If you’ve been eyeing a brand-new Galaxy S25 Ultra, then you have until Friday, February 7, to take advantage of Samsung’s pre-order bonuses. The offers include total savings of over $1,250, including up to $900 instant trade-in credit and up to $350 Samsung Credits for qualifying purchases on Samsung.com or the Shop Samsung App.
The more enticing offer is the free storage upgrade, which gets you 512GB for the price of the baseline 256GB trim. You can head this way to check out the offers.
If you’re still unsure whether the Galaxy S25 Ultra is worth it, our detailed written...
vivo's X200 Ultra will be its all-out camera flagship for 2025, to compete with Xiaomi's 15 Ultra and Oppo's Find X8 Ultra. Today in a since-deleted Weibo post, prolific Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station has given us the details about the X200 Ultra's camera system, once again.
So, it has a 50 MP main camera with a 1/1.28" type sensor, a 50 MP ultrawide with a 1/1.28" type sensor, and a 200 MP periscope telephoto camera with a 1/1.4" type sensor. Interestingly, the prototypes apparently have the ultrawide camera at 1x in the viewfinder, while the main camera is 1.5x.
vivo X200 Ultra...
Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank review
The Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank is a low-cost portable phone charger compatible with the iPhone 12 – 16. Its list price is $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$93.99 on the official Iniu website; however, discounts are often applied. At the time of writing, a 55% – 57% discount is available, and it's also available for less than the list price at Amazon. Unlike some other brands' power banks, it comes with a USB-C cable and a little travel pouch, providing it a little protection against scuffs and scratches when on the go.
I would argue that the Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank isn’t the most compact example of a MagSafe charger. Its dimensions are 3.8 x 0.9 x 2.7 inches / 97 x 23 x 69mm, which feels quite bulky in one’s hand when trying to continue using a phone as it charges. It feels pretty weighty, too, at 9.2oz / 261g.
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
The Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank features a super-soft touch matt finish and smooth rounded corners. It offers both MagSafe charging, plus there is a USB-C in/out, and a USB-A out port for wired charging, too. The MagSafe charging area stands proud of the power bank’s surface by roughly 2mm.
The design of the Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank isn’t a far cry from your typical power bank. On the front face of the charger, there is the Iniu logo in the top-right corner, while in the bottom left, there’s an animal paw print that acts as an indicator light to communicate the level of charge remaining in the battery pack.
Charging an iPhone 13 Pro with the Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank proved disappointingly slow, taking three hours and ten minutes to achieve a full charge. To put this in context, it took the similarly priced Anker 633 Magnetic Battery just two hours and fifteen minutes to do the same, plus it has the added bonus of a built-in stand, so it’s easy to continue watching content as your phone charges.
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
Overall, if you’re not fussed about fast charging and like the novelty of the blue paw print, the Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank wouldn’t be a bad choice. However, there are certainly faster alternatives within the same price range, like the UGREEN Uno Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh 15W, for example, that have novelty value of its own, displaying cute little faces on its screen depending on the level of charge.
So it’s clear the Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank isn’t up to the standard required to feature in our selection of the best wireless chargers or the best iPhone chargers, but it would make an adequate enough purchase if you’re prepared to forgo fast charging speeds.
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)
Should I buy the Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank?
Buy it if…
You don't want any bells or whistles Aside from the light-up paw print, there's nothing particularly fancy about this charger. There's no built-in stand or LED screen, so if you want something super simple, this charger would prove satisfactory.
You like tactile finishes One thing I liked about this power pack was the soft matt finish of the material and its nicely rounded corners.
Don't buy it if…
You want to use your phone as it charges Although marketed as a compact power bank, its depth makes it a little too bulky to be comfortable to hold when attached to your phone. I recommend checking out our pick of the best power banks if you'd like to continue scrolling as you juice up your phone.
