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The CZUR ET24 Pro isn’t a perfect book scanner, but those who need one don’t have many choices
8:21 pm | December 4, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Comments: Off

CZUR ET24 Pro: 30-second review

Most people think of scanners as that quaint mechanism that looks like an old photocopier on the printer, or an independent flatbed ideal for capturing receipts.

But in commercial terms, there are two pathways to bulk image capture: industrial document scanners that can handle hundreds of documents in short order, or devices like the CZUR ET24 Pro focused on book scanning.

Scanning books is a critical task for museums and archives where many people wish to see and read rare books, but the process is often detrimental to the documents.

The CZUR ET24 Pro is a camera solution designed specifically to cope with books where the scanning surface is likely to be curved, and the captured data will need to be flattened to provide the best viewing experience for others.

It features a 24MP camera mounted on a stand with its own lighting source and the electronics needed to profile the curve of the pages, and pass that information on to the scanning software to make appropriate adjustments.

The workflow allows the operator to turn the pages, hold them down and then trigger a capture using the foot pedal, hand switch or software-controlled, before moving on to the next page.

In addition to auto-flatten functionality, the software can also de-skew and includes OCR that can understand 180 different languages.

The CZUR ET24 Pro can scan any documents up to A3 size (16.5” x 11.7”), making it suitable for the majority of book scanning projects. CZUR makes a series of these devices, with the ET24 Pro being a mid-range option; it also makes cheaper, lower-resolution ET16 Plus and ET18 Pro models, in addition to the larger ET25 Pro and ET Max variants.

The only significant caveat with this device is the price, with the asking price being $649 for this model. That probably prices this hardware out for anyone who just wants to capture a single book, but for those who do this job regularly, it might be a solid investment.

CZUR ET24 Pro

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

CZUR ET24 Pro: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? From $649/£649/€629
  • When is it out? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Through an online retailer or direct from CZUR

The range of CZUR scanners can be purchased through Amazon and AliExpress, and the asking price on Amazon is $649 in the USA, in the UK it's £649 at Amazon.co.uk, and €629 in Europe. Though the Europeans have a voucher deal running that reduced that to €534, making it the cheapest place to get it via Amazon.

The AliExpress pricing is better for the UK at £507.07, but for both the EU and USA customers, it's more expensive to get it from AliExpress than it is from Amazon.

Book scanning appears to be a subject that CZUR has effectively ring-fenced, since many competitor products are rebadged versions of its products. There are hand scanners and a few cheaper versions of the same concept, but CZUR has a wide range of options progressing from small portal solutions to larger professional installations.

Because there aren’t many competitors, the price is the price, and only the potential purchaser can determine if that represents value for money.

For what hardware is in this equipment, it seems expensive to this reviewer, but for those scanning books every day, it might seem like a bargain.

  • Value: ★★★★☆

CZUR ET24 Pro

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

CZUR ET24 Pro: Specs

Feature

Specification

Product Type

Smart Book & Document Scanner

Camera Sensor

CMOS, 24 Megapixels

Resolution

5696 x 4272 pixels (320 DPI default)

Max Scan Area

?A3 (420 x 297 mm / 16.5 x 11.7 in); Max: 480 x 360 mm (18.89 x 14.17 in)

Max Scan Thickness

35 mm (A3), 50 mm (A4)

Scan Speed

1.5 seconds per page (single/dual pages)

Image Format

JPG

Export Formats

JPG, PDF, Searchable PDF, Word, Excel, TIFF

Color Depth

24 bits

Video Streaming

MJPG

Preview

PC Visual Presenter: 3072 x 1728 @12fps; Scanning: 1536 x 1152 @20fps

Light Source

Built-in top LED and side lights

Focus Mode

Fixed focus

Trigger Methods

Device control, software, hand button, foot pedal

System Support

Windows XP/7/8/10/11 (32/64-bit), macOS 10.11+, Linux Ubuntu 16.04+

Processor

Dual-core OpenRISC 32-bit

Laser Assistance

3 laser rays

Memory

1Gbit DDR

HDMI Output

HDMI 1.4 (Visual Presenter: 1920x1080P 60Hz/50Hz, 1280x720P 60Hz/50Hz, etc.)

Display

2.4" LCD, 4:3, 320x240

USB

USB 2.0 High-Speed

Power

Input: AC 100-240V 50/60Hz; Output: DC 9V/1.5A-2A

OCR

ABBYY OCR, supports 180+ languages

Software Features

Flattening curve, smart paging, tilt correction, auto-cropping, fingerprint removal, background purifying, colour modes, auto/manual scan, watermark, screen/video recording, combine sides, blank page detection

Optical Features

EFL: 4.55mm, BFL: 3.4mm, F/NO: 4.5, IR Cut: 650±10nm, Field of View: 82°, Distortion:

CZUR ET24 Pro: Design

  • Mostly plastic
  • Built-for purpose
  • Plenty of options

I was initially somewhat disappointed with this device, or rather, specifically the build quality, as it is almost entirely made of relatively thin plastic.

Given the L-shaped form factor, I at least expected the base to be mostly metal to counteract the weight of the top arm that holds the camera. It’s not, and therefore, the whole construction isn’t far from toppling over if something or someone accidentally collides with it.

That said, it comes mostly in one piece, and the only feature that requires attaching other than cables is the side lighting component that is roughly halfway up from the base. This is attached using magnets, and again, they needed to be stronger magnets to avoid this part falling if knocked.

The base has four buttons and connections on the rear for attaching the various triggers, an included power supply and, on this model, a display via HDMI.

If you attach all the cables provided, including the foot pedal and hand button, there could be five cables coming out of the scanner, which is a bit messy.

One annoyance is that this uses generally old technology. The USB cable to connect it to a computer is Type-A, so that’s a pain for anyone with a modern laptop which has only USB-C, and the Type-A is USB 2.0, making for longer file transfers than are possible with better connectivity. Not that the scanned files it captures are huge, but USB has got better for many reasons with each subsequent release.

There is another way to use the scanner: use it for presentations and display what it sees via the HDMI output. This sounds super-useful until you realise that the maximum resolution supported by the HDMI is 1080p, whereas the captures are 5696 x 4272 pixels or nearly six times bigger. You can zoom the display to see more detail from the capture, but why this isn’t in 4K is a mystery.

CZUR ET24 Pro

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Another curiosity is that on top of the scanner, where the camera is supported, is a small colour LCD display, which shows what the camera is currently seeing. If you are sitting in front of the scanner, unless you are remarkably tall, you won’t be able to see the display unless you are standing up. That might be great for posture, but the idea of scanning a book while standing up seems mildly bonkers for those in the later stages of life.

There is an easy fix for this would be that the display was hinged, just like the ones that are on most 3D printers, and this would have worked for both standing and sitting operations. This evidently was either never considered by the designers or they rejected it on a cost basis. Whatever the reason, it was an obvious omission that needs to be rectified.

Along with the scanner and its cables, CZUR also provides two ‘finger cots’, curious devices I’ll discuss in the user experience section. And, also a CD with the software on it. No, that’s not a bit of my infamously odd UK humour, this scanner came with a CD, something I’ve not seen with a tech product in many a year.

Why wasn’t it a cheap USB flash drive? I’ve no idea, but I take it that CZUR thinks that the market for these devices is those still using technology from the end of the previous century.

And, as if to underline this point in neon marker, the software is provided in a version that runs on Windows XP, disturbingly.

To be clear, you can download the software and the manuals from the CZUR website if you can’t find a PC with an optical drive mounted.

  • Design: ★★★★☆

CZUR ET24 Pro: Features

  • OpenRISC 32-bit
  • 1Gbit DDR?
  • Lasers?

CZUR describes the processor in the scanner as being a dual-core OpenRISC 32-bit, which covers a great many possible processors, none of which is especially impressive. The specifications also tell us that it has 1Gbit DDR. I find that hard to believe, because original DDR isn’t made these days, and also that would be 128MB/s of memory, which seems implausibly small for the job.

Perhaps those were typos, and it has 1GB of maybe DDR4, but I do wonder why they didn’t just take off-the-shelf phone electronics with their 64-bit ARM SoCs rather than building a complete bespoke platform to do the same job as phones do literally for pennies. And if they had taken that path, the scanner could have been wireless-capable and also have had USB-C inherently.

Another head-scratcher in the specs is that it indicates that the scanner has three lasers, which I presume are used to calculate the curve of the pages so they can be accurately flattened once scanned. My problem with this is that there is no evidence in use that there are any lasers, at least not ones that produce visible light frequencies.

I suspect this is another Chinese-made product where infrared and lasers are confused, as I can’t see anyone in the valuable book trade wanting their most valuable assets subjected to laser light if they could help it.

It should be noted that the profiling of the page has some significant limitations in the thickness of the book that can be scanned. The depth that can be adjusted for is 35 mm at A3 and 50 mm at A4. If your book is thicker than that, or you don’t hold it down to flatten it as much as possible, then you will end up with less than perfect scans.

CZUR ET24 Pro

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
  • Features: ★★★⯪☆

CZUR ET24 Pro: User experience

  • Define a workspace
  • Tons of features
  • Lacks a clearly defined workflow

Setting up this scanner doesn’t just involve getting it out of the box, plugging it all together and installing the software, as there are some subtle nuances to the installation that I wasn’t aware of.

For starters, there is a black neoprene mat that comes with the scanner that shows exactly the area that the camera is focused on, and it has a notch cut on one side, which is where the scanner must be precisely placed. Failure to do this accurately will impact the scanning process, so make sure it's right.

One thing that I only realised after a few scans was that no objects other than the book and your hands can be inside the border of the mat, and that includes the cabling. If it crosses the threshold of the mat, the software will think it's something to scan, and that will throw all sorts of things out of whack.

The software, which I’ll get to shortly, is designed to realise what fingers look like and will remove them from the processed image if you are using them to hold the pages down. However, also included are two yellow ‘finger cots’, which are devices to perform the same page-holding function, but are easier for the software to erase. They also provide a means to touch the book without adding skin oils to the paper, which is also useful for rare publications.

The biggest issue I had in creating a suitable workspace for this device was the amount of space it required. To avoid cables crossing the mat meant the laptop needed to be well away from the scanner, and my 120cm long pine table was probably the minimum size that is workable. Anything smaller and the computer will be too close to the scanning mat, making the scanning exercise more challenging. It would probably work better with a desktop system under the desk, although where you would put the mouse and keyboard is debatable.

In a previous role, I worked with document scanners, and it was a two-person operation: one handled the scanner and documents, while the other operated the computer.

That might seem people-intensive, but it's significantly more efficient than having one person do the whole thing by themselves.

In my experience, working alone, this process turned out to be more complex than I’d originally anticipated. This was mostly down to the need to use both hands to hold down the book and then needing a third hand or a foot to trigger the scanning process.

There is an ‘Auto-scan’ function that can detect page turns, but it’s easy to make a slight adjustment with the finger cots and trigger another scan of a page you have already captured. Facing pages can be captured as left and right images or as a combined, flattened output, which allows some leeway in cropping and adjusting how the captures are processed on each side.

CZUR ET24 Pro software interface

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

There are, however, a few things missing that I’d have liked to have seen. Having worked with a repository containing millions of images, a golden no-no is having images with the same name, since this can lead to overwriting a file with something else.

What this software doesn’t offer is the unique label that is never reused and added to every filename. You can create daily or project-driven folders, but this system would be massively advantaged if the capture files were integrated with a database, possibly detailing who scanned them, what adjustments have been applied and other information, such as an index code for the book.

While it can scan barcodes present on the book, it doesn’t use the same logic to identify page numbers that can then be inserted automatically into the file naming model. That wouldn’t be difficult to achieve, and could make a file collection that is correctly sorted by page, irrespective of the order it was scanned.

What is more comprehensive are the options for exporting the files in PDF, Tiff and various other formats.

My assessment of the software is that it isn’t exactly intuitive, but I did eventually locate the features I was looking for. While I was reviewing the scanner, it was updated, suggesting that it does get improved on some basis, which is gratifying.

What it lacks is an inherent workflow, where a book goes in one end and scanned digital data comes out of the other end.

CZUR ET24 Pro scans

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
  • User experience: ★★★⯪☆

CZUR ET24 Pro: Final verdict

CZUR ET24 Pro

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Typically, with me, first impressions play a big part, and the amount of plastic in this product I found off-putting out of the box. However, after I’d used it, my opinion of this device subtly improved, because in the end of the day it does what CZUR claims for it.

I still think it needs a heavier base to counteract the arm, and a swivel on the display to make it easier to see when sat in front, but the workflow is practical, and it's possible to scan even a large book in an afternoon.

Does this justify the price? Probably not, but given the minimal product options that anyone wanting to scan a book has, that might be something you are forced to deal with.

I should mention before I get complaints that there are potential legal pitfalls to copying books protected by copyright, and that those using devices like the CZUR 24 Pro need to be aware of where those limitations exist in their specific geography.

This equipment can scan any book or publication, but doing so may not be protected under the law. But, if you have publications you can justify digitising, the CZUR 24 Pro will do it reasonably efficiently with a bit of training.

  • Final score: ★★★★☆

Should you buy a CZUR ET24 Pro?

