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I spent weeks testing the Hisense U65QF, and it has great picture quality for the price

8:24 pm | November 13, 2025

Hisense U65QF: Two-minute review

The Hisense U65QF TV joins a growing list of lower-cost mini-LED TVs that provide a striking step up in performance from doorbuster-style sub-$500 TVs.

The Hisense U65QF TV isn’t that different from other budget mini-LED TVs, such as the TCL QM6K or Roku Pro Series. Its benchmarks are mostly in line with the competition, and it also does a good job with sound – a factor I’m seeing addressed more and more in mid-range and budget examples of the best TVs.

One unique U65QF feature that sets it apart from most of its Google TV-using competition is its Fire TV interface and Alexa integration, which lets you use an Amazon Echo speaker to open apps like Netflix and perform other voice-activated tasks. Of course, if you’re not in the Alexa ecosystem, then this isn’t as big a selling point.

Overall, this is a good-performing TV that may win you over due to the simple fact that it typically sells at a lower price than its budget mini-LED TV competitors.

Hisense U65QF review: Price and release date

Hisense U65QF remote control on wooden surface — The U65QF's remote features most controls you'll need on its keypad, but lacks an input selection button (Image credit: Future)

Release date: June 2025
55-inch: $799.99
65-inch: $999.99
75-inch: $1,299.99
85-inch: $1,999.99
100-inch: $3,499.99

Pricing on the Hisense U65QF is about what I would expect for a budget mini-LED TV, with the 65-inch model listing for $999.99. Now, that is the TV’s MSRP, and it's already available at a discount at more than one online retailer.

The Hisense U65QF is only sold in the US, as other territories get a different U6 version that uses a different smart TV platform. If you’re outside of the US and reading this review, I would wager that most everything outside of the Smart TV section would still be pertinent to the Hisense U6.

Hisense U65QF review: Specs

Screen type:	QLED with mini-LED
Refresh rate:	Up to 144Hz
HDR support:	Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
Smart TV:	Fire TV
HDMI ports:	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
Built-in tuner:	ATSC 1.0

Hisense U65QF review: Benchmark results

Hisense U65QF review: Features

Hisense U65QF side and rear panel ports — The U65QF's connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support (Image credit: Future)

Comprehensive HDR support
Filmmaker Mode picture preset
Integration with Alexa ecosystem

The Hisense U65QF’s feature set is in line with other TVs at this price point. Its comprehensive gaming support includes the Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X audio. It also has two HDMI 2.1 inputs with up to 144Hz high refresh support for gaming consoles and PCs.

The U65QF can automatically change inputs when a source is powered on, as well as switch the picture mode if enabled in the menu. Filmmaker Mode is an available picture preset – one that disables post-processing to show a movie as originally intended. There is also some AI implementation, such as AI upscaling, AI smooth motion, and an AI sports mode.

As a Fire TV, the U65QF supports hands-free voice interaction through Alexa, and it can be integrated into the Alexa ecosystem. While I don’t personally have an extensive Alexa ecosystem in my home, I was able to control the Hisense U65QF using an Amazon Echo speaker located in my kitchen.

Also on tap are Apple AirPlay, display mirroring, and Matter Casting, as well as an ambient mode if you want the TV to display artworks and other images when it's in standby mode.

Features Score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Picture quality

Hisense U65QF showing underwater image with colorful fish — The U65QF has better-than-average picture brightness for a budget mini-LED TV (Image credit: Future)

Benchmarks in line with the competition
Good contrast and local dimming
Very minor vignetting

The Hisense U65QF’s picture compares well with most TVs in its price range. Brightness is impressive for a budget mini-LED TV, with the Hisense outperforming competitors such as the Roku Pro Series and TCL QM6K on that front. If you’re upgrading from a budget TV, you’ll probably be wowed by the picture's brightness and contrast.

Color gamut coverage is about what we expect from TVs at this price point. We measured 95.6% for UHDA-P3 and 71.2% for BT.2020. The U65QF’s 2.6 average color point accuracy (any score below 3 is undetectable by the human eye) is also very good for a budget TV.

Beyond benchmarks, pictures for the most part look great on the U65QF. Detail is impressive, and its local dimming delivers good contrast without much in the way of backlight blooming.

Action generally looked smooth – I watched scenes from Mission Impossible 7 to test, and I could easily make out what was happening on screen. Sports were also a pleasure to watch on this TV.

Similar to other TVs I’ve tested at this price point, there is some very minor vignetting in the screen’s corners, though it’s only really noticeable if you look for it.

Picture quality score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Sound quality

Hisense U65QF rear panel showing subwoofer — The U65QF's built-in 2.1-channel speaker system includes a back-mounted subwoofer (Image credit: Future)

Good dialogue clarity
Decent bass
Dialog and leveling modes, five-band EQ

In my experience, most TVs have subpar sound quality, which is why I was surprised by the performance of the Hisense U65QF’s built-in speakers.

To test this, I watched sports (Eagles football, specifically), played video games, and watched movies like Mission Impossible 7. I also did some music-specific testing via YouTube. The first thing I noticed was that there was actually a decent amount of bass. It wasn’t the same as having an external subwoofer, but I still got a bit of that rumble when there were big explosions or action-packed movie scenes.

Dialogue sounded pretty clear as well, though a bit of harshness could be heard with music tracks.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that there’s a five-band EQ in the settings, which is always appreciated. There is a dialog mode that did a good job of boosting voices as well as a leveling mode that compresses the sound so the quiet parts are loud and the loud parts don’t jump up too much in volume – a good choice for watching at night.

Sound quality score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Design

Hisense U65QF bezel close=up — The U65QF has an appealingly thin screen bezel for a budget TV (Image credit: Future)

Very thin bezel
Good amount of ports but placement not great for cable management
Remote has voice access for Alexa

While the Hisense U65QF doesn’t reinvent the wheel, its design is good considering the price.

The bezel is thin enough that one sees all picture when looking at the TV instead of a thick border around the screen. Turning the TV around, the surface is fairly smooth with mostly just the built-in subwoofer visible. All the ports except for power are located on the lower left side, with most accessible from the side and some from the back. This is a pretty typical placement, but it doesn’t allow for much in the way of cable management.

The port selection here is fairly solid. Along with the four HDMI ports (including two HDMI 2.1), the TV also has an optical digital audio output and USB and RF antenna connections.

The controls, on the other hand, consist of a single button for power that can also be used to change inputs. I do wish there was a little more here, like a find the remote button, but the single on-unit button is fairly standard for TVs these days.

All the real controls, of course, are on the remote, which is standard fare like most of the rest of the TV. Most necessary controls are here, with the exception of an input selection button. The main unique feature is the Alexa button, which works just like the usual hands-free button except that it uses Alexa specifically, meaning that you have access to your Alexa ecosystem through the remote.

Design score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Smart TV and menus

Hisense U65QF Fire TV smart interface showing football game — The U65QF's Fire TV smart interface is serviceable, but features ads on the home screen (Image credit: Future)

Amazon Prime Video-centric with ads
Dynamic-looking interface with autoplay by default
Can’t fine-tune settings unless already watching

The Hisense U65QF’s Fire TV smart TV platform features a large banner cycling through various content at the top, a row with settings and input icons and app tiles that split the screen in half, followed by rows of suggested content. Its defining feature is that the suggested content leans towards the Amazon Prime Video library. Also, there are literal ads for products (I’m looking at a banner for Purina at the bottom of my screen as I type this).

Navigating the Fire TV interface is pretty intuitive. Really, my only gripe with it is that it defaults to autoplaying anything selected in the banner, though this can be turned off in settings.

Fire TV seems to have a few more content categories than I typically see with Smart TVs, which creates some clutter. The only really odd part of the interface is that you can’t access all the advanced settings (brightness, color, motion, clarity and so on) until you’re actively watching something.

For example, if you go into the settings menu from the homepage, you’re limited to just a few options like “Light Sense,” “Light Sense Shift,” “Backlight,” and “Local Dimming,” though you can at least adjust those per input.

