The Lenovo ThinkPad Lineup has been tried and true for generations of laptop variants, all scoring fairly well in reliability, durability, features vs. price, and all-day usability. The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 is a big jump for Lenovo, putting a convertible form factor into their popular T-series lineup and risking cannibalization of their X-Series lineup. But, before we get there, let's dive into this laptop and how it performs on its own, without considering other devices.
The ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 is a 14-inch laptop with a screen that can flip all the way around, converting the standard laptop shape into a more traditional tablet shape, all while running the same version of Windows 11. Additionally, this device supports Yoga Pen compatibility, providing another input option if you want to draw, mark up documents, sign contracts, or edit in other ways.
This computer has an Intel Core Ultra 200U series processor, also known as Arrow Lake, balancing performance and efficiency pretty well for this size machine. It’s worth noting that the Lunar Lake variants, unlike the Arrow Lake, are usually a bit more powerful, but for this model, the Arrow Lake is used to balance power to increase battery life. That alone says a lot about the device's intentionality and how it was designed to be used.
This is not designed as a powerhouse; it’s not meant to be the one machine to rule them all, and it’s not trying to break records with its performance. It’s trying to give a good experience when it comes to power, give you plenty for what you will probably actually need in your day-to-day life, all while giving you enough battery, which, if you’re getting a laptop, not a desktop, you probably really care about. As a niche device, it's unlikely to feature in our best business laptop round-up, where the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 stands out as the top 2-in-1 device.
However, this machine is built for those who need laptop functionality, with the added value of being able to mark up documents, photos, or other files. It’s built for people who redline a lot of documents and sign a lot of contracts, but it’s also for those who just need a tried-and-true 14-inch laptop with a few tricks up its sleeve. It’s not trying to be the most powerful machine, nor the most lightweight, it’s not trying to be the most brilliant display, or the best battery life ever. What it’s trying to do is give you a good amount of everything, all while staying at a decent price range.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 starts from $1345 / £1830, available from both Lenovo US and Lenovo UK, as well as many online retailers.
There are, of course, options to buy from other retailers as well if you want to. The model I have reached is just over $2,000 and features an Intel Core i7 265U, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD Storage. For this review, I also have the Yoga Pen, which is an optional accessory and comes with some packages.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Unboxing and First Impressions
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
If you’ve unboxed one Lenovo ThinkPad, you’ve unboxed them all, at least up until this point. The vast majority of ThinkPads use near-identical packaging. This one has a matte-black box, minimal branding, and recyclable cardboard inserts. Personally, I’m thrilled to see less and less Styrofoam. Not sure if it’s my musical background that hates the sound or something else in me that hates the way it squeaks, but regardless of the reason, I am thrilled to see more cardboard.
Within the packaging is the ThinkPad, the charging brick, the USB-C Cable, documentation, and then the pen came separately. One thing that took a second to get used to, as an avid iPad user, is that this pen needed to be recharged via USB-C, I guess much like the entry-level Apple Pencil. Not a huge downside since the battery lasts for a while and recharges quickly, but worth noting.
Right off the bat, the build quality and aesthetic of the ThinkPad shine through. The now-standard business professional look, the standout ThinkPad badging, and the little red light. Once you open the machine, the keyboard has a bright red touchpoint in the middle, along with the physical trackpad buttons for clicking.
Of course, with any 2-in-1 device, one of the first things I try is the hinge. This one feels very sturdy, no wobble or weak spots, it feels like it was, obviously, meant to do this, and do it a thousand more times and beyond. I didn’t have any worries about the build quality or the hinge's longevity, unlike other 2-in-1s I’ve seen that have the hinge snap after just mild use.
All in all, the laptop's first impression was solid. It feels good, it looks good, it works… good…. It operates in a really positive manner, and it feels like something that could handle the daily grind as a daily driver.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
ThinkPads have always been known for their reliability. Believe it or not, I’ve been off of social media for the last 5+ years. What I do have is YouTube though, and I’ve now seen on my algorithm (as nerdy and niche as it probably is) people who are restoring old and dated ThinkPads with simply a new battery after the old ones were left plugged in for literally years and maybe adding some storage and sending them back out the door as fully functional devices for another few years. That’s wild. The hardware holds up, the keyboards stay snappy, the hinge holds strong, and the style, thanks to Lenovo keeping it simple, has stayed intact. Not many companies can say that. Some can, but not a lot.
Adding a 360-hinge to this tier of ThinkPads makes sense, especially because, with how Lenovo does it, you could never use these devices in tablet mode without feeling like you’re getting a partial laptop experience. Nay, rather, Lenovo makes it a simple value-add, not a form-factor change or compromise. With some devices, you can tell it’s a 2-in-1 because there are compromises in how a “real” laptop functions, but with the ThinkPads, whether they are 2-in-1 or not, they all function at the same level — and that’s impressive.
Moving on, the Lenovo Yoga Pen, which works with this ThinkPad, magnetically attaches to the side of the display, not the top or bottom. At first I wondered why they chose that placement, and then a mere moment later as I was testing tablet and tent mode, I realized that if the pen was at the top then it would have to be removed, or get knocked off, if used in tent mode, and Lenovo probably is a bit smarter than I am, so they thought ahead and chose to put it on the right side of the display.
When it comes to ports, I am genuinely shocked at what they can fit in these machines. There is barely enough thickness, yet Lenovo says “hold my adapter” and squeezes in a full-size HDMI port, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, an optional Nano SIM, and an optional Smartcard reader. For this size laptop, that still blows my mind.
For those of you who maybe don’t treat your laptop like a newborn baby, you’ll be pleased to see the MIL-STD-810H, which ensures that your laptop can withstand all sorts of treacherous things you may allow to happen. Though I’ll still always suggest a good laptop bag from any number of spectacular companies like Nomatic, TimBuk2, Bellroy, Troubadour, or Airback, to name a few of my favorites.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
I’ve got a fleet of laptops that I rotate. As I’ve said in past reviews, I usually carry two laptops, my iPad mini, and rotate between one to four workstations throughout any given day. I have 8 backpacks that I actively rotate through, and a team that helps me run extended tests to ensure longevity and multi-use cases. This laptop has been in my bag pretty frequently and has been good to great to use, depending on how you look at it.
If you look at this laptop compared to other devices in the ThinkPad line-up, I am admittedly a bit confused about why you’d choose this laptop over the X1 2-in-1 Gen 10. Unless, of course, you desire the longer-lasting battery and you care less about the higher-resolution display and more about either saving that money or putting it back into the machine for a higher-grade chip, RAM, or storage.
If you’re in that camp, then this, on its own, is a great device. On the basis of being a business professional machine that doesn’t need a high-end display, this laptop is flexible, durable, reliable, powerful, has a great battery, looks great, supports touch input, and has great ports.
I’ve taken this machine into meetings with me, where there are elements I can’t or don’t want to type out, so I whip out the Yoga Pen and jot down or sketch what is being described. I’ve used this to sign contracts, I’ve used it to edit some of my own writing and others, marking it up with “red ink” and sending it back, I’ve also used this as a great way to draw out ideas for a project I am working on where we are remodeling an area of an office and we wanted to get on the same page for design. I will say, this display is only 60Hz, so don’t expect a brilliant experience that’s just like pen and paper with this, but it will get the job done for basic tasks in the moment without having to grab another device or even worse, actual paper (ha!).
Beyond its uses as a Yoga Pen, this laptop has been incredibly comfortable to type on for long periods. The trackpad is responsive and easy to get used to. I still personally have to remind myself to use the touchpoint, but when I do, I am always pleased with how easy it is.
Yes, the display isn’t the best, but for professional business use, plenty of people still use 1080p in the real world, and this display works great for them.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s 2-in-1 Gen 1 marks a solid debut for the T Series convertible lineup. It balances Arrow Lake efficiency with all-day battery life, ThinkPad durability, and genuine pen input versatility. The user-replaceable battery and MIL-STD-810H certification make it a smart long-term investment for mobile professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing reliability. While the Full-HD display and 60Hz refresh won't wow creative pros, business users prioritizing portability, battery life, and that iconic ThinkPad keyboard will find this to be a capable, dependable companion.
The Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q is a 27-inch QHD IPS monitor with a 2560x1440 resolution, built for professionals who need a workstation, especially if that workstation is enterprise-managed. While the panel itself is nothing incredible, what is impressive is it’s utilitarian nature, with it’s integrated USB-C hub, the first USB-A facing up for probably a Webcam that I have ever seen, easy daisy chaining, a very functional base and stand, and the ability to have this panel enterprise managed so it can be up to date with firmware, downtime, uptime and more.
This is the first monitor I’ve seen that unashamedly focuses on getting the business owner's or the IT procurer’s attention, rather than the user's. As someone who fills that role at a company right now, if we had Windows machines, or better yet, if we had Lenovo laptops, which a lot of corporate businesses do, this becomes a near no-brainer for 95%+ of the staff. It allows for easy hot desking and remote management of devices, so you don’t even have to set foot on that floor or even in that building to service them, and the reliability is spectacular.
On paper, if you’re comparing this to displays featured in our best business monitors round-up, it’s not the most graphically brilliant, but Lenovo knows not everyone needs the best of the best, especially when the price tag is usually too high to bear. They’d rather dazzle in other areas, one of which is a reasonable hit to the wallet. Especially if buying in bulk.
Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: Price and availability
The ThinkVision P27Q-40 is widely available from online retailers, as well as Lenovo's own website.
Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: Unboxing and First Impressions
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
First impressions of this monitor were really simple. The unboxing was simple; there’s nothing flashy or glitzy. I did notice the unique cutout in the baseplate right away, but once I got everything set up, I got used to it pretty quickly. I will say that if you’re used to a standard monitor with all ports facing down, you’ll be confused, like I was. it took me looking a third time to notice the USB-C ports on the side, and it took me looking at the promotional tools for this panel to notice the USB-A under a rubber grommet on the top of the monitor. But once you find those, you realize just what the focus of this display is.
A few more quick things to mention: the bezels are pretty thin, the assembly was super easy, and the monitor comes with a generous amount of cables to kit out your new display. I only have one of these displays, but after looking through the documentation and finding that this has a USB-A on top, I noticed the big push for daisy chaining too, which a lot of ThinkPads offer, so it makes sense that Lenovo would push it for this display.
But I want to take a second to make sure you know how big of a deal that is. With one cable, you can plug into multiple monitors without a dock. You can sit at a hot desk or at your desk, plug in one cable, and connect to your display, charge your laptop, add another display, a webcam, and more. No docks, no special plugs or devices for your IT pro to manage. Just the monitor.
I also noticed, very quickly and obviously, that this is a very “ThinkPad” style of monitor. It has the same matted black finish, with subtle red accents and minimal Lenovo branding. There are sharp yet softened edges, no fluff, just a business-ready machine or display at your service.
Continuing with Lenovo, that’s said in the best way: Lenovo has made its name for having a professional look for a reason. They don’t stray and create wild new designs for every new model because that’s not their goal. Their goal isn’t to chase the next, best, or upcoming things; it’s to take what is working, make it better, and ensure reliability across the board. They do that with their laptops and their monitors.
As I mentioned, the bezel is minimal, making pairing with a second P27Q-40 really easy. And because there's no loud branding or large chin, you can easily pair this with another display in any orientation, not just two side by side. You could drop one in portrait, in one of my favorite setups: a center landscape with a portrait to the right of the center display. To make an arrangement like this, Lenovo allows its stand to rotate 90 degrees or even -90 degrees, which I don’t believe I have seen very often.
Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
I’ve had this panel in my suite of monitors for the last 106 days at the time of writing this sentence. It’s been used for research, writing, virtual meetings, watching Dude Perfect and Bluey, playing background music in shots, project management, and as a secondary monitor for another monitor. It’s all done well.
Now, I will caveat that this is not a 4K display, so of course, it’s not as brilliant a panel as some of the 6K panels I am currently testing. But I bet if you showed up at a Fortune 500 company or a corporate office complex and asked the average employee whether they even needed 4K, most wouldn’t be able to answer, or would answer no. Unless they are in the tech space, care deeply about visuals and graphics, work in the creative space, or have another reason, most do not need or care about a full 4K resolution, so why spend the money?