Value

Seems expensive, till you realise the limited alternatives

4 / 5

Design

Simple but effective design that is quiet and attractive

4 / 5

Features

Odd hardware choices

3 / 5

User experience

Lots of features but lacks straightforward workflow

4 /5

Overall

Does whats required, but needs training

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You need to scan some books.
While this isn't perfect at all, this is far superior to trying to use a flat-bed scanner or taking photographs.

Don't buy it if...

You have no scanning strategy.
The worst possible approach to scanning documents is to assume its a photocopy exercise. If you think that, then the CZUR ET24 Pro or any other book-scanning equipment will be a wasted investment. Develop a plan that considers how the contents will be stored, retrieved and distributed, and then think about a scanner.

For more essentials, we've tested the best scanners and best home printers.

Dreame’s new mop-swapping robot vacuum is the most innovative and ambitious robovac I’ve ever tested
6:08 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Robot Vacuums Smart Home | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra: two-minute review

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra is probably the most advanced hybrid robot floor cleaner that I've ever reviewed. At the heart of the design is a unique mop-swapping system that works like a vending machine. Instead of having a single pair of spinning mop pads like its competitors, this model's docking station stores three sets of mop pads, each tailored for different surfaces or rooms.

These mops are swapped automatically, depending on the room or surface it has been tasked to clean. Oh, and there are three cleaning fluid options, which can auto-switch, too. The aim is to ensure each floor receives an appropriate type of cleaning, and to help prevent cross-contamination. Not everyone will feel the need for that, but if you're meticulous about hygiene, or have more extreme mopping needs, this could well be the best robot vacuum for you.

Mopping performance is reinforced by dual rotating mop heads that apply consistent pressure to deliver deeper cleaning. And, like all good mopping systems, water flow is adjusted based on floor type and the mops are always lifted when the robot transitions onto carpets. The base station also handles self-cleaning of the mops (with hot-water washing and drying) and auto-emptying of detritus into a larger-than-average 3.2-liter bin bag.

Given that this robovac boasts an industry-leading 30,000 Pascals of suction power, I had high hopes for its vacuuming ability. In practice, it handled its everyday tasks exceptionally well, including collecting an awful lot of hair shed by my two Labradors, and delivering thorough hard floor vacuuming. However, it struggled to pick up large debris from a carpeted floor – it made a decent fist of it, but it wasn't quite as thorough as I'd expect given those stunning suction specs.

Navigation and mobility are extremely impressive since the bot has a retractable navigation puck to sneaking beneath low furniture, AI-assisted obstacle avoidance, and a chassis that can launch it over thresholds and floor obstacles up to a total of 3in / 8cm total height, or 1.6in / 4.2cm if it's a single step.

The enormous dock will rule it out for smaller homes, where in any case, such a complex setup may not be necessary. It's a perfect model for residents of large houses with mixed floor types, hairy pets or a desire to maintain high hygiene standards. I think it's also worth considering for use in most commercial premises like single-level offices, village halls, or small sports halls.

That's the short version; read on for my full Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: price & availability

  • List price: $1,999.99 / £1,399 / AU$3,499
  • Launch date: September 2025
  • Available: Widely, including US, UK, Australia

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra sits firmly in the premium end of the robot-cleaning arena and its standard price – $1,999.99 in the US, £1,399 in the UK, and AU$3,499 in Australia – reflects that position. However, I've already spotted big discounts that suggest you might not need to pay that kind of price – I've seen it on sale for $1,800 in the US, just £999 from the UK, and AU$2,499 in Australia. It's available to buy direct from Dreame, as well as via various third-party retailers.

Those discounts – in the UK and Australia, at least – bring the Matrix10 Ultra within reach of buyers who want high-end automation without tipping into the ultra-luxury tier. Granted, even at this reduced price it's still a substantial investment, but given the convenience and the ace level of autonomy it offers, I think it still delivers impressive value for money. I'd perhaps hold out for a better discount if you live Stateside, though.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum surrounded by all the accessories supplied in the box

(Image credit: Future)

The Matrix10 Ultra's high level of sophistication does come with trade-offs. For instance, the mop-swapping dock is enormous by comparison to others on the market, and the machinery is complex. Hence, if you live in a small space, have uniform flooring or don't need frequent mopping, its advantages dramatically shrink and the upfront cost feels harder to justify. But for large homes with mixed surfaces (and even some commercial properties), this type of hybrid bot starts to make a lot of financial sense.

If the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra seems like too big a financial commitment, perhaps give one of the Chinese company's earlier models some consideration. The L40 Ultra might not have swappable mops but it's still a cracking bot that now retails at a significantly lower price than the Matrix10 Ultra. Alternatively consider the equally excellent Roborock Qrevo Series, for a similarly affordable price.

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra specs

Max suction:

30,000Pa

Robot size (L x W):

in / 35 x 35.1cm

Robot height:

3.5 in / 8.9cm

Dock dimensions (H x W x D):

23.2 x 16.4 x 17.9 in / 58.9 x 41.6 x 45.5 cm

Dust bin volume (base):

3.2L

Water tank volume (base):

5.5L (clean); 4L (dirty)

Mop type:

Auto-interchangeable dual spinning mop pages

Base type:

Charge, empty dust, wash mop pads with hot water, dry mop pads with hot air, automatically swap from three mop pad sets, auto-dispense one of three cleaning fluids

Max threshold clearance:

1.6 in / 4.2cm (one step) or 3in / 8cm (two steps)

Navigation:

Retractable LiDAR Pathfinder

Obstacle avoidance:

Double laser+AI+RGB+LED

Carpet detection:

Ultrasonic

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: design

  • Features include step-vaulting feet and a retracting LiDAR puck
  • Enormous dock vends different mop types and cleaning solutions
  • Hi-tech and advanced navigation and object avoidance systems

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra is a cutting-edge robovacs, starting with its navigation system, which is one of the most technically impressive I've come across. There's a retractable DToF LiDAR unit (complete with attractive blue ring light), 3D sensing and an AI-enhanced RGB camera that combine to deliver fast, accurate 360-degree mapping while still allowing the robot to lower its profile and slip under furniture with a clearance of just 3.5in / 9cm.

Like the Roborock Saros 10, this ability to retract its LiDAR turret gives the Matrix10 Ultra both the precision of high-end LiDAR mapping and the physical flexibility to reach recessed areas many robots miss.

Close up of front camera on Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

Its vision system, meanwhile, adds a second layer of intelligence: a structured-light 3D sensor paired with the aforementioned RGB camera. Together, these navigation tools identify and classify a wide range of objects, allowing the robot to plan collision-free routes that seem logical, at least when compared with some other models I've reviewed.

I've been astonished by how confidently and intelligently this model has mapped and navigated my home – and even a huge village hall – without any hiccups whatsoever. It just works.

Robot design

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra's industry-leading 30,000 Pascals of suction power is a major bonus, especially when it comes to removing most trapped dust particles in carpet and rugs. Couple this suction power with Dreame's dual rollers (one with added bristles) and and an extendable side sweeping brush for great pick-up coverage along skirting boards and furniture edges, and you have one very efficient floor sweeping system. Like most Roborocks, you're offered five levels of suction with this model – Quiet, Standard, Turbo, Max and Max+.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum flipped over to show underside

(Image credit: Future)

However, what really sets this model apart from almost all others bar the Mova Mobius 60 (a sub-brand of Dreame) is its advanced mopping hardware. Instead of using a single pair of spinning mop pads to clean the entire floorspace, the Matrix10 Ultra supports a range of three different mop types that can be allocated to different rooms, and these mops are swapped automatically in the charging dock (more on this in the section directly below).

Like all good modern hybrid robot vacuums, the Matrix10 Ultra automatically lifts its mops when moving over carpets, or leaves them in the dock if not required. And when it's mopping, it also raises both the twin brush rollers and the side brush so they remain muck-free.

Many high-end bots are capable of scaling thresholds and low steps but this one performs better than most. It's able to quite literally climb up a pair of steps, a sliding door track up to 3in / 8cm in height, or single steps up to 1.6in / 4.2cm, by raising its chassis and launching itself forward. (You can see the system in action on a different Dreame bot in TechRadar's Dreame X50 Ultra Complete review.)

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum cleaning a carpet-like rug

(Image credit: Future)

Because this model is equipped with a decent RGB camera up front, you can also use the Dreame app to manually steer the robot around like an RC car. I've always thought of this function as a bit of a gimmick, but I was proven wrong the other day in our village hall: the Matrix10 Ultra got stuck in a tight spot to the side of a toilet bowl and its sensitive sensors prevented it from jiggling itself out of trouble. I simply launched the app from my location, selected the camera icon and managed to steer it out manually. I then tasked it to continue cleaning and all was well again.

View from camera on Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Dreame / Future)

However, there is one genuine gimmick added to the camera function that I see no use for, aside from a bit of amusement. If you select the speaker-and-dog icon you can choose from a selection of noises – a cat meowing, purring, a dog bark, some footsteps and the ticking of a clock.

Dock design

Let's first address the elephant in the room – the size of the dock. While attractive enough to look at, it is huge by comparison to the majority of other models. In fact most people might ask why you elected to put an under-counter fridge in your living room. It certainly looks a bit like one.

At 23.2in / 58.9cm in height, a whopping 16.4in / 41.6cm in width and a depth of 17.9in / 45.5cm with robot ramp attached, this dock dwarfs most others on the market and that will most certainly be an issue for anyone with a smaller home. But then again, Dreame likely never envisaged this model being used in anything other than large homes – its unique multi-mop system bears this out.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra's dock is one of the most technically sophisticated charging stations ever paired with a hybrid robot. Aside from automatically emptying the contents of the robot's tiny bin into its larger-than-average 3.2-litre dust bag, the dock can also store multiple mop types and automatically switch them using a jukebox-style system.

In a nutshell, the bot leaves the dock and waits a minute or so while a module behind the front door raises up to grab the required magnetically-affixed mops from their holding base before placing them face down on the dock's cleaning plate mechanism. The robot then returns to the dock where the mops are attached. It's a very clever system, no doubt, but the jury's out on the amount of moving parts involved and the reliability of the system in the long term.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

You get three sets of pads included and each one is slightly different and designed for a specific purpose: the yellow pads have scrubbers fitted for deeper cleaning in greasy areas like a kitchen; the grey pads are thicker and more absorbent for bathrooms or flooring where you want less streaking; and blue are for general-purpose mopping of living areas. However, you can use the Dreame app to set which types of mops you want used for each room.

Three sets of mop pads laid out on the floor

(Image credit: Future)

The million dollar question is whether you really need three sets of mops for different rooms. Dreame says it's mostly for hygiene purposes and the prevention of cross-contamination and I can see this being a valid reason for anyone with toddlers on the floor who doesn't want a toilet mop to then clean the living room floor, even if it's self-cleaned between tasks. But is avoidance of the possibility of cross-contamination really that important? If it is, then this model is unequivocally the one for you.

Given that this model is best suited to larger abodes, the dock houses two extra-large water tanks – a huge 5.5-liter tank for clean water and a 4-liter tank for the filthy stuff. Once a mopping task is completed, the bot returns to dock where the mops are thoroughly washed in hot water at 212F / 100C. This water is then purged into the dirty water reservoir ready for emptying at your leisure or whenever the app tells you to do so.

Water tank removed from dock for Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

This hot-water cleaning cycle does a far better job of breaking down grease, grime and detergent residues than the lukewarm rinses found in many competing systems. Once cleaned, the mop pads are dried with hot air to prevent bacterial growth and eliminate damp smells.

Meanwhile, the multi-solution compartment – a first in my book – lets the dock dose different cleaning fluids automatically, adjusting formulas to match floors or cleaning modes. You get three types of solution in the package – one liter of Dreame Floor Cleaning Solution, 200ml of Pet Odor Solution and 200ml of Wood Floor Care Solution.

I'm always slightly wary of gadgets with lots of moving parts, because the more complex the engineering, the more potential points of failure there are further down the line. However, I didn't experience any issues with the dock – or the robot itself for that matter – during my review period.

  • Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: performance

  • Expert navigation, accurate object avoidance and powerful mapping
  • Excellent vacuuming on hard floor, and very decent on carpet
  • Complex mop system works well and mopping is a cut above average

So how does the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra hold up in practice? Let's take a look at the performance. I've broken this section up into different parts to make it easier to digest.

I've been extremely impressed by this bot's navigation performance and its initial mapping sequence was insanely good. In fact, it's the first robot vac to ever accurately map my open plan home with all spaces highlighted correctly and with no dividing or merging of rooms required. It even automatically named four of the five rooms it had mapped. This means it was accurately spotting the dining table in the dining room, the sofa in the living room and the kitchen by its layout. Furthermore, it did all this in a smidge under five minutes.

I then installed the whole system in our huge village hall – 121 square meters – and it mapped the hall, kitchen and toilets in 10 minutes, and even correctly named the two toilets and dividing hallway. Moreover, unlike other models I've tested in the hall, the Dreame's main map has remained stable with no shifts in the map's perspective. LiDAR is known to struggle when mapping huge areas like a commercial hall, especially if it has many windows with bright sunlight pouring in. But this model has so far bucked that trend.

