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Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon review
10:32 pm | November 4, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Lenovo's ThinkPad lineup continues to impress, particularly with the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 featuring Snapdragon. I have been a fan of the ThinkPad series for years, and appreciation won't fade soon. The ThinkPad T14s is part of the T series, positioning it as a business ultrabook with enterprise features geared more towards professionals than casual users or entry-level business laptops.

We're big fans of the AMD-powered Gen 4 (see out Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 business laptop review). But how does the Gen 6 Snapdragon stack up against some of the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops? Well, this model boasts excellent ports, outstanding battery life, a fanless design, and a strong balance of power, weight, and battery performance. Additionally, it offers a decent display for business purposes. This laptop is excellent for what it's meant to be great for, and that's a good thing.

Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Price & availability

The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 with Snapdragon starts around $1,700 for base configurations and climbs with additional RAM and storage options. This laptop is available in North America and Europe, though there are some limitations with connectivity options for the European models. You can buy these laptops at most retail stores that sell ThinkBooks. However, another great place to look would be Lenovo's website.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Unboxing & first impressions

Unboxing this laptop was a straightforward process typical for most ThinkBooks. Inside the box, I found the computer, a 65W USB-C charger, and the standard documentation accompanying nearly every laptop. Lenovo does an excellent job with minimalist packaging, and although I cannot confirm it, they claim to use eco-friendly and recyclable materials, which aligns with their sustainability goals.

My ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 features a sleek matte black finish, a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic lid, and a magnesium alloy body. It exhibits the classic ThinkPad design, showcasing how timeless this aesthetic is. The design has endured for years, much like that of the MacBook. When a company finds a design language that works, they tend to stick with it.

The materials used are smooth to the touch yet durable enough to withstand heavy daily use. It boasts sturdy hinges and solid keys and is both lightweight and robust.

As you'd expect from any of the best business laptops, from the first boot-up, the computer starts quickly, runs smoothly, and operates effortlessly.

Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Design & build quality

Specs

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E78100, 12 cores
RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X (onboard)
Storage: 1TB SSD (non-upgradable)
Display: 14-inch, FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS, 452 nits brightness
Connectivity: 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack
OS: Windows 11 Pro for ARM

As mentioned, the laptop is made from recycled magnesium alloy and carbon fiber. This is the classic combo that Lenovo has used for the ThinkPad lineup for quite some time. It's great, it's pretty durable, it's soft to the touch, and it's premium in look and feel. In parallel to the premium feel, this laptop is light. It weighs around 2.7 pounds, which is not the lightest laptop; even the ThinkPad X1 Carbon came under 2.5lb. However, it weighs nearly the same as the popular Apple MacBook Air.

The T14s Gen 6 also has the signature ThinkPad keyboard, TrackPoint, and Trackpad. For additional privacy, there is a physical slider to cover the camera and a dedicated key in the function row to mute the onboard microphone.

Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: In use

I've had the opportunity to use this laptop in my rotation for the last few weeks, and it has been one of my favorite laptops to grab. It tackles my day-to-day work easily and is a nice break from some heavier laptops I rotate. I'm convinced, much like many seem to be these days, that the 14-inch 16:9 screen is perfect on a computer. My personal daily driver is an M2 MacBook Pro, but it has a 13-inch screen because it was released just before Apple jumped to 14- and 16-inch displays. That extra inch adds so much screen real estate without adding a lot more to carry, making it an excellent no-brainer.

Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The ThinkPad T14s has been more than suitable for productivity tasks. However, I wouldn't use this computer for video editing, partially because of the power this laptop has, the graphics, and the screen resolution. However, as a business laptop, as it is designed to be, this laptop excels. I can run my heavy workloads (I push my computers hard for long days, 6.5 days a week) without missing a beat; I can render file compression and run heavy project management boards, heavy Excel files, and nearly 50 Chrome tabs, all processing efficiently. I can have Jira, Notion, Excel, Basecamp, Slack, Chrome, Spotify, Asana, and more all up and running without needing to close things down, as I would potentially have to do on less powerful laptops. 

My day-to-day work ranges from working at a desk at a coffee shop to roaming around hot desks and traveling. So far, I've been thrilled with this battery life. While I may not get a total of 21 hours because I run these laptops hard, as I mentioned, and usually with pretty high brightness, I quickly achieve an average and extended day of work. I can consistently get through a 12-hour day, even a 16-hour day, without needing to grab a charger. I've worked an 18-hour day and only grabbed a charger towards the end of the day so that I could start my next day topped off.

Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

I recently upgraded my home office Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi 6E thanks to the TP-Link XE75 Pro [review coming soon]. Though the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 can utilize up to Wi-Fi 7, getting it to work seamlessly with my Wi-Fi 6 channel has been great. Things download and upload quickly, meetings are transparent, buffering or skipping is avoided, and it's been great. Further, the fanless design, like that of a MacBook Air, is excellent. It's quiet yet keeps a stable temperature, not getting too hot even at my peak productivity.

Overall, the keyboard performed as expected. It features a compact function row at the top, which includes some additional function keys that are an excellent addition. The Trackpad is solid, although nothing compares to the Apple Trackpad. It's also important to note that this device does not have a touchscreen.

Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 with Snapdragon excels with its stellar battery life, reliable design, and lightweight build, making it ideal for users who prioritize mobility and connectivity. This computer is worth checking out for the average and even prosumer in the business world. It's a great combination of features and design that would be a great fit.


For more productivity hardware, we've tested the best business computers and the best business tablets.

Asus ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 laptop review
6:33 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Asus ProArt PZ13: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
Graphics: Adreno X1
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Rear Ports: 2 x USB-C 4.0, microSD reader
Front Ports: None
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Audio: Dual speakers, average quality
Camera: Rear 13MP, Front 5MP
Size: 297.5 x 202.9 x 9.4 mm, 0.85 kg
OS installed: Windows 11 Home Copilot+
Accessories: Keyboard cover, Asus Pen 2.0 stylus

The Asus ProArt PZ13 complements the two ProArt laptops from Asus and, of the three, is the one that raises the most interest. It's essentially a tablet and laptop in one and is not only packed with AI processing power but also features a DCI-P3 colour gamut 13.3-inch OLED screen that will instantly appeal to creatives.

However, while this machine runs on Windows 11 Home, it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus, which is partnered with Adreno X1 graphics. That combination produces a performance that excels in many tasks, especially with Adobe and creative apps, which for the most part it handle absolute ease. However, with some apps, including our 3DMark and PCMark benchmarking software as well as many games, they refused to run.

Through testing, many aspects made this machine stand out, and it truly is a viable alternative to the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, offering excellent battery life and a lightweight but ultimately robust build. General performance across Adobe apps such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro was excellent, even without the full compatibility for Premiere Pro, with high-resolution images from the Sony A7 IV and Canon EOS R5 C being handled easily. The touchscreen and stylus, with all those points of sensitivity, made working directly on the images a fluid process. Likewise, editing 4K video, with a little storage capacity boost from a Samsung T5 EVO 8TB, was equally smooth, even if the edits for the particular piece were relatively simple.

It's worth noting, that Premiere Pro isn't 100% compatible as with several other apps, and as you start to install further apps and games, the limitations of the ARM processor become apparent. So, not yet the best video editing laptop option, even with the broad color space coverage - although during installation of Premiere Pro, for example, there is a note that Adobe is working on the ARM version of the software. Until then, the Intel version will be used. In reality, most jobs run smoothly enough, but as the processing power demands increase or more graphically demanding tasks are applied, the machine does, at present, start to struggle.

Likewise, when it came to gaming, things weren't so smooth, as quite a few of the games refused to load at all since they were designed for different processing architectures. So, while this tablet has power and puts in impressive performance, at present, there are some compatibility issues.

Asus ProArt PZ13: Price & availability

ASUS ProArt PZ13

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Priced at around $1,099.99, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is available through retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and the Asus website. 

  • Price: 4/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Design & build

ASUS ProArt PZ13

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The ProArt PZ13 is designed as a two-in-one machine, so that you can use it as a creative tablet or laptop. As such, it comes with a removable keyboard, which is sleek and slim and doubles as a protective case and stand, although the link between the keyboard and monitor free moving so unlike a laptop won't support itself. This essentially means that on a table you can open it up like a laptop of the stand will support the monitor, however, on a lap that support is a little more tricky although not impossible. 

One standout feature especially it you're working out in the field is that the PZ13 is IP52-rated, meaning it's dust-resistant and splash-proof, as well as being far more durable than your average tablet or laptop. This is something Asus has emphasised across its full line of ProArt laptops, and sure enough, in use, the ProArt has travelled through a variety of photo and video shoots, as well as delivering workshops and lectures, and not always in the most computer-friendly environments, where it proved to be an excellent, robust choice.

When it comes to size and weight, the PZ13 is slim and well weighted, measuring 29.75 x 20.29 x 0.90 cm and weighing just 850g. As you'd expect for a tablet, there's also a stylus, and if you want to remove the keyboard for a more slimline machine, it's quickly detached from the base. The case, of which the keyboard is part, further enhances the design with a green finish and a kickstand that enables you to prop up the screen when used as a laptop, although it's not ideal when supported on a lap. 

A clever feature of the design is that the magnetic keyboard can be detached, rotated 180 degrees, and folded under the screen where it holds in place. This means that the keys are against the screen rather than facing down, offering a far more comfortable feel to the tablet compared with other devices.

