The Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 RAM kit is now going to be my default RAM kit on the test bench, it's really that good.
It's not so much about the style, which is in itself pretty fantastic with its oragami-inspired design and attractive white heatspreader.
It's also not really about the price, especially since the current retail price for a 32GB (2x16GB) of $104.99 in the US (about £90/AU$150) is technically a discount from its list price of $164.99 (about £135/AU$240), which would make this kit a lot less appealing when compared to something like the TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 I reviewed in March if the Crucial Pro Overclocking ever went back up to its MSRP.
While those factors—design and price—are definitely relevant, it wouldn't mean anything if its performance wasn't up to par with the competition, and fortunately, the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 can more than hold its own against its rivals.
As you can see above, there are areas where the Crucial Pro OC kit doesn't quite get to the levels of some other competing DDR5 kits like the TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB or PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako, both of which also clock in at 6,000MT/s when running in overclocking mode, but unlike those kits, the Crucial Pro can do both XMP and EXPO, so its compatibility is fantastic.
This is especially true if you work on a lot of different systems and sometimes find yourself toggling between AMD and Intel frequently enough that you have a hard time keeping track of which RAM you're using (though that might just be a me-problem).
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Currently, you can only get the Crucial Pro Overclocking in a 32GB kit (16GBx2) at 6,000MT/s, but honestly, you really don't need much more than that. Besides, the stock 5,600MT/s that you get out of the package is better than most competing kits, so if you want better stability you have the option of just plugging your RAM in and turning on your PC for great performance.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
There are things that some might be missing, like the RGB aesthetic or even more control over overclocking voltages and speeds than the presets you get with the Crucial Pro Overclocking kit, but for the amount of money you're paying for what you're getting, this is currently the RAM kit to beat in this range.
Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $104.99 (about £90 / AU$150)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
You can get the 32GB (16GBx2) Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 kit for $104.99 (about £90 / AU$150), though its does show a list price of $164.99 on Crucial's storefront where it has marked the price on this kit down considerably.
As it stands, this RAM kit is very competitive price-wise. If that ever changes, however, that will be a much bigger issue, as its performance to price ratio at its list price is genuinely terrible. You shouldn't spend more than $110/£90/AU$155 on this kit, as you can get a much better value elsewhere once you're in the $150/£120/AU$210 range.
Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5: Specs
Should you buy the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Buy the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 kit if...
You want easy DDR5 overclocking The best part about the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 is that you plug it in and it just works.
You want great-looking RAM for your build
Between the stylish silhouette, this is some great-looking RAM.
Don't buy it if...
You want some RGB
This is strictly non-RGB, so if you want that sort of thing, there are other options out there.
It's priced above $110/£90/AU$155
This RAM has been selling for much less than its list price, but if that ever changes, there are likely to be better options out there.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
Nothing unveiled the CMF Phone 1 this past Monday, and the phone went on sale earlier today. The company is now happily reporting that it managed to sell over 100,000 units in the first three hours of availability.
For context, the Nothing Phone (2a), which launched back in March, needed 24 hours to reach the same sales figure, so one could say that the CMF Phone 1 is selling eight times faster.
To celebrate the occasion, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis said:
Following the incredible success of Phone (2a) in March, CMF Phone 1 is a breath of fresh air in a stagnating value...
AngelVPN is a relative newcomer to the VPN industry, having only established its presence in the last two years.
Still, while it lacks the extensive history of industry giants like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Angel VPN has carved a niche in a very competitive marketplace as a budget provider with power.
In this review, I'll showcase the surprising strengths of AngelVPN, such as its speed and unblocking capabilities, as well as a few issues you'll want to be aware of being committing to a subscription.
About AngelVPN
AngelVPN, established in 2022, is headquartered in London. The UK isn't an ideal place to host a VPN company, unfortunately - after all, it's one of the primary members of the Five Eyes data-sharing alliance.
This raises several questions about how well AngelVPN is able to deal with law enforcement requests and targeted spying from intelligence agencies.
I'll get into the details a little later, but his potential government interference combined with a less-than-stellar privacy policy means that AngelVPN might not be your ideal provider if you want to prevent third-party snooping in an overzealous surveillance state.
On a more positive note, AngelVPN has servers in 67 countries, and more than 80 locations, and even boasts coverage across 13 points in America.