I learned this lesson the hard way a few years ago when I built a co-working hot-desk space for a business I work with. I built 6 spectacular hot-desking workstations, each with dual 4K monitors set up in different orientations, hidden DisplayLink and Thunderbolt Docking stations so they looked integrated and would work with any laptop, and a single USB-C connection to run the whole deal. It was glorious. Now, a few years later, of the 20 or so staff that could use those spaces, exactly 2 even take advantage of the 4K resolution; everyone else has everything so blown up it’s not even worth having a 4K panel for them.
All that to say, a QHD panel is plenty clear and good enough for the average employee, even in 2026, especially with the advanced features the ThinkVision P27Q-40 offers. In my experience using it, I had no trouble with spreadsheets, project management, checking email, writing, sitting in a virtual meeting, plugging in and charging while running the display from my machine, and even twisting the base to get it situated just right.
Lastly, I like to think that I have a pretty good eye for monitors. And while I can’t always tell the difference between lower and higher refresh rates, your eyes will thank you. High refresh rates aren’t just for gamers and video editors. A high refresh rate makes for a smoother experience for your eyes, and if your eyes are more comfortable, you can get more done more quickly, allowing you to step away without exhausted, painful eyes. The Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40 seeks to do exactly that: offer eye relief without charging a fortune in upfront or ongoing costs, by using a variable display to conserve power.
Lenovo ThinkVision P27Q-40: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
This is the monitor that the IT pros would choose for the co-working spaces that they support. It would be a monitor that a finance team member would choose. It’s the kind of monitor that makes business sense.
True, it’s not the flashiest, but that's by design. Instead of wowing you with shiny features, it earns your trust and respect by showing up day after day and performing the way it should. It has enough features to make it worth grabbing in 2026, and a price tag that makes it reasonable to, even in mass.
If you’re a video editor, a photo editor, a professional gamer, or a person who needs 4K or above, then this is not your monitor. There are plenty to choose from. But if you just need a monitor that will get the job done, provide reliable connections, and make asset management easy, you should absolutely check this monitor out for your office.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 is unlike the laptops I normally test. While most are trying to be the most powerful, the most impressive spec-wise, or the biggest and best screen, Lenovo chose to make a hyper-portable option that becomes an instant dream come true for those business professionals who don’t need a supercomputer.
Most people in the business world don’t need a machine that is breaking performance records, one they will never come close to using in their daily work. They need something they can bring to their day-to-day work that’s easy and convenient to carry from meeting to meeting, toss in a bag, and get everyday work done. Would more power be nice? Of course. Would it be nice to have a better screen? Yes. But for businesses buying devices for their employees, or for those who want to buy a machine they'll use for work and work alone, that’s just not always worth it; the ROI may not be there.
Thinking back to when I had a corporate job, or even to my friends and family who have corporate jobs, this may just be a spectacular option for them, giving them what they need and want, while staying super lightweight and functional. Compared to other ultra-portables made for professionals, it's unlikely to feature in our round-up of the best business laptops - but there's plenty to like about the laptop otherwise.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 starts at $1,095 / £1112 - and the Intel model is available from both Lenovo US and Lenovo UK right now.
The base model comes with a 256GB SSD, a non-touch display, no fingerprint reader, and a 3-cell rechargeable battery. If I build out as feature-rich as this machine can offer from Lenovo, I get up to $1,829, adding a fingerprint reader, a 1TB SSD, a touchscreen display, a slightly better camera and mic setup, upgraded wireless, and a slightly larger battery.
It's also available from other online retailers.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Unboxing and First Impressions
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 became incredibly impressive from the moment I first unboxed it. It’s hyper-lightweight, as I’ve mentioned, but it’s incredible when you hold it. It’s a full-size machine when it comes to the important things like keyboard size and ports, but outside of that, it’s small, but not too small. Pair that with the lower-resolution display, and things seem to just work.
Sure, on paper, it makes more sense to have a higher-resolution display and better everything, but in practice, this works. I pulled the zoom back from 150% to 125%, and I actually am pretty happy with this setup. It’s a great device to take around, even as a second laptop, due to its size and portability.
Lenovo sent a USB-C charger, which was nice, but I quickly decided to leave it in the box and use one of my Anker power blocks, portable chargers, or UGREEN bricks, along with some nice braided or retractable cables, depending on my setup for the day.
Another thing I was wary of before putting my hands on this machine was the device's quality. I’ve tested and used some lightweight laptops that feel cheap and poorly made. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6, on the other hand, feels well-built, can handle life on the go, and still feels high-quality.
The keyboard features the iconic red Travkpoint at the center of the classic ThinkPad layout everyone knows and loves. Now, that the Trackpoint can even trigger a quick-action menu for select options, making things a bit more practical and helpful.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
This laptop is the epitome of no-nonsense, in the best way. It’s a lightweight, unassuming, powerful, minimal laptop that gets the job done without bragging about it. This is the kind of laptop you grab to rely on, not one you buy to try to impress your boss, coworkers, or direct reports. This is the laptop you grab when you don’t even care what they think, you just care about having a machine that you can depend on and carry with you without even noticing.
Keeping the understated design, the matte black colorway is sleek and professional, with only a slight badge visible at the top. That, plus the red touchpoint, is the only pop of color on this machine, just branding and the touchpoint; everything else is a sleek matte black.
The build quality is exactly as expected. It’s built to last through day-in, day-out use. It’s got a strong chassis, the ability to tilt the display back to 180 degrees, and MIL-STD-810H certification, ensuring the laptop will be protected in environments a tad harsher than a boardroom, a backpack, or even when dropped.
Moving on to a bit more detail on the laptop, this machine has great ports for a full-size, powerful laptop, let alone a thin-line option. It has a standard HDMI, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A port, a smart card reader, and a headphone jack. That’s great even in powerhouse laptop worlds.
The review model here has 16GB of RAM, and so far, for my day-to-day use, running some product review writing in Notion, emails, Slack, and browsing the internet for some product research, this computer has been great and hasn’t slowed down at all. If you do a bit more heavy-duty work than casual use, the 32GB option would be a wiser choice, but if you are pretty light on usage, the 16GB variant may be a better fit.
Battery life is always a big deal in this class of laptop, and so far in my testing, I have seen an average of 9 hours and 12 minutes. The ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 has a 54.7Wh capacity with a rated 10h+ of usage, and I can easily see reaching that if you drop the brightness from 100% to 80% and are smart about what you have running at once. Unlike more powerful laptops, there is a good chance that if you are grabbing this laptop, you are on the go regularly and not docking it to one of our favorite Thunderbolt docks, which would keep you charged.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
I’ve had this computer in my arsenal for a few months now. I’ve regularly used it to check email, write my own review, and read a few other reviews. I grabbed it to jump into a quick meeting, and it’s been super easy to double up with the other laptop I need to carry with me in my day-to-day in “the real world.”
In my experience, it boots quickly and launches apps quickly; video calls are stable, though the camera is nothing groundbreaking. The audio is surprisingly clear, even though I still prefer headphones for any meeting that matters.
The screen is good enough for day-to-day use. Yes, I am well aware that it is nowhere near 4K, but for the day-to-day business work I’ve been doing, I have been okay with it, making it a reasonable trade-off. Don’t get me wrong: you clearly notice that it’s not 4K, it's not OLED, and it’s not brilliantly beautiful, but that might just be okay.
If your primary use for this machine is web-browsing, project managing, Slack-answering, email-drafting, word-processing, and or things of that nature, then this machine won’t disappoint — even without the best of the best panel. It’s bright enough to work well in office environments, even in bright ones, though if you’re in an abnormally bright area or facing consistent direct sunlight, it may be difficult for most displays to shine through, including this one.
Part of the reason this machine is so great for keyboard-first tasks is that, quite simply, the keyboard is comfortable. It’s the classic Lenovo keyboard that has grown in popularity for a reason. I’ve been able to sit and knock out a thousand words of writing without any fatigue, frustration, or wishing for a different keyboard, and without any consistent mis-types. On some keyboards, a key is slightly misplaced, the key shape is slightly off, or something else causes me to consistently mistype certain phrases or characters, but with the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 6, I haven’t noticed that at all. The keyboard is consistent, comfortable, full-sized, and easy to use.
The last thing I’ll dive into in this review is the port offering. My personal daily drivers are predominantly USB-C, with an HDMI port, but I still run into a lot of USB-A in my day-to-day life. So, I always have to have a dock, hub, adapter, or dongle with me. Granted, I know that USB-C is now the standard and that USB-A is becoming less popular, but there are still a lot of things I have to edit, update, or work with that are USB-A for now. With this ThinkPad, even though it's so small, I never needed a dongle, an adapter, or anything of the sort, thanks to its impressive port selection. And that adds a layer of usability that doesn’t always fit well on a briefing or a one-pager.
The ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 is great for most. It’s a laptop that, for a wide variety of people, would do exactly what they need it to do, nothing more, for a great price with a great weight, ports, and power.
I found this a computer that is very pleasant to carry in a bag or around the house or office, make sure you check out the ThinkPad X13 Gen 6.
If you need a high-end screen, this won't be the right laptop for you, but if you’re okay with a 1080p display and a keenly priced business machine, then it's worth a look.
TP-Link has successfully sold the Omada branding to those who work with information systems each day as a byword for strategic thinking.
With managed network hardware that IT people can monitor and configure across multiple locations, equipment in this range has been understandably popular.
Not long ago, I reviewed one of the L2+ switches, the SG3428XMPP, which had two blocks of 1GbE RJ45 outlets, with eight utilising the PoE++ standard, which provides up to 90W of power per port, and sixteen PoE+ ports with a 30W budget per port.
The Omada SG3218XP-M2 is an L3 design, has only 16 Ethernet ports in total, but eight are PoE+ 2.5GbE ports, while the others are 2.5GbE LAN (non-PoE) ports.
Given the increasing demand for Ethernet bandwidth and TP-Link's own Access Points using the 2.5GbE PoE standard, this switch seems a highly appropriate inclusion in the Omada range.
Like the SG3428XMPP, this switch still has 240W of power to distribute over PoE, which is 30W per port. And, it ticks all the boxes in Enterprise networking bingo, with Zero-Touch provisioning, centralised Cloud management and AI-driven monitoring.
For those already using the TP-Link Omada management solution, the SG3218XP-M2 provides a drop-in solution which links via two 10Gbps SFP+ to a network backbone, adding enough high-speed PoE for eight WiFi 7 access points or HD security cameras.
As we move away from the 1GbE LAN, the SG3218XP-M2 is a stepping stone in the right direction, and at around $370 in the US, the return on investment is easy to justify.
Depending on your specific needs, this could be the best network switch around - and it's not expensive to deploy and manage these.
Omada SG3218XP-M2: Price and availability
How much does it cost? $370/£430
When is it out? Available globally
Where can you get it? Direct from a TP-Link, a retail partner or via an online retailer
You can buy the Omada SG3218XP-M2 directly from TP-Link or via online retailers.
If bought through Amazon or directly from TP-Link, the US price on Amazon is $369.99, and the UK price on Amazon.co.uk is £435.40.
Quite why this hardware is so much cheaper in the USA, I’ve no idea, but it is.
If this is the first Omada switch you’ve bought, I’d strongly recommend also getting one of the TP-Link dedicated controllers to work alongside it. Although you can use TP-Link’s Cloud controllers, you can also install the controller application on another system.
The OC300 TP-Link Omada Hardware Controller, designed to manage multiple Omada devices, costs £119.99 from Pacetech in the UK and $159.99 from TP-Link for US customers. And, the OC200 is only $79.99 from Amazon.com, and £71.99 from Amazon.co.uk.
Managed PoE switches of this spec usually aren’t cheap, especially from familiar brand names.