The overall design and build is excellent, with a high-quality feel throughout the usage and design of the machine. Connecting to external devices is also quick and easy using one of the two USB4 ports, one of which can be used as the power in. There are also the usual array of wireless connection options including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The 13.3-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED 16:10 aspect ratio screen is fully touch responsive and also features stylus support. The screen-to-body ratio is 87% so essentially covers most of the front of the tablet when used with the stylus which provides one of the most responsive and natural-feeling digital work surfaces available. What really stands out about the screen, aside from the 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, is the surface itself. While glossy, reflections are well managed, and the viewing angle is superb, making it easy to adjust and enhance images directly on the screen.

When it comes to physical ports, again, the PZ13 is tailored to creative users, and while there are only a couple of options with two USB4 ports and an SD Express 7.0 slot if you're on the move then this should for the most part suffice. One of those USB4 ports is used for the power, although it can also be used for accessories and storage when not connected to power. These ports can be used to maximise transfer speeds to the machine and ensure that when dealing with high-resolution video stored on an external device, the speed of transfer is fast enough to keep up with the pace of the application—specifically, Premiere Pro in this test.

Overall, the Asus ProArt PZ13 is one of the sleekest tablet/laptops available. The size and connectivity options, touch screen and USB4 ports when coupled with the full version of Windows, make this an excellent choice in terms of design for creative users.

  • Design: 4.5/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Features

ASUS ProArt PZ13

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The big features of the ProArt PZ13, aside from the large 13.3-inch OLED touch display with a 2880 x 1800 resolution, include its two-in-one design and integration with AI toolsets and CoPilot.

As a tablet, the computing power delivered by the Snapdragon X Plus chip, while not as powerful as Intel or AMD alternatives, provides solid AI-enhanced performance, especially for creative apps that support this technology. 

The ProArt PZ13 is equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus X1P 42 100 Processor (3.4GHz, 30MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz, 8 cores, 8 threads) alongside the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which offers up to 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) and supports AI processing. Graphics are handled by a Qualcomm Adreno GPU, which is relatively untested with larger creative apps, but despite the lack of full support, especially for Premiere Pro the tablet still delivered an impressive performance during testing.

Due to its tablet design, the RAM and ROM are fixed, with 16GB LPDDR5X on board and a 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. However, as we did in this test you can utilise the USB4 ports to boost the storage at up to 40Gbps. 

One of the standout software features enhanced by artificial intelligence is the Asus suite of AI-powered workflow apps, and these are accessible through the ProArt Creator Hub. This suite includes applications such as the AI-powered StoryCube, which utilises the machine's AI capabilities to help organise media files.

Alongside the apps, the Creator Hub enables you to manage system resources. If an application requires more allocated processing power than others, the Hub lets you assign resources as needed. It also provides an overview of hardware performance, such as heat levels and usage, and allows you to switch between modes depending on whether you need longer battery life or full power.

For creative users the Hub also gives you quick control over various display settings, including colour gamut adjustments. This feature enables you to quickly switching between modes such as standard, vivid colours, sRGB for web content, DCI-P3 for cinematic tones, and Display P3 for photography.

When you combine these display modes with Asus 2.0 stylus support, you get a highly natural way of interacting with the screen and pen strokes, making the PZ13 ideal for both photographic and art-based work.

As for power, the PZ13 comes with a 65W power supply but is also compatible with most PD power banks and stations. During testing, it was paired with a Bluetti AC60 and charged in the field via USB Type-C. Internally, it houses a 70WHrs, 3S1P, 3-cell Li-ion battery, which offers a surprising amount of battery life, considering the tasks the tablet was used for.

  • Features: 4/5

Asus ProArt PZ13: Performance

ASUS ProArt PZ13

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 5130.53MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 4883.76MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 10746
GeekBench CPU Multi: 2294
GeekBench Compute: 10073
PC Mark: n/a
CineBench CPU Multi: 5494
CineBench CPU Single: 1065
Fire Strike Overall: 906
Fire Strike Graphics: 860
Fire Strike Physics: 13589
Fire Strike Combined: 455
Time Spy Overall: n/a
Time Spy Graphics: n/a
Time Spy CPU: n/a
Wild Life: 11377
Windows Experience: n/a

The ProArt PZ13 is by no means the first two-in-one tablet in this price range, but considering the competition, it packs a surprising amount of processing power for the price.

From the outset, it's worth noting that there are some compatibility issues with certain applications. For instance, Adobe Premiere Pro on installation shows a message indicating that it hasn't been programmed for use with the ARM processor. However, the Intel version of the application can still be used. 

In practice, through the test Premiere Pro worked without issue, handling files from the Sony A7 IV, and delivering an impressive performance, capable of editing and grading FHD and 4K video footage with relative ease.

That said, some games present challenges. For example, Hogwarts Legacy refused to load beyond a certain point just going to a black screen, and many other games experienced similar issues, although some did play without issue. So, if you're considering this device for gaming, it might be best to wait until full support arrives for the CPU and GPU, those games that do play, play smoothly. However, for video streaming and playback, the speed of the machine is clearly evident.

In regular use, the PZ13 performs exceptionally well. For tasks like Google Docs and web browsing, the laptop ran for a full working day—well over 10 hours with some breaks—without needing a charge. With more power-intensive applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro, the battery life dropped more swiftly. However, it still managed a solid 4-6 hours, again factoring in breaks during working sessions.

While the PZ13 generally feels like using any other high-powered PC laptop or tablet, you may occasionally notice that some applications, particularly games, won't load. Overall, the performance of this two-in-one is exceptional with the high quality screen, along with the robust yet stylish design making it a great option if you're looking for an on-the-go solution.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Asus ProArt PZ13?

The Asus ProArt PZ13 2-in-1 design is an ideal option for creative professionals, but it does have its limitations. The incredible touch screen and its pressure point sensitivity, along with tablet-to-laptop flexibility and AI-powered features, make it perfect for artists, photographers, videographers, and content creators who need a lightweight computer. However, its ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus processor does create compatibility issues with certain applications, especially those that demand high processing power or still need to be optimised for ARM architecture.

All things considered, this is a great machine that balances battery life, features, and power. As long as gaming isn't high on your priorities and creative applications such as the Adobe suite are, then this is a perfect choice. 

ASUS ProArt PZ13

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Buy it if...

Portability is a priority

If you need a lightweight, versatile device with a long battery life for creative work on the move, the ProArt PZ13 excels. It's perfect for those who travel frequently or require a compact yet powerful setup for fieldwork.

It would help if you had a colour-accurate display

The OLED display with 100% DCI-P3 support makes it an excellent choice for photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. Its vibrant and accurate colour reproduction is ideal for creatives working with visual content.

Don't buy it if...

It would help if you had extensive port options

With only two USB-C ports and a microSD slot, connectivity may be limited without the use of external hubs or dongles. If you rely heavily on multiple peripherals or wired connections, this could be a drawback.

You rely on heavy-duty apps

The ARM-based Snapdragon X Plus chip might struggle with more demanding software that isn't optimised for ARM architecture. If your workflow involves power-hungry apps or games, this limitation may affect performance.


We've tested the best photo editing PCs - and these are our top picks

Motorola Moto G75 arrives with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and promise of five OS upgrades
2:01 pm | October 1, 2024

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

The Motorola Moto G75 that leaked last month is now official. It is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC and has 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage onboard. The Motorola Moto G75 runs Android 14-based MyUX out of the box and comes with the promise of five Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates. A tip we received claimed Motorola UK's mailing list advertised the G75 with "software upgrades till 2030" and "three years of warranty," but Motorola's official websites for multiple countries - including the UK - have no mention of software upgrades till 2030. Perhaps...

With iOS 18, Apple’s Activation lock will guard more than the phone OS
8:40 pm | September 13, 2024

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

As of right now, iOS 18 is only available as an RC (Release Candidate) build for developers and public beta testers and a new feature has been confirmed to come with the new OS next week - Activation Lock. The feature prevents someone from using stolen iPhone parts on another iPhone. The feature was announced back in April, and Apple says law enforcement requested it in an attempt to tackle the issue with the black market with stolen iPhone parts. It locks the iPhone along with its parts to the original owner of the phone. And if the system detects a second-hand part, like a...

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is coming to India next week, will offer 5 OS updates
4:20 pm | September 9, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: , | Comments: Off

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo was officially unveiled at the end of last month and it immediately went on sale in Europe. The phone will roll out to new markets, starting with India – this will happen next Monday, September 16. Moto Edge 50 Neo in Poinciana, Latte, Grisaille and Nautical Blue Flipkart already has a landing page with all the details for the phone, except for the price. This is a pretty special device, so you may want to tune in next week for the launch. The Moto Edge 50 Neo is a relatively small phone with a 6.4” display, a high res LTPO 120Hz panel at...

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo is coming to India next week, will offer 5 OS updates
4:20 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: , | Comments: Off

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo was officially unveiled at the end of last month and it immediately went on sale in Europe. The phone will roll out to new markets, starting with India – this will happen next Monday, September 16. Moto Edge 50 Neo in Poinciana, Latte, Grisaille and Nautical Blue Flipkart already has a landing page with all the details for the phone, except for the price. This is a pretty special device, so you may want to tune in next week for the launch. The Moto Edge 50 Neo is a relatively small phone with a 6.4” display, a high res LTPO 120Hz panel at...

