The Technogym Connected Dumbbells are all about smart tech and compact design. Instead of cluttering your space with loads of weights, these adjustable dumbbells give you a range from 2kg to 24kg in a sleek, compact package—ideal if you’re short on space or just starting your fitness journey.
What makes them really stand out, however, is their AI smarts. Built-in sensors track things like your reps, sets, and weights, which sync up with the Technogym App. The app’s AI Coach then uses this data to suggest exercises and tweak your workouts to help you hit your goals—just like having a PT in your pocket.
I loved the twist-handle design for weight adjustments. It’s quick, smooth, and satisfying to use. The build quality is top-notch, too, giving you confidence they’ll handle even your sweatiest sessions. That said, a max weight of 24kg might not be enough for advanced lifters, and the price tag could scare off anyone keeping an eye on their wallet.
After testing these for weeks, including doing full-body workouts and app-guided routines, I’d say they’re a great choice for those who value convenience and tech-driven motivation. If you’re an experienced lifter or on a tight budget, though, you might want to look elsewhere.
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Price and availability
Dumbbells+ bundle costs £2,530 / $3120 / AUS$5030, which includes a stand, an exercise mat, a foam roller, and resistance bands
Comes with a two-month free trial of the Technogym Plus membership, which is £8.99/month thereafter
Available now in UK, launching soon in US and Australia
The Technogym Connected Dumbbells can be purchased directly from the brand’s official website or flagship stores in the UK for £1,410. At that price, they’re definitely not cheap, especially when competitors like Kabata are offering a similar setup for just $999 / £810. Or there are less-smart-but-similar options available, like the Bowflex SelectTech 552, which can be found online for around £350. Then, on top of that, you’ll have to fork out an extra £8.99/month for the Technogym Plus app if you want to take advantage of its full feature set. Gulp.
If you’re opting for the more complete Connected Dumbbells+ bundle, which includes a sturdy stand, exercise mat, foam roller, and resistance bands, this pushes the price up to a whopping £2,530. Sure, it’s a more complete package if you’re building out your home gym, but it’s a massive cost for a stand and some fitness accessories which can be bought separately elsewhere for much less. The price does include installation and setup, though, which is a nice touch for those who’d rather not fuss with assembly.
If you’re outside Europe and in the market for a pair of these babies, you’ll need to wait a bit—a US and Australian launch is coming later in 2025.
Price score: 3/5
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Specifications
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Design and build
(Image credit: Future)
Stylish black and silver finish fits any modern gym space
Knurled metal handles offer solid grip, even when you’re sweating
Twist-handle weight adjustment is smooth and precise
When it comes to design, Technogym’s Connected Dumbbells are a masterclass in how to serve style and substance in one neatly finished package. The black and silver finish feels effortlessly modern, meaning these dumbbells won’t look out of place even if they’re just sitting in the corner of your living room. And let’s be honest—no one wants a home gym setup that makes a space look cluttered. Thankfully, the minimalist look is spot-on here.
But it’s not just about aesthetics. I found the knurled metal handles were a delight to hold throughout most workouts. They’re grippy enough to reassure you they won’t slip, even when your palms are on the sweaty side. You won’t be getting that insecure feeling you can find with some cheaper alternatives.
Adjusting the weight is where the magic really happens. The twist-handle mechanism is smooth and intuitive. It’s ridiculously easy to use, and that satisfying click lets you know the weight’s locked and ready to go. Whether you’re grabbing 4kg for bicep curls or cranking up to 20kg for squats, it’s all very seamless-feeling. The weight range itself, 2kg to 24kg, covers most bases for a variety of exercises, although seasoned lifters might find it limiting if they’re used to heavier loads.
One of the standout features has to be the optional Strength Corner stand. It’s not just there to look pretty—although it does. The stand keeps your workout space organized, stores accessories like a foam roller and resistance bands, and even has a tablet (or in my case, phone) holder so you can follow along with the app without constantly looking down. I found it’s compact enough for smaller spaces—like me in my garden room-cum-gym space—and it means you have everything in one place, saving you from rummaging around mid-session.
As you’d expect from the premium gym equipment brand that is Technogym, the build quality of the Connected Dumbbells is top-tier across the board. Everything feels solid and well-made. The weight plates lock in securely, so there’s no wobbling when you’re mid-rep. The only small snag is docking the dumbbells back into their base—it’s a bit fiddly at first, especially if you’re rushing. But once you’ve nailed the technique, it’s not an issue at all.
In short, the design of these dumbbells is as functional as it is good-looking. They’re durable, user-friendly, and stylish enough to show off.
Design score: 4.5/5
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Features and performance
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AI coaching adapts workouts to your progress
Built-in sensors track reps, sets, and weight use
App motivates with milestones and progress tracking
These dumbbells aren’t just your bog-standard piece of gym equipment—they’re essentially a workout buddy. Each dumbbell is fitted with smart sensors that track every rep, set, and weight you use. This data syncs to the Technogym App and this is where the clever stuff happens. The app’s AI Coach uses all that info to create personalized workout plans, tweaking them as you progress. It’s like having a PT in your pocket.
The app itself is super easy to navigate. Whether you’re looking to do strength training, active recovery, or something in between, there’s a workout for it. One of my favorite features is the little celebratory ping when you hit a new PB. It’s a small touch, but it genuinely makes you feel like a champ. That said, the app isn’t perfect. It doesn’t track bodyweight exercises like push-ups or planks, which feels like a bit of a letdown if you like mixing things up.
In terms of how they handle workouts, these dumbbells are a dream. Like I said earlier, adjusting the weight on them is quick and fuss-free thanks to the twist-handle mechanism. It’s smooth, precise, and feels really robust. Even at heavier weights, the dumbbells feel perfectly balanced, which makes a huge difference during more intense sessions when you’re rushing around.
Connectivity deserves a mention too. The sensors sip battery, so you’re not constantly worried about them dying on you. During my time with the dumbbells, I also experienced no glitches or lag between the app and the weights; it all worked pretty seamlessly, which is reassuring. Although for nearly £1,500, so they should. The only downside, I’d say, is the 24kg max weight. This could be a sticking point for anyone looking to go heavy. A 32kg max weight would have solved this issue, IMO.
Nevertheless, for anyone just starting out or at an intermediate level, these dumbbells are a great option. They’re smart, efficient, and genuinely make your workouts more engaging. Advanced lifters might find themselves craving more weight, but for most people, they’ll hit the sweet spot.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Verdict
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The Technogym Connected Dumbbells hit the mark for anyone wanting stylish, space-saving, and tech-packed gym gear. They’re easy to use, look great and the AI-driven app makes training feel a lot less like guesswork. Beginners and casual users will love the convenience and motivation these dumbbells bring to the table.
That said, they’re not for everyone. The limited weight range means serious lifters will likely need something heftier, and the steep price might put off anyone on a budget. Plus, the app’s inability to track bodyweight exercises is a bit of a head-scratcher. Although, this could always be addressed with a simple update at a later time.
So, if you’ve got the cash and crave the tech-savvy features, these dumbbells could be a game-changer. For the right user—especially those tight on space—they’re a smart, functional, and a downright stylish addition to a home gym.
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Scorecard
Technogym Connected Dumbbells: Should I buy?
Buy them if…
You want a tidy home gym. These dumbbells replace 12 sets of weights, making them perfect for small spaces.View Deal
You need tailored workouts. The AI-powered app adapts to your goals and tracks progress effortlessly.View Deal
You’re after sleek, premium gym gear, They look great and work even better—a real statement piece for any home.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You’re into heavy lifting. The 24kg max weight won’t cut it for advanced strength training.View Deal
You’re saving the pennies. They’re pricey, especially compared to other adjustable dumbbells.View Deal
You like tracking bodyweight exercises. The app doesn’t log non-dumbbell moves like push-ups or planks, for some reason.View Deal
Also consider
SelectTech 552 A more budget-friendly alternative with a similar 2kg-24kg range. The dial system is smooth and easy to use, but you miss out on the smart features.
Kabata Smart Dumbbells Like Technogym’s offering, these smart dumbbells use AI to automatically adjust to your fitness and strength levels, ensuring you’re lifting the right amount of resistance. And for a much lower cost. However, with a 27kg maximum weight per dumbbell, they are just as limited when compared to other options on the market. View Deal
JaxJox DumbbellConnect (£599) These smart dumbbells offer app-based tracking like Technogym but they max out at an even lower 22kg. Good for casual users, but limited for heavier training.
I tested the Technogym Connected Dumbbells over a few weeks, throwing them into my regular workout routines. This meant squats, lunges, and chest presses to push the weight range to its limits. I paired them with the Technogym app to see how well the tracking and AI coaching worked, manually comparing the app’s data with my own counts. I also used the optional Strength Corner stand to keep things organized and explored its extra features. Durability and ease of use were put to the test during high-intensity sessions.
The OnePlus 13 is extravagant and restrained. It’s a beautiful phone, sure, but OnePlus has made beautiful phones before. The OnePlus 13 is trustworthy. It’s durable, maybe the most durable phone I’ve tested that wasn’t made with military standards in mind. It’s also refined, with a look that is equally pretty and smart. It will also get four years of Android updates from OnePlus, which is longer than you’ll probably own this phone.
I highly recommend the OnePlus 13, and my biggest concern is that people won’t know what the hell phone I’m talking about. OnePlus fans know the company very well; other folks… not so much.