You want a built-in stand Many portable chargers make terrific travel companions, but this power bank sadly isn't one of them. With no stand included, you're limited to lying it flat on a surface to charge, making it hard to binge-watch Netflix during a flight or hotel stay.
Iniu B43 MagSafe 10000mAh Compact Power Bank review: Also consider
Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank Not only is this power bank lower in price, it's also slimmer and lighter. It offers similar charging speeds, but would make an ideal alternative for anyone who struggles to put their phone down for extended periods of time. If you'd like to learn more, head over to the full Ugreen 5000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank review.View Deal
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is expected to begin a full-scale antitrust investigation on Apple’s App Store. The measure is expected in response to the recent trade tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by the United States.
The upcoming probe is expected to target the App Store’s 30% commission on in-app purchases. In addition, SAMR will review Apple’s policy of restricting third-party payment systems and alternative app stores from its platform. Chinese developers Tencent and ByteDance have been critical of Apple’s App Store policies for several years, which...
The new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has exclusive use of the new Gorilla Armor 2 glass, which can survive drops from 2.2m (7.2ft) onto concrete. Corning claims that Armor 2 maintains the scratch resistance of the original Gorilla Armor that was used in last year’s S24 Ultra. But is that true?
Zack from JerryRigEverything has been testing the S25 Ultra and reported that the new glass scratched at a Mohs level 6. Watch in the video below:
But if we rewind back to the Galaxy S24 Ultra durability test, it scratched at a level 7 – here’s a time-stamped link to Zack’s video. If you pause the...
vivo is launching the V50 soon, possibly on February 17 with sales going live on February 24. The brand has already started teasing the device, revealing its design and key specs, but nothing beats staring at actual hands-on images, right?
Well, here you go. These hands-on shots have been leaked today and they show the Starry Blue colorway of the upcoming phone.
The images confirm the fact that the device is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset. In this variant, it's paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There's also support for virtual RAM up to 12GB. The phone runs...
The Saramonic Ultra is a portable wireless mic system in the same vein as the popular DJI Mic and Mic 2. Aimed primarily at people who need to create audio and video content on the go – vloggers, podcasters and journalists – the Ultra is available as a package containing two wearable transmitters, one receiver and a portable charging case to keep everything together.
This kit allows for single and dual-channel audio, and the receiver can be connected to a variety of devices for adding high-quality 24-bit sound to recordings. Adapters are included for iPhones, iPads, USB-C smartphones and computers, 3.5mm camera inputs and even for Sony’s Multi Interface Shoe, but the transmitters can also record audio on their own thanks to 8GB of on-board space. When recording directly onto this memory, users can even record 32-bit float audio – a data-rich, high dynamic range format prized by audio professionals.
Saramonic’s build quality doesn’t feel quite as rock-solid as some of the alternatives, but the fact that the transmitter is waterproof to IPX5 levels suggests that the company is doing something right. And, despite the noise cancelling being far from the most effective I’ve encountered with wireless mics, the audio quality is generally excellent in a variety of environments.
The whole kit includes two transmitters, one receiver and a charging case (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Saramonic Ultra: Price and release date
$249 / £259 / AU$449 for 2-Channel Set with receiver, two transmitters and charging case
Also available with lavalier mics included
Available now in black and white colour finishes
The Saramonic Ultra is available to purchase in a set that includes two transmitters, one receiver, a charging case, adapters for Lightning, USB-C and Sony Multi Interface, a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, two windscreens and a drawstring bag to hold everything. This package is available in a black or white finish and costs around $249 / £259 / AU$449. For a little more money, you can purchase the same package with two cabled lavalier mics included ($299 / £289).
As far as I can see it isn’t possible to buy the individual components separately, or just a transmitter and receiver package (as is available for those who want to save money on a DJI Mic 2, for instance).
