun and other objects in your surroundings, especially on brighter days. iPad Air (5th Gen) camera While you probably won’t be taking this out as your main camera (we hope), there is still a solid 12MP wide lens included on the back of the iPad Air 5th Gen, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens on the front. We found that results on both to be perfectly usable when taken in bright conditions, although we could still much prefer reaching for an iPhone 13 or Pixel 6 Pro for taking snaps on the go. One aspect that is great to have is Centre Stage, which is Apple’s auto-tracking technology for video calls. When using FaceTime, this automatically follows your head as your move around and we found it to be consistently responsive during testing. What is slightly less fun is the positioning of the selfie camera itself, which is on the “top” of the iPad when it’s in a vertical position. That means when you rotate the iPad Air for a video call you can find yourself often awkwardly gazing to one side by mistake and with an angle that’s not as flattering as if it was placed in the middle of the “side”. It has a digital zoom up to 5x and shoots 4K video at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps (frames per second). iPad Air (5th Gen) design The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen looks like, well, an Apple iPad Air 4th Gen. That said, while its look hasn’t been given an overhaul with this model, the overall build quality is still spectacular and fitting for the price tag. From the glass-covered front to the metal covered back, it has a premium vibe. And perhaps unsurprisingly due to the name, the frame is thin (6.1 mm/0.24 inches) and lightweight (462 grams max). The bezels around the edges of the display were roughly the size of our fingertips and, like the Pro and mini, means that you can grip the sides of the tablet without obstructing too much of the screen. When in vertical positioning, the Touch ID sensor is on the power top at the top right, while the right side contains a small magnetic strip that’s used to hold the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen. On the bottom are two of the four speakers (the other two are up top) alongside the USB-C port for charging. It’s not new, but we still love the design of the Air 5th Gen. Sleek, premium and portable (at least when it’s not in the bulkier keyboard case), it ticks all of our boxes. There are five colour options: space grey, starlight (white), pink, purple and blue. We tested the grey model and it was not only premium and sleek but pleasingly minimalist. The minimalistic approach extends to the port selection. As in, there’s only one. That’s the USB-C port on the bottom of the tablet (no Thunderbolt support). Sorry for anyone with wired headphones, the Apple iPad Air 5th Gen is a Bluetooth only deal. iPad Air (5th Gen) set-up Like pretty much all iOS products, the ease of set-up depends on whether you are already in the ecosystem. If you already have an Apple ID, the process is the most simple: just connect to your home Wi-Fi and enter your ID and password to begin pulling in your chosen apps, content and settings that are stored in the cloud. If you want to go the manual route, there are a series of on-screen prompts that will run you through data and privacy policies, Touch ID scanning, creating a passcode, selecting a voice for the Siri voice assistant and the colour mode. If you are moving over from an Android tablet, you will have to create a new Apple ID. To pull in your data, follow the “Move Data from Android” prompt during the initial set-up. iPad Air (5th Gen) battery life Apple promises around 10 hours of battery life when using the iPad Air 5th Gen for tasks such as browsing the internet on Wi‑Fi or watching video. We found that number to be broadly accurate when testing the longevity using YouTube videos, watching some Twitch content and checking Reddit multiple times at mid-brightness. It’s not too surprising. Apple has kept battery performance similar across its iPad models, and that 10-hour figure seems consistent in the recent line-up. That doesn’t mean the battery will die every 10 hours. Far from it. That number is only used to test continuous use, and while it's dependent on usage the tablet will last for multiple days if you are just picking it up for shorter bursts. In one charging test playing a looping YouTube video at full brightness, the Air 5th Gen battery depleted from 20% to dead in one hour and 10 minutes. When powering back up with the mains (included in the box), it charged from dead to 100% full in two hours and 44 minutes. Unlike the recent iPhones, there’s no wireless charging. iPad Air (5th Gen) sustainability Apple has said the new iPad Air is made from a “100 percent recycled aluminium enclosure” and “100 per cent recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board and 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements in the enclosure and audio magnets.” Based on its promotional materials, sustainability does seem to be at the forefront of Apple’s approach to making the tablets. It says that today it is “carbon neutral for global corporate operations” and claims it is aiming to have “net-zero climate impact across the entire business” by the year 2030, including supply chains. The Apple website reads: “All iPad models meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency, remain free of numerous harmful substances, and use wood fibre in the packaging that comes from recycled sources or responsibly managed forests.” Our verdict: should you buy iPad Air (5th Gen)? The iPad Air 5th Gen is, in our opinion, the best Apple tablet for most people. It may sit in between a few other models, but this is no awkward middle child. With a lovely display, thin frame and Pro-level performance, the Air 5 gives you a taste of the high-end without having to pay around £1000 for the luxury. Priced from £569, the iPad Air 5th Gen doesn’t have everything offered by the Pro, such as the 120Hz refresh rate, Face ID, dual camera set-up and more storage – but it provides a fantastic iOS experience and has great compatibility with accessories such as the Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard. It boasts the same M1 chip as the Pro. While it never made us forget about the concept of a computer, the keyboard case add-on was a specific highlight. With the M1, the tablet is more than capable of being used for work tasks that require typing, multitasking and editing, although there are still some limitations with using a tablet operating system for productivity. Air 4 users can probably skip this model and there are Android tablet alternatives available – including the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 and the Xiaomi Pad 5 – but if you want to upgrade to an iPad with a bigger screen than the mini and you don’t need the flagship-level powers of the Pro, the Apple Air 5th generation is the one for you. Our rating: Features: 4/5 Screen quality: 4/5 Design: 5/5 Set-up: 5/5 Battery/performance: 4.5/5 Overall rating: 4.5/5 Where to buy the iPad Air (5th Gen) The iPad Air (5th Gen) starts at £569 in the UK. The cellular model starts at £719. Buy the Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) at Very Buy the Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) at Currys Buy the Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) at Amazon Buy the Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) at John Lewis Buy the Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) at AO Buy the Apple iPad Air (5th Gen) at Argos For news, reviews, and deals check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section . The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Sennheiser is an audio brand for people who love audio and these earbuds provide a fantastic listening experience, albeit one with a few little hitches. We tested them out to see if the Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds are worth your cash.
Sennheiser is a brand closely associated with audio and with a great track record in the field so, with every new audio product the company releases, there is a level of expectation. We got our hands — and more importantly ears — on the Sennheiser CX True Wireless Earbuds to see if they're worth your cash. The results weren't quite as unanimous as we expected, but nonetheless, there's a lot to like about these earbuds. Across a range of tests, from battery life to sound quality, set-up and more, the buds performed very well. We found one or two issues though, which will be discussed in detail in our review. So, if you're tempted to purchase a pair for yourself, read on for our full verdict and the latest deals. Jump to: Sennheiser CX True Wireless review: summary What are Sennheiser CX True Wireless? How much are Sennheiser CX True Wireless? Design Features Sound quality Battery life Set-up Our verdict Where to buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless review: summary The Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds are a fantastic set of wireless buds, without quite threatening the very best the market has to offer. Overall, they deliver a great listening experience and only one or two shortcomings stop them from threatening those top-end competitors. Sennheiser is a brand known for audio quality and these earbuds deliver plenty, but they don't quite measure up to the likes of the Sony WF-1oooXM4 buds, or the Grado GT220. However, they're cheaper than both pairs, so worth considering if you're looking for good earbuds on a budget. The CX True Wireless earbuds have a fantastic in-ear fit. They're comfortable to use and easy to pair with your devices, but the case is a bit plastic-y and cheap compared to some competitors. It's not the most pocketable either. Key features: Active noise cancellation 'Transparent Hearing' mode Touch controls Sennheiser app Pros: Great in-ear fit Solid sound quality The Sennheiser app is simple and useful Good touch controls Cons: Case feels cheap and hefty Bass could be clearer and more precise What are Sennheiser CX True Wireless? The Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds are an interesting pair of Bluetooth earbuds that come with touch controls, active noise cancellation and a handy user app. Sennheiser has long been a brand known for its audio offerings and these earbuds — while not the brand's best — offer a good feature set and very listenable audio. How much are Sennheiser CX True Wireless? These earbuds started their life at around £120 but now, at the time of writing, you can get them for around £85 at Amazon. The opening RRP was perhaps a little high and as a result, seems to have tumbled faster than Sennheiser would have liked. That said, they're now much better value for under £100. Buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless for £84.40 at Amazon Buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless for £99 at John Lewis Buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless for £119 at Currys Sennheiser CX True Wireless design A bit on the chunky side compared to AirPods, Galaxy Buds, or other competitors. Users may initially feel that the buds jut out too far from their ears, or look overly conspicuous. However, we found this was effectively combatted by quite how good the in-ear fit of the buds is. They fit snugly and comfortably, without requiring the constant adjustment that some earbuds do. Even during running, or extended exercise, the buds stayed locked tight into the ear, delivering good sound. So, we liked the design of the buds, but the case they come in felt underwhelming. Compare its plastic shell to that of the Apple AirPods, or Sony's newly released LinkBuds — which come with a case that's both tactile and eco-friendly — and it seems like a corner has been cut. It's not as slim and pocketable as those popular competitors and doesn't feel like great quality either. The case accrues scratches and marks very, very easily, which is an issue for something that's likely to be kept in your pockets with keys all the time. Beyond the physical design, the in-app equaliser is easy to use, allowing you to tailor your own listening experience, skewing towards bass or treble to suit your own tastes. This is a solid addition and the app is easy to use on the whole. Sennheiser CX True Wireless features The CX True Wireless buds offer passable active noise cancellation, but it's far from flawless and plenty of sounds from the outside world will still be audible. Flick into the 'Transparent Hearing' mode and the earbuds use microphones on the outside of the buds to relay the sound of the world around you into your ears. This is helpful if you're working from home and want to hear the door, for example. Or, if you're walking somewhere and want to remain aware