As I reviewed the OnePlus 13, I met more people than ever asking me what’s that gorgeous phone I’m using (sorry, embargo). I’d tell them it’s the new OnePlus, then I had to spell the name of the company because they’d never heard of it. OnePlus is a company you need to know about if you’re in the market for a premium phone.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
OnePlus had a fascinating trajectory. It started as a flagship-killer-maker, which means it made phones that gave you some of the features found on the best Samsung and best Apple phones, at a lower price. You might get a great display and amazing performance but middling cameras and no wireless charging. You’d also pay hundreds less.
That’s not true for the OnePlus 13. This phone is uncompromising in every way. It’s one of the first phones to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and this chipset delivers on Qualcomm’s lofty promises.
The OnePlus 13 has the best display on any smartphone* (*according to DisplayMate). It has the biggest battery and the longest battery life; and even better, it charges much faster than any Samsung or Apple or Google phone.
The OnePlus 13 has great cameras, too. It can match the best camera phones in many situations, offering just enough artistic flair to compete with the iPhone while giving you AI assistance to zoom like a Galaxy.
Missing features that used to hold OnePlus back have become its biggest strengths on the OnePlus 13. My key complaint about OnePlus phones was the lack of IP68 certification. Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy phones have been water resistant for almost a decade, but OnePlus has never officially certified any of its flagship phones for IP68 durability. This year, the OnePlus 13 takes the plunge with unbeatable IP69 certification, and it’s been the most durable phone I’ve ever tested that doesn’t look like a brick made out of a Jeep.
OnePlus phones also used to lack wireless charging, but today’s OnePlus 13 has so-called AirVOOC wireless charging at up to 50W. To compare, the Qi2 charging standard supports up to 15W, and that’s what you’ll get with iPhone and Galaxy devices. The OnePlus 13 charges faster wirelessly than the iPhone 16 Pro can charge with a USB-C cable.
A OnePlus 13 in the aramid fiber case with the AirVOOC charger attached (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
You can’t buy a OnePlus phone at your local carrier store. That’s probably why your friends or your parents haven’t heard of OnePlus. Selling a phone through Verizon or Vodafone is an expensive proposition that requires testing, free samples, and marketing money. By skipping the carriers and selling direct (mostly), OnePlus says it keeps its prices lower.
Unfortunately, that means a lot of people who would probably love the OnePlus 13 will never hear about it. It also means the OnePlus 13 is harder to afford. When you buy a new iPhone or Galaxy from your carrier, they give you a big discount if you agree to pay for it for the next three years. You don’t get the massive discount with a OnePlus phone, but you also don’t get the three-year obligation.
It’s hard to find anything I don’t like about the OnePlus 13. I don’t wish it had any more AI features now, but the lack of AI might mean this phone gets left behind when the good stuff – agentic AI – finally arrives in a couple of years.
If you’re remotely considering the OnePlus 13, just buy it, you’ll be happy. The battery life alone makes this an easy decision, and the performance, polished interface, and delightful touches throughout make this a phone that will keep you happy as long as you own it, which will be a long time, thanks to its improved durability. The hardest part might be choosing the color and the magnetic case to go with it.
OnePlus 13 review: price and availability
$899.99 / £899 for 12GB RAM, 256GB storage in black only
$999 / £999 for 16GB RAM, 512GB storage and the good colors
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If the OnePlus 13 seems a bit expensive for a sleeper hit, that’s because OnePlus is great at making phones, but not so good at pricing them. You can ignore the list prices (below), because OnePlus offers a perpetual discount on all of its best phones that usually keeps the price lower. In the US, for instance, there is a $100 discount on the upgraded 512GB/16GB model, as well as a guarantee of at least $100 no matter what phone you trade. That means the price is effectively $799.99.
The OnePlus 13 is competing with the absolute top-tier flagship phones, but you can buy it for the price of the base model. The OnePlus 13 cameras, display, and battery life all compete handily against the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the phone can be purchased for the price of an iPhone 16 or Galaxy S24.
The real problem for OnePlus is where and how you can purchase the OnePlus 13. You can buy it directly from OnePlus, or you can buy it from Best Buy, but only the blue or black models, and if you walk into a Best Buy you’ll only find the black. Amazon will have the OnePlus 13 in the near future, but it’s not available on Amazon yet.
OnePlus offers payment plans in the US through third-party Affirm, but doesn’t seem to have similar plans in the UK, which means many people will have to pay up front for the OnePlus 13. That’s not how most of us buy phones, so if you’re used to paying a monthly installment through your mobile carrier, there will be some sticker shock with the OnePlus 13.
OnePlus 13 in every color: black, blue, and white (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Hang in there, though, because having an unlocked phone that you own is a huge benefit. You can shop around for any cell phone plan on any carrier, and when it comes time to sell your phone, you’ll be able to sell it without having a lien from a carrier agreement.
The OnePlus 13 is available in three colors at launch: Midnight Ocean (blue); Arctic Dawn (white); and Black Eclipse (black). My review sample was the blue color, which might be the best one, but the white is quite striking, with a bit of texture in the back that makes it stand out. Also, there’s black.
Value score: 4/5
OnePlus 13 review: specs
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Except for a couple of hardcore gaming phones, the OnePlus 13 is the first mainstream phone we’ve tested with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor inside. The chipset delivers on Qualcomm’s promises. It’s much faster than the previous generation, and it beats Apple’s latest A18 Pro-powered iPhone 16 Pro in many benchmark tests.
The wins don’t stop there. OnePlus says the display is the best that DisplayMate has ever seen, and our tests show it beats competitors in color gamut, if not average brightness. The RAM and storage are significant, and more than enough to drive all of the phone’s AI features and more.
The most impressive specs might be the 6,000mAh battery and the accompanying 80W charging. I’ve never seen a battery this big in a phone that wasn’t made for hardcore gaming. With the huge battery and Snapdragon 8 Elite, the OnePlus 13 is our new battery life champ, and it charges back to full faster than any Samsung or Apple phone, even with the larger cell inside.
OnePlus 13 review: design
Lovely vegan microfiber (aka plastic) on the dark blue
Excellent cases with magnets that make MagSafe accessories work
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I’ve long been a big fan of OnePlus phone designs, but I had a major complaint that kept me from recommending them more often: OnePlus phones weren’t durable. They were not certified to be water and dust resistant, unlike every major Samsung phone since the Galaxy S7. That all changes with the OnePlus 13, and it changes in a big way.
For such a gorgeous phone, the OnePlus 13 is shockingly durable. Most phone makers test phones to IP68 requirements, which means they can be submerged in one meter of water for thirty minutes, and they won’t allow any dust particles inside. OnePlus turns that dial to 11 with, it claims, the first IP69 certified phone. Technically, IP69 just means IP68 plus more, and OnePlus gave this phone a lot more.
I saw OnePlus reps drop the OnePlus 13 into a clothes washing machine and run it with a full load. I saw the phone placed into a dishwasher, where it sat for a full dish cycle, including the drying. This phone doesn’t just take a dunk. It takes a dunk, a spray, and a punch to the face.
It can’t handle salt water, sadly, but that only leaves room for future improvement. But seriously, this might be the most durable phone you can buy that isn’t made for the military or deep sea drilling operations.
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OnePlus makes the best looking phones you can buy, and the OnePlus 13 continues the trend. While I miss the swirly green from the OnePlus 12, which seemed like a magical object I picked up on my journey through an elfen forest, the Midnight Ocean blue is so strikingly classy that it’s undeniably a good evolution for OnePlus.
For accessories, I highly recommend buying the Aramid Fiber Magnetic case, which is not only incredibly functional, it also looks snazzy with that bright red ring around the camera bump. OnePlus is also offering the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 in a matching hue, a very nice touch.
The OnePlus 13 feels fantastic when you hold it, especially in the blue color with its soft, inviting, ‘microfiber vegan’ finish that makes me wonder why I’d ever consider a cold, glass-backed phone like the iPhone or Galaxy. The circular camera bump seems purposeful and stylish, unlike the embarrassed portholes on the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra. Be proud of your cameras! Of course, you get the Hasselblad H stamp next to the ring, for the three people you meet who have heard of Hasselblad – they will be very impressed.
OnePlus keeps the mute switch on the side of the phone, and it’s the most useful mute switch on any device thanks to intuitive haptic feedback that clearly tells you when the phone will make a ruckus or when it will keep quiet.
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I usually ignore phone cases in my review, but OnePlus has gone above and beyond with this year’s offerings. My review sample came with the aramid fiber case (DuPont’s Kevlar is an aramid fiber), which also has magnets built in that by design line up perfectly with every MagSafe charger and attachment. With the case on, I had no trouble charging my OnePlus 13 on my Anker 3-in-1 cube, or attaching my magnetic wallet to the back – the one that came with my iPhone 16 Pro case.
The OnePlus 13 with my favorite Peak Design magnetic tripod, thanks to the magnetic case (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
If you’re considering switching from an iPhone to OnePlus, all of your MagSafe gear will work fine if you also have one of the new cases attached to your OnePlus 13. It’s an incredibly smart system that – sorry Apple – every phone maker should adopt. Let’s make magnet placement a standard across all phones. OnePlus told me that it kept magnets out of the phone itself to keep the price down, but its cases are gorgeous, and third-party options are already making an appearance.
