The Google Pixel 9 series smartphones unveiled last month came with new features exclusive to the lineup. These include Auto Frame and Reimagine, which could trickle down to older Pixel smartphones.
Android Authority and X user AssembleDebug have found evidence in the Google Photos app, which suggests Google could bring Auto Frame and Reimagine to older Pixels. The publication says there are three variants of the Google Photos app with different configurations: one for all non-Pixel Android devices, one for the Pixels launched between 2021 and 2023, and one for the Pixels launched in...
The Google Pixel 9 series smartphones unveiled last month came with new features exclusive to the lineup. These include Auto Frame and Reimagine, which could trickle down to older Pixel smartphones.
Android Authority and X user AssembleDebug have found evidence in the Google Photos app, which suggests Google could bring Auto Frame and Reimagine to older Pixels. The publication says there are three variants of the Google Photos app with different configurations: one for all non-Pixel Android devices, one for the Pixels launched between 2021 and 2023, and one for the Pixels launched in...
The upcoming Huawei Watch GT 5 will make its debut in just a few days on September 19 but a very revealing leak just popped up, showing the watch's design, accompanied with some general specs and info.
Huawei Watch GT 5 46mm
The official-looking renders depict a familiar design for both 41mm and 46mm sizes. Both variants look a lot like their predecessors and reportedly adopt the same build too. We've got a metal bezel, stainless steel body and 5ATM water resistance. The rotating crown and the programmable button next to it are here to stay.
Huawei Watch GT 5...
The upcoming Huawei Watch GT 5 will make its debut in just a few days on September 19 but a very revealing leak just popped up, showing the watch's design, accompanied with some general specs and info.
Huawei Watch GT 5 46mm
The official-looking renders depict a familiar design for both 41mm and 46mm sizes. Both variants look a lot like their predecessors and reportedly adopt the same build too. We've got a metal bezel, stainless steel body and 5ATM water resistance. The rotating crown and the programmable button next to it are here to stay.
Huawei Watch GT 5...
The Narwal Freo X Plus is a budget-friendly robot vacuum and mop that does many things well, but a few things fairly badly. If you're just looking at the pros and cons list, the score of this review might not make sense as there are plenty more positives than negatives – but those few negatives can make for a frustrating experience.
If you're willing to put in the time to understand this model, it could potentially be one of the best robot vacuums for you, especially if you're on a budget. After all, most of the best vacuums that include mopping ability are not going to be this cheap, unless you get something manual like the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce. When it comes to robot vacuums specifically, the price tag for great performance, feature set, and overall functionality goes way up.
The vacuuming performance of the Narwal Freo X Plus is very solid. However, like most budget models that just pull a single stationary pad across the floor, its mopping capability is just passable. Still, you'll generally end up with clean floors.
However, the Narwal Freo X Plus seems to have a mind of its own. Unless you just set it to clean your whole space in the most thorough way possible, you'll end up with incomplete cleaning cycles. Or it might decide to head off on a different, unassigned job.
At least it has a tiny base station, so that the Narwal Freo X Plus is easier to place than most robot vacuums. Another added benefit is that it's possible to pair and use through a voice assistant like Alexa. All in all, the Narwal Freo X Plus is a somewhat capable robot vacuum that comes with some frustrating aspects, such as its erratic cleaning behavior. But they may be worth dealing with if you're on a budget, or just want to be able to do a basic, whole-home clean.
Everything you'll find in the box (Image credit: Future)
Narwal Freo X Plus robovac review: price & availability
List price: $399.99 / AU$899 (about £310)
Launch date: March 2024
Available: US and Australia
The Narwal Freo X Plus is available in the US and Australia, with a list form of $399.99 / AU$899. That puts it in TechRadar's budget price bracket, which is particularly significant when you consider it offers mopping as well as vacuuming functionality. Of course, whether it's a good value buy or not will depend on whether you're okay dealing with its navigational quirks. It will still deliver fairly clean floors, but can be a pain to deal with.
This is not necessarily unique to the Narwal Freo X Plus, as the recently reviewed Ecovacs Deebot N10 Plus came with its own quirky frustrations, not to mention weaker suction power than the Narwal, and it comes with a higher $649.99 / £499 / AU$999 price tag. It is, however, available in the UK unlike the Narwal, and comes with better mopping ability.
One of the strange things about the Narwal Freo X Plus is the fact that the company's flagship, Narwal Freo X Ultra, offers much better cleaning performance along with a range of other bells and whistles. Granted, that one is far more expensive (the Ultra costs $1,399.99 / AU$2,299 – about £1,110), but it's strange to see issues with the software given that it's coming from the same company.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Narwal Freo X Plus specs
Narwal Freo X Plus robovac review: design
Compact base station
Two side brushes and an anti-tangling brush roll
Single, stationary mop pad
When taking a look at the Narwal Freo X Plus' design, the first thing that jumps out is in regards to its teeny, tiny base station. Since its only function is to charge the robot vacuum and give it a place to rest, it doesn't need to do a lot. Still, it's cute in its own way, not to mention makes it easier to find a good place in your space for the robot vacuum. Bigger models with self-emptying dustbins and water reservoirs, such as the flagship Narwal mentioned earlier, need a lot more space (although, of course, there are benefits of having these capabilities built-in).
Because it doesn't have self-empty capabilities, the dock is compact (Image credit: Future)
As far as the robot vacuum itself, it has the typical rounded shape. There are two side brushes instead of one, giving it a leg up on the vacuuming front compared to models that only have one side brush. The main brush roll is of the anti-tangling kind so you won't find it wrapped with hair, something that's not always considered on budget robot vacuums.
The underside of the Freo X Plus, with side brushes unclipped (Image credit: Future)
The mop pad is of the single, flat variety that sits along the bottom back half of the unit. While it does apply some downward pressure, it doesn't do much in the way of scrubbing. I'll talk a little more about how this affects its performance below, but just know that this is normal for budget models and that more expensive ones seem to completely abandon this approach in favor of dual spinning mop pads.
Regarding the manual controls, there are just two buttons – a power button and a home button, each with a secondary function (start/pause/resume cleaning and child lock, respectively).
Remove the magnetic cover to reveal water reservoir and dust cup (Image credit: Future)
The Narwal Freo X Plus is a fairly sleek looking robot vacuum in its all-white aesthetic. That's partially because it covers its small water reservoir and dustbin with a glossy white top that stays in place due to some cleverly placed magnets. Both the reservoir and dustbin are easily removable and easy to fill up or empty, respectively.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Narwal Freo X Plus robovac review: performance
Very good vacuuming
Mopping is just okay
Erratic behavior in how it cleans
There are a couple different factors to consider with a robot vacuum's performance, but the core one is vacuuming. Luckily, the Narwal Freo X Plus does a very good job here. Thanks to having two side brushes, it's able to get debris on either side of it. Since it has an anti-tangle brushroll, it's able to tackle aside from charge cords (the kryptonite of all robot vacuums).
