The real highlight of the JBL Quantum Stream Talk are its design and feature set, which punch above its budget-friendly price point.
It’s super compact and very stylish, with a robust stand that incorporates metal elements to look and feel premium. It’s incredibly easy to adjust and position too, thanks to a small, foam-footed base and a smart swivel mechanism that allows the microphone to be rotated by a full 360 degrees.
The prominent LED ring indicator is a smart inclusion and something that you wouldn’t necessarily expect at this price point, providing a convenient and easy way to check whether the microphone is muted and even adjust some basic settings on the fly.
That said, the recording quality is a let-down out of the box. Its default configuration sounds very jagged and does a poor job of cutting out background noise. Luckily, the compatible JBL Quantum Engine software gives you everything that you need for better recordings. With a few settings tweaked, namely the EQ profile and noise reduction level, it’s perfect for chatting with friends or dialing into meetings - but still not clear enough to rank among the best microphones for streaming.
If you're interested in picking up a streaming microphone on a budget, there are options out there that look and feel substantially worse, but sound noticeably better such as the AKG Ara. If you can wait for a sale, you can regularly find old favorites like the Blue Snowball for not that much more than the price of the JBL Quantum Stream Talk which offers far more bang for your buck.
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Price and availability
Costs $49.95 / £39.99
Available via Amazon and JBL
Easy to find in the US and UK
The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is readily available from both Amazon and JBL in the US and UK. It costs $49.95 / £39.99, making this the cheapest entry in the JBL Quantum Stream line right now. At this price, it’s a good value option overall for general use, especially if you’re looking for a more affordable choice that doesn't take up a lot of space on your desk.
That said, those seeking a microphone for content creation would be better off waiting for a sale and spending a little more on something like the HyperX DuoCast - which routinely drops down to around the $60 / £40 mark and offers higher quality recordings.
JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Specs
JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Design and features
Stylish and compact
Feels premium
Good set of features
The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is very stylish for a microphone of its price. It’s compact, with a circular plastic base complete with a small foam ring to help keep it in place on your desk.
It has a simple stalk-like design, with a cylindrical metal column and a small plastic capsule connected by a ball joint that allows it to be rotated a full 360 degrees. Also joining the column and capsule is a short wire with an orange and black braided that introduces subtle splash of color.
At the end of the capsule is a translucent ring illuminated by an LED. This is a bright green by default, turning red when the microphone is muted. The option to dim or even turn off this light would be appreciated, but it’s not particularly intrusive either way.
On the base, you will find a gray JBL logo and an adjustment dial. It's a good size and can be used to adjust the monitoring headphone volume when you’re connected to a 3.5mm headphone jack on the rear. It can also be pressed down to quickly mute the microphone, or held for a few seconds to adjust the microphone gain - indicated by the mic’s LED turning purple. It’s all very intuitive and one of the biggest reasons to consider the JBL Quantum Stream Talk.
While the microphone itself is a single unit, there is a removable USB-C cable. This is a good 6ft length and feels high-quality, matching the orange and black aesthetic of the wire found on the mic.
While I very much like the integrated stand setup, you should bear in mind that this microphone cannot be mounted to a boom arm unlike other budget picks, so is not suitable if that’s your preferred setup.
(Image credit: Future)
JBL Quantum Stream Talk: Performance
Audio quality isn’t great out of the box
Sounds much better when you tweak the EQ
Noise reduction also helps
When you first plug the JBL Quantum Stream Talk into a computer, a popup automatically appears asking whether you would install the compatible JBL Quantum Engine Software - a convenient feature that saves you from having to dig around on a support website to find it. I would highly recommend installing it, as I found that tweaking the microphone’s settings is almost essential.
Out of the box, I was unimpressed with its performance - recordings sounded choppy with a flat, almost nasal quality to them. Booting up Discord for a quick call, background noise was very noticeable, as was any movement of the surface on which the mic was placed. This is a little strange, as the JBL Quantum Stream Talk uses a super-cardioid pickup pattern that should, in theory, really help it hone in on just your voice.
Still, you can achieve decent sound with the JBL Quantum Engine Software in hand. For me, the sweet spot was enabling the “Bright” EQ profile, which bumps up the level of almost every frequency, and turning up both the noise gate and noise reduction settings to medium. Listening back to recordings made with Audacity, my voice sounded a little sharp but otherwise more than ideal for casual chatting. With a few more tweaks, I am sure I could get it to sound even better.
(Image credit: JBL)
JBL notes that the microphone is compatible with the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch too. Plugging it into my PS5, it provided significantly better sound than the integrated microphone of the DualSense Wireless Controller but is not up to par with any of the mics on the best PS5 headsets. Still, the option to use this model with your console is appreciated and increases its utility somewhat.
That said, this is also marketed as a streaming microphone and I am hesitant to recommend it for that purpose. If you’re able to spend a little more, you can find models that sound better out of the box.
This is doubly true if you’re shopping over a sale period, where the likes of the iconic Blue Snowball routinely have their prices slashed to just $20 / £20 or so more. Still, if your budget really can’t extend beyond the $49.95 / £39.99 mark and you just need something quick, this should just about suffice until you’re able to upgrade.
Should I buy the JBL Quantum Stream Talk?
Buy it if...
You want a small microphone The JBL Quantum Stream Talk is a good option if you’re looking for something compact - its small size makes it easy to fit on your desk and it’s very stylish overall.
You want a good set of features Its LED indicators, useful mute button, and decent set of options in the JBL Quantum Engine software all help the JBL Quantum Stream Talk punch above its modest price tag.
Don't buy it if...
You’re a content creator able to spend more If you’re keen to get into streaming, then I would recommend spending a little bit more on a model that sounds better out of the box. Alternatively, wait for the sale and pick up a favorite like the Blue Snowball for cheap.
Also consider...
Want to weigh up your options? Here are two gaming microphones to consider alongside the JBL Quantum Stream Talk.
AKG Ara The AKG Ara is a decent alternative at a similar price. It sounds better out of the box but lacks the gain control, looks worse, and feels cheaper in the hands.
HyperX DuoCast The HyperX DuoCast is frequently available on sale for only slightly more than the JBL Quantum Stream Talk. This entry-level streamer mic offers better sound, two distinct polar patterns, and pleasant RGB lighting if you’re able to stretch the budget.
I used the JBL Quantum Stream Talk as my daily driver for over a week. During that time I tested it with both PC and console with a range of tasks including making calls to friends, recording audio files locally, and attending virtual meetings for work. I made sure to thoroughly test the compatible JBL Quantum Engine software, experimenting with its features to find the best setup.
Throughout my time with the microphone, I compared my experience with my hands-on testing of other models all across the price spectrum ranging from the likes of the Blue Snowball to the Blue Yeti and SteelSeries Alias.
The Sony Bravia Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) is the latest addition to the company’s lineup of native 4K projectors, all of which use the Z-Phosphor laser light source. This new beamer, along with the flagship Bravia Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES), adds several key features that bring the brand’s higher-end models in line with their chief competitors among the best 4K projectors, the JVC DLA-NZ800 and JVC DLA-NZ900.
Brightness for the Sony Projector 8 has been increased to 2,700 lumens and both models now use Sony’s professional-grade XR Processor. One of the key benefits is genuine dynamic tone mapping for a superior HDR experience.
The Projector 8 and 9 retain the same chassis and Advanced Crisp-Focus (ACF) lens, motorised lens controls and lens memories as the previous generation, but unlike the JVC projectors, they don’t support HDR10+ high dynamic range or 3D.
The Projector 8’s design is the same as previous generations, but the compact chassis remains well-built. The menu system is easy to navigate, installation is flexible, and the backlit remote control makes this beamer a pleasure to operate. The connectivity has been upgraded and now includes two HDMI 2.1 inputs, which means the Projector 8 accepts signals with higher frame rates up to 4K 120p – great news for next-generation console and high-end PC rig gamers.
The inclusion of 4K 120p isn’t the only good news for gamers, with the Projector 8 supporting ALLM. As a result, it automatically goes into the game mode when a console is detected, and the input lag is an incredibly low 10ms. All of this finally makes this beamer the ideal companion to the brand’s own PlayStation 5 game console, as well as other consoles and PC gaming rigs.
It’s not perfect of course. There’s no HDR10+ or 3D support, the colour gamut could go wider, the black levels dig a little deeper, and shadows retain more detail, but overall this high-end beamer delivers the big screen goods. In fact, its smooth motion, superior processing, fast responses, and improved HDR are sure to please even the most demanding cinephile or competitive gamer.
Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: price and release date
First available: October 2024
Price: £15,999 / $15,999 / around AU$21,170
The Sony Bravia Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) is the new mid-range model in the brand’s line-up of home cinema projectors and is available now in a choice of matte black or white finishes. The Projector 8 currently retails for £15,999 in the UK or $15,999 in the US.
The Sony Projector 8 has a specified 2,700 lumens light output, and its laser light engine has a 20,000-hour lifespan (Image credit: Future)
Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: Specs
The Projector 8 is available with either a white or black casing (Image credit: Future)
Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: design
Advanced Crisp-Focus (ACF) lens
Motorised lens controls and memories
Backlit remote control
The Sony Projector 8 looks identical to the brand’s previous generations, with the same angled design and centrally-mounted lens. There are air intake grilles at the front, exhaust vents at the rear, and some basic controls on the left-hand side as you face the lens.
The Projector 8 measures 460 x 210 x 517mm (WxHxD), and weighs in at 14kg. Sony offers a choice of matte black or matte white, and you can also choose between a stand or ceiling mount. The build quality is good, although it feels less substantial when compared to the JVC NZ800.
The Projector 8 uses the Advanced Crisp-Focus (ACF) 70mm lens introduced on earlier models, which is designed to resolve more detail. The lens controls are also motorised, making setup easier, and there are lens memories to create different aspect ratios if you use a 2.35:1 screen.
The connections are all located in a recess along the bottom left-hand side as you face the projector. Here you’ll find two HDMI 2.1 inputs, which is a welcome addition, along with an Ethernet port and RS-232C connector, a 12V trigger, an IR input jack, and a USB port for power.
The provided remote is the same large and backlit zapper included with previous generations of Sony beamers. The buttons are laid out sensibly, it’s comfortable to hold and use with one hand, and includes all the controls you’ll need to set up and operate the Projector 8.
Design score: 5/5
Ports include 2 HDMI 2.1 connections with 4K 120Hz support for gaming (Image credit: Future)
Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: features
Z-Phosphor laser light source
Dynamic HDR Tone Mapping
Support for 4K 120Hz high frame rate
The Sony Projector 8 uses the brand’s current 0.61-inch SXRD chip to deliver native 4K (3840 x 2160) images. The projector has a refresh rate of 120Hz, and thanks to the addition of the two HDMI 2.1 inputs it can now support higher frame rates up to 4K 120p.
The Projector 8 also uses a Z-Phosphor laser light source, with an increased claimed brightness of 2,700 lumens and a claimed lifespan of up to 20,000 hours. That basically means you could watch a film a day for the next ten years without worrying about the image dimming like a lamp or bulb.