Normally, I'd say this puts AngelVPN squarely in the middle bracket when it comes to server networks, but I noticed a few interesting locations in the server list.
In addition to plenty of spots in Europe, like the UK, France, Italy, and Germany, there are a few lesser-covered regions listed, including Russia, China, Brunei, the British Virgin Islands, and the Cayman Islands. This kind of spread is pretty rare, so if you need a VPN that can unblock content in these locations, AngelVPN might be worth a look.
(Image credit: AngelVPN)
AngelVPN pricing plans
Like most VPNs on the market today, AngelVPN offers a monthly subscription plan and some discounted long-term plans which significantly reduce the price.
A monthly plan costs $9.95. This is fairly cheap for a top-tier VPN but no extra features are bundled into the subscription – you just get the VPN.
Going for the 6-month plan knocks the price down to $3.33 per month for a total cost of $19.99. While this represents a 66% reduction in the monthly cost, buying the 12-month plan only reduces the cost by another 6% or so for a monthly cost of $2.83 and a total of $33.99.
Each AngelVPN plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to test out the service before you commit to a subscription.
I was a little worried when I checked out the Terms of Service on the app and saw that it said no refunds would be processed, but after confirming with AngelVPN staff, and processing a refund based on the money-back guarantee, I'm happy to say it’s a legitimate promotion.
AngelVPN also supports a range of payment processors. In addition to the usual credit and debit card providers, there's support for Paypal, GooglePay, and a range of cryptocurrencies through BitPay, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
Privacy and security
AngelVPN is a mixed bag when it comes to privacy. There's nothing to complain about on a technical level – and, in fact, AngelVPN scores above-average marks in terms of VPN protocol support.
The Windows desktop app uses IKEv2 by default, which is a little unusual but definitely not a negative. IKEv2 is known for providing fast, high-security connections, but it's usually favored by MacOS and iOS devices.
There's also WireGuard support, as well as OpenVPN over both UDP and TCP. All three of these protocols are battle-tested and open-source, so you shouldn't have any concerns connecting to the internet.
I put AngelVPN's kill switch through its paces, too, in a series of stress tests designed to see if data would leak while the VPN is disconnected. I'm happy to report that it performed well in all cases. One caveat is that the kill switch only works while the VPN is connected. If you choose to disconnect manually while the client is open, it won't protect you.
One of the primary concerns I encountered with Angel VPN pertains to its privacy policy. Despite claiming to be a strictly no-logs provider, a closer inspection of its privacy policy reveals that it retains several significant data points that could potentially compromise your anonymity. These include details such as the user's city, ISP, connection timestamps, and the specific server being accessed.
While Angel VPN states that it does not record the contents of user connections, the retention of such information could still potentially lead to user identification if a third party was able to access the data, especially in the event of a request by law enforcement. Given that AngelVPN is headquartered in the UK, which has a less-than-stellar privacy reputation, it's entirely possible.
I raised this issue with AngelVPN's support staff. In response, they indicated to me that they have intentions to commission a third-party audit of both their privacy policy and server architecture in the near future. This is a positive step forward, as an independent audit will provide clarity on how AngelVPN captures data and potentially lead to revisions in its privacy policy.
However, it remains to be seen how this audit will impact its approach to user privacy. If online anonymity is your main concern, it may be worth holding out on AngelVPN until its privacy policy is updated following a third-party audit.
Netflix and global stream unblocking
AngelVPN works with every streaming site I tested, including Netflix in several regions (America, Japan, Canada, and the UK), Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, as well as regional streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and All 4.
In all cases, accessing the streaming service was instant. No buffering, no stalling mid-way through an episode, and no lockout screens. AngelVPN boasts that its services are optimized for IPTV, and it's evident from its performance that it's able to keep up with some of the bigger VPN providers when it comes to unblocking and streaming.
AngelVPN performance
AngelVPN impressed me with its performance – especially when you consider that it's a cheap VPN. To test its speed, I connected to the UK London server using a 100 Mbps connection, with the actual speed test being carried out by Ookla Speedtest.
Connecting over OpenVPN gave me download speeds of 63.85 Mbps and upload speeds of 20.89 Mbps. These speeds are more than enough to connect to a 4K streaming service without buffering or lag – even with other users on the same connection.
The only real complaint I have is that connecting or changing servers using AngelVPN took slightly longer than I expected, but your mileage may vary.
