Organizer
Gadget news
In 10 years, this $99 Amazfit Active 2 is the closest I’ve come to ditching my Apple Watch
8:21 pm | March 7, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Smartwatches | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Amazfit Active 2: One minute review

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)

In my 10 years of using Apple Watch, the Amazfit Active 2 is the closest I've ever come to ditching my Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Subjectively, the styling of the Active 2 isn't normally what I'd lean to, but Amazfit has nailed a clearly classic stainless steel design that will delight fans looking for a more subtle, understated smartwatch.

For just $99, the Amazfit Active 2 far outstrips its price tag, punching well above its weight in terms of features, fitness tracking accuracy, and more. Its battery life is to be lauded and definitely holds up to Amazfit's claims.

It's not perfect: it doesn't quite sit flush on my wrist, and to get NFC you have to pay $30 extra for the premium model. However, the astonishing $99 price tag covers up all of the quirks to render this a pure five-star pick in my book.

It's miles ahead of the CMF Watch Pro 2, and easily on a par with some more expensive mainstream offerings.

Nitfy features including an on-board AI assistant add to the experience. The Strength Training feature could use a little refinement, but its intelligent rep counter and timer are handy in the gym.

Overall, there's very little not to like here, and even the $129 premium model (not tested here) strikes me as good value for money.

Amazfit Active 2: Specifications

Amazfit Active 2: Price and Availability

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)
  • $99/£99/AU(tbc)
  • Two versions
  • Premium version is more expensive and includes premium strap, NFC

The Amazfit Active 2 is available now from the company's website, as well as Amazon and a range of third-party retailers.

The base model reviewed here costs $99/£99, with Australia pricing and availability to be confirmed. For that you get the Watch, a sport strap, and the charging puck (but no USB-C cable).

The premium version is $129/£129 and includes a more premium leather strap, as well as a free silicone sport band. Upgrading to the premium version also gets you more durable sapphire glass and NFC for contactless payments.

That puts the Amazfit Active 2 nicely in the price bracket of the best cheap smartwatches on the market. It's a little pricier than the likes of the CMF Watch Pro 2, but cheaper than the Apple Watch SE 2 and the Garmin Forerunner 165.

Given the overall quality and what you get for your money, I think it's a fantastic price and a real value-for-money pick.

I'll touch on this more in my review, but given the overall price and what you get extra, I'd also have no reservations recommending the more premium model. However, both are excellent value.

  • Value score: 5/5

Amazfit Active 2: Design

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)
  • New round display
  • Classic look with premium stainless steel
  • Imperfect fit

When it comes to smartwatches, I'm definitely team squircle. However, Amazfit made a big change with the design of the Active 2 that is slowly growing on me.

Where the original was really a clone of the Apple Watch in many respects, the Amazfit Active 2 boasts a stunning round design with a stainless steel body.

This is absolutely a smartwatch designed to look like a classic watch, with a really premium feel and finish. It's much more refined and less bulky than the CMF Watch Pro 2 I tested recently, and it's also really comfortable.

You get two buttons used for power, triggering workouts, and activating the AI assistant, as well as various other tasks you can assign.

I honestly can't believe how premium the design feels for a $99 smartwatch, Amazfit has really smashed it with this one and there's very little not to like.

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)

Of course, it's not perfect: the bezel between the stainless steel chassis and the edge of the display is a little large, but even this doesn't look out of place and actually lends to the overall aesthetic.

The display is a 1.32-inch AMOLED display identical (in size and shape) to the aforementioned CMF Watch Pro 2. However, this one puts out 2,000 nits of peak brightness rather than Nothing's 600 nits.

On the back you get your usual array of heart rate tracking paraphernalia and LED sensors. The Active 2 is extremely light; our model tested here weighs less than 30 grams. It's super comfortable, although I did find the fit to be slightly imperfect, as it doesn't quite sit flush to my wrist. However, this is a very minor issue and doesn't detract from the overall experience. The sport strap, while comfortable, is also a little finicky to apply at first. The premium version features a more elegant black leather strap that I'd wager is easier to put on, and you get the sports strap included for free anyway.

These are very small gripes though. I have to say that at this price point, the Active 2 is one of the most impressive-looking smartwatches on the market, and will delight prospective users looking for a more classic look and feel rather than the chunkier aesthetic of other cheap smartwatches.

It's also one of the most comfortable I've ever worn, and you'll forget you're wearing it after a few hours out of the box.

Compared to the slightly cheaper CMF Watch Pro 2, a top pick in our best cheap smartwatch guide, the Active 2 has several key design advantages despite only being 30 bucks more.

There's the aforementioned brightness gulf, and crucially the Active 2 also has 5 ATM water-resistance, meaning it can withstand up to 50 meters of pressure, and can be worn for showers or brief swims. It's not waterproof by any means, but it's a lot better than most other options in this cheap smartwatch bracket, and it's really nice to know you don't have to take it off for every shower, cold plunge, or hot tub session.

Other impressive features include anti-fingerprint coating glass on the standard version. If you opt for the premium model, you don't get this, but you do get sapphire glass, which is much harder to scratch.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Amazfit Active 2: Features

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)
  • Vast feature set
  • Unique strength training and HYROX Race modes
  • AI coach, 164 sport modes, extensive health tracking

I'm frankly astounded at how many features you get with the Amazfit Active 2 considering its price tag.

I'd say the Active 2's feature-set is impressive for a smartwatch of any price tag, let alone one that costs less than $100. Starting with sport, exercise, and health, the Active 2 features nearly every feature you'd expect in a cheap smartwatch.

There's workout tracking for 164 sport modes, with a couple of unique advanced features. If you're training strength, there's smart recognition of 25 movements, automatic rep tracking, and a built-in exercise timer/workout plan generator you can follow. (I'll address the efficacy of this more in the performance section).

Runners will find a Track Run mode, smart trajectory correction, and even a virtual pacer. There's also Zepp Coach, an AI-powered workout companion that can generate customized training plans.

Health-wise, you'll find a daily Readiness score and insights and monitoring for heart rate, as well as blood oxygen, stress, temperature, heart rate, sleep heart rate variability, sleep stages and schedule, sleep scores, and more. There are reminders on board for high and low heart rates, low blood oxygen, and even high stress levels with prompts to perform breathing exercises.

Elsewhere, there's an onboard AI companion, Zepp Flow, that can pull up metrics with voice commands and change settings. Zepp Pay, powered by NFC, is only available on the more expensive premium model we didn't test, so if that's an important feature to you, it might be worth paying the extra.

You do get a separate wallet app for membership cards though, and other cool software features like To Do List. The Active 2 works with both Android and iPhone, and can be used to control your phone's music via Bluetooth, you'll also get call and SMS notifications as well as app notifications, and even Find My Phone.

Under the hood, you get GPS (Amazfit says there are five satellite positioning systems but hasn't shared any further info) and Bluetooth 5.2 BLE, as well as a microphone and speaker. It also, rather essentially for a watch, tells the time.

If I were being harsh, reserving NFC for the premium model is arguably a shame, but this is a technicality. Honestly, I can't believe how much smartwatch you get from the Active 2 for $99. You don't find features like ECG at this price point in the smartwatch market(even the doubly expensive Apple Watch SE doesn't offer it), but it's important to note that there are always going to be limitations in a $99 smartwatch.

Still, at this price, you'll struggle to find a more extensive set of features in a smartwatch, and the lack of NFC isn't enough to merit deducting any points when you can add it for $30.