Looking at the usual suspects, D-Link doesn’t offer a Layer 3 managed PoE switch yet, sadly. Netgear has the XSM4328CV, a 24x10G/Multi-Gig PoE+ model with four 4xSFP28 25G ports, and the ability to deliver 720W. But given how much more throughput that switch offers, you won’t be surprised to learn it costs over $4000, if you can find one.
At a similar price to the TP-Link, the Cisco Catalyst 1300-16P-2G offers only 1GbE on the 16 ports.
The closest specification switch I found was the Ubiquiti Pro Max 16 PoE, which has 16 ports: 12 1GbE PoE+ and 4 2.5GbE PoE++, and it has the same dual 10G SFP+ ports. It can only distribute 180W of power over its PoE, but it costs only $279.
If you are already using Ubiquiti hardware, then it might suffice, but it’s not ideal for larger installations with lots of Wi-Fi 7 access points.
New products arrive all the time in this slice of the market, but given what others have available, the SG3218XP-M2 seems suitably priced.
With so much switch hardware available from TP-Link, it’s important to first establish where the SG3218XP-M2 fits in the greater scheme of things.
TP-Link currently offers eight levels of switches, ranging from the Campus series to Aggregation, Access Max, Access Pro, Access Plus, Access, Agile, and Unmanaged.
The SG3218XP-M2 fits into the Access Pro tier, where it resides alongside five other designs, some of which feature 48 PoE ports, in addition to the four 10GbE SPF+ ports.
This design takes a step back from the extreme end of these choices, with only eight ports of PoE+, but it does offer those alongside another eight LAN ports, and all sixteen are 2.5GbE.
Compared to the bigger Omada Access Pro products, this switch uses the same robust steel construction but packages it more succinctly. Where the SG3428XPP-M2 is 330mm deep, the SG3218XP-M2 is only 180mm front to back, enabling it to fit easily into a shallow rack.
I discovered that, because it's only 4.29 kg, getting it into a rack is significantly easier, at least compared to an SG3428XMPP that I chose to swap it with.
TP-Link provides adhesive rubber feet if you prefer shelf installs, along with L-plates for rack mounting.
The current Omada switch designs all use fans mounted on the left side, drawing air from vents on the right, and in this case, there are two fans providing sufficient cooling for the system.
The fan speed is controlled by the monitoring hardware in the switch, and its rotational speed changes with the amount of PoE power it's outputting and the amount of data flowing through it. I’ve seen a few people complain that it's noisy, but with the workloads I ran through and the ambient temperature in my office, it was the exact opposite for me.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Where this switch might not be ideal is in those locations that use PoE for significant power distribution, since it’s only PoE+ 30W rated. TP-Link does make PoE++ switches capable of delivering 90W per port, but this switch isn’t suitable for that output level.
However, it can operate on all 16 ports, including the 8 PoE+ ports, at 2.5GbE, making it highly suitable as a backhaul for Wi-Fi access points that support 2.5GbE PoE.
The two 10G SFP+ ports are also invaluable, as they can be used to connect the switch to a 10GbE backbone or to NAS servers.
When TP-Link come to upgrade this switch into its next iteration, I’d recommend they add either two more 10G SFP+ or two 10GbE LAN ports, since the latter are now becoming standard for many of the better NAS platforms.
Overall, I like where the Omada SG3218XP-M2 sits. The mix of PoE and LAN with a 10G SFP+ backbone makes it ideal for small business deployment. Power users can connect to the eight 2.5GbE LAN ports, the PoE devices can get their best speeds from the other PoE ports, and other switches can chain via the SFP+.
My only caveat is that I’d definitely recommend that, along with the budget for the switch, enough money is allocated to include an Omada controller, if you don’t already have one.
Design: 4.5/5
TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2: User experience
Omada management
Encourages localised controller
I’ve talked about the current Omada user experience in other reviews. But from the perspective of a professional IT person (and I was one once), this is a highly refined solution that gives you three options for configuring and managing switches, routers, access points, and the like.
In the context of the Omada SG3218XP-M2, if you already have a controller configured, deployment of the switch is remarkably easy.
The controller can be any computer with the Omada controller software installed, so it doesn’t cost anything to unlock this functionality for those with limited resources. Alternatively, there is an Omada Cloud service, and depending on how you use that, it can range from being free to a monthly subscription.
And my preferred approach is the local Omada controller, a dedicated box that monitors all the Omada hardware on the network and can make immediate decisions should hardware fail in situ.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
it and the broadband router on a UPS, the entire system will remain operational for a period during a power outage, enabling it to send warning messages and also configure the system to maximise battery runtime.
What’s great about the hardware controller is that if you place that and the broadband router on a UPS, the entire system will remain operational for a period during a power outage, enabling it send warning messages out and also configure the system for maximising battery running time.
Even if you use the Cloud version to administer a collection of remote sites, having local hardware controllers has some useful advantages, especially if the internet has a wobble.
For the largest installations, it's possible to create profiles for all Omada switches, access points, and routers, and execute them across the network and via the Cloud on other networks you control.
That makes rolling out new security strategies and VLAN plans easy, and adding a new Wi-Fi SSID will make it propagate across all access points automatically. But it’s important to say that you can make granular changes also, if those are deemed necessary.
User experience: 4/5
TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2: Final verdict
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
If you are considering deploying TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 hardware, like the TP-Link EAP725-Wall, then this is the switch designed to make the most of that technology.
There is little point in investing in Wi-Fi 7 if they connect to the internet via 1GbE, since the backhaul to the network becomes the limiting factor.
The Omada SG3218XP-M2 could easily support a 20GbE broadband connection and distribute it to eight PoE+ Access Points, and still have extra capacity for wired connections.
My only small concern is that just arrived on my desk is the Omada EAP787, and it needs 10GbE PoE++ ideally. That's fine for those who have an SX3832MPP or the POE380S 10GbE POE++ injector to connect it. But the Omada SX3832MPP alone is four times the price of the SG3218XP-M2, so going down that rabbit hole could get expensive.
Unless you’ve been chugging the corporate Koolaid and only do extreme deployments, the SG3218XP-M2 provides something significantly better than the many 1GbE PoE switches; its L3 credentials are excellent, and it slots effortlessly into the Omada controller infrastructure. And, given all its capabilities, the price is highly affordable.
Should I buy a TP-Link Omada SG3218XP-M2?
(Image credit: TP-Link)
Omada SG3218XP-M2 Report card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
For the functionality it has, the price is right
4/5
Design
Solid construction and shallow rack friendly
4.5/5
User Experience
Adds L3 switching and 2.5GbE PoE+ to the Omada ecosystem
4/5
Overall
Perfect for those who want a balanced WiFi 7 installation
4.5/5
Buy it if...
You are deploying WiFi 7 To properly move the amount of data that Wi-Fi 7 access points provide, you need a minimum of a 2.5GbE backbone, and the Omada SG3218XP-M2 delivers that over PoE+. That simplifies the deployment and enhances the Wi-Fi user experience. Without a switch like this, spending on Wi-Fi 7 is largely pointless.
You use a 10GbE backbone With two 10GbE SFP+ ports, it’s easy to integrate this hardware into a switched backbone and implement failover planning to cope with hardware failures.
Don't buy it if...
You want 10GbE PoE++ The best speed this switch offers is 2.5GbE, although the two SFP+ ports do run at 10GbE. There are switches that support 10GbE PoE++, but expect to pay much more for those than this, and you might have to consider a 25GbE backbone, or greater, to handle the traffic.
There’s something slightly familiar about the Chuwi CoreBook Air. Once again, it follows the recent trend of 14-inch Windows laptops offering a premium build with aluminium alloy casing and a solid yet lightweight build. The specification list considering the price is also impressive, with more on offer than you would usually anticipate for a little under £500/$500.
From the outset, there are several features that really appeal. Obviously, the CPU, GPU and memory specifications all prove more than enough to run all productivity apps, but then there’s a good volume of ports. Through the test for normal use, a bit of word processing and browsing the internet, the battery was sufficient for a day's worth of work.
While the specifications hit the mid-range, making it ideal for most office-based tasks, I found that the CoreBook Air had enough to run Blender and CapCut without issue. Although limitations to the ability were pushed with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which did load but was just too jittery to play with any success.
For general use, such as Excel and PowerPoint, the machine was more than capable of handling large documents. What really impressed me was that, despite it only being a 14-inch machine and not a particularly expensive one, the screen clarity was exceptionally good, and the screen surface was able to limit reflections exceptionally well.
One of the other aspects you often find with a cheaper laptop is that it uses a proprietary power supply. However, here, the laptop is supplied with a 65W USB-C charger, which means if you do leave your charger at home, you can more than likely borrow somebody else's. Again, for a laptop of this size to have three USB-C ports, two on one side, one on the other, and a full-size HDMI just gives you even more connectivity options, as well as the ability to plug into other accessories, devices, systems, and drives.
Like some laptops of this type, slim and lightweight, while the quality is exceptionally good and the cooling is better than expected (though the fans do kick in and are audible), the keyboard area and trackpad do feel lightweight and less responsive than I personally like.
Neither the track pad or keyboard feel 100% precise in their mechanics, with the keyboard actuation lacking the satisfying feel of those featured in our guide to the best business laptops. I also found the trackpad wasn’t quite as precise, and you really needed to accurate about your click action in the bottom left. I’d also often mis-click, and the precision that you get with the likes of the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra just isn’t there, but then you could buy four of these laptops for a single unit of that machine, just to put that in context.
However, for a laptop at this price, the fact that it can handle all productivity, web browsing, word processing, light multimedia editing, and a little bit of gaming is impressive. If you’re in the market for a cheap laptop that will see you through the demands of productivity applications for work, and a little bit of media use, as well as downtime playing games and watching multimedia, then this machine should suffice. If you're looking to do heavier media editing or play top-tier games, this might be a little more restrictive, and you’d need to spend a bit more for a bit more power.
Chuwi CoreBook Air: Price and availability
How much does it cost? $479 / £404 RRP
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from Geekom andAmazon.com
At present, the Chuwi CoreBook Air has a UK price of £404 and a US price of $549 and can be purchased directly from the Chuwi US and Chuwi Global websites.
Chuwi is offering TechRadar Pro readers a 13% discount on the purchase price when you use the code TechRadarAir.
Value: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Chuwi CoreBook Air: Specs
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 6600H (6-core/12-thread, up to 4.5GHz) Graphics: AMD Radeon 660M RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 6400MHz Storage: 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD Left Ports: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1 Right Ports: USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 3.5mm audio jack Connectivity: Wi-Fi , Bluetooth Audio: 2W stereo speakers Camera: 2MP with privacy shutter Size: 298 x 221 x 16.3 mm, 1.08 kg OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro Accessories: 65W USB-C PD charger
Chuwi CoreBook Air: Design
The Chuwi CoreBook is a slim, lightweight Windows 11 Pro laptop that has been perfectly designed for portability and mid-range power use, essentially ideal for students, business users, and anyone looking for a home laptop that’s both robust and powerful enough for the entire family. The balance of the CPU and GPU means that it’s great for general use, but if you’re looking for the latest cutting-edge graphics power, then this is a mid-range machine. While powerful, it won’t be able to run some of the more top-tier games or multimedia software, although they will load.
With that in mind, portability is one of its key focuses. At just over 1kg, 1.08 kg, and measuring 298.4 x 221.3 x 16.3 mm, it will fit into almost any backpack or laptop bag without issue. It’s also one of the smallest and lightest laptops out there. The design is very similar in style to the Geekbook X14 Pro, although that had slightly more squared-off corners and a few key differences in the port configurations and, of course, internal workings.
Taking a look around the side of the machine, starting on the left, there’s a full-size HDMI 2.1 TMDS port to easily connect to larger displays or projectors. Next to this are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and these are fully featured, perfect for connecting to ultra-fast external SSDs or delivering power to other devices. On the right-hand side is another USB Type-C (data only), a 3.5mm audio jack, and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port.
Looking around the body, this is pretty much it for ports and buttons, but up on the top edge of the screen, it’s nice to see there’s a sliding camera privacy cover. It’s mechanical, but this is often the best solution; you know you have absolute privacy once that camera is covered.