Screenshots from Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum app

Click to enlarge (Image credit: Dreame / Future)

During my tests the Matrix10 Ultra has planned efficient, seemingly logical cleaning paths rather than wandering around randomly. It's also adjusted dynamically when furniture was moved or when unexpected obstacles appeared, updating its routes mid-clean to maintain full coverage without wasting time or missing too many corners.

Unfortunately I wasn't in a position to test its ability to scale high thresholds and small steps because I don't have any access to them. However, I have seen demonstrations of this bot negotiating a threshold and roll-steel furniture legs and it has simply sailed over them.

Obstacle avoidance

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra's obstacle avoidance is one of its most impressive performance features, combining advanced sensors and AI to navigate real-world environments with finesse. As mentioned in the Design section, the robot uses a combination of retractable DToF LiDAR for precise distance mapping and structured-light 3D sensing paired with an AI-enhanced RGB camera. This fusion of sensors allows it to detect a wide range of objects, from small items like cables, socks, shoes, bags and pet toys to furniture legs and other household obstacles.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum navigating around obstacles on a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

In practice, this means the Matrix10 Ultra rarely bumps into or gets stuck on objects, though I'll admit that a loose pair of scissors caught it out on one occasion. In my first home test, it manoeuvred between a loose glove and tape measure without any touching, but rode slipshod over the scissors; and yet it avoided the scissors in a subsequent test. I put this first failure down to the robot having approached the scissors from an acute angle beyond the line of sight of its RGB camera.

I then set up another obstacle test in the village hall using a clutch of pens, a book, a plastic Dyson vacuum nozzle and the same tape measure. Remarkably, it negotiated all obstacles without any touching and you can see this in the attached demonstration video.

Would I rely on the Matrix10 Ultra to avoid a dog poop? No I wouldn't, though on evidence of my tests, I'd say that there's a much better chance of this bot avoiding it rather than smearing it all over the carpet.

Vacuum performance

The Dreame Matrix10 Ultra delivers very decent vacuum performance. It dual-brush system lifted dust, debris and pet hair with ease on my hard floors, while its automatic edge brushes did a grand job of scuttling debris from corners into the path of its suction portal.

It has spent two weeks vacuuming my home with no glaring signs of it having missed anything and it's been absolutely faultless in the village hall, too, with a perfectly cleaned swathe of wooden flooring and very little evidence of any forgotten debris along the skirting boards. The Matrix10’s cleaning ability on hard floor is as good as the best I’ve seen from any robot vacuum brand.

However, I was a little underwhelmed by its performance on a medium-pile rug, even when I had the suction set to Max+. For this test I selected zone cleaning in the app and sprinkled a good dollop of oats, rice and small chunks of crushed dried pasta. The robot duly headed to the rug and proceeded to ramp up the suction power when its sensor detected extra debris. It then performed a series of tight circles in these areas before continuing in an up-and-down parallel fashion to finish the job.

It definitely left more debris behind than I expected, given the ultra-powerful 30,000 Pa suction spec. Despite the supposedly higher suction, it didn't perform as well on carpet as my Roborock 10R or Roborock 10 in this particular high-debris test.

I am mindful that this was an extreme task and one that would normally be performed to much better effect by a human with a decent cordless stick vac. The Matrix10 Ultra's day-to-day carpet cleaning has been perfectly acceptable – the robot’s bin has always been full enough to suggest it had collected a lot of pet hair – just not quite as outstanding as I'd hoped for. At just 54.9dB from about six feet away, it's also one of the quietest bots I've ever tested.

Mopping performance

The Matrix10 Ultra's mopping is genuinely among the most advanced of any hybrid combos. Its rotating Dual Omni‑Scrub mop technology applies consistent downward pressure, scrubbing hard floors deeply rather than simply swiping across them. Moreover, the base station supports a full cycle of mop‑pad care – heated water washing, drying and automatic water refill of the robot's smaller water tank. This level of automation keeps the mop pads hygienic, fresh and ready for repeated cleaning, without any manual scrubbing or pad wringing.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum mopping a wooden floor

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, one of this model's most clever touches is its ability to switch mop pad types automatically, depending on what the space demands. Water flow is also regulated automatically depending on floor type and expected dirt levels, which helps avoid over‑wetting.

In my daily tests, the mopping system delivered smooth, even results with no streaking. It also handled a spill of some milk with no issues to report. However, no hybrid robot is flawless when it comes to removing deeply ingrained grime, thick stains or sticky messes.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum mopping a wooden floor, with mop pad extended

(Image credit: Future)

While this model will tackle them to some degree, programming it to head to a specific spot by creating a zone in the Dreame app is a world of pain and takes more time to set it up and the robot to perform the task accurately enough than it does to simply grab a mop, kitchen towel of a decent cordless hard floor cleaner like the excellent Roborock F25 Ultra.

Dock performance

As previously mentioned, rather than just charging the robot, the Matrix10 Ultra's dock stores three sets of mop pads and automatically selects the correct one for each room. It also washes them in 212F / 100C water before drying them with hot air. The jukebox-style pad selection system is undeniably clever, but I can't comment on the long-term reliability of this complex mop-swapping innovation. I should add that I personally haven't experienced any issues, but who knows how well it will behave in a year or two.

Inside the dock for the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum

(Image credit: Future)

What I will wholeheartedly praise is the dock's excellent bin emptying system. I've often experienced issues with some robot vac docks that have clogged up when faced with too much pet hair in the robot's smaller bin. To date this model has performed immeasurably well and I think I know why.

A bit like the Eufy Omni S1 Pro, this model's dock goes through a pre-suction process whereby it performs a full power suck for about a second to loosen any clumped hair in the robot's bin before pausing another second. It then goes into full suction for about 8 seconds. After umpteen emptying sessions, I have no blocked suction tubes to report and that's a major bonus in my book.

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum in its dock

(Image credit: Future)

Another point in this dock's favor is the low volume it emits while going through the emptying process. I measured it at 64.2dB from about 10 feet away and this is pretty quiet for a dock of this nature. But perhaps more importantly, the low sound frequency of the emptying process is so much easier on the ears than many other docks, specifically some of those by iRobot which emit an ear-splitting high-frequency scream whenever emptying the contents of their robots' bins.

Battery performance

I was initially concerned about this model's battery capacity when first putting it through its paces. I'd fiddle with it for no longer than 10 minutes with pauses in between and the battery would show something in the region of 91%. Hence I didn't hold out much hope of the battery lasting for an entire vacuum clean of a 121-square meter village hall without having to recharge midway through the cleaning session.

But I was wrong, because I've checked the Dreame app's Care History section and, on average, the Matrix10 Ultra has completed every task – the hall, kitchen and toilets – in one go in around 117 minutes with +/- 28% of battery life remaining. And that's a very reassuring stat for anyone thinking of purchasing this autonomous hybrid vac for their country mansion.

  • Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra review: app

  • Extremely comprehensive
  • Slowish to respond
  • Not that easy to navigate

The Dreame app offers a highly capable and feature-rich experience, giving users minutely detailed control over their robot vacuum and mop. From the first LiDAR scan, it builds an accurate map of your home, allowing you to name rooms, create zones, set no-go zones, create multi-floor maps and adjust cleaning parameters like suction strength or mop water flow rates on a per-room basis. Scheduling, remote control and notifications help keep cleaning convenient, while smart-home integration with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant adds hands-free flexibility.

Screenshots from Dreame Matrix10 Ultra robot vacuum app

Click to enlarge (Image credit: Dreame / Future)

However, it took me a while to get a handle on this app and an especially long time to work out how to set up routines. Even then, I needed to make sure I'd saved and tapped on any tick icons or it didn't save anything. I'd have preferred to see a system like that adopted by Roborock which saves its routines (a series of pre-programmed short cuts like ‘vacuum the hall', ‘mop the kitchen' and ‘clean the dog rug') on the homepage for instant accessibility. I've also noticed that the Dreame app is a bit slower to react to commands and send them to the robot – but we're talking seconds here.

Despite these small niggles, I've been mightily impressed by the huge wealth of customisation you can achieve in this app. However, I would advise spending a good deal of time learning about all the settings because, by ignoring them, you almost certainly won't get the most out of this sterling autonomous home helper.

  • App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Ultra-premium at list price, but it looks like discounts won't be hard to come by – and it does boast an awful lot of tech.

3.5 / 5

Design

Ambitious and complex, with a mop-pad dispensing dock, feet for vaulting over steps and a retractable LiDAR puck.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Generally extremely impressive, with excellent mopping and hard floor vacuuming, and accurate navigation and object detection. Its carpet performance not as outstanding as I'd expect for those suction specs.

4 / 5

App

Perhaps a little too comprehensive for its own good – technophobes may have trouble getting a handle on it.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You have advanced mopping needs

The Matrix10 Ultra really shines when it comes to its mop setup, with multiple mop types and cleaning fluids (and the ability to swap between them automatically).

You're worried about cross-contamination

The Matrix10 Ultra provides different mops for different rooms, to keep things contained.

You have a big home with lots of obstacles

This model delivers some of the most accurate and efficient mapping and navigation I've experienced – perfect for large, challenging spaces.

Don't buy it if...

You don't have much room for the dock

The Matrix10 Ultra's dock is about the size of a small fridge, so not ideal if you're short on space.

You don't need auto mop pad swapping

Is the specter of cross-floor contamination really an issue? If you're not fussed about reusing your bathroom mop pads in the kitchen (with a clean in-between), there are plenty of cheaper and simpler alternatives to choose from.

You don't have that much hard floor

The USP here is really the mopping – if you're not going to be making the most of the different mop pad types and cleaning fluids, I'd pick a different bot.

How I tested the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra

I've had this model running on two separate floor spaces – at home and our large village hall, where it currently resides. Aside from evaluating both the robot and unique mop-swapping dock, I let it loose at home for two weeks and left it to its own devices using a series of daily cleaning schedules. I then performed a hard-floor pick-up and mopping test in the kitchen before hauling it up to the hall (it's heavy) where I performed a carpet cleaning and obstacle avoidance test before leaving it to run five scheduled vacuum and mopping sessions per week. It's been doing this for the past two weeks with no hiccups to report.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

  • First reviewed December 2025
I tested the Antigravity 360 drone – and only a sky-high price tag brings this unique DJI rival down to earth
5:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Cameras Computers Drones Gadgets | Tags: | Comments: Off

Antigravity A1: one-minute review

The idea of a 360-degree drone may sound like an impossibility, but the Antigravity A1 is exactly that. What’s more, it manages to implement this concept in a sub-250g drone that includes collision avoidance, and which is controlled via 360-degree FPV goggles and a motion controller. You’ll have to read on to discover whether it’s one of the best drones you can buy, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting.

The idea of a 360-degree drone isn’t a new one, and the fact that Antigravity is an offshoot of Insta360 may shed a little light on its pedigree in this department. But this isn’t Insta360’s first experiment in this arena; first, there was an Insta360 / BetaFPV 360-degree collaboration with the SMO 360 camera for some FPV drones. Then there was the Insta360 Sphere, which was a 360-degree camera that attached to the DJI Air 2 and Air 2S.

Both were great ideas, but – no pun intended – they simply didn’t take off as hoped. The Insta360 Sphere was an interesting idea because it attached to a standard camera drone, but operation was fiddly, and it was tied to a drone model that would inevitably become obsolete.

The Antigravity A1 addresses this issue, as the 360-degree camera is built into the drone. You wear FPV goggles with head tracking that give you a 360-degree view during flight, while control is mostly via a motion controller with head tracking of the goggles. One thing I must stress at this point is that the A1 is not an FPV drone. It’s a 360-degree camera drone that uses goggles and a motion controller, rather than a standard controller and phone.

Antigravity A1 unfolded

(Image credit: James Abbott)

Antigravity A1: price and release date

  • Launched on December 4 2025
  • Expensive compared to standard camera drones
  • Three kits available

The Antigravity A1 was launched on December 4, 2025. The drone is more expensive than other sub-250g drones due to the high-quality goggles and motion controller that come with the three available kits. These certainly provide an immersive experience, but it would have been massively more affordable if the drone used a standard stick-based controller with a phone attached, or even a smart controller.

There are three kits available: the Standard Bundle, the Explorer Bundle and the Infinity Bundle. In a nutshell, the Standard Bundle includes the drone, motion controller, FPV goggles and one battery. The Explorer Bundle is all that, but it comes with three batteries, a battery charging hub, a shoulder bag, and spare propellers. The Infinity Bundle is the same as the Explorer, but it includes higher-capacity batteries for longer flight times.

The Standard Bundle costs $1,599 / £1,299 / AU$2,099, the Explorer Bundle costs $1,899 / £1,399 / AU$2,599 and the Infinity Bundle costs $1,999 / £1,499 / AU$2,799. To cut to the chase, you'll want to avoid the Standard Kit because one battery isn’t enough, as it doesn’t provide a long flight duration. The best-value package is the Explorer Bundle, while you can enjoy more flight time by paying a bit more for the Infinity Bundle, if you’re happy for the weight of the drone to exceed 250g.