Smart TV & menus score: 3.5/5

Hisense U65QF review: Gaming

Hisense U65QF showing game being played on screen — Gaming is smooth and responsive on the Hisense U65QF (Image credit: Future)

Two HDMI ports with 4K 144Hz support
Gameplay is smooth and clear
No game-specific settings

Gaming on the Hisense U65QF is a lot like gaming on other TVs in this price range. For starters, it supports a 4K resolution at up to 144Hz refresh rate through two of the HDMI ports, a necessity for next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5. There’s also HDR support that can be finetuned via the onscreen menu plus FreeSync Premium VRR.

With Dolby Vision enabled, the TV automatically changed its picture mode to “Game Mode” when the input switched to my PlayStation 5 console. Plus, it automatically changes the input to my console when powered up (I did have to turn that setting on in the menu).

When gaming, images look crisp thanks to the 4K resolution and smooth thanks to the TV’s high refresh rate. Its 13.2ms lag time isn’t the best we’ve seen, but it was barely perceptible when killing zombies in Dead Rising 2.

I tested this TV with fast-paced action such as Dead Rising 2 as well as more cinematic fare like Death Stranding. Both played well, with my only real complaint being that there’s no dedicated gaming settings menu.

Gaming score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Value

Hisense U65QF included accessories on table — The U65QF's included accessories (Image credit: Future)

High MSRP, but it’s already discounted
Other mid-range QLED TVs have similar price points
Take advantage of Hisense’s regular sales

The MSRP for the 65-inch Hisense U65QF TV I tested may be $999, but it’s already available at some outlets for under $600, making it a great value.

The TCL QM6K has a similar MSRP and discount, but also lower screen brightness and not quite as good built-in speakers. If you’re willing to spend a few hundred dollars more, the Hisense U8QG has even better picture quality and a better design, and can be found in the $1,000-1,200 range.

The Roku Pro Series (2025) is another TV with a great picture and design and good built-in sound, and it’s priced roughly between the Hisense U65QF and U8QG.

Value score: 4.5/5

Hisense U65QF angled in a room showing abstract image onscreen — (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U65QF
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Along with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR support, the U65QF features Alexa Ecosystem integration	4/5
Picture quality	Good overall picture quality for the price, with better than average brightness	4/5
Sound quality	Surprisingly good sound with clear dialogue and a decent amount of bass	4/5
Design	Thin bezel for an all-picture look, though the port placement makes cable management a bit tough	4/5
Smart TV and menus	The Fire TV OS is easy to use, though I wish advanced picture settings were accessible without playing content	3.5/5
Gaming	Gaming on this TV is a good experience thanks to Game Mode, though there’s no gaming-specific menu	4/5
Value	At MSRP, the price isn’t special, though it’s already getting big discounts	4.5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U65QF?

Buy it if...

You want great bang for your buck
The Hisense U65QF is already on sale, making it a very competitive option among budget mini-LED TVs.

You use Alexa
The TV’s Alexa integration is something you can really take advantage of if you’re already bought into the Alexa smart home ecosystem.

You want to skip the soundbar
The audio quality is good enough that if you want to skip a (cheap) soundbar in your setup, you probably won’t miss it.

Don't buy it if…

You want a clean, minimal look
If you have other devices to plug in, such as a console or soundbar, the cables are going to stick out the side. If you want a clean look, there are other TVs with better cable management, such as the Roku Pro Series.

You want a super-bright picture
The U65QF’s brightness is above average for a budget mini-LED TV, but step-up models such as the Hisense U8QG have more than twice as high peak brightness and also an anti-reflection screen for daytime viewing.

Also consider...

	Hisense U65QF	TCL QM6K	Roku Pro Series	Hisense U8QG
Price (65-inch)	$999	$999	$1,199	$2,199
Screen type	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED
Refresh rate	Up to 144Hz	Up to 144Hz	120Hz	Up to 144Hz
HDR support	Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10	Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10	Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10	Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10
Smart TV	Fire TV	Google TV	Roku	Google TV
HDMI ports	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	3x HDMI 2.1

TCL QM6K

The TCL QM6K is just as good value and sells for around the same price as the Hisense U65QF TV with discounts, though it doesn’t have quite the same peak brightness or audio quality. What it does have is a great picture quality with vibrant colors, good contrast, and a lack of blooming.

Read our full TCL QM6K review

Roku Pro Series
The Roku Pro Series falls into a similar-priced category. Its picture brightness is slightly lower than the Hisense, but it has Roku's wonderfully intuitive smart TV interface and a shadowbox design that not only allows for better sound but flat positioning when mounted.

Read our full Roku Pro Series review

Hisense U8QG

The Hisense U8QG is pricier and comes with a fantastically bright screen with low reflectivity. It also has a 4.1.2 sound system built in for those wanting to skip a soundbar, though its subwoofer has some limitations.

Read our full Hisense U8QG review

Samsung QN900D showing test pattern — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Hisense U65QF

I used the Hisense U65QF TV for a few weeks
Tested with TV, movies, music, and games
Benchmark measurements conducted by Future US testing lab

I used the Hisense U65QF TV regularly for a couple of weeks. I used it with TV, movies, music, and games. I tested the various features to see if they work as advertised. I also spent time listening to the audio as well as paying attention to the picture quality.

After spending some time with this TV, it’s my opinion that this TV is ideal for those who want a premium TV without the premium price tag, and for those locked into the Alexa ecosystem.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years, from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar at that link.

First reviewed: November 2025
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I’ve been reviewing headsets for 14 years, and the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is one of the easiest recommendations I could make

6:00 pm | July 29, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: ANC, Death Stranding, Far Cry | Comments: Off

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: one-minute review

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is, as the keen-eyed will have surmised, an upgrade to the 2024 V2 wireless gaming headset, which adds active noise cancellation to the proposition. Razer’s BlackShark headsets fit into the manufacturer’s range right at the top, in terms of both features and pricing, so the changes it makes to this model are always a real statement of intent.

What is that intent? A combination of one big addition in ANC, plus a few smaller tweaks that demonstrate an open ear to community feedback. It’s odd to see noise cancellation added to a headset that features breathable fabric earcups, since ANC relies on the headset’s ability to isolate sound passively through its physical design in order to work effectively.

In other words, the earcups need to block out maximum ambient sound by creating a vacuum around your ear before the listening technology gets involved. It’s not unheard of, though, as AirPods Max users will attest, and despite the cloth fabric’s inferior isolation properties, these updated BlackSharks do indeed manage to tune out a good deal of unwanted external noise. Best of all, there’s a button on the headset that toggles between ANC on, ambient (using the listening mics to actively amplify external noise), or ANC off.

Those other small tweaks: a slightly redesigned hinge connecting the earcups to the adjustable headband, which is now finished with an aluminum panel and operates slightly more smoothly and – the holy grail of headset features – a physical chat mix scroll wheel, just like SteelSeries adds to their Arctis cans.

Truthfully, there wasn’t much wrong with the existing model, as you’ll see from our Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review. I’ve been using the V2s ever since they released, and I’m delighted that the V3 retains all the strong points like incredible comfort, finish quality, battery life, audio, adds a couple of welcome tweaks, and then slaps in a big value-add like ANC without upsetting the apple cart. The Xbox and PlayStation versions feature very similar offerings, distinguished only by some green headband trim on the Xbox model and a slightly different variant of the dongle.

The only significant downside to using the BlackShark V3 Pro ANC, regardless of platform, is the dongle situation. The supplied HyperSpeed wireless dongle actually requires a USB cable to connect to either a PC or console, while the smaller, neater BlackShark V2 USB-C dongle won’t pair with V3 models. So although the headset’s wireless, the dongle is… wired? That seems like a bit of an odd situation, despite the improved latency that HyperSpeed brings.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset on a desk — (Image credit: Future/Phil Iwaniuk)

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Price and availability

List price: $249.99 / £249.99 / around AU$510
$50 more than the BlackShark V2
Considerably cheaper than SteelSeries’ Nova Pro Wireless ANC option

This certainly isn’t a cheap headset. Then again, the BlackShark never has been, and ANC tends to add a considerable price premium on any headset model that offers it, gaming or otherwise.