The inclusion of wide dynamic range optics and Sony’s XR Triluminos Pro technology promises deeper blacks, more saturated colours and improved contrast ratios. Sony’s professional-grade XR Processor also promises advanced image processing and real-time optimisation of the picture.
Thanks to the addition of the XR Processor the Projector 8 has XR Clear Image processing for intelligent upscaling and noise reduction, along with improved HDR thanks to image cross-analysis, depth mapping and focal point recognition. There’s also XR Deep Black laser dimming and XR Dynamic Tone Mapping for optimised HDR10 based on analysis of the incoming signal.
There’s Motionflow frame interpolation for fast-paced sports action and a low-latency mode for gaming. In addition to the support for 4K 120p high frame-rate gaming, the Projector 8 also has ALLM (auto low latency mode) that puts it into game mode when a games console is detected.
Features score: 4
The Sony's Reference picture mode proved very accurate out of the box (Image credit: Future)
Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: picture quality
Bright and detailed pictures
Impressive HDR tone mapping
Very low input lag for gaming
The Sony Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) delivers awesome big-screen pictures thanks to its native 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution and Advanced Crisp-Focused (ACF) 70mm lens. This results in detailed and distortion-free images, along with wider dynamic range optics. All of this means you’ll get pin-sharp resolution across the entire screen – no matter how big that screen is.
If you have a really large screen, there’s no need to worry, because this beamer has a Z-Phosphor laser light source that can reach an extremely bright 2,700 lumens. It also has a claimed lifespan of 20,000 hours, so you’ll never have to worry about changing a lamp, plus the laser itself delivers a consistent colour performance and doesn’t dim significantly over its long average lifespan.
The Reference picture mode proves very accurate out of the box, and the extensive calibration controls can be used to dial in a near-perfect picture. The black levels are not as good as the JVC NZ800, and I measured the Projector 8’s contrast ratio at 12,000:1. Sony only quotes a dynamic contrast ratio of infinity to one, but this is achieved by turning the laser off, which doesn’t represent mixed content.
The big selling point of a Sony projector is its image processing, and the XR Processor doesn’t disappoint. When watching a high quality 1080p source, you’ll be rewarded with an upscaled picture that makes full use of the projector’s more than eight million pixels, producing images that are expertly rendered so they appear clean, detailed and free of unwanted artefacts or noise.
Sony’s Reality Creation detail enhancement applies sharpening to any resolution, including 4K, but is so sophisticated that it achieves this without introducing distracting artefacts. Motion handling is class-leading, appearing fluid and free of judder or other issues, even without engaging Motionflow. Although for fast sports the frame interpolation feature can be beneficial.
The Projector 8 supports HDR10 and HLG, but not HDR10+. The addition of dynamic tone mapping is most welcome, performing frame-by-frame analysis of incoming HDR signals, and adjusting the tone mapping dynamically through pixel processing and the laser power. The results are impressive for a projector, bringing out details in the darkest and brightest parts of the picture.
While I was generally impressed by the picture quality, I do feel that to get the most out of this beamer you need to use all the processing. The Reference mode, which bypasses a lot of the processing, often appeared flat and lifeless, but when switched to Film 1 or Film 2 it was a different story. The images burst into life with detail, depth and colour that really add to SDR and HDR.
Watching Passengers reveals a detailed native 4K image with well rendered HDR and rich colours that retain plenty of depth. The same is true with the saturated primaries in The Greatest Showman, which the Projector 8 handles with skill. It’s only when watching a darker film like The Batman that the weaker blacks of the Projector 8 are laid bare, but at least the shadows are free of crush and the peak highlights don’t suffer from loss of detail or clipping.
The Projector 8 is a great choice for gamers thanks to its bright and detailed images, as well as its peerless motion handling. The performance with SDR is superb, while HDR gaming is exceptional due to the laser light source and HDR enhancements. The overall gaming experience is smooth and responsive thanks to a dedicated game mode that delivers an input lag of 18ms with 4K 60p, and just 10ms with 4K 120p. Both these latency measurements are lightning-fast for a projector, and better than many TVs.
Picture quality score: 4.5/5
The Sony's fully backlit remote control makes it easy to adjust settings in a dark room and has all of the adjustments you'll need (Image credit: Future)
Sony Bravia Projector 8 review: value
Priced to directly compete with superior JVC NZ800
Expensive when compared to very similar JVC NZ700
The Sony Bravia Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES) is priced to compete directly with the JVC DLA-NZ800, which also costs £15,999/$15,999. However, the NZ800 does have the edge due to its all-glass lens, deeper blacks, superior dynamic tone mapping, and support for both HDR10+ and 3D.
The Projector will also face serious competition from JVC’s DLA-NZ700, which currently retails for £9,499/$8,999. The NZ700 isn’t as bright at 2,300 lumens, but it delivers better contrast and HDR tone mapping, and it supports HDR10+. However, the Sony still has the edge with gaming thanks to its lower input lag and support for 4K 120p compared to the JVC, which is limited to 4K 60p.
Value score: 4/5
The Projector 8's surface controls (Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Sony Bravia Projector 8?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You want class-leading image processing The XR Processor brings professional-grade processing to the Projector 8, ensuring superb upscaling, noise reduction, and dynamic HDR tone mapping for awesome big-screen images.
You want 4K 120p support
The HDMI 2.1 inputs allow the Projector 8 to support frame rates of up to 4K 120p, making this beamer a perfect choice for next-gen console owners or anyone using a high-end PC gaming rig.
You want superior motion handling Motion handling is an area where Sony projectors have always been strong, and the Projector 8 is no exception. Whether it's films, sport or gaming the movement is smooth, clean and detailed.
Don’t buy it if…
You want deep inky blacks Sony’s SXRD LCoS display tech is better at delivering blacks than LCD or DLP, but it still can’t reach the inky depths of JVC’s D-ILA, which is also LCoS but remains the king of contrast.
You want support for HDR10+ The Projector 8 doesn’t support HDR10+, so if you want to benefit from the format’s dynamic metadata, which is very handy for beamers, you’ll need to look at models from Epson or JVC.
You want support for 3D Sony has dropped 3D support with this generation, so if you’re a fan of the third dimension you’ll either have to look at a DLP projector with their poor blacks and rainbows or JVC’s NZ800.
Also consider...
Epson QB1000 The Epson QB1000 has higher brightness than the Sony and also costs less. The Sony has superior black levels and actual 4K imaging chips, however, and its gaming performance is better.
Epson LS12000 Epson's LS12000 has the same brightness as the Sony and costs less. It's also a great choice for gaming with 4K 120Hz support though the Sony has the added benefit of ultra-low input lag.
JVC DLA-NZ800 The JVC is priced the same as the Sony and has better black levels and HDR10+ and 3D support. It also has 4K 120Hz support for gaming but higher input lag than the Sony.
As with all my TV and projector reviews I use a combination of subjective viewing and objective measurements against the industry standards. For projectors, I also do all my testing in a dedicated home cinema with a completely blacked-out environment and high-quality screen.
The subjective testing is based around watching a variety of familiar scenes, primarily sourced from 4K and 1080p Blu-rays, plus the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K disc. Any test scenes have been specifically chosen to evaluate a display’s black levels, contrast performance, colour accuracy, upscaling, image processing, motion handling, and HDR tone mapping.
For the objective testing, I measured the Projector 8’s brightness, greyscale and colour gamut in SDR, before doing the same in HDR. I also evaluated the accuracy of the HDR tone mapping, along with the colour gamut coverage for DCI-P3. To do this I used a pattern generator and colour meter combined with Portrait Display’s Calman calibration software. I measured the Projector 8’s input lag in milliseconds using a specialised Leo Bodnar tester.
The Atari 7800+ is the latest attempt at a retro console from the iconic gaming brand. I was hopeful going into this one, as I was quite fond of the previous Atari 2600+ which I awarded four stars in my review. Unfortunately, I feel like the Atari 7800+ is a step down overall, offering little in the way of quality-of-life improvements and a genuinely terrible pack-in controller.
Now, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the 2600+’s included CX40+ joystick, citing its stiffness as a major point of contention. I like the CX78+ even less; the option of wireless connectivity is nice, but a lack of a pause or reset button (these are only on the console itself) and its bizarre D-pad / analog stick hybrid make for a miserable play experience. And don’t go thinking you can just swap it out for a third-party controller; the lack of USB ports on the console means that this is strictly not an option.
On a more positive note the VIP Boxset I was sent for testing came with a handful of Atari 7800 games, and they all are good fun. That Atari charm is still in full effect here, with its limited graphical and audio capabilities still allowing for a fascinating and unique gaming experience. It’s a shame that each game takes a decent chunk of time to actually load, but once you’re in, there’s undoubtedly plenty of enjoyment to be had here.
Overall then, the Atari 7800+ is only really recommendable to serious Atari enthusiasts. With its use of physical cartridges (that would need to be bought separately), lack of quality modernities and no support for third-party controllers, it’s authentic to a fault. For some, that’ll be great news. But for a more approachable and affordable retro gaming experience, you might want to consider something like the Evercade VS or the handheld brilliance of the Super Pocket instead.
(Image credit: Future)
Atari 7800+: Price and availability
$129.99 / £99.99
Includes the console and CX78+ gamepad
Also includes Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest physical cartridge
The Atari 7800+ has been available since November 2024, and will cost you $129.99 / £99.99. You can buy it directly from Atari’s website, or at retailers including Amazon in the US and Argos across the pond in the UK. This is the same price that the Atari 2600+ launched at, and given the 7800+’s compatibility with 2600 game cartridges and controllers, it’s undoubtedly the one to choose today if you’re deciding between the two, though I do think the 2600+ is the more attractive unit from an aesthetics standpoint.
It’s a pretty expensive investment considering the console only ships with one controller and a single (relatively simple) game. But like devices such as the Evercade EXP and Evercade Alpha, you’ll likely want to buy it in the interest of building up a collection of games. On that note, Atari 7800 and 2600 cartridges can be purchased from the brand’s website for $29.99 / £24.99 a pop. These come with authentic cardboard packaging, adding to the overall value somewhat.
Atari 7800+: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Atari 7800+: Design and features
Feels lightweight and hollow out of the box
CX78+ controller is pretty terrible
Thankfully very easy to set up
Let’s get the positives out the way first. The Atari 7800+ is incredibly easy to set up, and you will be gaming with it within moments of taking it out of the box. In said box, you’re getting the console itself, a CX78+ wireless controller (more on this thing in a moment), and a single game cartridge for Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest - a homebrew title from developer Robert DeCrescenzo. As an aside, I think it’s a wonderful thing that Atari is so prominently promoting members of its homebrew community here, but I’ll talk more about this in the performance section below.
The box has most of everything you’ll need to get the Atari 7800+ up and running on your TV or gaming monitor including a HDMI cable, a DB9 wireless dongle for the controller, and a USB-C cable for power. The console will work simply by plugging it into a USB port, but if you want to hook it up to the mains, you’ll need to source your own USB plug. Atari cites this omission as a means to cut down on e-waste, which is fair enough.
The console itself has little in the way of buttons or ports. The front houses two DB9 controller ports, while the rear has a single HDMI and USB-C port, as well as a switch to flip between 16:9 and 4:3 resolution. The top then has a large cartridge slot (which unfortunately doesn’t have a dust cover), and power, pause, select and reset buttons.