  • Features score: 5/5

Amazfit Active 2: Performance

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Very accurate fitness and heart rate tracking
  • Snappy everyday use
  • Useful AI assistant

All of these features don't mean much if a smartwatch can't perform, but I'm happy to report that the Amazfit Active 2 has excelled in testing, handling everything I've thrown at it with ease.

Starting off with everyday use, the Active 2 is very snappy to use in day-to-day tasks. I've found scrolling menus, changing settings, reading messages, and more to all be very responsive and seamless.

Obviously, the Active 2 doesn't have the same polish as Apple's watchOS 11, and doesn't even run Wear OS, but it's still very impressive. It also features some very sharp-looking faces including the Vital face pictured here.

I conducted a series of tests to check the accuracy of the Active 2's exercise tracking and was really impressed. A gentle 34-minute run with the Active 2 on my left wrist and the best Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, on my right wrist, yielded exceptional parity.

The Active 2 nailed the GPS route map and the exact distance within two decimal places. Apple Watch gave my average heart rate as 135 bpm, while the Active 2 said 136.

Active calories for the Apple Watch and Active 2 were listed as 341 and 372 respectively, which is a bigger gap but still respectable. The jury is out on just how accurate any smartwatch calorie tracker is, so just being in the relative ballpark is enough for us here. For all we know, the Active 2 could well be the more accurate reading.

The Active 2 pinged 1km intervals at exactly the same time as the Ultra 2, and its heart rate monitor is actually more responsive, delivering more frequent reading updates than Apple's version, always within one or two bpm.

Comparing every metric gave a positive match, which I can only conclude indicates that this Active 2 can keep up with pretty much any smartwatch on the market when it comes to fitness tracking. It of course lacks the depth of the best Garmins, but so does pretty much every other smartwatch out there.

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)

The Active 2 delivered similar competitive measurements versus the Ultra 2 during a strength workout test I did. It was here that I was first exposed to the Active 2's unique Strength Training features.

The watch features a built-in rep counter and system for logging weight, timing rest, and more. I can see that with plenty of practice, this could be a handy tool for strength training, because you can track your weightlifting on the fly and check your progress after the fact.

I found the automatic rep tracking worked most of the time, it's not perfect and obviously not as useful for exercises that don't involve moving your arms, but there's promise here. There's also a gym routine planner in the app, however, this is less intuitive. I was able to put together a test workout and follow the plan in the gym, but was left bamboozled by a number of strange quirks.

Each unit you add to the training is called an "interval", not to be confused with actual interval training. The app refers to reps (how many times you lift in a single set) as "times", and these are, somewhat confusingly, logged under the duration section of the exercise you want to add.

Likewise, sets (the number of times you do a certain number of reps) are referred to as "repeats" or "loop counts". The terminology is very confusing, and the first few times I tried to create a workout I really mangled it. The language is generic so that it can also be applied to other workout modes including intervals, running, and more, which is fine, but it's definitely clunky.

Furthermore, rest isn't added automatically between sets, but has to be put in manually. With practice I'm sure it's helpful but it is definitely not easy to do.

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)

This was my only wrinkle in an otherwise flawless performance. The Strength Training feature is a very small part of the overall experience, so again it doesn't detract too much, and it's nice to have.

In my opinion, the coup de grace is battery life. Rated for up to 10 days of "typical usage," I started my battery life testing at around 9 am with 55%. 24 hours later I had used barely 15% battery.

53 hours later, my battery was 13%, using up less than 0.8% an hour, almost bang on the up to 5 days of heavy usage Amazfit promises. During that time I conducted three strength workouts, a run, and two full nights of sleep tracking, never taking the watch off or charging it.

As with any smartwatch, your mileage may vary and battery life can be influenced by a ton of factors including GPS usage and the always-on display. As it stands, though, the Active 2 is certainly good for its promised longevity.

The Active 2 also has an AI assistant party piece dubbed Zepp Flow. Powered by OpenAI, it's like Amazfit's own version of Siri, except it actually works and is useful. You can assign it one of the buttons for quick access, and use your voice to input simple commands.

You can adjust and tweak settings, call up health metrics using questions such as "How many steps have I walked today?", and even reply to messages on Android with the feature. Of all the prompts and questions I tried, Zepp Flow didn't put a foot wrong once, and it's incredible to see an AI-powered wrist assistant that's actually useful, especially on a $99 smartwatch.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Amazfit Active 2: Scorecard

Amazfit Active 2: Should I buy?

Amazfit Active 2

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want the ultimate cheap smartwatch

You won't find a better smartwatch at this price, or one with this many features.

You're on a budget

This is much less expensive than cheap options from the likes of Garmin and Apple.

Don't buy it if...

You want elite fitness tracking

The Active 2 can't keep up with Garmin's industry-leading fitness tracking, and there are more capable pure fitness watches out there.

You want full iPhone or Android integration

Eschewing watchOS or Wear OS will always lead to quirks, so if you want the most seamless experience with your iPhone or Android, buy an Apple Watch or Wear OS model respectively.

Amazfit Active 2: How we tested

I used the Amazfit Active 2 as my main smartwatch for an entire week. I tested it during running and strength workouts, as well as overnight for sleep tracking. Comparisons were conducted using the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and I tried and tested all of the Zepp app features and functionality using an iPhone 16 Pro.

Amazfit Active 2: Also consider

The Original CMF Watch Pro is a pretty stylish and capable watch. It's cheaper than the Active 2, and has better battery life and a larger display over the newer CMF Watch Pro 2.

Read our full CMF Watch Pro Review

The CMF Watch Pro 2 boasts a similar circular design and many of the same features as the Active 2, but is around $30 cheaper in any given market.

Read our full CMF Watch Pro 2 Review

In terms of features and performance, the Active 2 is actually closer to the Apple Watch SE 2 than it does a lot of cheap smartwatches. Apple's version is more polished and the perfect iPhone option, but is much more expensive.

Read our full Apple Watch SE 2 review

First reviewed: March 2025

I tested these near-perfect entry-level FiiO wired earbuds and their tasteful, bold and beautiful fidelity blew me away
7:00 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Comments: Off

FiiO FP3 review

The FiiO FP3 wired earbuds are an entry-level answer to a luxury-bracket question: “what if in-ear monitors weren’t boomy, tinny little noise boxes?” In a market sadly defined by 10 a penny bass-boosted earbuds and wireless gym-friendly noise fodder, where’s the love for those who just want to listen to music well?

Great-sounding in-ears often come at a premium, particularly where cleverer and cleverer design is necessary to get the most out of something so small. At the extreme end of the price scale, you’ll find audiophile-grade in-ears that dwarf your current savings balance. Enter FiiO, whose in-house R&D has dramatically Aragorn-ed the doors wide open to inexpensive audio fidelity in the best-in-class wired earbud market.

At first glance, the FiiO FP3 wired earbuds are strikingly distinguished. A curvy plastic body (3D-printed, then polished and UV-coated) is adorned with a branded faceplate coin of rosewood or black walnut – it’s giving ‘executive saloon interior’, but not at all in a bad way.

This fun design, believe it or not, isn’t the star of the show here. Instead, it is FiiO’s internally developed 14.5mm planar drivers, which promise better precision, lower distortion and extended frequency response among other micro benefits befitting the drivers’ micro size. Planar drivers are a hit overall for their soundstage-y, highly responsive attributes, but FiiO’s done something especially remarkable in designing some highly capable drivers for IEMs that come in under $100. More on sound shortly, though; first, let’s try them on.

FiiO FP3 wired earbuds on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

The FiiO FP3 earbuds are wired, with an around-the-ear design. The wire in question is a four-strand braided affair, which splits into two sets of twisted pairs connecting to the buds by way of a two-prong plug-in terminal. It is so, so cool that a pair of in-ears this cheap features removable wires as standard, not in the least for eliminating the biggest issue haunting less expensive wired earbuds – broken internal wires.