The cost of blocking out external sound is about $50, versus the outgoing 2024 model of BlackShark V2 Pro, which means anyone considering hitting the buy button has an important question to ask themselves: is ANC essential, or would they be just as happy to use the V2 model instead and enjoy the lion’s share of the same features, for less? V2s sell for less than $180 now and are likely to be discounted further while stocks last.

The other big player in the ANC gaming headset space is SteelSeries, whose Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is among the most feature-rich and lavishly finished models we’ve ever seen. Priced at $349.99 MSRP, it’s a full hundred dollars more expensive than this Razer model, which almost makes the Pro V3 ANC seem like a bargain.

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Specs

	Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
Price	$249.99 / £249.99 / around AU$510
Weight	367g / 0.81lbs
Battery life	70 hours
Compatibility	PC, Xbox Series X\|S, PS5 (Xbox version), PC and PS5 (PC/PS5 version), iOS, Android
Connectivity	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless
Microphone	16-bit/48KHz

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Design & features

Beautifully stealthy looks with immaculate stitching
All-day comfort, despite the weight
Great suite of physical controls

BlackSharks are built around an aviation-style headset design, similar to HyperX’s Cloud, which was itself based on the OG QPAD QH90s. That entails two oval-shaped earcups connected not at the top but via a hinge at the side of each to a padded headband.

I’ve been testing headsets for far too many years at this point, and I’ve found this earcup size and design generally offers the best comfort and passive noise cancellation. So when it’s manufactured to a high standard like this and finished with a generous wedge of memory foam, you’ve got a recipe for long-term comfort.

Some people don’t get on with the hinge design. While other headsets offer a notched sensation when you adjust the headband and even show you measurements that you can reference, these BlackShark V3 Pros, like their ancestors, don’t have any of that. Personally, I’ve always found that a bit pointless – surely it’s quicker and easier to adjust until you feel comfortable, rather than dialing in a prescribed number?

It’s true that the thin telescopic aluminum poles that let you adjust for size have traditionally been a bit stiff to operate, and to me it feels like they’re smoother on this model. That could just be the new headset effect, though.

The finish is typically immaculate, as per Razer’s standards. The stitching on the upper leather portion of the headband looks like an Italian sports car’s interior, the imprinted Razer logo running along the top is pin-sharp, and so are the gloss finish Razer logos on the matte earcups. There’s a new aluminium plate on the hinges for these V3s, finished in an engraved spiral design, which breaks up what was previously a plasticky-looking component with a bit of added shine. They probably don’t bring the weight down, but despite its 0.81lbs/367g being towards the heavier end of the market, discomfort isn’t an issue as the headband and earcup cushioning, together with the headset’s clamping force, work together to prevent anything digging in.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset being worn by a mann its box on a desk — (Image credit: Future/Phil Iwaniuk)

I’m such a big fan of the right-hand earcup’s physical controls. Firstly, there’s a button that cycles through three ANC modes: on, off, or ambient, and not even my Bose QC45s offer that much control over ANC, so well done for that, Razer.

Second, I always find a chat mix wheel useful, so its addition to the BlackShark V3 Pro ANC is an extremely welcome one for me. Streamers might like to hear a small amount of their mix audio just to check they’re not muted, and personally, I find it helps to regulate my speaking volume for in-game chat.

There’s also an EQ cycle button, which I never, ever use. Some people might. At least it’s positioned so that I never hit it by accident.

The only significant negative is an enduring one: the supplied HyperSpeed dongle needs a USB cable to be connected to it. The USB-C dongle for the V2 gen won’t pair with these V3s, so HyperSpeed dongles are the only option. This won’t impact your enjoyment of the headset’s features, but it feels like a strange solution, a bit of a stopgap until Razer releases a HyperSpeed dongle that plugs directly into your device. Until then, grit your teeth and brace for some cable spaghetti emitting from your PC or console.

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Performance

ANC works well, if not perfectly
Booming but precise sound
Absurd battery life

Let’s get into the headline addition to this V3 iteration of the BlackShark Pro: active noise cancellation. Seeing ANC on a gaming headset’s spec sheet is a recent phenomenon, probably because the areas where we play games tend to be quiet in the first place. But there are scenarios when it could come in handy: doubling up as work and gaming headphones, playing on a mobile device on public transport, or, for the very few players skilled enough to find themselves in such a situation, playing an esports match in front of a crowd.

Until the Worms Armageddon competitive scene blows up, the only use case I have for ANC is when using a headset with a mobile device out in the world, particularly on a plane. I must disclose that I haven’t used the BlackShark V3 Pro ANCs on a plane yet, but I have taken them on train journeys and on walks, using the Bluetooth connection with my phone.

The listening mics do their job well, negating a lot of ambient noise in both situations. However, the downside to using cloth fabric instead of pleather around the earcups is that if you really listen out for it, you can hear the ANC making tiny adjustments whenever your headset’s position changes slightly. Which it does, because that breathable fabric doesn’t ‘stick’ the headset in place like pleather does. You really have to listen out for it, but the sound of low frequencies adjusting is perceptible as your headset shifts.

I don’t find that a major issue. ANC is a big value-add for me, but not because I need to drown out sound while gaming. Instead, it adds to the BlackShark V3 Pro ANC’s versatility, as a smartphone headset, a night-time phone session buddy, or a study aid to help me focus.

Speaking of versatility, since the V2s were released, Razer updated their firmware to allow simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can take calls from your phone while you play on your PC or console. Yet another value-add.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset on its box on a desk — (Image credit: Future)

Like its predecessor, the model comes in PC, PS5, and Xbox variants, both also compatible with PC, with only minor cosmetic differences and one compatibility difference (the Xbox version works on all platforms, the other two not so) between them - some green trim and a different dongle on the Xbox version, basically. Setup is easy on both consoles, and new to this gen, you can use them wired while they’re charging on consoles, too.

Not that charging is an especially frequent task. The spec sheet gives these 70 hours of life on a full charge when using a 2.4GHz wireless connection, which is an extraordinary figure. Based on my year of heavy usage with the V2s, the 70-hour claim held up long-term, so I’ll be interested to see what effect the ANC has on the V3’s battery performance over the coming months. All I can say at present is that 70 hours is correct out of the box.

I don’t think the mic’s been updated this gen, at least not as far as I can tell. The same detachable design returns, with a big foam pop shield, decent noise suppression, and a well-rounded sound. In the last year, I’ve been using the V2s, people on Discord always asked if something was wrong with my mic when I used a different headset for testing. The consensus this time? It sounds… the same.

Let’s mention the driver sound quality, since it’s the bottom line of any gaming headset. It’s been a long time since Razer and its contemporaries used to artificially boost the low-end frequencies to make everything you listened to sound like a bone-rattling action film. Modern gaming headsets offer a much flatter EQ response, which gives you numerous benefits, from versatility to precise audio articulation. It also means that headsets from different manufacturers sound a lot more like each other than they used to, but nevertheless, the BlackShark family has ‘a sound’.

It’s precise and flat, but with an authoritative thud to the bass response when it’s truly needed. You can, of course, tinker with those properties via the EQ presets and Razer’s Synapse software, but I find software EQ tends to introduce a digital artifice to the sound that’s always counterproductive.

The bottom line is that they sound fantastic in every setting. Like their predecessor, the V3 Pro ANCs are a complete package that’s hard to find fault with.

Should I buy the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro?

Buy it if...

You play in noisy areas
Take that, inconsiderate housemates! ANC is a great option for improving your focus by filtering out unwanted external noise.

You’re a device-hopper
Constantly taking phone calls while playing on PC, then switching to a Sony-exclusive on PS5? The dual-wireless connectivity and new wired console use will make you smile.

You’re not pinching the pennies
During an ongoing cost-of-living crunch, it’s worth reminding ourselves that there are headsets at half this price, which, while not offering the same suite of features, let you enjoy your games and won’t break. This is definitely priced in luxury purchase territory.

Don't buy it if...

You’re deep into ANC effectiveness
The cloth fabric earcup covers aren’t optimised for passive noise cancellation, and that does affect the ANC’s potency too.

You already own the V2 Pros
All the upgrades are well thought–out and welcome, but this doesn’t mean your expensive V2s now need to go in the bin.

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: also consider...