  • Price score: 3/5

Antigravity A1: specs

Antigravity A1 specs

Camera:

Dual 1/1.28-inch sensors

Video resolution:

8K

Frame rates:

8K up to 30fps / 5.2K up to 60fps / 4K & 1080p up to 30fps / 4K & 1080p slow motion at 100fps

Video transmission range:

Up to 6.2 miles / 10km (Tested in FCC environments)

Flight modes:

Cinematic, Normal, Sport

Battery:

2360mAh, up to 24 minutes flight time / 4345mAh, up to 39 minutes flight time

Charger type:

USB-C / Battery Charging Hub

Weight:

8.78oz / 249g
(10.26oz / 291g with the high-capacity flight battery)

Dimensions:

Folded: 5.56 x 3.79 x 3.20 inches / 141.3 x 96.2 x 81.4mm

Unfolded (propellers extended): 12.15 x 15.05 x 3.51 inches / 308.6 x 382.3 x 89.2mm

Antigravity A1: Design

  • Standard folding mini drone design
  • Vision googles for a 360-degree camera view
  • Motion controller

The A1 sports a standard folding design that makes it look a lot like most sub-250g drones, but it also has an undeniably unique look. The two cameras that provide the 360-degree view to effectively make the drone invisible are on the top and bottom of the front section of the drone. This is dampened and has two forward-facing binocular vision sensors that look like cameras.

There's also a downward binocular vision system, alongside a 3D infrared sensor at the bottom of the drone. Without going into exact dimensions, the A1 is the same sort of size as all other sub-250g drones, but where it differs most notably is the retractable landing gear: two legs extend when the drone is switched on and when it’s landing, while they retract when it has taken off.

This functionality keeps the lower camera off the ground, helping to maintain the invisible drone aspect of the camera stitching for clean footage. Furthermore, when you use the Antigravity landing mat, it provides a precise Return to Home point if you choose to use this functionality to bring the drone back to you at the end of flights. It works surprisingly well, too, so no complaints here.

The overall design of the A1 makes it a camera drone, but rather than using a standard controller, the A1 uses a motion controller paired with FPV goggles. The motion controller is easy to use and intuitive, and when you first connect everything, you’re taken through a short and useful tutorial that familiarizes you with the controls.

The Vision Goggles provide the camera view on dual 1.03-inch Micro-OLED screens with a 2560 x 2560px resolution. Yes, that’s square, and quite different to the usual FPV goggle widescreen view, but it works well with a 360-degree drone. I was surprised because I’m much more familiar with FPV goggles offering a 16:9 ratio image, but I found this square view worked well for the A1. The battery for the goggles can be attached to an included and comfortable lanyard that you can conveniently wear around your neck – a well-thought-out and simple solution.

There are also diopters with a range of -5.0 D to +2.0 D, which is great if you wear glasses and need to correct the view to your prescription. Plus, there’s 30GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot for capturing goggle footage. The goggles are comfortable to wear and provide a clear image for flight, while the head tracking functionality provides intuitive control alongside the motion controller.

There’s also a screen on the front-left of the googles, so people can see the forward-facing camera view while you fly. The downside to a goggles-based approach is that you need a spotter to maintain visual line of sight of the drone while you fly. This makes it much less convenient than a standard camera drone, despite the A1’s immersive and fun flying experience.

The A1 features two battery options, with the 2360mAh option offering up to 24 minutes of flight time, and the 4345mAh option providing up to 39 minutes of flight time. The higher capacity takes the overall weight of the A1 over 250g, so bear this in mind if you plan to opt for the kit with these batteries.

I used standard batteries during testing, and these typically provided around 16 minutes of flight time before Return to Home was automatically initiated. One feature of the batteries that stands out is that you only have to touch the rear end of the batteries and the lights showing the charge level light up – this is rather than pressing a button, as on other drone batteries, and is a subtle yet neat feature.

  • Design score: 5/5

Antigravity A1: Features and performance

  • Intelligent flight modes
  • Solid flight performance
  • Subject tracking

The A1 flies incredibly well, while the FPV goggles and motion controller approach suit the system. But – and it’s a big but – this does add cost, and requires pilots to have an observer with them to remain safe and legal during flights. Both, you could argue, are a hassle. If Antigravity had taken a standard controller-and-phone approach it would have kept the price down and removed the need for an observer, without sacrificing much, if anything, in terms of flight performance.

You would lose the immersive flight experience, of course, and the two flight modes, FreeMotion Mode and FPV Mode, are enjoyable. The former requires you to point the controller target in the desired direction of flight, while head tracking on the goggles allows you to turn. You can also use a dial on the motion controller to do this. One point I must make is that you should read about how FPV Mode works before flying it, because it’s completely different to FreeMotion Mode, and the drone feels like it’s out of control if you try to use FreeMotion-style control.

FPV Mode isn’t true FPV, but it does allow for more sweeping and flowing drone movements where you simply tilt the motion controller left and right to turn. This was my favorite mode for flight, although I preferred FreeMotion when I needed more precision, such as when flying back to the take-off point to land.

Standard flight modes include Cinematic, Normal and Sport, although even Sport is quite pedestrian in terms of speed and agility. The A1 certainly lacks the excitement of the DJI Avata and Avata 2, but again this isn’t an FPV, drone despite the goggles and controller. This means that flight is fun, but not exciting. With a fly-first, frame-later approach, where you reframe photos and videos in software, you can increase speed here and make the drone appear to dive, flip and roll like an FPV drone to some degree.

I’ve reviewed many drones, and I’m not normally impressed with Quickshots-style automated flight patterns, but the A1’s equivalent, which are called Sky Genie, did impress me. Then there’s Sky Path, which is waypoints, where you can pre-program a flight path and someone else, a non-pilot, can wear the goggles and look around as the drone follows its course. With the goggles, you get a full 360-degree view as you turn around, look up and look down.

Sky Genie modes include Orbit, Spiral Ascend, Comet, Antigravity Line, Fly Away and Ascend. These allow you to achieve flight that’s not possible with the motion controller, which makes them invaluable, particularly in situations when you want to fly around a subject for visually interesting video reframing later.

There’s also a subject-tracking mode that works well once a moving subject is selected. The drone dutifully follows, and like with Sky Genie, the drone does all the work for you, focusing on the subject so you can reframe your video later. This uses Insta360's impressive Deep Track technology. And if you’re looking for a bit of fun, Virtual Cockpit in FPV mode provides an overlay that aims to inject augmented reality fun into flights. At the time of writing, you can fly with a dragon, and more skins will be added in the future. It’s a bit of a gimmick and not for me, but other people may enjoy it.

  • Performance score: 4/5

Antigravity A1: Image and video quality

  • Image quality on a par with 360-degree cameras
  • Fly-first, frame-later approach
  • Invisible drone technology

Antigravity A1 cameras close up

(Image credit: James Abbott)

If you’ve ever used an Insta360 camera, such as the X5, you’ll find the Antigravity A1 as easy and intuitive to use, since Antigravity is an offshoot of Insta360. What’s more, Antigravity Studio is a reskinned version of Insta360 Studio, so if you’re already familiar with it, you’ll be right at home. There is a learning curve if you’ve never used it, and it takes time to get to grips with the software, but it’s far from rocket science.

The software allows you to reframe the A1’s aerial photos and videos in the same way you can with a standard 360-degree camera. The only difference is that the drone is being flown rather than the camera being held, attached to a selfie stick or something else. This ultimately combines the advantages of 360-degree cameras with the aerial capabilities of a drone.

The dual cameras both feature a 1/1.28-inch sensor and an f/2.2 aperture. These create a 360-degree view where the drone is invisible, so you don’t have to edit it out – just like invisible selfie sticks with standard 360-degree cameras. Photos can be captured in INSP and DNG

formats at a resolution of 14MP (5248 x 2624) and 55MP (10486 x 5248). Shooting modes include Normal, HDR, Burst, AEB and Interval. You can reframe photos in various formats and even create animated photos.

Video can be captured in 8K up to 30fps, 5.2K up to 60fps, 4K & 1080p up to 30fps and 4K & 1080p slow motion at 100fps. The maximum bitrate is 170Mbps and can be encoded in H.264 or H.265. Photo and video editing can take place in the Antigravity phone app or the Antigravity Studio Desktop app. The former has more templates for creating reframed videos, which is a shame because it would be great to see these available on the desktop app, where working with 8K footage makes more sense.

Reframed video

Image quality is great for a 360-degree camera – it’s what you’d expect, and capturing photos and videos in the highest resolutions possible allows you to maximize image quality. I shot in Auto mode when capturing both photos and videos, and found that the A1 did a great job in all light conditions; the exposure was balanced. The downside to this, compared to shooting in manual, of course, is that shutter speed can change during video capture.

Animated photo

Image quality isn’t, however, on par with standard camera drones – in the same way standard 360-degree cameras aren’t as good as standard action cameras. This has always been the case, and the trade-off for being able to capture an all-encompassing field of view at up to 8K. 8K, while it produces huge file sizes, isn’t as high-resolution as it sounds when you realize it’s the entire 360-degree view, as opposed to a 16:9 view at 4K or above with standard camera drones.

  • Image and video quality score: 4/5

Antigravity A1: testing scorecard

DJI Mini 5 Pro

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The A1 is expensive as a result of the goggle-based approach.

3/5

Design

While the overall design is fairly standard, there are some innovative and unique aspects to the drone.

5/5

Performance

Excellent all-round performance, but flight feels quite pedestrian in terms of speed and agility.

4/5

Image and video quality

Great image quality in 360-degree terms, but not as good as a standard camera drone.

4/5

Should I buy the Antigravity A1?

Buy it if...

You'd like a 360-degree drone
It goes without saying that if you would like 360-degree photo and video capture in a drone, the A1 is the only option available.

You’d like an immersive flight experience
If you’d like an immersive flight experience without the speed and risk of FPV drones, the A1 blends camera drone flight with FPV goggles and the motion controller.

You appreciate innovation
The A1 is undoubtedly an innovative drone with some impressive features that could pave the way for future drone innovation.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The A1 isn’t cheap, coming in at double the price, or more, of other sub-250g drones, so it’s far from being a budget option.

You'd like the best image quality
If you want the best image quality available in a sub-250g camera drone, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is a more suitable option.

You'd prefer simplicity
Since the A1 relies on FPV goggles for the camera view and some control of the drone, you’re going to need to have a spotter with you every time you fly.

Antigravity A1: also consider

DJI Mini 5 Pro

If you’d like a standard camera drone but the best sub-250g model ever made, then look no further than the DJI Mini 5 Pro. This compact drone somehow manages to pack in a rotating camera with a 1-inch sensor and some seriously impressive performance. This is a drone that beginners and professionals alike will love, thanks to its fantastic image quality, safety features and compact size.

See our DJI Mini 5 Pro reviewView Deal

DJI Neo 2

The DJI Neo 2 offers a huge upgrade on the original model released in 2024. It’s arguably not the best selfie drone, with the HoverAir X1 Pro and ProMax offering some serious competition in this area, but the Neo 2 is an impressive performer when it comes to subject tracking. What’s more, it offers obstacle avoidance and multiple controller options, including FPV.

See our DJI Neo 2 reviewView Deal

Antigravity A1 in flight

(Image credit: James Abbott)

How I tested the Antigravity A1

  • All flight modes tested
  • Photos and videos captured
  • Automated features tested

I tested the Antigravity A1 for a couple of months to experience all the features and functionality available, including FreeMotion and FPV mode. I captured photos and videos in the highest quality possible, and captured them in a range of conditions to assess overall camera performance.

I tested all Sky Genie Modes (Orbit, Spiral Ascend, Comet, Antigravity Line, Fly Away, and Ascend), alongside subject tracking and SkyPath functionality. I tested the motion controller and googles for usability, and tested the fly-first, frame-later reframing workflow extensively.

Apple Final Cut Pro (2025) review
4:04 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

For thirteen years, Final Cut Pro was branded as Final Cut Pro X, having been rebuilt from the ground up from its Macromedia origins, with its version number firmly stuck at X (read ten).

Every major update since its launch in June 2011 only got a decimal point increase. But last year, all that changed: Apple dropped the X, and introduced the world to Final Cut Pro 11. Does this brand new numbering system (now at 11.2) mean radical changes for Apple’s best video editing software? Let’s check it out…

Final Cut Pro: Price & availability

Apple Final Cut Pro 11.2 during our tests

(Image credit: Apple // Future)
  • You pay once, and it’s yours forever, including any future updates, large or small. That’s one heck of a deal, and it’s been this way for 14 years.

First things first, how much does it cost? Surprisingly little. I mean, it’s not subscription based, so you’re not renting your software month after month like Adobe Premiere Pro. But it’s also not free, like DaVinci Resolve.

Final Cut Pro sits comfortably in the middle, and will set you back $300 / £300 / €350. That might sound like a lot at first, but consider this: every single update, large or small, has been free since the original Final Cut Pro X was released. Even the mighty version 11 I’m looking at here, was included in the price. That’s one heck of an incentive.