On the base of the machine, there’s a huge vent panel, and again on the back with very minimalistic profiling. There’s a good amount of venting between the body of the laptop and the hinge for the screen. As the machine really starts to work, especially when playing games, you can feel the warmth filtering up through the gap between the screen and keyboard. As you open the screen, the hinge feels good and secure, showing little loss for everyday use. The keyboard layout and trackpad are of a decent size.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Looking around the body, this is pretty much it for ports and buttons, but up on the top edge of the screen, it’s nice to see there’s a sliding camera privacy cover. It’s mechanical, but this is often the best solution; you know you have absolute privacy once that camera is covered.
On the base of the machine, there’s a huge vent panel, and again on the back with very minimalistic profiling. There’s a good amount of venting between the body of the laptop and the hinge for the screen. As the machine really starts to work, especially when playing games, you can feel the warmth filtering up through the gap between the screen and keyboard.
When you open the screen, the hinge feels good and secure, showing little loss for everyday use. The keyboard layout and trackpad are of a decent size.
Design: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Chuwi CoreBook Air: Features
Looking at the feature set, one of the bigger appeals here is just how small and lightweight this laptop is, just a kilogram. It will easily slip into a laptop bag or backpack without adding too much weight, and with its full aluminium alloy casing, it does feel nice and robust.
Opening up the laptop reveals the 14-inch Full HD screen with 1920 x 1200 resolution. It’s not the highest resolution we’ve seen in this style of laptop, but at this price, it’s all pretty decent and should suffice for day-to-day use. The screen itself is a 14-inch WUXGA display with a 16:10 aspect ratio that offers 315 nits of brightness. In brighter conditions, you might need to shade it a little bit. However, the surface of the screen seems to be of exceptional quality and helps reduce reflections and glare.
Complementing the visuals are dual custom box-tuned speakers that help provide audio—a step up from many speaker systems found on mid-range laptops.
Inside, powering Windows and other applications is an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with 6 cores, 12 threads, and up to 4.5GHz. This is coupled with a Radeon 660M (RDNA2) integrated GPU, which should be more than enough for most mid-range games. It also includes 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of PCIe SSD storage.
Ensuring the laptop has enough power for everyday use, there’s a 55Wh battery, which, while not the largest capacity, will still provide plenty of power for a day’s work, and shouldn’t take too long to charge using the 65W USB-C PD charger, charging up to 60% in just 55 minutes.
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Features: 4 / 5
Chuwi CoreBook Air: Performance
Benchmark scores
CrystalDiskMark Read: 3064.43 CrystalDiskMark Write: 1289.67 Geekbench CPU Multi: 5389 Geekbench CPU Single: 1397 Geekbench GPU: 7734 PCMark Overall: 5850 Cinebench CPU Multi: 8634 Cinebench CPU Single: 1429 Fire Strike Overall: 4492 Fire Strike Graphics: 4851 Fire Strike Physics: 18743 Fire Strike Combined: 1667 Time Spy Overall: 1720 Time Spy Graphics: 1528 Time Spy CPU: 5985 Wild Life Overall: 8748 Steel Nomad Overall: 214 Windows Experience Overall: N/A
Starting out with the Chuwi CoreBook Air is straightforward. Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed, so all you need to do is run through the last few steps to get up and running. When I did this, it took about 15 minutes, signing into Microsoft and Google accounts, and making sure the system was fully updated.
One thing I also had to do was ensure all the AMD graphics drivers had been installed. While the AMD application was pre-installed, the final driver software wasn’t, so that’s something to note if you plan to buy this laptop.
Without those AMD drivers installed, even with the software there, the performance is considerably restricted. But once all updates were done to both Windows 11 Pro and AMD, the uplift was instantly apparent. As I started to load Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, all three applications loaded quickly. Opening documents and presentations, the machine handled them without much issue.
The only thing I’d note is that while Microsoft Word worked fantastically well, Excel and PowerPoint felt a little restricted on the display with that lower resolution. However, since the USB-C ports on the side are fully featured, you can always connect to a 4K display without too many issues, and that 4K resolution is easily supported by this machine.
Using Word to write this review, the speed of the machine was perfect for general work and productivity, and I was easily able to switching between Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Edge. Later, while compiling a PowerPoint presentation for an evening lecture, I was able to gather multimedia content and design the presentation again the laptop was able to handle everything smoothly.
Taking a closer look at PowerPoint, while it’s very usable on the 1920 x 1200 resolution screen, I always prefer more screen space, especially when flicking between slides. Here, connecting to a 4K monitor did help with that process. Although even on the Full HD screen, PowerPoint was very usable, and if you were on a train putting together a presentation, the clarity and brightness of the screen would suffice.
One thing I did note about the screen, aside from the resolution, was screen brightness. Brightness is limited to 350 nits. During the UK winter months, when daylight is at a premium, this isn’t too much of an issue, as most of the time it’s quite dark, and 350 nits is probably more than enough. But on a bright day in the office, with sunlight streaming through the window, that brightness was starting to be challenged. If you are planning to use this outdoors or in well-lit environments, then 350 nits is around the minimum you’d want.
Otherwise, the screen is very good, perfect for productivity, although a little limited when it rolls over into creative applications.
Having experienced decent performance throughout all the Microsoft Office applications, I moved on to some creative tasks, first, loading Adobe Photoshop, which ran surprisingly smoothly. I opened up images from the Sony A7 IV for other reviews, cropping, resizing, and doing some basic image enhancement. Photoshop was more than capable of not only handling those high-resolution image files but also applying effects. Once again, the only drawback was that with a screen of this resolution, the available workspace felt a little limited.
Switching to an application that feels more at home on this screen size, I tried Lightroom, which worked incredibly well. Enhancements and adjustments were applied quickly, and although the screen resolution felt a little low, Lightroom Classic was more than sufficient. Even when it came to bulk exporting adjusted images, the machine had no issue handling the load.
I then moved on to some higher-demand applications, including Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, to test 4K video. It became instantly apparent that this wasn’t going to be possible. While video was rendered on the timeline, as I dragged files across into the timeline in both applications, things began to slow down dramatically. I had to wait for the system to catch up, and the fans kicked in due to the increase in processing.
I retried the process, this time using 1080p footage downscaled in Adobe Media Encoder. Here, the footage was editable, and again I was impressed with the performance. while, the fans did kick in to help keep things cool, editing a relatively complex five-minute video was manageable. Switching to a less processor-intensive app like CapCut might be a good idea for light editing.
After modest results with video editing, I switched over to a little bit of gaming, loading Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. I had to reduce all settings right down to the lowest and even drop from Full HD to 720p. Still, the game was jittery and not a great experience, despite it technically being able to run.
I then tried Red Dead Redemption 2, and again saw similar issues with scaling and choppy graphics. So really, if you’re looking to play the latest games, while the Radeon 660M integrated GPU is quite good for multimedia creation, when it comes to gameplay of higher end games, it just doesn’t have the power.
Performance: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Chuwi CoreBook Air: Final verdict
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
The Chuwi CoreBook Air proves itself as a very competent day-to-day machine for use in and out of the office. It’s a decent size, lightweight, strong and robust. While the keyboard and trackpad might not be premium, they are of decent quality, and for most users, typing on them will feel perfectly fine.
What’s impressive is the pure performance of the mid-range CPU and GPU combo. While they aren’t AI-enhanced for applications, they’re perfectly good for day-to-day use, as well as watching multimedia and browsing the internet, this small laptop is more than powerful enough.
I also really liked the volume of connectivity options. The Wi-Fi connection speed seemed exceptionally good and robust, especially when connected to the Netgear Nighthawk M7 for the majority of testing. With three USB-C ports, two fully featured and one for data only, you have plenty of connection options, and that important flexibility of being able to charge the laptop with almost any modern charger.
While the 55Wh battery might not be the largest, it was more than sufficient for a good day’s light work, handling spreadsheets, Word, and PowerPoint. But as soon as you start pushing the processor, battery life drops rapidly. It’s good to see that you can get a 60% charge from a flat in just over an hour.
What really strikes me about the CoreBook Air is the price. You’re effectively getting a powerful laptop for everyday use for not a great deal of money. Okay, the screen resolution might be a little low, and the brightness a little dim compared with some, but when it comes to the strength of the build quality and the abilities of that mid-range CPU and GPU combo, for most people and most workloads, this laptop will be more than sufficient.
Should I buy the Chuwi CoreBook Air?
Value
Excellent value for money considering the performance you can get from this mid-range laptop
4
Design
Good, strong build quality with the aluminium casing giving it a premium feel at a mid-range price
4
Features
Well-balanced set of features that aren’t groundbreaking but provide you with a good workhorse of a machine
4
Performance
Real performance is good for productivity. OK for creative applications. Best to look elsewhere if you want to do gaming
4
Overall
Overall, a well-balanced machine that’s great for most office work, light creativity and gaming
4
Buy it if...
You want on-the-go productivity This ideal if you need a lightweight machine that handles office, browsing, and creative tasks smoothly in a travel-friendly size.
You want good general performance on a budget The CoreBook Air delivers decent all-around performance and the ability to go slightly beyond simple productivity applications without spending a fortune.
Don't buy it if...
You want upgradability With the RAM soldered in place, there’s no option to upgrade, which could limit compatibility with future applications.
You need top-tier media tools. This laptop includes everything from speakers to a webcam and a relatively decent GPU, but if you're a content creator, they’re just not at the level required.
If you think more pixels makes for a better PC monitor, you're going to love the new LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A. This 6K monster of a monitor has over 21 million of them. For context, a 4K display has just eight million. It's a massive step up.
What you don't get, at least not compared with a regular 32-inch 4K monitor, is more actual display size. Instead, those 21 million pixels are crammed into essentially the same 32-inch diagonal, resulting in much, much higher pixel density. Where 4K on a 32-inche monitor comes in around 140 pixels per inch, the LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A clocks in at 224 pixels per inch.
In other words, this is a true high-DPI display. It's a pretty high-performance display by several other metrics, too, at least for an IPS as opposed to an OLED monitor. There's good colour coverage and true 10-bit fidelity, for instance.
Less impressive is the 60Hz refresh. It's perhaps inevitable given the epic resolution and this monitor's productivity rather than gaming remit. But here in 2026, 60Hz seems a bit sluggish, as does the quoted 5ms pixel response time. Countering that is excellent connectivity, including dual Thunderbolt 5 ports and plenty of further USB-C inputs and outputs.
As for value, well, it all depends how you're coming at this LG. Compared to the near-enough $6,000 Apple Pro Display XDR, which is also 6K and 32 inches, it's a bargain, if less capable in some important ways. But at $1,999 or £1,799, it's also way more expensive than most of the best 4K monitors available today. So, you'll really want to appreciate those extra pixels.
The LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A is a slick display that looks like it's been designed to please Apple Mac users. In terms of pure aesthetics it will do just that, thanks to its minimalist vibe, slim bezels and engineering elements like a display hinge that mimics Apple's Pro Display XDR.
However, it's not as nicely built as either of Apple's own monitors, the Studio Display or the aforementioned Pro Display XDR. The mix of plastic and metal used here doesn't feel even nearly as premium as the lush alloys of the Apple alternatives. The huge external power brick is also a little untidy compared to monitors with integrated power supplies.
Still, by PC monitor standards, this LG is well enough screwed together and offers a decent range of adjustability from its stand. It also boasts excellent connectivity. You get dual Thunderbolt 5 ports with 96W of power delivery, just for starters.
To that you can add DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1 and another three USB-C ports. Together, that ensures pretty much all your connectivity needs are covered, including single-cable connectivity with a laptop, sharing the display with multiple PCs and even daisychaining with full 6K support.
Of course, the main event is the 32-inch 6K panel. It's an IPS Black item, so has heightened contrast compared with most other IPS monitors. But when it comes to not only contrast but also HDR performance, its specs still fall miles behind an OLED display.
That's no surprise given this monitor is only rated for DisplayHDR 600 certification. In other words, it lacks full-array local dimming. That said, colour coverage is good, extending to 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut and there's also true 10-bit per channel colour support without dithering.