The dustbin is easy to empty (Image credit: Future)
I ran this robot vacuum in a house with two French Bulldogs as well as four adult humans, two of whom have long hair, and it did a great job keeping the floor clean, picking up everything from smaller dust-like particles to debris the size of a leaf. It also picked up hair without issue and without any tangling. I even tested it with a pile of sugar and cereal and it took one pass to suck it all up.
The Freo X sucked up both fine debris and chunkier spillages with ease (Image credit: Future)
I used it on tile, hardwood floors, and a small but thick bath mat. In terms of just vacuuming, this robot vacuum has the goods regardless of the surface. The Narwal Freo X Plus has 7800 Pa of suction power, which isn't the highest on the market, but based on my tests is still enough to deal with most household cleaning requirements.
Mopping performance is a little weaker (Image credit: Future)
Its mopping capability is a little less stellar. I would actually describe it as okay. Since it has the one pad, it's only applying downward pressure. So, somewhat dried pieces of mud in the foyer that a robot vacuum with spinning mop pads would pick up are unaffected. More frustratingly, unless I used the highest mopping humidity setting, it didn't always wet the entire area it mopped, leaving slightly streaky results. If you are going to use this robot vacuum for mopping, my recommendation is to use the highest settings and be prepared to regularly refill the water reservoir.
As far as getting to the edges, it does well with vacuuming, thanks to those two side brushes, but doesn't really get all that close when mopping.
It gets nice and close to the edges of rooms when vacuuming (Image credit: Future)
The object avoidance, on the other hand, is pretty good. It won't necessarily give a wide berth to any randomly placed object but it will brush up against it. When I placed the bath mat down, the Narwal Freo X Plus vacuumed right up to it on all sides before deciding it could tackle it. Only then did it vacuum it.
It took a little time, but the Freo X eventually realized it could vacuum my bathmat (Image credit: Future)
Where the Narwal Freo X Plus falls short is in how it decides to clean. When I use the Freo Advice setting in the app, it will take the strangest path. Maybe it's only picking up certain debris on its sensor, but it will clean up maybe 20% of the area that it should. Also concerning, when I run to only clean a particular room, it will decide to move onto another room after finishing its initial job and start vacuuming there instead of returning to the base station. It's frustrating enough that I would rather have it clean the entire space instead of attempting to do any kind of spot cleaning.
Performance score: 3.5 out of 5
Narwal Freo X Plus robovac review: app
Easy-to-use app
Mapping has some shortcomings
Works well with third-party voice support
The Narwal Freo app is pretty straightforward to use, from setup to choosing the kind of cleaning you want to accomplish (vacuum only, vacuum and mop, and vacuum then mop). It's also a fairly attractive looking app. I didn't ever feel lost navigating to various settings, whether it's adjusting the specific cleaning settings such as suction power or mopping humidity or opening up the schedule to plan a cleaning.
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The map is pretty easy to use, and you can even see a 3D representation of your mapped space. Of course, it suffers from the same editing shortfalls of a lot of robot vacuum apps, where you're limited on how you partition your space. If you have an open or semi-open floor plan like the space that I often test in, you'll only be able to partition once as you can't section a partitioned space in half.
Erratic route-planning in action (left) and issues with open-plan spaces (right) (Image credit: Future)
On the bright side, setting it up with third-party control – I tested it with Amazon Alexa – was fairly easy to do. The only quirk is knowing the very specific phrases that it can understand. “Alexa, run the robot vacuum” doesn't work, while “Alexa, ask my robot to start cleaning” does.
App score: 4 out of 5
Narwal Freo X Plus robovac review: battery
Very long battery life
Will return to base when getting low
Possibly because the Narwal Freo X Plus is a bit lighter on features than more expensive units or possibly because it doesn't have spinning mop pads, its battery life of up to 254 minutes is quite a bit longer than what I usually see with robot vacuums. For reference, most units these days have up to 210 minutes of use.
While that's more than enough battery life for even fairly large spaces, the robot vacuum will return to its base when necessary for an extra charge before continuing on with its task if it's running out of juice.
Battery score: 5 out of 5
Should you buy the Narwal Freo X Plus robot vacuum?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Narwal Freo X Plus robovac review: also consider
Narwal Freo X Ultra If you want the full-fat version of what Narwal has to offer, the Freo X Ultra is a much more robust cleaning experience with spinning mop pads that self-clean, a self-emptying base station with clean and dirty water reservoirs, and a whole host of features. It's also much, much more expensive.
To test the Narwal Freo X Plus, I used it for a couple weeks to vacuum and mop the hardwood floors and a bath mat (to simulate carpeting) in my house. I also tested all the features listed in the app, from mapping to scheduling. I took note of how well the vacuum cleaned the edges of a room as well as around obstacles, not to mention running how the handheld vacuum performed.
The Backforce V Plus is the latest in the line of gaming chairs that can also function as an office chair.
Like so many of the best office chair models we've reviewed, it is designed with both gamers and professionals in mind, blending the two worlds seamlessly. The mix of customizable features, comfort, lumbar support, personalization options, and eco-friendly materials make up a fantastic option for consumers.
Backforce V Plus: Price and Availability
The Backforce V Plus is available for around €499 (roughly $535), with shipping options primarily in Europe. Custom patches and other upgrades can add to the cost. The chair’s price places it in the higher mid-range, competing with some top-tier gaming chairs, but with the unique appeal of eco-friendly materials. It's currently available from the official website by clicking here.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Backforce V Plus: Unboxing and First Impressions
The Backforce V Plus Chair arrives in a dense yet relatively compact box. The chair took a while to build, even for someone who spends quite a bit of time building chairs. The tools and diagrams aren't user-friendly, so allocate some extra time to read the instructions carefully. It took me about 1-2 hours to fully assemble, and having an additional set of hands to help lift and fit parts together is highly recommended.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Once assembled, the chair looks impressive—sleek, stylish, and clearly designed with durability in mind, but the effort required to get it there could be off-putting for some.