Is something fishy about the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro to you? Consider these wireless alternatives.

	Razer BlackShark V3 Pro	Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro	PlayStation Pulse Elite
Price	$249.99 / £249.99 / around AU$510	$349 / £329 / AU$649	$149.99 / £129.99 / AU$239.95
Weight	0.81lbs / 367g	0.75lbs / 339g	0.76lbs / 347g
Battery life	70 hours	36 hours	30 hours
Connection type	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless (HyperSpeed dongle)	Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless	Wireless (PlayStation Link via dongle), Wired (3.5mm audio jack), Bluetooth
Compatibility	PC, Xbox Series X, PS5 (Xbox version), PC and PS5 (PC/PS5 version), iOS, Android	Playstation 4/5, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android	PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC, Mac

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Featuring SteelSeries’ unique dual-battery charging solution, premium looks, and similar ANC implementation, the Nova Pro Wireless is a similarly premium headset option with few faults.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless reviewView Deal

PlayStation Pulse Elite
Obviously, Xbox players need not apply, but for switching between PlayStation devices and PC, Sony’s wireless cans offer great comfort and audio quality for a surprisingly affordable price that’s not too far above the Nova 3X’s tag. Plus, they make you look like you’re on Star Trek.

For more information, check out our full PlayStation Pulse Elite reviewView Deal

How I tested the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro

Over a week of solid use on PC, PS5, and mobile
Desktop station and noisy environments field-tested
Comfort and battery life were evaluated via long-term usage and extended play sessions, audio via music, and in-game sound

There are two ways to test the effectiveness of active noise cancellation outside the lab: one is to observe the difference in a quiet space, and the other is to go somewhere noisy. I did plenty of both during testing, on commuter trains and walks through the park, as well as at my nice, tranquil desktop PC setup.

I put the BlackShark V3 Pro ANCs through their paces in direct comparison to the V2s, across multiple consoles, and in a selection of games, including Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on PS5, Far Cry 5 on Xbox, and my old favorite, MotoGP 25 on PC, as well as a range of music too.

My typical play sessions these days are a couple of hours each, but I also logged some longer sessions to test out the long-term comfort, and used the battery from full charge down to full depletion, using both wireless modes and the full suite of ANC options.

First reviewed July 2025

Read more about how we test

I’ve spent 40 hours exploring Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and it’s an incredible sequel that builds upon its unique predecessor to become a masterpiece

3:00 pm | June 23, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Death Stranding, Metal Gear Solid | Comments: Off

Despite my love for all things fast-paced and wild, action-adventure PS5 game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach had me falling in love with the serene.

There’s a magical quality to just strolling around in the Australian wilds as you make your way from station to station delivering parcels, and while you can speed the game up with all manner of gadgets, I found myself leaving it alone so I could take in the world that developer Kojima Productions has created.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5
Release date: June 26, 2025

The trailers for Death Stranding 2 flaunted a ton of action-packed moments, leading me to believe we’d be in for a far more conventional action game after the somewhat divisive reaction to its predecessor. However, I’m happy to say that, while, yes the action is much better, the core of the game is still about parcel delivery and exploration. Kojima Productions hasn’t lost sight of what made the original game shine in order to appeal to a broader audience.

Don’t be so serious

A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — (Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Death Stranding 2 once again follows Sam, a legendary deliveryman, who is now living a secluded life with baby Lou right after the events of the original game. And while the United Cities of America (UCA) – which Sam linked up in the original – is now content with automatic delivery robots, Fragile, an ally from Sam’s past manages to track him down and pull him back out for one final job – to link up Mexico into the Chiral Network - effectively a massive internet connection bringing these disparate areas together.

Joining up Mexico opens up a portal to Australia, which in turn has Sam take on another gig there as a member of the crew aboard a floating ship called the DHV Magellan. The crew hopes to open more portals and eventually connect the world and remedy the apocalyptic Death Stranding event, which tore the world apart in the first place.

Without the need to introduce the character, Death Stranding 2 is a very introspective and personal story for Sam, and as a result, it feels like it can go long stretches without any significant plot development happening.

It makes up for it with a far more character-driven approach, bolstered by what is probably the best acting performance I’ve seen from Norman Reedus across any medium. Interpersonal relationships and character studies carry the game before leading into an extremely Hideo Kojima third act full of wild events and tons of exposition that reaches Metal Gear Solid levels of bombast and absolutely nails the landing.

And while I wouldn’t call the original Death Stranding supporting cast bad by any means, Death Stranding 2’s newcomers are on another level. Sam’s main crew aboard the DHV Magellan ship includes Fragile returning, with new arrivals like Tarman, Tomorrow, Rainy, and Dollman making up the ranks.

Dollman in particular works akin to God of War’s Mimir, being strapped to Sam’s hip on his trails and providing expository dialogue and the like. I was afraid that this type of companion would interfere with the isolation that defined the original game, but he quickly became one of my favourite characters and a heartfelt one at that – despite being a doll modelled after a Turkish film director.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Fragile, Tomorrow, and Rainy was always a highlight whenever it was on screen, with the latter having one of the most engaging side plots in the game.

On the villain front, Higgs returns from the original with a lust for revenge that pushes that character to the next level. Then there’s Neil, who takes on the role that Mads Mikkelsen’s Cliff had in the first game of a character who appears in flashbacks and otherworld scenes. And after Kojima featured the character so heavily in trailers, I was a touch disappointed with how sparingly he was used. But in the end, it landed that I found myself in tears over a character whom I’d barely seen – thanks in large part to the incredible performance by Luca Marinelli.

I’ll keep coming

Death Stranding 2 isn’t some massive overhaul, despite what the action-packed trailers may have you believe. The core of the game is still about traversal and parcel delivery. And honestly, outside of new gear and structures to try, it’s not all that different (not that it needs to be).

The biggest shake-up is with the day and night cycle and weather systems, which can cause earthquakes, sandstorms, and whiteouts, which are cool for sure, but never made too much of an impact on my deliveries. The Strand system – which has other players' buildings and gear appear in your world to drive home that feeling of connection – returns, and it’s still one of the best implementations of asynchronous multiplayer found in a game.

Death Stranding 2 retains one of the original game’s best features, where the licensed soundtrack kicks in and the camera pulls back, really bringing home just how vast the world is that Sam has to traverse, leading to some euphoric moments where you’re treated to a mixture of a gorgeous vista and a beautiful tune. W

hile there are a ton of artists this time, alongside composer Ludwig Forsell, Woodkid takes on the main musical role this time, with his music being as prominent to this game as Low Roar was to the original. Both these vocal tracks and the score are gorgeous, ranking among the best soundtracks in recent memory, with the synth-heavy moments and the ambient vocal tracks.

This time around, you do get an upgrade that allows you to listen to any of the songs when roaming the world, with the game cutting you off when it wants to do these moments, although I elected not to use it to make those musical moments that much more impactful.

Once, there was an explosion

This time around, the gunplay feels far better than it did in the original Death Stranding, and the expanded roster of weapons gives you a lot to play with. There are still enemy encampments scattered around the map, which allows for a Metal Gear Solid 5-style approach where you can scout out areas and take your own approach to them, although the enemy AI isn’t quite as in-depth.

Meanwhile, the boss fights – which were a hindrance at best in the original – are much improved. While Sam still fights giant goop monsters, his expanded kit and their altered movesets make battles far more engaging, while the mech bosses are a solid change of pace, even if they do boil down to “shoot the glowy bit.”

On a technical level, Death Stranding 2 may be the best-looking game I’ve ever seen, even in performance mode. The opening scene in the mountains is genuinely breathtaking. The textures on the ground, the snow-topped mountains, the weather, the character models, and even the sky regularly had me in awe in a way you don’t really get in an era where graphical fidelity has started to plateau.

Best bit

Death Stranding 2’s opening scene is one of the most striking openings in recent memory, in which you take a stroll with baby Lou across a mountain range to get back to your home, all while taking in some of the most gorgeous environments I’ve seen in a game.

We all knew what the Decima engine was capable of thanks to the Horizon series, but this takes it to the next level. And having played the game across both PlayStation 5 Pro and the PlayStation 5 Slim, it looks incredible and has a solid frame rate throughout. There is also a resolution mode available, but I found the graphical benefits negligible compared to having the higher frame rate available on the performance mode.

