April, 2025 - Organizer

Google Pixel 9a gets a video teardown, let’s peek inside

5:33 pm | April 6, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: Google Pixel | Comments: Off

Google announced the Pixel 9a last month, then promptly proceeded to delay its release due to an unknown issue. The phone should finally be on store shelves next week, on April 10 to be specific. Ahead of that, YouTuber PBKreviews has somehow managed to get his hands on a unit, and take it apart in one of his now-traditional teardown videos. So if you've always wondered what's inside the Pixel 9a, now's your chance to find out. Have a look: The phone is allocated a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, where 10 would be the most repairable and 0 would be the least. Its internal...

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. Google Pixel 9

3:07 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: Google Pixel | Comments: Off

We are experiencing a renaissance of compact flagships of sorts lately, so if you are in the market for a small premium smartphone, you are in luck. In markets such as the US, however, the selection of small flagships isn't big, but two smartphones consistently pop up - the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Google Pixel 9. The two cost about the same in the US, while in Europe, the Galaxy S25 is a bit more expensive. So, it's only natural to wonder which one is the better deal. On paper, both are top-tier devices from their respective OEMs, both are similar in size, and both promise long...

I tried Razer’s new $300 / £300 Iskur V2 X gaming chair for over a month and it’s an impressive budget option from the usually pricey brand

3:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: UK | Comments: Off

One-minute review

The Razer Iskur V2 X is a lower-cost alternative to the excellent Razer Iskur V2, offering a more limited selection of features at a massively reduced $299.99 / £299.99 price.

It’s easily one of the best gaming chairs and most comfortable gaming chairs under $300 / £300 that I've tested. This costs puts it a little bit above the cost of other budget-friendly seats like the Corsair TC100 Relaxed or AndaSeat Luna, but comfortably below more premium options including the Secretlab Titan Evo and Razer has smartly judged which premium features to lose and which ones to keep.

It’s constructed with robust materials, including a hard-wearing metal base that feels substantially more durable than the usual plastic ones found on cheaper models. It’s well-cushioned too, with a wide, soft seat that feels spacious and gives you plenty of room to shift around and adjust your position.

The backrest features an in-built lumbar support curve that, unlike the adaptive lumbar system of the Razer Iskur V2, is completely static and cannot be adjusted. That said, I wouldn’t actually want to adjust it anyway as I found it offered just the right amount of support out of the box - though your mileage here may vary. The armrests have a more limited 2D motion compared to that more premium seat (that’s vertical plus three rotated positions), which is fair for the price and is topped with a pleasantly squishy foam.

On top of all this, the assembly process is remarkably easy and quick with clear instructions that even a complete newcomer to the world of gaming chairs would be able to follow with ease.

The one area where the Razer Iskur V2 X falls behind is in the lack of upholstery or color options. This chair is only available with a fabric finish, which is going to disappoint those who prefer the look and feel of synthetic leather.

Despite some neon green details, both the black and grey colorways are also quite plain looking - especially compared to the variety of bright colors offered by budget brands like AndaSeat.

The Razer Iskur V2 X in an office. — (Image credit: Future)

Price and availability

Costs $299.99 / £299.99
Available via Razer
Spotty availability in the UK

The Razer Iksur V2 X is available via Razer and costs $299.99 / £299.99. That said, stock seems a little spotty in the UK and, at the time of writing, if you head over to the Razer site in the region you’re greeted with an error message on the Razer Iksur V2 X purchase page.

If you are able to get your hands on it, however, this is a very good price for what you get. It’s less than half the cost of the Razer Iskur V2, which comes in at $649.99 / £599.99. The biggest differences between the two models are the fact that the Iskur V2 X lacks the adjustable lumbar support (with a static curve instead), has 2D armrests rather than 4D ones, and comes in just one upholstery: fabric.

The Razer Iskur V2 also comes bundled with a memory foam headrest, which is sold separately in the case of the Razer Iskur V2 X.

While I do personally slightly prefer using the Razer Iskur V2 X thanks to its enhanced adjustability, these are very reasonable concessions for such a steep price cut. You’re going to struggle to find many chairs more feature-rich than the Razer Iskur V2 X for under $300 / £300.

Specs

Design and aesthetics

Simple and effective design
Robust materials
But only one upholstery option

The Razer Iskur V2 X looks like a slimmed-down version of its more expensive sibling, the Razer Iskur V2. It has that same iconic racing seat silhouette, but a thinner backrest - presumably because it lacks any of the Iskur V2’s complex adjustment mechanisms. The middle portion of the backrest features a subtle hexagonal pattern, which gives it a pleasant tactile feel.