That being said, at a price that falls quite a bit below that of premium rivals like the DJI Mic 2 and Rode Wireless Pro, and even below the relatively affordable Sennheiser Profile Wireless, the Saramonic can lay claim to being one of the most affordable higher end wireless mic sets around.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Saramonic Ultra: Specs
The Saramonic Ultra receiver comes with USB-C and Lightning adapters for direct smartphone connection. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Saramonic Ultra: Design
Most elements slot into charging case for transport
Entire package weighs 210.5g / 7.4oz
Adapters for USB-C, Lightning and Sony Multi Interface Shoe included
Like most wireless mic setups, the Saramonic Ultra is centered around two main elements: a small wearable transmitter and an almost as small wearable receiver. The transmitter (of which two are supplied here) has a clip and a strong magnet allowing it to be attached to clothing, with the magnet being best suited to thin garments like t-shirts. It has a USB-C port for charging and data transfer purposes, and a 3.5mm jack for attaching a wired lavalier mic if desired. The transmitters are IPX5 certified too, making them waterproof against rain – something I’ve not seen with rival mics.
The receiver, which links wirelessly to either one or two transmitters, also has a clip, which doubles as a mounting option for sliding into camera cold shoes. It also comes with adapters for Lightning and USB-C devices, and something I haven’t seen on its competitors: an optional antenna to boost its wireless range to 300m (Saramonic claims the range without the add-on is 250m). The receiver also features an OLED touchscreen accompanied by a pressable dial for adjusting settings and viewing gain levels which, while both are small, I had few problems using. Those of a larger fingered persuasion may find them a tad fiddly, however.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
The supplied charging case has room for both transmitters, the receiver and the Lightning and USB-C adapters for the latter. Unfortunately, there’s no space inside for extras like the transmitter’s windshields or any of the cables. Still, the case, which has a leather-effect texture and a nice light-up logo on top to indicate remaining battery life, is a neat way to carry (and recharge) the core elements of this setup. Its construction is a little creaky compared to that of the DJI Mic 2’s case, but not to the degree I’d be concerned about it falling apart.
(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Saramonic Ultra: Performance
Choice of 16, 24 and 32-bit recording
Transmitters can be used solo
Noise reduction, Vocal Boost and Low Cut modes
Like the DJI Mic 2 and Rode Wireless Pro, the Saramonic Ultra has an option to record high-quality 32-bit float audio directly onto the 8GB on-board memory of the transmitters. 32-bit float is to standard 16 or 24-bit audio what RAW photographs are to JPEGs – a much larger file size with much more data, allowing for more post-production manipulation of the sound. In my opinion, while it’s a useful option to have, particularly for professional users, the smaller file sizes of the 24-bit audio, and the fact that it can be transmitted wirelessly, means I’d be using 24-bit audio nine times out of ten.
It’s not like the 24-bit audio is bad, either. In fact, it’s nice and crisp, and turning on the Vocal Boost mode lends speech some real heft and body. If you want your voice to sound deeper and more authoritative, it’s probably going to be switched on most of the time. The mic can also be set to record 16-bit audio, which is presumably included as a space-saving option.
Another optional mode is Low Cut, which removes some of the lower frequency noise from recordings, and the three-level noise cancelling mode does reduce background sounds – albeit not to the extent of the highly effective noise cancelling employed by the DJI Mic 2. For example, traffic noise was still very loud in my test recordings, even with Saramonic’s noise cancelling dialled up to its top level.
The attachable furry windshield is a must for outdoor recordings. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)
Wind noise is also noticeable on my outdoor recordings, even in relatively calm conditions, which is why the furry windshields should rarely leave the transmitters if you’re using them outside – they do a good job of reducing it.
Gain can be set manually, with the receiver’s screen providing both a live indication of levels and a means for adjustment, but the Auto Gain setting can also be used in trickier, changeable environments. It’ll adjust gain on the fly to compensate for changes in background noise or subject distance from the mic, so it’s ideal for non-studio settings.