Design score: 5/5
OnePlus 13 review: display
Fantastic display is rated tops by DisplayMate, apparently
Great colors with a slick design that is curved on all four sides
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
OnePlus points to DisplayMate, which says the OnePlus 13 earned DisplayMate’s Highest Ever Display Performance Grade of A++. Who am I to argue? Our own testing in Future Labs showed a wider color gamut than the iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, except when the Galaxy was boosting its color with Vivid mode turned on.
OnePlus loves to flaunt its maximum brightness numbers, but you will never see the phone reach the 4,500 nits that OnePlus claims. In our tests, the display was not as bright as the iPhone or Galaxy using HDR mode. In my real-world time with the phone, I had no trouble seeing the display even in bright sunlight, and OnePlus handed me the phone after flying me to Miami, so it was plenty bright.
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The fingerprint reader under the display was a delight, the most responsive I think I’ve ever used. I don’t remember a missed attempt in my entire three-week review period, while my Galaxy phone fails to read my thumb print on the daily.
I even like the subtle curve all around the edges of the display. It makes for a very appealing device to hold and swipe around. My fingers never caught on the edges, and it gives the phone a premium feel.
Display score: 5/5
OnePlus 13 review: software
The best-looking Android interface, with just the right features
Not as much AI as a Pixel or iPhone, for better and for worse
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At its best, the OnePlus Oxygen OS 15 interface is delightful. It’s colorful enough to be engaging and unique, without feeling cartoonish or distracting. The OnePlus shelf is a brilliant way to handle widgets, with great designs, and the system settings and notification menus are refined and restrained. Every other Android phone maker should be following OnePlus’s lead, because the OnePlus interface doesn’t go too far, like Samsung’s OneUI, or oversimplify, like Google’s vanilla Pixel Android.
Sometimes, OnePlus gets a bit silly in its pursuit to take on Apple, but it's an earnest attempt to create the most thoughtful and appealing phone software you’ll use. There is a fake Dynamic Island on the OnePlus 13 that mimics the pill-shaped island on the latest Apple iPhone 16. Unlike the iPhone, the OnePlus Dynamic Island persists even when the phone is in landscape mode. The feature Apple created to hide the hole in its screen is now being copied to create a fake hole in the screen.
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I appreciated the attempt, and OnePlus sees utility in having a tiny little window with animations for app activity, like your Uber Eats meal approaching or your Audible audiobook playing. All around the OnePlus 13 I found thoughtful touches and flourishes. It never went too far, and OnePlus even retains its controversial Zen Space, an app that will literally lock you out of your own phone, with no way to regain access, for a period that you specify. Zen indeed.
On the other hand, not everything is perfect. OnePlus claimed that its phones could tap to share with the iPhone, which would be a huge win for an Android phone. In fact, your iPhone friends need to download special OnePlus software, then walk through a series of steps. It’s not as seamless as OnePlus made it sound, and I’d never subject my iPhone friends to this process when I can just email a photo or file instead.
Google's Circle To Search scanning for a lighthouse (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
If you’re a huge fan of smartphone AI, what you get on the OnePlus 13 won’t compete with Apple Intelligence or Google’s Pixel phones. You get a lot of Google AI features, including Google Gemini and Circle to Search, but Google isn’t handing over all of the AI magic to its Android partners. For instance, my Pixel 9 Pro will screen calls using an AI assistant, but the OnePlus 13 can’t do that.
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OnePlus also loads its phones with just a bit more first-party bloat than I’d like. There’s a Clone Phone app and that Zen Space app, and those should just be Settings options. The OnePlus Community app should be an optional download. There are sadly two Photos apps, because one is actually Google Photos and the other is from OnePlus. And why is there a strange ‘Internet’ web browser from third-party developer HeyTap? Chrome works fine.
Software score: 4/5
OnePlus 13 review: cameras
Wonderful cameras for action photos and low-light shooting
Heavy reliance on computational tools, but photos look great
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The OnePlus 13 has three 50-megapixel cameras, but forget about the megapixels because megapixels don’t matter. What matters is the size of the sensor. The main sensor on the OnePlus 13 is the Sony LYT-808, the same sensor used on the OnePlus 12. The iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra each use slightly larger main sensors, but the difference is minimal: around 0.06-inches diagonally.
The OnePlus 13 has excellent cameras, and it’s one of the best camera phones you can buy. The OnePlus approach to mobile photography is going to be more and more important in the near future. Instead of packing the phone with massive sensors, OnePlus is aggressively enhancing images with computational photography techniques, to mostly excellent effect.
From the main sensor, I got photos that fell somewhere between the oversaturated, explosive colors I see from the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the staid, film-like softness of the iPhone 16 Pro. The OnePlus 13 takes photos that are stylish and realistic, without being dull.
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In some ways, the OnePlus camera is truly remarkable, like with zoom shots and action photos. Though the OnePlus 13 gets a lot of help from AI to fix the 3x zoom long-distance pics, the result is much better than the competition. Zooming in on my kid on the football field, the iPhone left him grainy and blurred, while the Galaxy made him look cartoonish. The OnePlus 13 offered remarkable detail and sharpness without much blur, even on action shots taken in low light.
Shooting fast-action scenes gave the OnePlus 13 even more advantage. OnePlus paid for me to take a Royal Caribbean cruise with other tech media (I know, I know) to preview the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R, and I got to photograph folks riding the simulated surfing wave. Under cloudy skies or even at night with disco lights, I got amazing shots that other phone cameras couldn’t approach.
I still think that the iPhone 16 Pro offers a better look, and the photos from my iPhone look like real photo prints, which can be charming. The OnePlus 13 offers amazing dynamic range, but it suffers from the classic camera phone problem of balancing everything too evenly. Sometimes I don’t want to see so much detail, I want a little more mystery.
Camera score: 4/5
OnePlus 13 review: camera samples
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OnePlus 13 review: performance
The fastest phone you can buy, if you need that
Android needs software to justify performance gains, besides AI
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What do you do with the fastest phone in the world? That’s the question I’m left pondering after my time with the OnePlus 13, which scored higher in important benchmarks than any other phone we’ve tested in Future Labs. It beat the iPhone 16 Pro Max handily in multi-core processing performance and on most graphics tests. Against the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the OnePlus 13 was twice as fast on some tests.
In the real world? Yes, it’s the fastest phone I’ve ever used. The interface is incredibly snappy, and OnePlus says its doing work behind the scenes to make sure that everything apps open and windows render faster on the OnePlus 13 than any other phone. Still, phones were already plenty fast, and I don’t know a single human who can perceive the difference between the fastest overall and the third, fourth, or tenth fastest phone.
The problem is that Android software, especially, hasn’t caught up to the performance benefits. Sure, I can use Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Premiere to edit photos and videos, but the software doesn’t work the same as it does on a desktop computer. Even worse, Apple has far more desktop-class applications developed for its mobile platforms, likely because it took the lead with pro software like Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro. Where is the Final Cut for Android? What apps justify the need for so much power?
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I suspect that all of the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s processing power will be used eventually by upcoming AI features. For now, the AI story is confusing. It seems that the OnePlus 13 is offloading most of its AI work to various cloud servers. It isn’t doing much machine learning computation on the phone itself, even though that’s supposed to be the whole point of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Frankly, the Snapdragon will benefit Samsung more than OnePlus, because Samsung stuffs its phones full of software features like the DeX desktop environment, the Bixby assistant, and more robust edge panels and pop-up bonuses. You’ll find a useful, simpler edge panel on the OnePlus 13 by swiping in from the edge of the phone, but you won’t find a desktop computer hidden inside. I appreciate that OnePlus doesn’t overload its phones with features I’d hardly use.
Performance score: 5/5
OnePlus 13 review: battery
The longest battery life of any phone we’ve tested
Astonishing charging speeds, even charging wirelessly
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Ahhh, here’s the answer to the Snapdragon question: How does the OnePlus 13 benefit from using the Snapdragon 8 Elite? It’s the battery life, which is the best I’ve ever experienced from a mobile phone. My OnePlus 13 lasted longer than a full day of use every day I used it, and I would often forget to charge it at night in my first week of testing because I simply wasn’t worried that it would run out of juice.
In our lab testing, the OnePlus 13 lasted 15 minutes shy of 20 hours. The iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted just over 17 and a half hours, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra couldn’t last 17 hours in our testing. That’s the longest any phone has lasted, though it shouldn’t be a huge surprise because the phone to beat was the OnePlus 12R, a big battery powerhouse with an efficient Snapdragon inside.
In the aramid fiber case with the AirVOOC charger (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
In my real-world use, honestly I’m not entirely sure because charging the OnePlus 13 is very fun. It charges so fast, it’s incredible. OnePlus also gave me the new AirVOOC wireless charging puck with a cooling fan built in, and it attaches magnetically to the back of the OnePlus 13 when it’s wearing a case. Even with the wireless charger, the OnePlus 13 charges faster than my iPhone or Galaxy. But connected to a special OnePlus red cable? Superhuman (phone) speeds.
When I can charge my phone past 50% in the 15 minutes it takes me to shower, I barely worry about battery life. Or I can drop my phone onto the wireless charger and get a full charge in an hour while I catch up on work. The OnePlus 13 lasts longer than any other phone, sure, but it almost doesn’t need to last so long because, even with the huge battery, it charges faster than all the rest.
In 15 minutes, the OnePlus 13 charges to 52% full. In the same time, my iPhone 16 Pro Max reached 29%, and my Galaxy S24 Ultra hit 39%. After charging for 30 minutes, the OnePlus was five minutes from being totally topped up, while the other phones weren’t even three-quarters charged.