Geekom AX8 Pro mini PC review
7:23 pm | August 10, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Geekom AX8 Pro: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics 780M
RAM: 32GB DDR5 5600MT/s up to 64GB
Storage: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x 4 SSD 1TB up to 27B
Rear Ports: DC Jack, USB 4.0. USB 3.2, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2.5GbE LAN Port, USB 2.0 Port, USB 3.2 Gen 2 port
Front Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 3.5mm Headphone
Connectivity: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5G Ethernet
Audio: 3.5mm audio
Camera: n/a
Size: 117 x 111 x 38.5mm
OS installed: Windows 11 Pro (64bit)
Accessories: VESA Mount

From the outset, the Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro impresses with its full metal build and stylish design. From the box, you can instantly feel the weight, which is more than you normally expect from a machine of this size. However, as this is a mini PC, and at 545 g, it is going to add a small amount of weight or bulk to your desktop or bag.

Looking at that design and that full metal build does give the mini PC a real sense of quality. There's nothing flimsy about it, which gives you confidence that if you need something portable, then it will withstand more than a simple knock or two.

As with so many of the best mini PCs we've reviewed, there are several ports around the body of the machine, giving you plenty of connectivity options whether you're using it as a permanent desktop solution or as something more portable.

Inside the AX8 Pro, you have an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS coupled with AMD Radeon Graphics 780M, which proved to provide plenty of power when it mattered. Our review sample features 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, which also provides plenty of power and decent storage capacity.

The machine comes with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit installed, so the initial setup process takes about 20 minutes. Once everything is in place, the machine performs impressively across all test programs that usually require a bit more processing, such as Photoshop and Premiere, which run smoothly for the most part.

However, you do start to see its slight lag in Adobe Premiere Pro with some of the high-resolution footage from the Canon EOS R5 C. Taking an in-depth look at the benchmarking results, we can see just how good this small machine is comparing well to some of the more powerful laptops on the market and some of the larger gaming mini PCs.

The benchmarks show that the AX8 is an outstanding machine, able to cope with a wide breadth of applications and uses. With its sleek, understated design, it's surprising just how powerful it is, which makes it an ideal solution for professional use. It's not only capable of ploughing through office admin applications but also doing an awful lot more, including handling all of your creative content and applications.

Geekom AX8 Pro: Price & availability

Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The AX8 Pro is available directly from Geekom for $749 / £749, reflecting its premium quality build and outstanding performance. You can also find this machine on Amazon and several other online retailers, and the prices will vary depending on what offers are available. 

  • Score: 4/5

Geekom AX8 Pro: Design & build

Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The build quality of mini PCs is certainly on the up, and the AX8 Pro Mini PC is a testament to this. On close inspection, the full metal build of the exterior casing, the honeycomb design of vents along the sides and venting at the back along with the neat layout of the front and rear ports all give this mini PC an edge when it comes to absolute style and quality.

The front of the machine is minimalistic with two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, which enable 10 Gb/s data transfer. These are neatly laid out and great for plugging in occasional accessories. There is also a 3.5mm headphone socket, which accepts most wired headphones and then the main power button.

Flipping over to the rear, you have the 19V DC in, and the mini PC comes supplied with an external power supply that plugs straight into the mains socket. Next to this, you have a USB 4.0, which delivers 40 Gb/s. Below this is an HDMI 2.0 port. On the opposite side of the machine, there's a USB 3.2 port and HDMI 2.0 port coupling. The USB 4.0 port on the left is capable of delivering 8K at 30 Hz, while the USB 3.2 port on the right can deliver 4K at 60 Hz, providing future-proofing options. Additionally, you have a 2.5 GB LAN port, another USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, and a USB 2.0 port, giving you plenty of options for connecting peripherals and multiple displays.

On the base of the casing are two screw holes that enable a VESA mount to be attached, so this mini PC can easily be mounted in various locations using the standard mounting system. On the side of the mini PC, there is a security lock slot for added protection.

  • Design: 4.5/5

Geekom AX8 Pro: Features

Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The small size of this mini PC doesn't give you any impression of the scale of the features packed inside. Firstly, it boasts an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, coupled with AMD Radeon Graphics 780M. This combo is paired with  32GB of DDR5 5600MT/sRAM, expandable to 64GB if required. Storage wise it ships with a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x 4 SSD, but will take an SSD up to 2TB. Then, for networking connectivity, it has a decent suite of ports, including a 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting devices.

One of the big features of the AMD CPU used is that it's part of the 8000 series, featuring advanced AI capabilities to help allocate processing where and when it's needed. This aids with a variety of functions including predictive maintenance, improved energy efficiency, enhanced performance and security, and helps to personalise your experience in combination with Windows 11 Pro.

When you open up the machine by removing the four screws on the base, it reveals the RAM and SSD slots so upgrading is extremely easy.

The PC comes with Wi-Fi 6E to ensure a decent connection to your networks for conferencing work, light entertainment, and gaming. Its backward compatibility means that if you are transporting this small box around, it should easily connect with all sorts of networks without issue. For other forms of connection, it has Bluetooth 5.2, allowing you to connect wireless accessories and speakers without too much hassle.

A variety of ports around the body of the mini PC provide plenty of connection options. Notably the HDMI, USB 4.0 and USB 3.2 enable you to connect to large displays, with two standard HDMI 2.0 ports enabling you to connect to 4K 60Hz monitors. Additionally, the USB 4.0 port allows you to connect to an 8K 30Hz monitor, and a USB 3.2 port enables you to connect to a 4K 60Hz monitor, allowing for a total of four monitors to be connected at once.

The USB 4.0 and 3.2 ports can be used to connect to displays or provide ultra-fast data transfer to storage devices such as external SSDs, enabling transfer speeds up to 40 Gb/s. This makes it suitable for photographers and videographers looking for a machine that can handle the large data files required for image and video editing. The 2.5G Ethernet will enable you to connect to network drives easily.

One issue with having such a high-performance mini PC in a small frame is heat management. Geekom addresses this with its Ice Blast 5.0 cooling system, incorporating a large fan at the top of the machine. This fan helps draw heat from the electronics and pushes it out through a vent on the back of the machine, while the Honeycombe vents on the side draw in cooler air across the electronics.

Despite the high processing speeds, this mini PC is well-balanced and consumes only 45W, which is far lower than similarly powered laptops. One of the big features is that the AX8 Pro is a powerful computing solution in a small and robust package that's easy to carry and connect to displays and wireless systems, perfect for presentations or work. At 117 x 111 x 38.5 mm with the VESA mount in the package, it's also extremely mountable, so it can be positioned on the back of a monitor, TV, or beneath your monitor with ease.

An interesting feature highlighted by Geekom, which is quite rare for a mini PC, is its durability. The company states that it has undergone drop tests, vibration, altitude, temperature, and humidity tests to ensure it is a robust mini PC that will stand up to more than typical use.

This PC comes standard with Windows 11 Pro, which works seamlessly with all Microsoft Office apps, Google Suite, and the Adobe Creative Collection, as utilised throughout this review.

  • Features: 4.5/5

Geekom AX8 Pro: Performance

Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 7102.34MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 6192.86MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 2662
GeekBench CPU Multi: 13392
GeekBench Compute: 31321
PC Mark: 7518
CineBench CPU Multi: 14602
CineBench CPU Single: 1800
Fire Strike Overall: 7734
Fire Strike Graphics: 8384
Fire Strike Physics: 26594
Fire Strike Combined: 2925
Time Spy Overall: 3359
Time Spy Graphics: 2997
Time Spy CPU: 10687
Wild Life: 17182
Windows Experience: 8.2

Unboxing the AX8 Pro from the packaging takes a couple of minutes and a further 20 minutes to run through the Windows 11 Pro setup process. The machine is very simple to set up, with the AC to DC transformer plugging into the back with a decent-length cable to plug into your AC mains wall socket. Following that, the two USB ports on the back can be used to connect your keyboard and mouse before a cable HDMI or USB type-C is run to the monitor.

For our test, we used a single 27-inch 4K monitor plugged in directly through the HDMI cable. It supplies a decent 4K resolution at 60 Hz, which is more than enough for most professional uses, including office work, creative and video editing.

To run through the tests the system was loaded with the usual benchmarking software, 3D Mark, PC Mark, Geekbench, Adobe Creative Cloud (ACC) with Photoshop and Premiere Pro, and a few games to test the graphics potential.

Starting with Microsoft Office apps, Microsoft Word and Excel ran absolutely seamlessly with no issues encountered with multiple documents and applications open. 

Putting a little more pressure on the system, Adobe Photoshop and Premiere were loaded. Using Photoshop as a starting point, we tested the machine's capabilities, and it was able to happily open and manipulate images from the Canon EOS R5 C with 5 to 10 layers and multiple adjustments with minimal slowdown. This makes it an ideal solution for photographers who need a small and compact machine that can be used in a studio environment or out in the field. 

Switching the processing over to some of the best video editing software out there, Premiere Pro, we edited a five-minute video taken from the Canon EOS R5 C in 4K. While the internal storage wasn't large enough to hold all the video captured, an external Lexar Armor 700 SSD was attached to the USB port on the back of the machine. This provides the transfer rates needed by Premiere Pro for smooth editing of the footage. The ease of use and the smoothness of the editing process highlight just how powerful this little machine is. With proxy media enabled, the AX8 Pro provided a smooth workflow, although, for larger productions, this small machine would start to struggle.

For office tasks using Google Suite or Microsoft Office within a professional environment, this machine will absolutely excel, enabling you to connect to multiple displays and storage devices without an issue. For creative tasks such as Photoshop or InDesign, this machine is more than adequate, handling data manipulation and layout with plenty of power. When it comes to video editing for full HD and 4K video, this machine handles the data with relative ease. However, for high bitrate footage, such as that produced by the Canon EOS R5C, the machine starts to need help with longer productions. Using Adobe Media Encoder to convert that footage to something more accessible will help the editing process. As it stands, it does a relatively good job.