of traffic when crossing the road. It's a good option to have, though we found that the mics picked up quite a bit of wind noise at times. The touch controls on the Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds are some of the best we've come across. They're responsive and easy to use. A tap on the right earbud will play music, while the left will pause. Then there's skip a track or go back a track orientated the same way, with a double-tap on the right and left earbud respectively. Three taps activate the voice assistant and holding down increases or decreases the volume. The app allows you to customise these functions too and overall we found the touch controls were much easier to use than those on some competing earbuds. Sennheiser CX True Wireless sound quality Of course, sound quality is the key battleground for a pair of wireless earbuds — at least for a pair costing over £100. (The CX True Wireless Earbuds are now available more cheaply, at around £85.) In this case, our expectations were pretty high. While these aren't the most expensive buds out there, Sennheiser is known for audio quality and consistently delivers in the field. However, our high expectations weren't quite met in every respect. That said, the CX True Wireless offer a sound that's very rich and listenable, especially at this price point. The buds that can beat them hands down, (the Sony WF-1oooXM4 buds, or the Grado GT220) cost almost double. The volume range is very good and you're unlikely to be left wanting more in that department, but when it comes to sound quality the performance is slightly mixed. We found the buds performed very well in delivering clear vocals and mid-tones, even at high volumes. Carole King's iconic album, Tapestry showed off these traits well and was thoroughly enjoyable to listen to with the CX True Wireless earbuds. When it comes to the low-end work, the buds are more powerful than they are precise. Listening to something like Welcome to Brixton, by SR, the earbuds are much more precise in their treatment of the vocals than the supporting bassline. The slightly larger size of these earbuds seems to have made room for larger drivers, compared to some sleeker competitors, gifting them that bass punch and expansive volume range. Ennio Morricone's iconic soundtrack to Once Upon a Time in the West showed off the treble capabilities of the CX True Wireless and again, we found them to be very listenable. The buds deliver across a reasonably wide soundstage, but again don't manage to challenge the best in the field. Sennheiser CX True Wireless battery life The Sennheiser CX True Wireless buds can deliver around nine hours of playback using the power in the buds themselves, with 27 hours in that hefty case. That's a good offering that outdoes some of the competition. It's the benefit to the user that comes from that chunky case. Again, the case isn't overly large in and of itself, but when compared to the competition it's not a very pocket-friendly item. During testing, we found the earbuds always held their charge for extended use and the case rarely needed recharging. If battery life is a key performance indicator for you as a user, these earbuds perform well. Sennheiser CX True Wireless set-up: how easy are they to use? The set-up of the CX True Wireless buds is simple and similar to many other buds you're likely to have used before. They can be connected through the settings panel of your phone, or you can download that aforementioned Sennheiser app which will hold your hand through the process. We tried the earbuds with a selection of devices and the Bluetooth connection was consistently stable. Our verdict: should you buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless? At the new sub-£100 that the CX True Wireless buds now seem to occupy, they're a very good purchase. During testing, we found them highly listenable and enjoyed using the earbuds to stream music, video and audiobooks via Audible. Yes, the bass could be cleaner and the case isn't very good, but the overall listening experience combined with the brilliant in-ear fit means we can happily recommend these earbuds. However, it's worth shopping around and trying to get them for less than that original £120 RRP. Where to buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless The earbuds are available from a wide array of UK retailers, but some are still offering the buds at their original price, so we'd recommend shopping around. Buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless for £84.40 at Amazon Buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless for £99 at John Lewis Buy Sennheiser CX True Wireless for £119 at Currys For more on earbuds, check out our best wireless earbuds round-up. Or, to see the very best wireless earbuds out there right now, check out our review of the Sony WF-1000XM4.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review: A notable Android flagship
The premium Samsung smartphone comes with a built-in S Pen stylus and many high-end specs, but is it worth the price? Here's our verdict.
Samsung’s Note series of stylus-equipped smartphones may be gone, but its spirit lives on through its new 2022 flagship, the Galaxy S22 Ultra. With an S Pen that slips into the bottom of the frame with a satisfying click and a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ (3088x1440) display, the handset is undoubtedly premium. The pricing – starting from £1,149 in the UK – only reinforces that status. From the side buttons to the haptic feedback to the matte aluminium frame, every aspect of the S22 Ultra feels pleasingly high-end. Ultimately, that’s probably what you want to know most from a review of a device that costs so much money. There are some downsides, of course. The handset is possibly too big for anyone used to a smaller device, while the amount of power that’s under the hood may be overkill for anyone who uses their smartphone for more simple tasks. There’s also the fact that the brilliant Google Pixel 6 Pro is around £300 more affordable. So does the S22 Ultra earn a place on our list of best smartphones to buy in 2022, and what can you expect if you decide to pick one up? Read on for our review of this hot new handset, including standout features, specs and how to buy one. We have been hands-on with all of the new S-series handsets, so if you are still unsure which one is best for you, be sure to also read our Samsung Galaxy S22+ review and the Samsung Galaxy S22 preview to compare features, specs and pricing. If you are not sure which S22-series smartphone is best for you, be sure to read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S22 vs S22 Plus vs S22 Ultra comparison guide. Jump to: Galaxy S22 Ultra summary What is Galaxy S22 Ultra? How much is the Galaxy S22 Ultra? Galaxy S22 Ultra features Galaxy S22 Ultra battery Galaxy S22 Ultra cameras Galaxy S22 Ultra design Galaxy S22 Ultra sustainability Our verdict Where to buy Galaxy S22 Ultra: summary If you can afford it, the S22 Ultra is one of the best Android phones you can buy in 2022 and the handset effortlessly stands against rivals such as the Google Pixel 6 Pro or, on the Apple iOS side of the fence, the recent iPhone 13 Pro Max. Samsung has brought in some aspects once found in the now-defunct Note series – including the bundled S Pen that transforms the device from phone to phablet – and a more squared-off design that not only stands out from the rest of the new line-up, but manages to somehow be both imposing and elegant at the same time. The quad camera setup is snappy and versatile, and the planned software update support means the S22 Ultra is well future-proofed. The battery will comfortably last you for a full day, and there are a solid variety of storage options. The Exynos 2200 chip found in the UK versions is powerful, and the 120Hz display is great for watching videos and scribbling notes. This is a big, weighty and pricey phone – and that may actually be one of the downsides for some users who may find themselves better suited to a smaller Galaxy S22 or Galaxy S22 Plus. Price: The S22 Ultra is priced from £1,149 with 128GB storage. The cost goes up in correlation with storage: 256GB (£1,249), 512GB (£1,329) and 1TB (£1,499). That’s expensive – but contract options are also available if you can’t buy outright. Key features: Has a fantastic 6.8-inch 120Hz QHD+ display A small S Pen stylus fits snugly into the frame 5G connectivity for faster download and internet speeds Performance is smooth and reliable with all apps Versatile camera setup with a 108MP wide lens Supports up to 8K video resolution Camera has a digital "space" zoom up to 100x Pros: Bundled S-pen is fantastic Great high-resolution display Quad camera setup Future software support Cons: Undoubtedly expensive May be too big for some users No expandable storage No wall charger in the box What is the Galaxy S22 Ultra? The Galaxy S22 Ultra is Samsung’s flagship smartphone for 2022, and was released on 25th February after being unveiled alongside the Galaxy S22 and S22+. It is the spiritual successor to the discontinued Note series, which was scrapped in favour of the company going all-in with foldables, including the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. How much is the Galaxy S22 Ultra? The Galaxy S22 Ultra is priced from £1,149 with 128GB storage. The cost goes up in correlation with storage: 256GB (£1,249), 512GB (£1,329) and 1TB (£1,499). Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Samsung Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Amazon Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Currys Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Very Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at AO Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Argos Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Three (contract) Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at O2 (contract) Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at iD Mobile (contract) Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Vodafone (contract) It’s clearly an expensive handset, but the pricing is roughly in line with some of its biggest rivals. The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max flagship starts at £1,049, although we should note the Google Pixel 6 Pro is another top Android phone that’s a fair bit more affordable compared to the S22 Ultra, starting from £849 in the UK. Galaxy S22 Ultra features Let’s start with what ultimately sets this flagship apart from its competition: the S Pen stylus that’s housed inside the frame. It pops out with a satisfying click, and doing so will automatically open a side menu that lets you select a range of things to actually do with this 11cm pencil, including quickly create notes, write live messages, make augmented reality (AR) doodles and annotate the screen. There are options for when the screen is off. Taking the S Pen out while the phone is locked instantly brings up an area for you to take memos. The same can be done by pressing a button on the stylus and tapping the screen twice. And writing itself is accompanied by a pleasant scribbling sound and subtle haptic feedback. Let's be clear: It won’t replace a physical notebook and any claims that it feels like real paper are probably an exaggeration. You aren’t going to be writing a novel using it, but it’s a great tool for making some quick memos while on-the-go. It’s highly responsive, and while we ultimately turned off the audio as a personal preference the stylus is one of our favourite aspects. It turns the phone into a mini tablet and will be great for creatives, doodlers and quick note-takers. We did not think we would use it much day-to-day, but that wasn’t true. It’s a nice user experience and we even found ourselves navigating a lot of apps using the S Pen, too. Like the Note series before it – and more recently the Galaxy Z Fold series – the support for a stylus takes the device to the next level, turning what could have been a standard, if still very high-end, phone into something more special. We found ourselves reaching for the S Pen to browse websites or type WhatsApp messages more than we ever thought we would, and it will be a huge advantage for anyone with bigger fingers who finds it difficult to type with precision. The display you write on is another big feature. As expected for such a high-end handset, it’s exceptional quality with a 6.8-inch AMOLED panel with an impressive peak brightness of 1,750 nits. The screen is sharp and crisp, and you have the option of turning on adaptive brightness and motion smoothness – the latter of which will either lock refresh rate to 60Hz to let it go up to 120Hz. While there is no way to expand your storage via a microSD card, the S22 Ultra’s storage options are a solid mix, going from 128GB all the way to 