The FP3s’ wrap-over wear style is fun, functional and actually quite comfortable. Some clear heat shrink tubing covers the braided wires for the first few inches from the end connector, so there’s no unpleasant rub behind the ears. Once you get the buds themselves sitting correctly, you’ll start to feel like you’re wearing nothin’ at all (nothin’ at all, nothin’ at all, nothin’ at all…) – but not for altogether long, unfortunately.

A slight, but nonetheless aggravating, burn creeps in before long, even when switched down to the smallest size of ear tips supplied with the FP3s. While my undersized ear canals might not be in the 80th percentile, it’s still incumbent upon me to report this slight comfort-related misfortune. And misfortune is the word, because it’s a real shame that the FP3s don’t sit as well as they could do for long listening sessions. Why? Because they’re Actually Honestly Quite Good, Really.

The first thing that strikes me about the sound quality of the FP3 IEMs is their remarkable three-dimensionality. Where lesser earbuds unceremoniously cram you into an airing cupboard with your favorite band, the FP3s give you a wide hall; the playful guitarry arrangements of Maps & Atlas’ Beware and Be Grateful breathe freely, while Them Crooked Vultures’ roomy production sprawls out ahead.

That three-dimensionality presents not just with stereo image, but also dynamically. The toms in Sally Oldfield’s Blue Water (a secret 1980s groover your DJ friend would kill to know about) ping and bounce with delightful depth and sense of place.

FiiO FP3 wired earbud draped around a porcelain cat figurine

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

The biggest bugbear I have with most less expensive earbuds is their approach to treble. Other reviews have reported an over-present sparkle, and even some harshness, with respect to the FP3s’ treble response, but I’m overjoyed to report that this couldn’t be further from my own experience. Instead, I found a remarkably well-tamed high-end, with a softness you’d normally expect to find in mid-sized speaker drivers.

Still, there’s a presence and robustness to the top end, which shines particularly brightly against the harsh noisy competition of the great urban outdoors. Big Americana arrangements such as those of Andrew Bird’s Armchair Apocrypha still carry clarity and weight, even as grumbling bus engines and caterwauling kids try to rob them of both. Listening to sparser heart tuggers, like Blood from Pile’s album All Fiction, you can hear the reedy, human quality that these drivers possess, and which works wider wonders for stand-out folky vocals and anything featuring strings.

The mid-range can occasionally be a little listless, but this does appear to be somewhat by design. Indeed, Queens of the Stone Age’s Lullabies to Paralyze is reproduced with a slightly incongruent cheerfulness, as some mid-scooping borrows urgency from ‘Little Sister’s guitars to feed the cymbals and kick instead. Bass, though, is supple and structured, supported by some nifty (and proprietary) acoustic design in the buds. Tasteful is absolutely the word – a world away from so many active earbuds' wubby flub.

As with practically any set of in-ear monitors, and even with the FP3s’ structured soundstage and carefully tweaked frequency response, you can figuratively hear the walls around your music. Despite this, the FP3s remain the broadest-sounding, least claustrophobic in-ears I’ve heard below $200.

These wired in-ear monitors are little more than they present themselves to be: excellently engineered budget IEMs, with phenomenal balance and dynamic tautness. There’s no on-device volume controls, nor a microphone to take hands-free calls with – but as someone who’s longed for a set of in-ears that do one thing well, I personally don’t miss these superfluous mod cons.

The FiiO FP3s in-ears, at $89.99 / £85.99 / AU$170 (approx.), are a fantastic value prospect for someone who wants a little more from their on-the-go listenings. For your money, you get the IEMs, six sets of silicone ear tips and a quite honestly bizarre little plastic drawer in which to store them. What you also get, though, is a listening experience at least five times more valuable.

FiiO FP3 wired earbuds in their box

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

FiiO FP3 review: Price and release date

  • $89.99 / £85.99 / AU$170 (approx.)
  • Launched December, 2024

The FiiO FP3 in-ears are a remarkable entrant in the best earbud space, marrying audiophilic impulses with budget-level price points. Sure, $89.99 / £85.99 / AU$170-ish might not sound ‘budget’ for a pair of wired(!), passive(!) earphones, but when you see the eye-watering prices of the in-ear monitors on which the FP3s were clearly modeled, the appellation will make absolute sense.

These in-ear monitors bring some smart driver design to a highly accessible price point, and fill what is honestly quite a large space in a market otherwise given to bulky, bass-heavy earbuds and weedy 10 a penny earphones. If you’ve ever felt let down by a gifted pair of Beats, or resented having to make space in your bag for a bulky pair of decent hi-fi headphones, the FiiO FP3s are the tonic you’ve been waiting for.

FiiO FP3 wired earbuds on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

FiiO FP3 review: Specs

FiiO FP3 wired earbuds hanging off an upright stand

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

Should you buy the FiiO FP3?

Buy them if...

You’re a music anorak
The FP3s’ planar drivers provide unbelievable sound at this price, with an extended frequency range, tight dynamics and a broad soundstage that un-cramps your favourite artists’ mixes. If you’re fed up of compromizing on sound quality in your portable earbuds, try these on for size.View Deal

You’re on a budget
The sub-$100 price point puts these wired in-ears squarely in low-budget territory, despite their high-fidelity capabilities. Other, more expensive earbuds might have active noise-canceling and other built-in gubbins galore, but will they sound this good? Probably not.View Deal

Don't buy them if...

You’re a multi-tasker
The lack of built-in microphone, on-unit controls and even active noise-canceling may be a big turn-off for many. After all, earbuds are now unavoidably multi-purpose devices! If you want a catch-all set of in-ears you can work to, work out to and call your mum with, you’ll want a different product altogether.View Deal

You only use your smartphone to listen to music
Most smartphones today have, unfortunately, dispensed with analogue audio outputs altogether – making wireless headphones and earbuds de rigeur for out-and-about listening. The FiiO FP3s are wired, and so aren’t as convenient for some casual listeners (unless you have the right adapter, or a dedicated media player).View Deal

FiiO FP3 review: Also consider

Sennheiser IE 200

The Sennheiser IE 200s are meaty-sounding wired earphones, that bring robust volume alongside a robust build. The braided cable, around-the-ear wearing style and detachable cabling are all present and accounted for, as well as some nifty ear tip adjustability for slight on-the-fly sound designing.

Read the full Sennheiser IE 200 review here

Shure AONIC 3

Well-apportioned techy in-ears for their price, they cram some noise-canceling tech into their small earbuds alongside remote music and volume controls, and an in-built mic. The sound is clear and three-dimensional, even if it doesn’t quite reach the FiiO FP3s' dynamic tautness.

Read the full Shure AONIC 3 review here

FiiO FP3 review: How I tested

FiiO FP3 wired earbuds on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)
  • Tested for six weeks
  • Tested at home, listening to high-quality audio files through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2’s headphone out
  • Tested out and about, using an iPod Classic

The FiiO FP3 in-ear monitors lived in my coat pocket for a month, wrapped around a 160GB iPod Classic I’m still proud to be toting today. I used them frequently while traveling between engagements, and while gallivanting around town on errands.

I also tested the FP3s at home, using my trusty Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface for its clear and pristine headphone output. I listened to records with which I am intimately familiar, so as to build a real picture of the IEMs’ performance against other devices.

Read more about how we test.