Switching to benchmarking software, we see just how good this machine is, with some of the fastest results seen from any mini PC. 

The benchmark results show the AX8 Pro's impressive storage speed. With read speeds of over 7000 MB/s and write speeds surpassing 6000 MB/s, the NVMe SSD ensures rapid boot times, fast file transfers, and runs multiple applications with ease. 

The Geekbench and Cinebench scores highlight the capabilities of the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS. The high single-core scores ensure that everyday tasks and applications like Microsoft Office and Google Chrome run smoothly. The impressive multi-core scores indicate excellent performance in multitasking and demanding applications like the best photo editors Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as Premiere Pro.

A PC Mark score of 7518 and a Windows Experience Index of 8.2 reflect a balanced system optimised for productivity, entertainment, and creative tasks. 

The gaming benchmarks reveal the AX8 Pro's abilities, with the AMD Radeon 780M providing solid performance. Fire Strike and Time Spy scores, particularly in graphics and physics, indicate that the AX8 Pro can handle graphically intensive games like Cyberpunk 2097 and Red Dead Redemption 2 in medium settings. The Wild Life score of 17182 further reinforces this - so if you do want to do a little gaming, then while you won't be able to crank up the graphics all the way, you'll still get a decent gaming experience. 

One thing to note is that during the editing of 4K video and when playing games the fan noise was quite loud, so while the machine is more than happy to delve into heavy processing you will have the fan noise to contend with.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Geekom AX8 Pro?

The Geekom AX8 Pro will undoubtedly suit any professional who needs a smaller, robust computer, whether for the office, studio, or on location. This mini PC is versatile enough to take out in the field or use in a presentation at an alternative workplace.

Unusually for a mini PC, build quality, and the robustness of the design really come into play. The style of this mini PC is so understated that you wouldn't realise just how tough it is. Geekom has gone to extra lengths to ensure that if you decide to carry this mini PC around, the build quality will protect the delicate components inside the metal casing.

Inside is a powerful PC, highlighted through both real-world tests and benchmarking. While the graphics abilities of this mini PC might not match those of top-flight gaming and production mini PCs, it is still among the best we've tested. If you need extra graphic processing, there is a USB 4.0 port on the back that will allow you to connect an external GPU of your choice, giving a significant boost in graphics performance.

Beneath the hood, there's a lot of processing power, and this machine will get hot. Thankfully, the cooling system that Geekom has implemented works well. Although you can hear the fans as they kick in to keep things cool, it's not overly loud. If you need a quiet editing environment for video work, there might be better machines for you, though the noise levels are generally acceptable.

As an all-around powerful PC, the Geekom AX8 Pro outperforms many others and is a great solution for demanding office work and medium creative applications.

Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro Review

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...


For more professional devices, we reviewed the best business computers and best business laptops.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: the king of the camera phones
11:00 am | August 5, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones Xiaomi Phones | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Two-minute review

The past few years have seen the temperature quickly rise in the camera phone market. For many months in 2023, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ruled the roost, until the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, with its Leica-powered camera technology, came along to shake things up. The latter phone was usurped by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra earlier this year, but now Xiaomi is back with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, a handset that proves Xiaomi's commitment to producing the best camera phone.

With four rear cameras and a front camera, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has everything you need, from super telephoto to ultra-wide.

Images are captured on a new 1-inch sensor that delivers a truly step-less variable aperture with intermediate stops between f/1.6 and f/4.0. This guarantees incredible results in low light and produces a level of detail that has never before been possible on a smartphone. The phone's sensor handles highlights equally well, with detail maintained even when you'd expect it to be blown out.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

The quality continues with the phone's design. A high-strength aluminum frame and Xiaomi Shield Glass provide all the strength and protection required to stand up to day-to-day wear. The softness of nano-tech vegan leather on the rear helps to give a nice tactile experience, too.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra's 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display with Xiaomi Shield Glass continues this thread of quality, offering a 3200 x 1440 pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate that's fantastic for watching videos and gaming.

One of my only gripes with this phone's design is that the weight of the rear camera notch makes it impossible to hold and operate with one hand. Annoyingly, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra kept tipping out of the top of my hand.

The performance of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is another one of its strengths. The phone's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is an impressive CPU with very few limitations, and enables apps to keep running with very little downtime.

All in all, then, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a fantastic phone. Whether it's worth the money will depend on how much you intend to use your phone for camera and video work. Considering some of the best beginner DSLRs can be picked up for a similar price, potential customers will need to weigh up whether they want their phone and camera in one package. If the answer is 'yes', then the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is hard to beat.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Price and availability

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)
  • Priced from £1,299
  • Released in the UK February 2024
  • Not available in US

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is available in the UK for a price of £1,299. This will give you storage of 16GB + 512GB, with no other options to choose from. This incredible camera phone is yet to be released in the US or Australia.

One of the 14 Ultra's direct rivals is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 512GB, which is currently retailing in the UK for £1,349 so Xiaomi's price is a little cheaper. A 25GB version of the S24 Ultra can be picked up for £1,249, which means the Xiaomi 14 Ultra sits squarely in the middle in terms of price.

This phone is very much for photography enthusiasts. If you don't need the next best camera phone but rather need a great everyday phone, then check out one of our best phones of 2024.

  • Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Specs

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Design

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)
  • High-strength aluminium frame
  • Xiaomi Shield Glass
  • Nano-tech vegan leather

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is beautifully designed and engineered with some of the best materials seen on any flagship phone at the moment. The case is dominated by a sizable circular notch that protrudes out of the back. Inside are four amazing Leica cameras alongside a flash, with everything protected by strengthened glass. 

There's no denying that it looks great but I have a couple of problems with it. The first is that I was scared of breaking it. The 7 or 8 mm protrusion means that every time you put your phone down, you're in danger of scratching the glass. This is not something you want to be concerned about, especially when the cameras are the main selling point of the phone.

The second problem I have with it is that it makes the top half of the phone significantly heavier than the bottom half. This wouldn't be a problem, save for the fact that it's almost impossible to hold the phone in one hand and type with that same hand. Every time I tried, the phone just flopped out of the top of my hand. Not great at all. I appreciate they will have wanted to keep the overall weight down but some extra weight towards the bottom would have helped to counter the issue.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

Aside from the problematic notch, the overall design is actually incredibly nice. It's beautiful to look at and masterfully engineered. The phone is made from a brand-new 6M42 high-strength aluminium frame, Xiaomi Shield Glass, and next-generation Xiaomi nano-tech vegan leather. 

It sounds impressive, and believe me, it is. I tried bending the phone, and it didn't budge a bit. The material choices not only keep everything safe but also increase durability. The strength represents a doubling of rigidity compared to the Xiaomi 13 Pro.

The back of the device is covered in a new material developed by Xiaomi called nano-tech vegan leather. It is resistant to both wear and dirt, increasing overall durability. At the end of my tests, which took around a month, there were no visible marks on it at all. Now, I think if you took a fingernail to it, you'd quickly scratch it but that's the payoff with a textured surface like this.

The power button and volume rocker are located on the right-hand side of the phone and are nicely positioned for easy access. The power button has a textured finish, which is a nice touch and helps users identify it without looking.

The device lacks a range of different colours to customise the user experience. Xiaomi has instead opted to only ship it in either black or white.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Display

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)
  • 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED with Xiaomi Shield Glass
  • 3200 x 1440 px resolution (20:9 aspect ratio)
  • 120Hz Refresh rate

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra boasts a gorgeous 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED, which absolutely looks the part. The display is almost edge to edge, with pixels running right up to the point when the glass starts to curve off towards the aluminium edges. This is achieved by stacking multiple layers and thereby introducing the required flexibility at the edges. It works really well, and it blends seamlessly into the frame.

The display has 522 PPI and a 3200 x 1440 pixel resolution, which works out at a 20:9 aspect ratio. This is noticeably larger than the 2670 x 1200 resolution on the Xiaomi 14. I would love to have seen the resolution pushed up to 4K, especially for a phone that is labelled 'Ultra'.

The inclusion of an LTPO panel with a variable refresh rate significantly improves light efficiency and power consumption. The technology allows for refresh rates of anything between 1 and 120 Hz. The top end is perfect for gamers needing the quickest refresh speeds. It performs really well and delivers buttery smooth graphics, whatever you're using the phone for.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)

At 3,000 peak nits, the 14 Ultra delivers higher brightness even than the iPhone 15's Super Retina XDR OLED panel. At this brightness, the display is still visible in the brightest of environments.

All of this next-level technology is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass. Xiaomi developed technology results in an interlocking structure through high-temperature sintering. This provides not only the necessary transparency but also superior strength and drop resistance. I had no concerns and was glad to see the glass survive a few knocks.

  • Display score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Software

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
  • HyperOS out of the box
  • Runs on top of Android 14
  • 4 years of OS + 5 years of security updates

As with all of the Xiaomi 14 Series, the 14 Ultra takes on HyperOS. This is Xioami's new interface, which looks very much the same as its old OS, MIUI. To be fair, they have rebuilt it from the ground up, resulting in significantly more fluid and responsive transitions. These changes are most welcome, as MIUI was beginning to struggle on recent new phone releases.