OnePlus even gives you a charger in the box, though it must, because no other charger will charge the OnePlus 13 that fast. You must use the special OnePlus charger. In the near future, OnePlus will be releasing an even more special charger than can charge the phone to the full 100W speed, instead of just 80W, though that big brick will cost a lot extra.
Battery score: 5/5
Should you buy the OnePlus 13?
Buy it if...
You want the best battery and fastest charging The OnePlus 13 has the best battery life of any phone I’ve tested, and it can charge to full in just over 30 minutes like a fiend.
You want a beautiful phone that is delightful to use The OnePlus 13 turns heads and makes people ask what phone I’m using. I’m happy to show them, the interface is just as pretty.
You want to switch from iPhone to Android I’m calling it: the OnePlus 13 is the phone to consider if you want to switch from iPhone to a more versatile, powerful phone with better battery life.
Don't buy it if...
All your friends have iPhones Sorry to say that OnePlus’s iPhone sharing capabilities don’t live up to the hype, and may frustrate friends more than help.
You don’t have that much cash on hand Your mobile carrier will practically give you a Galaxy or iPhone free if you sign your soul away for a few years.
You want the best camera phone The OnePlus 13 is one of the best camera phones, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro still take better photos in many situations.
OnePlus 13 review: also consider
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple’s big phone gives you a Camera Control button, Apple Intelligence, and all of Apple’s unique features that only work between iPhones. Read our full Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max review.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra This Galaxy is about to be replaced, but it still hits hard with amazing cameras, the water resistant S Pen camera remote, and tons of other features. Read our full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review.
How I tested the OnePlus 13
OnePlus flew me to Miami to give me a OnePlus 13 review sample, then paid for me to join the company and around three dozen other reviewers on a 4-day Royal Caribbean cruise. OnePlus had no say in any part of this review and did not ask for any consideration in return. I tested the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R during that period and for two weeks after, side-by-side against all of my best phones.
I tested the phone by submerging it in water, spraying it with a hose, and generally abusing it with liquids then washing it in the sink.
I had the OnePlus 13 for around three weeks before this review was published. I used it as my primary work phone that time, including Slack, Google Meet, Vampire Survivors, and Google’s office suite. I also used Google Gemini Advanced with my own personal subscription to the service.
I used the OnePlus 13 primarily as a camera and video camera, but I also played a lot of games, listened to music, and used it for maps and navigation. I connected the OnePlus 13 to my car stereo via Bluetooth and Android Auto, and I connected to a variety of other headphones including the matching OnePlus Buds Pro 3, Sony Bluetooth headphones, Google Pixel Buds Pro, and more.
I benchmarked the OnePlus 13 using a variety of benchmarking software available from the Google Play Store. The phone was also independently tested in Future Labs by our reviews testing team.
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Carv is a system that gathers motion data from your ski boots using sensors, analyses that via the app on your smartphone, and provides feedback through your headphones. It’s a digital ski coach, using advanced algorithms to detect and evaluate your technique, grade it, highlight improvement points, and provide feedback to help you achieve that.
The first version of Carv used pressure-sensing insoles but has now evolved to two sensor units that clip onto your ski boot in Carv 2. That makes setup a breeze, you just clip them on, check the Bluetooth connection to your phone, pop in a headphone and you’re good to go.
The beauty of Carv 2 is that it works in real-time. It can provide audible feedback on each turn, with more detailed evaluation when you stop, or once you get on the lift. Your skiing is captured in incredible detail: this isn’t just a GPS trace like you’d get from a Garmin, you get detailed data through every part of your turn, recording how your weight shifted and how each of your skis behaved.
Carv 2 gamifies your skiing, giving you a Ski IQ score based on your skill (mine is 124) while helping you target the changes you’d have to make to improve your technique. The aim is to help you become a smooth carving skier, but there’s plenty to help you progress to better parallel turns, so it works for a wide range of intermediate to advanced skiers.
(Image credit: Carv)
Carv is a unique system and incredibly detailed, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, with audio feedback to help you improve, supported by videos in the app to demonstrate what’s being discussed. It’s like having an instructor with you every time you ski, talking in your ear, while hitting new targets is incredibly rewarding.
Carv 2 isn’t suitable for beginners and it can’t teach you to ski from scratch. It’s also fairly expensive: the sensors cost £99, but you need a subscription to use them and that’s £99/$119 for 6 days (a typical ski vacation). Alternatively, you can pay £199, get the sensors free of charge, and have a full year of use – but in future years you’ll need a new subscription, so there’s an ongoing cost.
(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)
It’s cheaper than ski lessons, but you have to be engaged with Carv to benefit and you don’t have the advantage of having a real-life person to show you what you’re doing wrong – instead, you might end up with repeated feedback, which can feel a little like nagging.
Carv 2 is perfect for me however: as an intermediate skier, who has plateaued and is unlikely to ever have lessons again because I’d rather ski with my family, Carv 2 lets me make small adjustments to focus on my technique. There’s nothing else like it and for a skier, those stats are really addictive and mean that every run counts.
(Image credit: Carv)
Carv 2 Ski Coach: Scorecard
Carv 2: Should I buy?
Buy it if…
You’re an intermediate skier
If you love skiing but aren’t getting any better, then Carv 2 could help you make those changes to improve.
You’re a data junkie
Sometimes you just need data and Carv 2 will give you data on everything about your skiing. You’ll get the metrics of your turns, your speed, and the distance you’ve covered, all nicely presented for every ski session.
You feel like you’re held back by friends or family
It sounds mean but … with Carv 2 you can use those slower runs to really focus on your technique and make progress – while skiing with others.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re a beginner skier
If you’re just getting started and you can’t turn, then Carv isn’t for you. Get some lessons to help you learn the basics safely.
You don’t ski regularly
While you could buy Carv 2 for one week of skiing, you’re really not going to benefit unless you’re getting out on the snow regularly – yearly at least.
You don’t like headphones
It might sound silly, but Carv 2 talks to you through your headphones - if you can’t ski with headphones, then you won’t get on with it.
How I tested
I used Carv 2 over two days of skiing on the Stubai glacier in Austria, where I tested all the features. I previously used the original Carv, so had the chance to compare the experience of both systems. During testing, I covered 40km of runs, a descent of 8000m in total, with over 1600 turns across those days. I skied on piste, including some mogul segments. I didn’t have the chance to test it in powder snow. All testing was conducted on a trip paid for and provided by Carv. Carv did not have any say in the content of this article and did not see it before it was published.
The fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat blends a terrific redesign with the smart features that we've all come to expect from the company's devices. Google arguably set the bar very high back in 2011, with a control set that mirrored an iPod, and the ability to learn your cooling or heating schedule from the get-go.
Between the facelift that makes it look more like a piece of art on your wall and the 'AI' power infused into its already well-regarded learning features, the fourth-generation Learning Thermostat is a pretty easy recommendation for most folks. Even when accounting for the price increase of up to $280, the fourth-generation model is more than a bit smarter, and now includes a temperature sensor in the box as well.
I especially liked the smaller changes, including the ability to accept or decline suggested temperature changes to my schedule, but besides the design, the best functionality change is the adjustable and more helpful display. Displaying the active temperature and visual for the weather from afar, and showing highs and lows as I get close, the FarSight feature means the new Nest Learning Thermostat is useful even when I'm not using it to adjust temperatures.
Setup within the Google Home app was easy for me, but my colleagues weren't as lucky, and most of the experience with the app is pretty basic. It might be intentional, but something a bit more full-featured would have been nice. Even so, adding Matter will make the folks waiting to use a Nest natively in the Apple Home app pretty darn happy. Myself included.
As a whole, the fourth-generation Nest Learning Thermostat evolves into the modern age of the smart home in a successful fashion, which I think will make folks upgrading from a previous model quite happy (even though it's not plug-and-play). People new to Nest will find it to be feature-filled. That makes the decision of only releasing the fourth generation in the United States and Canada a bit more baffling.
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen: price and availability
The Nest Learning Thermostat Fourth-Generation is available in the United States and Canada. You get your pick of Polished Gold, Polished Silver, or Polished Obsidian for $279.99 in the United States, or $379.99 in Canada. A temperature sensor is included in the box, but you can buy a single additional unit for $29.99 or a three-pack for $99.99.
As of now, there is no timeframe for when the fourth generation might launch outside the United States or Canada.
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen: design
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
The new Nest Learning Thermostat looks stunning.
It was a simple install, though it's not plug-and-play if you're upgrading from an existing Nest.
The larger, upgraded display steals the show and navigation is still impressively simple.
While the fourth generation model still inherently operates like the original Nest Learning Thermostat that dropped way back in 2011, it’s by far the biggest redesign the device has ever received. When mounted on the wall, it looks more like a piece of art hanging than a thermostat – especially in the ‘Polished Gold’ that I’ve been testing, which gives major rosy vibes when the light hits it right.
It’s the best-looking smart thermostat around, neither screaming 'technology' nor resembling a classic plastic thermostat. It’s sort of a cross between the two, with a design that allows the true smarts of the Nest Thermostat to shine through. More on that later.
Rather than a small, thick circular thermostat that gets placed on a bracket and then a mounting plate if you so desire, the Nest Thermostat fourth-generation has a slightly larger footprint on the wall itself. That’s not a bad thing, because this circular piece is attached via the bracket to your wall, acting as the stand for the thermostat's slim and elegant main hull.