  • First reviewed: March 2025
The Electric State could have been a great Netflix sci-fi movie, but it’s just more evidence that it’s Marvel or bust for the Russo brothers
6:01 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Netflix Streaming | Tags: | Comments: Off

It's not easy being a Russo brothers fan. On the one hand, the venerable filmmakers are not only responsible for directing some of the best Marvel movies ever made but also for helming two of the top three most-profitable films of all time in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

The siblings have struggled to replicate that success outside of the Marvel sandbox, though. Yes, there have been notable wins in a producing capacity, such as 2024's multi-award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once; but the critical and/or commercial failure of the other projects they're attached to, including Citadel on Prime Video, Cherry on Apple TV+, and The Gray Man on Netflix, outweigh those triumphs.

It's on the last of those streaming services that The Electric State will attempt to arrest that slide. Unfortunately, Netflix's latest sci-fi spectacle is another generic, narratively dull flick that adds more weight to the argument that it's Marvel or bust for Joe and Anthony Russo.

Rise (and fall) of the robots

A vehicle being driven down a road with a giant dead robot on the roadside in Netflix's The Electric State movie

The Electric State opens with a prologue that isn't in its graphic novel namesake (Image credit: Netflix)

It's 1994. On an alternate-reality planet Earth, two years have passed since the Human-Robot War ended. That conflict, started by the Worldwide Robot Rebellion led by the Robot Equality Coalition's de-facto leader Mr. Peanut (voiced by Woody Harrelson), drew to a close after Sentre Technologies CEO Ethan Skate's (Stanley Tucci) Neurocaster invention turned the tide in humanity's favor.

In the present, these devices have been repurposed for consumer and educational means to allow Neural Bifurcation, which lets a person's mind be in two places at once. Picture a clunkier version of any real virtual reality (VR) device, such as the Meta Quest 3S or Apple Vision Pro, and you'll get the idea.

Netflix's adaptation frustratingly casts aside the book's biggest strengths

Some haven't become addicted to Skate's creation, though – including headstrong and cynical orphan Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown). A technophobe at heart, Michelle's isolated life is turned upside down when a robot version of Kid Cosmo – the android hero of a cartoon that Michelle watched with her genius younger brother before he died – suddenly shows up and convinces Michelle that he's her brother. Thus begins a cross-country road trip as Michelle and her new robot companion try to track down her human sibling.

Michelle and Kid Cosmo watching a video projected onto a screen in Netflix's The Electric State movie

I was unmoved by all aspects of Michelle and Kid Cosmo/her brother's relationship (Image credit: Netflix)

Narratively, The Electric State's setup isn't dissimilar to the graphic novel it's based on. Its literary namesake, written and illustrated by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, also tells the tale of a teenager who, with the aid of a sentient robot, searches for her lost brother in a technologically ravaged United States.

Disappointingly, that's where the commonalities end. Stålenhag's original work is as profound as it is gorgeous; its stunning imagery belying its thematic exploration of artificial intelligence (AI). This topic is not only particularly timely, but also permeates the graphic novel's understated, introspective, and mystery-filled story.

Netflix's adaptation frustratingly casts aside the book's biggest strengths. Instead of letting The Electric State's important ideas percolate, the streaming giant prioritizes a brash, big-budget spectacle that, while it'll appeal to a wider audience, is all style and little substance.

There are world-building aspects that pleased me. The individual designs of the robot ensemble are creatively satisfying, and the care taken to perfectly and precisely capture the art that inhabits The Electric State's pages is wonderful to see. It's just a pity that the rest of Stålenhag's novel wasn't afforded the same luxury.

Playing the part

Michelle and John hiding in an underground storage facility in Netflix's The Electric State movie

Michelle teams up with John Keats, a former army sergeant who fought in the Human-Robot War (Image credit: Netflix)

That lack of substance applies to the characters who populate one of March's new Netflix movies.

I won't say Brown has been typecast as Michelle. However, while The Electric State's human protagonist plays to her strengths as an actor, it's yet another role that tasks her with playing a teenage rebel. Brown's acting back catalog already includes characters of that ilk, such as Strangers Things' Eleven, the eponymous hero of the Enola Holmes film franchise, and Elodie in Damsel, so it's dissatisfying to see that she isn't given a different or more expansive role to sink her teeth into.

Michelle is yet another role that tasks Brown with playing a teenage rebel

Brown isn't the only actor who fits the archetypal character mold. As army sergeant-turned-black marker smuggler John Keats, Chris Pratt finetunes his acting paradigm as a wisecracking, lovable buffoon-style individual. Giancarlo Esposito's Colonel Bradbury, a so-called hero of the Human-Robot War, is equally at home as he tackles his latest complex villain role. Bradbury is tasked with tracking down Michelle and her automated bestie by Skate, the movie's secondary antagonist.

Colonel Bradbury and Ethan Skate standing opposite each other in Netflix's The Electric State movie

Colonel Bradbury and Ethan Skate are the film's two main antagonists (Image credit: Netflix)

And therein lies the biggest issue I had with The Electric State's casting. The aforementioned trio, along with Tucci's latest turn as an arrogant and unlikable evil-doer, aren't terrible choices for the characters they play. Their performances aren't unwatchable, either – apart from being lukewarm to Michelle and John's undercooked dynamic, I'd say all of them deliver mid-tier to solid performances. Heck, I'll even admit I was entertained by Keats' odd-couple dynamic with his own robot bestie Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). Sure, the MCU veterans occasionally ham it up, but the dysfunctional levity and occasional heartfelt moments they bring to the table are worth mentioning.

The dysfunctional levity and occasional heartfelt moments Pratt and Mackie bring to the table are worth mentioning

Nevertheless, I would've preferred to see Brown and company flex their acting muscles in roles they're not used to portraying. Nobody expected Malcolm in the Middle's Bryan Cranston, who played the sitcom's well-meaning but inept father, Hal, to deliver one of the most compelling anti-hero performances of all time as Walter White in Breaking Bad. To that end, I would've enjoyed The Electric State far more if, say, Pratt had played someone like Skate and Esposito was given the chance to break his own acting mold as Keats.

Crossed wires

John stepping onto Herman's right hand during a battle in Netflix's The Electric State movie

The Electric State's action is par for the course (Image credit: Netflix)

Given its retro-futuristic and dystopian sci-fi vibes, not to mention its explicit sociopolitical commentary on AI and autonomous robots, it would be easy to compare The Electric State to similar genre fare, such as the Terminator and The Matrix franchises.

The Electric State lacks the childlike wonder and awe that perfuse those classic Steven Spielberg-directed features

It was The Electric State's clear homage to fan-favorite Amblin movies from the 80s, though, that I immediately picked up on. It doesn't mask its respect for those classic flicks, either – indeed, that much is obvious by its not-so-subtle tribute to E.T: The Extra Terrestrial upon Kid Cosmo's introduction.

That said, The Electric State's attempts to reproduce the magic those timeless Amblin movies capture are substandard at best. It lacks the childlike wonder and awe that perfuse those fantastical Steven Spielberg-directed features. While Star Wars: Skeleton Crew didn't perform as well as I expected on Disney+, the latest small-screen adventure set in the Star Wars universe did a better job of recreating that unmistakable Amblin aura.

Michelle, Keats, and Doctor Amherst looking unimpressed and worried in The Electric State

The Electric State fails to capture the magic of the 80s sci-fi movies that inspired its look and feel (Image credit: Netflix)

But there's one comparison above all others that cements my overall dislike for The Electric State's movie adaptation, and that's with Tales of the Loop. (TftL).