LG UltraFine 6K Evo: Performance
LG // FutureLG // FutureLG // Future
Incredibly sharp visuals
Good colour accuracy
Poor contrast and HDR performance
The LG UltraFine 6K Evo 32U990A is both stellar and disappointing in almost equal measure. But let's start with its finest quality, which is surely the incredible pixel density enabled by full 6K resolution on a 32-inch panel.
The resulting 224 pixels per inch makes for incredibly sharp visuals and fabulously clear and crisp text. It also allows for a huge amount of space for professional workflows. The appeal here compared to a mere 4K monitor, for instance, is that you can view 4K content in a window at full resolution and still have significant space left over for timelines, toolbars and more.
However, the 6K resolution and outstanding pixel density is compromised by the IPS panel's slightly old-school anti-glare coating, which introduces a touch of visible sparkle. Moreover, the step up from a 4K panel in terms of visual detail also isn't entirely earth shattering. Yes, this display is sharper and the text is crisper. But you're paying quite the price premium for those benefits.
The very fact that this is an IPS panel as opposed to OLED also makes it feel rather old fashioned. Sure, the colour accuracy at factory settings is good in both SDR and HDR modes. But even with the latest IPS Black panel tech and 2,000:1 claimed contrast, this monitor looks a bit watery and washed out compared to the latest OLED monitors. The black levels in particular look poor next to any OLED display.
In part that's thanks to the fact that this LG only has DisplayHDR 600 certification. That means it's specified with mere edge-lit backlighting, likely with around 16 zones, not full-array local dimming with hundreds or thousands of zones. In short, this is not a true HDR display.
The 60Hz refresh likewise adds to the sense of a slightly outdated display. Sure, this is no gaming monitor. But even for routine daily computing tasks, 120Hz or higher makes everything more pleasant. Of course, by IPS display standards, this is not a poor monitor. It's just, at this price point, you have so many options. What you gain in terms of 6K pixel density with this display you arguably lose in other areas.
LG UltraFine 6K Evo: Final verdict
LG // FutureLG // FutureLG // Future
LG's new 6K display is an exciting prospect, on paper. The combination of native 6K support using the latest IPS Black panel tech is very appealing, for sure. In practice, this premium pro display somewhat disappoints.
For sure, you get an outstanding high-DPI experience. But unless your specific workflows benefit from the extra desktop space, the subjective upgrade in terms of visual clarity and the quality of text rendering is more marginal than you might expect compared to a 4K display of the same size.
At the same time, the limitations of an IPS panel, even with improved contrast, are all too obvious at a price point that includes 4K OLED alternatives such as the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM. The comparatively poor contrast and black levels are all too obvious. There's a significant speed deficit, too, in terms of refresh rate and pixel response.
Admittedly, LG has given this display outstanding connectivity that extends to dual Thunderport 5 ports with support for 6K monitor daisy-chaining. So, in many ways, this is a very powerful productivity tool.
The problem is the 6K and connectivity upsides come with quite a few compromises. Long story short, what many will want is a display like this but based on OLED panel tech. Given the lofty pricing, that isn't an outrageous ask even if such a monitor doesn't currently exist. Until it does, if you are happy with an IPS panel and your workflows will benefit from the 6K resolution, LG's latest Ultrafine monitor probably adds up. But only barely.
The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 is not your usual business PC. It's not going to be the pick for casual users, or gamers, or admin work. And it's worth specifying that to begin with: this is a beast of a machine for professionals who need uncompromising power in engineering, AI, and all-around business performance, and who want a machine that is capable today and upgradable for the future,
Yes, it’s niche, and that’s okay. Dell doesn’t shy away from creating machines for a specific subset of users.
If you’re looking into this machine, there is a wide range in specs and pricing. The entry-level buildout is right around $1,000. But the high specs on my review unit are pushing $13,000. So, it may rank as one of the best workstations I've tested, but it certainly comes at a (hefty) price.
Dell Pro Max Tower T2: Price and Availability
The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 is available from both Dell US and Dell UK in a range of configurations.
The entry configurations are priced at around $1,000 and still include a Core Ultra 7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an AMD Radeon Pro GPU.
As I mentioned, my buildout is pretty high-tier. My exact buildout is priced at $12,787 and features an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K vPro with 128 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell with 96GB, 4 TB of storage, and a massive 1500W PSU… oh, and a DVDRW drive.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Dell Pro Max Tower T2: Unboxing and First Impressions
The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 brings me down memory lane; it makes me remember the PCs I grew up on, the one I learned my fascination with computers on, and then I turned it on.
The machine that once reminded me of dial-up and waiting for a simple PDF or low•res photo to fully render is no longer reminiscent of my past at all, and simply reminds me that this is 2026 and this machine means business for today, and tomorrow. That’s exactly how this machine feels. Granted, it‘s no small casing, but for the amount of power packed into this chassis, the power-to-size ratio is wild.
Another thing that quickly surprised me is the port offering. There are great DisplayPorts, USB-A and USB-C ports, a disk drive for crying out loud, and other great ports that make this a spectacular machine all around. What‘s awesome too is that the build quality is spectacular, yes, it is a big machine, but it's a big machine that is built to last, and built to be re-built as new components are released, keeping the desktop workstation around for quite some time to come.
Dell Pro Max Tower T2: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
This desktop has a classic tower design with a. 32L Chassis that offers great cooling, space to expand and change out parts in the future, and it fits the mold of what pro-level users are used to, which is a bigger deal than some may think.
For those who are not necessarily enthusiasts but are just pro-users, they may not care about the fancy new doohickeys, gadgets, and gizmos. They want a machine that will work the way they need it to, every time, without fail or downtime, and they want it to work right away. They don‘t want to have to learn a new system or rebuild their setup.
The form factor helps with that, but so does the port location, the simple DisplayPort out, the IEC power connection, not some proprietary cable, and the all-around business-first focus. It’s simple things like this that help business users.
Beyond the design, the build quality is great. It’s rugged enough that you can get work done without worrying about your machine breaking, and it looks and feels professional enough that it never passes as a gaming machine, keeping this strictly business.
The internals of this blast-from-the-past-looking tower are nothing close to those with which I grew up. It’s rocking an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K with 24 cores, up to 5.7GHz boost, and built-in NPU AI Acceleration. It has an NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell with 96GB, plus a total of 4TB of blazing-fast SSD storage, 128GB of RAM, and a power supply with plenty of headroom to add other components in the future.
This computer is fine-tuned down to the component selection for AI models, training, 8K video editing, large-scale rendering, massive database manipulation, CAD, simulations, and more. This machine is a powerhouse. Plain and simple.
Dell Pro Max Tower T2: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
I work alongside engineers, those who work with large data warehouses, those who work with AI, those who work in 3D modeling, 4K and 6K video editors, professional photographers, those who run massive visual events, those who run full custom applications, and so on. I was able to work alongside all of those individuals with this computer to see just how powerful the Dell Pro Max T2 Tower truly is.
It is important to note that this is not a gaming PC; those are also highly spec’d, but in different ways. You could upgrade the GPU to a more gaming-focused one to get closer, but right now this machine is built for work, not play.
I'd happily use this machine as my workhorse for serious work. In high-performance roles like data engineering and architecture, tower PCs are common. This machine is spectacular for that. If you already have a monitor and keyboard setup you love, you're just looking for a more powerful engine for your ecosystem. That's exactly what this delivers.
It’s snappy, has great ports, doesn’t slow down, and stays quiet even during benchmarking tests.
The Dell Pro Max Tower T2 is a powerhouse workstation designed for real productivity. It’s not your everyday gaming PC; it’s more than that. Yes, it’s not the most advanced gaming GPU, but it is among the most powerful for raw performance and processing.
For AI, data models, data-intensive work, massive productivity, and beyond, this will handle it. And thanks to the old-school tower form factor, this machine can be upgraded with other components as you desire, without breaking solder joints or cramming parts in.
In short, this isn’t the PC for most, but for those who know they need incredible power in a Windows machine to handle these kinds of tasks, then this may just be the enterprise-grade machine you’ve been dreaming of.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a remake of what is perhaps the most divisive game in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Like A Dragon franchise. It comes with overhauled graphics, refreshed combat, a more fleshed-out narrative, and, of course, a new separate story – dubbed Dark Ties – which follows the path of antagonist Yoshitaka Mine.
Review info
Platform reviewed: PS5 Available on: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC Release date: February 11, 2026 (Steam); February 12, 2026 (other platforms)
Having recently gone back to the Yakuza 3 Remastered on PlayStation 4, I can say that Kiwami 3 is a very comprehensive remake, and changes to its visuals, combat, and story certainly feel striking.
But are all of these changes for the better? Does this remake continue the high standard that RGG Studio set with the first 2 Kiwami games? Well, the answer to those questions may not be particularly straightforward.
A Dragon reborn
(Image credit: Sega)
Let’s start by discussing the main game: Yakuza Kiwami 3. This follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu – also known as the Dragon of Dojima – a former Yakuza and Tojo Clan Chairman. Following the events of Kiwami 2, Kiryu decides to run an orphanage on the island of Okinawa. But it doesn’t take long before he’s embroiled in yet more drama.
His orphanage is under threat, due to it being situated on land that's needed for a government-backed resort plan. The new Tojo Clan chairman is shot by a mysterious figure. And a succession dispute is erupting among the Tojo family patriarchs. The narrative is still gripping, although this revisit does make a couple of changes.
As some fans may already know, there’s been a shake-up to the finale, which is undoubtedly going to ruffle some feathers. I won’t go into details, but in my view, this change isn’t executed very well. It takes some of the emotion and impact away from the original Yakuza 3, causing the game to fall short of the very best RPGs, narrative-wise.
Something else that may reduce the impact of the narrative is the newly added English voice acting. I know I’m far from the only one who’s said this, but some of the English voices are poor, especially that of Kiryu himself. There’s a lack of maturity and gruffness to the protagonist’s voice, meaning his iconic personality doesn’t shine through. As a result, I played through the game in Japanese.
Best bit
(Image credit: Sega)
One of the highlights for me was playing through the various mini-games at Morning Glory. So when I defeated the grand-champion of bug catching – Mame the dog – I was absolutely over the moon. That pooch puts up one hell of a fight, believe me.
Still, a lot of the other adjustments feel largely positive. For instance, combat feels far better than it did in the original. The new Ryukyu style – which is inspired by Okinawan weapon arts – is brutal and optimized for wiping out swathes of enemies at once. There’s a wide variety of weapons that Kiryu can use in this style, and learning new combos makes it truly devastating.
The Dragon of Dojima style feels excellent too, and perfectly personifies the classic brawler combat Kiryu is known for. You can learn new abilities, including heat action finishers and grabbing techniques – usually, you’ll have to use points earned in battle to do so. Other aspects, like health and strength enhancements, require you to use cash instead. In my opinion, this feels more streamlined and polished than the original upgrade system, and I really enjoyed enhancing my build as the game progressed.
Just generally, combat feels more refined in Kiwami 3. The issue of enemies continually blocking has been significantly improved, battles feel a bit faster-paced, and Kiryu’s movement feels more fluid. I did find that the game was considerably easier than other Yakuza games – at least playing on standard difficulty. As a result, I reduced my use of healing items in battle – but you can select a harder difficulty option instead, if you’d prefer a greater challenge.
Another significant addition is the Lalala Phone, which you can customize to improve Kiryu’s abilities – or just for aesthetic reasons. This is surprisingly fun and provides a real throwback to the late noughties. You can also add friends in Tokyo or Okinawa, and eventually unlock rewards for doing so, giving an actual incentive to use your phone. This has seemingly replaced the original’s Revelations feature, though, which was a source of quirky and often funny cutscenes.
(Image credit: Sega)
But before I move on to Dark Ties, I want to talk about two other major changes – one that I loved, and one that I was less hot on.