(Image credit: Future)
As I alluded to at the top, this is a pretty authentic package, albeit with the addition of a HDMI port for modern displays. I do wish Atari could’ve found some room for a standard USB port or two, to offer functionality for the best Xbox controllers or best PC controllers like we see on the Evercade VS and Evercade Alpha.
That’s largely because you’ll be relying on the pack-in CX78+ wireless controller for gameplay. In a word, this thing is awful. While appearing faithful to the original 7800 controller, its boxy shape doesn’t sit well in the hands and its D-pad / analog stick hybrid is beyond uncomfortable to play with. In fairness, its two face buttons are just fine, and it instantly paired to the console by holding down the pairing button for a second.
But there’s really not much else to say about the CX78+. It’s good that there’s one in the box, but it had me begging for third-party controller support.
One last gripe I have is with the cartridge slot. Cartridges never quite feel like they’re securely in place here. Yet simultaneously, you really have to jimmy the cartridges from side to side in order to dislodge them, which creates a rather uncomfortable squeaking sound as they come loose.
Atari 7800+: Performance
Simple, but very charming game library
Emulation is broadly excellent
Games can take some time to boot
Now I get to talk about my favorite part of the Atari 7800+ experience - the games themselves. Like with the Atari 2600+, I found myself surprised at how well many of these games held up as well as how much fun I was having. Look, I’m old, but Atari was still before my time. Cut me some slack.
The pack-in game, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, is excellent. This is an Adventure Island-esque side-scrolling platformer with simple yet charming visuals and surprisingly moreish gameplay. You’ll run from left to right, dispatching enemies with a reliable projectile attack. Your health bar also acts like a timer, counting down as you progress, but thankfully it can be topped up with semi-plentiful health items. It’s good simple fun and has a decent level of challenge to it.
(Image credit: Future)
I was also a huge fan of Ninja Golf, which is exactly what it sounds like. Here, you whack your ball up a course, and you’ll then have to run towards it, eliminating enemy ninjas and wild creatures on the way. It again plays very well if you can get used to the CX78+ controller.
I also got to test out an impressive Rad Racer-like combat racing game in Fatal Run, as well as two relatively simpler experiences in Frenzy and Asteroids Deluxe. Overall, there’s a good amount of variety if you’re planning to shop around for extra cartridges on Atari’s website. I don’t personally own any old 2600 or 7800 cartridges myself, but Atari’s website claims the 7800+ has “near-perfect compatibility with original and third-party Atari games.”
It’s worth noting that each game did take a surprising amount of time to boot, often upwards of 10 seconds for games with more detailed visuals like Ninja Golf and Fatal Run. It’s also quite irksome that the CX78+ controller (likely for the sake of authenticity) doesn’t have a pause button - so you’ll need to rely on the one found on the console instead.
Should I buy the Atari 7800+?
Buy it if...
You want an authentic retro gaming experience With top emulation and a reliance on physical cartridges, the Atari 7800+ is a fine choice if you’re looking to kickstart a new game collection especially if you’re enthusiastic about some of the earliest games in our medium’s history.
You already own a good number of old Atari cartridges The Atari 7800+ is broadly compatible with authentic 2600 and 7800 game cartridges. As a result, the 7800+ provides a good excuse to dust away those cobwebs and put your old collection to use once more.
Don't buy it if...
You haven’t the cash to spare The console itself is already pretty pricey, but you’ll also need to buy more cartridges separately. This can add up to a pretty hefty investment overall.
You were hoping for more controller support Having the option to use an Xbox Wireless Controller or similar would’ve been a serious boon here. Instead, you’ll be relying on Atari’s own controller, and it isn’t particularly good.View Deal
Also consider...
If the Atari 7800+ isn’t quite doing it for you, you might want to consider one of these other retro console devices.
Atari 2600+ The Atari 2600+ is the 7800+’s predecessor and technically less capable given its lack of 7800 cartridge support, but I’m a big fan of its authentic look from its dip switches to elements of a wood finish. If you prize aesthetics, this console is more attractive than its successor.
Evercade VS It supports the entire Evercade cartridge library, is more affordable and features four USB ports for its own controller as well as third-party gamepad support. This one’s a real winner if you’re keen to have a more arcade-focused collection from developers including Capcom, Taito, Technos and more.
I played the Atari 7800+ over the course of about a week, primarily with it hooked up to a smaller display to get the best results out of its simplistic visuals. My monitor of choice here was the AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor, with games played via HDMI at 1080p resolution. Though I did make sure to test games back and forth between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.
Games tested included Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, Fatal Run, Frenzy, Asteroids Deluxe and Ninja Golf. As I couldn’t play these games with a third-party controller, I had to make use of the pack-in CX78+ controller.
The Hori Split Pad Pro was easily one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers when it first launched in conjunction with Daemon X Machinaover five years ago, offering a fantastic wired-only Joy-Con alternative that delivered superior comfort and performance at the cost of a few nice-to-have features like HD Rumble, motion controls, and wireless compatibility. It remains a decent option in 2025, especially given its relatively modest price point, but the rise of absolutely killer, feature-packed alternatives like the CRKD Nitro Deck or CRKD Nitro Deck+ mean it’s not quite the titan that it once was.
The full-size thumbsticks, larger face buttons, and massively improved shoulder buttons are among its biggest advantages still, especially compared to the standard Joy-Con controllers. It’s hard to overstate just how much this can improve some games, especially shooters like Borderlands 3or Doom Eternal where the limited thumbstick motion and shallow triggers of the Joy-Con are a constant frustration. Even so, the absence of motion controls is a real shame in this regard, especially when most Nintendo Switch shooters now support them for more precise aiming, and makes it unsuitable for the likes of Splatoon 3if that’s your preferred input method.
The D-pad of the Hori Split Pad Pro is a strong point too and perfect for precise platforming in games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder. It’s joined by some handy extras, like two remappable rear inputs and an optional turbo mode, though I don’t find myself reaching for either of these that often. All of this can be configured on the controllers themselves, which eliminates the need for any extra software.
There’s also the matter of the controller’s overall shape, which is significantly larger than that of the Joy-Con. Does this make your Nintendo Switch harder to stash in a bag? Absolutely, but I think this trade-off is worth it given the greater level of comfort that it brings. It makes the Nintendo Switch a joy to play over extended periods of time and can be a lifesaver if you're trying to game throughout a long journey.
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro: Price and availability
Plain models go for $49.99 / £39.99
Licensed versions get expensive
Accessory pack available for TV mode wired play
The plain black version of the Hori Split Pad Pro is easy to find for $49.99 / £39.99 at online retailers like Amazon in addition to Best Buy and Walmart in the US or Argos and Currys in the UK. There are also a plethora of licensed versions available, though these are generally more expensive. To give an example, the The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomvariant that I tested costs $59.99 / £53.99 at the time of writing, so only spring out for these editions if you’re willing to pay more for the aesthetic.
This price point puts the Hori Split Pad Pro in close competition with the $59.99 / £59.99 CRKD Nitro Deck, especially when you bear in mind that the latter is almost perpetually on sale for as low as $39.99 / £37.99. Having tested both extensively, I can say the CRKD Nitro Deck is definitively better thanks to a slightly more comfortable shape (though the Split Pad Pro is still comfy) and the addition of features like motion control and rumble. Still, the Hori Split Pad Pro is worth choosing if you prefer its smaller form factor - or want something that doesn’t need a mobile app to tweak.
You can also buy the Hori Split Pad Pro in a bundle that comes with a small attachment that goes in between the controllers for wired TV mode play and also enables PC compatibility. This comes in at $79.99 / £69.99 and is the only way to buy that attachment as it is not sold separately.
Hori Split Pad Pro: Specs
(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro: Design and features
Much more comfortable than the Joy-Con
But light weight feels quite cheap
Turbo mode, plus remappable buttons featured
Taking the Hori Split Pad Pro out of the box, the first thing you’ll notice is its light weight. These controllers come in at just 0.18 lbs / 80 g each - which is actually a little more than the standard Joy-Con but, because of the increased size, feels a lot less substantial in the hands. They come across as almost hollow, which isn’t the best first impression given the price. Thankfully, this is barely noticeable once you slot them into the Joy-Con rails, and they slide in seamlessly before securing in place with a reassuring click.
Hori has opted for an unusual, almost squashed look with the Split Pad Pro, giving the impression of a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller that someone has accidentally sat on. The grips are tiny, lumpy protrusions on the corner of each side of the gamepad, which honestly looks pretty ridiculous. That said, the company must be on to something here as the Hori Split Pad Pro is seriously comfortable to hold.
The grips fit nicely in my palms and the chunky depth gives you loads to grasp on to. The shoulder buttons are a massive improvement over those found on the Joy-Con, coming in larger and with a much softer press to them. The triggers are also enhanced, with a bit of extra movement for a more satisfying pull. Likewise, the thumbsticks have a great range of motion, allowing for more precise inputs than the fiddly tiny ones on the Joy-Con - though they are unfortunately not Hall effect like those of the CRKD Nitro Deck. There’s also a proper D-pad, with a satisfying, spongy feel (not too dissimilar to that of the Nintendo 2DS) and a slight concave shape that’s pleasant on the thumb.
When it comes to features, you have a modest selection to choose from. Each side of the Split Pad Pro has its own rear input, which can be mapped by holding the tiny ‘Assign’ button on the front. This can only be achieved while your Nintendo Switch is powered on but, thankfully, does save your selection in between uses. There’s also a turbo button, which you can hold to simulate rapid button presses without ruining your thumb - handy if you play a lot of arcade shoot-’em up style games.
As I’ve previously mentioned, this is a wired controller that can only be used attached to the Switch. Unlike the Joy-Con, you also don’t get HD Rumble (or any vibration for that matter), gyroscope controls, an IR camera, or Amiibo support which is a shame but not too surprising in the realm of third-party controllers.
(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro: Performance
Very comfortable to use
Perfect for shooters
Outclassed by the CRKD Nitro Deck
There’s very little I can fault the Hori Split Pad Pro on in raw performance. It feels great in the hands and remains so over extended sessions. I often find my fingers become cramped after multiple hours with the Joy-Con and that’s not at all the case here.
The buttons and D-pad are perfectly responsive and a great size for those with larger hands too, further adding to the comfort factor. The larger thumbsticks don’t have a lot of resistance so are ideal for quick motion, whether that’s in 3D adventures like Super Mario Odyssey or fast-paced driving games such as Rocket League.
My only complaint with the buttons is the use of a very soft rubbery material for the start, select, home, ‘Assign’ and turbo buttons, which makes them fairly dull and slow to press. These aren’t buttons that you’re going to be using all the time, of course, but plastic would be a big improvement. Although I do miss the ability to tweak settings like thumbstick sensitivity, the fact that you don’t need an app to access the rear button assignment and turbo is refreshing and would make this a particularly good fit if you’re shopping for a child.