Backforce V Plus: Design and Build Quality
Specs
Weight Capacity: 130 kg Height Range: 1.51 m to 1.92 m Materials: Recycled PET fabric, plastic base Armrests: 4D adjustable Warranty: 10 years Price: €499
The Backforce V Plus chair is known for its robust build, made possible by recycled PET fabric. It also offers customization options, such as velcro patches on the backrest's shoulder area, adding a fun gamer element and allowing users to personalize their chairs.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
However, its heavy and bulky design may not be suitable for those with limited space, as it's challenging to maneuver, especially in smaller areas. The chair's eco-friendly materials, including Oeko-Tex 100-certified fabric, make it stand out from competitors, but some users may find the texture slightly rough for long sessions. Despite having a plastic base, as opposed to the aluminum bases of its competitors, the chair remains sturdy and well-built.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Backforce V Plus: In Use
After assembly, the V Plus provides comfortable and ergonomic support. The adjustable lumbar support and synchro-tilt mechanism offer personalized back support, making long gaming or work sessions easier on the body. The armrests are flexible but lack resistance, making them prone to unexpected shifting. We had to be careful not to lean on them aggressively during testing. Despite its sturdy build, the chair's weight makes moving difficult, and the lack of softer fabric limits all-day comfort. While we appreciate using recycled materials, the rough texture might only suit some. Some members of my team don't mind it, while others find the rough material uncomfortable.
Regarding other features, the seat depth and tilt adjustments are intuitive, allowing customization based on body type and preference. One of my team members, who is 5 feet 6 inches tall, has adjusted the backrest, seat depth, armrests, and seat height to fit perfectly.
Initially, the chair felt firm and supportive, perhaps too much so. However, over time, it has softened up.
Backforce V Plus: Final Verdict
The Backforce V Plus is a well-built, comfortable, and eco-friendly gaming chair with strong ergonomic features and customizable options. However, it has its flaws: some buyers may be put off by the challenging assembly process and high price. For those who value durability, sustainability, and personalization, it's a worthy investment.
If you're looking for a home office chair suitable for gaming, this chair is a good option for your home workspace. Additionally, this chair could be an excellent fit if you want the gamer look. However, if you're not into gaming and don't like the gamer aesthetic, there may be a better chair for you.
Nothing has already confirmed that its next flagship smartphone – the Nothing Phone 3 – won't be making its debut until 2025, but that doesn't mean fans of the brand aren't without new phones to get excited about in the meantime.
In March, we were introduced to the Nothing Phone 2a: a device with all the sensibilities of the current top-tier Nothing Phone 2, but with more modest hardware and a price tag to match. It did well – very well in fact, becoming the brand's best-selling smartphone to date, and proving that a market exists for the company's distinct design aesthetics and forward-looking user experience in a more affordable package.
It's this success (and the long wait for another flagship phone from the company) that likely led to the creation of the Nothing Phone 2a Plus: a new variant of the 2a, announced only four months after the original's arrival.
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
The 2a Plus is much the same phone as its namesake, but rather than being a larger-screened version of the 2a, the 'Plus' in this instance actually refers to the slight uplift in performance, camera hardware, and battery tech boasted by this refreshed model over the standard iteration; although it does also come with a price increase to match.
On sale from September 10 for $50 / £50 / AU$40 more than the equivalent storage capacity Phone 2a, the 2a Plus remains mostly unchanged; with the same transparent polycarbonate-backed design (this time with extra metallic detailing), the same strong 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, the same rear cameras, same battery capacity, and same software promise.
The higher asking price buys you, among other things, a beefier Dimensity 7350 Pro chip, which delivers on the promised benchmarks of 10% better CPU performance and 30% greater graphical performance, compared to the more modest MediaTek chip powering the standard Phone 2a. You also get 50W charging, compared to 45W on the 2a that's – as you might expect – fractionally quicker (a full charge takes just under, compared to just over, an hour), and a new higher-resolution 50MP front camera (compared to a 32MP snapper on the 2a), which serves up more detail; not to mention the Plus boasts a richer shooting experience, thanks to a new AI-supported 'Vivid' mode.
All in all, the question is not whether Phone 2a users have been short-changed and if there's any point in upgrading (there isn't). Instead, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus edges the needle closer to the performance of the company's current flagship (especially graphically) for a lot less, whereas we saw the standard model as more of an improvement on the original Nothing Phone 1, as you'll read in our original Nothing Phone 2a review.
You still pay a premium for that Nothing aesthetic and unique Glyph lighting, though, meaning similarly-priced rivals offer more in areas like software support, faster charging, or a superior viewing experience, but at the expense of the sense of style that Nothing has cultivated with its products.
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Priced at $399 / £399 / AU$639
On sale from September 10, 2024
US availability via Nothing Beta Program
The Nothing Phone 2a Plus comes in a sole 12GB RAM / 256GB storage variant, which means, in most markets, it comes in at a single price (you can get it with 8GB or 12GB of RAM in India). In Nothing's homeland of the UK, the phone costs £399 (direct from Nothing), £50 more than the original asking price of an equivalent 256GB standard Phone 2a.
Even in the short months since the standard 2a debuted, however, the company has already officially cut its price in key markets. A 256GB 2a costs £329 at the time of writing, meaning you actually pay £70 more for the Plus today.
The assumption is that the Phone 2a will remain on sale until Nothing runs out of stock, at which point the 2a Plus will be the company's sole mid-ranger (the newer phone should also come with a price reduction of its own by that point).
In the US, as with the Phone 2a, the 2a Plus is currently only available through the company's Beta Program. Despite being competitively priced in the market, there are caveats to purchasing this phone in the region; namely a significantly shorter 14-day return period and – as the devices being sold are international models – incomplete support for US carrier bands (i.e. spotty cellular connectivity with major US networks).
If, like the Phone 2, Nothing decides to launch the 2a Plus Stateside officially, the model sold will feature more complete US carrier support, but the company hasn't announced any such plans at the time of writing.
Value score: 4 / 5
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Specs
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Design
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Iconic Nothing aesthetic
IP54-certified polycarbonate body
Repels scuffs well but back attracts smudges
While the Phone 2a marked a slight departure from the company's previous smartphones, with its main dual camera placed transversely along the center line of the phone's back, rather than being offset in the corner, it otherwise carried across all the hallmarks of the Nothing's now-established design language.
The Phone 2a Plus echoes the standard model's dimensions, weight, and aesthetic identically; there's a transparent polycarbonate back, under which you'll find tracks of faux circuitry, a cluster of diffused LEDs around the camera, which make up the phone's Glyph Interface, and a matte plastic frame, with a power button set into the right side and large volume up and down keys along the left edge.