AngelVPN apps
AngelVPN is available on all major platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. Rather surprisingly for a smaller VPN provider, there's also a Linux client with a full GUI that works as well as the other desktop clients.
The desktop app itself is pretty unremarkable. It's functional, but there's nothing here that would wow anyone who’s used a VPN before. It's simple and easy to set up, with a minimalist design that requires just a single click to get online. The P2P servers are clearly marked when you check out the location list, which is nice, but it'd be better to have a separate P2P tab.
AngelVPN customer support
AngelVPN's support is also better than I would've expected. The support staff stole the show – all of my queries got quick responses via the 24/7 live chat system and email. Each agent I chatted with was polite and knowledgeable, willing to have an in-depth discussion with me about both the scope of the VPN's streaming support as well as the shortcomings of its privacy policy.
Apparently, AngelVPN prides itself on having highly visible support channels and, as such, maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. I like email tickets better, but if you've got a different preference, AngelVPN has you covered.
The AngelVPN support library is pretty extensive, too, and has Quickstart guides for all platform applications. The apps aren't hard to use, but it's great to see each function clearly documented in the support library, as well as an FAQ section that covers questions about billing and AngelVPN’s service, too. There's even a guide on how to retrieve your credentials for OpenVPN if you want to set up your own third-party app.
AngelVPN alternatives
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a great pick for unlocking geo-restricted streaming content such as Netflix, DAZN, Disney+, HBO Max, and Peacock. With a huge server network covering over 100 countries, it's one of the most expansive VPNs on the market. No matter where you're connecting from, ExpressVPN's ability to bypass geo-blocks ensures you'll be able to access a wide range of content from different regions. This is all powered by its proprietary Lightway VPN protocol, which delivers high-speed connections for uninterrupted streaming. ExpressVPN also guarantees a strict no-log policy, which is regularly audited by KPMG to demonstrate that ExpressVPN really doesn't hold on to your data.
NordVPN
NordVPN is another exceptional choice if you're looking for top-tier security and high-speed performance. In addition to its ability to effortlessly unblock content worldwide, NordVPN integrates cutting-edge security measures to safeguard you from online threats. With its innovative Threat Detection integrated scanning service, NordVPN continuously monitors incoming traffic for non-malware files, providing proactive alerts to preemptively protect your device. NordVPN also comes with Meshnet, which operates as a decentralized network that enables peer-to-peer communication and file sharing without relying on traditional centralized servers. It's all powered by NordVPN's high-quality VPN tunnels, so you can chat and send files safely in the knowledge you're protected by the highest standard of encryption.
Surfshark
Surfshark has a flexible subscription policy, allowing you to safeguard an unlimited number of devices under a single account. It's also got an extensive suite of tools designed to enhance the VPN for additional security. With Surfshark One, you get a comprehensive three-pronged solution to protect yourself from viruses, malware, data leaks, and privacy threats. Surfshark Antivirus shields your devices from viruses and malware with real-time protection and customizable security features. Then there's Surfshark Search, which allows you to perform web searches in complete privacy, free from ads, logs, and trackers. Finally, Surfshark Alert notifies you of personal data leaks in real time, helping you prevent potential damage before it's too late.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access easily matches the speed and power of other top vendors. It's one of the only top-tier VPN vendors in the industry to offer a fully-featured Linux client with a GUI, offering the same experience as AngelVPN but with more features. It also offers unique features such as anonymous purchase options for dedicated IPs, enabling access to sites that commonly block VPNs. Its "MACE" blacklist also effectively blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites, further enhancing your privacy. If that wasn’t enough, PIA's commitment to a strict no-logs policy has been proven by several third-party audits and in court.
AngelVPN review: Final verdict
AngelVPN is a budget provider that punches above its weight in key areas. While it's not quite as feature-rich as Surfshark, or as globe-spanning as ExpressVPN, it's a quality VPN posed at a price that won't break the bank. If you're trying to watch IPTV or streaming services while abroad, you could do a lot worse.
However, if you're looking for a rock-solid VPN that comes with some extra security capabilities you won't find anywhere, I recommend you give NordVPN a shot.
TechRadar rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
How we test VPNs
Beside using the top recommended VPNs for our daily activities, we also conduct a thorough analysis of the top 30 VPN services every 6 months to keep track on how the software compares with other providers as new developments come in.