It’s kind of like a supersize Google Pixel Watch 3, with the 3.9-inch circular, almost bezel-free dome giving the impression that it’s floating. You’ll turn this whole piece to the right or left to raise or lower the temperature. Google’s design team is still adamantly against touchscreens here, so you’ll click and turn it to complete most other tasks too (including some parts of the setup process), but you'll mainly use it to adjust heating and cooling modes.
The installation was really a breeze; in my apartment in New Jersey, where I’ve been testing the fourth-generation Nest Thermostat for several months, it took me no more than about 15 to 20 minutes to install. I wasn’t upgrading from a previous Nest, but considering the plate here is a different size, you will need to swap those out if you are. That's kind of a bummer, as it’s not a super simple swap for the faithful already invested in the ecosystem.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Still, Google provides mostly everything in the box, including the main bracket and a helpful wiring guide. Essentially, you’ll install the main steel bracket and use the included screws to get that on the wall. Then you have the thermostat base, which you’ll guide the wires through. You also get the mounting plate, which I opted to use, but that's optional.
The idea is that if you're currently using the Nest app, it will push you to use the Google Home app instead, and if you’re new, you’ll need to start with Google Home. Even if you bought the Nest Learning Thermostat for its Matter capability so you can use it with Apple's Home app (which does work eventually), you need to start with Google Home. Luckily, the team brought the easy installation help to the Google app, which will perform some checks, including a test of heating and cooling modes.
Once it's set up in Google Home, you get to take advantage of the major benefit of the Nest Learning Thermostat, and that’s the Matter support. Oddly enough, there is no Thread connectivity here, which is a strange omission. If you select your Nest Learning Thermostat within the Google Home app and then navigate to Settings > Device information > Linked Matter apps & services, it will generate a code that you can scan or send to Apple’s Home app, for example. You can also select and review the Matter code on the Nest Learning Thermostat itself.
You’ll need to set it up with a Google account in the Google Home app first, but the nice thing about a Nest thermostat is that the app eventually fades away, and you can focus on controlling it from the device itself or let the smart scheduling take the wheel.
As far as the classic mechanic, it’s smooth as ever with just the right amount of resistance to maneuvering the dial I’ve had more than a few friends ask me what it is when spotting it on the wall in the front of my apartment – it’s simply an eye-catcher.
The 3.9-inch LCD screen almost appears like it’s hidden behind the finish – a cool effect – and the content can change based on where you are. For example, if it doesn’t detect you directly nearby, it will use larger graphics that can be seen from a distance. If you approach, the Soli sensor – read as radar – will detect you and adjust the content as you get nearer. It’s dubbed the ‘Farsight’ display, and you can adjust it to show high and low temperatures, air quality, and even weather. You’ll set these from the device itself, but the weather animations are really neat.
It’s also a point of difference with competing thermostats like those from Ecobee, which tosses a speaker and a microphone into select models. I think the Nest Thermostat packs features that make more sense. Seeing the weather quickly as you’re heading out the door or picking what coat to wear is neat.
The display feels inherently meshed with this new look – it won’t steer away the folks who have loved Nest from the beginning, and it really looks dynamite. There also isn’t a better control system than just turning to the left or right and pushing in. Apple had it first with the iPod, but considering multitouch, I think it’s the gold standard for thermostat control.
Design Score: 4.5/5
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen: Performance
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
The Google Home app is pretty basic, and it has some connectivity issues.
Yes, the Nest finally works with Apple Home.
The AI-infused learning features impress and make cooling or heating a home easier.
I’ve been testing the Nest Thermostat Fourth-Generation for several months, which means I’ve used it for a few seasons, including summer, fall, and winter. That’s pretty important to see how the smart scheduling reasoning and, ultimately, the functionality of the Nest handle the swap from cooling to heating.
Much like any other gadget released in 2024, Google has tossed in some AI capabilities, mainly affecting how the Nest Thermostat adjusts the temperature. This makes the previous learning aspects of Nest – arguably, the main appeal – a bit smarter and quicker once you get in a rhythm, but also more actionable. For instance, with the new Smart Schedule feature, you can accept or decline the adjustments it suggests, whether that’s a degree or cooler at night or warmer in the morning.
Further, as it begins to notice the change from cooling or heating, it takes a few days to stop suggestions and focus on learning before updating and delivering a custom schedule that you can manage if you like.
These minute changes that the Nest Thermostat suggests could lower your energy bill (aka the cost of cooling or heating your home), but you may not see those impacts immediately. What you might be able to do here in the United States is to see if your utility provider offers any rebate for the cost, as the latest Nest isn’t the cheapest.
Beyond learning from your habits and adjustments – on the thermostat, via the app, or through a smart assistant – it will consider conditions around your home. For example, if it’s a warmer day in the winter, it might lower your heating temperature to save on energy and factor in that your home might stay warmer for longer on its own. It's the same thing for a cooler summer day, and it works quite well. Similarly, if your forecast predicts a frigid temperature turn, it might turn the heating on earlier to ensure you’re still at a comfortable temperature in your home.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
As with previous Nest thermostats, you can expect all of these to get better as you spend more time with the unit, and that’s exactly what I’ve found. I wouldn’t go into it expecting it to master your desired temperatures after just a few days, but you need to spend a week or two with it to see meaningful suggestions.
The thermostat also comes with a pebble-shaped sensor, which helps measure the temperature more accurately inside your home. The idea is to place this somewhere in your house away from the Nest Thermostat, which contains its own sensor, so it can get a proper read of the temperature and ensure the desired conditions are found throughout.
Including this in the box is pretty nice, and helps to make up for the price increase to $280. Unfortunately, although the Nest Thermostat works with Matter and therefore Apple Home the sensor doesn’t seem to move over. There were also several occasions when adjusting the temperature in the Apple Home app didn't work properly the first time, especially shortly after I first installed the unit. Thankfully that's now become far less frequent, and I’ve successfully controlled it from a range of Apple devices and through Siri. You can also integrate it through automation within Apple Home; the same goes for Google Home’s automation.
As far as the Google Home app goes, it’s pretty basic for controlling the Nest Learning Thermostat, but that might be intentional as the real appeal is these AI-infused learning features, which ultimately still impress. The fourth-generation Nest Thermostat shows an evolution in terms of features and revolution with design, but it’s still a compelling experience that lets you spend less time fiddling with a thermostat.
Performance Score: 4/5
Scorecard
Should I buy theNest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen?
Buy it if...
You want an easy-to-use, good-looking thermostat
There's never been a better-looking thermostat than the fourth-generation Nest, and luckily, it keeps the impressive controls that made it a winner back in 2011.
You want a Nest Thermostat that works with Apple Home
Thanks to Matter support, after setup in the Google Home app, you can easily generate a code and add the Nest to your Apple Home.
You want a thermostat that factors in environmental conditions and does the heavy lifting for you...
Like every Nest thermostat before it, the learning features are the stand out feature here and it now factors in your local weather to see if it needs to adjust the temperature.
Don't buy it if...
You're not in the United States or Canada
Sadly, the fourth-generation Nest is only available in the US and Canada, so you'll need to consider a different model.
You don't want to use the Google Home app
You'll need to have a Google account and use the Google Home app to setup and get the most out of the Nest Learning Thermostat.View Deal
With a much more affordable price tag, the Nest Thermostat E is an excellent model to consider if you can find it in stock as it utilizes the same easy controls that put Nest on the map.View Deal
Apple is reportedly in talks with Tencent and TikTok owner ByteDance to partner up on AI features in China. The talks are allegedly at a very early stage, so there's still a chance nothing will come out of these.
Apple needs a Chinese partner for AI features because the Chinese government has to approve any generative AI services, and it obviously heavily favors local companies for such permits.
Apple started rolling out ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence, but ChatGPT isn't available in China for the same reason outlined above.
Of course, any Chinese company that manages to partner...
When I reviewed the Arc A770 and A750, I said that these Alchemist GPUs were impressive first efforts for Intel's Arc range, but not yet at the level that they needed to be to compete with the likes of Nvidia and AMD in discrete graphics.
Well, with the release of the new Intel Arc B580 (2nd-gen Battlemage), there's no doubt that Intel has produced one of the best graphics cards of this generation, and given gamers on a budget an absolute gift just in time for the holidays.
For starters, let's talk about the price of this GPU. At just $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$439, the Arc B580 undercuts both Nvidia's and AMD's budget offerings, the RTX 4060 and RX 7600, while offering substantially better performance, making its value proposition untouchable at this price range.
While I'll dig deeper into the performance in a bit, I'll cut to the chase and point out the simple fact that neither the RTX 4060 nor the RX 7600 can game at 1440p without severely compromising graphics quality. Not only can the B580 perform this feat, it does so brilliantly.
This comes down to some very straightforward spec choices that Intel made with its Battlemage debut that, especially in hindsight, make Nvidia and AMD's respective decisions even more baffling. First, with a VRAM pool of 12GB, the B580 can hold the larger texture files needed for 1440p gaming, whereas the RTX 4060 Ti cannot, due to its 8GB VRAM loadout.
Then there's the B580's wider 192-bit memory interface, compared to the RTX 4060 Ti's and RX 7600 XT's 128-bit. While this might seem like an obscure spec, it's the secret sauce for the B580. This beefier interface allows it to process those larger texture files much faster than its competitors, so this GPU can fully leverage its bigger VRAM pool in a way that Nvidia and AMD's competing cards simply can't, even with larger VRAM configurations.