The adoption of HyperOS is not all uneventful, though. One of the primary benefits is that it helps integrate the 14 Ultra into the wider Xiaomi ecosystem, including wearables, tablets, and now even their debut car

The user experience is very different from almost all other Android phones, with Xiaomi ditching the long-established app drawer. This isn't particularly a problem, though, and if anything, it helps to simplify what can oftentimes be an over cluttered interface. One of the other big changes is that Xiaomi has followed swipe-down gestures found on iOS devices, with the top left and right corners delivering different results. I love that usability on my iPhone and it's great to see other phone manufacturers taking note.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

As is the case with almost all Android phones, the 14 Ultra and its HyperOS include a lot of apps that could be considered bloatware. Unfortunately, this is not just the case for third-party apps; it has seeped into Xiaomi's homegrown apps too. I like to get rid of as many of these straight after setting up a new phone but Xiaomi doesn't allow for some to be removed, which is frustrating.

Before you think this is all going to be a big HyperOS bashing, there are some things that I love about it. One of the most significant ones is its gallery app, which integrates natively with Google Photos. This helps to keep your photos backed up without requiring much human intervention.

If you're interested in digging deep into everything that HyperOS offers, then Xiaomi has a dedicated page for all things HyperOS.

  • Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Cameras

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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)
  • Main 50MP f/1.63-f/4.0 23mm focal length
  • Floating telephoto 50MP f/1.8 75mm focal length
  • Periscope 50MP f/2.5 120mm focal length
  • Ultra-wide 50MP f/1.8 12mm focal length
  • Front 32MP f/2.0 90° FOV

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is pretty impressive in most areas but here's where it gets really special. Quite simply, this is the best camera on any phone, ever. Let's take a look at why.

It all begins with an all-new Leica 1-inch sensor for the main camera. The 2023 model already had a very capable 1-inch sensor but the newer one provides a truly stepless variable aperture with intermediate stops between F1.63 and F4.0. Leica continues to dominate this area of the market and the results are stunning, with fantastic low-light performance and unrivalled image quality.

Above all, I was most impressed by the sensor's ability to handle such a wide dynamic range. Rather than blowing out highlights, it was able to sensitively control them and retain the necessary detail. It was the same story with the darker areas. Noise is also kept to a minimum in low-light areas.

Images were noticeably crisper and more vibrant compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which I was using for comparison shots. The latter were much flatter, which might be preferable to photographers wanting more colour grading control in post. The Xiaomi defaults to a Leica Vibrant profile but this can be swapped out for Leica Authentic. This seemed equally vibrant in my estimations.

Moving from inside to outside, the main camera system is located in a circular notch that protrudes out from the rear. This provides four different lenses, ranging from a 120mm periscope down to a 12mm ultra-wide. In between, there is a 75mm telephoto and a 23mm main. 

All of these produce outstanding results but I was most impressed by the bokeh that all four lenses were able to generate. All of this is thanks to the next-level engineering that Leica has put into their lenses. The Bokeh is clean, predictable, and all generated in-camera.

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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

The telephoto and periscope cameras provide an almost unbelievable level of zoom, something that is rarely seen in mobile phone cameras. Having become accustomed to digital zooms that reduce detail and introduce noise, it's a breath of fresh air to be able to access such long focal lengths at the press of a button.

Pro mode on the rear camera makes it possible to change all the settings that you would expect to find on any DSLR, including aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. Providing this level of fine control could have led to an overwhelming interface but Xiaomi has done a fantastic job of making settings and dials incredibly user-friendly and intuitive.

The front selfie camera offers a lower but still impressive 32MP and is fixed at f/2.0. There is little to distinguish between the rear and front cameras, which is testament to what Leica and Xiaomi have achieved. Images from the front camera are as sharp as a pin and auto-focus is bang on every time.

Video quality is equally good, with 4K resolution possible up to 120 fps. Being able to slow footage down up to 4 times gives an impressive amount of flexibility when video editing in post. It is possible to increase the resolution to 8K but that does result in a drop in frame rate to 30 fps. Even though the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is primarily targeted at stills photographers, there is still plenty to attract amateur or indie videographers.

  • Camera score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Performance

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future / Roland Moore-Colyer)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
  • GPU: Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
  • 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM

The 14 Ultra follows in the footsteps of the Xiaomi 14 with the inclusion of Qualcomm's flagship mobile silicon Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This is an identical CPU to what is found in almost every flagship phone of 2024 including the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Find X7 Ultra, and the Magic6 Pro.

The CPU is boosted by a Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU to help with graphics processing. As a result, this is one of the most powerful phones on the market. Everything about this phone is quick, from the fingerprint scanner to app loading and switching. 

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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
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Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

HyperOS manages performance like a pro, with power profiles that keep all your favourite apps under control. There is a dedicated 'performance mode' but I never came across a need for it.

With its 120 Hz display and powerful processors, the 14 Ultra is also sure to appeal to gamers. I didn't experience any performance drop outs and loading bars were few and far between. Game Turbo helps increase performance with the ability to prioritise networking latency, touch response input, and, of course, boost performance at the expense of power consumption.

  • Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Battery

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
  • 5000mAh (typ) battery
  • 90W HyperCharge
  • 80W wireless HyperCharge

The battery of the 14 Ultra is slightly beefier than the Xiaomi 14, with a 5000mAh chosen instead of the 4,610mAh. Wireless charging is also possible up to 80W, rather than only 50W. Wired charging still tops out at 90W but that was to be expected.

Advertised charging speeds are 33 minutes for wired and 46 minutes for wireless. I wasn't able to test the latter but the wired charging time is relatively accurate. Such quick charging times are incredible and will help ensure you're never out of juice for long. To get these speeds, you'll need to make sure 'boost charging speed' is activated in the phone's settings menu.

The phone offers four different battery modes, including performance, balanced, battery saver, and ultra battery saver. You can expect to enjoy two or even three days of average use from the battery. If you are regularly gaming or streaming videos, then this will naturally reduce in time.

There's also a really nice 'Battery check-up' feature that will not only tell you what can be done to increase battery life but also how much time you'll gain for each individual item. I found this incredibly helpful, especially when I had a low battery but couldn't get to a charging point.

  • Battery score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 14 Ultra?

Buy it if...

You want an incredible camera
The Leica-developed quad camera system is second to none at the moment, even outperforming Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra. It's 1-inch sensor is capable of handling low light and wide dynamic range like a pro.

You like premium build quality
High-strength aluminium frame, Xiaomi Shield Glass, and nano-tech vegan leather all contribute to a strong and gorgeous looking phone.

You like Xiaomi's latest OS, HyperOS
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra's hardware and software offer near-endless degrees of customisation and functionality. If you are happy putting in the time to fine-tune the settings, then you can benefit from a truly personal experience.

Don't buy it if...

You want a well-balanced phone
The quad camera Leica notch on the rear of the phone is so heavy that it makes it very difficult to hold the phone and operate it with one hand. This is a significant design issue.

You like a lightweight set of apps
As is the case with most Android phones, HyperOS comes with a fair amount of bloatware across both third-party and first party apps. Unfortunately some of these are considered essential and therefore can't be uninstalled.

You want an affordable phone
At £1,299, this is one of the most expensive phones around. If you're not interested in phone camera photography then there are a lot of other better and cheaper alternatives out there.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Also consider

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has some clear strengths, but also some clearly-defined shortcomings. If you've got this far and think something else might be more your thing, why not consider one of these alternatives.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
If you want the absolute best phone but the Xiaomi 14 Ultra isn't what you're looking for, then check out Apple's biggest and best iPhone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The only camera to rival the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in the camera category is the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Alongside great optics, it also has great battery life, top-notch performance, and new AI features.

How I tested the Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

(Image credit: Future)
  • Review test period: four weeks
  • Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback

I used the Xiaomi Ultra 14 as my primary phone for a number of weeks and was therefore able to get fully to grips with all of its features. My use extended to a number of apps and included web browsing and gaming.

With the camera being the standout feature, I also took it out on several trips, putting the cameras through their paces to see how they stacked up. I took a Galaxy S24 Ultra out on these trips, enabling me to make side-by-side comparisons of identical photos.

During my tests, I also paid careful attention to how the phone felt to use. Considering how much time we spend handling our phones, this is a vital part of any phone review. Using the phone for a variety of different tasks and scenarios has enabled me to build up a fuller picture of a typical user experience.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Xiaomi 14 Ultra deals

Honor MagicBook Pro 16 laptop review
7:42 pm | July 1, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Honor MagicBook Pro 16: 30-second review

Specs

CPU: Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 processor 125H
Graphics: Intel® Arc™ graphics
RAM: 24GB
Storage: 1TB
Rear Ports: USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, HDMI 2.0
Front Ports: USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, Thunderbolt 4
Connectivity: 2x2 MIMO antennas, Wi-Fi 6 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and Bluetooth 5.1.
Audio: 3.5mm
Camera: webcam
Size: 354 x 242  x 19.9mm
Weight: 1.79kg
OS installed: Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Accessories: None

The Honor MagicBook Pro 16 2024 is an impressive-looking laptop from the outset, with sleek black lines and sharp edges, instantly giving it an ultra-stylish and modern look. 

Like the many of the best business laptops we've reviewed, the build quality of the Aluminium Alloy case highlights the MagicBook Pro as something more than your average Windows work laptop, giving it both a premium and robust feel. When closed, the laptop exterior is kept simple with a sleek, subtle wedge-like design that makes it easy to slip into a laptop bag, while when open, that design gives the keyboard a subtle yet comfortable angle when in use. Likewise, the rest of the exterior is plain, with just two USB ports on the side along with a 3.5mm audio socket and two USBs on the back with an HDMI - just what you want for business use. 

The unusual positioning of the two USB Type-A ports and HDMI at the back enables easy connection to multimedia docs, making it an ideal solution when giving a presentation from a lectern or board room. With wires clear of the sides of the machine, additional notes, drinks, and props can be placed back onto the surface without being obstructed by wires, helping to keep things neat and professional.