While my time with Death Stranding 2 was mostly glitch-free, I did have various audio issues, including multiple moments where the scheduled music tracks didn’t kick in. This also happened during the final boss, where the battle was happening in complete silence, prompting a restart.

Death Stranding 2 is what a sequel should be. It meaningfully builds on the ideas found in the original while not losing sight of what made it so great in the first place. Kojima Productions is never a studio to play it safe, and doubling down on the brilliant traversal and asynchronous multiplayer focus is exactly the right move.

Should you play Death Stranding 2: On the Beach?

Play it if...

You enjoy playing unusual and unique games
Death Stranding 2 is filled to the brim with Hideo Kojima’s signature bizarre moments, characters, and world-building, while not sacrificing interesting gameplay. While not a massive departure from its predecessor, it has a weirdness you rarely get from a AAA release.

You want to make the most of your PS5 Pro
While it still looks gorgeous on the original PS5, Death Stranding 2 is one of the most jaw-dropping games I’ve ever played on a graphical front, even in performance mode. While still running at a solid 60fps.

You love great acting in games
While the goo monsters and talking dolls of Death Stranding 2’s world are undoubtedly silly, every lead actor brings their A game, with excellent performances from Norman Reedus, Shioli Kutsuna, Lea Seydoux, Troy Baker, and, yes, even, Jonathan Roumie – who voices the aforementioned talking doll.

Don't play it if...

You don’t like convoluted plots
There’s a lot to the world of Death Stranding, so much so that it includes an in-game glossary where players can read about the various people, phenomena, and terms introduced in the world. And while my past with Hideo Kojima games has conditioned me to extreme worldbuilding, it can definitely get a bit nonsensical if you’re not up to date on your lore.

You didn't gel with Death Stranding
While Death Stranding 2’s larger scope and enhanced combat are sure to bring in some new fans, at its core, it’s still a game about traversing the world and making deliveries. So if you were really against that the first time around, don’t expect to change your mind this time.

Accessibility

Compared to PlayStation Studios’ usually stellar track record of accessibility options, Death Stranding 2 is a bit basic when it comes to accessibility, sadly.

Sprinting and aiming structures to build that can be changed from holding a button to a toggle, while the soothing Lou action can be changed from motion controls to using the left stick, plus you have the ability to change your camera controls and speed.

There are no colorblindness options, and subtitles lack the option for backgrounds, text size, or font color available. Plus, you cannot remap the controls at all. There are four difficulty options (Story, Casual, Normal, and Brutal), but the game isn’t exactly clear about what changes across these modes.

How I reviewed Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

I played 40 hours of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on Normal difficulty. During this time, I completed the main story, as well as the sub-mission deliveries, as well as a few standard deliveries when I wanted to buff up specific outposts. I connected all but two preppers to the Chiral Network before finishing the game, and went back for them after the fact.

I also went back and played some of the original Death Stranding, which I had played to completion twice before, for comparison’s sake.

I played the majority of Death Stranding 2 on a PS5 Pro on a Samsung Q60D TV and a Samsung HW-T450 soundbar. I also played on a PS5 Slim on a Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor with a PlayStation Pulse 3D Headset.

First reviewed June 2025

Astro A50 X review – near-perfect multi-platform audio

8:07 pm | March 19, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Death Stranding | Comments: Off

If you have $379.99 / £359 / AU$749.95 to spend on a high-end wireless gaming headset, then the Astro A50 X is a fantastic choice. This is a supremely comfortable peripheral, with a lightweight headband and gorgeous plush ear cups that make it an absolute joy to wear over extended gaming sessions. It also offers by far the best audio quality of any of the wireless gaming headsets that I have ever tested, with rich bass, crystal clear mids, and dazzling high-end frequencies that are a perfect match for almost any game.

Cinematic adventures like The Last of Us Part 1 and Death Stranding: Directors Cut are elevated by superb clarity and a detailed sound stage, while intense first-person shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 benefit from accurate spatial audio that makes it much easier to track enemy movement. Throw in an excellent microphone that enables you to communicate with friends or teammates clearly with little background noise and this is one seriously compelling package.

Unfortunately, while the use of 24-bit HDMI 2.1 audio does increase the sound quality, it also makes for a complicated setup process that requires multiple extra cables compared to other sets. The lack of active noise cancellation (ANC) is also a let-down at this lofty price point and I found that loud background noises can occasionally bleed through, disrupting the otherwise peerless immersion.

Design and features

The controls of the Astro A50 X. — (Image credit: Dashiell Wood/Future)

The Astro A50 X boasts an eye-catching design that feels premium in the hands. It has large, almost square earcups that offer plenty of room for the onboard controls and sport magnetically attached plush cushions that sit snugly around the ears. A flexible rubberized microphone, which can be raised, lowered, and shaped into position, is attached to the left ear cup. The power switch, platform switch button, and Bluetooth connectivity button are then positioned on the back of the right ear cup, above a small volume dial.

The switches are all well-spaced and pleasantly tactile, while the volume dial has a satisfying notched motion and rubberized finish that lends it a high-end feel. The flat exterior of the right ear cup also functions as one large extra button, offering a handy way to control the balance between game and chat audio.

The headband is very lightweight, constructed from two thin flexible plastic strips that sandwich a small plush cushion. It is connected to each ear cup with robust metal tubes that can be slid up and down in order to adjust the fit. There are markings denoting various headband sizes, making it easy to keep at a consistent size once you’ve managed to find the perfect setting.

Small metal contacts are present on the bottom of each ear cup, which enables the Astro A50 X to dock into its included base station. This is a convenient storage solution that means the headset can be charged between uses, though the roughly 24-hour battery life means that you're well covered by a full charge. The base station has a good level of heft to it, just weighty enough to avoid slipping around on a surface but not too heavy to reposition easily if needed. It’s also a relatively compact size, with an overall width that’s about equal to the width of the headset itself.

While the front of the base station features a row of LED indicators (including a battery level indicator, a Bluetooth connectivity indicator, and illuminated text denoting your current platform) the rear has three HDMI 2.1 ports and three USB-C ports. These ports are all in service of the headset’s flagship feature: the ability to switch between multiple platforms.

This is accomplished with a quick tap of the headset’s platform switch button, which automatically changes the HDMI output over to your selected platform and seamlessly switches the audio to match. It’s impressively quick and convenient and makes this headset by far one of the easiest to use if you are often alternating between Xbox, PlayStation, and PC on the same display. It is worth bearing in mind that the headset does not feature power control functionality though, so each system needs to be switched on separately first.

The software of the Astro A50 X. — (Image credit: Logitech)

Like other premium wireless gaming headsets such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, the Astro A50 X features Bluetooth dual connectivity, allowing you to connect your mobile phone and take phone calls or chat via the Discord mobile app while still hearing game audio. It’s also compatible with Logitech G Hub PC software and the Logitech G mobile app that can both be used for firmware updates, alternating between preset equalizer profiles, or fully customizing the equalizer settings to your liking.

Performance

Connecting the base station to an Xbox or PlayStation requires at least two HDMI cables and one USB-C cable. The first HDMI cable connects the HDMI output of the console to the HDMI input of the base station, while the second connects the HDMI output of the base station to your gaming monitor or gaming TV. The USB-C cable then provides an additional connection between the base station and the console. You can add a second console to the same video output by hooking up another HDMI cable and a second USB-C cable. Connecting to a PC is then a little simpler, requiring only a USB-C connection which is conveniently attached to the base station’s USB-C power supply cable.

Once I had set the base station up with my Xbox Series S, PS5, and PC there were a grand total of six extra cables running through my desk. The sheer number of cables required makes setup a time-consuming task, especially if you want to make sure that they tidied away neatly. While the two USB-C cables are included in the box, alongside the power lead, the headset does not come with an extra HDMI cable for the video output so you’re either going to need to find a spare or buy one which could be a major annoyance.