Amazon's criminally underrated anthology series of another of Stålenhag's eye-catching works did right by its source material. Its depiction of TftL's 'new weird' setting, disquieting tonality, stunning cinematography, and beguiling individual stories that are not only loosely linked but also richly rewarding in their exploration of human connection and curiosity, was as enthralling as it was heart-breaking. To say I was enraptured by TftL would be an understatement

The Electric State is sorely lacking in all of those departments. Would it have harmed its creative vision if, say, it had been shot like movies of yesteryear to elicit an 80s or 90s film-grain aesthetic? This style is used, briefly, during the film's prologue sequence, so why not use it throughout to evoke that nostalgic moviemaking feeling and present Stålenhag's world in a creative light?

As for the aforementioned prelude: sometimes it's better not to spell out everything for your audience. The beauty of Stålenhag's works is that he leaves things open to readers' interpretation to let their imaginations run wild. The Electric State's extensive, expository preamble robs us of the opportunity to wonder why the robots rebelled in the first place, how the war shook out, and more. Sometimes, less is just better.

My verdict

Even though I wasn't sure what to make of it when its first-look images dropped, I really wanted to like The Electric State. But, as this review suggests, it's a fault-riddled flick that doesn't justify its expensive assembly. Its genre wires get crossed too often, it lacks emotional weight, its pacing is incredibly jarring (the middle act is an absolute drag), and – worst of all – it rehashes classic storytelling tropes that have been done better elsewhere. Suffice it to say, it won't be joining our best Netflix movies guide.

I'm sure the Russo brothers will come good with a non-MCU project. That won't happen for a while, though, as the pair prepare to helm two more Marvel films in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. For now, unfortunately, this is not the robot odyssey everyone's been waiting for.

The Electric State releases exclusively on Netflix on Friday, March 14.

I tested this ultra-expensive electric shaver from Philips – here’s why I’d buy it
12:35 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige: one-minute review

Product info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

UK and AU: Philip Shaver S9000 Prestige, SP9883/35
US: The SP9883/35 variant doesn't appear to be widely available from online US retailers, but you can find the very similar Philips Norelco S9000 Prestige (product code SP9886/89) on Amazon US.

If you’re in the market for a premium electric shaver, it’s well worth checking out the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige. This premium model is packed with Philips’ SkinIQ tech for an adaptive, delicate shave, a highly ergonomic design and waterproofing – meaning it offers an all-round excellent user experience.

For reference, I specifically tested the SP9883/35 variant of the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige – and this doesn’t come cheap. It’s available now in the UK and Australia with a list price of £699 / AU$999. Thankfully, though, it’s unlikely you’ll have to pay quite this much in all regions. For instance, I’ve spotted it going for much closer to £300 from a lot of UK retailers. Still, that’s quite a bit to spend on an electric shaver – so is it worth it?

Well, if like me you have pretty sensitive skin and are used to irritation after a typical shave – then I’d say the answer is yes. Whether I was having a wet or dry shave, the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige glided across my face with ease and never felt strenuous or sharp on my skin – something we always look for in our hunt for the best beard trimmers and electric razors. You can also adjust power to low, medium or high depending on what feels and works best for you.

But wait… there’s more. This easy-to-handle shaver harnesses SkinIQ technology and Ultraflex suspension, meaning the S9000 Prestige’s head can adjust its power and positioning depending on hair thickness and shaving angles. That makes for a super simple, rapid shaving experience – ideal if you need a quick trim before heading to the office. It also comes with a self cleaning station, which can get your shaver looking all shiny again after just one minute: pretty cool!

Is this model perfect? Not quite. The SmartClick trimmer – which you can easily click on to the top of the shaver – isn’t perfect for cutting down those overgrown hairs, as I found myself going over the same patches a couple of times. And when using the default shaver head, I still found it easier, personally, to get rid of the odd straggler with my manual razor – but your mileage may vary.

Otherwise, this is a top-class option that I’d highly recommend, especially if you want a shaver that’s going to play gentle. That’s not even mentioning the fact that this is a beautiful model with a handy display and solid battery life of one hour. And it comes with a wireless charging pad. Pretty convenient, right?

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige, alternate heads, self-cleaning station, cleaning fluid

(Image credit: Future)

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige: Price and specs

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige review: design

  • Fantastic ergonomic grip
  • Premium metallic exterior
  • Interchangeable attachments

In terms of design, it doesn’t get a whole lot better than the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige. It has a premium-looking metallic build with an ergonomic rubber grip, which makes handling the shaver both extremely easy and satisfying.

On top of that, there’s a display on the face of the shaver that indicates the power level in use – between one and three – battery life, travel lock activation and more. Above that screen, you’ll find a few button controls: power on/off, power level down, and power level up. All of this makes for a pleasingly visual, straightforward user experience – something you’d expect from a shaver with such a high price tag.

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige with head detached

(Image credit: Future)

Another great aspect of the S9000 Prestige’s design is its support for multiple attachments. It comes with a few interchangeable heads including the default foil shaver, SmartClick trimmer and nose hair trimmer. These all easily clip on and off and are quick and straightforward to wash, thanks to the shaver’s great waterproofing. You also get a brush for cleaning tighter crevices – Philips have thought of everything.

There are even more goodies in the box worth mentioning, though. First of all, this model comes with a self-cleaning station and a quick clean pod. This contraption can both clean and lubricate your shaver in just one minute using the power from the S9000 Prestige itself. Philips says this is 10x more effective than a simple wash under water – I’m not sure I can speak to just how precise that is, but it did get the shaver spick and span when I tried it out.

On top of that, there’s a wireless charging pad that you can connect up to a shaver socket in your bathroom for some extra juice when you’re running low. This works fantastically well and your S9000 Prestige will make a beeping noise to let you know it’s building some battery life back.

Finally, you can pack the attachments, shaver and more into an expensive-looking carry-case that is included with the S9000 Prestige. It has a hardy exterior and plenty of room inside, making for a nifty travel companion. The pristine look and feel of the case feels pretty indicative of the overall quality you’re getting, design wise. With excellent build quality, a durable exterior and plenty of tasty extras in the box, you’re getting the full package with the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige.

  • Design score: 5/5

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige review: performance

  • Comfortable, rapid shave
  • Harnesses adaptive SkinIQ tech
  • Pretty standard one-hour battery life

And the shiny exterior isn’t all for show, this shaver is a pretty neat performer too. Firstly, that firm-feeling grip I mentioned ensures seamless handling, regardless of what angle you’re trimming at. I found it to be a big step up from my usual electric-shaver, which can be a bit challenging to handle in tighter, more awkward positions.

But how about the shaving itself? Well, a standout plus here is that the S9000 Prestige is a not only smooth, but rapid operator. Within mere minutes I was able to achieve a clean shave using the Dual Precision rotating blades, which can achieve up to 165,000 cutting actions per minute. The blades took care of hairs growing in multiple directions with ease for the most part. I did, admittedly, have a few stragglers, which were easier to remove with my manual razor – but this really was a minor inconvenience.

Person turning on the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige

(Image credit: Future)

The default shaver head uses some pretty nifty tech to ensure you get a close shave, such as SkinIQ. This tech senses hair density on your face (or head) and adapts cutting power for a more gentle shave. It also has an ‘Ultraflex’ suspension system that helps the heads work along every contour of your face.

All in all, this is designed to deliver a more efficient, but also a more comfortable shave. And for me personally, that was greatly appreciated. I have pretty sensitive skin and the technology packed into this shaver helped to reduce a lot of irritation. As well as the adaptive SkinIQ tech, there’s an option to manually adjust the shaver’s power – which paired with the default head’s Hydro SkinGlide Coating, ensures a more relaxed shaving experience.