Opening the lid and the large 16-inch screen is clear and bright, with plenty of scope for adjustment. Starting the test with a little office work, the high-resolution screen of 3072 x 1920 gives plenty of space for laying out windows and flicking between office apps. If you need more screen real estate then there's the HDMI or Thunderbolt 4 port to connect up to additional monitors. Used for standard office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, along with a browser for research, the laptop handles all with ease, with the AI working unnoticed in the background to allocate resources when and where needed. 

The actuation of the full keyboard is decent enough with a good feel to the keys and responsiveness. However, some of the keyboard feels a little crammed in, and miss types are easy with the "Enter" and right-hand "Shift" keys, both reduced in size and surrounded by the number pad and cursor keys without the usual gap. The touchpad is of a decent size and, again, responsive, but there's a slight tinniness to the feel, and it lacks some of the quality you expect with premium laptops. However, this is mid-range.

Switching the laptop's use to creative apps such as Photoshop, the machine is able to handle files with relative ease and is powerful enough to build up multi-layer projects from files from the Canon EOS R5. When using Photoshop, additional storage is a good idea as there's only 1TB internally, and with the option of USB or Thunderbolt 4 ports, you have two speedy connection options.

Taking a look at video editing, the laptop does start to struggle with 4K footage - so this won't replace the best video editing laptops any time soon. Straight editing is handled, but complex compositions start to see the system slow, although it still impresses with what it is able to handle. As with photography, when video editing, an external SSD can be connected to boost storage, and again, the Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4 ports make a big difference to the overall performance.

Finally, used in a lecture theater, the rear port connection makes connection easy, and the space around the machine is welcome. The long battery life is also welcome, as the machine happily remained self-powered through a three-hour lecture running a presentation without pause. 

Overall, this is a powerful laptop with plenty of flexibility for use in and out of the office. While creatives may find the size of the internal SSD a little limiting, most will find this space more than adequate, and the balance of the power and abilities are finely tuned for everyday work from spreadsheets and documents to larger-scale presentations. 

Honor MagicBook Pro 16: Introduction

Honour makes several variants of the MagicBook Pro 16, and in this review, we'll be looking at the Honor MagicBook Pro 16 2024, with the mid-range Intel Core Ultra 5 CPU and Intel Arc GPU. While the internals of the various models may be different, the external aluminium alloy casing is much the same and gives the machine a stylish high-quality look and feel. This model is also available in two colour variants, either white or purple, although the purple is closer to grey, making it an ideal solution for everyday office use.

The Core Ultra 5 is the entry-level of the new range of Intel CPUs and features built-in AI abilities and far more processing power than we've seen in previous entry level CPUs. The CPU's performance when coupled with integrated graphics is impressive, especially when pushed to handle larger documents and files across multiple different apps, a task previous generations of the processors at this level might have struggled with, however here, this machine is it's able to intelligently allocate resources where needed and run those applications smoothly.

While this laptop only features integrated graphics, the Intel Arc GPU is surprisingly powerful and can handle creative tasks and applications that are well beyond the capabilities of many laptops in this price range. Both Photoshop and Premiere Pro can run and handle relatively complex projects, although an external SSD is a good idea for additional storage.

The Honor MagicBook Pro 16 is an interesting laptop designed as a powerful mid-range solution with a premium build and solid hardware that should offer most professional users the power and features they need.

Honor MagicBook Pro 16: Price & availability

Honor MagicBook Pro 16

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
  • How much does it cost? 1299,90 EUROS
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in France and China

The 2024 Honor MagicBook Pro 16 is available in France for €1299 and in China for ¥6299. This laptop is designed for professionals and features an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and Intel Arc graphics, a 16-inch 3K display with 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, and TÜV Rheinland certifications for eye protection. The sleek, aluminium alloy design ensures durability and style, while its performance supports both office and light creative use. With a 75Wh battery offering up to 12 hours of use and fast charging capabilities, it is ideal for both office and creative work.

For more details, visit the Honor product page by clicking here.

  • Price: 4/5

Honor MagicBook Pro 16: Design & build

Honor MagicBook Pro 16

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Honor MagicBook Pro 16 features a sleek aluminium alloy outer casing that gives the laptop a durable, stylish, and modern look. The materials and finish give it a solid build quality that surpasses that of many laptops in this price range. The subtle slim wedge shape design gives the laptop an ergonomic feel and not only makes it comfortable to carry but also easy to slip into a laptop bag. When it comes to doing some work and the laptop is opened, this shape subtle slant provides a comfortable platform when typing over longer periods.

When it comes to weight, the two colour variants are weighted differently which is slightly strange. The Purple version, which is more grey, is the lighter of the two options at 1.79 kg, while the white comes in at 1.83 kg. Both models feel reassuringly premium when it comes to build quality and this feeling of quality continues as you open the lid to reveal the screen. The 16.1-inch display is bright and crisp, featuring 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, 500 nits brightness, and a 3072 x 1920 resolution. 

The overall design feels premium; however, while this is an expensive machine, in real terms, it's in the mid-range of professional laptops suited for everyday office use rather than home gaming or intensive creative work. As such, the design is simple, and this simplicity is evident through the layout of ports: a 3.5mm audio socket, USB-C 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps), and Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbs) are on the side. On the back, which is an unusual position, are two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 and an HDMI 2.1, which supports 4K @ 60Hz, making it ideal for presentations and multimedia connections.

The ports' rear positioning is an interesting design choice, making them ideal for connecting to presentation systems and docks. 

Another interesting feature is the full keyboard with a 1.5mm actuation distance and a 134.2mm x 81.2mm touchpad that supports multi-touch. When it comes to biometric features, there is a fingerprint power button with a touch sensor, but the small camera doesn't allow Windows Hello. The 1080P FHD front camera supports video recording and video chat and is equipped with an indicator for privacy.

As you'd expect, audio is well covered with six speakers delivering Spatial Audio and DTS effects, along with two microphones, all designed to give you the best quality for video streaming and online meetings. 

When it comes to power, there are the usual options, AC through the Thunderbolt 4 port, which enables a 65w fast charge to the laptop's 75Wh battery. In normal use this battery offers approximately 12 hours of usage on a single charge, and fast charging can boost the charge to about 55% in 30 minutes.

Ultimately, this laptop is designed for professionals who need a reliable machine for the workplace. It is capable of plugging into a docking station, supporting intensive work on the go, and connecting to projectors and multimedia with ease and neatness. The size and weight, combined with a robust build, all come together to ensure that it can withstand being carried around safely in a suitable laptop bag.

  • Design: 3.5/5

Honor MagicBook Pro 16: Features

Honor MagicBook Pro 16

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Honor MagicBook Pro 16 is a laptop aimed at working professionals and combines looks with ability. However, whereas other manufacturers boost the basics with additions such as card readers, discrete graphics, and more, this version of the MagicBook Pro 16 2024 focuses its abilities on those who need a powerful laptop for work.

As such, it offers a large 16-inch 3K display with a 3072 x 1920 resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, which means that it can display spreadsheets, word documents, and multimedia presentations smoothly. Backing up the resolution is 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut support and 500 nits of brightness, all helping to ensure accurate and bright colour, making it a decent choice for creative professionals. It also includes TÜV Rheinland certifications for low blue light and flicker-free viewing, protecting your eyes during prolonged use.

Inside is one of the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 processors 125H with a base frequency of 1.2 GHz, boosting up to 4.5 GHz. Intel Arc graphics complements this 14-core processor. While this isn't a separate GPU, this integrated graphics chip is still capable of delivering substantial power for multitasking and graphics-intensive applications such as Illustrator and Photoshop. In this review, our laptop features 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD, all helping to ensure fast load times and a decent amount of storage for general use and applications. If you are looking at using this for more creative endeavours, then an external SSD would be a good idea.

One of the most interesting features of the Honor MagicBook Pro 16 is the all-new AI NPU chip integrated with the Intel processor. This AI chip has been designed to support a variety of applications, including real-time translation and automated reasoning, and this is all down to the large language model of up to 20 billion parameters. These AI capabilities enable the laptop to perform sophisticated tasks without requiring an internet connection, significantly improving efficiency. These additional features are handled through the Honor Software offerings that are pre-installed.

When you set up the laptop, you have two Honor applications that feature some of the AI abilities, such as Honor Connect, which enables you to switch tasks intelligently between devices; Smart Reminders, which enhance the more you use them, and the ability to tether with your smartphone when needed easily. Most of these features are based on preserving battery power as well as being exteremly useful. The other app is Honor PC Manager, and this keeps an eye on the health and performance of your machine, depending on how you're using it. One of the main features here is the Smart Mode that adjusts the power settings depending on what you're doing, or if you just want full power, then you can switch to the high-performance option, although this does create more noise from the cooling system and shorter battery life. There's even a keyboard short cut of Fn + P to make the switch manually if you need a power boost, but you need to be on the desktop for this to work rather than within an App. 

In other applications, such as Microsoft Office, the AI chip can optimize system resources to ensure a responsive experience. Even with large documents and complex spreadsheets, the idea is that you can work on multiple applications simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns. In all cases the AI works in the background handling the resources and allocations and ultimately helping to avoid slowdowns.