It’s also important to note that, while the headset works with any old HDMI 2.0 cable, the newer HDMI 2.1 standard is recommended for the best audio experience, adding another hurdle. Including a single HDMI 2.1 cable in the box would massively reduce the hassle and is definitely not an unreasonable ask given the price.

The Astro A50 X base station. — (Image credit: Dashiell Wood/Future)

Once the setup is completed correctly, however, you’re rewarded with incredible audio performance. In-game sound is perfectly balanced, with just the right level of bass to feel suitably punchy but never overpowering. Voices come through impressively clearly and the PS5 3D audio or Dolby Atmos spatial audio lends everything an incredibly cinematic feel - just make sure you enable it through your console settings or via the Dolby Access PC app.

The Astro A50 X also manages to hold its own when used outside of gaming. Every song I tested with the Apple Music app on PS5 sounded brilliant and I found the wireless range of the base station was more than enough to allow me to wear the headset around the house unimpeded. It also performed exceptionally well while watching movies and TV, delivering immersive, rich sound. While it doesn’t sound quite as good as leading dedicated music-listening headphones like the Apple AirPods Max or Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, it’s still easy to recommend the Astro A50 X if you’re an audio enthusiast.

It also feels superb on the head, with the soft ear cups and headband offering an excellent level of support and comfort. Sadly, the lack of active noise cancellation can sometimes negatively impact the overall experience. While the padding largely does an excellent job of blocking out low-level outside noise like console fans or rain, I found that the occasional loud sound like a passing siren would bleed through. It’s by no means a dealbreaker but is still disappointing.

When it comes to microphone performance, the Astro A50 X is almost flawless. Even with loud background noise I found that my voice came through clearly in almost broadcast quality, though the mic does seem to produce a slightly sibilant sound with its out-of-the-box configuration. Luckily, this can be easily adjusted and is unlikely to pose a problem unless you intend to use the headset for streaming or podcasting.

In fact, the only other major issue I encountered was a very occasional screen flickering which saw my display turn black for a split second at very sporadic intervals. I can only assume that it has something to do with the base station, which functions as an HDMI pass-through. Thankfully, the headset received a firmware update during my testing period that seems to have solved the issue for good.

Should I buy the Astro A50 X?

The Astro A50 X in its docking station. — (Image credit: Dashiell Wood/Future)

With rich sound and support for Dolby Atmos and 3D audio, the Astro A50 X is a top choice if you want one of the absolute best sounding wireless gaming headsets on the market. The complicated setup process and lack of active noise cancellation are unfortunate given the high asking price, but they’re only small complaints in the face of a headset that performs so well elsewhere.

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How we tested the Astro A50 X

I used the Astro A50 X as my primary gaming headset for over a month with a PC, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5. During that time I played a wide range of games, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, The Last of Us Part 1, and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PS5. On PC I played lots of matches of Counter-Strike 2 and a few hours of Death Stranding: Directors Cut, plus plenty of time in strategy games like Endless Space 2 and Civilization 6.

On Xbox, I played the opening of Hi-Fi Rush, not to mention a large chunk of Mirror’s Edge and Alice: Madness Returns via backwards compatibility. I was also careful to test the headset’s performance while listening to music via Apple Music on PS5 and YouTube on other platforms, in addition to enjoying the film Prey and the first season of Hazbin Hotel on Prime Video.

For more on gaming audio, see our guides to the best gaming headsets for Call of Duty or the best gaming earbuds.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review: Bigger, bolder, faster, better

5:00 pm | March 7, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Macbooks | Tags: AI, Death Stranding | Comments: Off

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3): Two-minute review

Sometimes I struggle to explain why someone might choose a larger, heavier MacBook Air 15-inch over the regular super light and thin MacBook Air. It's an especially difficult conversation because, aside from size, there are no functional differences between the new Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) and equally-new MacBook Air 13-inch (M3).

Aesthetically, they have the same design. MacBook Air left the wedge look behind a couple of years ago (and officially canceled it this year with the removal of the M1 MacBook Air) and now sports a flat and still pleasing slab look. Both MacBook Airs are made of recycled aluminum and an anodized midnight black finish that does a decent if imperfect job of repelling fingerprints (space black on the MacBook Pro hides the prints a little better).

The Magic Keyboards and trackpads are essentially the same, including the quite useful Touch ID/power/sleep button.

They have similar, spatial-audio-capable sound systems that I like (though I tend to use AirPod Pros with them so as not to disturb my office mates). Due to the larger size of the MacBook Air 15-inch, however, you get two extra speakers (six rather than four), and the 15-inch model's speakers include force-canceling woofers that offers decent bass without causing distracting vibrations.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 REVIEW — (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Ultimately, it all comes down to size. The MacBook Air 15-inch offers significantly larger palm rests, which makes my typing experience that much better. The screen, though no sharper than the MacBook Pro 13-inch's 224ppi Liquid Retina display, adds hundreds of pixels to make it the most expansive MacBook Air experience available.

And that's what it comes down to – more space. Is that worth an extra $200? Perhaps. I've been using the MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) for the better part of a week and already am a little spoiled by the extra screen real estate and roomy keyboard base.

It still bothers me that, despite the larger, thicker, and heavier chassis, the 15-inch MacBook Air offers no more battery life than its substantially smaller sibling. Still, having a powerful M3 chip inside makes this a big-screen workhorse that might turn a few heads from the pricier MacBook Pro 14-inch that can also be configured to feature an M3 chip. Sure, you give up an SD card slot, an HDMI port, a little bit of battery life, and that higher-resolution screen, but you get a larger screen, a slightly lighter system, and save $300.

Overall, I think for those who demand more screen real estate (without connecting it to up to two external displays – but while keeping the laptop closed), the 15-inch MacBook Air is the right choice.

Compared to the 15-inch laptop market, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 will maintain its leadership position atop our best 15-inch Laptop buying guide. It's better looking, faster, and either comparable or more affordable than many of the top-tier models available from Dell, HP, and Razer (I'm not talking about heavy, bargain basement 15-inch models, by the way).

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review: Price and availability

Announced on March 4, 2024
Shipping March 8
Base model is $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199

The Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024) begins shipping out globally to customers on March 8, 2024.

The base model starts at $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199 and ships with an M3 CPU (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU ), 8 GB of unified memory, and a 256GD SSD. The system is configurable to up to 24GB of memory, and 2TB SSD. My test unit arrived with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD, a configuration that would run you $1,499.

While it can be hard to directly compare Intel Core i7 systems with those running Apple silicon, the price of the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 base model still compares favorably to Core i7 systems like the Dell XPS 15.

Price score: 4.5/5

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review: Specs

The Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024) is available in three configurations that essentially add memory and storage but otherwise leave the base system unchanged.

You get your money's worth, but I do think it's time for the base model of all MacBook Airs to start with at least 512GB of storage.

Each of these options can be configured to add more memory (up to 24GB), and add storage up to 2TB.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review: Design

Larger 15-inch screen
Design unchanged from M2 MacBook Air 15-inch
The Midnight finish rebuffs fingerprints

I know some people still mourn the loss of the MacBook Air's original wedge shape and like to imagine what that would look like on a 15-inch model, but the slab look of the new MacBook Airs (now on their second generation) has grown on me. The recycled aluminum chassis is all clean lines and buffed corners.

The dimensions of this M3-sporting MacBook Air match those of the last 15-inch model. It's still 0.45 (11.5mm) inches thick (a hair thicker than the 13-inch model, which is 11.3mm thick), 13.40 inches wide, and 9.35 inches deep. The portable weighs 3.3 lbs, which is a little more than half a pound heavier than the 13-inch model. That's still pretty lightweight for a 15-inch model. However, as much as I like this big screen, I still prefer carrying the lightest possible laptop and would probably choose the 2.7 lb. MacBook Air 13-inch over this one.

Apple offers the MacBook Air in a variety of colors (silver, starlight, space gray, and midnight) but my preference is for the new midnight, which like space black (available on the MacBook Pro 14 M3 Max I reviewed last year) is anodized to cut down on fingerprints. Because midnight is not as dark as the black, it's not quite as successful at hiding all of my fingerprints. I hope that future MacBook Airs get the awesome space black option.