Boiling all this down, you end up with a budget-class GPU that can get you fast 1440p framerates the likes of which we haven't seen since the RTX 3060 Ti.
Even more impressive, in my mind, is that I did not encounter a single game where there was some kind of quirk or hiccup caused by the driver. With the Arc Alchemist cards last year, there were issues with some games not running well because of inadequate driver support, or a game's reliance on an older version of DirectX that the Alchemist GPUs weren't optimized for. I didn't encounter any of those problems this time around. The Intel graphics team's long, hard work on getting Arc's drivers up to par has definitely paid off.
If there's a criticism I can make of this graphics card, it's that its creative performance isn't as good as Nvidia's. But given the entire creative world's reliance on Nvidia's bespoke CUDA instruction set, neither Intel nor AMD were ever really going to be able to compete here.
Fortunately, the Intel Arc B580 is a graphics card for gaming, and for any gamer looking to play at 1440p resolution on the cheap, the B580 is really the only graphics card that can do it, making it the only GPU you should be considering at this price point.
Intel Arc B580: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The Intel Arc B580 is available in the US, UK, and Australia, and has been from December 13, 2024, starting at $249.99, £249.99, and AU$439 respectively. Third-party graphics card partners like Acer, ASRock, and others will have their own variants of the B580, and their prices may be higher, depending on the card.
The closest competition for the Arc B580 in terms of price are the Nvidia RTX 4060 and AMD RX 7600, both of which have a $20-$50 higher MSRP. And while Nvidia and AMD are preparing to roll out their next-gen graphics cards starting next month, it will still be a few months after the initial flagship launches before either company's budget offerings are announced. So, the B580 is the only current-gen GPU available for under $250 / £250 / AU$450 at the moment, and will likely remain so for many months to come.
Value: 5/5
Intel Arc B580: Specifications
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Intel Arc B580: Architecture & features
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The Intel Arc B580 is the first discrete GPU from Intel based on its new Xe2 graphics architecture, codenamed Battlemage, and there are a lot of low-level changes over the previous-gen Intel Arc Alchemist. Many of these are small tweaks to the architectural design, such as the move from SIMD32 to SIMD16 instructions, but when taken together, all of these small changes add up to a major overhaul of the GPU.
That, in addition to using TSMC's 5nm process, means that even though the GPU itself has become physically smaller in just about every measure, it's much more powerful.
The B580 has a roughly 17% reduction in compute units from the Arc A580 and about 10% fewer transistors, but Intel says that its various architectural changes produce about 70% better performance per compute unit (or Xe core, as Intel calls it). I haven't tested or reviewed the Intel Arc A580, so I can't say for certain if that claim holds up, but there has definitely been a major performance gain gen-on-gen based on my experience with the higher-end Arc Alchemist cards. We also can't ignore the substantially faster boost clock of 2,850MHz, up from 1,700MHz for the A580.
Outside of the GPU architecture, there is also a smaller memory bus, with the A580's 256-bit interface dropping down to 192-bit for the B580, but the B580 features a 50% increase in its video memory pool, as well as a faster memory clock.
Specs & features: 4.5 / 5
Intel Arc B580: Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition reference card is what you'd call the 'base' version of this GPU, but don't call it basic.
Despite its all-black-with-white-accent-lettering appearance, this is a good-looking graphics card, much like the initial Arc Alchemist GPUs before it, thanks to its matte, textured black shroud, dual-fan cooling, and rather understated aesthetic.
In a PC component world full of ostentatious, overly aggressive and flashy designs, there is something almost respectable about a graphics card in 2024 that presents itself without gimmicks, almost daring you to underestimate its capabilities due to its lack of RGB.
That said, there is one noticeable difference with this graphics card's design: the open 'window' over the internal heatsink to help with airflow and cooling. Unfortunately, the HWInfo64 utility I use to measure temperature and power draw for the GPUs I review couldn't read the Arc B580 during testing, so I can't tell you how much of a difference this window makes compared to something like the Intel Arc A750—but it certainly won't hurt its thermals.
Beyond that, the card also sports a single 8-pin power connector, in keeping with its 190W TBP, so you can pretty much guarantee that if you already have a discrete GPU in your system, you'll have the available power cables from your PSU required to use this GPU.
It's also not a very large graphics card, though it is larger than some RTX 4060 and RX 7600 GPUs (it's about 10.7-inches / 272mm), though third-party variants might be more compact. In any case, it's a dual-slot card, so it'll fit in place as an upgrade for just about any graphics card you have in your PC currently.
Design: 4.5 / 5
Intel Arc B580: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
OK, so now we come to why I am absolutely in love with this graphics card: performance.
Unfortunately, I don't have an Intel Arc A580 card on hand to compare this GPU to, so I can't directly measure how the B580 stacks up to its predecessor. But I can compare the B580 to its current competition, as well as the Intel Arc A750, which prior to this release was selling at, or somewhat below, the price of this graphics card, and has comparable specs.
In terms of pure synthetic performance, the Arc B580 comes in second to the Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti, performing about 10% slower overall. That said, there were some tests, like 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra, Wild Life Extreme (and Wild Life Extreme Unlimited), and Time Spy Extreme where the extra VRAM allowed the Arc B580 to pull ahead of the much more expensive Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti. The Arc B580 did manage to outperform the RTX 4060 by about 12%, however.
Creative workloads aren't the Arc B580's strongest area, with Nvidia's RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti performing substantially better. This might change once PugetBench for Creators Photoshop benchmark gets updated however, as it crashed during every single test I ran, regardless of which graphics card I was using.
Notably, the Intel Arc B580 encoded 4K video to 1080p at a faster rate using Intel's H.264 codec in Handbrake 1.61 than all of the other cards tested using Nvidia or AMD's H.264 options, so this is something for game streamers to consider if they're looking for a card to process their video on the fly.
But what really matters with this GPU is gaming, and if you compare this graphics card's 1080p performance to the competition, you'll have to go with the nearly 40% more expensive Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti in order to beat it, and it's not a crushing defeat for Intel. While I found the Arc B580 is about 17% slower than the RTX 4060 Ti on average at 1080p (with no ray tracing or upscaling), it's still hitting 82 FPS on average overall and actually has a slightly higher minimum/1% FPS performance of just under 60 FPS.
The AMD RX 7600 XT, Intel Arc A750, and Nvidia RTX 4060 don't even come close to reaching these kinds of numbers, with the Arc B580 scoring a roughly 30% faster average 1080p FPS and an incredible 52% faster minimum/1% FPS advantage over the Nvidia RTX 4060, which comes in a very distant third place among the five GPUs being tested. All in all, it's an impressive performance from the Intel Battlemage graphics card.
Also worth noting is that the Intel Arc B580's ray-tracing performance is noticeably better than AMD's, and not that far behind Nvidia's, though its upscaling performance lags a bit behind AMD and Nvidia at 1080p.
Even more impressive, though, is this card's 1440p performance.
Typically, if you're going to buy any 1440p GPU, not even the best 1440p graphics card, you should expect to pay at least $400-$500 (about £320-£400 / AU$600-AU$750). And to really qualify as a 1440p GPU, you need to hit an average of 60 FPS overall, with an average FPS floor of about 40 FPS. Anything less than that, and you're going to have an uneven experience game-to-game.
In this regard, the only two graphics cards I tested that qualify are the Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti and the Intel Arc B580, and they are very close to each other in terms of 1440p performance. (I can give an honorable mention to the Nvidia RTX 4060, which almost got there, but not quite).
While Nvidia has certain built-in advantages owing to its status as the premiere GPU brand (so pretty much any game is optimized for Nvidia hardware by default), at 1440p it only barely ekes out a win over the Intel Arc B580. And that's ultimately down to its stronger native ray-tracing performance—a scenario which pretty much no one opts for. If you're going to use ray tracing, you're going to use upscaling, and in that situation, the RTX 4060 Ti and Arc B580 are effectively tied at 1440p.
And this 1440p performance in particular is why I'm so enthusiastic about this graphics card. While this is the performance section of the review, I can't help but talk about the value that this card represents for gamers—especially the growing number of 1440p-aspiring gamers out there.
Prior to the Intel Arc B580, gaming at 1440p—which is the PC gaming sweet spot; believe me, I've extensively tested nearly every GPU of the past four years at 1440p—was something reserved for the petit bourgeois of PC gamers. These are the folks not rich enough to really go in for the best 4K graphics cards, but they've got enough money to buy a 1440p monitor and a graphics card powerful enough to drive it.
This used to mean something approaching a grand just for these two items alone, locking a lot of gamers into incremental 1080p advances for two successive generations. No more.
Now, with an entry-level 1440p monitor coming in under $300 /£300 / AU$450, it's entirely possible to upgrade your rig for 1440p gaming for about $500 / £500 / AU$750 with this specific graphics card (and only this graphics card), which is absolutely doable for a hell of a lot of gamers out there who are still languishing at 1080p.
Ultimately, this, more than anything, raises the Intel Arc B580 into S-Tier for me, even though Nvidia's $399.99 RTX 4060 Ti GPU gets slightly better performance. The Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti just doesn't offer this kind of value for the vast majority of gamers out there, and even with its improved performance since its launch, the 4060 Ti is still very hard to recommend.