Towards the bottom of the backrest is the integrated lumbar curve, which is designed to follow the natural curvature of your lower back. The curve is very prominent and will likely take a few days to get used to if you haven’t tried an ergonomic chair before, but I found it to be immediately comfortable as someone who’s sat in similar chairs before.

As you look towards the seat’s base, the first thing you will notice is the fact that it's impressively spacious, coming in at 21in / 545mm at its widest point. It’s also a slightly sculpted shape, with a small dip towards the center which helps more effectively distribute your weight.

The seat of the Razer Iskur V2 X. — (Image credit: Future)

The base of the chair is constructed from a durable brushed aluminum, which is reassuringly heavy and a massive upgrade compared to the plastic base found on similarly priced budget options like the AndaSeat Phantom 3.

The Razer Iskur V2 X is available in two colorways, black and light grey. I tested the black model, which features bright green stitching and a rubberized Razer logo just below the point where your head sits. Despite these details, these color choices are very plain, and the one area where some of the competition truly has the Razer Iskur V2 X beat.

In addition to gray and black, the likes of the much cheaper AndaSeat Luna, for example, also come in a more exciting black and blue or black and red. Similarly, the Boulies Master Series, which is just a touch more expensive than the Razer Iskur V2 X, is available in a chill blue or a deep brown. Both of these alternatives could therefore be better choices if you’re looking to color-coordinate your setup.

The headrest of the Razer Iskur V2 X. — (Image credit: Future)

Comfort and adjustability

Fabric is layered and high quality
Cushions are soft and effective
Great lumbar support

There are no areas where I can fault the Razer Iskur V2 X in terms of comfort. This is an extremely comfortable seat, thanks in no small part to its integrated lumbar curve. While most chairs rely on a separate lumbar pillow, which can be fiddly and difficult to position properly, I really appreciate the simplicity of the Razer Iskur V2 X. This is a no-fuss chair that, for me, was great to sit on right out of the box.

The wide base of the seat is also fantastic, with soft foam cushions that are a joy to sink into. Although I usually prefer synthetic leather options, the fabric upholstery here is soft to the touch with multiple breathable layers that effectively stop heat building up even over periods of extended use in an office setting. The backrest reclining mechanism is smooth and reliable, offering up to 152 degrees of positioning for when you just want to kick back and relax.

There are also no problems with the height adjustment, which is controlled by a small lever under the right-hand side of the seat. This lever can also be pulled outwards to enable a seat tilt or pushed back in to lock it flat. The speed of the seat title is adjustable via a large dial on the bottom of the seat.

Finally, the armrests feature a 2D adjustment mechanism. It feels a bit plasticky, but nevertheless appears robust and is very smooth and easy to operate. I also appreciated the slightly soft and rubbery feel of the top of the armrests, which was perfectly comfortable for my elbows.

The armrests of the Razer Iskur V2 X. — (Image credit: Future)

Assembly

I also can’t complain about its simple assembly process. Razer nailed it with the Razer Iskur V2 and has put up a comparably strong showing here.

A large instruction sheet is included in the box with clear diagrams walking you through the entire process, in addition to every tool that you need. This is on top of a pair of gloves (eliminating the chance of picking up small nicks or scratches) plus a large foam sheet to protect your flooring as you build.

The entire process took me about ten minutes and, while I am very experienced in building gaming furniture, I’m confident that even a newcomer would be able to complete it with ease.

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The instructions that come with the Razer Iskur V2 X. — (Image credit: Future)

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Assembling the Razer Iskur V2 X. — (Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Razer Iskur V2 X?

Buy it if...

You want a quality, cheap chair
The Razer Iskur V2 X is an impressive effort for its price, with a great design and high build quality that puts it far above the competition.

You want minimal adjustments
The static lumbar curve is simple and doesn't require any fiddly adjustments. This makes the Razer Iskur V2 X a good choice for those who just want something they can sit on comfortably out of the box.

Don't buy it if...

You want a more exotic look
With thrilling fabric color options that range from black to… dark grey, you’re better off picking other models if you’re after a specific look or a synthetic leather finish.

You crave more features
What's here is great for the price, but if you pay more you can find chairs with even more features.View Deal

Also consider...

Not completely sold on the Razer Iskur V2 X? These two alternatives might take your fancy instead.

Razer Iskur V2
If you need that added adjustability in the lumbar department, or 4D armrests, then check out the more premium version of this seat. It also boasts both leatherette and fabric options, plus a free head pillow.