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The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 design is, in some ways, cleaner than that of the MacBook Pro. Where the latter has fine speaker grills on either side of the keyboard, the MacBook Air 15 – which has room for speakers – is all smooth metal. I like the look of it.

Apple's Magic Keyboard remains one of my favorite ultraportable typing experiences. There's a pleasing amount of travel and response and, of course, lots of room to work. Similarly, the force touch trackpad is huge and responsive. I still wish Apple would offer an update where you could draw on the touchpad using an Apple Pencil (a guy can dream, can't he?).

As you might expect the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is not packed with every port you can imagine or need. There is, however, a pair of Thunderbolt ports capable of driving up to two external displays (but only with the laptop closed). I used my test system with it connected to a Targus 7-port universal USB-C adapter, which was then connected to a 24-inch HD display. The ports are also useful for data and power. They both sit on one side of the laptop, next to the MagSafe charge port. On the other side is that vestigial 3.5mm headphone jack that audiophiles will appreciate. Apple should add one more USB-C port on this side of the laptop. Maybe they will the next time they redesign the MacBook Air.

One of the big (get it?) selling points of the 15-inch MacBook Air is the expansive Liquid Retina display. It's still 224ppi but where the 13-inch MacBook Air's 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display offers a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels, my 15-inch MacBook Air's 15.3-inch display offers a 2880 x 1864 resolution, which means hundreds more pixels and a lot more screen real estate

There is a lot to love about this display. It supports 1 billion colors and and the P3 wide color gamut. This means that everything from the depressing Netflix movie Spaceman to games like Death Stranding Directors Cut looks excellent. 500 nits is not necessarily the brightest screen, but I found the display viable in all manner of light situations.

I have grown used to the rather larger notch at the top of the screen, which accommodates the Facetime camera. That 1080p camera is also excellent for Google Meets, and Zoom conferences. One person told me I looked "crystal clear" during our one-on-one video meeting, while another, who was part of a more bandwidth-constrained group meeting, told me I looked a bit cartoonish.

Design score: 4.5/5

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review: Performance

Powered by M3 chip
It does it all
All the power and intelligence you need for local AI tasks

Benchmarks

Here’s how the MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Geekbench 6.2.2 Single-Core: 3,102; Multi-Core: 12,052 Battery Life (Web Surfing test): 15 hours and 3 minutes

In Apple silicon's short history, there has yet to be a shred of disappointment. Every iteration builds on the last in spectacular fashion. I've tested every Apple silicon update from the initial M1 to this new class of M3 chips and, without exception, each one is as blindingly fast and as efficient as an SoC (System on Chip) can be.

Without Apple silicon, the MacBook Air 15-inch would be a relatively lightweight, big-screen laptop bursting with Apple's signature style but perhaps weighed down a bit by Intel's still underperforming desktop-class silicon.

With the M3, my MacBook Air 15-inch is fast, flexible, and ready for just about anything. Its Geekbench 6 numbers are noticeably higher than those of the previous-class M2 MacBook Air 15-inch.

In real-world use, the ultrabook is as effective an everyday browsing and information-gathering system as it is a platform for intense image editing and a wide array of onboard and in-the-cloud AI operations.

In Adobe Photoshop, I asked the Firefly Generative AI platform to create a whole picture based on a thumbnail of a house in the hills. The result came instantly and looked real but also dreamy.

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Running Adobe Firefly (Image credit: Future)

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When I asked the local AI engine Freechat for a presentation on horology, it quickly spit out an outline for all my slides. It would not, however, create the slide images. And when I asked Microsoft's Copilot for images, the cloud-based app took a bit longer but I eventually got a bunch of pictures of "A middle-aged bald guy with glasses using a laptop in the middle of a magical park".

I tried the same prompt with the local AI tool DiffusionBee (it lets you download the image models to the MacBook) and while it was a bit faster, the results were not nearly as good.

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local and cloud-based AI — A Microsoft Copilot test (Image credit: Future)

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If you're wondering why I'm suddenly talking about generative AI in the context of a MacBook Air, blame Apple. The company's been doing AI forever and has built every Apple Silicon SoC with an onboard Neural Egninge but only recently started touting its AI bona fides because, well, everyone else is doing it.

To be fair, it's clear to me that whatever generative AI skills Apple introduces at WWDC 2024 in June, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 will be ready for it.

The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is also an able gaming system. I played Death Stranding: Directors Cut and Asphalt 8 (with a connected PlayStation Controller). The M3 is well-equipped to handle HD-level gameplay on both games. I tried cranking the resolution up to the max on DeathStranding, but the frame rate sputters to well below 30fps. If you want to play AAA games on this laptop at a smooth 60fps, you'll want to keep the resolution at an HD level (1920x1080). In that setting, I could still see the texture of Léa Seydoux's skin.

On the connectivity front, Apple upgraded the WiFi from Wifi 6 to WiFi 6E. Bluetooth is the same as it was on the last model: 5.3.

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If you're wondering why I'm suddenly talking about generative AI in the context of a MacBook Air, blame Apple. The company's been doing AI forever and has built every Apple Silicon SoC with an onboard Neural Egninge but only recently started touting its AI bonafides because, well, everyone else is doing it. To be fair, it's clear to me that whatever generative AI skills Apple introduces at WWDC 2024 in June, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 will be ready for it. The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is also an able gaming system. I played Death Stranding: Directors Cut and Asphalt 8 (with a connected PlayStation Controller). The M3 is well-equipped to handle HD-level gameplay on both games. I tried cranking the resolution up to the max on DeathStranding, but the frame rate sputters to well below 30fps. If you want to play AAA games on this laptop at a smooth 60fps, you'll want to keep the resolution at an HD level (1920x1080). In that setting, I could still see the texture of Léa Seydoux's skin. On the connectivity front, Apple upgraded the WiFi from Wifi 6 to WiFi 6E. Bluetooth is the same as it was on the last model: 5.3. — Playing DeathStranding on a MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (Image credit: Future)

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Part of the reason you want this (or really and MacBook) is because of the platform. MacOS is not only a mature operating system. it's one that manages to feel unencumbered by its years of existence. Apple's managed to marry its fast and efficient Apple silicon with a desktop-class OS without any noticeable compromises.

This is a system that works, is flexible, and never crashes. Better yet, all your favorite apps already work on it. Perhaps even more exciting is that macOS and Apple Silicon are slowly but surely becoming a viable platform for gaming. AAA titles like Lies of Pi feel perfectly at home and, I can tell you, they are a joy to play on the large 15.3-inch display.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review: Battery life

Lasts almost 18 hours
Still charges quickly

If you want to know why I love the current generation of MacBooks, it's not just because of their good looks and blazing performance: It's the battery life. I absolutely love a laptop that can deliver a full day of work without being plugged in.

Apple promises 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of video streaming. In our Future Labs tests and my anecdotal ones, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 lives up to those promises. We got over 15 hours of continuous web browsing. I spent the better part of a day unplugged and only truly taxed the battery when I played Death Stranding, a game that can zap a full battery in a matter of a few hours (I had a similar experience when gaming on the MacBook Pro 14 M3 Max).

My only criticism is that I wish the larger MacBook Air 15-inch provided more battery life than the smaller MacBook Air 13-inch.

Battery score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3)?

Buy it if...

You're looking to marry thin and light with a big screen
You won't get more battery life but all that screen real estate is enticing.

You want Apple Silicon without the price or heft
This 15-inch laptop is a great alternative to the pricier entry-level MacBook Pro.

You want the best-looking 15-inch laptop
No one makes laptops like Apple and macOS is one of the most reliable platforms on the planet.

Don't buy it if...

You value portability above all else
This is a MacBook Air that comes perilously close to blowing the "air" part of the name. It's light for 15 inches but also over 3 lbs.

You want more battery life for the size and money
Apple still can't figure out how to make a 15-inch MacBook Air that gets more battery life than its much smaller MacBook Air 13-inch sibling.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review: Also consider

If our MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

How I tested the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3)

I used the MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) for most of the week
I used it as my day-to-day work laptop
I ran a number of cloud and local Generative AI operations on it

I received the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) at the start of the week and, after quickly unboxing it, adopted the laptop as my work system.