1TB. Software is also excellent, with the UK model powered by the Exynos 2200 chipset (the US variant comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1). We like this skin from Samsung, One UI 4.1 on top of Android 12. All of the apps open quickly and we didn’t experience any issues with lag or stuttering during our testing. There’s little bloatware but it is not always ideal that you will encounter apps from Samsung and Google that do exactly the same thing. There’s a Messages app and a Samsung Messages app. There’s the Google Photos app and a Samsung Gallery. Why? It’s far from the end of the world, but could definitely be refined. Face unlocking is fast, and the Android settings contain an almost overwhelming amount of customisation options – letting you change the icons or themes, deep dive into permissions and privacy, set up SOS alerts, update the home screen layout and so much more. We found it best to switch the navigation bar to have the back button on the right side – helping with using this large handset one-handed. Another appealing aspect of the software is that Samsung has promised a full four terms of OS updates (five years of update support in total) – so you can be assured that the handset won’t be abandoned even as new models emerge next year. Galaxy S22 Ultra battery The S22 Ultra contains a 5,000mAh battery that will last a little more than a day of moderate-to-heavy use. It supports 45W wired charging and up to 15W wireless. Unfortunately, there’s no wall adapter in the box, only a USB-C cable so you may also need to fork out for that extra accessory if you don’t already have one. It’s tricky to get a proper gauge on how long the battery will last day-to-day as it is extremely dependent on how much the phone is being used. Samsung doesn’t put an exact number on the overall longevity, only assuring that it lasts “over a day". That is accurate, though, and we found it will easily last for a day of heavier use – videos, checking emails, messaging on Slack, setting reminders, listening to Spotify on an hour-plus commute and doom-scrolling through Twitter and Reddit before bed – but that can indeed stretch to closer to two if used more sporadically. Charging up the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was fast, thankfully, and it will go from dead to full in under an hour when plugged into a wall adapter. In the settings menu, there are a few handy options, including setting up adaptive battery to limit usage for apps that aren’t often in use, alongside a toggle to limit the maximum charge to 85% to extend the overall lifespan of the battery. Read more Samsung reviews: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G hands-on Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra hands-on Samsung Galaxy S22 hands-on Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review Galaxy S22 Ultra camera The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a quad camera set-up, featuring a 12MP ultra wide lens, a 108MP wide-angle lens and two 10MP telephoto lenses, one with a 10x optical zoom and the second with a x3 optical zoom. In total, the phone has a digital “space” zoom that goes up to a whopping 100x. The front-facing selfie camera is 40MP. When popped into the dedicated video mode, the Galaxy S22 Ultra records 8K footage at 24 frames per second (fps) or 4K resolution at up to 60 fps. There’s a variety of different modes that let you take advantage of the high-end set-up, including portrait, slow motion, time lapse, pro, pro video and night. Here are examples of results using the main lens without any editing: View Gallery on the source website It’s the night mode Samsung dubbed “nightography” – and it’s essentially how the camera set-up combines with the computational magic that’s going on behind the scenes of the smartphone to help take better photos and video in low light. While the word nightography definitely falls into the realm of tech jargon, the results can actually be pretty spectacular. We tested the night mode in a darkened room with sub-optimal lighting and it clearly brightened up the image, showing details that many cameras could have only shown with significantly more levels of noise. When combined with the 100x space zoom, you can obtain some great shots of the faraway moon during a dark, but fairly clear, evening. Here's one example: And here's an example of how the zoom performs in brighter conditions. Yes, that little dot visible on the platform in the first image is the person in the second. Impressive. Overall, it's an extremely capable camera set-up that's unlikely to disappoint the majority of users. There's a lot of variety to the modes and results are crisp and clear – especially when taken in bright conditions. The lenses on its predecessor were great. The S22 Ultra improves it further – marking another win for Samsung. Galaxy S22 Ultra design The S22 Ultra stands out from the rest of the most recent S22 line-up thanks to its squared off frame with a curved and essentially bezel-less display and, of course, the slot at the bottom left of the device housing the S Pen stylus. It comes in four colour tones: Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green and Burgundy. We tested the Phantom Black model, and found it to be a great balance of sturdy design and a sleek, minimalistic, aesthetic. The matte black metallic back provides grip, and the cameras pop without the need for a large module. It’s not a look that will offend anyone, and Samsung branding could easily be missed at a glance. With a 6.8-inch display and weighing in at 229g (the Google Pixel 6 Pro is 210g and the iPhone 13 Pro Max is 238 grams for comparison) this is certainly not a small or lightweight handset – and fans of smaller smartphones should definitely be aware of that. We could use the Galaxy S22 Ultra with one hand, but only just. The front has Gorilla Glass Victus+ and the phone is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. While we have not tested it (and don’t recommend you do, either) it should be able to handle submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5m underwater for up to 30 minutes. We brought the smartphone to the gym, and it was fine. We used the S22 Ultra without a case, although it’s advised that you do pick one up at some point for some extra protection from drops or scratches. The phone is sturdy - but the display is still large so it's liable to break or crack if dropped. Galaxy S22 Ultra sustainability The S22 Ultra packaging is 56% smaller by volume than that of the Galaxy S20 and was made with 100% recycled paper, according to Samsung. Samsung said the new Galaxy smartphones and tablets use select components containing “20% recycled ocean-bound plastic from discarded fishing nets.” It said in a blog: “The S22 series incorporates post-consumer recycled material in its speaker module, as well as inner parts of the power and volume keys.” It continues: “In addition to ocean-bound plastics, we use 100% recycled paper for the Galaxy S22’s packaging and include a protective film made from recycled plastic. Every smartphone case is also designed with UL-certified, eco-conscious materials — such as recycled post-consumer plastics or bio-based substances.” Our verdict: should you buy the S22 Ultra? The S22 Ultra costs more than most phones, and that is partly because it is more than a phone. The result of having a stylus at your fingertips can’t be understated. It transforms what would be a typical premium handset into a sleek and powerful phablet, one that’s great for quick memos, app browsing and even typing. There are a few downsides – the size isn’t for everyone, there’s no charger and the battery is good, not great – but no handset is perfect and we view the S22 Ultra as one of the best Android alternatives to the Apple iPhone Pro Max. The sticking point in terms of competition may be the Pixel 6 Pro, which is around £300 more affordable and offers a similar user experience (minus the stylus). But if you are a Samsung fan or already in that device ecosystem, here’s the verdict put simply: the Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the best Android phones you can buy. Our rating: Features: 4.5/5 Camera: 4 Battery: 4.5 Design/set-up: 5 Overall: 4.5/5 Where to buy the Galaxy S22 Ultra Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Samsung Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Amazon Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Currys Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Very Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at AO Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Argos Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Three (contract) Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at O2 (contract) Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at iD Mobile (contract) Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra at Vodafone (contract) For news, reviews, and deals check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
The 'Redmi' line-up is Xiaomi's budget-conscious range and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro is the best handset in that family of phones. We got hands-on to see if it's worth your cash.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is the top-end of Xiaomi's budget Redmi line. It offers some respectable specs for its diminutive price tag and makes an interesting addition to the budget phones market. Heading for UK shelves in April, the phone packs a 108MP camera and a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. We encountered one or two small performance issues during our tests but overall found the handset to be a good value proposition and a highly usable, multifunctional smartphone. Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £299 at Xiaomi Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £319 at Carphone Warehouse Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £319 at Very It's worth noting too that we really liked the predecessor to this phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro. It bagged a 4.5-star rating in our full Redmi Note 10 Pro review. If you're wanting to shop around and consider worthy alternatives, it's also worth taking a look at our new Honor X8 review, Moto G200 review and our best budget smartphone list. Jump to: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro review: summary What is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro? How much is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro? Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro features Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro battery Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro camera Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro design Our verdict Where to buy Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro review: summary The Redmi Note 11 offers value as a budget handset. It's got a decent camera and plenty of features. It's powerful enough to play games and run a wealth of apps but can hit technical issues every now and again. During our tests, one basic commonly used email app froze repeatedly. A quick reboot of the phone sorted this out easily, but the fault recurred on two more occasions and other apps encountered similar issues. That aside, we enjoyed using the Redmi Note 11 Pro and it was a versatile, functional smartphone that offers good value for its price of around £300. That places it in the lower mid-range and – by and large – the chipset and tech behind this handset deliver a really good package for something in that price range. Key features: 6.67-inch AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate Fingerprint scanner IP52 dust and splash protection Headphone jack 108MP main camera Pros: Solid main camera Nice design and hand-feel Good battery life when using 60Hz setting Cons: Some apps froze during testing Large bezels 120Hz setting drains battery quickly What is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro? Redmi is a sub-brand of Xiaomi. The company currently divides its phones into three lines, with the central Xiaomi line — consisting of the likes of the Xiaomi 11 — the most high-end, the Redmi line being more affordable and the Poco line-up offering something for a slightly younger, more gaming-oriented audience. Take a look at our review of the Xiaomi 11T Pro for more info. How much is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro? The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 costs £299 and at that price it's very good value. The cheaper base model, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, is also available for £200. It lacks some of the better features of the Pro version and feels quite different in design terms too. We had a limited hands-on period with the base model and found the Pro easier to recommend. Shop the Xiaomi smartphone range: Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £299 at Xiaomi Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £319 at Carphone Warehouse Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £319 at Very Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Very Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Currys Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Argos Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Amazon Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro features For a low-to-mid-range handset, the Redmi Note 11 Pro is fairly feature-packed. Alongside that headline-grabbing 108MP camera, it's equipped with a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset and full 5G capabilities. The addition of 5G is one of the main advantages the Pro has over the standard handset and it has plenty of extra power too, so you'll get away with running more apps and bigger games. It's got IP52-rated dust and splash protection, so there's some peace of mind, but the handset isn't exactly indestructible. The fingerprint scanner is another welcome addition. It's side-mounted, on the 'on' button, so it's easy to find and was easy to set up and use too. For those of you who like to use wired headphones, there's even a headphone jack! This is increasingly rare on new phones and will be a refreshing change for some buyers. That said, if you're looking to go wireless, do take a look at our best wireless earbuds page. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro battery The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G comes with a 5000mAh battery. That's a really good capacity and for the majority of our testing, we were impressed with how slowly the phone chewed through its battery life. However, one key variable controls this. While variable refresh rates are all the rage among flagship phones at the moment, the Redmi Note 11 Pro has two settings for its display's refresh rate — either 60Hz or 120Hz. Where variable refresh rates adjust automatically to save battery, the Note 11 Pro can't. So, if you turn on that 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother experience, the phone will die much sooner. Flipping to that higher refresh rate saw the handset burn through power pretty quickly, but for much of our test, we used the phone on the 60Hz setting and were impressed by how long the battery lasted. We never had to take impromptu charging breaks throughout the day and always finished the day with some power left in the bank. The phone comes with a 67W fast charger in the box, but the handset we were supplied with had a two-pin plug, so we weren't able to test this extensively. However, during our time at MWC 2022, we made use of European plug sockets and found the fast charger performed very well. Xiaomi has assured us that UK models do come with a UK three pin plug fast charger. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro camera The Redmi Note 11 Pro proudly boasts a 108MP camera as part of a quad-camera array on the reverse of the phone. The other three lenses consist of one 8MP wide-angle snapper, a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. Altogether they perform pretty well and the 108MP main camera does a good job of capturing detail. However, use the extra wide-angle and you'll see that detail significantly reduced. Overall, we found the camera easy to use and functional, but it's not going to set any records. That said, who expects a top-performing camera in this low-to-mid-range bracket? The 108MP really adds to the overall value proposition of the handset. On the front, the phone packs a serviceable 16MP camera and the cameras can capture 1080p video at 30FPS. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro design You're not going to mistake the Redmi Note 11 Pro for a £1000 flagship, but it's a really nice tactile handset and it doesn't suffer from finger marks as badly as a lot of similarly priced phones. It's got a flat back with a fairly large, protruding camera bump, which is rectangular with rounded corners. The screen is flat too with a very slight sloping away effect around the edges. All the flat edges have a very iPhone-esque feel and it seems that's what Xiaomi was going for. Overall, the handset is tactile and has a nice mid-range feel. Its slightly larger bezels are a nod to its low price point, but they're not likely to be a sticking point for many users. Our verdict: should you buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro? The Redmi Note 11 Pro is a good value proposition, first and foremost. For a phone around the £300 mark, it's got a solid camera and offers serviceable hardware. While we encountered one or two small tech hitches during testing, the phone performed well for the most part. Also, it doesn't feel like a cheap phone in your hands. It's a nice, tactile handset and when you're handling it day-in-day-out, that really makes a difference. We liked the flat styling, though the large conspicuous camera bump may irritate some users, likewise the cut-out selfie camera on the front. Use the phone on the 60Hz refresh rate setting and the battery is fairly impressive too and the fast charge is a bonus. With app-freezing and fast charge issues, the phone is far from perfect, but it's still a good value offering for around £300 and overall we enjoyed using it. Where to buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro The Redmi Note 11 Pro is available via O2 and Xiaomi right now, we're sure it will be more widely available soon too and you can check in using the links below. Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £299 at Xiaomi Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £319 at Carphone Warehouse Xiaomi Note 11 Pro | £319 at Very Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Very Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Currys Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Argos Shop Xiaomi smartphones at Amazon Take a look below for the latest deals on the base model, the Xiaomi Note 11. It's worth noting too that we gave the Note 10 Pro a 4.5-star rating and it's one to consider. This handset is still available and will be available more cheaply following the release of the Note 11 Pro. For the latest news, reviews, and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section. The latest issue of Radio Times is on sale now – subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your door. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Moto G200 5G review: A powerful Android phone for under £400
We have tested the Motorola smartphone to bring you a detailed breakdown of specs, features and pricing. Is it the Android phone for you?
The Moto G200 5G is a powerful and snappy mid-range Android smartphone that blends performance with affordability. It has a top-end processor and a versatile triple-camera set-up, scrolling through apps is smooth thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate, and the battery capacity is more than enough to last a full day of use. The 6.8-inch 1080p LCD display won’t win awards but provides more than enough brightness and responsiveness for this £400 price point. Similarly, the handset’s plastic construction is a compromise to keep costs down – but it wasn’t an annoyance during day-to-day use, and actually worked to provide some additional grip and efficiently keep fingerprints to a minimum. Put simply, it’s one of the first Moto handsets in a while we felt, yes, we could use this on a long-term basis. As an all-rounder, it’s an easy recommendation. In this review, we will break down the pros and cons of the Moto G200 5G to help you decide if it’s the right Android smartphone for you and whether it deserves a place on our best mid-range phone list. If you are researching the different Motorola devices, don’t miss out on our compilation of the best Motorola phones to buy in 2022. Jump to: Moto G200 review: summary What is the Moto G200? How much is the Moto G200? Moto G200 features Moto G200 battery Moto G200 camera Moto G200 design Our verdict Where to buy Moto G200 review: summary Motorola makes a lot of smartphones, and as a result not every handset will make a splash the size of, say, a Samsung S22 Plus or Google Pixel 6 Pro upon its release. Despite this, the company has quietly been dominating the mid-range category by refining its ability to add some higher-end specs into handsets under £500. The Moto G200 is a fine example of this. Sure, there are compromises – specifically its plastic construction, lack of wireless charging and 1080p display – but for every minus, there’s a plus. The 108 MP camera, Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ processor, smooth performance, fingerprint sensor and battery life are only some. So, if you need a highly-capable smartphone but don’t want to pay flagship prices, the Moto G200 is a fantastic option that’s unlikely to leave you disappointed. Key features: Powerful Snapdragon 888+ 5G processor Clean Android 11 software with little unwanted apps 5000 mAh battery easily lasts for more than a day 144Hz refresh rate gives smooth performance Triple camera setup includes 108MP lens Future-proofed thanks to 5G connectivity Pros: Great processor for the money Performance consistently solid Camera is quick and versatile Cons: Lack of wireless charging No expandable storage No headphone jack What is the Moto G200? The Moto G200 is the new top-end model in Motorola’s g-series line-up, which is packed with budget-to mid-range handsets: the Moto G100 (£329.99), Moto G60s (£219.99), Moto G50 (£199.99) and the recently-released Moto G31 (£189.99). While the naming conventions may seem a little strange at first, the broad trend is that the higher the number after the “g,” the more premium the handset. There is also the more powerful Edge 20 series, as detailed in our recent Moto Edge 20 review. How much is the Moto G200? The Moto G200 was released in the UK in November 2021, priced at £399.99 for the 8GB/128GB version. It represents good value for money for the specs on offer, especially the powerful Snapdragon 888+ 5G processor which keeps performance running silky smooth. Rivals in this price range include the Samsung A52 5G, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, and the iPhone SE (2nd gen) for any fans of Apple iOS. Buy the Moto G200 at Amazon Buy the Moto G200 at Motorola Buy the Moto G200 at Lenovo Moto G200 features While the Moto G200 is best viewed as an all-rounder, there are several features that stand out with the handset. The first isn’t visible to the eye. The processor that powers the phone – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ – is one of the best 5G mobile chips around, so it’s more than capable of keeping performance smooth. Mixed with a high 144Hz display – meaning that the screen can draw a new image 144 times per second – and the G200 becomes a very pleasant user experience. We found that scrolling the internet was entirely stutter-free, mobile games ran well and every app that we tested was quick to load and snappy to run. Unlike the pricier Edge 20 (£429.99 RRP), the display isn’t OLED, but we ultimately found little to complain about with the 1080p LCD screen on the g200. The 6.8-inch screen is big – perhaps a downside for anyone used to a small phone or display – but its clarity and brightness were still very good. We had no trouble using the handset in outdoor conditions, with the screen remaining visible under the glare of the afternoon sun, and all the wallpapers looked vivid and crisp. Out of the box, the software was pleasing to use during our time with the G200. The Android 11 version had little bloatware – unwanted apps that are pre-installed – and we were able to customise the look and feel to our tastes by reducing the size of the app icons, swapping the layout with ease and changing widget positioning. The G200 comes with 5G so if you have the right SIM and are in a service area you can enjoy fast speeds and downloads. It’s great to see more budget and mid-range devices with 5G as standard, and it’s a nice future-proofing feature here, too. While not really a feature, we liked the weight of the G200. At 202g, it doesn't feel lightweight, like some of the older Pixels for example. This is personal preference, but if you like your phones to feel a little more substantial, this provides it. There are some notable omissions, however. The Moto G200 has no 3.5mm jack, so headphones will have to be via wireless or USB-C, and there’s no proper water resistance rating so this isn’t a handset you will want to use in wet conditions. It’s more understandable for this price, but there is also no wireless charging. We used the phone outside but only in dryer conditions – and while it has an IP52 “water-repellent” design it’s not a handset we would be comfortable using in the rain, unlike the OnePlus 9 Pro, iPhone 13, Pixel 6 Pro or other pricier models. The lack of a 3.5mm jack isn’t a massive deal for us – as we are fans of many of the options from our best wireless earbuds list – but it may be a deal-breaker for some. The same goes for the lack of expandable storage. You are stuck with what you get – and in this case that is 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage that’s built-in. Moto G200 battery There is a 5000mAh battery inside the Moto G200, and that provides between one and two days of power – depending on how much you use the phone, how many apps you have running or how much data you are streaming with videos. We did find that the battery easily lasted for a full day – often closer to two – when using the handset for general use: checking emails and the news, casual YouTube browsing and the half-hour of doom-scrolling on social media before bed. As mentioned, there’s no wireless charging but you get a wall charger bundled in the box. The 33W “TurboPower” charger and USB-C cable that comes with it was fast to juice up the handset – going from 45% to 70% in around 10 minutes. From 45%, the phone noted that it would take 24 minutes to get to 100%. In the battery settings, you can extend the life by turning on Battery Saver mode or Adaptive Battery mode, which defects when apps are draining the phone and limits the power on the phone going to apps that aren't being used often. When we were at 45% power, a notification said we had “more than 2 days left.” This is a fast-charging, and long-lasting, smartphone battery. And that’s a very big plus in our book. Moto G200 camera The Moto G200 has a versatile triple-camera setup: a 108MP primary lens (with an output resolution of 12MP) a 13MP ultrawide and a 2MP depth sensor. The selfie camera is 16MP. We found the camera performance to also be very snappy, producing images with solid clarity, picture details and colour accuracy. There’s no optical stabilisation built-in, but the range of modes is impressive and the layout is similar to other Motorola handsets so veterans of the brand will find it easy to navigate. You get a variety of options with a single left scroll, including portrait, panorama, night vision, pro, group selfie and a 108MP "Ultra res" mode. Of course, unlike what some marketing may lead you to believe, having a 108MP lens doesn’t instantly mean you take better quality images than, say, a 12MP lens that is found on an iPhone - more that it will retain image quality if you are using the shots for editing, cropping or scaling up for printing. Still, it’s a great option to have. The front-facing lens is fine – if nothing spectacular. Just make sure you have Face Beauty mode turned off so you don’t get the creepy smoothed out skin filter. In terms of video, the Moto G200 can shoot 4K videos at 30fps with the main lens, while the ultrawide and selfie camera lenses are able to record clips at 30fps in 1080p. Here are a couple of images taken while in average-to-bright conditions. The images were taken with the main lens and have not been edited or enhanced in any way. View Gallery on the source website Moto G200 design We initially thought that the plastic design of the Moto G200 would be an issue, but it wasn’t. We tested the Stellar Blue model (it also comes in Glacier Green) and even though it lacks a premium feel of a glass back, we ultimately liked how it added some more grip to the smartphone, and kept the fingerprints to a minimum. The Moto G200 has a fairly unique frame, with the three cameras placed on top of a ramp-like module that gently protrudes from the middle of the back. The colour has a pleasing tint to it, and while there is definitely some branding on the back of the phone, it’s not too large and we quickly got used to the logos being there. The ramped module on the back means the phone wobbles if you’re using it while placed on a desk. The bump size isn’t anything more extreme than, say, a Pixel 6, but the Google phone doesn’t have that issue as its module stretches the entire width of its frame. The wobble could be an annoyance for some G200 users. The button placement is also solid, with everything exactly where you would expect it to be. On the right side is the volume and main power button (which doubles as the fingerprint password scanner) and on the left side is the voice assistant button. On the bottom, you will find the speakers, SIM slot and the USB-C charging port. Yes, the smartphone is big but fits well in the hand. As a comparison, here is how the Moto G200’s frame compares to the base Google Pixel 6 and OnePlus 8T: And here is now the camera module bump protrudes, compared to the base Pixel 6: Our verdict: should you buy the Moto G200 5G? The MotoG200 is a great mid-range handset and perhaps one of the first models from the company that we could see ourselves using longer-term. Performance is smooth thanks to the top-end processor and high refresh rate, the camera is snappy and versatile, while the battery is quick to charge and is unlikely to run out without warning. Like every mid-range phone, the Moto G200 isn’t perfect – you will have to be able to live without wireless charging, any expandable storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack – but the compromises don’t ruin the experience. If you don’t have the budget for a higher-end Android like the Pixel 6, OnePlus 9 Pro or Samsung S22, the G200 is a fantastic affordable alternative. Any iOS fans may want to wait for a little longer, as we expect an iPhone SE 3rd gen to be unveiled during an upcoming Apple Spring event. But when it comes to the Moto G200 we had fairly tempered expectations going in, and they were exceeded. Our rating: Features: 4/5 Battery: 4/5 Camera: 4/5 Design/set-up: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 Where to buy the Moto G200 5G The Moto G200 is priced at £399.99 for the 8GB/128GB version. Here’s where you can buy the smartphone today in the UK: Buy the Moto G200 at Amazon Buy the Moto G200 at Motorola Buy the Moto G200 at Lenovo For news, reviews, and deals check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section.
The S22+ is the middle child of the new S22 range, between the standard phone and the S22 Ultra. But how does it compare to the other phones and is it worth your cash?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 was one of the most popular smartphones of the previous generation, so it's no surprise that the arrival of the S22 range has caused a stir. Our reviewers got hands-on for an extended test of the middle-sibling in the range — the Samsung Galaxy S22+. The new handset doesn't re-invent the wheel instead, Samsung has made solid improvements to good overall effect. It has all the fantastic assets we've come to expect from Samsung phones of late, a snappy camera, a great user experience, a top display and plenty of features. The most immediately noticeable difference between the S22 and the S22+ is the size. Compared to the 6.1-inch S22, the Plus is a more sizeable 6.7-inches. For many, this will make it less comfortable and easy to use one-handed. On the upside, that slightly larger display is better for streaming, photo editing and similar visual tasks. We found few flaws with the S22+ but had to question how it measures up to some of the key competitors, like the Google Pixel 6 Pro — and whether it's a big enough improvement on the Samsung Galaxy S21+ for users to upgrade. If you are not sure which S22-series smartphone is best for you, be sure to read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S22 vs S22 Plus vs S22 Ultra comparison guide. Jump to: Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review: summary What is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus? How much is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus? Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus features Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus battery Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus camera Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus design Our verdict Where to buy Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review: summary While the S22+ might feel like an iterative upgrade rather than something revolutionary, that context doesn't make it any less of a fantastic phone. One or two of its features are market-leading in this price bracket and it competes well across the board. One of those top-end elements is the S22+'s AMOLED display. It really stands out. The 6.7-inch panel is bright, responsive and a joy to use. It's ideal for streaming content, making video calls and playing mobile games. Elsewhere, the camera is fantastic and colours pop with that signature Samsung style, but the Google Pixel 6 Pro camera does just as good a job — and a slightly lower price-point. When it comes to the user experience, the handset's 8GB of RAM and 120Hz variable refresh rate makes for a pleasingly smooth experience. On that HDR10+ display, things look great and Android 12 (with Samsung One UI 4.1 overlay) works well. Everything is pretty intuitive and for Samsung users, everything will feel familiar. Key features Exynos 2200 chipset Either 128GB or 256GB of storage 5G and Bluetooth connectivity 6.7-inch 120Hz variable refresh rate display Wireless charging Android 12 and One UI 4.1 IP68 water resistance rating Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus 50MP wide camera, 10MP telephoto camera, 12MP ultrawide Capable of filming 8K video 10MP selfie camera (shoots 4K video) Good stereo speakers No headphone jack Pros Great camera Fantastic display Larger battery than the standard S22 Plenty of power Cons Not a million miles better than the S21+ No mains charger in the box Can't conclusively beat the Pixel 6 Pro camera What is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus? The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is the middle sibling in Samsung's new S22 phone range. Compared to the standard S22, it's a little larger and can be purchased with more storage. While both phones have HDR10+ displays, that of the Plus is slightly better. The panel has a higher peak brightness (1750nits) and benefits from that slightly larger size. Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus features Using the S22+ is noticeably smooth from start to finish. Setting up fingerprint or face ID is fairly simple and makes it quicker to unlock your phone. During testing we mainly used the face ID option, which can be set on a speedy 'sign me in quick!' mode, or on a slightly slower, slightly more secure mode. Either way, it was generally responsive and made unlocking the phone simple and fast. It was bamboozled by hats though, amusingly. Elsewhere, we found the phone was simple to connect to — and use with — a range of Bluetooth accessories. Connecting to earbuds was simple and the connection was reliable. Elsewhere connectivity was similarly reliable, though, of course, this depends on your network. 5G connectivity makes the phone feel a little more future-proof too. As soon as you switch on the S22+ you'll appreciate the HDR10+ display and it's fantastic for streaming videos or playing games. It produces noticeable bright, vibrant colours, as you'd expect with that impressive 1750nits peak brightness. The stereo speakers are clear too and have a good volume range, though you won't be waking up the neighbours with them. Altogether, it's a great handset for keeping yourself entertained. How much is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus? The S22+ will cost you £949 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or £999 for 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. That lowest spec Plus handset is £200 less than the lowest spec Ultra model, which starts at £1149 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The Base S22 starts at £769. Shop S22 Series at Samsung Shop S22 Series at Currys Shop S22 Series at Virgin Media Shop S22 Series at Very Shop S22 Series at ID Mobile Shop S22 Series at Vodafone Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus battery Our main initial concern around the base S22 was its relatively small 3700mAh battery. Thankfully the more expensive S22+ comes with a larger 4500mAh cell. That's much more like it. We gave the battery a really thorough test, draining the cell from 100% to 0% under intense use and timing the process. The S22+ played videos with the audio played over its speaker, then played music and podcasts through wireless earbuds. We also used the camera, made video calls and tested a wide variety of functions to simulate a day of intensive use. Overall, the S22+'s battery hung in there for 15 hours and 42 minutes. Under heavy use, that's a reasonably good performance. It's more than enough to last you throughout the day without having to stop and top up. Our extended test of the S22+ comes before our full test of the base S22. While we have had a short hands-on session with the base phone, we haven't yet used it for an extended period to test the battery. This is potentially one of the key differentiators between the base phone and the Plus, thanks to that larger battery. It could be a key factor when deciding whether to pick up the standard S22, or spend more and get the Plus. Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus camera View Gallery on the source website The 50MP wide camera, 10MP telephoto camera and 12MP ultrawide camera come together very well in the S22+'s triple camera array. There's a wealth of settings and the camera is simple to use, with easy-shooting modes or advanced settings. We were very happy with the detail of the 3x telephoto zoom and there's also a 30x 'space zoom' which harnesses the phone's imaging processing power and uses digital zoom. Of course, detail is reduced in this mode but it's still pretty impressive. Samsung has also been keen to shout about the so-called 'nightography' feature of the S22 range. Basically, this sees the cameras bolstered with AI that makes low-light shooting much easier and much clearer. So far we're fairly impressed with the low light shooting of the S22+, but it doesn't seem quite as revolutionary as Samsung is claiming. The Google Pixel 6 Pro can still keep pace quite happily. The S22+ shines when it comes to recording video and it can do so in 8K via the reverse camera or 4K on the front-facing 10MP selfie camera. Having the ability to shoot 8K video — up to 24fps — with a pocketable phone is still a hugely impressive feat. It uses auto-framing to automatically make sure your subjects are in shot and is fantastic at image stabilisation, so it's easy to film on the move. You may recognise the auto-framing feature from the reveal of the iPhone 13 when Apple revealed a very, very similar feature at the end of last year. That said, it's still a good feature to have and makes it easy to shoot video on the fly. Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus design The Plus looks exactly like the standard S22, but we think it's a good look. The only real change is that size difference — the Plus is a little larger, packing that bigger 6.7-inch display. Elsewhere, it's notable that the front and back of the phone are made from Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. That means it's fantastically hard-wearing, difficult to scratch and will survive most basic drops, bumps and scrapes. All three phones have this feature and it represents a step forward from the plastic back of the S21 Series — both in terms of premium feel and durability. We recently reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, so this design move was fresh in our minds during testing. Overall, the phone just feels more premium compared to its predecessors. The S22 range is more upmarket. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is available in black, white, pink and green. Our verdict: should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus? Should you buy a Samsung Galaxy S22+? That depends. If you're currently using a phone from the S21 Series, you might not necessarily need to upgrade here — unless you're ready to step up to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, that is. However, if you're using an older handset, the S22+ is definitely a viable upgrade option. We love its display, the user experience is smooth and reliable and there are plenty of top-end features. However, the fact that it can't conclusively outgun the Pixel 6 Pro in the camera stakes is a drawback. When it comes to handling the phone day-to-day, we slightly preferred the compact form factor of the standard S22 over the larger Plus model. However, this is very much a subjective and personal choice. The Plus isn't necessarily overly large and if you're used to a slightly larger handset, the Plus or Ultra will feel great. It does beat the S22 when it comes to battery power though, with that 4500mAh cell in the S22+ offering more uninterrupted use than the relatively small 3700mAh cell in the base phone. Overall, if you're a Samsung fan and you're looking to upgrade from an S20, then the S22+ could be ideal. However, if you're less sold on — or involved in — the Samsung ecosystem, it's still worth considering the Google Pixel 6 Pro as a viable alternative that's a little more affordable, starting at £849. However, if you're struggling to decide between the two closely comparable handsets, it would be easy to be swayed by the 12 months of Disney Plus and Galaxy Buds Pro that are currently included with the purchase of any S22 phone. Where to buy Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is available in the UK from the 11th March. The standard S22 launches on the same day, with the S22 Ultra available from 25th February. Shop S22 Series at Samsung Shop S22 Series at Currys Shop S22 Series at Virgin Media Shop S22 Series at Very Shop S22 Series at ID Mobile Shop S22 Series at Vodafone If you're looking for more phone buying options, take a look at our Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review and our best Android phones guide. Or for gift ideas, try our list of the best tech gifts.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 isn't a huge departure from its predecessor, the S21. However, it's packed full of features and it looks great. We got hands-on with the new Samsung phone to see if it's worth your cash.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is set to be one of the stand-out phones of 2022. Fresh from the success and widespread popularity of the S21 range, Samsung finally let us get our hands on the new handset ahead of its imminent release. But is it worth your cash? We’ll be testing the new Samsung handset at length as soon as possible, but after a brief hands-on, the early signs are generally good. The phone is compact, with the smooth user experience we’ve come to expect from Samsung and a display that really pops. It's a relief that the initial signs are good too, as the S21 range consistently ranked among the best Android phones of the last generation. Released as part of the wider S22 range, the Samsung Galaxy S22 hits the market alongside the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra. It’s the most affordable handset in the range, but it still packs plenty of power and a fantastic line-up of features. Under the hood, the S22 looks pretty well equipped. It comes with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. In our brief hands-on it performed well, navigating between apps and features is easy and Android 12 – overlaid with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 – is all fairly intuitive. If you’re a Samsung user already, the phone will feel very familiar. So, with its UK release just around the corner, is the Samsung Galaxy S22 the ideal phone upgrade for you? Read on to hear all our findings from the hands-on event. If you are not sure which S22-series smartphone is best for you, be sure to read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S22 vs S22 Plus vs S22 Ultra comparison guide. Samsung Galaxy S22 release date The Samsung Galaxy S22 is available to purchase now, from a range of UK retailers and mobile providers. Shop S22 Series at Samsung Shop S22 Series at Currys Shop S22 Series at Virgin Media Shop S22 Series at Very Shop S22 Series at ID Mobile Shop S22 Series at EE Shop S22 Series at Vodafone For more on the wider Samsung Galaxy S22 family, take a look at our Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra hands-on review. How much is Samsung Galaxy S22? There are two storage options for the Samsung Galaxy S22 — either 128GB or 256GB of storage. They cost £769 and £819 respectively. If you like the S22 but have a slightly larger budget, the S22 Plus is a very similar handset with a few spec boosts. That's also available with 128GB or 256GB of storage, for £949 or £999. When we recently reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE — or 'Fan Edition' — one of our main criticisms was its price-point in the marketplace. The consistently impressive Google Pixel 6 compares well to most Android phones and costs just £599. It will be interesting to see how the S22 compares when we get our hands on one for further testing. Shop the Samsung Galaxy S22 now Samsung Galaxy S22 specs 6.1-inch AMOLED display 120Hz refresh rate 8GB RAM 128GB or 256GB of storage 3700mAh battery Wireless charging Android 12 and One UI 4.1 IP68 water resistance rating 50MP wide camera/12MP ultra-wide/ 10MP telephoto 10MP front camera 5G connectivity Samsung Galaxy S22 features The S22 basically seems as feature-packed as we expected. It’s got all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from this level of Samsung phone. Notably, that 8GB of RAM is sure to make for a smooth user experience and help the S22 make the most of its cameras. It's also compatible with 15W wireless charging, so you'll be able to make use of — increasingly common — wireless charging points and keep topped up. Elsewhere, they're basic features but the fingerprint sensor is always a good addition for security and the IP68 water rating means the phone is resistant to being submerged in water up to 1.5m deep for up to thirty minutes. We wouldn't really recommend testing this out yourself, but it's confident to know your phone is robust. Samsung Galaxy S22 camera The Galaxy S22 packs a triple-camera array on its reverse. The fairly hefty camera bump houses a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto camera, capable of 3x optical zoom. Typically the photo processing on Samsung phones makes for bright images where the colours really pop. In our brief hands-on with the S22, the camera was very easy to use and delivered that burst of contrast that we expected. There were a wealth of settings to play around with too and an impressively detailed 3x zoom feature. Solid camera performance was a hallmark of the S20 and S21 ranges — it looks like Samsung has delivered on this promise again and we can't wait to test this camera in-depth. Samsung Galaxy S22 design You can see the design roots of this phone at a glance and unsurprisingly, the look of the S22 isn’t a huge departure from the S21. It’s got nice rounded edges and a reverse camera bump, housing that potent three-camera array. In black or white, it looks fairly minimalist. There are also green and 'pink gold' colour options for the standard handset. As usual, the 6.1-inch base S22 is the smallest handset in the range, compared to the 6.6-inch Plus and the 6.8-inch Ultra. In terms of look and feel, size difference aside, the standard phone and the Plus are almost identical, while the Ultra looks, feels and works like something else entirely. We liked all three phones but there’s no disputing that the Ultra is a level or two above – as it should be. We like that Samsung has kept a relatively tight, small form-factor for the base S22 phone though, with so many brands offering larger handsets as standard. It’s nicely pocketable and easy to use with one hand. View Gallery on the source website Samsung Galaxy S22 battery life Unfortunately, our hands-on experience with the Samsung Galaxy wasn’t long enough to test the battery’s limits. When we get our hands on a review sample and undertake a full, rigorous test, then we’ll be sure to let you know how the battery life compares to its predecessor and its competitors. Notably, though, the S22 only has a 3700mAh battery. When we consider that there are plenty of handsets out there that cost less than half the price of the S22 but pack 5000mAh batteries, that might be a slight concern. However, we’ll hold off on rendering a full verdict until we’ve really put this battery through its paces. For example, the £159 Moto G9 Play packs an impressive 5000mAh battery. For more on this, take a look at our best Motorola phones article. How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S22 The S22 is to purchase now from a wide range of UK retailers. Check out the links below for buying info and up to date pricing. Pre-order S22 Series at Samsung Pre-order S22 Series at Currys Pre-order S22 Series at Virgin Media Pre-order S22 Series at Very Pre-order S22 Series at ID Mobile Pre-order S22 Series at EE Pre-order S22 Series at Vodafone The Samsung Galaxy S22 is also available on contract from EE and Vodafone with additional extras such as Galaxy Buds Pro and Disney Plus included with some deals. For the latest news, reviews, and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section.
Bose's first Dolby Atmos soundbar is here and it's pretty impressive – but does it justify its hefty price tag?