I’ll start with the good: Life At Morning Glory. Here, you can complete a bunch of mini-games, like helping the children with homework, sewing, harvesting crops, and fishing. I was absolutely addicted to these – especially the latter two, as they’re necessary for cooking meals requested by the kids. Cooking is a blast, and it’s really wholesome watching Kiryu bond with the orphans over food. More generally, you see so much more of Kiryu’s relationship with the children in this remake – and although he may be a punch-first, ask-questions-later kind of guy, you get a window into the softer, more sensitive side of him, which is a joy to watch.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t in love with the other major addition, Bad Boy Dragon. In this story, Kiryu becomes chairman of the Haisai Girls and supports them in their aim to protect Okinawa, crush the oppressive Tokyo Night Terrors, and become Japan’s leading girl gang. You’ll fight in turf wars and large-scale battles in order to achieve all of this, and frequently recruit new members along the way.
Personally, I found this part of the adventure to be a little tedious. Fighting in turf wars feels same-y after a little while, and the trope of helping a group of underdogs win against the odds – as seen with Four Shine in Yakuza Kiwami 2and Real Estate Royale in Yakuza 0 – just felt a little uninspired. The environments you battle through also lack differentiation, making this part of Kiryu’s campaign less compelling than others.
Enter the underworld
(Image credit: Sega)
Kiwami 3 definitely adds a lot of good stuff, but not all of its additions work out for the best. But my suspicion is that a lot of players – especially returning fans – will be more interested in the Dark Ties content, which follows Tojo Clan newbie Yoshitaka Mine. Here, you uncover the origins of Mine’s Yakuza career, explore his relationship with the brutish Tsuyoshi Kanda, and explore his desire to learn about genuine human bonds.
This is a shorter style of game, with just three chapters. Dark Ties clocked in at under 8 hours for me after I completed the story, as well as a healthy dollop of side-content. But there’s still plenty of fun to be had.
Firstly, I want to talk about combat. We already gushed about Mine’s moves in our Dark Ties preview, and for good reason. Mine’s shootboxing style is truly vicious and brilliantly reflects his character – especially when you’re using the souped-up Dark Awakening mechanic. But even his normal moveset – made up of Intense knee smashes, rapid-fire jabs, and acrobatic grabs – makes Mine’s new campaign a blast to blitz through. Seriously, I even found myself enjoying random encounters with street thugs.
(Image credit: Sega)
I really took a shine to Kanda Damage Control as well. This sees Mine attempt to boost the reputation of his aniki, Kanda – a man who I’d describe as a disgusting pig if I were feeling generous. In order to do this, Mine has to do good deeds around Kamurocho – after which he always claims to be Kanda himself. It never gets old, honestly. These often involve high-octane battles, but sometimes descend into the typical wackiness that Yakuza is loved for. I spent a lot of time with this, and plan to max out Kanda’s rank in the coming days for sure.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Because the other major part of the game – Hell’s Arena – did not do it for me at all. This is basically a dungeon crawler where you have to avoid death, loot treasure chests, and destroy your enemies with the help of various mercenaries and weapons. In a similar vein to Bad Boy Dragon, the dungeon-crawling in Hell’s Arena can feel tedious, and the setting didn’t feel varied or interesting enough to draw me back in.
Story-telling is pretty good throughout Dark Ties, though. Mine is fixated on Tojo Clan Chairman, Daigo Dojima, and the way that the latter’s men will risk their very lives in order to save their boss. I was engaged with Mine’s pursuit of human connection, his conflicting relationship with Kanda, and his rise through the Tojo Clan, ensuring that Dark Ties felt like a worthwhile addition overall.
The Dragon and the Kirin
(Image credit: Sega)
We’ve spoken in depth about Yakuza Kiwami 3 as well as Dark Ties now, but it’s time to bring them together and look at the package as a whole.
Now, something that has whipped up a lot of discussion online is the graphical quality of the game – especially with regards to Kiwami 3. An update was released during my review, intended to fix “a lighting issue” and “other quality concerns”. This will be available for all players at launch.
Using version 1.11 of the game, I didn’t have some of the lighting issues encountered by other players, and with HDR active and a few tweaks, I had Kiwami 3 looking pretty solid. RGG Studios’ attempt at ‘tropical lighting’ can make some in-game elements appear oversaturated, though. Some street signs, for instance, looked almost too bright, creating quite the contrast against the original’s grittier color palette.
Just generally, I wasn’t bowled over by the visuals across both campaigns, actually. Some of the in-game textures – stuff like cars and walls, say – just look a bit dated, and lacked the sharpness I’d expect from a 2026 release. Sure, you’re still getting an upgrade overall from the remaster of Yakuza 3, and the game’s visuals aren’t ugly or anything – they’re just not especially impressive.
But back to the good stuff. I was really pleased with the performance of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on PlayStation 5. With 4K visuals and a smooth framerate, you can expect pretty seamless gameplay with very few hiccups.
I was also loving the soundtrack once again. Yakuza always brings together an eclectic mix of aggressive battle music, smooth jazz, and upbeat tracks to suit every mood or setting, and Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is no different. You can even listen to tunes from other Sega titles, like Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure, Persona 3 Reload, and Metaphor: ReFantazio using Kiryu or Mine’s phone, which I adored.
(Image credit: Sega)
But now I want to return to the questions that I posed at the beginning. Are all of the changes made in Yakuza Kiwami 3 for the better? Well, the short answer is no. On the whole, you’re getting an improved experience, with better combat, a shiny new battle style, and boatloads of new content. However, changes to the finale and the slightly tedious Bad Boy Dragon side-story felt less positive.
Does Kiwami 3 maintain the high standards set by its remade predecessors? On the whole, yes. The more streamlined upgrade system, good performance, and quality of life adjustments are most welcome. But I think RGG Studio could’ve made a more visually impressive game. A few other choices – like redesigning a major character named Rikiya and removing Revelations – may also upset some hardcore fans.
With that said, I was a fan of Dark Ties overall, in spite of a couple of flaws. I wouldn’t say that this helps to propel the overall package to the dizzying heights that other entries in the series have reached, though. And ultimately, I feel that Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties sit in the ‘good category’, rather than the ‘great’ one.
Should you play Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties?:
(Image credit: Sega)
Play it if...
You’re looking for action-packed combat The combat in both Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties is very enjoyable. Smashing through enemies with the new Ryukyu style with Kiryu or viscerally attacking foes with Mine never gets old. I love using new skills against bitter ex-Yakuza called reapers in Yakuza Kiwami 3 or troublesome opponents in Kanda Damage Control in Dark Ties.
You want to learn more about Mine Mine is a villain with quite a bit of depth, and Dark Ties is a great way to discover more about him. In this separate story, you’ll learn about the end of his business career and descent into the underworld, and it’s pretty gripping from start to end.
Don't play it if...
You’re a stranger to the series If you’ve not played a game in the Yakuza series before, I strongly advise against starting with this one. By the time you find Kiryu in Okinawa, you’ve just missed out on too much lore. Go back to Yakuza Kiwami, or even better, Yakuza 0, and work your way up to this one.
You’re expecting amazing next-gen visuals If you’re looking for a real spectacle to enjoy on your PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, then Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties may not hit the spot. Some textures look a bit dated, and the lighting may not do it for those seeking out a more realistic, natural-looking game.
Accessibility features
There’s a pretty comprehensive set of accessibility features to explore in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. You can set auto quick-time events, swap the left and right sticks, choose between rapid or hold button controls, and customize the camera to your liking. You can also alter subtitle language and text size, map controls to different buttons, and utilize color vision assistance.
(Image credit: Sega)
How I reviewed Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties:
For this review, I spent more than 50 hours playing through Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. During this time, I rolled credits on both Kiryu's and Mine’s campaigns, defeated all of the reapers, and completed the Life At Morning Glory and Bad Boy Dragon storylines.
I played the PS5 version of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on my Sky Glass Gen 2 TV, which is connected to a Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. On occasion, I dipped into the Yakuza 3 remaster in order to compare performance, graphics, and gameplay.
The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro is a premium, feature-rich, hybrid floor-cleaning robot that delivers an impressive 25,000 Pascals of suction – great for lifting fine dust, debris and pet hair from hard floors and even deep-pile carpet. With its ultra-slim profile. retractable LiDAR navigation turret and clever AdaptiLift chassis with omnidirectional wheels, this bot can clean under very low furniture and scale especially tall thresholds.
Those 'AdaptiLift' stilts also enable this robot vacuum to hover at exactly the right height over thick carpet and rugs. In practice, this worked extremely well – the Curv 2 Pro offers some of the very best carpet cleaning performance I've experienced.
While the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's navigation is robust and reliable (it uses a combination of lasers and an RGB camera), its Reactive AI obstacle avoidance isn't quite up to the accurate standards of some of its premium stablemates.
Given that this is a hybrid robot, it comes with a dual-spinning mop system that exerts 12 Newtons of downward pressure for tackling everyday messes though it will struggle with liquid spills and some ingrained stains. These mops also automatically detach or lift up whenever the bot is on carpet or crossing a rug.
The chunky, curvy look of Roborock's newly updated Hygiene+ 3.0 docking system may not be to everyone's liking but there's no doubting its efficiency at maintaining the robot on a daily basis. Like most of today's hybrid models, the dock charges the bot after every cleaning session, automatically empties the contents of the robot's diminutive bin into the dock's large 2.7-liter dust bag, and washes the robot's two spinning mop pads with hot water before wafting hot air over them to prevent smells and mould. In other words, it's mostly hands free.
Overall, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro is an exceptionally capable everyday floor cleaning solution that offers excellent suction, intelligent navigation and a highly self-sufficient dock. Granted, it doesn't have the best obstacle avoidance I've ever encountered, but for everyday household cleaning of both hard floors and especially carpet, it's an efficient workhorse that shouldn't let you down.
(Image credit: Future)
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: price & availability
List price: €899 (about $1,060 / £780 / AU$1,520)
Available: Europe and Asia – US, UK and AU to follow
Launched: September 2025
The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro sits toward the premium end of the robot vacuum spectrum and generally delivers solid value for money, if your priorities are advanced automation and cleaning performance. High-end features like expert LiDAR-based mapping and decent obstacle avoidance justify the price for users who want a mostly set-and-forget cleaning solution rather than a basic scheduled robot.
That said, there are similar robots at lower cost that may suit some households just as well. For instance, in the UK the standard Roborock Qrevo S5V with a decent 12,000Pa of suction power, self-cleaning dock and similar mopping system retails at a smidge under £500 for the black model and £425 for the white. Or, for just £549, the excellent Dreame L40 Ultra with 19,000Pa is an equally good bet.
No question, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro offers very decent value for those who want maximum convenience and features (including AdaptiLift), but there are some less expensive robots out there that are on a par for typical floor cleaning tasks.
As of writing, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro is only available in select territories, including most of Europe (where it's selling for around €899) and some Asian and Middle East countries. The rest of the world, including the USA, UK, Canada and Australia, will see staggered launches throughout 2026.
Value for money score: 4 out of 5
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro specs
Max suction:
25,000Pa
Robot diameter:
13.8 x 13.9in / 35 x 35.2cm
Robot height:
3.1 in / 8cm
Dock dimensions (W x D x H):
17.7 x 17.7 x 17.7 in / 45 x 45 x 45cm
Mop type:
Dual spinning discs
Max threshold clearance:
1.6 in / 4cm (double-layer)
Dust bin volume (base):
2.7L
Water tank volume:
3.2L (clean), 3L (dirty)
Base functions:
Charge, empty dust, wash mop pads with hot water, dry mop pads with hot air, self-clean
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: design
Excellent suction power, with split rollers to avoid hair tangle
Retractable LiDAR puck and 'AdaptiLift' legs for deep carpet and tall thresholds
Large but fully-featured cleaning dock
As I mentioned in my review of the Roborock Q5 Pro+ in March 2025, there's a proliferation of robot vacuum brands on the market right now, each with a huge roster of models. This makes it a challenge for any journalist writing about a specific robot vacuum cleaner that is, in many ways, very similar to other models on the market, and it must be even more confusing for the consumer when faced with so many options.