We start by reviewing each provider's website to double check if its claims and offering changed. We also look for any tracking cookies on the site and if/when they activate to see if the service tracks people using the site.
We then install and use each VPN service across a wide range of location servers and devices to see how they perform across the board. We go through all the settings to make sure all the features work as promised, while playing around with encryption protocols.
Our reviewers actively challenge the software, too, in the lookout for any flaws. For example, we purposely make the VPN connection drop so that we can test if the kill switch does its job of preventing data leaks correctly.
From speed connections and streaming unlocking results, to customer support and app usability, we regularly make sure to test every aspect of the software that could affect the experience of our readers.
As issues arise during our testing, we make sure to investigate these even by digging into the source code or the contents of its RAM if necessary. Head to our dedicated VPN testing methodology page if you want to know more.
Fresh off its announcement this week, we have the Galaxy Z Fold6 in for review.
At this point it will hardly surprise anybody that the phone ships with nothing more than a SIM tool and a USB cable. Perhaps it is more unexpected that it still ships with anything at all.
The biggest visual change to the Galaxy Z Fold6 is its more squared-off, flatter profile. It's smart-looking and easy to tell apart. We like the new bigger camera rings, even if the cameras inside are unchanged (and frankly unimpressive).
While on the topic of unchanged - the battery is the same 4,400mAh unit and...
Yesterday, nubia confirmed it plans to launch its Z60 Ultra smartphone with an updated Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 "Leading Version" chipset in China. The device will also get a global launch as evident by the latest teaser shared on the company’s Facebook profile.
nubia Z60 Ultra "Leading Version" will launch globally
The overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC was recently unveiled alongside the Red Magic 9S Pro and features a prime Cortex-X4 CPU core clocked at 3.4GHz and boosted 1GHz GPU.
In related news, nubia also teased its upcoming Prime Day deals which will include up to $150...
Realme is launching the 13 Pro and 13 Pro+ later this month, and ahead of that it's now ramping up its teaser/hype campaign for the upcoming duo. Today Chase Xu, Realme's VP and President of Global Marketing for the brand has taken to X to unbox the Realme 13 Pro+ on video. This is undoubtedly the world's very first unboxing of the phone.
Xu highlights the design, saying it really does look like a piece of art, which makes sense when you consider that it's been inspired by works by the French painter Oscar-Claude Monet. In fact, two of the three colorways are even named after him: Monet...
This past Wednesday Samsung unveiled its newest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold6 and the Galaxy Z Flip6. Today the company has released its "design story" for the duo, letting us know how they were designed and what the purpose of the design changes is. So let's dive in.
Samsung says they both "embody modern, sleek design", and "through their simple, solid exterior and linear form, these devices express what Galaxy's design identity is all about", whatever that means.
New for this generation is what Samsung calls Floating Design. This "distinctive and impactful design element" makes it...
At its big event today Honor not only took the wraps off of the Magic V3 and Magic Vs3 smartphones, but also unveiled the MagicBook Art 14 2024 laptop. This one weighs 1.03kg and is 12.95mm thick, sporting a 14.6-inch OLED screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, 700-nit typical brightness, and 3,120x2,080 resolution.
You can have it with a choice of Intel Core Ultra 5 125H or Core Ultra 7 155H, with Intel Arc graphics. The laptop comes with a 1TB SSD, and supports LPDDR5X RAM. It has six speakers with spatial audio and DTS support, and a 60Wh battery that fully charges in 95 minutes and gets...
The Roku Pro Series is the company’s new flagship TV offering. Roku has been a major player in our living rooms for a long time, starting out with streaming boxes and sticks. Those evolved to soundbars and wireless speakers, followed by last year’s initial foray into TVs with the Roku Select and Roku Plus Series. Building on those models, the Roku Pro Series takes things up a level with some interesting and unique design choices and useful features.
Considering the Roku Pro Series’ relatively affordable prices, starting at $899.99 for the 55-inch model, it’s certainly in the running for best TVs for those who are a little more price-conscious.
While the Pro Series is Roku’s premium offering, there are innovations on hand that make it worthy of consideration over Roku’s budget Select and mid-tier Plus TVs. For one, it offers better picture quality than those models thanks to a mini-LED backlight with local dimming. It also has 4K 120Hz support for gaming and side-firing speakers that provide superior sound quality.