The most impressive angle for the AI chip is the ability to manage resources, especially for intensive creative applications used for photo and video editing. In Photoshop and Lightroom, the AI can assist in automated tasks like selecting subjects or applying filters. In Premiere Pro, AI-driven enhancements can speed up rendering times and general performance with 4K resolution footag

As always, connectivity options are incredibly important, especially for a work laptop. Here, there's Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and support for HONOR Magic-link for integration with Honor smartphones and tablets. The port selection around the laptop is minimal, with a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The laptop's battery, 75Wh, keeps it powered away from AC power. Honor quotes this battery as being able to supply up to 12 hours of usage on a single charge. A good feature is support for fast charging, which means that it can reach a 55% battery capacity in 30 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes.

The MagicBook Pro 16's keyboard is quite unusual. It's a full-size keyboard with a 1.5mm actuation distance and a large touchpad supporting multi-touch gestures. Regarding security, there's a convenient fingerprint power button, making it quick to access the laptop when needed.

Finally, audio is covered with a six-speaker sound system that enables Spatial Audio and DTS effects. Dual microphones help ensure clear voice capture when you're making video calls and recordings, and the 1080P FHD front camera handles visuals.

  • Features: 4/5

Honor MagicBook Pro 16: Performance

Honor MagicBook Pro 16

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)
Benchmarks

3DMark Wild Life:
Graphics Score: 21257
Fire Strike:
Overall: 7867
Graphics Score: 8467
Physics Score: 21629
Combined Score: 3166
Time Spy:
Overall: 3341
Graphics Score: 3009
CPU Score: 8958
Night Raid: 27643
Graphics: 35347
CPU: 12369

Cinebench R23:
Multi-Core Score: 12605
Single-Core Score: 1602

GeekBench 5:
Multi-Core Score: 11361
Single-Core Score: 2189
GPU: 27070

CrystalDiskMark:
Read Speed: 4998.81
Write Speed: 3509.50

PCMark 10:
Score: 6980

Windows Experience Index:
Score: 8.2

Display 

sRGB Accuracy: 100%, Adobe RGB: 88%, P3 99%
Gamut: 5 out of 5
Tone response:  3.5 out of 5
White Point: 4.5 out of 5
Contrast: 5.0 out of 5
Luminance: 4 out of 5
Colour Uniformity: 4.5 out of 5
Colour Accuracy: 3.5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5

The Honor MagicBook Pro 16 2024 is aimed at professionals who need a well-made, high-quality laptop that will enable fast loading of applications and documents as well as the ability to easily link into systems and adapt to a variety of work situations. The style of the laptop reflects this with a sleek, professional design that will look at home in any city office, workplace meeting or presentation.

The machine is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor 125H, which has a base frequency of 1.2 GHz and automatically boosts up to 4.5 GHz when needed, such as when multitasking or using more power-intensive applications such as Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve. When used for day-to-day work, such as switching between various Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, the machine handles all programs with ease, and there's no lag or hesitation as you switch from one to the other

Taking a look at the benchmark tests, the MagicBook Pro 16 mirrors the real-world performance with the results from the tests. Using Microsoft Office applications, the laptop is fast and responsive, with large Word documents loading quickly and mid-sized Excel spreadsheets with multiple formulas and data points being easy to open and navigate. When it came to more graphics-intensive applications such as PowerPoint, the laptop's Intel Arc graphics handled the stock transitions and animations through the presentations that were tested well.

One of the points that will interest many creative professionals is the P3 display. In Photoshop, the high-resolution 3K display with 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage does help to ensure that images are vibrant and colours look accurate on screen. We used a DataColor Spyder X2 to calibrate the monitor prior to testing. With the latest version of Photoshop loaded, editing high-resolution photos taken on a Canon EOS R5 proved to be a fluid process with fast reaction times for the dodge-and-burn, selection and Generative AI tools. When enhancing the images, even when working with multiple layers and complex effects the machine was able to handle the work with ease. In Lightroom, the laptop handles large photo libraries effortlessly, making it easy to sort, edit, and export images quickly.

Video editing in DaVinci really put the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, Intel Arc graphics, 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD to the test. Here, the laptop handles multiple video tracks, effects, and transitions with relative ease. However, it is possible to see the limitations of the hardware and the Windows operating system with codecs and multiple other bits of software required to play back native Canon RAW video files. 1080p video edits smoothly and easily, 4K up to 5 minutes with a couple of tracks and effects is fine, but as you build the complexity of the production, the machine does start to slow down, which is expected.

One surprising aspect, as the machine's abilities are pushed, is the effectiveness of the cooling system, which keeps temperatures in check even during intensive tasks. During video editing, the machine stayed quiet due to the cooling system, which seems to show that the 12mm composite pipe system works.

Honor states that the 75Wh battery is able to provide approximately 12 hours of usage on a single charge. In our real-world test, we ran the various benchmark tests, Photoshop, DaVinci, and the Microsoft Office apps. At that time, we had around five hours of intensive use with around 20% left. With the fast charge, you can get the level back up within 30 minutes, and just over an hour sees you back at full power. It's worth noting that the charger needs to be the correct type, and not all USB Type-C chargers will work in the Thunderbolt 4 port.

In general performance, the laptop proved ideal for office and presentation-based work, with the power of the hardware more than capable of handling almost any document or presentation you could wish to throw at it. When it came to creative tasks, again, this is a powerful, if understated, laptop. The P3 display is good, and our test proved 88% Adobe RGB accurate, which is a consideration for photographers. Videographers will be happy with the colour profiles and accuracy as well. For basic onsite editing with an external SSD, this laptop with the correct codecs installed will happily enable you to edit basic video productions ideal for work and social.

Considering the laptop's cost, its performance is exceptional. It handles Office applications with absolute ease, and Photoshop proved well within its limits. But using one of the best video editing software we've tried, DaVinci Resolve, admittedly started to push the machine's limits, but for general editing of short corporate videos and social posts, this machine will be more than happy to handle that type of work.

AI is a big part of this new chipset and you are aware that AI processing is going on in the background, and holding down the Fn button and P enables you to switch between the power modes when needed. In this test, that boost was when dragging new 4K footage into the Premiere Pro sequence.

  • Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Honor MagicBook Pro 16?

If you're looking for a laptop that blends stylish looks, high-performance and price, then Honor MagicBook Pro 16 is an excellent choice. The sleek design, mid-range yet powerful internals, and AI-driven enhancements that come with the latest chipset and Honor software make this a great all-rounder. However, if you require extensive internal storage or a dedicated GPU for video or 3D work, possibly a bit of high-end gaming then opt for the version with the dedicated NVidia graphics. Also, while the full keyboard is great for general office work, it does take some getting used to the smaller enter and shift keys surrounded by the number pad. 

Honor MagicBook Pro 16

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

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We've tested the best laptops for photo editing - and these are our top picks

OnePlus Pad Go review: a bargain tablet that handles everyday use with ease
8:06 pm | June 20, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Tablets | Tags: , | Comments: Off

OnePlus Pad Go: one-minute review

The smaller sibling of the OnePlus Pad, the OnePlus Pad Go continues the brand’s tradition of making budget mobile devices to take on the higher-priced giants in the space.

Despite the relatively low asking price, the OnePlus Pad Go still looks like a premium product. It’s light and slender, although a few design flaws undermine the experience in the hand: chief among these is the placement of the camera at the center of the long edge, which is simply asking to be smothered by your fingers every time you grasp it. The build quality doesn’t seem to be up to quite the same standard of more premium tablets either, as I did notice small imperfections in the construction of my test model. 

The 11.35-inch, 2.4K display is crisp and conveys colors with brilliant vibrancy, and the 60-90Hz adaptive refresh rate offers a smooth, seamless experience. Despite this, it is overshadowed – literally – by its high reflectivity. Dark hues essentially turn the Pad Go into a glorified mirror, so you’ll struggle to see much of anything in dimly lit scenes. 

When it comes to actually using the Pad Go, OnePlus’ Android-based system, OxygenOS, performs well. It ran smoothly during most of my time with it, but I did have a few issues, including the incongruous way you manage app windows, and the inconsistent functionality of the face unlock and auto-rotate features. Those points aside, it was refreshing to be presented with a minimalist Android interface that was as easy to use as that on many of the best tablets

Performance wise, the Pad Go can handle all the basic tasks expected of a modern tablet, including browsing online content and streaming HD video. It can manage the latter with aplomb, barring the occasional slowdown on loading and buffering, but such occurrences weren’t enough to detract from the overall experience. 

It’s also capable of playing the latest and most popular mobile games, albeit they won’t look as impressive as they will on dedicated mobile gaming devices. Productivity is well within the Pad Go’s wheelhouse too, although power users shouldn’t think about substituting it for their laptop or desktop, as it will struggle with high-demand workloads.

The battery life is generous enough to handle a good day’s worth of varied use, and although it does have fast charging capability, it wasn’t that fast, taking around a couple of hours to get back to full. Gaming and other demanding tasks will drain the battery quicker, and the 14-hour video playback claim made by OnePlus didn’t bear out in my tests – it seemed closer to 10.

When stacked up against its nearest competitors, the OnePlus Pad Go’s sleek design and capable performance make it very good value. It won’t be able to handle the most professional of tasks, and it’s a shame the screen is so reflective, but aside from those setbacks, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better tablet that’s cheaper than the OnePlus Pad Go.

Back of OnePlus Pad Go, standing up

(Image credit: Future)

OnePlus Pad Go review: price and availability

  • Launch price of £299, but now £269
  • Available now in UK only
  • Only comes in Green

The OnePlus Pad Go is available now for £269 from the OnePlus website, down from its original price of £299. You can also choose between a charger or the Folio Case as a free gift, but unfortunately there is no official keyboard, at least not yet. Currently, the OnePlus Pad Go isn’t available in the US or Australia. 