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige on wireless charging pad

(Image credit: Future)

If I was to be more critical, though, I have to say that the included SmartClick trimmer is a little underwhelming. After four days of growth – yeah, it wasn’t my best look – I tried to give myself a more even, neat look, using this trimmer on the lowest grade. It worked decently well, but just wasn’t as efficient as I’d hoped for, as I found myself going over the same patches on my face a fair few times. Also, this trimmer only has five lines to indicate the length it cuts down to, but I would prefer a measurement in millimetres – something my everyday shaver uses.

Meanwhile, you get a decent battery life of one hour out of the S9000 Prestige. That’s very much in-line with what a lot of hi-tech electric shavers can manage. But if you’re hoping for more, fear not. After every shave, you can simply pop the S9000 Prestige onto its wireless charging pad and get it fighting fit in no time. It takes three hours to get this shaver’s battery fully restored – not bad considering the use of wireless charging.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige review: value

  • Very expensive list price
  • But regularly available with a considerable reduction
  • High cost does come with premium design and performance levels

OK, I won’t beat around the bush. If we’re talking about its list price, this shaver is very, very expensive. I’d argue a bit too expensive even. £699 / AU$999 is a lot of cash to spend, especially considering you can spend much less than that and still get a very astute shaver, like the Braun Series 9 Pro, for instance.

But I bring good news. You’ll rarely have to pay such an astronomical fee for this stylish shaver. In fact, I’ve seen it going for close to £300 in the UK via retailers like John Lewis – that’s more than 50% off! And that really changes the picture – in this price range, the S9000 Prestige is well-worth considering. Otherwise, it would be tough to recommend – even given its high-level performance.

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige resting on block

(Image credit: Future)

Ultimately, the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige is built to last and packs in a gentle, personalized shaving experience. You’re unlikely to need an upgrade or replacement in the near future if you pick this up, which really adds a lot of weight in the value department. And although I can’t overlook its sky-high list price, I’d still happily recommend this shaver in the knowledge that it’s regularly discounted.

  • Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige?

Buy it if...

You want ultimate comfort
Not only is the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige extremely comfortable to handle, but it’s kind to the skin in-use. That makes it the perfect shaving companion, even for those with sensitive skin.

You’re rocking the clean-shaven look
If you’re someone that likes to maintain your clean shave every day, or maybe every other day, this is a top-tier option. The rotating blades and suspension tech help you to dust off any facial hair swiftly and seamlessly, meaning you won’t have to waste all too much time perfecting your look.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
Even though this model can be purchased at a significantly cut-price, it’s still not the most budget friendly. And at full-price, this one’s a no-go if you’re not looking to spend an arm and a leg. Even an alternative like the Reamignton T-Series Beard Trimmer and Hair Clipper can get the job done (if you’re in the UK) for less than £100, but there are tons of options out there.

You want a phenomenal option for short beards
The only thing about the S9000 Prestige I didn’t love was the SmartClick trimmer. Don’t get me wrong, it does work pretty well, but it’s not quite elite. Sometimes I needed to go over the same patches again and I also wished that it indicated, in millimetres, how short it cuts across its five levels.

Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige: also consider

Braun Series 9 Pro
Like this Philips shaver, the Braun Series 9 Pro has the triple threat of a beautiful build, ergonomic design and excellent shaving performance. It takes just 50 minutes to get it up to full charge again and has a solid battery life of one hour to boot. Again – this one can achieve a great shave, whether wet or dry, so if you’re looking for a premium alternative, you can’t go wrong with this. Read our full Braun Series 9 Pro review.

Panasonic Arc6 review
Another fantastic wet and dry shaver is the Panasonic Arc6. Its battery life isn’t quite as long as this Philips model and it isn’t quite as elegant looking, but you still get a super-smooth shave and plenty of features, like a self-cleaning station. Read our full Panasonic Arc6 review.

How I tested the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige

  • Tested for one week
  • Used for a wet and dry shave
  • Trimmed for a neat stubble look and then went for a clean shave

I tested the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige for one week, ensuring to try out all of its various features and attachments. I typically keep my facial hair trimmed to around 2mm, so I used the SmartClick trimmer at first to replicate my typical shaving routine.

On top of that, I also tried having a wet and dry shave with the default head attachment. I also made use of the included wireless charging pad and self-cleaning station to ensure the shaver was up to TechRadar Recommended standard.

  • Read more about how we test
  • First reviewed February 2025
openSUSE Tumbleweed review
11:46 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 354 of PC Pro.

It’s not unusual for Linux distributions to be available in several builds. Ubuntu has long-term support and cutting-edge editions, Zorin has Core and Pro builds, and openSUSE has Tumbleweed and Leap. Tumbleweed, which we’re reviewing here, is a continuously evolving build comprising the latest stable version of each component, which is updated as and when new code appears. Leap, which is based on SUSE Enterprise Linux, is a stable release that receives periodic updates.

The version that we installed was running the 6.6.3-1 kernel (the very latest build was 6.6.4 at the time of writing), and is available with a choice of desktop managers, including Gnome, Xfce, Cinnamon, Mate and KDE Plasma 5, the latter of which tops the installer’s list of options. That’s therefore what we chose for our tests. In our installation, this sat on top of the X11 Window System rather than Wayland.

As well as the regular 64-bit and 32-bit builds for desktop use, there are alternative builds for ARM, IBM Z family mainframes, RISC and PowerPC. It will also run on Raspberry Pi.

The installer is logical, but not the most friendly on test. Setting up Wi-Fi requires that you know which security protocol your network uses, and we failed on our first three attempts to boot into openSUSE at the end of the process. Despite the installer apparently completing, our test machine still attempted to start the OS we had previously tested. We solved this by forcing the installer to delete all partitions on our internal drive even if it thought that wasn’t necessary.

Once it was up and running, however, everything was far more logical, and there were only ten updates ready to download, reflecting the fact that the installer was still fresh, having been downloaded just the day before. A further 11 appeared later in the day.

Desktop screenshot of the openSUSE Tumbleweed installer

The installer is logical, but not the most friendly on test (Image credit: Future)

It’s not only core components such as SAMBA, git and the kernel that receive rolling updates in Tumbleweed: bundled applications are likewise cutting edge. Thus, at the time of writing we found LibreOffice 7.6.3.1 and Firefox 120 pre-installed. Email is handled by Kmail, but if you prefer Thunderbird, the version accessible through Discover, openSUSE’s software manager, is version 115.5. The versions of GIMP and Inkscape available through the manager, both of which are options rather than pre-installed software, match the latest releases available through their respective sites.

KDE Plasma should be familiar to anyone switching from Windows, as it features a traditional taskbar and menu. Commonly used applications can be pinned to the bar for easy access, and menu options are filtered as you type to reduce the number of matching applications.

Plasma lets you add secondary toolbars, and also features widgets, with a generous selection pre-installed but dormant. We saw this implementation in Nitrux, which also uses KDE Plasma, although in a significantly tailored form. For our money, the version seen here, where window controls remain attached to the windows themselves, feels more logical.

The comprehensive settings app is supplemented by YaST (Yet another Setup Tool), which provides password protection for more sensitive options, such as configuring the boot loader, administering printers and managing users. Tumbleweed scored 1,167 in the single-core Geekbench tests and 3,241 in the multicore benchmark. This puts it broadly in line with the other distributions on test, suggesting that deployment decisions would be better based on factors other than performance. openSUSE is one of the oldest Linux distributions still being actively developed but, with Tumbleweed, you’ll always be running one of the newest builds available. This is its primary appeal, since other factors such as the choice of desktop managers, and pre-installed applications, are common to many rivals. Although we initially experienced some difficulty with installation, your mileage will likely vary and, once up and running, it was regularly updated – as promised – and as stable as any other distribution on test.