Unfortunately, the Hori Split Pad Pro suffers because of its relative age. The CRKD Nitro Deck and CRKD Nitro Deck+ have launched over the last couple of years and outclass it in almost every regard - be that the presence of motion control, rumble, two more rear inputs, a HDMI port, or Hall effect components. Having tested both extensively, I even found that the Nitro Deck is a tad more comfortable thanks to its increased heft and certainly has a more premium build. The one area where the Hori Split Pad Pro comes up on top is the fact that it is smaller and easier to remove, so slightly more portable overall.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Hori Split Pad Pro?
Buy it if...
You want a simple Joy-Con alternative If you want an easy-to-use handheld grip that doesn’t require an app to access any of its features, then the Hori Split Pad Pro is for you.
You love handheld play The Hori Split Pad Pro is excellent for handheld play, offering a huge improvement over the Joy-Con controllers included with the Nintendo Switch.
You love the licensed designs With designs inspired by The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and more, the Hori Split Pad Pro is definitely worth picking up if you’re a fan of the look.View Deal
Don't buy it if...
You want a wireless controller with all the features If you want a controller with all of the features of the Joy-Con, you’re going to need to look elsewhere. The Hori Split Pad Pro can only be used in a wired capacity, and also lacks features like rumble, gyroscope controls, and Amiibo support.View Deal
The CRKD Nitro Deck is on sale When it’s on sale, the CRKD Nitro Deck is practically the same price as the cheapest version of the Hori Split Pad Pro. It’s also noticeably better, with Hall effect components and a more premium build, plus loads of extra features.View Deal
Also consider...
Considering the Hori Split Pad Pro? These alternatives should also be on your radar.
CRKD Nitro Deck The CRKD Nitro Deck is the closest equivalent to the Hori Split Pad Pro and offers a wider set of features, plus more remappable buttons, at a very similar price.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller If you want a fully-featured, wireless controller for your Nintendo Switch then you can never go wrong with the official option. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller feels great in the hands and has best-in-class battery life.
Tried with a huge a variety of Nintendo Switch games
Compared to other Nintendo Switch accessories
Although Hori provided the The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom edition for the purposes of this review, I have owned the black version of the Hori Split Pad Pro for years with it being my main Nintendo Switch controller between 2021 and 2023, at which point I upgraded to the CRKD Nitro Deck. I have spent literally hundreds of hours with it, testing all of its functions and playing a huge variety of Nintendo Switch games.
For this review, I compared my experience with the Hori Split Pad Pro to that with other Nintendo Switch controllers and accessories - namely the CRKD Nitro Deck.
The Iniu B41 is a basic power bank with limited features, but a form factor that’s sure to please those who like to travel as light as possible. The power and battery indicator LED is in the shape of a paw – a design choice that’s not explained, but one I’m happy to go along with; if nothing else, it helps to liven up the monotony of the black colorway. Fortunately, the B41 caters to those who like a little more vibrancy, as it also comes in blue, orange, and red variants.
The matt rubberized finish does help to elevate its appearance, and the power button is integrated and seamless with the material, which adds to its sleekness. It feels premium too, although it’s maybe not quite on a par with some rivals. The overall build quality of the B41, though, is quite good. The joins are tight and secure, and there’s barely any flex to any of the panels.
It’s also very thin and light for a 10,000mAh battery, even when compared to the best power banks. This makes it one of the most pocket-friendly power banks I’ve ever used, so those who are constantly on the go will certainly welcome this aspect. Iniu even claims it’s the market’s thinnest 10K power bank.
As for port selection, the B41 features one USB-C port and two USB-A ports, a generous selection considering just how thin it is. Another nice touch is the inbuilt flashlight, which is quite bright considering its small size. It can be easily toggled with two quick presses of the power button.
It took about 90 minutes to charge my Google Pixel 7a from half to full capacity, which is a decent performance. Doing so depleted the battery by only one bar, which means you should be able to get a couple of full charges out of it. However, charging the B41 itself took about three hours from two to four bars, which isn’t a particularly impressive performance.
What’s more, with only 15W of power, this isn’t a bank for charging your larger devices, such as laptops. At a stretch it can charge some tablets, such as the iPad Mini, but Iniu states it will only manage 1.6 charges for this device. At least multiport charging is possible, though.
For about $20, the B41 is also good value, undercutting many of its rivals. However, Iniu also has its B61 power bank, which isn’t much more, yet offers 22.5W of power instead of 15W, as well as a screen displaying the battery readout. But while it’s thin, it’s not as thin as the B41. The B61 might be the better pick therefore, unless thinness is a top priority for you, in which case the B41 is preferable.
(Image credit: Future)
Iniu B41 power bank review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Iniu B41 power bank?
Buy it if…
You want to travel light As one of the thinnest 10K power banks out there, the B41 is certainly easy to carry in your bag or pocket.
You want to save money The B41 is something of a bargain, yet still offers enough performance for keeping your smaller devices topped up.
Don't buy it if…
You have big devices to charge With only 15W of power, the B41 won’t cut the mustard for laptop or larger tablet charging.
You want more features The integrated flashlight is a nice touch, but there’s no digital display, and there are 10K banks with more ports and even wireless charging.
Iniu B41 power bank review: Also consider
Iniu B61 Another well-priced offering from Iniu, the B61 is similarly light and offers the same port selection, although it has more power (22.5W). It’s slightly thicker, but not by much, yet it manages to fit in a digital display which provides a battery life readout. For many, this could be the better option. Read our Iniu B61 review.
It was love at first sight with the Journey Glyde. When I came across it, I was getting ready to embark on a four-week overseas holiday that involved road trips to different places. So I was rather excited that this MagSafe travel charger would not only work as a wireless stand for my iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch, but also work as a portable charger with a 10,000mAh capacity.
While I’m not a fan of the matte white top panel that has the charging pads for a phone and AirPods – it picks up scratches very easily – I love the sliding panel underneath that pops up the charging pad for the Apple Watch. The splotchy grey finish is interesting, and I’d have preferred something similar for the top panel as well. Its weight and bulk, however, were concerning.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
While Journey lists the Glyde at 395g, it felt heavier in my hand and, weighing it myself, it tipped the scales at 411g. The extra 16g may not seem like much, but when you’re packing for an overseas trip, the grams quickly clock up. Its sliding design also makes it bulky for a travel charger.
Personally, I think it’s best to carry a smaller 20,000mAh portable charger instead, a capacity that pretty much every international airline allows in carry-on luggage. Most of these are smaller and lighter, so won’t eat away at your luggage allowance. I suppose if Journey increased the backup capacity on the Glyde to 20,000mAh, it would make the whole device even heavier.
For a long journey, 10,000mAh doesn’t sound like much but, in a pinch, it’s better than nothing at all. It was just enough to top up my Apple Watch SE 2 and my iPhone 13 Pro only once after use throughout the day. That would drain the Journey Glyde fully which, in my specific use case, wasn’t ideal as it would need time at the mains to top up. Otherwise it was just a bulky and heavy wireless charger. If I wasn’t going on multiple mini trips during my overseas holiday, I’d probably not have felt the need for more portable capacity than 10,000mAh, but that was exacerbated by the fact that, as a power bank, it was inefficient – something that a colleague proved through testing.
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
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(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
The Glyde does not support newer efficient fast-charging protocols like PPS, but does output 20W, so can still do reasonably fast top-ups.And while most power banks typically offer 15% less of their advertised capacity due to conversion losses, the Glyde gave 34% loss during testing. Even at an easy slow charge, the losses were 27% – way above what’s expected.
This means that of the 10,000 mAh capacity, only about 7,000mAh is available in normal use – enough to give a phone and a smartwatch a single charge, but not a good result considering the price. It’s much better to use wired charging on the go, as wireless charging is even less efficient, and you can expect around 50% of the rated capacity. On the plus side, it works fine as a charging stand, and can hit the 15W Qi charging rate when plugged in.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Journey Glyde: Price & specs
Should I buy the Journey Glyde?
Buy it if...
You want a good-looking travel charger
If you like tactile finishes, then you’ll love the Journey Glyde. The matte finish is lovely, and the white/grey color looks very minimalist. Most other travel chargers I’ve seen don’t look near as nice.
You want more than just a wireless charging stand
Not many travel chargers include a battery and can be used as a portable charger, which gives the Journey Glyde an edge over the competition. However, you will be paying more for this privilege.
Don't buy it if...
You don’t want to spend too much on a travel charger
The Journey Glyde might have its advantages when you’re traveling, but it doesn’t come cheap – and its value is diminished further by its lack of charging efficiency.
You won’t be spending much time in one place
If your travel plans mean that you won’t be able to keep the Journey Glyde plugged into the mains to top up the backup battery, it may not be worth your while at all as the 10,000mAh capacity drains quite quickly.
(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / TechRadar)
Also consider
There isn't much else out there to compare the Journey Glyde directly to, but there are travel chargers aplenty. Below are a couple of alternatives, although neither will get you a backup battery.
For faster iPhone charging with a sturdier build, this premium 3-in-1 wireless charging set is a great choice. It's nowhere near as portable as the Mous charger, but it comes with a handy travel bag that holds all the components, plus the included 30W plug.
Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse: Two-minute review
The ClearStream Eclipse is a reversible design that gives you black and white color options (Image credit: Future)
The Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse is a simple, yet powerful indoor antenna with an unobtrusive design. Like other examples of the best indoor TV antennas, its only function is to “pull” the stations you want at your particular location. Still, until you try a given model at yours it’s impossible to predict the results. That said, Antennas Direct makes it a bit easier with its free Antenna Point iOS/Android app, which uses your phone’s location data to display a map showing transmitter locations, and thus your aiming direction, and lists all their main and sub-channels sorted as Strong, Fair, or Weak (based purely on distance, with no considerations for elevation or obstructions, but it’s a start).
The Antennas Direct CleStream Eclipse’s packaging claims a “50-plus-mile range,” but remember that any antenna’s performance is largely dictated by its elevation and by the presence or absence of intervening hills or tall buildings. Note that this review also covers the amplified Eclipse: the same antenna is offered without the signal amplifier for about $15 less.
The Eclipse antenna is a flexible vinyl halo about 8 inches across, meant to be fixed to a smooth surface — typically, a windowpane or painted wall — using the supplied crescent of clear double-sided adhesive plastic. (Since my trials were strictly temporary, I used blue painter’s tape instead, and suggest others do likewise until they finalize their installation.) One side of the antenna is white, the other black, so decor-wise you can pick your poison.
Flip the antenna around for the white option (Image credit: Future)
A housing at the bottom about a half-inch thick — the antenna itself is not much more than a half-millimeter or so thick – provides a standard coaxial F-connector plus the supplied coax cables. ClearStream packs two: 3-foot and 12-foot lengths, intending the shorter one to connect the antenna to the included signal amplifier, and the longer one to the amp to your TV (other lengths are available at most hardware stores). The amp module, about the size of a pack of gum, has two F-connectors (antenna input and signal output), and a mini-USB port for power. A supplied 8-foot power cable supplies the juice, which can come from any open USB port on the TV or another component, or from the small wall charger packed with the Eclipse. (The amp supplied with my Eclipse sample looked slightly different than the one shown in ads, but is likely to be electrically identical.)