There’s no backup recording mode here, so no protection against signal drops. That being said, with the antenna attached you should get a consistently strong wireless signal. I wouldn’t rely it to work perfectly over the 300m maximum range claimed by Saramonic (and I take all manufacturers’ range claims as best-case scenarios) but for the vast majority of users that’s never going to be put to the test. I had no signal issues myself using the microphone while walking around my home, despite walls and floors potentially getting in the way.
Another pro-friendly feature you’ll find here is timecode support, allowing users of multi-camera shoots to easily sync their mics and cameras in post-production. It’s something few people will use, but very handy to have – and of the recent wireless mic launches, this and the Rode Wireless Pro are the only two models that offer it.
Battery life is decent, with around 6 hours of operating time on each transmitter and the receiver, plus an addition 12 or so hours (or two charging cycles) in the charging case. In theory, you can record for around 18 hours in total before needing to find a power socket to recharge.
Should I buy the Saramonic Ultra?
Buy it if…
You want an affordable pro-friendly wireless mic
The Saramonic Ultra is packed with useful and often premium features, such as 32-bit float recording, despite being one of the more affordable wireless mic packages around.
You need a waterproof solution
With IPX5-rated water resistance, you could use the Saramonic Ultra’s transmitters in a rainstorm (or even during your morning shower) without fear of damage.
Don’t buy it if…
You want to buy the components separately
The Ultra is only available as a two-transmitter kit supplied with a charging case. So if you need just one transmitter and one receiver and are hoping to save money, you’re out of luck.
You often record in very noisy places
With the on-board noise cancellation tech far from the best around, recording in noisy environments like busy roads can be risky.
Saramonic Ultra: also consider
DJI Mic 2 Packed with pro-friendly features like 32-bit float recording and AI-assisted adaptive noise cancelling, DJI’s second-gen wireless mic is well-built, well-designed, easy to use and more than capable of levelling up your vlogs, interviews, podcasts and other recordings. It also plays nicely with DJI’s camera drones, eliminating propeller noise automatically.
Sennheiser Profile Wireless More affordable than the DJI and Rode alternatives and similarly priced to the Saramonic Ultra, Sennheiser’s wireless microphone set is a great (if slightly lacking in features) one-stop solution for improving vlog audio. Its innovative charging bar even doubles as a handheld mic for interviews.
Used regularly for a week in both quiet and noisy environments
Paired with iPhone 13 and Panasonic Lumix GH6
I tested the Saramonic Ultra mic both inside and outdoors, and with its receiver physically connected to devices (my Apple iPhone 13 smartphone and Panasonic Lumix GH6 camera) and in solo mode. I made sure to record in a variety of environments in order to see how the microphone handled different background noises and weather conditions.
Character action single-player games are something of a dying breed or rather only something a handful of developers excel at, often feeling at odds with contemporary expectations of features or content. That's why the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 is such welcome news, but it's the surprise shadow drop of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, a current-gen remaster of Team Ninja's 2008 Xbox 360 title, that makes you truly realize that they truly don't make them like this anymore.
Review info
Platform reviewed: PS5 Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC Release date: January 23, 2025
It's not just here to whet your appetite for the upcoming sequel that's being co-developed by action game extraordinaire PlatinumGames, but goes some way to addressing criticisms over the game's previous remaster in 2021's Ninja Gaiden Master Collection, which was based on the PlayStation 3Sigma 2 port that purists consider to be inferior.
Arguably, the original 360 game was also unbalanced and a bit broken with an absurd enemy count that would infamously have the frame rate dipping into single digits, so Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is more like the best of both worlds, with Team Ninja doing its best to stay close to the original's vision of gushing, dismembering ultra-violence while still retaining features introduced in Sigma 2. In other words, it's as close to a definitive edition of the game as you can get today.
Old school of hard knocks
(Image credit: Team Ninja/Koei Tecmo)
There is, however, a difference between a definitive and modernised experience. The most modern thing you can say about Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is however its stunning visuals updated in Unreal Engine 5.