It's in the color department where Nothing has set the 2a and 2a Plus apart visually. While the standard phone arrived in black or Milk (white) – both variants also sported a red accent – the 2a Plus can be bought in either Black or Grey, with that circuitry no longer color-matching the bodywork, and instead sporting a more eye-catching reflective silver finish.
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(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
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It's a simple and effective way to distinguish the Plus from the standard 2a, and it feels a little more premium, too. However, I do miss the cleaner look of both launch finishes of the standard 2a (especially Milk).
In the hand, the proportions and weight of the 2a Plus make it a surprisingly comfortable phone to use one-handed. For its size, it feels beautifully put together, especially for a device that is, externally, mostly polycarbonate. Scuffs and scrapes are repelled surprisingly well; I just wish it didn't hold onto smudges so readily.
Nothing goes into some detail on the stress testing the 2a line is subjected to, for peace of mind, but the build is also independently certified against dust and water ingress with an IP54 rating; not quite as advanced as high-end devices, but perfectly at home for use in wet weather and the like.
Design score: 4 / 5
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Display
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
6.7-inch 120Hz Full HD+ OLED
Protected by Gorilla Glass 5
Sluggish in-display optical fingerprint sensor
Sticking with aesthetics, Nothing's love for flexible OLED panels grants the Phone 2a Plus balanced bezels around its flat 6.7-inch Full HD+ (1084 x 2412) screen; framing things neatly with a 91.65% screen-to-body ratio (for comparison, the pricier Galaxy A55 sports a 86.9% ratio).
The display is protected by both a factory-fitted screen protector and Gorilla Glass 5 (i.e. not Corning's latest and greatest, but respectable in terms of both impact and scratch protection), and after several weeks of use, my device only picked up one or two superficial abrasions.
That upgraded front-facing camera sits neatly at the center of the panel's top edge, while an optical under-display fingerprint sensor hangs down near the bottom bezel. Practically, I think the sensor placement is a little too low, and, surprisingly, the response time of this particular fingerprint reader is well behind what I've come to expect from the technology. We're talking milliseconds here, but I hope Nothing works to improve read speed via subsequent updates, as it lags behind the quality of the rest of the experience served up by the 2a Plus.
The Phone 2a (left), Phone 2a Plus (center) and Phone 2 (right) (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
As for the panel itself, it's the same screen found on the standard 2a, with nice colors, contrast, and a respectable 1,100-nit average maximum brightness (with a 1,300-nit peak). Other reviewers have reported fractionally better brightness scores from the panel on the 2a Plus, compared to the 2a, but anecdotally I never saw a noticeable difference while testing them side by side; both are visible in bright conditions, even if there is plenty of room for improvement.
While the use of OLED tech ensures nice vibrant colors and deep blacks, the 2a Plus doesn't pack LTPO tech, meaning the 120Hz refresh can step down to 30Hz, but no lower, and in fairly sizable increments, too. In practice, the OS tends to err on the side of fluidity, even if that means higher power consumption (you do have the ability to cap it at 60Hz manually, if you prefer).
Nothing doesn't grant a huge amount of control over customizing the viewing experience, beyond including always-on display (AoD) support and Night Light (which warms display color temperature when it's dark or late). You have Alive or Standard color profiles to choose between, with a warm-to-cool slider, too, but again, while appreciated, this is a comparatively bare-bones take on display personalization, compared to what you'd find on equivalent Xiaomi.
Nothing AI news widget is novel but has provenance issues
Nothing OS fast found a home among fans, thanks to its distinct, minimalist aesthetic, monochrome icon and widget theming, and as the means of interaction with the defining functional design feature of the brand's phones: the Glyph Interface.
Since the original Nothing Phone, the company has continued to build out this experience with new functionality, without straying from the path; ensuring a consistent experience across all its devices at all price points (from the top-tier Phone 2, down to the recently released affordable CMF Phone 1).
Like the standard Phone 2a, the 2a Plus arrives on Android 14 but sports the latest (at the time of writing) Nothing OS 2.6. The experience is as great as every other Nothing Phone, with the look and feel being one of its major draws. It's really nice to use, slick, and responsive on the 2a Plus thanks to that high refresh rate display. The ability to have supersized folders and app icons is a nice, unique bit of personalization and the native widgets are oozing with the dot matrix charm that embodies Nothing OS' visual style.
The new News widget, introduced in Nothing OS 2.6 (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
One of the most interesting additions in Nothing OS 2.6 is a new news widget. Add it to your home screen and select as many topics as you like from a shortlist of seven during the initial setup screen (these include business, entertainment, sports, technology, and more).
Once set up, tap the widget each day to hear an impressively convincing AI-generated version of Nothing's CFO Tim Holbrow read out various stories, covering your chosen topics. It's a novel and convenient way to digest current affairs, and a meaningful implementation of free AI functionality that few other mid-rangers come close to offering. There are, however, some obvious drawbacks.
For one, you have no idea about the provenance of the stories being read out. Even during setup, the widget never cites its sources, and there's no way to dive deeper or access the source material on a story Tim just read to you. There's the obvious risk of AI hallucination to consider with a tool like this, too, not to mention the ethical quandary of fair attribution to the journalists whose work this widget has scraped for content.
While I like the method of delivery, here's hoping subsequent updates iron out at least some of the pitfalls with this otherwise capable news widget.
The 2a Plus' Glyph Interface lit up in darkness (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Despite its lower standing in Nothing's smartphone portfolio, the 2a Plus doesn't lose out on the brand's signature Glyph Interface – the diffused LED segments around the phone's rear camera.
There are far fewer than on the Phone 2, but the trio that are present still fulfill all the same functions: as visual indicators for incoming calls and notifications when the phone is face down, to represent timers and ETAs on supported apps, and as a softer fill light when shooting video. You can also create your own Glyph patterns by downloading Nothing's Glyph Composer app, which is a fun bonus.
While not everyone will appreciate a phone that flashes (you can disable it if you don't like the Glyphs at all), it's another novel and aesthetic-defining characteristic of Nothing's phones and I appreciate its presence; although I wish more third-party developers put it to use, as it doesn't feel like it's being utilized to its full potential.
The Glyph Interfaces on the Nothing Phone 2a (left), Phone 2a Plus (center) and Phone 2 (right) (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
When it comes to software updates, Nothing is great at constantly pushing fixes and features to its devices; it's far more prolific than bigger brands like Motorola or Sony, and they should take note, as it constantly feels like your phone is improving. Nothing's also great at granting its users early access to Android betas, ahead of each OS' full release, which right now means you can technically already get your hands on Android 15, if you're willing to hazard its unfinished state.