For more information, check out our full Razer Iskur V2 review

Corsair TC100 Relaxed
If you want an even more affordable option, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is a fantastic pick. It’s cheaper than the Razer Iskur V2 X, but still offers top tier comfort.

For more information, check out our full Corsair TC100 Relaxed review

The Razer Iskur V2 X and Razer Iskur V2. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Razer Iskur V2 X

Tested for over a month
Sat on for hours at a time
All adjustments tested

I tested the Razer Iskur V2 X in our London HQ for over a month. During that time I spent hours sitting on the chair, carefully assessing its comfort and trying a range of different seating positions.

I made sure to test all of its adjustment features and often compared my experience with my hands-on testing of other gaming chairs from all across the price spectrum, particularly the Razer Iskur V2. I also compared it directly to various chairs around the office and asked colleagues to try it out for even more opinions on the level of support that it provides.

Xreal One: One-Minute Review

I’ve tested my fair share of AR smart glasses in the past few years, and the Xreal One glasses might be the best smart glasses I’ve tried.

Xreal’s expertise shines through with these specs, which not only boast an impressive full-HD 120Hz OLED image with vivid colors, impressive contrast, and a 600-nit brightness, but also solid audio courtesy of Bose.

Headphones will still deliver better audio, but these smart glasses don’t feel incomplete without a pair of cans – something I can’t say of their rivals.

Though if you’re picking up the Xreal One you’ll probably also want to grab Xreal’s Beam Pro – a smartphone-like companion device that adds features like easy spatial photo capture without an iPhone 15 Pro, and two USB-C ports.

The Beam Pro starts at $199 / £189 for a model with 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, and while it’s not technically required it compliments the Xreal One so well that it feels like you’re missing out without it.

You can also connect the glasses to a suite of compatible USB-C devices instead like most smartphones, laptops, and game consoles (though for the latter you might need an add-on HDMI adapter). It’s perfect for watching your favorite show or playing a game on a giant virtual display, or for working privately on sensitive work documents in the office, or while you’re traveling, as only you can see your screen.

At $499 / £449 the Xreal One are approaching the pricier end of the scale, but with solid specs these glasses justify their cos, and are worth picking up if you want premium performance.

Xreal One: Price and availability

Xreal Air glasses connected to the Xreal Beam Pro being used to watch TV — (Image credit: Xreal)

The Xreal One is available to buy in the UK and US from Xreal.com for $499 / £449.

This puts it at the mid-range price for AR glasses – it’s more expensive than older and more budget-friendly options like the Xreal Air 2 and RayNeo Air 3S, but less expensive than high-end standalone AR glasses like the Xreal Air 2 Ultra, and the upgraded (and soon to release) Xreal One Pro.

Value: 3.5/5

Xreal One: Design

Wired USB-C connection
82g, comfy for long stretches
Electrochromic dimming shades

The Xreal One doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to Xreal’s AR glasses design. That is, at a glance it looks like a pair of sunglasses – albeit with a thick frame and large displays situated behind the lenses.

Just as on other wired AR specs the USB-C cable feeds into a port at the end of the left arm, and can be connected to a suite of USB-C devices that support DisplayPort – or to other devices with the right cables and accessories like an HDMI-to-USB-C cable.

Meanwhile the right arm features all of the buttons. On the bottom of the arm you’ll find a Red button which when pressed switches between Anchor mode and Follow mode (which anchors the screen in space or has it follow you as you move your head), and a brightness bar – you make the screen brighter, or change the electrochromic dimming intensity between three levels.

On top you’ll find a small black ‘Quick button’ for toggling between your display and dimming settings and transparency mode – which takes away your screen and resets the lenses to clear, so you can see what’s going on around you.

There are no volume controls on the specs, so you’ll need to rely on your device’s audio controls.

The Xreal One right arm — (Image credit: Future)

During my tests I only really used them on max brightness with the dimming turned up to full, as this created the best viewing conditions, though the transparency mode toggle came in handy a few times, and when using the Xreal Ones in a dark environment it was handy to turn the brightness down a tad so there wasn’t as much glare.

To find the best fit for you there are three arm angles so you can tilt the screen, and three nose pad options, so you can have the glasses sit correctly on your face. In my testing, after adjusting the specs I was able to comfortably wear the glasses, which weigh just 84g, for hours at a time with no trouble.

The Xreal One glasses also come with a cleaning cloth and a hard carry case so you can keep them clean and easily transport them and their cable.