  • Score: ★★★★⯪

Final Cut Pro: Interface

Apple Final Cut Pro 11.2 during our tests

(Image credit: Apple // Future)
  • It has a small amount of customizability, but you can’t move panels around. They can be resized a little, though. Yes, it does feel like it’s Apple’s way or the highway, but at the same time, you can sit in front of any FCP interface and get to work without trying to figure out where everything is.

If you’re new to FCP, or are wondering if you should be using it over a competing product, let’s take a quick look at its interface. Unlike Premiere Pro, which prides itself in its impressive customisability, FCP’s interface is pretty rigid. You’ve got your list of libraries on the left (where all your media is stored), your inspector sidebar to the right (where all the changeable parameters can be found), the lower third is for the timeline, and roughly in the centre is your preview window. Many editors have two preview windows, FCP only has one. It may feel confusing but it actually works very well: mouse over a clip in your library and it’ll appear in that section; do the same in the timeline, same result.

You can’t move these sections around, but it’s possible to hide or reveal them, so they’re there when you need them, and disappear when you don’t. You can also resize the borders between these sections to a certain extent, so you can see more or less of them as you require. Definitely useful, but compared to Premiere Pro, it’s pretty anemic.

But what you lose in customisability, you gain in familiarity: I can step in front of any FCP interface, and get to work immediately, without wasting time trying to figure out someone else’s highly individual layout!

One thing I’d like to quickly mention is the ‘magnetic timeline’. Usually, when you work on an edit, and delete a clip in between others, you’re left with a gap, which you then need to fill with a new clip, or by dragging to the left all the clips to its right.

This still happens in FCP, but not when working in the primary timeline. When you resize or delete a clip there, all the clips to its right are automatically shunted to the left. It can take a while to get used to, especially since clips on other layers are actually tethered to clips in the primary timeline; delete a clip that has other clips tethered to it, and they all go.

It requires a little bit of management because of that, but when you’re used to it, you edit so fast. Interestingly, Adobe recently released Premiere Pro for iPhone, and guess what? It uses the magnetic timeline concept, even though the desktop version of Premiere Pro doesn’t. Apple’s been ahead of the curve for a long while with that one.

  • Score: ★★★★☆

Final Cut Pro: New features I love (and hate)

Apple Final Cut Pro 11.2 during our tests

(Image credit: Apple // Future)
  • There’s a bunch of little touches that are so useful when editing, you have to wonder why they hadn’t been implemented before. And yes, there are big tentpole attractions too, which are powerful and well implemented - as long as your Mac can run them.

I could obviously go through the long list of features new to version 11 and above, but I'm going to focus on the ones I’ve grown to love over the months. Yes, you’ve got a couple of new effects, and a couple of fancy transitions. However, the absolute best feature - the one I still think “why didn’t they implement this years ago?” - is a simple keyboard shortcut to move clips up or down a different layer without having to drag them around.

The problem with dragging is, more often than not, the selected clip(s) might move a few frames along the timeline as you do that. There are ways to prevent this, but they’re sadly not foolproof. And fixing the timing takes time. Now, I just need to select the clip(s) I wish to move, hold down the Option key (you might know it as Alt), and press the up or down arrow key as many times as I need. That’s it. It has saved me so much time, it’s worth the price of admission alone.

Another welcome improvement takes place in the library: when you sync clips together, or create a Multicam clip, the original files are automatically hidden. Sure, you could do it manually before, but every second you save through automatic decluttering, can and is put to good use later on in the editing. It doesn't sound like much, but it’s the little things, you know.

Apple Final Cut Pro 11.2 during our tests

(Image credit: Apple // Future)

One feature I’ve found I can’t do without is more technical: the magnetic mask. It’s oh so clever: it uses special algorithms to analyse an item on the screen, allowing you to select it, while ignoring the rest. Once you’re happy with what’s highlighted, FCP analyses the entire clip and tracks it over time. It works if the object (or person) moves, or even turns around, and the camera doesn’t need to be static either. You can fine tune the results should you need to of course. It’s a great way to separate an item from its background, remove the background entirely, perform separate colour corrections on both, let your imagination run wild. Goodbye manual rotoscoping! Highly impressive (and so fast on a Mac equipped with an Apple Silicon chip).

One cool feature I’ve used a few times is applying colour correction to an adjustment clip which is placed above others in the timeline. Doing so changes all the clips beneath it. Fine tune the adjustment clip, and it affects all the clips beneath it in one go. Another great time saver.

Then there’s the one I’m dying to use but can’t: automatic transcription and captioning: FCP uses more clever algorithms to create written words from spoken dialogue, making subtitles appear at the right time on the screen. Apple is seriously behind with this feature, and it’s a much needed addition. I’ve tried it myself on a Mac other than my own, and it’s fast, and surprisingly accurate. So why can’t I use it? Because I’m still on an Intel Mac, and powerful though my machine still is, only Macs equipped with Apple Silicon can take advantage of this feature (grumble grumble).

And since I’m grumbling, I might as well mention that version 11.2 removes support for FireWire devices if you’re running macOS Tahoe. It breaks my heart to see FireWire disappear like that. If you don’t know what FireWire was, it used to run rings around USB, and could do things USB-C still can’t. Oh well, that’s technology for you.

All in all, Final Cut Pro is a powerful video editor, and these new additions help it catch up to the competition once more. I would easily put it in the top three - the other two being Premiere Pro and Resolve. Editing with it is fluid, it has many powerful features, with third party hooks to add additional effects and transitions. The newest features certainly do make it so much better, especially if you own an Apple Silicon Mac. Most features still work on old venerable Intel Macs, although the writing’s all too clearly on the wall for those.

  • Score: ★★★★⯪

Final Cut Pro: Final verdict

Apple Final Cut Pro 11.2 during our tests

(Image credit: Apple // Future)

I've always been a fan of Final Cut Pro. Yes, it's an underdog in the video editing world - despite having the backing of one of the biggest forces in the creative industry. Of course, it being limited to Mac devices isn't going to help - even more so with Apple now limiting some of its best features to high-spec Macs and MacBooks.

But in terms of editing video, it's fluid, intuitive, and the new features really speeds up the entire workflow. Sure, it does feel like Apple's playing catch up with the other top names in the arena - notably Adobe's Premiere Pro. However, at least those modern editing tools are coming online now, and not festering away, unloved and forgotten. Honestly, it used to feel like Apple has abandoned Final Cut Pro, so I'm happy to see the renewed support.

And I can't knock that one-off cost with lifetime updates and upgrades. For that, no other video editor comes close.

  • Final score: ★★★★☆

Should I buy Final Cut Pro?

Buy it if...

You’re looking for an affordable video editor for your Mac, don’t like too much customizability, but appreciate a fancy, fluid and fast way of working, with powerful tools to create great edits.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t appreciate new editing concepts and would rather stick to the tried and true traditional way of editing video, and if you don’t own a Mac.

For more alternatives, we've tested the best free video editing software, best video editing software for beginners, and the best video editing apps for phones and tablets.

The Abandons review: New Netflix western is no Yellowstone, but Gillian Anderson shines
11:01 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Netflix Streaming | Comments: Off

Who knew Taylor Sheridan's titan reign at Paramount was going to be such a disaster for Netflix? Well, just about everybody – and the new western series The Abandons completely proves that.

Let's set the scene. Instead of the usual Kevin Costner-style male dominated environment, two matriarchs rule this version of the Wild West. Wealthy tyrant Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson) rules the town of Angel's Ridge with an iron fist, determined to control every last inch of it.

Unfortunately for her, poor rancher Fiona (Lena Headey) is a woman who stands her ground. She's fighting to keep her found family's ranch in their hands, resulting in a fatal clash between the two women. Or a 'mother-off', as the kids on TikTok might say.

It sounds like an almighty spectacle, and in some respects it is. The action is big scale on a big budget, the ensemble is fully invested and the production of all seven episodes is absolutely outstanding.

But then there's the overarching storyline, and the overall effect. When you're releasing a western series in the 21st century, it will naturally be compared to 'Sheridanverse' juggernauts like Yellowstone, Landman and 1923. If you watch them all and remember The Abandons, I'd be very surprised.

The Abandons is cursed by an environment way out of Netflix's control

If any main streamer or broadcaster releases a western these days, we're watching it with intense scrutiny. A decade ago, nobody would have batted an eyelid, but the genre has been single-handedly resurrected by Sheridan and Paramount's partnership. As he continues to churn out smash hit shows, that doesn't really leave room for anyone else.

For Netflix, this means that any content that isn't an automatic smash hit is likely to be forgotten, and I think The Abandons falls into this category. It's had more success with new western-romance shows like Ransom Canyon, and I think if the streamer wants to be an industry leader in the genre, that's where it should direct its efforts.

This makes it sound like The Abandons is absolutely dreadful, and it's anything but. However, it doesn't stray to far from "fine". Every element of its composition is solid and delivers what it needs to, but exceptional? Memorable? I'm not so sure about that.

Part of the problem is due to how the overarching storyline unfolds. In episode 1, we're thrown into a myriad of plots that aren't properly explained – and I don't mean that we should naturally be kept in suspense, like a murder mystery.

As an example, Fiona comes from Ireland and has managed to congregate a found family on the Abandons ranch over the course of a few years. How she got to the US, and how they all found each other, becomes convoluted too quickly.

I'm all for a bit of "show don't tell," but I need enough of an understanding to full sink my teeth into the western illusion. Instead, I'm flailing around like a bystander caught in the middle of a gunslinging duel. This effect continues over the series, and that's not amazing incentive to keep on binging.

Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey mother the house down

Constance Van Ness and her sons ride horses into town

This image alone got me to tune in. (Image credit: Netflix)

However, it's not all doom and gloom – let's do my favorite thing in the world and talk about Gillian Anderson. I don't think this is her best role of the year (that would be in Trespasses on Channel 4 in the UK), but she never turns out a bad performance. Obviously, because she's Gillian Anderson.

Constance Van Ness is everything you want in an archetypal villain, and remains calculated, cold and cruel in every decision she makes. She's quite literally on her high horse here, metaphorically (and sometimes physically) kicking every person and mutt who dares to get in her way. For a Gillian Anderson fan, it's everything that you could possibly want, and I see new YouTube fan edits in her future.

Of course, Lena Headey isn't far behind Anderson. Fiona is as tenacious as she is decisive, almost single-handedly driving the plot forward with dangerous inciting incidents and turning points. At the same time, she's guarded and elusive, and the urge to learn more about her becomes overbearing. Scenes between the two are actually few and far between, but when they happen, they're golden.

Obviously, anything these two are in automatically holds more weight, but to say the good in The Abandons rests solely on their shoulders isn't fair. Their ensemble cast is strong, and the ranch, Angel's Ridge and the natural countryside beauty are almost all characters in their own right.

I don't think the new Netflix western will be the most satisfying TV binge this December, but you won't be wasting your time by watching, either. It's certainly a budget version of a Taylor Sheridan show (metaphorically speaking, not in production value), but if you're a fan of our leading ladies, The Abandons is a slam dunk.

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The Galaxy S25 FE has all the looks of the Galaxy S25 Plus, but none of the snap
12:40 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones Samsung Galaxy Phones | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: One-minute review

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE in hand with long green leaves behind

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Fan Edition range, now dubbed FE, offers a premium flagship experience at a more affordable price, but this is naturally achieved through compromises on the specs sheet. This year’s Galaxy S25 FE tries to be a lower-cost Galaxy S25 Plus, and toward this goal, Samsung has completely delivered.

The Galaxy S25 FE features a solid specs sheet and an experience that’s mostly akin to its more expensive siblings, but some of the tradeoffs result in an experience that’s hard to recommend. The Galaxy S25 FE delivers the same battery life and charging speeds, the same great display, and two of the three cameras are also identical. Yet, the reduction in RAM to 8GB and the switch to last year’s Exynos 2400 processor resulted in performance I found considerably wanting.

A key challenge is the competition - rivals are proving that Samsung may need to tweak its approach to the Fan Edition to deliver on its value. If you’re in the US, the Galaxy S25 FE is much easier to recommend at its starting price of $650, but even then, the OnePlus 13R is a worthy alternative.

In the UK, the Galaxy S25 FE is much harder to recommend. It's starting price is still £649, but there are competitors in this price range that you won't find in the states, like the Honor 400 Pro and Poco F7 Ultra, which both offer more powerful chipsets, better cameras, faster charging, and longer battery life.

That ultimately sums up the biggest challenge for the Galaxy S25 FE. It offers a solid, yet unremarkable experience that doesn’t excel in any particular area and struggles to stand out against its rivals, whether from Samsung or others. It’s a good phone that’ll keep you mostly happy, but there are better choices out there.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Price and availability

  • Starts at $649 / £649 / AU$1,099 for 128GB/8GB configuration
  • That’s $350 / £350 / AU$600 less than S25 Plus, although this has double the storage.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Blue in the hand

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

The US and UK launch prices for the Galaxy S25 FE are competitive, especially as they’ll likely reduce further with sales, and Samsung is offering incentives such as a free Watch 7 and Buds in the UK. It’s worth noting that this pricing applies to the 128GB storage option; the 256GB model costs an extra $50, £50, or €50. If you want the top 512GB model, it’ll cost you a further $100, £100, or €100; at $799 in the US, other devices offer a true flagship experience and also come with similar amounts of storage.