If your preference is for KDE, rather than Gnome, this would be our pick of the bunch.

We've also ranked the best project management software.

Nitrux OS review
11:41 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 354 of PC Pro.

On first encounter, Nitrux 3.2 is a moody beast. The default UI is dark, file management windows have black backgrounds and apps are dimmed when they lose focus. Yet somehow, even if you’re not a fan of dark modes (as this writer isn’t), it works.

You can switch between windows for some real showmanship: apps swoop around each other to make space, and where two windows sit side by side, they part to let hidden windows through. The default font is skinny but easy on the eye, and while the launcher is too angular for our tastes, that’s a matter of personal preference.

Where we think it’s less successful is in detaching the windows buttons – close, maximize and minimize – and putting them up in the screen’s top left corner, where they sit on the end of the menu bar. This is, presumably, why apps without focus are dimmed: so you know which one you’re going to close or enlarge when you click them. A side effect is that when switching between a browser and word processor, if you’re referring to the former while writing in the latter, your reference material will frequently change brightness.

Elsewhere, the file manager (called Index) has a grid of quick access buttons for common folders, such as Music, Documents and Pictures – but when they all sport the same icon and there’s no label, as was our experience with the default theme, you have to hover over each one and wait for its name to appear in a tooltip.

Desktop screenshot of the Nitrux OS file manager, Index

Buttons in the file manager provide access to folders, but they’re not labelled (Image credit: Future)

If you don’t get on with the default desktop, there are other themes to choose from, including some with more traditional window controls.

The Calamares installer is logical and offers plenty of guidance, such as the requirements for a secure password. Once up and running, you might not recognise a huge number of pre-installed applications other than Firefox, and there’s no office suite ready for use, although LibreOffice is available through the NX Software Center. So are staples such as Thunderbird, GIMP and Inkscape, which are likewise absent. You’ll find placeholders for Steam, Waydroid and Bottles, with the latter two providing layers for Android and Windows apps respectively.

However, it didn’t detect the two printers on our network until we’d entered their IP addresses.

Behind the scenes, this is a Debian-based distribution using the 6.6.2-1 kernel and a modified version of KDE Plasma to render the NX Desktop. There’s a generous selection of desktop widgets, and a configurable button on the dock, which you can use to run scripts or activate an applet.

The root directory is unwritable by default which, says the developer, strengthens security and minimizes points of failure. It should also mean that if an update fails your machine remains bootable. Other security measures have been implemented elsewhere, such as disabling core dumps, implementing strict password expiration and deactivating the root account. There’s a built-in backup tool – Kup – that can be set to kick in after you’ve been using your computer for a set period, which is an unusual and useful option. The X11 display protocol has been dropped in favour of Wayland, providing a shorter and more secure route between application and display.

One happy benefit of the switch to Wayland, which is taking place across most distributions, is a probable speed bump, and certainly Nitrux feels fast in everyday use. This was particularly evident when we were browsing the web, with pages seeming to arrive more quickly on our domestic broadband connection than they do in other Linux distributions or on our Windows box. We suspected that our broadband had been upgraded (and checked), but that wasn’t the case.

There’s a lot of interesting technology in this distribution, and it’s refreshing to encounter such an individual interface. Going down this road is a brave and largely successful move that has garnered significant praise, including when we named it the best Linux distro for new users.

However, with this review written, we’re now looking forward to returning to a more conventional environment.

We also rated the best small business software.

ManageEngine OpManager Professional 12.7 review
11:35 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 354 of PC Pro.

A key player in the Zoho software and services empire, ManageEngine offers a wide range of IT management solutions. The OpManager product family delivers network, server and application performance monitoring, and ManageEngine version 12.7 delivers plenty of new features.

There’s a focus on compliance and security, with support for single sign-on using security assertion markup language (SAML) and SNMP 3 with tougher SHA-2 authentication. Root cause analysis (RCA) profiles compare data collected from multiple devices to help with problem remediation, Cisco ACI, IPMI and VPN monitors are present and OpManager integrates with Slack and Microsoft Teams for alert notifications.

ManageEngine’s flexible licensing schemes are good value for SMBs as they’re based on devices, not elements or sensors. The OpManager Standard edition costs £195 per year for ten devices and provides availability, interface and SNMP/WMI network monitoring services, with the Professional edition on review adding features such as virtualization host monitoring.

Along with perpetual licenses, they’re also all available as Plus versions that include OpManager’s add-on modules at discounted prices. For example, Professional Plus starts at £983 per year for 50 devices and includes network configuration management (NCM) and NetFlow analysis (NFA), along with firewall and application management.

Desktop screenshot of the OpManager Professional 12.7 edition in use

Virtual host monitoring is included in the Professional edition (Image credit: Future)

Whichever edition you choose, you won’t wait long to see it in action: it took us 20 minutes to install it on a Windows Server 2022 host and run an initial scan of the lab’s IP subnet. For device identification and classification, OpManager is a veritable sleuth as it’s endowed with over 11,000 device and 56,000 vendor templates.

It had no trouble figuring out what our lab devices were, correctly identifying all our Windows servers and workstations, routers, switches, NAS appliances, VMware and Hyper-V virtualization hosts and printers. Adaptive alert thresholds are assigned to devices where OpManager uses machine learning algorithms to adjust them for you, and they can be linked to a range of actions using the integral drag-and-drop workflow builder.

The OpManager web console and its multitude of dashboards is capable of presenting a lot of information about your network, with the handy heatmap widget showing a grid of colored blocks representing each device and their status. Detailed custom dashboards are created by choosing from over 200 available widgets, and network operations center views can present support departments with the big picture.

Desktop screenshot of OpManager's dashboards

Dashboards can be customized to suit, and mobile monitoring apps are included (Image credit: Future)

Virtual monitoring is extensive, as OpManager discovered our VMware ESXi and Hyper-V hosts and provided views of system and VM utilization, guest OSes and datastore usage. Add the NetFlow module and you can view all common flows and use the free NetFlow Generator utility to translate raw packets into NetFlow data.

OpManager’s RCA profiles are similar to the SolarWinds NPM PerfStack feature and are just as easy to create. The list of available metrics is very basic, but you can choose devices and monitored items such as CPU and memory usage, add them to your RCA dashboard and view them all on one screen to help identify complex problems.

The Application Performance Management (APM) plugin is a worthy addition as it monitors and reports on a huge range of apps. We used it to check on our AWS account, where it provided details on service availability, EC2 instance and S3 bucket status, plus monthly billing charges and forecasts.

It may take time to get to grips with its myriad components, but ManageEngine’s OpManager is a powerful monitoring solution with a lot to say about your network. The web console is well designed and easily customized to suit, while SMBs will approve of OpManager’s affordable licensing plans.

We've also ranked the best fast PCs and workstations.

Linux Mint 21.2 review
11:30 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 354 of PC Pro.

Many Debian-based distros, Linux Mint included, use Ubuntu as their jumping-off point. The latest release – 21.2 Victoria – is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and will continue to be supported until 2027. That means it currently uses the 5.15 LTS kernel, but there’s a bleeding-edge edition, aptly called 21.2 Cinnamon Edge, that uses 6.2 should you prefer.

Where many Ubuntu spin-offs stick with Gnome display manager, as used by Ubuntu itself, Mint’s default is Cinnamon. This started as an offshoot from Gnome 2 when version 3 was released. Version 3 was the first to drop support for the panel (taskbar in Windows parlance) in favor of a purer shell, which likewise demoted widgets and jettisoned desktop icons. Cinnamon puts all of these front and center, which is one of the reasons it’s often held up as an ideal distro for anyone switching from Windows. It also has a Windows-like menu, with applications sorted into categories, and essential tools – such as the browser and settings – kept in view up the side. You can pin your most used apps to the panel so they’re never more than a click away.