Yet despite the impressive modern lighting and effects, there's something uncanny about how stubbornly old-school everything else remains, from its linear level design to Team Ninja's obsession with cleavage, a reminder that this is the team that gave us the Dead or Alive series. You often hear how a new game is described as being like a PlayStation 2 game, but it really puts things into perspective when playing a brand spanking new-looking game that controls exactly like one from the Xbox 360 era.
Quite honestly, I suspect it may turn players who have been accustomed to the smoother controls of Bayonetta (incidentally also a 360-era game, albeit released a year after Ninja Gaiden 2). There are times Ryu Hayabusa seems annoyingly sluggish just trying to get him to turn to face the correct enemy while dodging also requires holding block while shifting the control stick. Or the way your attacks can get easily interrupted by a relentless mob of enemies with the same nuisance of being out-jabbed in a fighting game.
The worst thing is a camera that you're supposed to be able to freely move with the right stick, only until it doesn't. Sometimes you're being ambushed from all sides but unable to correctly get the camera behind you while there's no option to target enemies, which you take for granted these days.
Best bit
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black relies on intricate combos and no quicktime events but the coolest most powerful attack you can pull off is the Ultimate Technique, which simply requires holding down Y/Triangle and then releasing to unleash a deadly flurry of moves that requires no further input. It's also difficult to pull off mostly because enemies come at you faster than you can charge it up. The best part then is that this can also be executed by jumping in the air and then pressing Y/Triangle just as you land.
Playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black then requires a bit of mental rewiring. Yet once you push through it, there's plenty to appreciate. Already a hardcore game, it's not actually as overwhelming as its reputation gives off.
The absence of a scoring and ranking system in the normal campaign offsets any performance anxiety, while you'll also automatically regain health outside of combat, with the exception of red damage that affects your maximum health. Then there are the deliciously gory cinematic finishers you can perform on any enemy that's already had one of its limbs lopped off, requiring nothing more than a single input.
There's still depth in the different weapons you can unlock and the different combos you can execute, though once I remembered how to pull off the Izuna Drop that just became my go-to. But there's also something so pure to its action – no quick time button-mashing, no parry or stagger mechanics, no indulgently lengthy cinematics, no bosses with multiple health bars and phases – it actually feels refreshing.
Ninja unlocked
(Image credit: Team Ninja/Koei Tecmo)
Like other comparable character action games, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's campaign only takes around 10-12 hours to complete but it's the additional challenges that add to its appeal, and that doesn't necessarily mean only for those who want to finish on the most punishing Path of the Master Ninja difficulty.
Sigma 2's Tag Missions make a welcome return here, which in the absence of the original's online co-op functionality simply allows you to pick two characters and then switch between them on the fly with a button press. Better yet, the mode's roster of female characters you can pick besides Ryu are all unlocked at the start, while completing the story once unlocks all the missions so you can jump ahead to the toughest challenges if you desire.
Players who do care about how well they play are also catered for with Chapter Challenge, which acts like an equivalent of New Game Plus where you can play any mission with all weapons and spells fully upgraded and where you will receive a rank, with UI flashing up to let you know what high-scoring techniques you've just executed.
Nitpickers may bemoan that not every element cut in the Sigma 2 port is restored but if you're an Xbox owner that original is at least still available to you. For everyone else, this is nonetheless the best way to play a classic action game either on Game Pass or at a reasonable price point. As an action game, I don't think it's a cut above Bayonetta, but it's also so uncompromisingly singular that it's in a class of its own. Bring on Ninja Gaiden 4.
Should you play Ninja Gaiden 2 Black?
Play it if...
You like fast-paced action demanding reflexes and combos Forget stamina bars, this is just about rinsing enemies in as fast and as bloody a fashion as you can.