The flip side is that software promises have become increasingly competitive in the market, with Apple and, more recently, the likes of OnePlus, Samsung and Google pushing for five, six or even seven years of support on its latest devices.
In the case of the Phone 2a Plus, the promise of three years of OS updates and four years of security updates seems acceptable for the phone's mid-range standing, but looks like a much weaker proposition on the more expensive Phone 2. If Nothing has the resources, being able to up those numbers would keep it competitive.
Software score: 4 / 5
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Camera
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Same dual 50MP rear sensors as Phone 2a
Upgraded 50MP front camera
New Vivid Mode with real time analysis
The Phone 2a's distinct rear dual 50MP sensors (a Samsung GN9 for the main sensor and a Samsung JN1 for the ultra-wide) remain unchanged from the standard Phone 2a, as does the Imagiq 765 ISP (image signal processor) handling things behind the scenes; despite the change in silicon between the two phones.
The more prominent difference is the upgraded front camera, which sees the 2a's 32MP snapper traded for another 50MP JN1 (yes, the same sensor used by the ultra-wide). The result is higher-resolution selfies with a different capture profile and the ability to shoot 4K video on the phone's front, too.
Nothing Phone 2a Plus camera samples
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Ultra-wide (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Side by side, selfies taken on the 2a Plus display greater detail and dynamic range in well-lit scenes. However, the fact that shots are captured at 50MP natively, and not pixel-binned, means blurring and detail loss in low light conditions is prevalent.
Portrait shooting across the front and back sensors can be hit and miss, too, with edge detection from the Portrait Optimizer within Nothing's TrueLens Engine (i.e. its camera software) tripping up from time to time. Otherwise, results are good.
Another camera addition that remains unique to the Phone 2a Plus is Vivid Mode; not even the Phone 2 running the same version of Nothing OS has this feature, at the time of writing. Not only does Vivid Mode change the color science employed to achieve more saturated shots, but it also uses AI to analyze what's in-frame and serves up real-time insight into what it's actually doing.
Within Vivid Mode, the 'result' section grants real-time AI-generated insight into how the camera is processing whatever's in frame. (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
It's another novel use of AI, but one that shows Nothing is thinking about new ways to enhance the mobile photography experience and also give the user more insight into how to compose shots and what to consider. Vivid Mode lends itself well to further improving low-light shots, too.
Camera score: 3.5 / 5
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Performance
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
3nm MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
8GB / 12GB RAM w/ RAM Booster up to 20GB
Sole 256GB storage variant (non-expandable)
One of the three tentpole upgrades – and perhaps the most significant – that the 2a Plus lords over the standard 2a is a new chipset. MediaTek has once again supplied Nothing with an exclusive variant of its mobile silicon variant, which promises a 10% CPU uptick and up to a 30% graphical performance boost, compared to the Dimensity 7200 Pro that powers the vanilla Phone 2a.
In practice, my benchmark results suggest more modest improvements (about 3.5% better in CPU, 6% in AI, and 12% in GPU performance). That said, this doesn't detract from the fact that this Dimensity 7350 Pro-powered phone is more capable outright; scoring closely to the original Phone 1, as well as more recent rivals, like Samsung's Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A54, along with the Tensor G2-powered Google's Pixel 7 line.
By default, high-fidelity 3D titles like Zenless Zone Zero default to 'low' graphical settings at 30fps and deliver perfectly consistent performance at that level. If you want to dial things up to 'high' at 60fps, though, the 7350 Pro seems happy to be pushed in short bursts; you'll just start to notice heat build-up (there is a vapor chamber to help internal cooling) and the occasional dropped frame after about 20 to 30-minutes of play time, as I did.
Nothing is keeping things simple with a single 256GB (non-expandable) storage option in all markets, with most of the world getting 12GB of RAM. You can also use the RAM Booster tech in Nothing OS to allocate some of that storage as additional memory to give you up to an additional 8GB of virtual RAM), if desired, allowing more apps to remain in suspension in the background.
Beyond the engine of the phone, the performance of its asymmetrical stereo speaker setup also surprised and impressed, with a much fuller and clearer sound than you'd expect for a mid-ranger such as the Plus, not to mention some usable bass, too.
Performance score: 3.5 / 5
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Battery
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
5,000mAh battery
Fastest-charging Nothing Phone yet, at 50W
7 hours of screen-on time per charge
The 2a Plus is tied for the largest battery capacity on a Nothing Phone, at 5,000mAh, but it trumps the rest of the range – including the Phone 2 and 2a – when it comes to fast charging; with an elevated top speed of 50W.
While we're not approaching OnePlus or Xiaomi numbers here, 50W is decently fast against key competitors; so fast, in fact, that Nothing's own-brand charger 45W can't refill the Phone 2a Plus at full speed. For that, the $39 / £39 CMF Power 65W GaN charger is the next-best thing; especially as Nothing doesn't include a power adapter in-box, just its iconic transparent-ended USB-C cable.
In testing, the Phone 2a Plus reached 40% charge in 15 minutes, over 70% in 30, and a full charge took just under an hour (55 minutes). As you might expect, with only a 5W uptick compared to the standard Phone 2a, the gains in fast-charging are limited; the base 2a hit 30% charge in 15 minutes, just over 60% in 30, and recharged completely in just over an hour, under the same conditions as the Plus.
Screen-on time for the 2a Plus is respectable at 7 hours per charge, which should see most users through a day and a half of use without worry (the Phone 2a offered on average 6 hours and 45 minutes of screen-on time). For added peace of mind, Nothing also states that even after 1,000 charge cycles, the 2a Plus' battery will retain 90% of its original capacity, which is well above the kinds of figures rivals promise; perhaps even an industry-leading claim.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Nothing Phone 2a Plus?
Buy it if...
You want a great-value Nothing experience The Phone 2a Plus distills the full-fat Nothing experience down in all the right ways; from design to user experience.
You want a phone that turns heads Nothing's hardware and software are already eye-catching in a market of black rectangles, but the shiny silver circuitry and Glyph Interface mean the Phone 2a Plus makes a real statement.
Don't buy it if...
You want a meaningful upgrade over the Phone 2a It's hard to reconcile why the Phone 2a Plus exists alongside the Phone 2a, when the upgrades, while appreciated, don't move the needle all that much.
You want a top performing mid-ranger The Phone 2a Plus puts more points into style than many of its direct competitors but, as a result, lags behind on performance; even with a beefier chipset than the standard Phone 2a.
Nothing Phone 2a Plus review: Also consider
The specific blend of style and features that make up the Nothing Phone 2a Plus might not be for you after all. If that's the case, what about one of these alternatives?