It's always worth noting that the job of a soundbar is an inherently difficult one. It's a small, thin speaker, trying to create something like the full cinematic sound usually generated by several large speakers in a surround sound system. Dolby Atmos tech has made that goal more achievable and helps the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 to offer an impressively cinematic sound at home and rank among the best soundbars available in this price bracket. As soundbars become more and more popular for cinematic home audio, it's also true that the marketplace becomes more competitive. This bar joins the likes of the Samsung HW-Q950A and the pricey but impressive Sennheiser Ambeo – plus various offerings from Sonos. But which to choose? Bose has long been admired as one of the best brands for home audio, but it's a trickier space than ever, so we put Bose's latest offering through its paces to see if it's really worth your cash. Jump to: Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: summary What is Bose Smart Soundbar 900? How much is Bose Smart Soundbar 900? Bose Smart Soundbar 900 design Bose Smart Soundbar 900 sound quality Bose Smart Soundbar 900 set-up Our verdict Where to buy Bose Smart Soundbar 900 review: summary Finally, there's a Dolby Atmos soundbar from Bose — the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. It's an elegant, glass-topped soundbar with bags of features and a wonderful, well-rounded sound. The Smart Soundbar 900 is a sleek and fantastically well-designed soundbar with lots going for it and a distinctive new look. Bose has ditched the fabric soundbar frontage in favour of a subtle metal grille and for our money, it's one of the best-looking soundbars out there at the moment. So, how does it compare to competitors in terms of price? The Sonos Arc is one of the key competitors in the marketplace and it's currently sold by Sonos at £899. They're directly comparable as the Arc is Sonos' first Dolby Atmos soundbar and similarly uses both front and up-firing speakers to create an enveloping bubble of sound. In many ways, it's neck-and-neck between the two, but the Sonos Arc makes a couple of marginal wins when presenting cinematic sound for films, partly thanks to its extra four drivers. Also, it's worth noting that there are more options as regards supplementary speakers from Sonos. So if you're looking to start a larger surround-sound setup, the Arc may be preferred. For more on the performance of the Sonos, take a look at our full Sonos Arc review, in which it bagged an impressive five-star rating. The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 outperforms its younger sibling, the Bose Smart Soundbar 700, but feels like a solid iterative upgrade rather than a revolutionary change. That said, the addition of Dolby Atmos is notable. We thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent testing out the Soundbar 900. However, there are one or two minor drawbacks. Read on for a full summary of our testing and thoughts on the latest Bose soundbar. Price: £899.95 Pros: Great sound quality Looks great Dolby Atmos Cons: Is it better than Sonos Arc? Expensive Key features: Dolby Atmos eARC connectivity Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity Voice controls TrueSpace technology What is Bose Smart Soundbar 900? The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is the first-ever Dolby Atmos soundbar from Bose. Dolby Atmos technology first appeared in cinemas in 2012 and now represents the cutting edge of home audio tech. Essentially, Dolby Atmos is an audio format that creates a sound bubble, using one or several speakers. Dolby described the technology as follows: "From music and movies to podcasters and game developers, Dolby Atmos allows creatives everywhere to place each sound exactly where they want it to go, creating a more realistic and immersive audio experience." This soundbar also packs TrueSpace technology, which helps to give a spatial element to non-Dolby-Atmos tuned audio too. How much is Bose Smart Soundbar 900? The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 will set you back £899, so it's hardly a budget option. Bose has always been a premium brand though, so we're not surprised to see a new soundbar in this price bracket from Bose and the bar itself performs well and looks great. Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | £899.95 at Bose Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | £899 at Currys Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | £899 at John Lewis If you buy and enjoy a Bose Smart Soundbar 900, there are several add-on options to turn your one-piece soundbar into a true surround sound system. These include the Bose Bass Module 700 and the Bose 700 Surround Speakers. Bose Bass Module 700 | £799 at Currys Bose 700 Surround Speakers | £519 at Currys Bose Smart Soundbar 900 design The glass-topped soundbar is available in black or white and looks sleek in any living room. The fabric fronting of many popular soundbars is replaced on this model with a metal grille. This is easier to clean and — from an aesthetic standpoint — we think it's an improvement. Certainly, the product design in terms of where the speakers are placed and how they're deployed is fantastic. Front, side and up-firing speakers come together to offer impressive spatial audio and a well-rounded sound. Equally, while the set-up of ADATiQ is a little unwieldy, it can work wonders in some spaces and is an ingenious design solution for setting up a Dolby Atmos system. More on this later. There are also two small touch buttons on that glass top. One mutes and unmutes the microphone for your audio assistant while the other wakes up that audio assistant for a task. The remote that comes with the soundbar is small, compact and well designed. It doesn't feel cheap and plastic-y either, as so many entertainment remotes do. View Gallery on the source website Bose Smart Soundbar 900 sound quality It's sound quality that Bose is known for and the Smart Soundbar 900 does not disappoint. It's wonderful for music, television and film. The soundbar creates a noticeably wide soundstage and uses its up-firing speakers to good effect. The up-firing speakers differentiate the soundbar from more affordable alternatives like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) and help to create a big sound that will fill any living room with ease. When switching from TV speakers to Smart Soundbar 900 audio, you'll be blown away by the quality difference, as well as the way the bar fills the room with sound and offers previously unnoticeable audio detail. When listening to music, the Smart Soundbar 900 rendered the bassy beats of 'Glue' by Bicep and the big-band soundscape of The Hot 8 Brass Band's 'Sexual Healing' cover with equal ease. Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' nicely showed off the sparkling mid-tones and crystal clear vocal performance of the soundbar. The multi-layered treble of Steely Dan's 'Do It Again' and 'Reelin' in the Years' also showed the Bose to be more than capable. When it comes to that all-important cinematic sound, Bose even has a backup plan for non-Dolby-Atmos content. 'TrueSpace' technology helps to turn non-Dolby-Atmos content into more spatial audio, helping to minimise the disparity between films with Dolby-Atmos tuned audio and those without. When we tested the cinematic performance of the soundbar, we were very impressed. The bar creates a well-rounded, cinematic sound with notable breadth. However – seemingly due to this breadth – occasionally certain elements of a film's audio may feel like they've ended up slightly further to one side of the soundstage than intended. This was the case as Christoph Waltz's character arrived in a noisily clattering horse-drawn cart in the opening scene of Django Unchained (2012). This is only a very slight criticism and ultimately doesn't undermine a very enjoyable audio-visual experience. Elsewhere the soundbar uses its nine drivers dextrously, creating easily distinguished layers of sound that make for a wonderfully well-rounded whole. Film sound effects are clear and appear in distinct layers over the score. It's all immensely listenable. The Smart Soundbar 900 also did a wonderful job of rendering the highly-praised sound design of Dunkirk (2017). The scream of Stuka dive-bomber shells landing, crowds of soldiers waiting to be evacuated and close-up dialogue all take distinct places in the sound stage and remain crystal clear, even at high volumes. Bose Smart Soundbar 900 set-up: is it easy to use? Things get a little odd when it comes to setting the Smart Soundbar 900 up. Bose has equipped the soundbar with ADAPTiQ – a technology that helps to optimise the Smart Soundbar 900's audio for your space. This requires you to wear a small, head-band shaped microphone while sitting in the five most commonly used seats in your television room. This helps to optimise the audio for each spot and deliver the very best sound the soundbar is capable of. You'll feel more than a little silly setting this up, but afterwards, it pays dividends. The Dolby Atmos and TrueSpace technology know where to expect you to be, meaning more spatial audio and a more engrossing soundstage. We found the app slightly more straightforward to use than the Sonos equivalent, which is a nice little win for Bose fans. It's really simple to switch between TV and Spotify and to connect up to other services. Our verdict: should you buy the Bose Smart Soundbar 900? It's impossible to render a verdict on the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 without comparing it to the Sonos Arc. These are two brands that have been locked in competition for years, now offering their debut Dolby Atmos soundbars at the same price. While the sound quality is really the most important facet of any soundbar, we're sure some buyers will choose the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 over competitors simply because it looks nicer – and if that's your preference, that's fair. When it comes to audio quality, the Sonos Arc may have a very, very slight edge, but we're splitting hairs and only audiophiles are likely to find huge differences between the two offerings. The other counter-argument for the Sonos Arc is that there are more Sonos speakers to supplement a wider multi-speaker system with. Ultimately, if you want a soundbar at this price, that looks great in your TV room and offers top-notch sound, then the Bose is a great buy. If you're completely focused on sound, then the four extra drivers in the Arc give it a slight edge. Where to buy the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is available from a range of retailers including Currys and John Lewis, as well as straight from the Bose website. Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | £899.95 at Bose Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | £899 at Currys Bose Smart Soundbar 900 | £899 at John Lewis For more soundbar options, take a look at our full Sony HT-G700 review to see more of the competition. Looking for more tech? why not check out our best smart speakers and best smart TV guides.
The Beats Fit Pros are a feature-rich set of wireless ANC earbuds that find a sweet spot in the existing line-up, but can they beat the Apple AirPods?