This TV has some tricks up its sleeve feature-wise as well, such as the ability to switch picture modes not just between different forms of content but different scenes. A planned software update will also bring an artmode feature that turns the TV into a showcase for artwork when not in use, similar to Samsung’s The Frame TVs. Of course, the interface overall is a joy to use, as I’ll discuss later.
The TV’s design may be where I’m most impressed. There are TVs with similarly impressive picture quality for under $1,000 (the Hisense U8K Series TV comes to mind). However, no other TV that I know of is made to be intentionally thicker so that it mounts flush against the wall instead of precariously jutting out like most TVs, and there’s cable management to accommodate that installation. The upgraded second edition of the Roku Voice Remote Pro is pretty special as well, and not just because it has backlighting.
Everything about the Roku Pro Series TV follows an ethos that seems to permeate Roku products, and that is convenience. If you care about the absolute best picture quality, you might look elsewhere, though I think the Pro Series’ picture is more than good enough for most people. But setting this TV up, using it and its various features, and even dealing with how it integrates into your space, has been thought out in a way that most products this side of Apple aren’t.
Roku's remote control features a backlit keypad (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Price and release date
Release date: April 2024
55-inch: $899.99
65-inch: $1,199.99
75-inch: $1,699.99
The Roku Pro Series might be the company’s premium offering, but the price tag is in mid-range TV territory. The smallest of the Pro Series – it comes in three sizes (55-, 65-, and 75-inch) – retails for a surprisingly affordable $899.99.
If 55 inches is too small, stepping up to the 65-inch model is an extra $200, coming in at $1,199.99, while the 75-inch goes for $1,699.99. Despite the difference in price between models, they’re all the same other than size.
Roku Pro Series review: Specs
Roku Pro Series review: Benchmark results
The Pro's connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Features
Smart Home Ready
Auto-switching picture settings
Two HDMI 2.1 ports
Roku’s Pro Series TV is feature-filled. You can pair it with wireless headphones or with Roku’s lineup of wireless speakers. You can connect it with Google Home, Alexa, Apple Home, and Roku Smart Home. There’s even a mode that will be rolled out in a future software update to turn the TV into a piece of artwork when not in use.
Even without the smart home stuff, there’s plenty to get excited about. The TV comes with Dolby Vision IQ, which adjusts the picture settings based on the ambient light level in your room when watching. And there’s what Roku calls Smart Picture Max, a feature that automatically changes the picture settings based on the type of content you’re watching and can even make changes on a scene-by-scene basis. It’s also worth mentioning that the speakers are Dolby Atmos-certified.
If you plan on plugging in external devices, Pro series TVs have four HDMI ports including two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support – something next-gen console gamers will appreciate.. There’s also a USB-A, useful in particular for charging the remote, and a USB-C port.
Features Score: 4/5
The Pro Series TV's picture has vibrant color and punchy contrast (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Picture quality
Good overall picture quality
Average peak brightness
Effective local dimming
You’ll see throughout this review that I’ve given the Roku Pro Series pretty high scores above the board. It can’t be perfect, can it? Well, it’s not. And, where it impresses least is in image quality. However, before you write it off, I will say that I found the image quality to be merely very good. That is to say, most people will find it pleasant to watch but will be more enamored by what it can do than by its stunning picture.
Still, the Roku Pro Series supports Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ HDR, and its Smart Picture Max automatic picture mode switching will show whatever content you’re watching in the best possible light.
When watching The Batman, a movie with a lot of shadows in it, I didn’t experience very deep blacks. Because it doesn’t deliver the deep contrast of an OLED screen, the picture could look a little flat at times. But at least I didn’t experience any backlight blooming thanks to the TV’s well-implemented local dimming.
The Roku Pro Series TV works fairly well with sports as well – I had to test with some Olympic Trial diving since I forgot to pay attention during the NBA finals. Colors generally looked good, though skin tones came across as a tiny bit muted in the Movie picture mode. More importantly, the action was crisp and accurate without any blurring issues.
Watching Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (again in Movie mode), this colorful animated movie was done justice, as the transitions between colors, particularly in backgrounds, were accurate and didn’t appear washed out. They could just pop a tiny bit more.