While £299 is still a large amount of cash to part with, it’s much more affordable than its rivals, particularly the iPad 10.9-inch from 2022, which still retails for £349. For everyday use, the Pad Go offers close to the same performance, working well as a media playback device with light productivity pedigree.

It’s also considerably cheaper than the OnePlus Pad, the company’s higher-spec tablet, which is equipped with a more powerful chip, a better display and a marginally better rear camera. 

However, as we noted in our OnePlus Pad review, that tablet still isn’t powerful enough to be a productivity powerhouse, and with that being the case, there’s less reason to buy it over the cheaper Pad Go.

  • Value score: 5 / 5

OnePlus Pad Go review: specs

Top corner of OnePlus Pad Go

(Image credit: Future)

OnePlus Pad Go review: display

  • Vibrant and bright
  • Effective automatic warmth adjustment
  • Reflective screen not great for dark images and video

The 11.35-inch 2.4K display on the Pad Go is, for the most part, a joy to look at. It’s bright and renders colors vibrantly and clearly, and the adaptive refresh rate offers between 60-90HZ, making for smooth transitions. Up against an iPad with an IPS LCD screen, the OnePlus Pad Go acquits itself well.

There are also settings to make the screen easier to look at, such as a reduced blue light mode, which OnePlus calls Eye Comfort, as well as a feature called Nature Tone, which automatically adjusts the display to emit a warmer color palette based on the ambient lighting in your environment. Both of these work well while maintaining the same levels of image clarity.  

However, the screen is extremely reflective, which is particularly noticeable with dark images. No matter where you are or what adjustments you make to the brightness settings, this is always a persistent issue, and one of the Pad Go’s biggest weaknesses from a usability perspective. It becomes a real problem when watching movies with darkly lit scenes, and even using dark mode creates noticeably reflectivity.   

Smudges, dust and other debris are picked up very easily by the display too. There’s also no fingerprint sensor, meaning you’ll have to secure your Pad Go with a facial scan or a PIN, password or pattern.

  • Display score: 3.5 / 5

Back corner of OnePlus Pad Go, lying face down

(Image credit: Future)

OnePlus Pad Go review: design

  • Sleek and slim
  • Slightly uncomfortable to hold
  • Camera position can be awkward

Opting for a more rounded geometry than Apple’s squared-off look, the OnePlus Pad Go is very sleek and thin, and the materials feel premium to the touch. The bezel that runs along the camera, though, has a finish that picks up fingerprints and smudges very easily, and the join as it meets the chassis is quite pronounced, which you can feel under your fingertips. 

The sides are also very acutely curved, which can feel uncomfortable and less secure in the hand. The test model I was given also had a small but noticeable panel gap in the chassis joint on one side, suggesting it isn’t as well-built as its rivals. 

Perhaps the biggest contention I have with the design is the position of the camera, which is located in the center of one of the long sides. This makes it all too easy to clasp the lens with your fingers when holding the tablet in portrait. And since the front camera is in the same position, taking selfies in portrait means you’ll have to look askance into the lens, lest you’ll be caught looking off-center in the photo.

  • Design score: 3.5 / 5

OnePlus Pad Go review: software

  • OS is intuitive and uncluttered
  • Almost no bloatware
  • A few usability issues with navigation buttons and managing app windows

OxygenOS, the iteration of Android used by the OnePlus Pad Go, is for the most part a robust and very intuitive system to use. It’s very minimal and responsive, rarely getting in the way of the experience. There are also plenty of settings that are easy to find and understand, with useful explanations accompanying many of them. 

In practice, the operating system runs smoothly, barring a few minor usability issues. Both the autorotate and face unlock functions were temperamental in my experience, with the former being too eager or not eager enough to switch orientations, and the latter failing half the time to take me straight to the home screen after unlocking, despite the fact I’d toggled the setting instructing it to do so.

Managing multiple app windows isn’t as smooth as it could be either. It takes just a few too many swipes to switch between them, and the Floating Windows feature is too clunky and limited to be used frequently. I also found it to be largely irrelevant, since there aren’t enough compatible apps (the same is also true of the Split Screen function). 

As with other Android systems, there is an option to change the navigation method from gestures to buttons, which I personally prefer. However, with the OnePlus Pad Go, the buttons constantly shift position depending on whether or not you’re focused on an app, making it harder to use them than it has to be. The only way to prevent this shifting is if you also disable the task bar along the bottom from showing when in apps.

The aforementioned are only small niggles, though – there is plenty to like about the Pad Go’s software. Mercifully, there is next to no bloatware preinstalled, which can be a common problem with Android devices. 

OnePlus has kept everything minimal, and the first-party apps that are present work well and are non-intrusive. The Notes app, for instance, is modeled heavily on Apple’s, and functions as expected, while OnePlus’ own photo gallery app has some useful people-related editing options that aren’t present in Google’s Photos app. 

OnePlus has also added what it calls a Gaming Panel, a drop-down menu where you can make various tweaks and access certain tools, such as screen recording, while playing. OnePlus’ HyperBoost Gaming Engine is also located here, which lets you adjust performance modes, ranging from Low Power to Pro Gamer. In practice, however, I didn’t find these modes had any substantial impact on either performance or battery life.

  • Software score: 4 / 5

Close up of rear camera on OnePlus Pad Go

(Image credit: Future)

OnePlus Pad Go review: performance

  • Helio G99 chip handles work and media playback well
  • Mobile gaming graphics somewhat limited
  • Speakers are pretty mediocre

The OnePlus Pad Go handles most standard tasks well, from productivity to media playback. The 8GB of RAM is sufficient, and so too is the 128GB of storage. The MediaTek Helio G99 chip is a step down from the OnePlus Pad’s Dimensity 9000, and neither tablet will be able to take the place of a laptop for professional workloads. The Pad Go only suffers from the occasional minor slowdown or stutter, but even with High Performance mode enabled (which is buried in the settings with no shortcut available), I didn’t notice any discernible improvements.

Wi-Fi connectivity doesn’t seem to be the best either. As it happened, during my test I experienced a weak connection. However, my phone was still getting an internet connection, whereas the Pad Go failed to connect until I restarted it. 

Mobile games ran relatively smoothly on the whole, although both FIFA Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile did look rather rough around the edges, despite upping the graphics settings as high as I could (in FIFA Mobile, I could not choose high or ultra settings, as the game stated my device did not support them).

Despite warnings about the device getting hot when using Pro Gamer mode, I only ever noticed a slight warming in the top corner of the tablet. But regardless of which mode I chose, I was only able to get around 40 frames per second in Call of Duty Mobile, and FIFA Mobile was capped at 30fps due to the aforementioned lack of device support. Asphalt 9 ran better in my experience, hovering somewhere around the low to mid 50s, but again, the different performance modes didn’t seem to make a difference.

If you’d prefer to use a gamepad instead of a touchscreen, then you can connect a wireless Xbox One controller via Bluetooth. In my experience this worked flawlessly, even letting me control certain aspects of the main UI, although this functionality is limited. I also used a keyboard and mouse for productivity purposes, the former connected via Bluetooth and the latter via the USB-C port. Again, both of these worked without issue. The same was also true when connecting wireless headphones.

When it comes to sound, the four speakers are nothing to write home about. There is a distinct lack of bass, and mild distortion occurs all too easily, as sudden peaks in volume aren’t contained well. The addition of Dolby Atmos, however, is a nice touch. It’s largely redundant when used with the average inbuilt speakers, but when watching movies with a good pair of headphones, it improves the stereo field substantially and imparts a greater sense of space.

The front and rear cameras are middling in their spec, offering only 8MP each and video capture at 30 frames per second at 1080p. There are at least panoramic and time lapse modes, as well as an image stabilization feature. They function well enough, but the 10th-gen iPad is better for shooting, thanks to its 12MP cameras. At this price point, though, there aren’t many tablets that have better cameras than the Pad Go.

  • Performance score: 4 / 5

Close up of front camera on OnePlus Pad Go

(Image credit: Future)

OnePlus Pad Go review: battery

  • Lasts over a day for casual use
  • But intensive tasks drain it much faster
  • ‘Fast’ charging takes two hours to charge to full from 5%

For casual use, I found that the battery life of the Pad Go will last over a day, However, intensive tasks such as gaming will naturally drain the battery quicker. After an hour of gaming, with high performance mode and pro gamer mode turned on, the battery went from full to 85%.

OnePlus claims that the Pad Go will last 14 hours when used for playback alone. During my tests, however, I found this figure to be rather optimistic, as I could only manage around 10.

Fast charging speeds are only adequate: it took two hours to charge to full from 5%, since the Pad Go is only capable of charging speeds of 33W; that’s significantly down on the OnePlus Pad’s 67W capability, which can charge from empty to full in two-thirds of that time.

  • Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the OnePlus Pad Go?

Buy it if…

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OnePlus Pad Go: Also consider

How I tested the OnePlus Pad Go

  • Used the device for two weeks
  • Consumed various forms of content, including video, games and music
  • Conducted heavy-duty workloads, such as image editing and music production

I spent two weeks with the OnePlus Pad Go. During that time, I used it to watch YouTube videos, live streams and movies, as well as play various games and listen to music.

I also used it for general internet browsing and light productivity, including document writing and spreadsheet creation. For more heavy-duty workloads, I edited images using Adobe Lightroom and played around with the music production app Cubase LE 3.

I used the cameras for taking photos and videos, trying out all the different shooting modes and the integrated editing features. I connected various peripheral devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, and headphones via Bluetooth and the USB-C port.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

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