Samsung introduced Galaxy AI to its smartphones, and now generative AI is making its way to interactive displays. The company revealed its WAFX-P models will now support key features that we have seen in smartphones – Circle to Search, AI Summary, and Live Transcript.
The service is called Samsung AI Assistant and is available on education-focused displays that aim to replace classroom blackboard.
Hoon Chung, Executive VP of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, boldly claimed this isn't a feature to enhance learning – it is "revolutionizing" it.
Circle to Search...
Another day, another Samsung Galaxy S25 family promo leak. This time it's a video, which in just over a minute and a half manages to go through quite a lot of stuff. It also shows us the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25 Ultra - or parts of them - at the end.
Before you ask, no that's not the Galaxy S25 Slim because all indications so far have been that, design-wise, it's just a thinner S25+. And if that's the case, then it should have the S25+'s rounded corners, whereas the phone that's portrayed in the video showing us a bit of its front clearly has less rounded corners - just like...
Samsung is launching its Galaxy S25 series next week on January 22 and Brazilian publication Technoblog shared some official-looking press materials that detail key specs and AI features coming to the new phones.
Galaxy S25+ (and we presume S25) will offer a 50MP main cam with 2x in-sensor zoom, a 10MP 3x telephoto cam and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Both will also feature 12MP selfie cameras. Galaxy S25+ will get the same 4,900 mAh battery capacity as its predecessor which Samsung is advertising to last up to 30 hours for video playback.
Galaxy S25 Ultra is getting the same camera...
Realme hosted an event today to unveil the 14 Pro series for the international markets. Alongside the previously announced 14 Pro+, the 14 Pro was showcased with a lower price point but missing on the a periscope camera and sporting a less powerful chipset.
The Realme 14 Pro models feature a 6.83” AMOLED display, offering a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and a resolution greater than 1080p. They include an under-display fingerprint scanner and a 32 MP front-facing camera, positioned behind a punch hole.
The key distinction between the 14 Pro+ and the 14 Pro lies in their chipsets: the...
In true DJI fashion, the world's leading drone manufacturer has surprised us by announcing a new kind of drone that also feels somewhat familiar: the DJI Flip is an all-in-one camera and vlogging drone with a unique, first-of-its-kind folding design that features four built-in propeller guards rather than propeller arms. This is part of a safety-first approach that ties in perfectly with the vlogging aspect of the drone, but there's no getting away from the fact it also looks, well, quite odd.
Folded, the Flip looks like a spacecraft from Star Wars, and when unfolded, it looks like a mashup between a cinewhoop FPV drone and a camera drone. From my point of view, in terms of design, functionality and performance, it sits somewhere between the DJI Neo and the DJI Mini 4 Pro, although the Mini 4 Pro is a far superior drone for photo and video capture as well as for overall flight performance.
(Image credit: James Abbott)
That said, the Flip is ultimately a beginner drone that comes in at a beginner-friendly price, and the Flip and Mini 4 Pro are completely different propositions – it's the camera drone functionality with the ability to capture photos in JPEG and raw, alongside up to 60fps 4K video capture in both Standard and D-Log M profiles, that led me to make the vague comparison. The Flip is certainly also a much more versatile drone than the Neo, but incorporates the same subject-tracking capabilities and some of the Neo's varied control options.
DJI Flip: release date and price
Released January 14 2025
The DJI RC-N3 base kit costs $439 / £369 / AU$699
The DJI RC 2 Fly More Bundle costs $779 / £659 / AU$1,159
The DJI Flip was announced on 14 January 2025 and is available in three kit options: the standard DJI Flip kit includes the drone, DJI RC-N3 controller, one battery, a pair of spare propellers and other basic accessories and costs $439 / £369 / AU$699, while the kit with the DJI RC 2 (smart) controller is $639 / £549 / AU$949.
At release, there isn't a Fly More Bundle that incorporates the simpler DJI RC-N3 controller, just one with the DJI RC 2 controller that costs $779 / £659 / AU$1,159. This more comprehensive kit includes all of the above plus two additional batteries, a four-battery charging hub, a shoulder bag and two additional pairs of spare propellers. The Fly More Combo is decent value when you consider the advantages it delivers when compared to the base kit.
(Image credit: James Abbott)
DJI Flip: specs
DJI Flip: design and handling
Unique folding design
Enclosed propellers
Regulator-friendly sub-250g weight
DJI's folding drone design has followed a linear path until now, and why not? It's tried and tested, and works exceptionally well. But with a drone that incorporates propeller guards into the design rather than propeller arms, something was always going to be different.