I felt similarly when playing games like Ghost of Tsushima in Game mode. This is a game with a fairly conservative use of color, so when you see something covered in red or purple, it jumps out. That was certainly the case with the Roku Pro series, however, it did seem a little more muted than I’d expect from a flagship TV.
Essentially, the Roku’s performance is nothing unusual for a TV at this price. It has an average peak brightness of 900 nits, for instance. And, if you look at the other benchmarks in our graph, you’ll mostly see average results there as well. There are also plenty of settings available for fine-tuning color saturation, color temperature, and even gamma correction in the TV menus.
Picture quality score: 4/5
Setting up the TV's stand is simple and requires no tools (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Sound quality
Thicker design allows for bigger speakers
Solid sound if a little light on the low end
Good enough to skip adding a standalone soundbar
The sound on TVs is typically thin and hollow. While some premium models try to correct this, there’s only so much you can do with thin display panels. Thanks to the thicker shadowbox-style design of the Pro Series TV, Roku was able to sneak in bigger speakers and it shows.
There’s certainly plenty of volume on tap, and the bigger speakers result in a fuller, less boxy sound. Details in the high frequencies retain body as well as clarity. The mids are nice and full. Really, the only thing missing is deep bass, though you could always pair one of Roku’s wireless subwoofers with the TV to fix that.
It should be noted that the speakers are side-firing instead of downward-firing. This means that, instead of the audio waves traveling down and bouncing off whatever surface is beneath them, they travel outward with a direct path to the listener. This helps with clarity but also results in better steering of effects Dolby Atmos soundtracks.
Now, I’m not saying that the TV’s built-in speakers are going to beat or match one of the best soundbars. But, if your soundbar budget taps out at under, say, $300, you’ll be safe to skip it altogether.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
The Pro Series TV's cable managment system allows for a neat installation (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Design
Shadowbox design perfect for mounting
Has cable management
New, almost flawless remote
The Roku Pro Series might be the thickest TV to come out in a long time, and that’s by design. Using a shadowbox concept, this TV has about a 2-inch depth so that it can sit flush against the wall when mounted.
The back of the TV is molded to accommodate a cable management setup including straps. That’s not only for a tidy look but to keep those cables in place so that nothing gets in the way of the TV sitting flush when mounted. On top of that, the mounting set includes little kickstands that can be used to raise the TV off the wall for easy access to all the ports, which are situated on the back.
Even if you don’t mount the TV, this thicker design allowed Roku to install bigger speakers and better speakers. Also worth mentioning is that the stand installation is completely toolless, and there’s a button on the side of the TV to help find the remote if you misplace it. Press it and the remote will ping.
Speaking of the remote, the new 2nd-generation Roku Voice Remote Pro is a pleasure to use. First off, it has backlighting that turns on as soon as you pick it up, and turns off when you’re not using it. It also has two additional buttons – a guide button for live TV and a quick launch button. I do wish the quick launch (and really the live TV button as well) could be used to directly load an app of my choosing, instead of bringing me to a menu. However, it’s still more convenient than not. Also, the remote has a hands-free mode that can be toggled on so you can talk to it much like you would a voice assistant.
Design score: 5/5
The simple, elegant Roku TV interface (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Smart TV and menus
Intuitive navigation
Easy access to picture settings
Forthcoming Roku Backdrops turns TV into an artwork
The thing that has made Roku products stand out since day one has been the intuitive interface. Outside of accessing a few key features specific to the Pro Series TV, such as fine-tuning the picture or pairing wireless headphones, the interface is the same as it is on any other updated Roku device.
As far as accessing TV-specific settings, I appreciated that quite a few were available without having to exit the media I was watching or playing. Just pressing the star button on the remote let me adjust all sorts of picture quality settings like HDR and Gamma correction along with picture and sound modes, not to mention accessibility settings.
A feature that has yet to see the light of day called Roku Backdrops is sure to excite anyone who ends up accidentally leaving their TV on all the time the way I do. It will essentially make the screen go into art mode, replacing the screensaver with art, and is an especially nice feature if you plan on mounting the TV as a centerpiece in your living room. Roku Backdrops should be available on Roku Pro Series TVs in the second half of 2024.
Lastly, Roku has a lot of free content available, whether through its live TV portal or its own Roku channel. Yes, it may not be Netflix-level content, but some of it’s pretty good, especially if you’re a Weird Al fan.