The Nvidia RTX 4060, meanwhile, can't keep up with the B580 despite being 20% more expensive. And with the AMD RX 7600 XT, laden with its $329.99 MSRP (about £250 / AU$480 RRP), falling noticeably behind the B580, the RX 7600 (which I haven't had a chance to retest yet) doesn't stand a chance (and has a slightly more expensive MSRP).
And, it has to be emphasized, I experienced none of the driver issues with the Intel Arc B580 that I did when I originally reviewed the Intel Arc A750 and Arc A770. Every game I tested ran perfectly well, even if something like Black Myth Wukong ran much better on the two Nvidia cards than it did on Intel's GPUs. Tweak some settings and you'll be good to go.
This was something that just wasn't the case with the previous-gen Arc graphics cards at launch, and it truly held Intel back at the time. In one of my Intel Arc Alchemist reviews, I compared that generation of graphics cards to fantastic journeyman efforts that were good, but maybe not ready to be put out on the show floor. No more. Intel has absolutely graduated to full GPU maker status, and has done so with a card more affordable than the cheapest graphics cards its competition has to offer.
Simply put, for a lot of cash-strapped gamers out there, the Intel Arc B580's performance at this price is nothing short of a miracle, and it makes me question how Intel of all companies was able to pull this off while AMD and Nvidia have not.
Even if you don't buy an Intel Arc B580, give Intel its due for introducing this kind of competition into the graphics card market. If Intel can keep this up for the B570, and hopefully the B770 and B750, then Nvidia and AMD will have no choice but to rein in their price inflation with the next-gen cards they plan to offer next year, making it a win-win for every gamer looking to upgrade.
Performance: 4.5 / 5
Intel Arc B580: Should you buy it?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Buy the Intel Arc B580 if...
You want an extremely affordable 1440p graphics card A 1440p graphics card can be quite expensive, but the Intel Arc B580 is incredibly affordable.
You're looking for great gaming performance The Intel Arc B580 delivers incredible framerates for the price.
Don't buy it if...
You're looking for a budget creative GPU While the B580 isn't terrible, if you're looking for a GPU for creative work, there are better cards out there.
You want a cheap GPU for AI workloads The Intel Arc B580 might have dedicated AI hardware, but it still lags behind Nvidia by a good amount.
Also consider
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 The Nvidia RTX 4060 is a better option for a lot of creative tasks on a budget, though its gaming performance isn't as strong despite the higher price.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti If you want a strong 1080p and 1440p gaming GPU, but also need some muscle for creative or machine learning/AI workloads, this card is what you'll want, so long as you're willing to pay the extra premium in the price.
Over the course of about three weeks, I used the Intel Arc B580 as my primary workstation GPU when I wasn't actively benchmarking it.
This included using the graphics card for various creative workloads like Adobe Photoshop and light video encoding work.
I also used the B580 for some in-depth game testing, including titles like Black Myth Wukong, Satisfactory, and other recently released games.
I've been doing graphics card reviews for TechRadar for more than two years now, and I've done extensive GPU testing previous to that on a personal basis as a lifelong PC gamer. In addition, my computer science coursework for my Master's degree utilized GPUs very heavily for machine learning and other computational workloads, and as a result, I know my way around every aspect of a GPU. As such, you can rest assured that my testing process is both thorough and sound.
Google unveiled Gemini 2.0 – the latest generation of its AI model, which now supports image and audio output and tool integration for the “agentic era”. Agentic AI models represent AI systems that can independently accomplish tasks with adaptive decision-making. Think automating tasks like shopping or scheduling an appointment from a prompt.
Gemini 2.0 will feature multiple agents that can help you in all sorts of fields, from providing real-time suggestions in games like Clash of Clans to picking out a gift and adding it to your shopping cart based on a prompt.
Like other AI...
Samsung has officially released One UI 7.0 Beta earlier this month and according to a renowned tipster on Weibo, the One UI 7.1 update will bring a nifty new feature - AI Audio Eraser.
The tipster even shared a screenshot with a short description of the feature. The Audio Eraser is supposed to eliminate sounds in videos and let you adjust the volume of voices or other sounds.
Screenshot from AI Audio Eraser in One UI 7.1
For example, you can boost people's voices when recording a video on the street during windy weather and reduce wind and traffic noises. The AI will pick up...
Photoshop has long been our benchmark for what a photo-editing app should be capable of, and that doesn’t change with the 2024 edition. Whether you work with graphics or photographs, it’s a comprehensive solution for manipulating images in pretty much any way you can think of.
As we covered in our in-depth Adobe Photoshop CC 2023 review, the last edition of Photoshop introduced a range of significant AI-powered upgrades. Those included generative features for creating visual assets using simple text prompts, as well as object-selection and removal tools supercharged by AI.
The 2024 version of Photoshop is an evolution of last year’s release. Rather than introducing any groundbreaking features, it builds on the existing toolkit to offer users an even more polished, accessible and powerful editing app.
Adobe sticks with a proven interface, and Photoshop CC 2024 will feel familiar to anyone who's used an older version of the app in recent years. The useful Contextual Task Bar returns, now with enhanced support for the transform, shape and gradient tools. Nothing is dramatically different, and the app is all the better for it.
Chief among the updates is Adobe’s Firefly Image Model 3, which drives the generative AI tools in Photoshop CC 2024. The net gain here is more realistic and consistent AI imagery from text-based prompts. Photoshop’s AI is far from infallible, but its best output is significantly more believable and convincingly integrated when compared to Photoshop CC 2023.
New generative tools help in this regard. Generate Similar allows you to create further variations based on your favorite of three generated images, letting you get closer to a visual that fits. When you find one that does, the Enhance Detail option boosts detail in a generated image for better clarity.
It’s all very effectively executed. You’ll still encounter errant output, sometimes to a laughable degree, and an eagle-eyed inspection will still pick up inconsistencies and smudginess in the best of Photoshop’s efforts. But if you want to incorporate generative AI into your workflow, Photoshop CC 2024 has the most complete set of tools to let you do so.
That includes a new Selection Brush option, which allows you to more easily make selections using a hybrid of the brush and lasso tools, as well as an Adjustment Brush for selectively applying granular tweaks to parts of an image.
Further refining the formula is the Distraction Removal tool, which can automatically detect, select and paint out people and wires from your photos with remarkable effectiveness.
With more updates in the pipeline, including a Generative Workspace that’s currently available in Photoshop Beta, Photoshop continues to set the standard for photo-editing apps in 2024. Adobe’s payment model might not be popular with everyone, but we think a Creative Cloud subscription offers a lot of value.
If you need an all-in-one image-editing solution with the latest generative AI features implemented to genuinely useful effect, Photoshop CC 2024 is the app to beat.
Available as part of an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
From $22.99 / £21.98 / AU$32.99 per month for the Photoshop plan
From $19.99 / £9.98 / AU$28.59 per month for the Photography plan
As with all Adobe apps, Photoshop is only available to use via a Creative Cloud subscription. There’s no option to buy a one-off license, so you’ll need to keep paying for this subscription to maintain your access. You can sign up for plans on a monthly or an annual basis, with significant savings offered if you pay for the full year up front.
Photoshop is also available as part of several Creative Cloud plans, including the All Apps bundle. You can also choose to take out a single-app subscription for Photoshop alone, but this isn’t actually the most cost-effective way to access the app. Strangely, you’re better off with the Photography plan, which combines Photoshop and Lightroom, together with 20GB of cloud storage
Adobe Photoshop CC 2024 review: Interface
(Image credit: Future)
Interface largely unchanged from Photoshop Creative Cloud 2023
Contextual Task Bar supports more shape, transform and gradient settings
Photoshop’s interface has undergone iterative refinements over the years, but it remains fundamentally familiar for anyone who’s used a version of Photoshop – or, indeed, any desktop photo editor – in the past. Tool shortcuts reside in a vertical column down the left-hand side, while panels on the right are where you’ll find layers, image adjustments and color controls. Granular settings for your chosen tool can be found in the options bar along the top of the workspace.
The interface is largely unchanged from Photoshop CC 2023. Seasoned users won’t notice any major changes, which is the kind of consistency that keeps people paying for a Creative Cloud subscription. It does also mean that the same learning curve is present in 2024, with a degree of tuition required to fully get to grips with everything that Photoshop has to offer. It’s not the most beginner-friendly photo editor, but that’s inevitable when you’re dealing with such a capable and comprehensive piece of software.
Returning in Photoshop CC 2024 is the Contextual Task Bar, which floats at the bottom of the workspace. It can also be dragged around, pinned in place or disabled if you don’t need its input. Wherever you place it, the Contextual Task Bar displays shortcuts relevant to your current task or selection, genuinely streamlining editing workflows.
The Contextual Task Bar has been improved for 2024 to support fill and stroke settings for shapes, rotate and flip tools when transforming objects, as well as the ability to change color, opacity, type, and presets when working with gradients. These aren’t groundbreaking additions, but they are genuinely useful refinements that contribute to a slicker user experience.
(Image credit: Adobe)
That user experience is going to evolve in future iterations, and you can get a preview of this by downloading the Photoshop Beta version through Creative Cloud. Choose Generative Workspace from the welcome screen and you’ll find a space where you can create visual assets from text prompts and browse through previously generated elements. You can have several prompts running simultaneously, and everything is saved to a timeline, which allows you to go back and add variables.
Photoshop’s Generative Workspace is not dissimilar to the interface used by some of the best AI image generators. In our experience, it adds a useful cataloging function to Photoshop’s AI toolkit, allowing you to easily generate, manage and build on a library of generated creative assets in real time.