Samsung Galaxy A35 A more boring design than the Phone 2a Plus conceals comparable performance, better dust and water resistance, an extra camera, and longer software support, all for a little less money.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Faster charging and better water resistance are nice, but the Poco F6 really outshines the 2a Plus on performance. Its near-flagship Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip serves up way more power and even ray tracing support for the same price.
How I tested the Nothing Phone 2a Plus
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Review test period: one month
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
On receiving the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, I also picked up the Phone 2 and Phone 2a, to make constant comparisons between the three devices. I lived and worked with the Phone 2a Plus for a month, using it as my main phone for everything from social media use to photography and gaming.
I kept track of battery usage each day and ran several benchmark apps to help compare performance against rival devices I did and didn't have to hand.
As a reviewer with 13 years of experience, and having reviewed previous Nothing phones, I felt confident assessing and scoring the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, both relative to other mid-rangers, and in the context of the wider smartphone market.
The vivo X200 series is about to debut on October 14 at an event in Beijing, China. So far, we've seen quite a few rumors surrounding the series, but today, we have undeniable evidence of some of the X200 Pro's features.
vivo X200 Pro Geekbench 6 listing
A Geekbench score sheet surfaced online confirming the Dimensity 9400 chipset inside the vivo X200 Pro. So, the rumors were right all along. The chipset itself hasn't been announced yet and is said to be 30% faster at single-core scenarios than its Dimensity 9300 predecessor. Remember, though, that the scores might not reflect the...
As a huge fan of both theme parks and computer games, 2016’s Planet Coaster was in many ways a dream game for me. Since playing Bullfrog’s seminal game, Theme Park, back in the mid-90s, first on the Amiga and then on PC, I have been obsessed with theme park management strategy games.
As you can imagine, then, the announcement earlier this year that Planet Coaster 2 was to come in late 2024 (pre-orders are now live, and it launches on November 6, 2024), made me very happy given my history with the PC game and theme park sims.
For context, in Planet Coaster, I vividly remember plotting my parks on paper, then creating them in the game, dividing the map into different themes, just like the beloved theme parks I visited as a kid. Building the parks, and rides, of my dreams (and sometimes my guests’ nightmares) captured some of the magic from those magic kingdoms, but Theme Park also reminded players that these parks aren’t just for fun: they are made to create money.
By placing a French Fries stall, hiking up the salt content, and then putting a drinks stall next to it with inflated prices (and extra ice), I was able to squeeze extra money out of my thirsty punters. As a kid, it was my first lesson that capitalism can be evil… but also fun.
But anyway, while the original Planet Coaster gave me hundreds of hours of enjoyment, there were plenty of things that could be improved. So, when I got the opportunity to have some early time with the sequel, I was keen to jump the queue and see what was new.
(Image credit: Frontier Developments)
Splash back
The biggest change with Planet Coaster 2 is the inclusion of water park features, including pools, flumes, and new themes. Frontier has experience with this, having worked on the Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 expansion pack (old person speak for DLC) Soaked, which added flumes.
Weirdly, I’m not as interested in water parks as theme parks, but being given more things to play with when designing a park is always welcome.
While water park features aren’t the only new things in Planet Coaster 2, it would have been understandable if Frontier had called it a day there. During my time playing the game, it’s clear just how big an undertaking adding water rides has been.
Of course, there are all the additional art assets and models, but it also introduces an entirely new physics system to accurately simulate water, slides, and more.
For players of the original game, creating pools, adding features, and building water slides will feel familiar. Slides are built piece-by-piece in the same way as rollercoasters, and while new players may feel a bit lost, it’s intuitive enough to get the hang of pretty quickly, while also being flexible enough that you can create some pretty spectacular rides in not much time.
(Image credit: Frontier Developments)
Whether or not your guests will want to ride your creations, however, is another question. By testing your rides before they open, you’ll be able to see if the ride works as intended (I.E it doesn’t launch the test dummy into the stratosphere due to a misjudged hump), and you’ll get feedback on how exciting, scary and how nauseous it’ll make the riders. It’s here where the real art of constructing a theme park ride comes in – you’ll need to balance all of those aspects. Too scary and few people will want to ride it, if it makes people too ill then not only will it put people off riding, but you’ll also have to deal with people throwing up all over your lovely park. You can lower these values by making adjustments to the ride – lowing drops and banking corners for example – but if you make the ride too tame, its excitement will drop and people won’t want to ride.
As with the first game, I can tell this part of building your park could be a huge – and enjoyable – time-sink as you try to build the ultimate ride.
In Planet Coaster 2, more customization options allow you to add design elements to the ride, including coaster cars, and while I only had a short time with the game, it’s clear that it’s going to offer a huge amount of tools to help you craft and tweak almost every aspect of your park.
While I wasn’t overly excited by the inclusion of pools and water slides, I ended up really liking them. Building both was fun and intuitive, and the pools especially looked fantastic.
I didn’t notice much of a visual upgrade over Planet Coaster, but that was still a fine-looking game that was both realistic and cartoony. However, the pools in Planet Coaster 2 look fantastic. Clear, realistic water that sparkles under a cloudless sky made me want to crawl through the screen and dive in. It made me nostalgic for the summer – before I remembered that here in the UK we’d just endured one of the wettest and miserable summers in recent memory.
Interestingly, it seems like the weather in Planet Coaster 2 won’t always be perfect. I didn’t see it in action, but the launch trailer shows guests running for shelter during rainy weather, and I noticed a weather forecast icon in the game’s menu.
While the eternally sunny weather of the first game gave us UK players a nice bit of escapism, including different weather conditions for the sequel, more realistic weather in the sequel will add to the realism – and could bring some interesting challenges – and opportunities. Rainy weather could make guest numbers drop, but some carefully placed umbrella stores could help raise profits – especially if you can, like in Rollercoaster Tycoon, up the prices when the rain starts to fall. There’s that evil capitalism working again.
(Image credit: Frontier Developments)
I also got a glimpse of a few new themes – Mythical and Resort – and my mind is already fizzing with ideas of how I can use them in my parks.
Plus ça changing room
As I mentioned earlier, the original Planet Coaster did a lot of things right – but there were plenty of things that needed improvement, and from my short time with Planet Coaster 2, I found some of those were indeed fixed – but I still had a few concerns.