Smart TV & menus score: 5/5
Gaming is fluid thanks to the 4K 120Hz support and ultra-low input lag (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Gaming
4K 120Hz support
Automatic switching to console input and gaming picture mode
Good sound for gaming
Since the Roku Pro Series is the company’s premium offering, it makes sense that the company didn’t forget gamers when designing this TV. Unlike many cheaper TVs, Roku’s Select and Plus Series models included, it supports 4K at 120Hz for gaming with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles.
Along with that fast 120Hz refresh rate, VRR and ALLM (including FreeSync) are supported, and input lag clocks in at an ultra-low 9.4ms. If you’re a console gamer, you won’t feel left behind with the Roku Pro Series.
The TV’s local dimming helps deliver a consistent picture no matter how dark the game and its HDR support adds to the contrast and depth. Whether I was playing Red Dead Redemption 2, Ghost of Tsushima, or Uncharted 4, I never had issues making out enemies or details situated in darker parts of the screen.
Since the Roku Pro Series automatically switches picture modes, turning on the PlayStation 5 turns on the Game picture mode.I also appreciated that, when I turned on the console, the TV’s interface automatically switched from the main Roku screen to the PS5’s input – though this feature can also be disabled in the settings.
Since the sound quality on the TV sits above many modern-day TVs with their downward-firing speakers, that benefit extends to the gaming experience. Also, you can wirelessly pair the TV with Bluetooth headphones for late-night gaming sessions.
Gaming score: 4.5/5
The Roku Pro series TV unboxed (Image credit: Future)
Roku Pro Series review: Value
Priced closer to mid-range TVs
Design is unique to the Roku Pro Series
Significant upgrade over mid-range Roku TV
When you consider other mini-LED TVs such as the Hisense U8K Series, which is currently $699 for the 55-inch model, it helps put the Roku Pro Series TV’s pricing, which starts at $899.99 for the 55-inch model I tested, into perspective. Of course, the Hisense doesn’t have the shadow box design or updated remote, though it does have the hands-free voice command as well as smart home integration.
One of the best TVs for most people right now is the Samsung S90C. It comes with a QD-OLED screen with a beautiful picture that offers deep blacks and detailed shadows. But that model costs $1,599 for a 55-inch screen size. The Roku Pro Series might not reach the same picture quality heights as the Samsung, but it does come with things the Samsung doesn’t, such as Dolby Vision IQ, or that much more intuitive Roku interface versus Samsung’s Tizen.
It’s also worth comparing the Roku Pro Series TV to the company’s mid-range offering, the Roku Plus Series. That series also comes in the same range of sizes, but at a much lower price tag, with the 55-inch going for $499, the 65-inch going for $649, and the 75-inch going for $999. While the Plus Series has Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG, as well as Dolby Atmos support, not to mention local dimming, it has a less bright standard LED backlight and is capped at a 60Hz refresh rate. Additionally, it doesn’t have the same shadowbox design and front-firing speakers, and also lacks the new remote and useful automatic picture mode switching.
Value score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Roku Pro Series TV?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if…
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(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the Roku Pro Series TV
Used the Roku Pro Series TV for a couple of weeks
Tested with TV, movies, music, and games
I used the Roku Pro Series TV regularly for a couple of weeks with TV, movies, music, and games. I tested the various features to see if they work as advertised. I also spent time listening to the audio as well as paying attention to the picture quality.
After spending some time with this TV, it’s my humble opinion that this TV is ideal for two sets of people. The first is people who want a premium TV in a big, but not gigantic size, and therefore don’t want to spend too much. The second are those that hate the way most wall-mounted TVs look.
I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.
Another email offering from a technology giant, Microsoft 365 goes head to head against the likes of Google Workspace by offering much more than simply reliable messaging and related services. It’s a fully-fledged productivity suite, encompassing those well-known tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.
The entire ecosystem you can access when you become a Microsoft 365 subscriber, therefore, is a huge draw for individuals thinking of giving this service try. However, this review specifically looks at the email solution that comes with Microsoft 365 - in this case, the also well-known offering, Microsoft Outlook.
We found that the email service that comes with Microsoft 365 is extremely powerful - especially if you are already a user of some of the other tools that are included in the service. For Microsoft 365 users, Outlook is incredibly secure and reliable. It is tightly integrated with 365’s other services to ensure that it is hugely effective if your business wants to take its efficiency or collaboration to the next step. For any organization that is already immersed in Microsoft’s digital ecosystem, it just might be.