Design score: 5/5

Xreal One: Performance

Impressive Bose audio
Full-HD, 120Hz image at 600-nit brightness
Pairs with a plethora of USB-C devices

Instead of beginning with the visual quality of the Xreal One (which is great by the way – more on that in a moment) I want to start this section by praising their audio. Normally, smart glasses audio is bordering on bad – the small open-air speakers produce a hollow sound that's passable for watching films, but a pair of headphones often feel like a necessity rather than an optional add-on. Thanks to Bose engineered sound that’s not the case with the Xreal One specs – the audio performance is one of their best features.

They’re not perfect for music, but compared to the Xreal Air 2 there's a stark improvement. This makes the immersive movie and TV show watching experience significantly better without requiring any headphones, meaning the specs feel like a more complete package out of the box. What’s more they seem to be less leaky than on previous models – audio can still be heard by people sitting close by, but it’s a lot better.

Now for the visuals. The Xreal One specs boast a 1080p image produced by Sony Micro-OLED displays that boast a peak 600nits perceived brightness, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 50-degree field of view.

The end result is an image that looks really good. Yes it’s only Full HD quality but the colors are beautiful, and the excellent contrast is super-handy when you're trying to follow the action in dark scenes (though you’ll need the brightness set to max).

I’ve been using the smart specs to stream Daredevil: Born Again (it’s superb by the way), Invincible season 3 (also great), and play games using my PC and PS5 by connecting them to the specs via HDMI adapters.

The high refresh rate and low lag help to ensure that games look smooth, and it was a blast to watch the action unfold on a giant 147-inch virtual screen.

The Xreal One display — (Image credit: Future)

While using them with my PC I also gave the specs a whirl for working. Having your documents laid out on a larger monitor was certainly handy, but one big advantage I found was these specs are excellent for working privately, especially while traveling. I could be writing up an embargoed story on a train or flight, and because only I can see my virtual laptop screen I don’t have to worry about people looking over my shoulder and seeing any information they aren’t meant to.

I just wish the Nebula app for Mac wasn’t still in beta, and that the also in-beta Windows app was easier to find (I had to go through Reddit rather than Xreal’s own website).

While you can use the Xreal One glasses with a plethora of USB-C devices, by far your best bet is the Xreal Beam Pro. It’s a smartphone-like add-on that's built by Xreal to be the perfect companion to its glasses, and the company has thoroughly succeeded in that regard. If your budget can stretch to purchasing the Xreal One and a Beam pro in a bundle, do it.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Xreal One glasses?

Buy it if…

You want top-end AR entertainment
These are the best AR glasses of this kind we’ve tested, thanks to their impressive sound and image quality.

You want privacy
These specs allow you and only you to see what’s on your phone or laptop screen with the right display settings, which makes them ideal for things like working on sensitive documents on your commute.

You don’t have headphones
These smart specs feature some of the best audio I’ve heard during my testing of different brands. Headphones are still better than the glasses audio-wise, but they don’t feel like a must-have with the Xreal One, as they do with other smart glasses.

Don’t buy it if…

You aren’t getting the Xreal Beam Pro
Xreal’s glasses shine when paired with its Beam Pro add-on. You don’t technically need it, but it makes the specs feel like a complete package, which makes it feel more like a necessity.

You don’t have a big budget
The Xreal One are great but also pricey. There are solid and cheaper alternatives out there that you could look at instead.

You want 4K
No smart glasses yet boast 4K, so if that’s a resolution milestone you’re waiting for you’ll need to wait a little longer.

Also consider

Xreal Air 2
If you want to stick with Xreal, the Xreal Air 2 or its electrochromic dimming-enhanced Xreal Air 2 Pro are both solid options that cost a little less – though expect a slightly less good image and noticeable inferior audio.
Read our Xreal Air 2 reviewView Deal

Meta Quest 3
While not a direct competitor to Xreal’s glasses, the Quest 3 is an XR product that you should consider if you want to experience what VR and MR have to offer – it’s simply superb.
Read our Meta Quest 3 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Xreal One glasses

I spent a few weeks testing the Xreal One specs for different use cases – gaming, entertainment, and productivity. I mostly used them at home on my couch, in bed, or at my desk, but I also made sure to take them with me on a couple of flights I took, and also used them during my commute a few times to get a sense of their capabilities in different environments.

I hooked them up to my PC, PS5 and smartphone (a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6), but my main connected device of choice was the Xreal Beam Pro. It’s the ideal companion for Xreal’s AR smart glasses, and worth picking up if you’re buying the Xreal One.