You don't want to stress about scoring or progression systems While it offers different playstyles, switching between weapons is flexible and you already have a suite of moves without upgrading. The game is already challenging enough without grading you, which is instead available after completing the story once.
Don't play it if...
You're expecting the remaster to also offer modern gameplay changes Despite the Unreal 5 glow-up, the game still controls like it did 17 years ago, which will likely cause a level of friction that some players might find too frustrating to get past.
Accessibility features
Although the original game has a reputation for being one of the most difficult games ever made, subsequent releases have provided easier difficulty options. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black adds to this with a 'Hero play style' option that activates the Hero Gauge when your health bar is extremely low. In this state, you'll automatically block or avoid enemy attacks until the gauge runs out or your health is restored.
Elsewhere, you can turn off blood and dismemberment effects, subtitles can be turned on and off, and their size can be adjusted between large, standard, and small with a slider. The game's audio options are English or Japanese, and there are, sadly, no colorblind options.
(Image credit: Team Ninja/Koei Tecmo)
How I reviewed Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
I played Ninja Gaiden 2 Black for 15 hours on my PS5 Pro, completing the game once on the default difficulty setting, as well as spending some time replaying some missions in the ranked Chapter Challenge mode and playing as different characters in some of the Tag Missions.
I played on an LG C2 OLED TV, which allowed me to play the game in 120 frames per second, with the default TV speakers and a DualSense Edge controller.
Xiaomi's Mix Flip 2 is coming this year, and according to a new rumor out of China, it will boast a 5,100 mAh battery. That's larger than its predecessor's 4,780 mAh cell, but smaller than the previously rumored 5,600 mAh to 5,700 mAh capacity. Perhaps it just wasn't possible to cram that much battery into such a small folding device.
The Mix Flip 2 is now said to be launching in the second quarter of the year, so between April and June. Previous rumors only talked about it arriving in the first half of the year, so now we get a narrower window to look forward to.
Xiaomi Mix...
The Garmin Approach S70 is the brand’s top-tier flagship golf watch and has all the features and performance to match that mantle. Channeling all that makes Garmin watches great for sport, the golf-centered features of the S70 go a long way to put it apart from its competition.
Coming in at $649.99 / £549.99 / AU$1,099 for the larger 47mm model and $699.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,199 for the slightly smaller 42mm, it does have a considerable price of admission, but I broadly think it represents good value and is worth it for those golfers looking to get the most out of a companion watch.
Its design is immediately recognizable as a Garmin watch, and the slick black ceramic of the 47mm size I tested makes for a chic aesthetic, with its sleekness and pop of color provided by the red accenting. The 1.4-inch screen means everything on the watch is easy to read and digest at a glance or in more detail, while the three buttons make it easy to navigate and get around the menus, apps, and features.
The features on offer are excellent too. From the 43,000 pre-loaded courses, to the virtual caddie recommending clubs, all the way to the Enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature which takes into account weather, wind, and topography, players will find plenty to both help their game and get their teeth into to get more out of their game. You can even unlock more features, like green contour data, by subscribing to Garmin Golf. Presented on that beautiful AMOLED display and with fully full-color maps, the watch is a joy to use on the course.
As a pure golf watch, the S70 is, simply, the best golf watch I have ever used. Its suite of features, on top of its wonderful display and established Garmin excellence in golf means that the S70 performs brilliantly. The yardages were accurate (I compared it with another golf watch I find to be accurate too), the new PlaysLike feature is incredibly helpful, and the virtual caddie is super after it’s learned and racked up a bunch of data from your shots.
The battery life is also very strong with the S70. I was able to easily complete two full rounds of 18 holes in GPS mode as well as two weeks’ of day-to-day usage on one charge.
All in all, the Garmin Approach S70 is absolutely one of the best golf watches money can buy right now, and should be at the top of your list if you’re after something that will give you the most bang for your buck, from golf features to battery life, to display.