At $649, the Galaxy S25 FE offers considerable value for US audiences and fills an emerging market need. Still, Samsung could do more to deliver a truly competitive experience at this price point.

Storage

US price

UK price

AU price

128GB

$649

£649

AU$1,099

256GB

$699

£699

AU$1,199

512GB

$799

£799

AU$1,399

  • Value score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Specs

The Galaxy S25 FE is effectively a pared-back version of the Galaxy S25 Plus at a lower price. It weighs the same, has the same-sized screen, the same battery life and charging speeds, and two of the three cameras are also identical.

To achieve this, Samsung chose to cut down on the RAM (from 12GB to 8GB), reduce the peak brightness of the screen to 1,900 nits, and drop the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for its own Exynos 2400 processor. The periscope camera is lower resolution and has a longer focal length, but it still offers the same 3x optical zoom.

The 4,900 mAh battery is identical to the Galaxy S25 Plus, as is the 45W charging, which is faster than the 25W included in the more expensive Galaxy S25. There’s also 15W wireless charging and Qi2-Ready cases that add magnetic wireless charging support. As it launches with Android 16 and One UI 8 out of the box, the Galaxy S25 FE will receive one more software update than its namesake siblings.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Dimensions

161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm

Weight

190g

OS

OneUI 8, Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades promised

Display

6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,900 nits peak brightness

Chipset

Exynos 2400 (4nm)

RAM

8GB

Storage

128GB / 256GB / 512GB

Battery

4,900mAh

Rear cameras

50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto

Front camera

12MP

Charging

45W wired, 15W wireless

Colors

Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, White

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Design

  • The same familiar design as the rest of the Galaxy S25 lineup
  • The rear finish is less prone to scratching than the S25 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Blue in the hand

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

Put the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S25 Plus next to each other, and by design, they’re virtually indistinguishable. The Galaxy S25 FE offers most of the Galaxy S25 Plus experience at a lower price by retaining the same design language as the rest of the Galaxy S25 series.

The exception to this is in the rear glass finish. Almost a year after the Galaxy S25 Plus, the Galaxy S25 FE solves one of my key problems with the Plus's navy finish: it scratches extremely easily. Although there’s no notable change to this finish, during my time with the Galaxy S25 FE, I’ve found that the rear finish is more durable than the Galaxy S25 Plus, which is a welcome improvement that wasn’t even applied to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 a few months ago.

Beyond this, the build is virtually identical to the Galaxy S25 Plus, right down to the same 190 grams weight. By virtue of larger bezels — more on that below — the Galaxy S25 FE is almost 3 mm taller and 1 millimeter wider than the Galaxy S25 Plus, but this doesn’t have a large impact on daily usage. Instead, it feels just like the Galaxy S25 Plus does.

If you’ve seen a recent Samsung phone, the design of the Galaxy S25 FE will feel instantly familiar. However, I hope that, in future versions, Samsung aims to differentiate it somewhat so it feels unique, in much the same way that the Galaxy S25 Edge feels familiar yet unique within the rest of the Galaxy S25 family.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Display

  • Large, vibrant display that's on par with the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Plus
  • Just as capable as the best Samsung phones.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Blue in the hand

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

The key selling point for the Galaxy S25 FE is that it offers a display of the same size and quality as the flagship Galaxy S25 Plus, but at a more affordable price. In this vein, the 6.7-inch screen on the FE absolutely delivers, and it’s one of my favorite features on this phone.

A peak brightness of 1,900 nits is lower than the Galaxy S25 Plus (which reaches 2,600 nits) and lower than key rivals such as the Pixel 10 (up to 3,000 nits) and OnePlus 13R (up to 4,500 nits). Yet, under the bright sunshine in Bali over the past few days, I’ve had zero issues with this lower brightness and it’s proven to be just as capable as its siblings in direct sunlight. There’s also the same 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rate and HDR10+ support, although it lacks the Dolby Vision support that some non-Samsung rivals continue to offer.

Although the screen size is the same, the bezels around the Galaxy S25 FE display are slightly larger than on the Galaxy S25 Plus, but this doesn’t affect daily usage. Similarly, the drop from Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and rear hasn’t led to any reduction in protection, at least in the time I’ve been using it, especially since both feature the same Mohs hardness rating for durability.

Samsung consistently makes my favorite smartphone screens, and the Galaxy S25 FE screen is up there with the best Samsung phones. If you want a large, vibrant, and colorful display, this one hits the mark!

  • Display score: 5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Software

  • Seven years of Android and security updates
  • Slower AI performance thanks to more reliance on the cloud

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Blue in the hand

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

The Galaxy S25 FE runs One UI 8 on top of Android 16 out of the box, and comes with the same seven-year commitment towards software and security updates as the rest of the family. By launching with the latest Android version out of the box, the seven-year commitment means it will support up to Android 23, whereas the rest of the Galaxy S25 is only guaranteed to support up to Android 22.

Samsung has proven to be quite adept at rolling out updates quite quickly — a stark contrast to its past history of being amongst the slowest — so it’s likely that the Galaxy S25 FE will receive updates in a timely way like the rest of the lineup.

One UI 8 remains one of the most polished Android experiences you can find, and the Galaxy S25 FE does nothing out of the ordinary that you won’t find on the rest of the lineup. However, the lower RAM and change in processor — more on that below — also mean AI performance is far weaker, with more tasks requiring cloud assistance rather than being performed on-device.

Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite has all the features you’d expect from an AI suite on a flagship smartphone, but the lack of performant capabilities means you are less likely to use these. That’s a shame as Writing Tools, editing in the Gallery app, and Circle-to-Search are all features I use quite often. On the Galaxy S25 FE, I’ve found I use them less often simply because there’s a notable delay in responses and completing requests.

Beyond this, you’ll find that the Galaxy S25 FE feels just like any other Samsung smartphone. It’s designed to be instantly familiar to anyone who has used a modern Samsung smartphone, and it delivers the same experience and interface as the One UI 8 update for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Edge, and Galaxy S25 Plus.

  • Software score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Cameras

  • A nearly identical experience to the Galaxy S25 Plus camera
  • A poorer telephoto camera, that's even farther behind the competition

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Blue in the hand

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

Look at the Galaxy S25 Plus camera and the Galaxy S25 FE camera, and you'll notice that they're virtually the same. This is both a blessing and a curse, as it's easy for Samsung to use this camera system again — it's been the same in many recent Samsung phones — but it continually struggles against the competition.

However, dive deeper, and you'll notice that while the 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras are the same as the Galaxy S25 Plus, the 8MP telephoto is a step lower than the 12MP telephoto in the Galaxy S25 Plus. As a result, average telephoto performance on the Plus is even worse on the Galaxy S25 FE.

The net result is that while this camera is mostly as capable as the rest of the Galaxy S25 family — save for the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra — it's not a true flagship camera. Instead, the main and ultrawide cameras are slightly above average at best, while the telephoto is below average, especially compared to the competition.

Despite this, the Galaxy S25 FE does retain one of my favorite camera features on any smartphone camera: color point in portrait mode.

Samsung's portrait mode has proven more versatile than the competition, with a variety of options that can be adjusted before or after taking a photo.

Color Point is the most unique feature on a phone. It lets you keep a subject in color while turning the background grayscale. While performance is less capable on the Galaxy S25 FE than on other Samsung phones, it still lets you capture unique photos that no other phone can natively.

Then there's the 12MP selfie camera, and this delivers the same performance as the rest of the lineup, which uses the same selfie camera. I've found that images are a little soft and lacking in detail, but this is true of most of its siblings.

That mostly summarizes the entire Galaxy S25 FE camera experience: it's virtually identical to the Galaxy S25 Plus, but this isn't necessarily a positive, especially as the Galaxy S25 Plus camera is slightly above average at best. However, the Galaxy S25 FE offering this at a lower price does mean it's better than most phones at this price point.

  • Camera score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Camera samples

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Performance

  • Average performance from the Exynos 2400 processor in daily tasks
  • Below average performance under heavy usage, or when using AI features.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Blue in the hand

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

If there's one area where the Galaxy S25 FE has proven disappointing, it's performance.

Samsung managed to reduce the price of the Galaxy S25 FE (compared to the Galaxy S25 Plus) by switching from Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy to last year's Samsung Exynos 2400. While this is acceptable for daily use, it has a marked impact on performance under gaming, heavy loads, and AI.

Simply put, the Galaxy S25 FE begins to struggle under heavy loads, especially since the lower RAM means it's often bumping up against the edge of available memory. This is also readily apparent in the camera app, where image processing takes considerably longer than on the Galaxy S25 Plus.

In most daily tasks, the Galaxy S25 FE delivers flagship-level performance, but if you're a heavy user, you will likely find it wanting. Similarly, the fingerprint sensor remains one of the worst on a smartphone to date — just like the rest of the Galaxy S25 family — and Samsung needs to improve it considerably in future phones, especially as the competition is significantly better.

  • Performance score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Battery

  • Solid battery life that delivers a day of use with a little to spare.
  • 45W charging is also a welcome improvement

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE charging

(Image credit: Max Delaney / Future)

The Galaxy S25 FE features the same 4,900 mAh battery as the Galaxy S25 Plus, and as such, it delivers mostly the same battery life.

During my time with it, it has mostly lasted a full day of use with around 5-6 hours of screen time, but it doesn't achieve much more than that. With heavy usage, this slips to just under five hours, and the battery needs recharging by the end of the day, but this is mostly when using the camera extensively or gaming heavily.

When you need to recharge the battery, charging speeds have improved from 25W to 45W, reducing overall charging time to around an hour.

However, like the rest of Samsung's lineup, achieving the top speeds requires using Samsung's own 45W charger, or another higher-rated PPS charger. When plugged into my trusty Nomad wall charger — which can deliver up to 100W for most phones — or my Anker power bank, I've experienced charging speeds closer to 30W, and overall charging time dropped to around an hour and 20 minutes.

Then there are two different occasions where the Galaxy S25 FE decided to trickle charge and took over 3 hours to charge to full. When I next charged it with the same charger, it had suddenly returned to the fast charging speeds, and even restarting the phone didn't help when it had entered this trickle charging mode. There's no specific reason this should have happened, and I've yet to replicate it beyond those two occasions, but it's puzzling and a little concerning.

Overall battery life is more than good enough for most people, but the charging situation remains somewhat puzzling. It can deliver a fast charge in an hour, but it can also take much longer, and there seems to be little rhyme or reason for it.

  • Battery score: 3 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge score card

Value

If you want a Galaxy S25 Plus at a more affordable price, the Galaxy S25 FE delivers. However, rivals stand out for key reasons in ways that the Galaxy S25 FE just can't.

4/5

Design

An improved rear finish over the Galaxy S25 Plus, but otherwise this is virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the Samsung's lineup. I wish Samsung had found a way to make it stand out.

4/5

Display

The same great display I saw on the Galaxy S25 Plus (with the same below-average fingerprint scanner). It’s vibrant and sharp, even in direct light despite the lower peak brightness, but it remains one of the best screens on a phone.

4/5

Software

Samsung’s One UI looks as good as ever, though the lack of performance means the AI features are less useful than ever. Thankfully, this phone still gets seven years of updates so is a solid buy for long-term support.

3/5

Cameras

The cameras are virtually identical to the Galaxy S25 Plus, meaning you get the same above-average camera experience. Yet, this is the same camera system found on Samsung phones for years, and doesn't stand out in any way, especially when rivals offer better zoom performance.

3/5

Performance

The Exynos 2400 is a key difference to the rest of the Galaxy S25 family, and also a source of disappointment for overall performance, but especially on-device AI features. An older Snapdragon chipset would likely have performed better here.

3/5

Battery

Solid but unremarkable battery life, that's just shy of the battery found on the Galaxy S25 Plus.. The 45W charging is a welcome improvement, but doesn't markedly change overall charging times and neither stands out against the competition.

3/5

Buy it if...

You want a cheaper Galaxy S25 Plus
The Galaxy S25 FE is effectively a more affordable Galaxy S25 Plus, so if your budget doesn't stretch that far, or deals aren't as widely available, you should consider the Galaxy S25 FE.

The camera isn't as important to you. If you don't take many photos or don't care about the best camera, the Galaxy S25 FE is worth considering.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best phone.
If you want the best phone, look elsewhere. The Galaxy S25 FE is fine, but there are better phones you can buy at a similar price.

You want a camera that doesn’t disappoint.
The Galaxy S25 FE's camera can be disappointing if you want the best or if you take a lot of photos.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Also consider

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus
The Galaxy S25 Plus is a better version of the Galaxy S25 FE, and is often available at a similar price, especially outside the US. If it's between these two, the Galaxy S25 Plus is a much better purchase.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus review

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
If you want the best Samsung phone you can buy, this is it, as it comes with an S Pen, anti-glare screen, two zoom lenses, incredible battery life, and up to 1TB of storage. The only problem? It's twice the price.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

  • I used the phone as my primary phone for a week, and as a secondary phone for another two weeks.
  • I took over 100 photos and videos in a variety of lighting conditions
  • I played games and watched movies
  • I checked my email, posted on social media and worked in Slack
  • I used AI features extensively

I've been using the Galaxy S25 FE for over two months since its launch in early September.