Beats has really found its groove with the Fit Pro wireless earbuds – a premium entry in its 2022 line-up that expertly balances design, features and audio quality while offering something for both Android and Apple iOS users to enjoy. Hitting the UK a couple of months after the U.S. launch, they come in hot with a new look that really shines when you use the earbuds for exercising. With a £199.99 price tag and housing the same H1 chip that’s found in the Apple AirPods Pro, the wireless buds are fairly pricey but aim for greatness. Often, they manage to reach it. The main appeal here is the decision to add a flexible silicone “wing tip” onto each of the buds, meaning they fit snugly in the ear even while you are moving about. It takes the exercise-friendly design of the Powerbeats Pro (£219.95) but combines it with the more subtle and stylish aesthetic found in the Beats Studio Buds (£129.99). As should be expected for the pricing, the Fit Pro earbuds have many of the high-end features found in Apple's iconic white flagship buds – the AirPods Pro. This includes Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, “Hey Siri” control and “Find My” support, alongside a solid 27-plus hour battery life. But even if iOS it’s the users that will get the most feature-full experience, Beats has thankfully made sure Android users can still enjoy enhanced features via its official app, which opens up fast pairing, battery icons and button customisation. So if you have a Google Pixel 6 Pro or a Samsung S21 FE, be assured that you can access most, if not all, of the Fit Pro’s abilities. While the Fit Pro are not perfect, they remain a very compelling option for anyone who loves the features and ANC of the AirPods, but wants a pair of earbuds that are much better suited for exercise. For alternatives or to find out how the Beats Fit Pro compare to rivals in the market, don't miss our lists of the best wireless earbuds and best budget wireless earbuds. Jump to: Beats Fit Pro review: summary What are the Beats Fit Pro? How much are the Beats Fit Pro? Design Features Beats Fit Pro set-up Our verdict Where to buy Beats Fit Pro review: summary The Beats Fit Pro earbuds with noise cancellation are positioned as a premium entry in the Apple-owed audio giant’s 2022 line-up, in between the Beats Studio Buds and the Powerbeats Pro. The £199.99 pricing reflects how much tech has been stuffed into the small buds, placing them in the same arena as the AirPods Pro (£189). Whether you are willing to part with that much money is ultimately your call, but we found the Beats Fit Pro to be a worthy rival to the AirPods Pro, especially if you love running or heavy gym sessions – largely thanks to the addition of the wing tips. Those wing tips that protrude from the back of each bud are fashioned in a way that keeps the buds ultra-secure while being worn. They’re built-in so thankfully there’s no fiddly setup – just a simple twist to find the right positioning for your own ears. Audio is punchy, crisp and clear in all of the listening modes, and we found the Beats Fit Pro can easily handle all genres of music alongside voice calls with clarity, while the bass – especially with ANC on – sounds full without overwhelming the mix. Broadly, the Fit Pro spec sheet is great: spatial audio support, dynamic head tracking, active noise cancellation, IPX4 water resistance, on-bud controls and over 25 hours of battery life using the charging case. The design looks, and feels, sleek. And it’s great to see Beats catering for the Android crowd, even if it's iPhone holders that will ultimately get the most feature-full user experience thanks to the iOS-only capabilities such as Automatic Switching and support for the Siri assistant. You will also never hear this reviewer complain about Apple products using USB-C. Even so, while there are often glimpses of Beats earbud greatness to be found here, in our opinion, they are held back from perfection by a few small factors. Namely, the case’s rather bizarre lack of wireless charging, the lack of an option to have volume control and listening mode switching at the same time, and longer-term comfort. None of those were deal-breakers during our time with the wireless earbuds, and we were ultimately very impressed with them. While many users may be drawn towards the instantly-recognisable AirPods, the Beats Fit Pro’s are an enticing alternative. Price: £199.99 (RRP) at Apple Pros: Wing tip design great for the gym Contains Apple’s H1 chip Works well with Android and iOS Fantastic audio quality for all genres Cons: May be too pricey for some users No wireless charging case Not quite as comfortable for all day use No vocal alerts for switching modes What are the Beats Fit Pro? The Beats Fit Pro released in the UK on 28th January, 2022 – pitched as a premium entry in its line-up of buds and headphones. They are powered by the Apple H1 chip, and will give you a variety of premium features including active noise cancellation (ANC), spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and 25+ hours of battery life. One major draw is the wing tip design that keeps them secure while exercising, alongside a full-sounding audio mix that performs very admirably with all types of music. The design should be flexible enough for most ear shapes, and you will also find a selection of different ear cover sizes in the box that will help you find the best fit. How much are Beats Fit Pro? The Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds cost £199.99 in the UK. That places them below the Powerbeats Pro (£219.95) but above the Beats Studio Buds (£129.99). Apple’s AirPods Pro buds - which have very similar ANC, audio quality and features - are now priced from £189.99, while the third-generation AirPods set you back £169. They may be considered pricey for some, especially as there are now viable budget wireless earbud options out there. We can recommend the EarFun Free Pro 2s which also have a type of wing tip design and noise-cancelling but cost under £80. For Beats fans, though, the Fit Pro buds combine design, audio quality and several genuinely high-end features so we don’t feel short-changed. Quite the opposite. Beats Fit Pro design While the Beats Studio Buds had a more traditional in-ear design – the Fit Pro’s offer a slightly more unique wing-tip styling that you can manoeuvre into your ear for the right fit. The flexible silicone end piece isn't removable, but we feel that it’s malleable enough that the buds should mould into most ear shapes and sizes. We tested the Beats Fit Pro over the course of a week, using them both in the gym for weights and running, and working at a desk for multiple hours paired to devices including a Google Pixel 6 Pro and a MacBook. We are fans of the design choice, and believe it to be a major win. They stayed in place even during more rigorous routines and we didn’t encounter any issues with having to stop to fix placement. That said, we did notice some slight discomfort after multiple hours of use – with the wing tips not being just as comfortable as over-ear headphones or even a wired set of EarPods. That’s ultimately not surprising, however, as the Beats Fit Pro appear to have been intentionally made to be snug while others are a bit looser to wear. We found during testing that wearing the Beats Fit Pro for between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours was generally fine for comfort levels, but anything after that and they may need a slight readjustment to reduce some slight discomfort. The “b” button on each of the earbuds gives you additional music control, take calls and switch between the three listening modes – ANC, Transparency or Adaptive EQ, which like the AirPods Pro is turned on as standard if not in the other two settings. Tapping once pauses music, tapping twice will skip the track while tapping in three quick clicks will go back. Holding down will switch through the three modes. It’s a bit of a shame that there’s no voice announcement to tell you which mode you are actually in as you switch, however, and the fact it's only a small chime may be a bit confusing for newcomers to Beats. This can be solved by opening up the Beats app, which lets you toggle between each of the labelled modes while also showing other helpful metrics including the battery life of the buds and the case. In the Beats app menu, you can choose to alter the bud press-and-hold to be used for volume control instead of changing between the listening modes (left for higher and right for lower) but you can only have it set as either/or – not both. Again, not a deal-breaker – and it’s actually an option for AirPods users to be jealous of, even if they do have the ability to control output using the Siri assistance. We tested the black version of the Beats Fit Pro and they looked sleek, with only the “b” logo standing out in the brand’s typical red colour. The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are also available to buy in White, Sage Grey and Stone Purple. They all look good. None of our major downsides are linked to the buds. We found it was the charging case that had the most issues. For earbuds in this price range in 2022, it feels like a huge missed opportunity not to have the option of wireless charging. The case is larger than expected, the lid doesn't feel strong enough when extended too far and the plastic material is smooth enough to feel just a little too fiddly in the hand. Read more of our earbud reviews Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds review Beats Studio Buds review Beats Powerbeats Pro review EarFun Air Pro 2 review Razer Hammerhead X gaming earbuds review Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 review Jabra Elite 85t review Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ review Beats Fit Pro features The Fit Pro earbuds have a feature set to match the premium pricing. That goes for both iOS and Android users, although it’s the iPhone holders that will clearly get the most of the product. Thanks to the same Apple H1 chip found in the AirPods Pro, you can expect a very similar quality of audio and specs with the Beats Fit Pro. The more affordable Beats Studio Buds do not have this chip so are more limited in how they connect to other Apple devices and software. The H1 opens up a variety of high-end features for iOS users, including spatial audio with dynamic head tracking – which is essentially surround sound – automatic switching between iCloud devices, audio sharing, integration with the “Find My” app and “Hey Siri” voice control. That doesn’t mean that these instantly become too much of a lesser product for any Android phone users, though, as the Beats app can be used to enable fast pairing, switching between listening modes and customising what the on-buds controls do – and that includes using one to launch the connected device’s voice assistant. So yes, iPhone users may get the smoothest experience, but Android is not far behind. No matter the device, the Fit Pro use Apple’s skin-detection sensors to automatically play or stop content when the buds are put in or removed. This ended up being very useful during testing as it reduced unwanted playing while saving battery. In terms of that battery life, the Beats Fit Pro will give you up to six hours of listening time for each bud, and that increases to around 27 hours of total playback when also using the charging case. You can boost the length to around 30 hours in total if you only use the buds in Adaptive EQ mode. We never had an issue with the power, and a “fast-fuel” feature gives you one hour’s playback with five minutes of charge. The earbuds will go from dead to full in about one hour and 30 minutes. Of course, sound quality is hugely important for a pair of high-end earbuds. And the Beats Fit Pros don't disappoint. We threw a wide range of genres at them - from rock to synth-wave via folksy acoustic – and were impressed with the audio profile. There’s more than enough bass in the mix without being overpowering, and you can clearly hear every aspect or instrument of the song playing. All of the listening modes were solid, although our preference was to have ANC on for some extra oomph. The buds were plenty loud for the gym and did a nice job blocking out background noise coming from the (always too loud) TV and other people working out. They also blocked out a lot of some nearby construction noises when at louder volumes. Beats Fit Pro set-up: how easy are the earbuds to use? It won’t be surprising for anyone who is used to Apple products but setting up the Fit Pro buds is almost shockingly easy on both iOS and Android. Thanks to fast pairing you simply open the charging case beside an unlocked iPhone and follow the basic on-screen instructions. On Android, you download the Beats app, select the right model and open the case lid beside the phone. A notification will show at the top of the screen and you tap to pair them together. It takes well under a minute. If you do need to re-pair after changing devices, there’s a reset button on the case. Our verdict: should you buy the Beats Fit Pro? The Beats Fit Pros are a pricey but feature-rich set of wireless ANC earbuds that find a sweet spot between the existing models in the line-up. Essentially they take many of the abilities of the AirPods Pro and put them into a smaller frame that will be very appealing for anyone who spends hours exercising. The wing tip design means they won’t fall out, while the active noise cancellation and audio quality are great. While they are slightly held back by the case – especially the strange decision not to have wireless charging – the Beats Fit Pros are more than worth your time and money. Our rating: Set-up: 5/5 Design: 4.5/5 Features: 4 Sound quality: 4.5 Value for money: 4 Overall rating: 4.4/5 Where to buy the Beats Fit Pro The Beats Fit Pro released in the UK on 28th January 2022 after pre-orders went live four days prior. Here's where you can pick up a new pair today: Buy Beats Fit Pro at Very Buy Beats Fit Pro at Currys Buy Beats Fit Pro at John Lewis Buy Beats Fit Pro at AO Buy Beats Fit Pro at Argos Buy Beats Fit Pro at Apple Buy Beats Fit Pro at Beats For the latest news, reviews, and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology section.