Garmin Approach S70: Specifications
Garmin Approach S70: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Rob Dwiar)
List price of $699.99 / £549.99 / AU1,199 (47mm) / $649.99 / £499.99 / AU1,099 (42mm)
Premium end of the market but discounts becoming more common
Launched in May 2023
Given its punchy list price, the Approach S70 is one of the more expensive options on the market and its price tag is formidable; likely putting it out of range for most golfers. However, for those who can afford it, I believe the S70 goes a long way to justify the price tag and offers robust value for those looking at the top end of the golf watch spectrum.
It’s also worth noting that it still costs comfortably less than those super-premium models like the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition and Garmin’s own MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) watch. Thus, as a member of the top-end club, it still comes in much more affordably than those. Equally though, it comes in considerably higher than some excellent budget golf watches such as the Garmin S12 and the new S44.
Even though we’re seeing new watches from Garmin in the S44 and S50, the Approach S70 remains the premium model of the Approach lineup. However, it is also seeing more regular price cuts and discounts, making it even more attractive.
Value score: 4/5
Garmin Approach S70: Design
(Image credit: Future / Rob Dwiar)
1.4-inch AMOLED screen is crisp, bright, and clear
Two sizes and three colorways available
Smart and chic aesthetic overall
The Approach S70 very much looks like the best Garmin watches right out of the box, and is a symphony in black ceramic and red trim. It’s a subtle and very agreeable aesthetic for a golf watch. It’s not quite as subtle as a conventional smartwatch, especially alongside the likes of the best Samsung smartwatches – the S70 looks like a chunky sports watch, for sure.
However it is worth noting at this point, that only the 47mm model that I tested comes in this colorway; the smaller 42mm variant comes in either a grey and peach or black and yellow unit, both with a grey strap as opposed to the 47mm’s black strap.
The three buttons on the right side of the S70 make navigation easy, and the screen of the S70 is beautifully crisp and clear making engaging with the features on the course, as well as choosing apps, functions and viewing messages simple.
Garmin’s proprietary charging port remains on the rear of the watch face which I think is a continuing weak point in the design of Garmin watches. This means you’ll always have to have the watch face down on a surface while you press in the connector and leave it to recharge.
Combine this with a cable that never feels quite long enough, and it’s rather an inelegant charging solution, not really befitting the price tag – even if the change to USB-C at the other end of the cable is welcome.
Design score: 4.5/5
Garmin Approach S70: Features
(Image credit: Future / Rob Dwiar)
Extensive golf features are superb
Garmin’s suite of fitness trackers present
A monthly fee can open up more features
The golf features on offer on the Approach S70 will help out almost every type of golfer, and be incredibly useful. From simply navigating a hole shot-by-shot, to learning more about your game through tracking distances keeping score and marking where to hit shots, to incorporating real-time weather data to help your next shot, the feature-set on offer here is exquisite. The addition of the Enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature is the standout on the S70, meaning you can get accurate assistance on what shots are actually like, given the conditions.
If you want even more out of the Approach S70, you can access further features if you commit to the Garmin ecosystem with a Garmin Golf membership ($9.99 / £9.99 a month). The headline feature you get here is the green contour data you can get, adding further insight and assistance.
On top of the golf-specific stuff, you’re also getting Garmin’s superb range of fitness and sports tracking apps that mean the S70 can turn its hand to a whole host of other activities and workouts.
Throw in some good solid but unspectacular smartwatch functionality, and the S70 does go a long way to tick all the boxes and offer the full package in one watch.
Features score: 5/5
Garmin Approach S70: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Rob Dwiar)
Wonderful on-course performance and features
Great battery life
Smartwatch performance is just OK
In short, the Approach S70 is the best golf watch I’ve ever tested and used. Its suite of golf features and functions are nearly second-to-none and translate into exceptional use out on the course – and considering it comes preloaded with 43,000 tracks from around the world, you’re going to be able to use it pretty much wherever you go.