Interface score: 4.5/5
Adobe Photoshop CC 2024 review: generative AI features
Generative features powered by Firefly Image Model 3 for greater realism
New Generate Similar feature lets you create more image variations
One of the most significant additions to Photoshop CC 2023 was its suite of generative tools, which use Adobe’s Firefly Image Model to drive AI-powered image generation. We covered the effectiveness of these features at length in our review of Photoshop 2023, and they return with even greater potential in 2024.
Generative Fill and Generative Expand are now driven by the latest version of Adobe’s Firefly Image Model. The tools themselves still function in the same way: Generative Fill creates AI imagery in a selected area based on a descriptive text prompt, which can include adding and removing objects, while Generative Expand allows you to increase the dimensions of an existing image using generated content.
(Image credit: Future)
What the upgrade means for Photoshop users is more realistic generated imagery, complete with enhanced control over detail and composition. This bears out in practice: while Photoshop’s generative tools aren’t perfect, results in the 2024 edition are consistently more believable. We encountered far fewer uncanny effects, particularly when text prompts included living creatures.
In our review of Photoshop CC 2023, we commented that the unreality of AI-generated imagery could be spotted fairly easily upon closer inspection, particularly when larger objects were added or generative adjustments were made to bigger areas of an image. These issues have been significantly improved in the 2024 version.
We still encountered smudging of detailed textures, as well as warped edges and occasional freakish shapes, particularly in mixed lighting. It also struggles with reflections. Certain prompts simply produce hilarious results, like when we tried to change a blue-sky background for a fiery one over a volcano. On the whole, though, we were very impressed with the realism of generated elements in Photoshop CC 2024.
(Image credit: Future)
What struck us is that when we compared the ‘best’ result from the same prompt in the 2023 and 2024 versions, we had to look much closer in the latest edition before spotting any telltale signs that AI was involved. Everything from shadows and tone to general detail is more consistent – and that’s particularly the case if you hover over the thumbnail of a generated variation in the Properties panel and hit the Enhance Detail icon, which boosts detail further.
The Generate Similar option also allows you to refine generated content by choosing the best variation and generating more iterations from it. Say you prompt Photoshop to create a red truck – it will give you three variations to begin with. Pick the one of these that best fits your vision, click the three dots icon on the Contextual Tool Bar and select Generate Similar. You’ll then get three more images based on that variation, allowing you to steer the AI model towards what’s in your mind’s eye.
Generative AI features score: 4.5/5
Adobe Photoshop CC 2024 review: selection
(Image credit: Future)
Selection Brush is a hybrid of Brush and Lasso tools
Photoshop already has some of the most powerful selection features of any photo editor, including the AI-driven Object Selection Tool and ‘select subject’ shortcut found on the Contextual Task Bar. While some tidying up is often still required when using these tools to mask off parts of an image, they can significantly accelerate workflow and, depending on the object you’re selecting, can sometimes automate it entirely.
Photoshop CC 2024 doesn’t introduce any groundbreaking selection features, but there are a few new and improved tools which enhance the existing offering. First is the enhanced Selection Brush Tool, which is designed to simplify the selection process for trackpad users. It’s really a combination of masking and lasso tools, executed in a more user-friendly way.
Choose the Selection Brush then simply paint over an area as you would when masking. You can adjust the brush hardness, opacity and color from the toolbar, as well as toggling between add and subtract modes to amend your selection. Switch to another tool and your selection will change from a pink overlay to a classic ‘marching ants’ outline, as if you’ve lassoed your way around the object. Both visually and practically, it’s an effective change that’s genuinely useful.
(Image credit: Future)
Joining it is the Adjustment Brush tool, which allows you to apply non-destructive edits to specific areas of an image. Select the tool, then use the Contextual Task Bar to select the kind of adjustment you want to make. You can then paint over part of your image or select ‘Apply to object.’ You can change the hardness and size of the brush, as well as subtracting from your selection. You can then make granular changes to that new adjustment layer in the adjustments panel.
Again, this isn’t a groundbreaking feature. Instead, it’s one more way in which Adobe is making Photoshop more intuitive and accessible, through new applications of existing editing mechanics. While seasoned users may prefer to stick with traditional selection and application techniques, we think these brush tools tools will be easier for beginners to grasp. The good thing about Photoshop is that the choice is yours.
Selection score: 5/5
Adobe Photoshop CC 2024: Removal tools
(Image credit: Future)
Distraction Removal automatically takes away distracting elements
Generate Background Tool can simulate photorealistic settings
We talked extensively about the effectiveness of the Remove Tool in our review of Photoshop CC 2023. In short, it’s a powerful feature that’s able to make unwanted elements disappear from your images in just a few clicks. Paint over anything in your image that you want gone and Photoshop will replace it with AI-generated pixels which, more often than not, blend effortlessly into the existing scene as if the original element was never there.
This feature returns in Photoshop CC 2024, with added functionality. Rather than manually painting over unwanted wires and people in your image, you can now use the Distraction Removal Tool to detect and remove them with a couple of clicks.
Select the Remove Tool from the sidebar, then select ‘Find distractions’ from the toolbar at the top. Here you can select ‘Wires and cables’ or ‘People’. Choose the former and Photoshop will try to remove all telephone and power lines from a scene. Select the latter and it will highlight all the people it can find, giving you the option to deselect any that you want to keep in the image.
(Image credit: Future)
When it works, it’s an impressive feature that genuinely saves time. We found it incredibly effective for removing wires and cables, even where these run across different backgrounds. For example, in an image in which multiple cables were running away from the camera, in front of several buildings and the sky, every single wire was seamlessly removed, and it wasn’t possible to trace where they’d been.
People selection is also powerful. Even out-of-focus figures in the background were picked up by the tool, and it was also able to detect people walking side-on to and away from the camera, only once missing someone with their back turned. The effectiveness of the actual removal depends on the given scene, with complex textures resulting in a few floating faces. Nevertheless, it’s a useful and convincing enhancement to Photoshop's object removal arsenal.
Firefly improvements are also evident when using the Generate Background Tool. Background removal was another big introduction in Photoshop CC 2023. After removing a background, the Generate Background tool lets you swap in a completely different setting which matches the position and lighting of the subject. Once again, it isn’t faultless by any means, but in our tests we did find it a particularly effective shortcut for changing the background of product shots and flatlay photography.
Removal tools score: 4.5/5
Should you buy Adobe Photoshop CC 2024?
Buy it if...
You want the latest generative AI tools Powered by Firefly Image Model 3, the generative tools in Photoshop CC 2024 are at the cutting edge of what AI can do, creating realistic visuals from short text prompts.
You want powerful removal tools Complementing the Remove and Background Removal tools, Photoshop’s new Distraction Removal feature uses AI to instantly and seamlessly remove unnecessary elements from your compositions, as if they were never there.
You want a complete image editor From adjustment presets to comprehensive layer tools, Photoshop is the most complete image editor available. Whether you’re working with graphics or photographs, Photoshop is the ultimate all-in-one app.
Don't buy it if...
You like to own your apps outright As with all Creative Cloud apps, Photoshop is only available as part of a subscription, and you’ll need to keep paying to maintain access to the software. If you prefer to pay a one-off fee you’ll need to look elsewhere.
You only need to make basic edits Photoshop is an incredibly powerful app with a learning curve and price tag to match. If you only want to make simple adjustments to your images, there are cheaper and easier-to-use software options out there.
You don’t have a modern computer Because of its powerful feature set, Photoshop demands a pretty significant amount of computer processing power. Even some relatively recent models don’t officially meet the spec benchmark specified by Adobe, so do check that your hardware is up to the task.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2024: Also consider
Serif Affinity Photo 2022 It might not have the cutting-edge features of Photoshop, but if you want a solid set of photo-editing features at a very fair price Affinity Photo is a great desktop alternative that’s available for a one-off fee. Read our Serif Affinity Photo 2022 review.
Corel PaintShop Pro 2023 A comprehensive image editor with a generous set of tools to rival Photoshop's, PaintShop Pro is a reasonably priced option to consider if you don’t need the generative AI features offered by Adobe’s app. Read our Corel PaintShop Pro 2023 review.
How I tested Adobe Photoshop CC 2024
(Image credit: Future)
I tested it for more than three months
I used it as my primary image-editing app
I created a range visuals in different styles
As I regularly edit images for work, Photoshop was already an important part of my visual toolkit. Having updated the app to version 26, I continued to use it as my primary editing tool for both photo and graphics work. Because I’m familiar with the software’s interface and capabilities, I was able to focus on the new features and compare these to previous versions.
I spent a lot of time exploring the capabilities of Firefly Image Model 3. This included making adjustments to a range of photos, as well as removing objects, to see how Photoshop’s updated generative tools could streamline my workflow. I also tested these extensively with a wide range of text prompts, to assess how realistically and seamlessly Photoshop was able to integrated generated content into compositions.
AI is Google’s new favorite hammer and the next nail on its path is weather forecasting. The company is introducing GenCast, a “high resolution AI ensemble model”, which was detailed in a paper published in Nature.
Accurate weather forecasting is important for anything from your day-to-day life to disaster preparedness and even renewable energy. And GenCast beats the current top system, ECMWF’s ENS, in forecasts up to 25 days in advance.
GenCast is a diffusion model, similar to those you may have seen in AI image generators. However, this one is tuned specifically for Earth’s...