Before we report on the ClearStream Eclipse’s performance, it’s worth repeating: real-world reception is overwhelmingly affected by your location’s elevation, and by any obstructions, natural or man-made, that intervene between it and your desired stations’ transmitters. Our results reflect a semi-rural spot at about 700 feet above sea level, in a second-story window with a clear line-of-sight southeast, where a variety of signals emanate from the east, south, and southwest, at distances ranging from 17 miles to more than 75 miles. This is a pretty excellent site, so your mileage will vary.
With that caveat, in my trial the Eclipse pulled in 16 main signals, delivering a total of 61 main and sub-channels combined – impressive results. Of these, the most distant one (nearly 70 miles) was occasionally “blocky” enough to be only borderline usable, while the rest were solid, though this is likely to vary from day to day and even hour to hour as atmospheric conditions change.
The included amplifier module attaches to the antenna and to your TV's USB port for power. (Image credit: Future)
Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse: Price and release date
First available: June 2016
Price: $49.99
With its very fine performance (especially on UHF-band signals), the ClearStream Eclipse Amplified is very fairly priced at $50, and it can regularly be found for less. Nonetheless, spending half to twice as much on a larger design incorporating VHF elements may deliver a few more fringe signals.
The antenna plus included accessories (Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Antennas Direct ClearSstream Eclipse?
Buy it if...
You need fringe-suburban to edge-rural reception: The Eclipse managed to pull in signals from 17 to nearly 70 miles in our test setting.
You want an unobtrusive antenna: The Eclipse's surface-mount design lets it easily be hidden in a window or on a wall outside of view.
Don't buy it if...
You need to receive signals much beyond 50 miles: The Eclipse may not be able to pull in signals from long distances, especially if your home is in a low spot or obstructed by hills or buildings.
You need a VHF (channels 2-13) station at some distance: In this case, a larger indoor antenna with VHF elements may well do better.
Mohu Vibe review: Also consider
Mohu Arc A slightly pricier antenna with a decor-friendly design. It lacks amplification, so is best suited for urban and suburban enviroments where stations are within a 40-mile radius.
Winegard FlatWave Amped Pro TH-3000 A pricier amplified antenna that provides very good range at 60-plus miles, It also features a useful Bluetooth setup app to assist in installation.
How I tested the Antennas Direct ClearStream Eclipse
Tested at semi-rural location
Compared with powerful "reference" antenna
I test indoor TV antennas at a semi-rural, hilltop location with good elevation and a clear line-of-sight over nearly 360 degrees to TV transmitters ranging from about 15 to about 70 miles. This testing environment gives me the ability to evaluate models catering to a full spectrum of indoor antenna needs.
For the testing process, I first place the antenna high up in a south-facing window and run the tuning process on a TV with an ATSC 3.0 “next-gen TV” tuner. I then record the number of carriers tuned, along with the total number of sub-channels. A powerful inside-the-attic rooftop-type antenna at the same location is also used as a reference for comparison.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti definitely had a high expectation bar to clear after the mixed reception of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 last month, especially from enthusiasts.
And while there are things I fault the RTX 5070 Ti for, there's no doubt that it has taken the lead as the best graphics card most people can buy right now—assuming that scalpers don't get there first.
The fact that the RTX 5070 Ti beats both of those cards handily in terms of performance would normally be enough to get it high marks, but this card even ekes out a win over the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super, shooting it nearly to the top of the best Nvidia graphics card lists.
As one of the best 4K graphics cards I've ever tested, it isn't without faults, but we're really only talking about the fact that Nvidia isn't releasing a Founders Edition card for this one, and that's unfortunate for a couple of reasons.
For one, and probably most importantly, without a Founders Edition card from Nvidia guaranteed to sell for MSRP directly from Nvidia's website, the MSRP price for this card is just a suggestion. And without an MSRP card from Nvidia keeping AIB partners onside, it'll be hard finding a card at Nvidia's $749 price tag, reducing its value proposition.
Also, because there's no Founders Edition, Nvidia's dual pass-through design to keep the card cool will pass the 5070 Ti by. If you were hoping that the RTX 5070 Ti might be SFF-friendly, I simply don't see how the RTX 5070 Ti fits into that unless you stretch the meaning of small form factor until it hurts.
Those aren't small quibbles, but given everything else the RTX 5070 Ti brings to the table, they do seem like I'm stretching myself a bit to find something bad to say about this card for balance.
For the vast majority of buyers out there looking for outstanding 4K performance at a relatively approachable MSRP, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is the card you're going to want to buy.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much is it? MSRP is $749/£729 (about AU$1,050), but with no Founders Edition, third-party cards will likely be higher
When can you get it? The RTX 5070 Ti goes on sale February 20, 2025
Where is it available? The RTX 5070 Ti will be available in the US, UK, and Australia at launch
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti goes on sale on February 20, 2025, starting at $749/£729 (about AU$1,050) in the US, UK, and Australia, respectively.
Unlike the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, there is no Founders Edition card for the RTX 5070 Ti, so there are no versions of this card that will be guaranteed to sell at this MSRP price, which does complicate things given the current scalping frenzy we've seen for the previous RTX 50 series cards.
While stock of the Founders Edition RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 might be hard to find even from Nvidia, there is a place, at least, where you could theoretically buy those cards at MSRP. No such luck with the RTX 5070 Ti, which is a shame.
The 5070 Ti MSRP does at least come in under the launch MSRPs of both the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4070 Ti Super, neither of which had Founders Edition cards, so stock and pricing will hopefully stay within the bounds of where those cards have been selling for.
The 5070 Ti's MSRP puts it on the lower-end of the enthusiast-class, and while we haven't seen the price for the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT yet, it's unlikely that AMD's competing RDNA 4 GPU will sell for much less than the RTX 5070 Ti, but if you're not in a hurry, it might be worth waiting a month or two to see what AMD has to offer in this range before deciding which is the better buy.
Value: 4 / 5
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
GDDR7 VRAM and PCIe 5.0
Slight bump in power consumption
More memory than its direct predecessor
Like the rest of the Nvidia Blackwell GPU lineup, there are some notable advances with the RTX 5070 Ti over its predecessors.
First, the RTX 5070 Ti features faster GDDR7 memory which, in addition to having an additional 4GB VRAM than the RTX 4070 Ti's 12GB, means that the RTX 5070 Ti's larger, faster memory pool can process high resolution texture files faster, making it far more capable at 4K resolutions.
Also of note is its 256-bit memory interface, which is 33.3% larger than the RTX 4070 Ti's, and equal to that of the RTX 4070 Ti Super. 64 extra bits might not seem like a lot, but just like trying to fit a couch through a door, even an extra inch or two of extra space can be the difference between moving the whole thing through at once or having to do it in parts, which translates into additional work on both ends.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
There's also the new PCIe 5.0 x16 interface, which speeds up communication between the graphics card, your processor, and your SSD. If you have a PCIe 5.0 capable motherboard, processor, and SSD, just make note of how many PCIe 5.0 lanes you have available.
The RTX 5070 Ti will take up 16 of them, so if you only have 16 lanes available and you have a PCIe 5.0 SSD, the RTX 5070 Ti is going to get those lanes by default, throttling your SSD to PCIe 4.0 speeds. Some motherboards will let you set PCIe 5.0 priority, if you have to make a choice.
The RTX 5070 Ti uses slightly more power than its predecessors, but in my testing it's maximum power draw came in at just under the card's 300W TDP.
As for the GPU inside the RTX 5070 Ti, it's built using TSMC's N4P process node, which is a refinement of the TSMC N4 node used by its predecessors. While not a full generational jump in process tech, the N4P process does offer better efficiency and a slight increase in transistor density.
Specs & features: 5 / 5
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: Design & features
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
No Nvidia Founders Edition card
No dual-pass-through cooling (at least for now)
There is no Founders Edition card for the RTX 5070 Ti, so the RTX 5070 Ti you end up with may look radically different than the one I tested for this review, the Asus Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti.
Whatever partner card you choose though, it's likely to be a chonky card given the card's TDP, since 300W of heat needs a lot of cooling. While the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 Founders Edition cards featured the innovative dual pass-through design (which dramatically shrank the card's width), it's unlikely you'll find any RTX 5070 Ti cards in the near future that feature this kind of cooling setup, if ever.
With that groundwork laid, you're going to have a lot of options for cooling setups, shroud design, and lighting options, though more feature-rich cards will likely be more expensive, so make sure you consider the added cost when weighing your options.
As for the Asus Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, the sleek shroud of the card lacks the RGB that a lot of gamers like for their builds, but for those of us who are kind of over RGB, the Prime's design is fantastic and easily worked into any typical mid-tower case.
The Prime RTX 5070 Ti features a triple-fan cooling setup, with one of those fans having complete passthrough over the heatsink fins. There's a protective backplate and stainless bracket over the output ports.
The 16-pin power connector rests along the card's backplate, so even if you invested in a 90-degree angled power cable, you'll still be able to use it, assuming your power supply meets the recommended 750W listed on Asus's website. There's a 3-to-1 adapter included with the card, as well, for those who haven't upgraded to an ATX 3.0 PSU yet.
Design: 4 / 5
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
RTX 4080 Super-level performance
Massive improvement over the RTX 4070 Ti Super
Added features like DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation
A note on my data
The charts shown below offer the most recent data I have for the cards tested for this review. They may change over time as more card results are added and cards are retested. The 'average of all cards tested' includes cards not shown in these charts for readability purposes.
And so we come to the reason we're all here, which is this card's performance.
Given the...passionate...debate over the RTX 5080's underwhelming gen-on-gen uplift, enthusiasts will be very happy with the performance of the RTX 5070 Ti, at least as far as it relates to the last-gen RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4070 Ti Super.
Starting with synthetic scores, at 1080p, both the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 5070 Ti are so overpowered that they get close to CPU-locking on 3DMark's 1080p tests, Night Raid and Fire Strike, though the RTX 5070 Ti does come out about 14% ahead. The RTX 5070 Ti begins to pull away at higher resolutions and once you introduce ray tracing into the mix, with roughly 30% better performance at these higher level tests like Solar Bay, Steel Nomad, and Port Royal.
In terms of raw compute performance, the RTX 5070 Ti scores about 25% better in Geekbench 6 than the RTX 4070 Ti and about 20% better than the RTX 4070 Ti Super.
In creative workloads like Blender Benchmark 4.30, the RTX 5070 Ti pulls way ahead of its predecessors, though the 5070 Ti, 4070 Ti Super, and 4070 Ti all pretty much max out what a GPU can add to my Handbrake 1.9 4K to 1080p encoding test, with all three cards cranking out about 220 FPS encoded on average.
Starting with 1440p gaming, the gen-on-gen improvement of the RTX 5070 Ti over the RTX 4070 Ti is a respectable 20%, even without factoring in DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation.
The biggest complaint that some have about MFG is that if the base frame rate isn't high enough, you'll end up with controls that can feel slightly sluggish, even though the visuals you're seeing are much more fluid.
Fortunately, outside of turning ray tracing to its max settings and leaving Nvidia Reflex off, you're not really going to need to worry about that. The RTX 5070 Ti's minimum FPS for all but one of the games I tested at native 1440p with ray tracing all pretty much hit or exceeded 60 FPS, often by a lot.