The Flip has four propeller guards that fold out from beneath the airframe, front propellers first and then the rear. The front guards also have fixed short legs attached to raise the front of the drone when it's on the ground.
So, despite the regulator-friendly sub-250g weight, the Flip is larger than DJI Mini models when folded, and has a much larger footprint when unfolded. Unfolding the Flip also brings it to life and powers it up, so it's best to remove the gimbal protector before unfolding the drone from its 5.35 x 2.44 x 6.5 inches / 136 x 62 x 165mm folded size to its 9.17 x 11 x 3.11 inches / 233 x 280 x 79mm unfolded dimensions.
The propeller guards are made of polycarbonate around the edges, with lightweight and strong carbon fiber string top and bottom. This makes the drone safer for flight close to people – yourself rather than others – and also allows for palm take-off and landing, which is useful as it negates the need for a landing mat, and means you can take off and land almost anywhere that's safe and legal.
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The airframe is tall for a drone in this weight category. There's a 3D infrared sensor at the front of the drone above the gimbal, and the black plastic panel also shows which intelligent shooting mode is currently active.
This is particularly useful when using the drone independently without the DJI Fly app or a controller, although the drone does 'tell' you which mode is active when you press the mode button on the side to switch.
Like the DJI Neo, the Flip can be flown using the intelligent flight modes app-free, with the app and using voice control, or with either the DJI RC-N3 controller or the DJI RC 2 smart controller.
Both controllers are great, although the DJI RC 2 is the most convenient option because it has a bright and clear built-in 5.5-inch display, so there's no need to connect your smartphone.
DJI Flip: features and performance
Not great in wind
Intelligent flight modes
AI subject tracking
The Flip specs available before launch didn’t specify a maximum wind resistance, but even in a moderate headwind the drone was severely slowed down. This could be a result of the size and shape of the propellers as well as the propeller guards themselves, but the Flip can still fly at a reasonable maximum speed of 27mph in Sport Mode, with Cine and Normal providing slower flight speeds.
In terms of flight, when using the Flip like a camera drone using one of the two traditional controller options, the drone flies well except for the aforementioned wind issue. It's certainly not as agile as a Mini 3 or Mini 4 Pro, but the controls are the same, and the ability to take off and land from the ground or the palm of your hand is extremely useful.
Just like the DJI Neo, the Flip is a selfie drone, but is marketed as a vlogging drone. This is because audio can be captured via the DJI Fly app when enabled, so you can record your voice while capturing video, or with the DJI Mic connected to your smartphone for improved sound quality. Propeller noise is filtered out or reduced in both situations.
(Image credit: James Abbott)
Just like the Neo, the Flip's Intelligent flight modes include Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, and Helix. Within the app there's also Manual Control, which allows you to fly the Flip using on-screen controls, and when using a standard controller you can also access Quickshots, which include Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang.
AI subject tracking aims to keep the subject in the centre of the frame during photo and video capture using the intelligent flight modes, which utilize ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0; this is highly effective, and cannot be faulted. What's more, when tracking, the Flip was able to navigate complex environments successfully thanks to the 3D Infrared Sensing System.
The Flip is as feature-packed as any other DJI drone, and the 3D Infrared Sensing System appears to work well, with forward-facing sensors that enable limited collision avoidance. This can be seen in action on the controller screen when using Return to Home, where the planned direction and route of the drone are shown as a green overlay. DJI also claims that this system makes flight safer at night.
Other features include Hyperlapse with Free, Circle, Course Lock and Waypoint options that can capture hyperlapse videos at up to 4K horizontally or 2.7K vertically. There's also Panorama photo capture, but this is fairly basic panorama functionality, and manual panos typically produce superior results.
More useful additional features include fast charging, with the charging hub able to charge two batteries simultaneously, and data transfer speeds of up to 30MB/s via the DJI Fly app to move photos and videos captured with the Flip to your phone. The Flip can also be plugged into a computer via USB-C, and you can transfer data from the 2GB internal storage and / or microSD card without having to switch the drone on.