Before posting this review, I used it extensively in the US, UK, and Bali for a week, complete with two active SIM cards. I tested all of the AI features on both Wi-Fi and mobile data connections, as well as

Future Labs tests phones using a mix of third-party benchmark software and proprietary, real-world tests. We use Geekbench, CrossMark, JetStream, WebXPRT, Mobile XPRT, and 3DMark for performance testing. We test a phone's performance on video tasks using Adobe Premiere Rush. We also measure display color output and brightness.

For battery testing, we perform proprietary tests that are the same for every phone, which enable us to determine how long it takes for the battery to run down.

Read more about how we test

Why you can trust TechRadar

☑️ 100s of gaming laptops reviewed
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I tested the world’s first rollable laptop – and the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable’s extendable display changed my understanding of what working on the go really means
12:07 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Now, I love my trusty M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro. It helps me run all of what I do for my business, all my clients, and beyond. But, when I got word of a laptop with a rolling display from Lenovo, I knew it was going to be something uniquely incredible.

I've tested some of the best business laptops around. Some that have incredible performance, some with incredible screens, some with more power than some entire companies can produce, and some with features that are sweet and enhance productivity in cool ways. But a rolling laptop with an extendable display at the touch of a button is something that I never expected. After all, as Lenovo is keen to remind us, this is the world's first rollable laptop for working on the go.

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable's extending display isn't even a gimmick; it works, and it works well. It's genuinely helpful, and it's something that I have learned to love and cannot wait to see what version 2 looks like.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Price and availability

Lenovo | ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is a first-generation device. No other laptop has done this before, so I don't expect this to be a budget laptop. On top of that, this computer packs an Intel Core Ultra 7, Windows 11 Pro with Copilot, 32 GB of soldered memory and a terabyte of storage. This would be a capable business machine even without the rollable screen, that's just the icing on the cake.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Unboxing and First Impressions

Lenovo | ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable Laptop is the first time that I haven't left the charger in the box in a long time. Usually, I jump to using an Anker or UGREEN charging brick and cables due to being more compact and powerful than most laptop bricks (except for the monster workstations I test), or I know I'm going to be hopping from docking station to docking station and only need to maybe top off on the go. But, with Lenovo's GaN charger in the box, I may actually keep this one in my bag for a while as my USB-C Charger on the go, or at least I don't feel the need to change it up right away.

Beyond that, the computer comes with docs, and the laptop itself. pretty straightforward. Right away, after I started the computer, of course the first thing I had to do was open the rollup screen. That first time even to now, after using this computer in my personal rotation for 99 days at the time of writing this, I am still blown away at the display. It feels magical every time.

It's taken a little bit to get the settings dialed in the way I want, mostly with choosing to finally disable the smart widgets when I extend the display. For some, I could see this being super helpful, but for me, when I extend the screen it's because I want to control what is down there, not have Lenovo throw a calendar and some other widgets at me, but then again, maybe that's showing my control issues a bit too much.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Design & Build Quality

Lenovo | ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The rolling mechanism still shocks me. I've opened and closed this display countless times, and still, I'm blown away. The motor-driven display is smooth, easy, and surprisingly fast.

Beyond the display, the keyboard is comfortable, even for all-day typing, and I appreciate the full-function row on the top. The touchpad is good, nothing amazing, but nothing negative so far, and the built-in fingerprint reader is a nice touch.

Lenovo made the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable MIL-STD 810H-certified, with a still 50% recycled aluminum bottom cover.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: In use

Lenovo | ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Specs

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
GPU: Intel Arc Graphics
Memory: 32 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Display: 14″ (2000 × 1600) → 16.7″ (2000 × 2350) POLED, 400 nits, 100 % DCI-P3
Camera: 5 MP + IR
Ports: 2 × USB-C (Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort 2.1 / PD 3.1), 1x 3.5 mm audio combo
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Battery: 66 Wh Rapid Charge (up to 80 % in 1 hr)
Dimensions: 303.5 × 230.6 × 19.9 mm
Weight: 1.69 kg (3.72 lb)

Like I mentioned above, I've had this computer in my rotation for almost 100 days at the time of writing this. It's been one of the most fun laptops to carry around because everyone around stops and stares and asks questions, regardless of if I am working from an office I frequent, a coffee shop, a co working space, on a train or even in my own home, my three kids are shocked every time they see it, even my one-year-old daughter gasps "whoaoww" every time I extend the display.

When you first use the extended screen, Lenovo suggests using their smart workspace feature that allows for pinning apps or widgets for quick access. Personally, I didn't find anything worth putting there, but that could be due to my particularity.

What I do like to do, though, is when I want more screen, I will simply wait for it to fully extend while working on whatever I am working on, then I will use a quick command or the trackpad to pull the window down to the bottom third or half. That section is also great for messaging apps such as Slack or Project management tools like Notion. However, Lenovo has made this display so seamless and excellent that you don't even need to think of that extended display as an extension, but rather a continuation of the main display.

Lenovo | ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Final verdict

The ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable laptop changes what I think of when I think of a laptop. It also changes what is possible when it comes to working remotely or on the go.

Granted, adding two inches of screen real estate is not the same as bringing along the Sotsu Portable monitor or whipping out a tablet for extra productivity, but it also isn't trying to be. This is a whole new way of thinking about laptop size and functionality.

Much like how when the Cybertruck hit the market and shook up the truck world by being a truck but not a truck, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable laptop is a laptop, but its more.

Should you buy a Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable?

Value

First-Gen rollable laptop, yet reasonably priced for what it is

4 / 5

Design

Sleek design with smooth OLED rollable display

4.5 / 5

Hardware

Fast chip, fast ram, fast wireless, and a fancy display

4.5 / 5

Performance

Great for productivity, which is what it's designed for

4.5 / 5

Overall

This laptop is clearly for the individual that is productivity-focused, this is a really unique and powerful option

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You like new technology
Rolling displays are still on the forefront, so if you want to hop on the bandwagon of new technology, check this out.

You always want more screen
If you're the kind of person always wishing they had a bit more screen real estate, look no furtherView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You're needing the most powerful laptop experience
This laptop is a productivity machine, but not the most powerful of workstations. It's a business laptop first and foremost.

You need a lot of ports
Sadly, this laptop only has two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. If you need more, this just does not have it, sadly

For more, we've tested the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops.

I tested the MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG and it’s perfectly placed if you want a simple productivity mini PC with onboard AI
8:07 pm | December 3, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

I'm a big fan of compact desktops. The more I do and grow in my professional career, the more I appreciate their value. Not only are compact desktops great for administrative roles, but also front desks, stationary desktops for employees to be able to utilize, perhaps you have offices where part-timers, or hourly employees need to be able to work and access company data or systems, or maybe the setup that you have you need to have a compact workstation and a laptop doesn't make sense for whatever reason.

Mini PC's are phenomenal in these areas. Now, for this review, I am not going to act like this is the most powerful machine I have worked with and that it is capable of running large LLM Models, a massive codebase, edit 12K videos and teach you how to perform open heart surgery all at the same time, I understand that while there are machines that are built to be powerhouses, this is meant to be a compact machine, it's meant to give you the power that is needed at a reasonable price and a better footprint.

MSI isn't trying to break records with this machine; they are trying to create a machine for everyday users. It wanted to make a machine that can be plugged into any display and perform basic tasks, or run headless and connect to servers, run processes in the background, or something along these lines.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Price and availability

MSI | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is widely available from online retailers like Amazon. I'm seeing prices starting at around the $1000 / £1000 mark depending on where you buy.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Unboxing and First Impressions

MSI | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Cubi NUC is a simple setup. It's included in a basic package, which consists of power, a VESA mount, and an extended power button, if needed. The VESA mount design is excellent, allowing you to easily use it or forget it exists without altering the layout, restricting access to key ports, or requiring the purchase of an accessory. The VESA mount is ideal for mounting behind a monitor, TV, or display, or for attaching to the underside of a desk, wall, or other surfaces.

Like so many of the best mini PC machines I've used, the size of the Cubi NUC lends itself to plenty of different use cases as well. It's ideal for tucking away in a cabinet at a medical office, on a cart in a hospital, in a digital screen display kiosk, in a classroom, at a welcome desk, and more. That's where a machine like this thrives.

I was pleased to see the port layout, which makes quick-access ports extremely easy to reach, along with a fingerprint scanner for added security. Additionally, for setups and use cases where the computer may be tucked away, mounted, or hidden out of reach, MSI includes an external power button with a long cable, allowing you to place it in a readily accessible area and keep the machine where you ideally want it.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Design & Build Quality

Specs

CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 288V
Graphics: Up to Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Memory: Up to 32GB
Storage: 1x M.2 2280 SSD
IO: 4x USB-A, 1x MicroSD, 1x Headphone, 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2x RJ45, 1x HDMI
Wireless: Up to Wi-Fi 7

The design is both minimal and functional. Unlike some machines that place all ports on the back to maintain an ultra-minimal look, MSI understands that this approach is not always the most functional.

Therefore, they opted to divide the ports on the front and back to maximize productivity. The quick access ports are on the front, accessible if the machine is mounted or on top of a desk, and the (typically) one-time-plug-in-and-forget-about-it kind of ports are in the back. This layout facilitates cable management, as it positions the majority of the cables to the back of the desk, or at least away from the user.

For a business machine that isn't competing in any beauty pageants, this design is excellent, focusing on productivity and functionality.

MSI | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: In use

MSI | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

MSI's Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG has been in my fleet (yes, it's a fleet at this point, as I currently have 18 computers in my review queue) for 92 days. In that time, I've had it set up at my secondary desk in my home office, plugged into my BenQ EW2790U on my Flexispot E7 Plus Desk Setup. It's been great for background tasks, writing, emails, and some productivity work as well.

The ease of having a machine always ready to go is fantastic. I like having a server computer that I can remotely access using a VPN, Remote Desktop, or my recent favorite, Chrome Remote Desktop, to modify my network drives. Locally access my Synology, rip content without slowing down my primary machine, transfer data, or perform other tasks that don't require my primary machine.

Having a computer ready to go, plugged in at all times, is also great if you want the least amount of friction possible to get from not working to working and then back to not working again. You just have to sit down, press a key on a keyboard and you are good to go.

The dual network lines came in handy when I tested connecting to my Synology BeeStations and Disk Stations for some updates to the newest DSM software, while I also wanted to connect to my LAN. Granted, Synology allows for LAN access, but I wanted to transfer some content quickly to my NAS as well, making this a perfect solution.

Another great use case for the dual Ethernet would be if you need to connect to a redundant network, a secure network, and a more open network, a server, a network audio controller, or really any other network-controlled device. It’s a little machine like this that can take your workstation, studio, office, or role to the next level, harnessing the simplicity and power of its ease, connectivity, and possibilities as a headless unit to run tasks for you in a more efficient way.

MSI | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

There are some scenarios where these armrests may not be ideal, but for most, they’ll be fine, or worth the lack of adjustment if you like the style and overall aesthetic and feel of this chair.

Some chairs you give up look and design for overall comfort and features. The Serene Nox by Eureka is the exact opposite, you give up highly adjustable armrests and lumbar for the overall aesthetic.

That’s another element of this chair that you should probably know. You’re not going to want to use this chair with a cheap folding desk, nor at the kitchen table, where your temporary workspace is, you won’t even want to use this chair in a bullpen, you want to use this chair in offices, in executive corner suites, you want this chair at the reception desk of a high end corporation so that it can look the part and still provide comfort.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Final verdict

The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is not for everyone. In fact, it may not even be for most people. But it's well-specced for those who need an easy office machine. It'll capably handle tasks like a Windows headless unit to run a server, running multiple digital displays, or an always-on machine that can be on dual networks at once.

It’s a discreet and smart machine that may just be the building block to a more efficient chain of automations, or simplified workflows, or introducing AI into your sphere, all without taking up precious real estate on your desk, or locking you into a non-upgradable display that may or may not meet your desired specifications.

Should you buy a MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG?

Value

Upper mid range, strong ports and usability for the right business applications

4 / 5

Design

Sleek, compact, and thoughtful layout and port offering

4 / 5

Hardware

Modern chips, great ports, Thunderbolt, fingerprint sensor

4 / 5

Performance

Quiet, responsive, reliable, great for headless access and server access

3.5 / 5

Overall

A great mini PC for the right user, always-on needs, digital signage, server companions, and perhaps remote access

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You need a compact, always-on, Windows machine
While this may not be the powerhouse your creative department needs, this could be what your development team could use for accessing servers, running background processes, or running digital signage

You want a solid, redunant-backed, connection
Dual LAN ports are vital for those who want a redundant backup for a vital piece of machineryView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need a machine for your creative department
This is not the machine you want for graphic intensive proceses or workstation-level performance.

You need something portable
While this mini PC is ultra-portable, it's still nowhere close to the power and performance you can get in a quality laptop, so unless there is a unique usecase, check out some of our best laptops.

For more professional-grade computing, we've tested the best business laptops and best business computers.