Only F1 2024 had a lower-than-60 minimum FPS at native 1440p with max ray tracing, and even then, it still managed to stay above 45 fps, which is fast enough that no human would ever notice any input latency in practice. For 1440p gaming, then, there's absolutely no reason not to turn on MFG whenever it is available since it can substantially increase framerates, often doubling or even tripling them in some cases without issue.
For 4K gaming, the RTX 5070 Ti native performance is spectacular, with nearly every title tested hitting 60 FPS or greater on average, with those that fell short only doing so by 4-5 frames.
Compared to the RTX 4070 Ti and RTX 4070 Ti Super, the faster memory and expanded 16GB VRAM pool definitely turn up for the RTX 5070 Ti at 4K, delivering about 31% better overall average FPS than the RTX 4070 Ti and about 23% better average FPS than the RTX 4070 Ti Super.
In fact, the average 4K performance for the RTX 5070 Ti pulls up pretty much dead even with the RTX 4080 Super's performance, and about 12% better than the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX at 4K, despite the latter having 8GB more VRAM.
Like every other graphics card besides the RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090, playing at native 4K with ray tracing maxed out is going to kill your FPS. To the 5070 Ti's credit, though, minimum FPS never dropped so low as to turn things into a slideshow, even if the 5070 Ti's 25 FPS minimum in Cyberpunk 2077 was noticeable.
Turning on DLSS in these cases is a must, even if you skip turning on MFG, but the RTX 5070 Ti's balanced upscaled performance is a fantastic experience.
Leave ray tracing turned off (or set to a lower setting), however, and MFG definitely becomes a viable way to max out your 4K monitor's refresh rate for seriously fluid gaming.
Overall then, the RTX 5070 Ti delivers substantial high-resolution gains gen-on-gen, which should make enthusiasts happy, without having to increase its power consumption all that much.
Of all the graphics cards I've tested over the years, and especially over the past six months, the RTX 5070 Ti is pretty much the perfect balance for whatever you need it for, and if you can get it at MSRP or reasonably close to MSRP, it's without a doubt the best value for your money of any of the current crop of enthusiast graphics cards.
Performance: 5 / 5
Should you buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Buy the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti if...
You want the perfect balance of 4K performance and price Assuming you can find it at or close to MSRP, the 4K value proposition on this card is the best you'll find for an enthusiast graphics card.
You want a fantastic creative graphics card on the cheap While the RTX 5070 Ti doesn't have the RTX 5090's creative chops, it's a fantastic pick for 3D modelers and video professionals looking for a (relatively) cheap GPU.
You want Nvidia's latest DLSS features without spending a fortune While this isn't the first Nvidia graphics card to feature DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, it is the cheapest, at least until the RTX 5070 launches in a month or so.
Don't buy it if...
You want the absolute best performance possible The RTX 5070 Ti is a fantastic performer, but the RTX 5080, RTX 4090, and RTX 5090 all offer better raw performance if you're willing to pay more for it.
You're looking for something more affordable While the RTX 5070 Ti has a fantastic price for an enthusiast-grade card, it's still very expensive, especially once scalpers get involved.
You only plan on playing at 1440p If younever plan on playing at 4K this generation, you might want to see if the RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 cards are a better fit.
Also consider
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 While more expensive, the RTX 5080 features fantastic performance and value for under a grand at MSRP.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super While this card might not be on the store shelves for much longer, the RTX 5070 Ti matches the RTX 4080 Super's performance, so if you can find the RTX 4080 Super at a solid discount, it might be the better pick.
I spent about a week testing the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, using it mostly for creative work and gaming, including titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Avowed.
I also used my updated suite of benchmarks including industry standards like 3DMark and Geekbench, as well as built-in gaming benchmarks like Cyberpunk 2077 and Dying Light 2.
I also test all of the competing cards in a given card's market class using the same test bench setup throughout so I can fully isolate GPU performance across various, repeatable tests. I then take geometric averages of the various test results (which better insulates the average from being skewed by tests with very large test results) to come to comparable scores for different aspects of the card's performance. I give more weight to gaming performance than creative or AI performance, and performance is given the most weight in how final scores are determined, followed closely by value.
I've been testing GPUs, PCs, and laptops for TechRadar for nearly five years now, with more than two dozen graphics card reviews under my belt in the past three years alone. On top of that, I have a Masters degree in Computer Science and have been building PCs and gaming on PCs for most of my life, so I am well qualified to assess the value of a graphics card and whether it's worth your time and money.
UPDATE 21 / 02 / 2025: Since the publishing of this review, Oppo has confirmed that the Find N5 will not be launching in the UK. We will update this review if and when availability information becomes known.
Additionally, the Find N5 supports 80W wired charging, not 90W as previously reported.
Oppo had one mission when making the Oppo Find N5: make the world's thinnest book-style foldable. It's a testament to the company's phone making skill that it not only succeeded, but produced such a powerful, enjoyable, and good-looking device along the way. For my money, this is the direction folding phones should be heading in, and using the Find N5 feels easier and more seamless than the folding devices I've used in the past. It's a strong contender for the best Oppo phone I've ever used.
The standout feature of the Find N5 is its design. The phone unfolded measures just 4.21mm thick, which is thinner than an iPad Pro and only beaten in the foldable space by the tri-fold Huawei Mate XT. It really is amazing to hold the Find N5 for the first time, and this slimness never stops being genuinely convenient. I'm here to tell you that this isn't a gimmick: the Find N5's profile is a big part of the reason the phone feels so useable. Even at a folded thickness of 8.93mm, it's barely bulkier than an iPhone 16 Pro Max. The displays are both great, and both the largest you'll find on a book-style phone, at 6.62-inches for the cover screen and 8.12-inches for the inner display.
The Find N5 has got the hardware power to challenge the premium slab flagships too. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage make the sole configuration a powerful one, and Oppo has made every effort to improve the historically middling battery life of the average folding phone with a huge 5,600mAh silicon-carbon cell. In the case of the Find N5, slim does not mean slow. Looking at the competition, the thicker and heavier Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, with its smaller battery and less powerful internals, seems a bit archaic by comparison.
It's not without compromise, though. In order to attain such a slim profile, the camera system has been scaled back compared to the previous generation Find N3 (still sold worldwide as the OnePlus Open) and results can vary from great to pretty undesirable. There are also a few software bugs, but I'm aware some of this will be due to developers not optimizing for the foldable form factor.
Overall, I'm very impressed with the Oppo Find N5. It's a huge step towards foldable devices that don't feel at all constrained by their form factor, with a barely-visible crease, two great displays, and a very reasonable battery life. Any imperfections aren't impactful enough to stop this feeling like the folding phone of the future. If it wasn't for its limited availability, the Find N5 would be a shoe-in for our list of the best folding phones.
Oppo Find N5 review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
International pricing TBC
Availability TBC, not available in the UK
Costs around £1500 in Singapore
Oppo hasn’t revealed pricing for the Find N5 yet, so we haven’t yet got a take on the value for money the phone offers. The phone has been confirmed to cost the equivalent of around £1500 in Singapore, but we're still waiting for further details.
As for availability, Oppo has no distribution in the US so it’s overwhelmingly likely the Find N5 won’t launch there. We aren’t quite sure of the full extent of the Find N5’s availability, either.
We’ll update this section once the phone’s pricing is officially available, but until then keep reading for a detailed review of the Oppo Find N5.
Keep in mind that if and when we hear of the Oppo Find N5's official availability and launch price in other regions, our overall verdict and score could change.
Oppo Find N5 review: Specs
Oppo Find N5 review: Design
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
4.21mm unfolded thickness, 8.93mm folded
Comes in two colors, black and white
Crease is barely noticeable
The Oppo Find N5 is one of the most impressively designed phones I’ve ever used – actually, rewind that – the Oppo Find N5 is one of the most impressively designed things I’ve ever used. Unboxing the phone for the first time was one of those rare “wow” moments: the Find N5 is truly incrediblythin. At a folded thickness of 8.93mm it’s about half a millimeter thicker than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and at an unfolded thickness of 4.21mm it’s even slimmer than a 2024 iPad Pro. Holding it side-by-side with the 5.8mm-thick OnePlus Open (the previous generation Find N3 in all but name) really highlights the progress Oppo has made in the past two years.
The Oppo Find N5 also nails the ever-crucial hinge: Oppo is calling its hinge the Titanium Flexion Hinge, and what this means is that Oppo has used 3D-printed titanium alloy to create a hinge that’s more resilient and rigid while being 26% smaller than the previous generation. I noticed that the hinge has real resistance to it, feeling solid when open between around 20 and 120 degrees, and snapping open or shut on either side of this range. Oppo says the hinge should last for 10 years of normal use, though this will naturally vary between users.
The Find N5 opens nearly completely flat, and that smaller hinge makes less of an impression on the inner display, too – the crease is really only visible when the screen catches the light in a certain way, and it’s effectively invisible when you’re actually using the phone. Oppo says the crease on the Find N5’s inner display is 10% narrower and 50% shallower than the already impressively unobtrusive crease on the OnePlus Open. The crevice running down the middle of theSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 looks absolutely comical by comparison.
It's difficult to get the crease on the Oppo Find N5's inner display to show up on camera (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
The rest of the chassis is made of aluminum, with a glass cover screen and fiber rear panel. The bezel around the inner display is made of a thick plastic that conceals strong magnets to hold the phone shut, and the inner display itself is covered in a plastic coating. I had no durability concerns with the sturdy outer frame of the phone the inner display can be dented by anything hard, even a fingernail, so be cautious. Buttons are standard fare, with a volume rocker, ringer switch, and power button doubling as a fast fingerprint scanner.
The Find N5 pushes the boat out in terms of water resistance, and as far as I’m aware is the first folding phone to carry both an IPX8 and IPX9 rating for protection against water ingress. There’s no certified dust resistance though.
Oppo has a great track record when it comes to aesthetics, and the Find N5 is no different. In global markets the phone is available in either Misty White or Cosmic Black, and the white unit I tested featured a cool marble effect similar to the pearlescent material used for the Oppo Find X8 Pro. It’s a subtle touch that adds a hint of luxury, and contrasts nicely with the slimmed-down black camera island. Ergonomically, the phone’s rounded edges make it reasonably comfortable to hold when unfolded and decently usable one-handed, at least for right-handed users.
If I had one note about the design of the Oppo Find N5, it’s that the edges are so slim that it can actually be a little tricky to get enough purchase to open the phone. Then again, there’s not much Oppo can do about that while continuing to make these phones thinner, which if you ask me is a much more important goal. Overall, the Find N5 is a marvel of engineering that feels good to use – you can’t ask for much better than that.
Design score: 5 / 5
Oppo Find N5 review: Display
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6.62-inch cover screen
8.1-inch inner display
Both screens are bright and sharp with 120Hz refresh rate
Though Oppo has leaned on the Find N5 being the “world’s thinnest book-style folding phone” in marketing, the displays here are class-leading in a different way. The Oppo Find N5 sports the largest displays on any phone of its type, with a 6.62-inch cover screen and massive 8.12-inch inner display, and both are sharp, bright, responsive panels that make just about anything look excellent.