Take Roborock, for instance. There are currently five different models in its Saros range, five in the Qrevo Curv Series, eight in the standard Qrevo range, five in the S Series, four in the Qrevo Edge Series and seven models in the lower-priced Q Series. And that's without even having a sniff at all the other brands like Dreame, Ecovacs, Eufy, Narwal, EZVIZ, Switchbot and iRobot. It seems that the world is awash in robot vacs at the moment and the same thing is already beginning to happen with robot lawn mowers.
But I digress – let's look at the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro in more detail and see if it's as good as the myriad of other premium models I've reviewed from the Roborock stable.
Robot vacuum design
On the surface, Roborock's Qrevo Curv 2 Pro adopts the same design principles as many other premium robot vacuum cleaners. The robot itself – 13.8 in / 35cm in diameter – is circular in shape with a centrally-located roller brush, an expandable side sweeping brush for edge and corner cleaning, two circular mops that are automatically ejected in the dock or raised whenever the robot is working on or crossing over carpet, a LiDAR turret for expert navigation, plus a full gamut of other navigational and obstacle avoidance aids. The Full Monty, in other words.
(Image credit: Future)
As one might expect from a renowned manufacturer like Roborock, build quality is exceptional throughout and well up there with the best in premium robot vacs. I've reviewed many Roborock products over the years and have never once experienced any issues aside from the odd clogging of a dust bag or some cotton tangled around a spindle. In the main, they have all performed reliably and efficiently. As a consequence, Roborock is the brand I always recommend whenever asked.
Given the popularity of Roborock's retractable LiDAR turrets that allow many models from its current roster to venture beneath low-slung furnishings, it's no surprise that Roborock has opted to fit the same RetractSense system to this particular model. As a result, when the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's turret is retracted, the height of the robot measures a squat 3.14in / 7.98cm.
That means it can scuttle under most wardrobes, TV stands and low sofas as long as there's a minimum of 3in / 8cm of clearance. This is a major boon for anyone who has struggled to clean such inaccessible areas using a standard stick vac, especially one that isn't equipped with a Shark-inspired bendy suction tube.
(Image credit: Future)
The Qrevo Curv 2 Pro uses the aforementioned tried-and-trusted LiDAR system for its primary navigation, a VertiBeam lateral laser system for accurate edge cleaning around furniture, an upward-facing Range Finder for measuring overhead clearance, a top contact sensor to prevent the robot from jamming itself and, importantly, a combination of 'structured light' and a front-facing RGB camera with LED light for expert obstacle avoidance in all lighting conditions.
According to Roborock the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro can recognise over 200 objects, 'from tangled cables to pet surprises' but presumably only when the 'Pet' switch in the app is activated. Incidentally, the Pet setting also ensures that the robot's brush roller stops working the moment the sensors detect a furry friend.
While I personally prefer the idea of a dual counter-rotating brush head system as introduced by iRobot, Roborock has quite recently started fitting some of its bots with single split rubber brushes that meet with a small gap in the centre, and that's the case with this model. According to Roborock, the so-called 'DuoDivide' layout helps deal with hair tangles by moving the hair towards the suction gap in the middle to prevent it from getting tangled around the roller's spindles. I vouch that this system works very well and I have no issues to report regarding pet hair tangles.
(Image credit: Future)
However, as mentioned in my article on overdue robot innovations I want to see, I really do wish robot manufacturers would adopt D-shaped bodies to their products, because the circular ones of norm require fitting a short 6.3in / 16cm roller brush between the robot's wheels, which leaves as much as 3.5in / 9cm of unused space on either side of the roller.
I cite iRobot's very early S9+ as an example. This D-shaped robot came onto the market in 2019 and featured a long 9in / 23cm rubber roller positioned near the front, almost across the entire width of the machine. This meant it was not only better at collecting dust along edges, but it also picked up a wider band of detritus with every sweep. Perhaps there's a valid technical reason why the vast majority of robot vacs are circular, so answers on a postcard please.
(Image credit: Future)
Let's look at this bot's suction power, because suction strength is one of the only differences between the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro and its sibling, the Qrevo CurvX. Where the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra TechRadar reviewed in July 2024 featured a then 'industry-leading' 10,000 Pascals of suction power, this one hits the 25,000Pa mark; 3,000Pa more than the Qrevo CurvX. Mind, even this lofty stat is still 5,000Pa shy of the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra I recently reviewed, but it just goes to show how fast robot vacuum technology has advanced in such a short space of time. For the record, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro offers five levels of suction, from quiet to MAX+.
Given that this robot is of the hybrid variety, it also comes with a full mopping system comprised of twin spinning mops on the rear, with the ability to extend the mop on one side for cleaning around furniture legs and in corners. These mops are only used for hard floor cleaning and are therefore either raised when the robot is crossing carpet or rugs, or left behind in the dock if the robot is only performing a vacuum task. Like all decent mopping bots, the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's mops are given a thorough wash and dry after each working session, and you can read more about this in the Dock Design chapter directly below.
(Image credit: Future)
Finally, those with single or double thresholds up to 1.6in / 4cm in height will be thrilled to learn that the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro has been fitted with Roborock's clever AdaptiLift technology. Rather than relying on fixed-height wheels like traditional robot vacuums, AdaptiLift gives the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro the ability to dynamically raise and lower its chassis and wheels to adapt to complex floor environments.
The robot's two articulated wheels literally allow the robot to automatically lift and tilt its body to clear high thresholds and even maintain optimal brush and suction contact across different floor types, including carpets with up to 1.2in / 3cm of pile. It also helps free the robot when encountering an obstruction. By intelligently sensing floor transitions and responding in real time, AdaptiLift reduces the need for manual intervention while expanding the robot's practical reach within a home. What's not to like?
Dock design
Roborock's Qrevo Curv series is defined by the curvature of its newly updated Hygiene+ 3.0 dock design. Available only in white, this rounded design aesthetic differs from the rectangular norm and looks shiny, minimalist and, dare I say, rather swish when installed in a modern home. However, its rotund shape may not be to everyone's taste.
(Image credit: Future)
Like the majority of robot docks, this one charges the robot after every task (it takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to charge from 0%) as well as emptying the contents of the robot's small 270ml bin into the dock's much larger 2.7-liter dust bag. If you don't have pets, expect about a month or so to pass before the dust bag is full and ready for disposal. However, if you have hairy pets like me, then be prepared to fit a new bag every couple of weeks or so. To save on the cost of extra bags, I often remove the hair and muck in the bag using a pair of long-nose pliers. It's messy, yes, but it saves money in the long run.
(Image credit: Future)
Given that this robot also mops hard floors, the mops always go through a thorough cleaning regime in the dock after every cleaning session. This involves scrubbing them using water at 212F / 100C followed by a 122F / 50C hot-air drying session to prevent mould and nasty odours. All you have to do is occasionally fill the dock's 3.2-liter reservoir with fresh water and dispose of the contents in the 3-liter dirty water tank.
Various levels of moisture can be added to the mops depending on the type of flooring you have. Simply go to the Roborock app and select the level of moisture required – for vinyl flooring I would suggest a higher level, and for wooden flooring I'd opt for one of the various levels well below the midway mark. This is especially pertinent for thin laminated flooring which can easily warp if too damp.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: performance
Exemplary carpet cleaning performance
Acceptable mopping performance
Slightly disappointing obstacle avoidance
I have no major anomalies to report regarding this bot's navigation which is generally very good, though it might take the long way round to get to its place of work rather than a direct path. I've noticed a lot of robot vacs do this but then I've also noticed that some models, specifically those from Roborock, appear to learn over time and eventually take the shorter, direct route. I would expect this model to start doing the same over the next few weeks.
While the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's first mapping run of my open-plan area was a success, it didn't initially name the rooms in my home as accurately as the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra. While it correctly named the kitchen, it treated the open-plan lounge and dining area as one large room and called it the sunroom. It also named the hallway as the living room and the hall passage as a bedroom. By comparison, the Matrix10 Ultra not only named every room correctly, but all areas were divided correctly, too.
(Image credit: Future)
Mind, this slight hiccup in the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's room recognition was easily rectified by using the Roborock app to divide, merge and rename all rooms correctly. The key takeaway here is that this bot has never not found its charging dock, has never got lost under a sofa and has never stranded itself under the dining table. Every cleaning task has generally gone without any navigational hitches, and that's all you need to know.
Obstacle avoidance
For my obstacle avoidance test I laid out an assault course of dog toys, including two small items to replicate the size of average dog waste. While the robot deftly avoided the larger obstacles over two inches in height, it twice ran over one of the smaller items, a one-inch tall nylon bone. In the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's defence, this item often flummoxes robots though I'll admit that I was surprised that the Curv 2 Pro didn't avoid it given the Roborock website's poo-dodging claim.
FutureFutureFuture
I then added a phone cable to the mix and, despite adjustments in the app, I was surprised to see the robot run over the cable on three separate occasions, even wrapping the cable around the brush head in one instance. This one really surprised me so I checked the multitude of parameters in the app – I had 'Pet' selected for extra overall sensitivity – and I couldn't see any conflicting settings. The upshot is that, while I consider this model's obstacle avoidance to be generally acceptable, I wouldn't rely on it to avoid all clutter in the home. More importantly, I would never rely on it to avoid dog mess of any shape or form.
Vacuum performance
Roborock has been marketing this bot as one of the best for carpet cleaning and, on evidence of my test using oats, muesli and crushed biscuits, I'd say the claim is spot on. I was blown away by how well it tackled the test.
I admittedly selected two passes in the app and MAX+ mode for 25,000Pa of suction, but I needn't have bothered going that far because pass number one was enough to remove the vast majority of detritus. That's an exceptional result, and one of the best I've seen for carpet pickup. I also tried it on a thick pile carpet upstairs and was equally impressed that it a) it managed to collect a sprinkling of oats and b) it didn't get bogged down in the pile.
The carpet rug before the vacuuming testFuture... during the test...Future... and the results afterwardsFutureThe contents of the bin following the testFuture
For the hard floor test, I used the same ingredients but changed the suction one level down to Max. I was generally very pleased with the results though, as is often the case with robots, the edges weren't completely cleaned and some of the debris was scattered by the robot's spinning side brush – which just goes to show why having a cordless stick vac to hand is always advisable.
The Qrevo Curv 2 Pro before the suction test on hard flooring...Future... during the test...Future... and the results afterwardsFutureAs with many bots, the Curv 2 Pro didn't do a perfect job of the cornersFuture
Mopping performance
In terms of its bi-weekly mopping ability, I've been impressed by the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's overall performance. It has dealt with light stains and general footfall marks very well, including regularly extending one of its articulated mopping pads when traveling along skirting boards, in corners and around chair and table legs.
However, there's only so much one can ask of a twin-pad mopping system like this because, unlike some roller-based models which rinse the roller while it's cleaning, the pads on this aren't cleaned during the mopping task. And that means that any gunk that appears to have been cleaned off the floor actually remains on the mops – which is then spread around the rest of the floor. It's the nature of the beast, which is why it's never advisable to let a robot with spinning pads loose on a large-ish liquid spill.
To prove this, I created a small 'zone' in my kitchen, squirted some tomato ketchup over my wooden floor and commanded the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro to go and clean it up, having set the mop moisture setting to medium. On initial evidence it did a fine job at removing the mess, though it did leave one small smear behind. However, on closer inspection in the right reflective lighting, I could clearly see some clear but slimy swirls on the floor which would invariably dry, leaving a tacky residue behind.
Before the mopping test...Future...during... Future... and the results afterwardsFutureAnother look at the mopping resultsFuture
Had I not had the excellent Roborock F25 Ultra to hand to completely finish the job, I would have had to reach for the good old mop and bucket to fully remove all residue. This is no slight on the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro since all mopping robots of this nature behave the same way. You just need to choose your battles carefully.
Dock performance
While I don't mind the look of the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's dock, it's not a patch on its stylish stablemates, the Roborock Saros 10 and 10R, which both come with black mirrored docks that meld into the background of any room. By contrast, this one is larger in appearance and much more noticeable.