Microsoft 365: Plans and pricing
While there are personal Microsoft 365 plans, the business packages can be split into four tiers. Customers can choose from Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, and Microsoft 365 Apps for business.
Subscribers who pay annually will save 16% compared to those who pay monthly. They will find that the Basic plan is priced at $6.00 per user per month, Standard will set them back $12.50 per month, and Premium starts from $22.00. Microsoft 365 Apps for business works a little differently in terms of what customers receive but costs $8.25 per user per month.
The other thing to note is all four Microsoft 365 plans come with a one-month free trial. After the one-month trial comes to an end, customers will find that their subscription automatically transitions into a 12-month paid subscription, with charges beginning immediately. This means that you will need to enter your credit card details to sign up for Microsoft 365, so keep an eye on when your trial finishes to ensure you only commit yourself financially if you’re happy with the service.
You can also sign up for Microsoft’s new AI tool, Copilot, as an add-on, which is available to subscribers for all four of Microsoft 365’s payment tiers. Unsurprisingly, given the waves that AI has been making across the business world, impacting everything from cloud storage to CRM software, users of Copilot have been predominantly happy with the solutions. Keep reading to hear more about how Microsoft is applying it to Outlook.
Features
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In terms of the features on offer with Microsoft 365, Basic customers get access to identity, access, and user management for up to 300 employees, web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and 1TB of cloud storage per employee. In terms of the features that relate to email, specifically, they also get a custom business email and automatic spam and malware filtering.
In addition, their a couple of other features, that while not directly applying to Outlook, will work alongside it to helo employees be more productive. For instance, the Basic plan comes with chat, call, and video conferencing with Microsoft Teams included. The rise of hybrid work means that this feature is boung to be appreciated by businesses. As is the ten-plus additional apps they gain access to for their business needs, which integrate nicely with Outlooks, including Microsoft Bookings, Planner, Forms, and others.
At other pricing levels, the features ramp up in ways you’d expect. With the Standard plan, you get everything that comes with the Baic plan plus additional features, including webinars with attendee registration and reporting, collaborative workspaces to co-create using Microsoft Loop, and offline apps. The latter is a notable highlight, especially if you want to check your Outlool account when you don’t have access to an internet connection. The Premium plan, meanwhile, mostly adds additional security protections and Microsoft 365 Apps for business lets companies enjoy offline versions of the company’s applications.
Finally, Copilot represents an interesting AI feature that applies to multiple Mirosoft apps within the 365 plan. Regarding Outlook, Copilot can be used to clear inboxes and draft replies in minutes, rather than hours and take AI meeting notes. Apparently, 70% of Copilot for Microsoft 365 users said they became more productive after using the tool.
Support
Microsoft 365 excels in terms of support, including for users that predominantly spend most of their time with Outlook. At every pricing tier, users can contact phone and online support anytime. There’s also a community forum for additional support. It means getting hold of technical support for installation, setup, configuration, or general usage is easy and timely. It’s nice that this is true even with the cheapest plan.
Security
As you’d expect given the company’s vast resources, Microsoft 365 takes security very seriously. Standard security and compliance features are included at every pricing tier, including cloud-based email filtering, access control and multi-factor authentication.
At the Premium level, you will notice security features go up a notch. For instance, you get advanced identity and access management, enhanced cyberthreat protection against viruses and phishing attacks, and enterprise-grade device and endpoint protection. So if you want extra protection against incoming malicious emails, this is probably the subscription level for you.
The competition
(Image credit: Currys)
The main competitor for Microsoft 365, if you’re focusing on its business email offering, would be Google Workspace. This is the main rival offering a fully productivity suite of tools in addition to email. Where Microsoft 365 has something of an advantage is in its offline functionality.
Of course, if your business doesn’t need to plethora of other services that come with a Microsoft 365 subscription, there are plenty of smaller players offering excellent email hosting services, including the likes of ScalaHosting and DreamHost.
Microsoft 365: Final verdict
Microsoft 365 comes with an excellent email service in the form of Outlook, bolstered by a range of other excellent business solutions. If we were being picky, we’d say that these features may not be exactly what smaller players are in need of, so the solution might be slightly overwhelming. But if already use some of the company’s solutions, this seems like an obvious choice for an email provider.