DJI Flip: image and video quality
1/1.3-inch sensor
Up to 4K 60fps video
12MP / 48MP raw and JPEG photos
(Image credit: James Abbott)
The Flip features a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for smooth footage, while the camera offers a 24mm equivalent focal length with a fixed aperture and focus from 1m to infinity. The 12MP / 48MP 1/1.3-inch Quad Bayer 4-in-1 sensor features large pixels and Dual Native ISO Integration for improved low-light capture. Then there's up to a 4x digital zoom, depending on the shooting mode and capture resolution.
Image quality is good, but it's not anywhere near as good as what you'll get from the DJI Mini 3 or Mini 4 Pro. The photos and videos you can see here were captured with a prerelease version of the DJI Fly app and prerelease firmware, so this has to be considered, but it's unlikely that post-release software will make a dramatic difference in this area. Photos and videos exhibit a slight murkiness, with images captured being sharpest in the center of the frame, and softer at the edges.
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The Flip is a beginner model, so this level of image quality is to be expected. And as always, deficiencies in image quality are less visible in video, when the drone is moving. Despite the drone's beginner nature, it's also aimed at vlogging, so video can be captured in 4K at up to 60fps, 4K at 100fps in Slow Motion mode and 1080p up to 100fps, and vertical video can be captured at 1080p and 2.7K at 30fps.
The latter is cropped from the horizontal camera / sensor rather than you having the ability to rotate the camera into portrait orientation, as with the DJI Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro. This capability would be a fantastic feature, as would it allow for not only 4K vertical capture, but also for portrait-format photos. With social media video content so heavily focused on vertical video, however, the cropped upright video is still a useful feature for a drone aimed at vlogging.
For beginners, and those aiming for straight out-of-camera footage, you can capture video in the Normal color profile. More advanced users can capture in the 10-bit D-Log M flat profile for greater control and the ability to color-grade footage.
With this profile, the maximum bitrate is 150Mbps. Photos can be captured in both JPEG and raw, so in terms of photo and video capture the Flip offers more impressive options than the Neo, despite its flight mode and control similarities.
DJI Flip 4K 30fps video
DJI Flip: testing scorecard
Should I buy the DJI Flip?
Buy it if...
You'd like multiple control options With the ability to fly the drone app-free, with the app, or with one of two controller options, the Flip can be used as both a vlogging / selfie drone and a camera drone.
You’re a drone beginner The intelligent flight modes for easy and effective subject tracking, alongside the Flip's capabilities as a camera drone, make it a compelling option for beginners.
You'd like palm take-off and landing Thanks to the overall design of the Flip, including the propeller guards, the drone can take off from and land in the palm of your hand, which is incredibly useful in tricky or muddy locations.
Don't buy it if...
You'd like superior image quality The Flip's image quality is good but not outstanding, so if you're looking for great image quality on a budget the DJI Mini 3 is far superior, and offers additional features such as a rotating camera.
You don’t require subject tracking If you don’t intend to use the intelligent flight modes, there are much better DJI drones available for a similar price or lower, and overall flight performance is typically better than the Flip.
You'd prefer a first-person view The Flip may look like an FPV drone, but it's not. If you'd prefer to capture immersive FPV video, the DJI Avata 2 is a beginner and expert-friendly FPV drone.
DJI Flip: also consider
DJI Neo
The DJI Neo is a selfie drone that features the same intelligent flight modes as the DJI Flip, alongside propeller guards for safety. It can also be controlled in multiple ways, but exceeds the Flip in this department with DJI FPV accessory compatibility. The camera functionality is limited in comparison, but the Neo can capture 4K video, and costs less than the Flip.
Flown app-free, with the DJI Fly app, and the DJI RC 2 Controller
Tested in different conditions
I tested the DJI Flip using all of the control methods available to see how it performed as both a vlogging and selfie drone, as well as a camera drone.
Photos and videos were captured in a range of conditions including overcast, sunny, and windy to see how well it performed in these situations.
All features and functions that were available in the pre-release app and firmware, including flight, photo and video capture, were also tested to assess their effectiveness in real-world situations.
We recently heard that WhatsApp was testing a new interface for its Android app, where the Communities tab was replaced with the "AIs" tab, possibly to provide all AI-powered features in one place. Now, we have learned that WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let users create personalized AI chatbots.
This revelation comes from the folks at WABetaInfo, who spotted this feature in version 2.25.1.26 of WhatsApp beta for Android. They also shared a screenshot, included below, which suggests the AI chatbot would be called AI Character.
WhatsApp working on personalized AI chatbot...
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
(Image credit: Future)
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
(Image credit: Future)
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
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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?
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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
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