I tested this genuine leather office chair – and the Eureka Ergonomic Nox is the perfect fit for executives
6:04 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

I've reviewed a number of products from Eureka Ergonomic - office chairs, standing desks - and each one always has a certain style to them that goes beyond the usual office furniture designs. So, when I had the chance to review the Nox genuine leather office chair, I had to check it out.

It doesn't fit the mold of most of the best office chairs I've reviewed, and maybe that's just what makes it a space in the market. This chair has a distinct vibe that will be an absolute dream - if you don't mind the executive price-tag.

Eureka Ergonomic Nox: Price and availability

Eureka | Nox

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Eureka Serene Nox is an upgrade to the Standard Serene chair that I have reviewed in the past. The Nox is made of genuine leather and, like the Model T Ford, is offered in only one color: black.

It's currently available direct from Eureka Ergonomic's website, retailing for $750 - although at the time of review, it's down to $600.

Eureka | Nox

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Eureka Ergonomic Nox: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Eureka Nox came in quality packaging, nice protective material and a quality box. The setup was quick and painless, only taking about 20 minutes by myself to build. While most chairs have a handful of colorway options, by very nature of the name itself, the Nox comes in black, and only black.

This, paired with the sleek metal frame makes this chair look stunning. The lumbar has a slight pattern to it which is super interesting to look at, and other than that, the angular armrests are artistic over functionality, though they are fine most of the time.

Eureka Ergonomic Nox: Design & Build Quality

Specs

Dimensions: 26.77" D x 26.77" W x 48-51.5" H
Weight: 42.88 lbs.
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.

This chair doesn't scream but confidently whispers high-end, professional office chair. Whether that is a top-tier executive or Bondian super-villain, I cannot tell yet. It's a bold design, all about strong lines gently tapering at the lumbar support, sweeping padded armrests that glide around the chair to the seat base. It's striking in all the right ways.

The chair has simple, yet capable controls, offering tilt and lock options, height adjustments, and tension control. The lumbar section of the chair provides a good amount of support, but doesn't affect that silhouette, remaining cool, calm, unobtrusive. One part that I noticed even more than the lumbar is the waterfall-style seat, caressing the sides of my legs and alleviating pressure at the same time.

All around, this chair is supportive, firm, yet comfortable, and minimal, all while looking beautiful. It’s perfect for a professional office, an executive suite, the Batcave.

Eureka | Nox

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Eureka Ergonomic Nox: In use

Eureka | Nox

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I’ve had this chair in my rotation for my team for 100 days. Member of my team and I have spent entire days in this chair, all without any discomfort or need to switch to another chair. The lumbar support is not the most aggressive, but that’s okay, not every chair needs to have intense lumbar protrusions.

Even after a full work day, we have not had any complaints of back pain, so I’d be willing to say that lumbar support is a strong suit of this chair. Another interesting note is that even though these armrests are not adjustable, I have yet to have a team member complain. Perhaps that is because when you sit in this chair you don’t expect it to be something that it’s not, you sit in this chair and you feel like an executive.

You could be sitting in this chair in your office with literally nothing to do, no power, on your first day and you’ll feel like you are starting with a leg up due to this chair. That’s just how this chair makes you feel when you sit in it.

Eureka | Nox

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

There are some scenarios where these armrests may not be ideal, but for most, they’ll be fine, or worth the lack of adjustment if you like the style and overall aesthetic and feel of this chair.

Some chairs you give up look and design for overall comfort and features. The Nox is the exact opposite, you give up highly adjustable armrests and lumbar for the overall aesthetic.

That’s another element of this chair that you should probably know. You’re not going to want to use this chair with a cheap folding desk, nor at the kitchen table, where your temporary workspace is, you won’t even want to use this chair in a bullpen, you want to use this chair in offices, in executive corner suites, you want this chair at the reception desk of a high end corporation so that it can look the part and still provide comfort.

Eureka Ergonomic Nox: Final verdict

The Eureka Serene sits in a very specific niche. It’s for professionals, it’s for executives, its for those who want something that looks the part, looks professional, looks high end, and looks luxury. This chair isn’t the kind you’d see at a budget operation, but one that you would see at a highly successful firm.

And, as a result, this kind of chair makes anywhere that it is feel a bit elevated. If you are looking for a quality chair that fits an aesthetic first and foremost, then you should absolutely consider the Eureka Ergonomic Nox. But if you’re on a budget, or want something that is more lumbar supportive, than this may not be the best chair for you, maybe send the link to your boss.

Should you buy a Eureka Ergonomic Nox?

Value

Premium materials, premium craftsmanship, premium price.

3.5 / 5

Design

Executive office styling, quality materials, statement-making design

5 / 5

Hardware

Quality frame, comfortable seat, smooth recline

4.5 / 5

Performance

All-day comfort, comfortable lumbar, quiet operation, but fixed arms

4 / 5

Overall

Luxury office chair for those who are willing to pay the price for the design

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a premium, leather executive chair
The Eureka Ergonomic Nox is a nice chair, but it's really designed for those who want a comfortable chair that looks like a really nice executive chair as well.

You sit for a long time
This chair doesn't have a lot of adjustability, but it may not need it as it focuses on making sure that what features it does have, it does very well.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need adjustable armrests
While the seat is comfy, and the armrests look pretty, they do not adjust, so if you need some that can move, this chair is not for you

You're on a budget
If you're on a budget and care more about value or functionality than just a certain aesthetic, then check out another chair on our best of list9

For more office furniture essentials, we've tested and reviewed the best standing desks.

Octopath Traveler 0 is yet another fantastic RPG for the series, but it’s less Octopath than ever
2:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming Nintendo | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Octopath Traveler 0 is a different kind of Octopath game.

It still features the series’ distinctive HD-2D aesthetics, the tried and tested break and boost battle system, and even returning characters and locations. It also mixes things up from the now well-understood formula.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: December 4, 2025

The plot, for example, doesn’t feature the namesake eight-character storylines – the octo paths, as it were. Instead, your adventure focuses on your own player-created character for the first time, who is on a quest of retribution against the villains that destroyed their home town – each embodying the vices of Wealth, Power, and Fame.

You are still joined by other adventurers – over 30 in fact, though I haven’t unlocked them all yet – however, they are along for your ride rather than you following each of their distinct journeys like we would in the other series entries.

The eight-person theme isn’t wholly lost, thankfully, with combat being redesigned to feature eight-person parties – a team of four in the front, and four in the back. I’ll go into more details on why I love this change below, but know that it provides a lot more depth and customisation possibilities to party composition without making fights feel too trivially easy.

Octopath Traveler 0 two villains on a balcony

Something wicked this way comes (Image credit: Square Enix)

Both of these changes make sense; however, when you remember Octopath Traveler 0 isn’t a new game. It’s adapted from the Octopath: Champions of the Continent mobile gacha game. A free-to-play system necessitates a wide array of characters to unlock, can’t have its story focus too much on your party because you might not own those travelers, and would want to allow for bigger teams so you can use more of the cool units you’ve invested in financially.

Now, Octopath Traveler 0 isn’t a gacha game. I’m just saying you can feel remnants of the game it’s based on from what’s presented, and it can feel a little jarring at first because it isn’t Octopath as we’ve known it – in fact, you could convince me it's a lost 2D Final Fantasy at times.

Stick with this adventure, however, and you’ll see it has plenty to offer on an engaging adventure that will keep you entertained for tens and tens of hours – no additional purchases necessary.

Revenge and reconstruction

Octopath Traveler 0 wandering through a craggy town

(Image credit: Square Enix)

As I mentioned in the intro, in terms of its story, Octopath Traveler 0 doesn’t feel very ‘Octopath’ at all. Rather than following eight plots for eight distinct adventurers which coalesce into a finale, you instead follow your own adventure – and can recruit over 30 different heroes to your party.

You create your own custom character for this game and then must face stories focused on the corrupting influences of Wealth, Power, and Fame – where you'll find the meat of the plot.

This focus on a linear story with a more limited opportunity to explore branched tracks is very different from Octopaths that have come before, but it’s not a wholly negative change. My gripe is simply that the less free-form plot feels better suited to a classic Final Fantasy 2D entry rather than an Octopath adventure.

It's not a bad adventure, though, in fact, it's a very compelling one with proper villains you can’t help but hate – a real classic RPG story. I simply found the change of pace a little jarring for this series specifically.

Octopath Traveler 0 looking at a destroyed town

Time to rebuild (Image credit: Square Enix)

There's also the Rekindling the Flame plot, which has the protagonist reconstruct their old home town by finding its surviving residents and rebuilding the long destroyed features that made it a home.

It's not as in-depth as a true cosy town simulator, but it is a delightful change of pace from the action-focused adventure. Plus, channelling your retribution into something more constructive can yield useful benefits – including the ability to power up your allies. So it's worth pursuing even if vengeance is your only goal.

To battle!

While the plot might not feel very Octopath, the turn-based combat feels more Octo than ever. That’s because your group now consists of eight fighters – a four-person front row and a four-person back row – which allows for a much more diverse team composition than the series’ usual four-person limit.

Only the characters in the front row can take actions, but each hero can swap with their partner behind them so that they can take a turn, and there are unlockable skills that allow your back row to support the folks in front of them without needing to take an action, or allow your front row to use a skill and tag out in a single move.

Octopath Traveler 0 battle against crabs on a beach

(Image credit: Square Enix)

For example, in my currently build I’ve paired up a cleric who can automatically heal the person in front of them with my squishy spell caster as their health can run low very quickly without support, and my tank who can provoke attacks is paired with an ally who has a skill that lets her fire her bow and instantly tag out – so she can swap in for a quick damage burst and then let my tank keep taking the hits.

Best Bit

Octopath Traveller 0 looking at a battle arena

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Combat feels like such a step up from the previous game, thanks to the bigger party allowing for more personalization of your team than ever, and setting off an Ultimate Technique never gets old.

The other big change is that your created character has unlocked a special skill called an Ultimate Technique. As the name implies, this charged ability (you can’t just spam it all the time) allows the protagonist to perform a big burst – you can unlock options like performing a mass heal or dealing a powerful strike, among others – that can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

As you improve your town, you'll rebuild the training grounds so other party members can unlock their techniques too – I told you there’s a reason to play house even if your only goal is violence.

None of this is to say fights are trivial thanks to your ultimate moves and larger team. Boss battles and higher-level bouts can still present a challenge if you don’t prepare yourself. You can push your luck into higher-level locations to some extent, but for main quests, you'll find even adventures three or four levels above where you currently are can prove trickier than expected if you aren’t careful.

Octopath Traveler 0 fighting a monsterous witch

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Octopath or not, it's still delightful

Octopath Traveler 0 is a really enjoyable RPG experience, whether it feels truly Octopath to me or not.

Because all of the changes still work. The cohesive, more solo story is an awesome adventure that feels like the fantasy epic that RPGs have taken players on for decades, and the combat is compelling and with some many team members allows for some really creative and personal party composition.

There’s also been a simplification of path actions, which is a lot easier to follow than the confusing web of abilities offered in Octopath Traveler 2 – even if it strips away the identity of each character further than their lack of a unique plot already does.

If you love the Octopath series, a new adventure through Osterra will appeal, while fans of more typical RPGs may find this entry to be more accessible than ever, given that it follows a more standard story structure.

I’ve had a delightful time on my adventure, and at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.

Octopath Traveler 0 adventuring through a forest

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Should you play Octopath Traveler 0?

Play it if…

You want a classic RPG
Octopath Traveler 0 feels like a classic RPG. You've got a meaty plot and robust turn-based combat system to sink your teeth into.

You like to choose your own adventure
While not quite as free and open as Octopath usually is, this entry does feature a branching plot and a wide variety of characters to customize your team around.

You crave 2D beauty
I don't care how many times I see HD 2D aesthetics; they'll always be beautiful, and Octopath Traveler 0 is as pretty as a picture.

Don't play it if…

You want a cozy town builder
While rebuilding your home is a core plot of this story is still mostly focused on combat and adventure than cozy vibes.

You want proper Octopath
If Octopath‘s distinct brand of RPG is what you crave, then you won't hate this title; it just might not quite hit the spot for you.

You hate turn-based tactical combat
Turn-based combat isn’t for everyone, and while Octopath's break and boost system does some things to liven up the combat, it won't make turn-based action everyone's bag.

Acessibility

In terms of accessibility as a turn-based RPG, Octopath Traveler 0 has the advantage that players can take combat at their own pace – you can take 5 seconds or 5 minutes to make a move if you need.

The cutscenes are also played out as text dialogue that you can have play automatically, one message at a time, or at a faster auto speed if you want to rush through. Again, allowing you to enjoy the game at your own pace.

Most major cutscenes are also voiced, making it even easier to follow the plot if you hate excessive reading (as someone who’s dyslexic, voice acting is always a massive help for me).

How I reviewed Octopath Traveler 0

I played Octopath Traveler 0 on my Nintendo Switch 2, mostly playing undocked, but I did make sure to load the game up on my TV too to get a sense of the grander scale it has on a 55-inch QLED screen.

During my playthrough, I tried not just to follow the mainline quest but also to explore the sidequests and other adventuring opportunities to get a feel of the whole experience Octopath Traveler 0 offers.

First reviewed November-December 2025

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