The Oppo Find N5 features an 8.12-inch folding inner display, with a resolution of 2248 x 2480 pixels, peak brightness of 2100 nits, and variable refresh rate of 1-120Hz. At an almost-square aspect ratio of 9.9:9, the Find N5 is a great choice for watching videos, taking photos, and reading articles. This screen is a touch dimmer than the inner display on the OnePlus Open, which is noticeable but not an issue: I found the Find N5 to be more than serviceable in a variety of indoor and outdoor lighting conditions.
Next to the OnePlus Open (right), the Oppo Find N5 (left) is visibly larger (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
By surface area, the Find N5’ inner display is larger than an iPad mini’s, which makes it a great choice for multitasking. As for the cover screen, the Find N5 goes well beyond the idea of a backup panel, with a sharp and contrasty 6.62-inch panel that makes one-handed use not only viable, but genuinely enjoyable. Both displays support the Oppo Pen stylus, sold separately, which opens even more productivity possibilities.
The cover display boasts a resolution of 1140 x 2616 pixels, peak brightness of 2450 nits, and that same variable 1-120Hz refresh rate. At an aspect ratio of 20.7:9 it’s a touch slimmer than the conventional 19.5:9 employed by the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25, but wider than the 22.1:9 cover screen on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Google Maps is a fantastic experience on the large inner display. (Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Switching between the two displays remains as easy as opening and closing the phone. Opening the phone will instantly continue your activity on the inner screen, while jumping from the inner to outer screen requires a swipe up to keep things going. These are two great panels that really feel like they work together as part of one cohesive system.
Display score: 4.5 / 5
Oppo Find N5 review: Software
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Android 15 with ColorOS 15
Great multitasking features
Bloatware on a phone of this caliber is ridiculous
I’ve been a fan of the software experience on Oppo phones for quite some time now – ColorOS 15 (based on Android 15) is one of the cleanest, fastest, and most customizable implementations of Android on the market, and Oppo has gone out of its way to ensure the experience translates well to the folding form factor; the UI as a whole remains blisteringly fast. Default apps and AI are all fine, but I imagine most users will head for the pre-installed Google suite and Gemini for their general application and AI needs.
In many ways, ColorOS still feels like an imitation of iOS, and the projection of the OS onto the folding form factor can feel like a bizarro mashup of iPhone and iPad features. The three dot multitasking menu is here, directly lifted from iPadOS, and allows you to activate split screen or floating windows with as many as four apps at once (three in split view and one floating). Originality aside, this works very well, and I was surprised by just how much the Find N5 could handle. I also like the pop-up that appears when you switch between two apps frequently, which suggests putting the two in split screen.
There’s another unique productivity feature that Oppo has added to the Find N5, but it isn’t installed by default. The new O+ Connect app for Mac allows the Oppo Find N5 to control Apple computers remotely, with real-time screen mirroring and a virtual keyboard appearing on the phone screen. This, building on previous file sharing functionality between Oppo phones and iPhones and iPads via the same app. O+ Connect works wirelessly over LAN, though Oppo wouldn’t tell me the exact latency. I’m not sure how useful this is in practice, but the idea of seeing Adobe Premiere Pro or Ableton Live on such a small screen is genuinely novel.
As is standard with Oppo phones, the customization on offer is world-class, with gorgeous live wallpapers and various ways to change fonts and colors across the UI. Regrettably, though, the phone comes preloaded with a handful of bloatware apps that most people won’t use – frankly, it’s frustrating that a phone of this price and calibre comes with any bloatware whatsoever. This is a luxury phone: it’s more about respect for the customer than any sort of actual inconvenience. That said, once you get the app drawer looking how you want it, ColorOS sails smooth.
Software score: 3.5 / 5
Oppo Find N5 review: Cameras
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
50MP main camera
8MP ultra-wide camera
50MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom
The OnePlus Open – a.k.a the global version of the Oppo Find N3 – made waves by being the first folding phone to sport a properly flagship-grade camera system – it also had one of the largest camera bumps we’ve ever seen. With the Find N5, Oppo has prioritized a slim build to the point that the camera system has had to be scaled back. The cameras here are still usable, good even, but definitely where the compromises needed to produce the world’s thinnest book-style foldable are most acutely felt.
The Find N5 comes equipped with a 50MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, and 50MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Across the board, we see a reduction in resolution compared to the previous generation, though the main and telephoto cameras have larger sensors (Oppo hasn’t shared the sensor size for the ultra-wide). This translates to brighter images at the cost of a bit of granular detail. The main camera is decent and reliable, producing expressive photos in daylight and holding its own in darker environments too. The reach and depth of field offered by the 3x telephoto camera is especially impressive, while the 8MP ultra-wide is a mystifyingly low-spec choice that is hard to get good images from.
Next to the OnePlus Open (left), the Oppo Find N5 has a visibly smaller camera system - but this comes at the cost of some performance. (Image credit: Jamie Richards Future)
The Find N5 also sports two identical selfie cameras – one punch-holed into each display – and they’re simply below par. Both are stuck at a measly 8MP and produce low-detail, low-contrast images. As the Find N5 is a folding phone, you can of course take selfies with the main camera, using the cover screen as a viewfinder, but that’s not really a replacement for a decent selfie camera – especially if you’re trying to be subtle.
As for the actual photography experience, the folding form factor allows for a lot of freedom with how you take your pics and videos. The inner screen works incredibly well as a massive viewfinder, and you can use the lower half of the screen as a gallery while shooting. Equally, the phone is slim enough that taking photos with the screen folded is just as pleasant. As for video, the phone maxes out at 4K 60fps.
The high-end cameras common to today’s flagship phones require a certain amount of physical space, which Oppo may have been unable to accommodate in such a slim frame. Alternatively, designing such a slim phone might have just been too expensive a process to make a better camera system cost effective. Either way, I respect that making the world's thinnest folding phone comes with some compromises, and the Find N5 can still take great photos – but this camera system is a noticeable backwards step.
Camera score: 3 / 5
Oppo Find N5 Camera Samples
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Oppo Find N5 review: Performance
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
Snapdragon 8 Elite (7-core variant)
16GB of RAM
512GB of storage
Oppo wasn’t messing around when it decided on the internal specs of the Find N5. This is a seriously powerful phone equipped with the latest mobile hardware and a massive amount of memory. There’s only one configuration to choose from, but with specs like these, you’re very unlikely to be disappointed.
Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, the Find N5 has more than enough hardware power to handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. The phone flew through day-to-day tasks and sessions of Call of Duty Mobile with no fuss, only warming slightly during the most intense multitasking.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset found within the Find N5 is the lower-powered 7-core variant, but you wouldn’t notice it in normal use. The large screen, responsive UI, and powerful internals come together to provide a consistently excellent experience.
However, I did encounter some glitchy behavior during my testing period. On one occasion, the phone fully locked up when switching between the cover and inner screen, which required a restart. Other times, apps would become unresponsive due to a change in aspect ratio or switching screens. Some of this will be for app developers to sort out, and Android 16 should bring features that force developers to make apps that deal better with changing aspect ratios, but it’s still something to be aware of.
Overall, despite a few hiccups, you should find that the Find N5 flies through whatever you throw at it, with enough storage to last years of normal use and enough memory to keep up as applications and AI get more complex. It's the first folding phone I've seen that I'd consider a genuine productivity tool.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Oppo Find N5 review: Battery
(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)
5,600mAh silicon-carbon battery
80W wired charging
50W wireless charging
It’s generally accepted that folding phones will have a shorter battery life than their candy-bar counterparts, due to the use of inefficient split battery cells, and the increased power draw of a large inner screen. With the Find N5, Oppo has made every effort to counteract this trend, but there’s only so much that can be done within the bounds of folding phone design.
With a – say it with me – class-leading battery capacity of 5,600mAh, the Find N5 can make it through a day of mixed use without having to think too much about charging. That battery is larger than the cells found in either the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and I found myself not really worrying about charging overnight or to 100% before leaving the house. That’s partly thanks to the adoption of silicon-carbon battery technology, which allows for a much higher power density. If you do get down to 1%, the phone enters an ultra-low power mode that keeps essential functions active until you can top up.
Charging is really no chore, as the Find N5 supports some truly rapid charging speeds. The phone supports up to 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging over Oppo’s proprietary AirVOOC standard. That’s excellent, not just for a folding phone but for a smart device in general – there are laptops that don’t support charging this fast. Oppo quotes a 50-minute charge time from 0-100%, but I found this took around 45 minutes with an Oppo 80W charger.
I did notice the battery draining a touch faster than on modern slab flagships, but then again I also noticed an improvement versus the OnePlus Open. Relative to other folding phones, this is a winner, but compared to slab phones there’s still a little catching up to do.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Oppo Find N5
Buy it if...
You want the thinnest folding phone
The Oppo Find N5 is only beaten by the tri-fold Huawei Mate XT when it comes to thinness, and while we wait for the latter device to come to global markets the Find N5 reigns as the thinnest foldable money can buy. This is a futuristic piece of tech that feels very much ahead of the curve design wise.
You want a powerful mobile device
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM, the Oppo Find N5 takes on everything you throw at it with ease. The inner screen is great for multitasking, and games run very well so long as they support the squarer aspect ratio. You won't be left wanting for hardware power.
You want two great displays
The Oppo Find N5 stuns with both its cover screen and large folding display. Not only are these the biggest screens found on any book-style folding phone, they're bright, sharp, and rich with color and contrast, making the phone a winning choice for viewing videos, movies, and photos.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best cameras
The cameras on folding phones are rarely up to the standard of their slab phone counterparts, but the Find N5 takes another step back in the photography department to attain its slim profile. These cameras are fine, but nothing to write home about.
You want something familiar
I'm a big fan of Oppo's ColorOS Android wrapper, but for users who are more accustomed to Samsung or Google phones there may be a bit of a learning curve. Ironically, the amount of, ahem, inspiration Oppo takes from iOS may make jumping ship from iPhone a touch easier.
Oppo Find N5 review: Also consider
OnePlus Open
The OnePlus Open is still on sale from OnePlus directly, as well as select third-party retailers and networks. As mentioned, this is the Find N3 in all but name. Since OnePlus isn't releasing its own foldable this year, this is the closest you'll get to the Find N5 in the US.
Though the Find N5 bests the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in many ways, there's a reason so many people choose Samsung's iconic foldable over the competition. Great cameras, familiar software, and integration with the Samsung ecosystem make this phone a compelling choice.
Want a beautiful, powerful Oppo phone with none of this folding malarkey? Get the Oppo Find X8 Pro and enjoy one of the best camera phones ever produced.
I used the Oppo Find N5 as my main smartphone for a period of one week, putting it through daily use cases like watching videos, listening to music, scrolling through social media, and reading articles, as well as more intentional tests like gaming sessions and timed charging. The model I tested came in the white color option and came with the standard 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Using the Find N5 as my daily driver over a week or so also gave me a sense of how useful or annoying the positive and negative attributes of the Find N5 are, particularly how the phone holds up ergonomically over time. I then applied my broad knowledge of the smartphone market and journalistic training to assess the performance and value of the Find N5.
For more on our smartphone testing process, be sure to take a look at how we test phones for review.