Making paths in the original, for example, could sometimes be annoyingly fiddly, and you could end up with some ugly bodge jobs when trying to make certain things, such as large plazas. The good news is that Planet Coaster 2 mainly fixes this with new path-making tools that make things much more simple, and give you additional settings to tweak, to help you get the desired effects. I found this made creating paths easier – when on the ground, at least. Creating stairs and bridges seemed to be more complicated – but that might just have been me being a bit rusty.
(Image credit: Frontier Developments)
Putting down shops, food stalls, and guest services, such as toilets and new changing rooms (which need to be added for your guests to use the pools), seems a bit over-complicated as well. In the version of Planet Coaster 2 that I played, some shops and facilities were just ‘shells’ – basically empty buildings that were elaborately themed. Placing them in the park didn’t give me the actual facilities themselves – I would have to find those, then either place them in the park, place the shell over them, or add them by editing the shell’s blueprint (the name for ready-made, yet customizable, pre-built elements).
Confusingly, some facilities in the default Planet Coaster theme were included, while other themes just included the shell. I’ll clarify with Frontier about whether this is just because I was playing a limited preview version of the game, or if this will be the case in the full version as well. I hope not.
By searching for the actual shop or facility to add to the shell, I was reminded about another issue that I’ve had with the original Planet Coaster, which seems to be still present in the sequel. It can be difficult to find certain building parts, and while there is a decent tagging system in place that lets you search, you still need to remember where certain things are located, as there are a few different menus where the item could be. Sometimes things are in the ‘Shops and Facilities’ menu. But then there are also the ‘Scenery’ and ‘Building’ menus, which can also have items you need – and you’ll need to remember which menu they are in. When you start expanding the game with DLC, which will be inevitable considering the various expansion packs the original game got, these menus become more unwieldy, so finding things can take even longer.
(Image credit: Frontier Developments)
I was also shown a level in the campaign mode. I felt that the campaign of Planet Coaster was not that engaging – I usually spent my time playing in sandbox mode, with unlimited money. While this gives you more freedom, it also means you miss out on the challenge and management aspects of the game. So, with Planet Coaster 2, I’m hoping to have more reasons to play the campaign and to dig into the (hopefully) more expansive management options.
From what I played, that might not be the case. The level required me to build a park but only in a certain part of the map, for reasons that didn’t make too much sense. However, unless I was being thick (a likely possibility), once in the game I wasn’t given any onscreen guidance for where to build or suggestions on how to hit the goals to allow me to progress. Eventually, a kindly press representative of Frontier took pity on me and informed me I was building in the wrong part of the map.
This confusion, along with not being sure where to find parts to build facilities and how to make paths on higher levels, makes me worried that the interface of Planet Coaster 2 needs a bit of a rethink with more onscreen help and tips. After all, if an (admittedly a bit stupid) longtime player of the original game can get lost, what hope do newcomers have?
(Image credit: Frontier Developments)
Open for business
While some doubts remain, from the time I had with Planet Coaster 2 I am very excited to play the full release when it launches in November. It’s a charming and fun game that’s clearly been made by people who love the subject matter.
I can see myself playing this game a heck of a lot, and I can’t wait to see what the imaginative community makes with the new and improved tools – as before, PC gamers will be able to easily add other user’s creations to their own parks via the Steam Workshop.
As a fun toy that lets my imagination run wild, my inner child could not be more excited for Planet Coaster 2. The part of me that enjoys playing challenging games, however, will need a bit more convincing.
Planet Coaster 2 releases on November 6, 2024, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport true wireless earbuds follow in the footsteps of Sennheiser’s popular Momentum range (the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are the most recent) but with added features specially for fitness. The result is a pair of buds that are perfect for sports, with a stable fit, durable build, health sensors, great sound and ANC, and a huge range of features. But they’re not perfect; some might find the features overwhelming, and even if you’re looking for the ultimate sporty pair of buds, there might be better options for you.
Sennheiser is known for its exceptional audio quality, and the Momentum Sport earbuds uphold this reputation. They support high-resolution streaming and are equipped with 10mm drivers, compared to the 7mm drivers found in the brand’s other models. This enhancement allows the earbuds to deliver more power and deeper bass. The sound quality is especially impressive when the Bass Boost profile is activated in the Sennheiser app, making them ideal for sports earbuds where dynamic sound is essential.
Listening to Megan’s Piano by Megan Thee Stallion at the gym, the piano is bright and punchy, while the bass is bouncing and booming. Similarly, Queens of the Stone Age’s Burn the Witch sounds powerful and fun across the range, though cranking up the volume sometimes results in muddied lower frequencies. Overall, the Sennheiser Momentum Sport buds deliver a bold, fun, and engaging sound. The accompanying app offers plenty of customization options, allowing users to adjust EQ settings, select presets, and create their own custom profiles.
Despite the enjoyable listening experience, the audio quality doesn’t quite meet the high standards typically associated with high-end Sennheiser earbuds. While there’s clarity and power, there’s a noticeable lack of richness and detail. The sound is good but not class-leading, which is somewhat disappointing given the price point. When compared to my usual go-to earbuds, the Nothing Ear 2, the Sennheiser Momentum Sport only offers a slight improvement. Now, this is fine because we rate Nothing’s buds. But considering the price, you’d expect a seriously upgraded experience.
I was impressed by the adaptive noise-cancelling (ANC) capabilities of the Sennheiser Momentum Sport. It effectively reduces most background noises, including conversations and transport sounds. However, it’s not the best ANC I’ve tested and doesn’t surpass some of the top contenders in our best noise-cancelling earbuds list. That said, I personally prefer the ANC here for workouts, as it offers solid noise cancellation while still allowing very loud sounds to come through if necessary.
(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)
For instance, while testing these earbuds on a train to the airport, I couldn’t hear the conversations of the people sitting opposite me, and most sounds from the moving train were silenced. However, a loud alarm at one of the stations was still audible, which I find important for safety reasons. Others may prefer a more immersive noise-cancelling experience, but for me, this balance was ideal.
The app allows for extensive customization of the ANC settings, including an anti-wind mode that disables the external mics. This feature was particularly useful for calls and voice notes, ensuring they were clear and free from background noise. There’s also a transparency mode that lets you control the level of ambient sound, which can be activated specifically for calls.
Beyond ANC, the app offers several ways to tailor your listening experience. A fit test helps optimize audio and ANC performance, and the Sound Zones feature allows you to apply different sound settings for different environments, such as work or the gym. While these customization options are great for those who enjoy tweaking their settings, they might feel overwhelming for users who prefer a straightforward experience.