Garmin’s excellence in distance accuracy and help with yardages is present once again, with the hole map providing a clear image of what shape the fairway and green are, as well as what hazards are on the hole, and how far away, well, everything is.
After playing some rounds, the shot tracking data is wonderful too, and the virtual caddie element of the watch will be able to provide some help in terms of suggesting clubs. You can also team it with the Garmin Golf App to record all your scores, penalties, and shot types too, as well as mistakes and successes.
Elsewhere, I particularly enjoyed the Enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature that gives you accurate yardage based not only on distance, but also topography (if you’re above or below the hole), wind direction, and weather. I have a good grasp on my yardages generally, but the extra assistance when it comes to external factors was really useful.
(Image credit: Future / Rob Dwiar)
I’ve briefly mentioned the battery life above regarding two weeks’ worth of use, and Garmin’s claims largely hold up. I used the Approach S70 for two weeks, as well as every day as a smartwatch, and threw in two 18-hole rounds of golf in GPS mode, and still had 9% of the battery left. Exceptional.
Practically, however, charging the watch is a little awkward, and is mainly due to Garmin’s proprietary connection. While the USB-C connection is welcome, the oval-shaped connector for the back of the watch is still subject to coming loose – and it also requires the watch to be on its face, all with a cable that never feels as long as it could or should be. I hope this informs future premium models as having a pad-like charging solution like Samsung smartwatches, or even a smart dock like my TAG Heuer has would feel more appropriate for the price tag and experience. Folks will have paid a lot of money for this, after all, so sticking a cable in the back, and awkwardly keeping it face down close to a socket feels a bit cheap.
As a golf-first watch the S70 excels, naturally, but this also shows in its use as an everyday smartwatch and I prefer my TAG Heuer or Samsung Watch3 as a daily smartwatch driver by some distance. One example of my gripes with the S70 as a smartwatch is that my WhatsApp messages wouldn’t be displayed with the most recent one first, so if I received a few messages in a group in quick succession (or even not so quickly) then I was unable to stay on top of the conversation at a glance.
It’ll be interesting to see in the future how the S70 stacks up against its new brethren in the S44 and S50, but the fact remains that it is an excellent golf watch and one that you’ll not regret going for.
Performance score: 4.5/5
Garmin Approach S70: Scorecard
Garmin Approach S70: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want the best suite of golf features
There’s no denying the S70’s feature set and it packs so much in for golfers who want to get excellent data for their game on their course.
You want a golf watch that can do fitness tracking too
Garmin’s trademark excellent fitness tracking is also present in the S70, so if your desire to track exercise and sport goes beyond just golf, then this is a great watch to get.
You’re already in the Garmin ecosystem
The S70 is an ideal step up if you've tested the waters already with one of Garmin’s budget golf watches and want to embrace something more feature-filled.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You don’t need loads of features
The amount of features on hand in the S70 may actually be overkill for some golfers, and you’ll only get the most out of the watch if you fully immerse yourself in its capabilities.
You want something that’s a slick daily smartwatch
I much prefer using my TAG Heuer golf watch or my Samsung Galaxy Watch as an everyday smartwatch given their looks, styles, and daily functionality.
Also consider
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition
Offering a more premium feel and performance in both golf watch and smartwatch functions, the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition represents stiff but expensive, competition for the S70. If you’re after a super premium golf watch that does it all – and the small expense of some of the S70’s features – then this is the watch to aim for if you have the budget.
The S70s slightly older, less fancy brother still offers an excellent golf watch option from Garmin, having been its flagship golf watch when it was released back in 2022. It’s got a great set of features that will still help your game a couple of years after it came out, and with its moderate age comes increased value for money with its price dropping consistently.
I used the Garmin Approach S70 over the course of several months, using it for summer and winter golf rounds – and for more rounds than I can remember to put an actual number on. I put all the features to the test in all my rounds and relied on it solely as my only GPS or virtual caddie assist.