I used it to produce stories, edit photos, play games, watch movies, read content, and generate AI-based images and text.

I've been testing laptops and technology for over 30 years.

Those who fight further

Yuffie and Cait Sith use a synergy attack — (Image credit: Square Enix)

Rebirth’s predecessor Final Fantasy 7 Remake famously dispensed with the original Final Fantasy 7’s turn-based battle system in favor of a hybrid setup that features pausable real-time combat. Rebirth doubles down on this change, offering battles that feel not only strategic but also fluid and responsive. Every aspect of the combat has been iterated upon. Characters move more deliberately, their dodges and parries feeling lifted from an action game proper rather than an RPG dressed up as one. A perfect parry will even render you immune to damage for a short time - a brave new mechanic that keeps players on their toes.

This dynamism makes customization more meaningful, a feat that Rebirth delivers by offering oodles of Materia, which can be equipped to give your characters access to different passive and active abilities. This fleshes out the strategic layer in combat. As you battle, you’ll build up ATB - action points that you can cash in for specific spells or abilities. With the touch of a button, combat is paused, allowing you to execute these moves. This is a source of endless meaningful decisions and helps create joyful friction, keeping things fresh and engaging even during more routine battles.

Best bit

Cissnei in Gongaga jungle — (Image credit: Square Enix)

Fighting a giant mech on top of a Mako reactor was particularly memorable, as were the pilot’s hammy monologues. Fraught with dramatic tension, stunning visuals, and nail-biting combat, this battle highlighted everything there is to love about Final Fantasy spectacle.

As you battle, you’re able to rapidly switch between different party members, taking control of Cloud’s companions with ease. Each playable character handles very differently in battle, helping not only to add a sense of variety but also to reinforce the characters’ own personalities.

The stalwart, reliable Barret is slow-moving. His dodge has a shorter range than his allies, but he makes up for this by being tough as nails, slowly but surely advancing as his gun arm spits hot lead. Red XIII moves rapidly, like a wild animal; his unique ‘Vengeance’ mechanic rewarding him for taking risks and successfully blocking attacks. Aerith is a deliberate and methodical spellcaster, placing glyphs on the ground to control the battlefield, and supporting her allies with consistent stability - much like she does outside of combat, too. In dialogue scenes, Aerith acts as the backbone of the party, guiding her friends with a sense of purposeful compassion. Seeing this mirrored in Rebirth’s combat is a real treat.

It’s the little things

Costa del Sol at dusk — (Image credit: Square Enix)

Unlike Final Fantasy 7 Remake which took place in the packed megapolis of Midgar, Rebirth has you travel beyond its walls, exploring an expansive semi-open world. However, rather than using this as a way to shoehorn in dozens of tedious sidequests and extraneous tasks, developer Square Enix designed Rebirth’s explorable zones with a sense of restraint. While there are plenty of side-quests, they tend to exist in short, sharp bursts, amounting to bite-sized mini-games or battles with optional objectives. Never do these diversions distract from the weight of the main storyline.

Some side-quests do seem dull on paper; you’ll sometimes be tracking down a missing item or escorting something across the map. What gives these missions texture, however, is how each of them focuses on a specific one of Cloud’s companions, using the side-quest as a pretext for meaningful character interactions.

A game of Queen's Blood in FF7 Remake — (Image credit: Square Enix)

What could be an uninspired escort quest in Junon quickly becomes something more when it causes Barret to raise concerns about his attitude toward parenthood and his anxieties around his daughter growing up. Parts of the conversation are played for laughs, with Barret comedically lamenting his daughter “flying the nest,” but there’s a real overtone of emotional sensitivity and nuance, too.

Accessibility features

Camera options menu in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth — (Image credit: Square Enix)

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is light on accessibility features but not without plenty of options for camera customization. Screen shake can be toggled and camera distance and responsiveness can all be adjusted to suit tastes. There are also multiple difficulty levels, including ‘Dynamic’ which adjusts automatically based on your performance.

Not every side activity benefits from Square Enix’s more restrained approach, though. The occasional task remains a chore. Though almost all of the mini-games make for amusing distractions, some fall flat. Highlights include the Chocobo racing game, a loving send-up of Mario Kart 8, and Queen’s Blood, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s deep and rewarding collectible card game.

Unfortunately, there are moments where the RPG overreaches. In one dire section, the player must use the DualSense controller touchpad to throw blocks around a dungeon to activate switches and solve puzzles. The section is derivative and torturous - a half-baked idea that is given center stage for a tedious half-hour due to the RPG’s unabashed (and occasionally misplaced) confidence.

Never-ending story

Cloud leaps towards Sephiroth with his giant sword swung over his head — (Image credit: Square Enix)

Rebirth shows similar confidence when it comes to storytelling, almost always with strong results. Like an industrial drill slowly breaking through layers of concrete, the RPG retells Final Fantasy 7’s second act with consistent momentum. Open-world sections are broken up by hub towns and dungeons, all of which give Rebirth a pleasing ebb and flow where tension can build and fall across an accommodating backdrop of varying environments and contexts.

Rebirth’s core characters grow and change throughout, their personalities reshaped under the deliberate weight of the RPG’s tightly constructed central story. For instance, as he did in the original, Cloud is forced to confront questions surrounding his identity and sense of self. What’s masterful about Rebirth is how seamlessly the stakes rise. As Sephiroth increasingly uses his supernatural influence to control Cloud, it feels like a frog slowly boiling in a pot, unaware that it’s overheating until it’s too late.

The remake trilogy is sticking to its guns - a move that’s worthy of respect

The tale Rebirth has to tell does differ from what’s offered in the original. While these differences seem minute for the vast majority of the story, the RPG’s final section is a high-concept set piece worthy of Kingdom Hearts 3 or Death Stranding in its simultaneous display of artistic bravery and obtuseness. The final act of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will ignite the internet with fan theories. While some will find it distasteful, it’s clear that the remake trilogy is sticking to its guns - a move that’s worthy of respect.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth proves that the remake trilogy isn’t a remake in the strictest sense. However, if you’re looking to go on another thrilling adventure with Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret, Yuffie, and Red XIII, then you’ve come to the right place - just don’t expect it to be the adventure you’re used to.

Looking for other immersive titles? Check out our lists of the best RPGs and the best story games.

Death Stranding: Director’s Cut now available on iOS, iPadOS and macOS

7:01 pm | January 30, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: Death Stranding | Comments: Off

Death Stranding: Director’s Cut is a video game by Hideo Kojima about a courier tasked with delivering supplies in a desolate post-apocalyptic world. The eerily beautiful game has been available on PlayStation and PC for some time, and starting today, it is also available for devices with Apple silicon - iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The Director’s Cut version was announced for Apple devices back at WWDC 2023 and was demoed on an iPhone 15 Pro during the phone’s launch in September. Now, it can be played on an iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad with M1 or later (that’s the...

Crucial P5 Plus review – competitively priced but lacking in performance

7:46 pm | August 25, 2023

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: Death Stranding, Mortal Kombat | Comments: Off

The Crucial P5 Plus is a budget PS5 SSD that looks to rival some of the cheaper options for internal console storage in 2023. However, with sequential performance that falls behind the majority of the competition, this is one drive that can’t quite be considered one of the best SSDs for PS5 despite having a good heatsink.

At a time when the prices of Gen 4 models are continuing to fall, any major advantage that the Crucial P5 Plus would have is subdued. It isn’t fast enough or packed with leading features to rival the top-end brands, nor cheap enough to be considered in higher capacities than some of the budget picks I’ve had past my desk over the past couple of years.

Price and Availability

You can get your hands on the Crucial P5 Plus in the US and the UK for as low as $44.99 / £44.99 for 500GB, but things get more aggressive at the 1TB and 2TB variants at $55 / £57 and $97 / £98 being one of the cheapest PS5 SSDs available now. It’s not quite the cheapest on the market - that would be the Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade, which performs a lot better - but for a Gen 4 NVMe in 2TB in the sub-$100 / £100 range, this value proposition cannot be ignored. With the heatsink models specifically, you’re looking at 1TB and 2TB variants for £65 / $62.99 and $199.99 / £104.99 respectively which is still incredibly competitive.