As you’d expect from fitness-focused earbuds, the stability of the Sennheiser Momentum Sport is excellent. If the fit isn’t perfect initially, there are various customization options to help you achieve the right fit. Each earbud has a small silicone band around its main casing, which can be removed and replaced with bands featuring ear fins of different sizes. These ear fins fit under your ear cartilage, providing additional stability. There are three ear fin options and three different silicone eartips to choose from.
I spent considerable time adjusting these different options to find the perfect fit. Although the process was a bit tedious, I was very satisfied with the results once I’d found the ideal combination for my ears. The earbuds remained secure during workouts, walking, and running, providing a reliable fit that I haven’t experienced with other earbuds in a long time.
The secure and stable fit is especially important for those with smaller ears, as the earbuds are a bit large and bulky due to all of the additional onboard technology. Weighing 6.4g each, they’re not particularly heavy but feel different from lighter, mid-range earbuds. After several hours of continuous wear, they did start to feel a bit uncomfortable. However, this took some time, and I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t feel discomfort sooner. While this amount of time is more than enough for a workout, it might not be ideal for all-day wear.
The design of the Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds is typical for the brand, featuring a simple aesthetic with minimal branding and clean lines. While some people might find this design a bit plain, it fits well in all sorts of settings and, personally, I appreciate the unobtrusive look. The earbuds are IP55-rated, making them suitable for sweaty workouts, though some other fitness earbuds offer better waterproofing.
One of the standout features of these earbuds is the inclusion of optical health sensors. The earbuds feature heart rate and body temperature tracking, made possible through a partnership with Polar. While other earbuds, like the Bose SoundSport Pulse and Amazfit Powerbuds Pro, have included optical heart rate monitors, the temperature tracking is a new addition. Temperature sensors are relatively new even in the best smartwatches and fitness tech.
(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)
You can quickly check the health readings in the Sennheiser app, but for more detailed information, the Polar Flow app or compatible Polar watches provide better context. The earbuds can also connect to other devices, such as smartwatches or fitness tech, via Bluetooth. Although I didn’t test the earbuds against a chest strap heart rate monitor – considered the gold standard – I compared the heart rate readings to my Apple Watch and the temperature readings to my Ultrahuman Ring Air, both indicating a high level of accuracy from the buds.
Beyond sound and ANC settings, the Sennheiser app is packed with features and customization options, delivering the high-end experience you’d expect. Users can customize gestures and touch controls on the earbuds, although there is no single-tap option and the touch controls can be overly sensitive at times. For example, a thick strand of hair once tangled around the buds and inadvertently activated the controls. Additionally, the app offers a Battery ECO mode to deactivate high-quality streaming and save battery, and a Smart Pause feature that pauses music when you remove an earbud.
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds come with one of the nicest charging cases I’ve tested. It features a quality build that feels far from plasticky , with a square design and a rubber magnetic lid that closes quietly and satisfyingly. . The earbuds themselves offer six hours of battery life, extending to 24 hours with the fully charged case. This isn’t great battery life, but is standard for high-end sound and lots of features. The charging case is IP54-rated, providing some protection against sprays and dust, though it offers less waterproofing than the earbuds.
My biggest issue with these buds is figuring out who they’re for. If you’re on a budget, they’re expensive. There’s a lot going on with these earbuds, and I worry that some people just don’t need all of these bells and whistles. It might make more sense to get affordable or mid-range earbuds and pair them with one of the best cheap fitness trackers. While I enjoyed experimenting with the health sensor technology, I wonder if anyone willing to spend this much on earbuds and take fitness seriously wouldn’t already have a tracker capable of collecting heart rate data.
That said, there are scenarios where these earbuds might be a good fit. Perhaps you had a capable fitness tracker that broke, or you’ve had it for years and want to replace it. Or maybe you’re a fan of Polar’s ecosystem. There are certainly valid use cases here. If you appreciate the idea of health sensors and would utilize the other features, especially if you’re a fan of Sennheiser’s high-end products, then these earbuds are worth considering. However, for most users, there are better options available at a lower price point.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Becca Caddy)
Priced at $329.95/£279.99/AU$529.95
Available from Spring 2024
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport cost $329.95/£279.99/AU$529.95. Although the buds are currently discounted on the Sennheiser website in some regions. At the time of writing, the price in the UK has dropped from £279.99 to £218.49.
This price makes the Sennheiser Momentum Sport expensive as far as true wireless earbuds are concerned. More expensive than some of our top favorite true wireless picks, like the Nothing Ear (a) at $99 / £99 / around AU$192 and our top buds for working out, the Beats Fit Pro at $199 / £199 / AU$299. They’re even a little more expensive than the Apple AirPods Pro 2 at $249 / £229 / AU$399.
However, the Technics EAH-AZ80 that are currently at the top of our best true wireless earbuds guide are similarly priced at $299/£259/AU$499. As are some of the best noise-canceling buds in the world, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at $299 / £299 / AU$449.
So the price might be high-end, but it isn’t unheard of or out of this world for a quality pair of buds. It still means you should only consider them if you want them for fitness and you love the sound of health sensors and loads of customization options. Anyone else won’t make the most of everything on offer and could find a much cheaper alternative.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Specifications
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Scorecard
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want loads of customization options
You can tweak the sound, set up different sound profiles and sound zones, change the tips and wings to get the best fit and more. If you like to feel in control, these are the buds for you.
You want buds built for workouts
Everything about these buds is built with fitness in mind, from the super stable fit to the durable build to the added optical health sensors.
You want ultimate stability
Not ideal for very small ears, but otherwise you can achieve a fantastic fit. It’ll take some faffing, but then there’s no budging. So it’s worth it.
Don't buy it if...
You already have a great fitness tracker
There’s a lot to love about these buds beyond their health sensors, but if you already have that covered, there are better, more affordable options.
You want the best sound and ANC
I rate the sound and ANC of these buds, but it’s not the best, and if that’s a priority, you’ll want to look at what rivals have to offer.
You want to save money
There are more savvy ways to get health tracking, good sound and a solid fit with other buds and fitness trackers.
Also consider
Beats Fit Pro
Cheaper than the Sennheiser buds also with solid sound and ANC. They have a smaller build and a similar battery life.
I tested the Sennheiser Momentum Sport buds every day for a month. This gave me the chance to trial them in a range of different situations and environments.
I mostly used them to listen to music and podcasts on my iPhone 14 Pro with Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube music. I tested them when I was traveling abroad, walking around cities and along the beach and jogging in the countryside. I also took them to the gym when I was using the cardio machines and lifting weights.
I’ve tested lots of different headphones and earbuds for more than 12 years now, especially fitness devices. I’m particularly interested in tech that prioritizes ease of use and comfort.