Gimbals have gone from dedicated filmmaking accessories to must-have tools in the arsenal of every content creator. DJI is almost single-handedly responsible for that, bringing stabilized video to the masses with its range of accessible smartphone gimbals and camera gimbals. The RS 4 Mini is the latest addition to that line-up and – based on my experience – it’s the best DJI gimbal to date for YouTube and Instagram videographers.
One look at DJI’s description of the RS 4 Mini confirms that this is a gimbal targeted at content creators. Its spec sheet reads like an influencer’s wish list: it supports vertical shooting; it works with both cameras and smartphones (using the optional Mini Phone Holder); and the new Intelligent Tracking Module enables automatic face tracking to keep solo videographers in the frame.
Beyond those headline additions, you also get a raft of improvements that make it a much more complete gimbal than the RS 3 Mini. In physical terms, it borrows a number of premium features from DJI’s flagship RS4 gimbal. That includes automatic axis locks which unlock seamlessly when the gimbal powers on, as well as physical switches for gimbal and joystick modes, plus a fine-tuning knob for balancing the camera mounting plate.
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All of these tweaks improve a hands-on experience which was already solid. You get the same 1.4-inch color touchscreen, which is as responsive to swipe inputs here as it was before. There’s also a comfortably positioned trigger and front scroll wheel, which can be used to control one of several functions on a connected camera. (Note that the multi-camera control cable bundled with the RS 4 Mini is a USB-C number. For certain models, including the Sony A7S III I shot with, a different cable is required.)
The RS 4 Mini matches the high production standard of any recent DJI product, with a robustness to the build that suggests it’ll be shooting with you for many years to come. That’s despite weighing just a smidge more than the RS 3 Mini at only 890g. It packs down just as tidily too, measuring 236 × 64 × 316mm in folded form (versus 195 x 98 x 323mm for the RS 3 Mini).
Setup still starts with balancing the axes, which is an unfortunate necessity with any gimbal. Instruction videos in the Ronin app do make this as painless as possible and the upgrade to Teflon interlayers means the RS 4 Mini’s arms slide more smoothly through the brackets. They can still be a bit grippy when trying to find the sweet spot with a heavier camera though.
This only really becomes frustrating when you want to switch from horizontal to vertical shooting, because you’ll need to rebalance the axes each time. Still, that switch has been made simpler with the RS 4 Mini: you no longer need to remove the camera from the mounting plate. Instead, you loosen and press a knob, allowing you to detach and remount the plate vertically with the camera still in place. Clearances are quite tight in this orientation, mind.
As above, the DJI RS 4 Mini can also be used to stabilize smartphones with the optional Mini Phone Holder. This simply slots into place on the mounting plate. Its performance capabilities mean the RS 4 Mini is overkill if you only shoot content on mobile, but the option adds welcome flexibility for those who work across multiple devices.
Other improvements also proved welcome in practise. The built-in battery still isn’t removable, but it is bigger at 3,100mAh. The claimed maximum of 13 hours (up from 10 hours) is based on the gimbal being stationary, which isn’t reflective of real-world usage for most users. In testing, we averaged around half of that, which is still better than the RS 3 Mini. Arguably more important is the fact that DJI has shaved an hour off the recharge time, bringing it down to 1.5 hours. That reduction means you can get back to shooting more quickly.
Despite its Mini moniker, the gimbal’s maximum payload is an enthusiast-friendly 2kg, which means it can handle a full-frame mirrorless camera body attached to a relatively weighty lens. Fully loaded, its shorter handle does offer less ergonomic support than the RS4 or RS4 Pro. In testing, I found the redesigned RS Briefcase Handle a help here: lighter and smaller than the previous version, it mounts to the side of the gimbal and adjusts to different angles, giving your supporting hand something to grip.
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(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
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(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
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(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
In performance terms, the RS 4 Mini has the chops to compete with pricier gimbals. It should come as no surprise that stabilization is simply superlative, thanks to DJI’s 4th-gen algorithm – the same one used by the RS4 and RS4 Pro. It effortlessly smooths out motion across all three axes, even when you’re walking along with your subject. Movements from carrying a camera by hand are almost entirely eliminated in the resulting footage.
Controlling a gimbal can be a bit of an art form, but the RS 4 Mini smoothes the learning curve. Its joystick makes panning and tilting a fluid experience, while a new ‘Responsive’ follow mode reacts more rapidly to hand movements when circling a subject. Fire up the Ronin app and you’ll also find the option to use your smartphone as a virtual joystick via Bluetooth, plus creative modes for shooting panoramas, timelapses and more. You’ll be hard-pushed to find a more intuitive gimbal.
Nowhere is that more evident than with the RS 4 Mini’s party trick: subject tracking. The key to this is the optional Intelligent Tracking Module, which attaches magnetically to the top of the mounting arm. Fronted by a small camera lens, it uses AI to detect faces and deploys the gimbal’s motors to track them.
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(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
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(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
The effectiveness of this tool can’t be overstated. For filmmakers, it allows you to move around a subject without having to manually pan and tilt to keep them centered in the frame. It’s also a boon for content creators working alone. With the RS 4 Mini stood on its tripod base, users can move around the camera and it will follow their face through a full 360-degree horizontal arc.
These dual uses are reflected in the ways you can enable ActiveTrack. The first is with a single press of the trigger (there needs to be a face in the frame for this to work, which it took me a while to figure out). The second is by using gesture controls: stand in front of the RS 4 Mini and you can throw up the relevant hand signal to start or stop tracking, as well as recording. When the mode is active, a ring light around the Module’s lens turns from red to green (this can be disabled if the situation demands subtlety).
This feature is a lot less gimmicky than it might sound. I can see influencers, content creators and would-be presenters using gesture activation to easily control the tracking feature from afar. Not least because the feature proved incredibly reliable in testing, never once missing a signal.
ActiveTrack proved no less consistent, locking on to faces with remarkable accuracy. That makes sense, given that DJI has been perfecting the system on its drones and pocket gimbals for years. Its application here is game-changing because it allows you to use the tracking tech with any camera or smartphone that can sit on the gimbal.
Add up the RS 4 Mini's features and you're looking at a compact gimbal which can keep you automatically framed in stabilized high-res video shot vertically on a full-frame camera. When you consider that it costs the same as the RS 3 Mini did at launch – and not too much more with the Intelligent Tracking Module factored in – that makes the RS 4 Mini a strong contender for the best-value camera gimbal you can buy right now.
DJI RS 4 Mini review: Price and Availability
The RS 4 Mini can be used to stabilize cameras and smartphones, with an optional tracking module for game-changing subject tracking features. (Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Released on February 20, 2025
Standard DJI RS 4 Mini priced at $369 / £339 / AU$539
DJI announced the RS 4 Mini on February 20, 2025. The gimbal is available to order now, priced at $369 / £339 / AU$539. That’s identical to what the RS 3 Mini cost when it went on sale in January 2023, which we think represents good value, given its upgrades and performance. The standard kit includes the following components:
DJI RS 4 Mini gimbal
Quick-release mounting plate
RS 4 Mini tripod base
Multi-camera control cable (USB-C)
Charging cable (USB-C)
Screw kit
The DJI RS 4 Mini is also available as a Combo kit, which additionally includes the RS Intelligent Tracking Module for AI-powered subject tracking, as well as the new RS 4 Mini Briefcase Handle, which serves as an adjustable second grip. The Combo kit costs $459 / £419 / AU$659.
It’s worth noting that the Intelligent Tracking Module is also available to buy separately, meaning users can upgrade their shooting setup down the line. It’s priced at $69 / £59 / AU$99. Given its impressive tracking capabilities, we think most users will want to equip their RS 4 Mini with the optional module.
Also available as a standalone accessory is the DJI RS 4 Mini Phone Holder, which allows users to attach a smartphone to the gimbal’s mount. While the DJI Osmo Mobile 7/7P is a more natural fit for content creators who only shoot with a smartphone, the holder gives owners of the RS 4 Mini the flexibility to use it with both a camera and a mobile device.
DJI RS 4 Mini review: specs
DJI RS 4 Mini review: Also Consider
DJI RS 3 Mini
The previous generation of DJI’s compact camera gimbal is still a capable tool. It doesn't support the Intelligent Tracking Module and lacks some features offered by the RS 4 Mini, such as automatic axis locks and mode switches. That said, it still supports vertical shooting and offers impressive stabilization. What's more, it can now be found at a discounted price.
DJI RS4
A professional-grade gimbal with a 3kg maximum payload, the RS4 is a step up from the RS 4 Mini. It’s relatively lightweight, easy to set up and supports a range of accessories. If you’re serious about video and don’t need the portability of the RS 4 Mini, this could be your gimbal. It is heavier and more expensive, though.
You want automatic subject tracking Equipped with an Intelligent Tracking Module, the RS 4 Mini can automatically track faces and keep subjects in the frame – ideal for solo content creators.
You want a portable yet powerful gimbal Well-built yet lightweight at 890g, the RS 4 Mini packs pro-grade features from DJI’s premium gimbals into a package that’s relatively travel friendly.
You appreciate satisfying design Automatic axis locks, a fine-tuning knob and a single plate for vertical and horizontal shooting make the DJI RS 4 Mini a tidy bit of kit.
Don't buy it if...
You only shoot with a smartphone The RS 4 Mini offers the flexibility to shoot with a smartphone or camera, but the Osmo Mobile 7P is better value for mobile-only creators.
You shoot with heavyweight kit With a maxium payload of 2kg, the RS 4 Mini can handle full-frame cameras, but heavier bodies and lenses need the RS 4 Pro.
You won’t use Intelligent Tracking While the RS 4 Mini offers plenty of improvements, the main addition is Intelligent Tracking. Without it, the RS 3 Mini might save you money.
How I tested the DJI RS 4 Mini
I tested the DJI RS 4 Mini gimbal for a fortnight
I used it with a Sony A7S III, Nikon D7100 and iPhone 12
I shot with it handheld and stood on its tripod base
DJI supplied me with a sample unit of the RS 4 Mini gimbal for this review, along with the Intelligent Tracking Module, the Mini Briefcase Handle and the Mini Phone Holder.
Over the course of a fortnight, I tested the gimbal and its full complement of accessories. I primarily shot with a Sony A7S III attached to the quick-release plate, paired with an FE 28-70mm F2 GM lens. That combination sat towards the upper end of the RS 4 Mini’s payload capacity, hitting the scales at close to 1.7kg.
To see how the RS 4 Mini performed as a smartphone gimbal, I used it with my iPhone 12 mounted in the Mini Phone Holder. That same phone was paired with the gimbal using a pre-release version of the Ronin app.
And because I had it to hand, I also mounted my Nikon D7100 to the gimbal with a 50mm prime lens, simply to see how well its subject tracking worked with a legacy DSLR model.
I spent several hours shooting handheld with the RS 4 Mini. I attached the optional Mini Briefcase Handle for some of this period, to understand how the grip improved handling with weightier cameras.
I also shot with the RS 4 Mini on its tripod base, primarily to test the effectiveness of its Intelligent Tracking Module for solo content creators. I used gesture controls to control the gimbal in my living room.
I test a lot of cameras and lenses for TechRadar, and I regularly write about DJI. I’ve also tested the DJI RSC 2 in the past, so I’m well-placed to review the RS 4 Mini.