From an operational point of view, the dock itself has proved faultless over the past few weeks with no anomalies to report. Yes, the bin emptying process is quite noisy but it's been powerful enough to always empty the robot's bins even when packed with dog hair. It has also washed and maintained the mops very well leaving no residue behind.
(Image credit: Future)
Is there anything negative to report about the dock? Well I'm not keen on the design of the dock's dust bag container, since its deep and narrow, downward-facing chamber entails having the dust bag hang and bend at the top where it connects with the inlet. When filled with detritus, the weight of it could feasibly cut off airflow into the bag. I should add that I haven't had any issue to date with the emptying process but I still maintain that it's an odd design that appears to go against simple physics. But what do I know?
Performance score: 4 out of 5
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: app
Exceedingly comprehensive
Well laid out
Easy to use
The Roborock app is an essential companion that elevates the Qrevo Curv 2 Pro's overall cleaning experience from the moment you open it. Cleanly designed and intuitively laid out, this app makes both initial setup and day-to-day control extremely straightforward, whether you're a first-time robot vacuum owner or a seasoned user who requires a plethora of customization options.
Roborock / FutureRoborock / Future
Mapping is mostly accurate, with detailed floor plans that are highly editable, allowing you to label rooms, set no-go zones, define virtual walls and customize cleaning routines with surprising precision. Moreover, the ability to adjust suction power, mopping intensity and cleaning sequences on a per-room basis gives users a level of control that few competitors can match, Dreame notwithstanding.
The Roborock app also supports a raft of scheduling options, self-created routines and multi-level home management, making it easy to tailor cleaning to your lifestyle. Combined with its stable connectivity and regular firmware updates, this app feels genuinely mature and thoughtfully engineered. Which is why it's still my favorite robot app of all.
App score: 4.5 out of 5
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro review: scorecard
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value
A premium robovac (although a step below most flagship models). Advanced specs and features justify the price tag.
4 / 5
Design
Sleek, ultra-slim profile and packed with features. Dock is comprehensive but quite chunky.
4 / 5
Performance
Excellent vacuuming and especially impressive on carpet. Mopping very acceptable but obstacle avoidance a bit underwhelming.
4 / 5
App
The Roborock app is the gold standard for design and features.
4.5 / 5
How I tested the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro
With so many similarly-specced robot vacs on the market, it's becoming quite difficult to detect the differences between them. But in this day and age, specs mean nothing if the bot doesn't perform to the high standards that TechRadar's writers expect.
We always strive to get the best out of the products we review and always push them to the limits of their functionality. In this case I tested the robot vac on different floor types, watched it navigate a room, set up an obstacle course and put it to four performance tests – carpet vacuuming, hard floor vacuuming, general mopping and messy mopping. Half points out of five are then awarded for each category and averaged out for a final score. Five stars are only given to a product that unequivocally impresses on all fronts but four-stars products, too, are absolutely worth investigation.
Amazfit has been on a hot streak recently. Fresh off the release of the Bip 6 and Active 2, the company has now released the latest version of its most capable outdoor watch, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro. The watch is showcased by the super successful ultrarunner and official commercial partner Ruth Croft, who says that Amazfit “gives her the tools she needs without getting in the way of the run."
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is pitched as a value alternative to premium rugged watches like the Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. While it costs significantly less, it packs very competitive hardware, making it a compelling option for outdoor athletes and budget-conscious consumers.
With a military-grade (MIL-STD-810H) rating, a titanium bezel, and sapphire crystal glass, the T-Rex 3 Pro is seriously rugged, built to withstand extreme temperatures and is 10 ATM water-resistant, certified for scuba diving up to 45 meters. In addition to its already excellent diving features, the T-Rex 3 Pro has a dedicated dive computer mode like the Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
The 1.5-inch AMOLED display is also impressively specced, with 3,000 nits of peak brightness to compete with the latest crop of Apple Watches. Beyond that, the watch offers up to 25 days of typical use on a single charge, a very good feat considering Garmin’s battery lives have been creeping downwards. When tracking outdoor activities, it still delivers up to 38 hours of continuous, high-accuracy dual-band GPS (which connects to six satellite systems). This endurance sets it apart and makes it ideal for multi-day treks or ultra-races.
The main trade-off is the software. It runs on Amazfit's proprietary Zepp OS. While Zepp OS is smooth, fast, and feature-rich for health and fitness tracking, it operates on a closed ecosystem. This means there are no major third-party apps, including Spotify, Google Maps, or Strava. There's a lot to commend the T-Rex 3 Pro, but this lack of integration is its most egregious downside.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Price and availability
$399 USD / £399 UK / $600 AUS
Incredibly affordable given its rugged qualities
Cellular connectivity will require upgrading to a more expensive smartwatch
At sub-$400 / £400 / $600 AUS, the T-Rex 3 Pro is an incredibly affordable alternative to the more expensive Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 (the Ultra 3 costs $799 in the US, so the T-Rex 3 Pro is fully half the price). It’s missing a number of features, including ECG support, crash detection, third-party apps and other integrations. If you’re not concerned about this, then the T-Rex 3 Pro delivers an awful lot of smartwatch for not a lot of money.
Value score 5/5
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Design
Rugged and premium build
High-end AMOLED display
Two size options
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro is a rugged and outdoors-focused smartwatch that embraces a deliberately chunky and robust aesthetic. You could even call it a delightful homage to the classic digital sports watch, the Casio G-Shock.
The overall design aesthetic is probably more reminiscent of the Garmin Fenix 8 series, with both watches boasting circular, rugged designs and a blend of physical buttons (four on the Amazfit, five on the Garmin) and touchscreen operation. Personally I don't think you can beat the tactile experience of physical buttons.
The fiber-reinforced polymer case is combined with a Grade 5 titanium bezel and buttons for a tough yet lightweight construction. The case contains a high-resolution 1.5-inch AMOLED display that is capable of an impressive 3,000 nits. As a result, I had absolutely no problems using it out in direct sunlight. The display is inset slightly and protected by scratch-resistant sapphire glass.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
In addition to everything you'd expect from a typical smartwatch, the T-Rex 3 Pro features a built-in LED flashlight located at the top of the case, just like the best Garmin watches. This offers adjustable brightness and a dual-color mode, with the red light designed to preserve night vision during camping or late-night navigation.
While the T-Rex line used to be one-size-fits-all, and that size was huge, the Pro 3 introduces a second option. As a result, you can now choose from the original 48mm model (tested and photographed) and a more compact alternative 44mm model. The latter retains the rugged titanium/polymer build but fits much better on smaller wrists or under jacket sleeves.
Design Score: 4/5
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Features
180 sports modes including skiing
10ATM water resistance
NFC enabled
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro offers an extensive set of features covering over 180 sports but with a distinct leaning towards more adventurous activities, including skiing and snowshoeing. The ski mapping feature enables users to find their nearest ski resort and navigate with detailed maps. According to Amazfit, these maps include "cable cars, color-coded slopes, and clear route guidance for groomed runs as well as off-piste, backcountry, or telemark routes."
While taking part in icy-cold endeavors you'll be glad to know that the T-Rex 3 Pro is resistant to temperatures as low as -40℃ and includes a smart Low Temperature Mode that keeps vital software functions of the watch operational in environments as cold as -30℃.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
If you're planning on showing the water who's boss, then the 10 ATM water-resistance capabilities will come in handy. That means the watch is certified for diving to a depth of 45m and therefore ready for all your freediving and scuba diving excursions.
Tracking is taken care of by the new BioTracker sensor that delivers highly accurate heart-rate tracking even in challenging outdoor conditions. For pro-grade precision, the watch can also be paired with an Amazfit Helio Strap.
When you fancy a coffee or high-protein shake while on the slopes or on a long run, the inclusion of Zepp Pay takes advantage of NFC technology so you don't need to go rifling through your stuff in search of your phone or bank card. Up to eight bank cards can be stored with password-protected contactless payment, keeping your transactions secure.
Features Score: 4/5
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Performance
Excellent health and activity tracking
Fantastic battery life
Poorly implemented AI assistant
The T-Rex 3 Pro performs well when it comes to health and fitness tracking. I tested it alongside the more expensive and trusted Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 and found it reported very similar health metrics, including measuring heart rate to within a single beat. It also measured the same 96 percent reading for blood oxygen, which is very impressive considering the Watch Ultimate 2 features a dedicated X-Tap sensor for accurate readings.
I used my normal cycle route to test the GPS accuracy of the T-Rex Pro. This route includes both rural and built-up environments, which makes it an ideal test for GPS performance. GPS locking was almost instant, even when still in my house. GPS lock was maintained throughout the 4km ride, with no dropouts experienced. I compared the distance on both the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 and onthegomap.com and found that the watch was within an impressive 50m of both, a statistically insignificant 1.25% difference.
The watch also delivers exceptional battery performance, lasting 9 to 10 days in my testing even with the Always-On Display and continuous health tracking active, which would qualify as ‘heavy use’. For those prioritizing longevity, disabling the AOD stretches performance to nearly 3 weeks. During high-accuracy GPS tracking, the battery proves its rugged credentials by draining only about 3% per hour, making it a reliable companion for multi-day adventures.
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
I’ve tested a few Amazfit watches now but haven’t yet delved deep into the Zepp Flow AI functionality. Getting hold of the T-Rex 3 Pro provided the ideal opportunity to change that. Zepp Flow is a conversational AI assistant and one of the first tools of its kind for smartwatches. I’ve always found navigating through smartwatch menus a bit laborious, and so I was eager to see if Amazfit was able to deliver a more intuitive hands-free experience.
After checking online for some of the commonly accepted commands, I began by saying, “I want to go for a run.” Zepp Flow recognised my words perfectly and immediately launched the run activity. There was no need to select “Go” as the activity began straight away. With my impressed face on, I then asked Zepp Flow if it will rain this afternoon. The watch responded with “I cannot provide weather information for past times” even though it was only 1.30pm.
A little more unsure than I was after launching the run activity, I set about seeing if Zepp Flow could help me access the watch’s smart features. I therefore gave the device access to my contacts and asked it to call my wife. Unfortunately, it kept thinking that I was saying Hutton rather than Hatton. I understand that these misunderstandings can happen, but rather than asking me to say it again or “Did you mean Hutton” it just stopped listening, end of conversation.
I find that if my experience of an AI assistant stutters a few times, then I quickly stop using it, and that was very much the case with Zepp Flow. Alongside a lack of third-party apps, I was left a little disappointed by the limited smartwatch features on offer.
Performance score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Value
At this price point it doesn’t get much better than this.
5/5
Design
A solid titanium-built case featuring a 3,000-nit display and pro-dive durability.
4/5
Features
A set of impressive features aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
4/5
Performance
Highly accurate health and fitness tracking, but Zepp Flow lets the watch down.
4/5
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want a rugged build and great battery life on a budget
At sub-$400/£400, the T-Rex 3 Pro offers a very impressive set of specs.
Specialized outdoor and safety utilities
With advanced navigation, a built-in speaker and microphone, and an integrated flashlight, you'll have everything you need when you need it most.
Don't buy it if...
You need cellular connectivity (LTE)
For that you’ll need to upgrade to something like the Garmin Fenix 8.
You rely on third-party app integration
As is the case with all Amazfit watches, you won’t find the likes of Spotify, Google Maps, or WhatsApp.
Also consider
Garmin Fenix 8
This is the ultimate watch for adventure enthusiasts, with a smorgasbord of hardware and software features and a battery that lasts for weeks.
A powerhouse of a wearable, adding 5G, satellite connectivity and new screen technology to an already-winning formula. The Low Power Mode can stretch its runtime to a remarkable 72 hours, and its fitness metrics are accurate against a leading chest-mounted heart rate monitor.
During my month-long testing of the T-Rex 3 Pro, I took part in a range of different activities, including cycling, running, football, aerobics, and more. Unfortunately I didn’t have a skiing holiday planned during the testing phase, so I wasn’t able to try out the dedicated skiing features. There were plenty of other features to keep me occupied, though, including health tracking, water resistance, Zepp Flow, messaging, and battery life.