Cinnamon is certainly a sturdy, tidy interface, but we think it feels a touch old-fashioned when compared directly with Microsoft’s Fluent UI for Windows 11. If it doesn’t immediately grab you, you can tweak the colors, install a theme, or opt for one of the alternative desktop managers, since Mint is also available with Mate or Xfce. And, while it seems highly unlikely that Ubuntu is going to disappear any time soon, the Mint developers are maintaining a parallel build, LMDE – Linux Mint Debian Edition – based on the Debian codebase, from which development can continue.

Whichever build you choose, you’ll need at least 2GB of memory and 20GB of storage, although 4GB and 100GB are recommended. These are hardly onerous, and the same specs apply to the Cinnamon Edge release.

Getting up and running is a familiar process, which starts with booting into a live installer and stepping through the wizard. However, because of changes to Ubuntu’s shim-signed bootloader, compatibility with Secure Boot was broken for the ISO that was current when we performed our tests. We therefore had to disable Secure Boot to proceed and, unless the ISO has been fixed by the time you install, you may have to do the same. Linux Mint says that it’s working on a fix.

Once up and running, pretty much everything was ready for use. Our monitor was recognized and its native resolution selected, our two network printers were installed, and a range of default applications were in place. Three desklets – effectively Windows-style widgets – for a clock, launcher and digital photo frame are installed but not activated. You can add others from a desklet store, where we’d highly recommend the weather desklet and notepad.

Desktop screenshot of the Linux Mint 21.2 software manager

The Software Manager makes it easy to install apps (Image credit: Future)

LibreOffice was ready to roll, and while we can’t say the same for GIMP and VNC, they were available through the software manager, which was set up to work with Flatpak. Thunderbird was pre-installed for handling mail, and Firefox was set up as the default browser.

Hypnotix, Linux Mint’s bespoke IPTV application, is perhaps the most impressive of all the default apps. Its integrated catalogue includes links to more than 1,200 broadcasters, organized by country, with 92 from the UK. Pick a country, then click a channel in the sidebar to tune in. It was quick, efficient and very smooth on our consumer broadband connection. At the time of testing, it wasn’t possible to save favorites, but that may change as work is ongoing for a future release.

Linux Mint with Cinnamon is a pleasant place to spend a lot of time, and while we don’t think Cinnamon feels as dynamic as Windows 11, its familiarity will likely be a significant draw for more cautious switchers (although we would urge anyone in that position to also consider “new kid on the block” Zorin). Hypnotix and the desklets are the star turns in this distribution, and they’re reason enough on their own to make it one for the shortlist.

We've also rated the best lightweight Linux distro.

Linux Mint 21.2 review
11:30 am |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

This review first appeared in issue 354 of PC Pro.

Many Debian-based distros, Linux Mint included, use Ubuntu as their jumping-off point. The latest release – 21.2 Victoria – is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and will continue to be supported until 2027. That means it currently uses the 5.15 LTS kernel, but there’s a bleeding-edge edition, aptly called 21.2 Cinnamon Edge, that uses 6.2 should you prefer.

Where many Ubuntu spin-offs stick with Gnome display manager, as used by Ubuntu itself, Mint’s default is Cinnamon. This started as an offshoot from Gnome 2 when version 3 was released. Version 3 was the first to drop support for the panel (taskbar in Windows parlance) in favor of a purer shell, which likewise demoted widgets and jettisoned desktop icons. Cinnamon puts all of these front and center, which is one of the reasons it’s often held up as an ideal distro for anyone switching from Windows. It also has a Windows-like menu, with applications sorted into categories, and essential tools – such as the browser and settings – kept in view up the side. You can pin your most used apps to the panel so they’re never more than a click away.

Cinnamon is certainly a sturdy, tidy interface, but we think it feels a touch old-fashioned when compared directly with Microsoft’s Fluent UI for Windows 11. If it doesn’t immediately grab you, you can tweak the colors, install a theme, or opt for one of the alternative desktop managers, since Mint is also available with Mate or Xfce. And, while it seems highly unlikely that Ubuntu is going to disappear any time soon, the Mint developers are maintaining a parallel build, LMDE – Linux Mint Debian Edition – based on the Debian codebase, from which development can continue.

Whichever build you choose, you’ll need at least 2GB of memory and 20GB of storage, although 4GB and 100GB are recommended. These are hardly onerous, and the same specs apply to the Cinnamon Edge release.

Getting up and running is a familiar process, which starts with booting into a live installer and stepping through the wizard. However, because of changes to Ubuntu’s shim-signed bootloader, compatibility with Secure Boot was broken for the ISO that was current when we performed our tests. We therefore had to disable Secure Boot to proceed and, unless the ISO has been fixed by the time you install, you may have to do the same. Linux Mint says that it’s working on a fix.

Once up and running, pretty much everything was ready for use. Our monitor was recognized and its native resolution selected, our two network printers were installed, and a range of default applications were in place. Three desklets – effectively Windows-style widgets – for a clock, launcher and digital photo frame are installed but not activated. You can add others from a desklet store, where we’d highly recommend the weather desklet and notepad.

Desktop screenshot of the Linux Mint 21.2 software manager

The Software Manager makes it easy to install apps (Image credit: Future)

LibreOffice was ready to roll, and while we can’t say the same for GIMP and VNC, they were available through the software manager, which was set up to work with Flatpak. Thunderbird was pre-installed for handling mail, and Firefox was set up as the default browser.

Hypnotix, Linux Mint’s bespoke IPTV application, is perhaps the most impressive of all the default apps. Its integrated catalogue includes links to more than 1,200 broadcasters, organized by country, with 92 from the UK. Pick a country, then click a channel in the sidebar to tune in. It was quick, efficient and very smooth on our consumer broadband connection. At the time of testing, it wasn’t possible to save favorites, but that may change as work is ongoing for a future release.

Linux Mint with Cinnamon is a pleasant place to spend a lot of time, and while we don’t think Cinnamon feels as dynamic as Windows 11, its familiarity will likely be a significant draw for more cautious switchers (although we would urge anyone in that position to also consider “new kid on the block” Zorin). Hypnotix and the desklets are the star turns in this distribution, and they’re reason enough on their own to make it one for the shortlist.

We've also rated the best lightweight Linux distro.

I tested Sony’s longest telephoto zoom lens, and it’s a winner for wildlife photographers
11:00 am | March 6, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Camera Lenses Cameras Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS: two-minute review

Closer is better when it comes to wildlife photography, and that’s where Sony’s super-telephoto zoom delivers in spades: with a reach of 400-800mm, it’s the longest lens of its kind in Sony’s E-mount lens lineup. Trumping the 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS by a full 200mm at the telephoto end, it sacrifices wide-angle flexibility to give you a significantly tighter shot of distant subjects.

Comparable in many respects to Canon’s RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM, Sony’s super-telephoto is a win for capturing wild and winged creatures. It's less effective in the sports arena though: a slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture makes it harder to work at the kinds of shutter speeds needed to freeze fast-moving subjects, especially in low-light scenarios, and also limits your scope for blurring busy backgrounds.

Still, in bright conditions, the 400-800mm excels. You don’t get the absolute pin-sharp detail of a telephoto prime, but it’s still sharp both throughout the zoom range and across the frame. Effective image stabilization also helps to keep things crisp when shooting handheld, with motion blur only becoming noticeable at the long end. Chromatic aberrations are kept under tight control, too.

Image 1 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 2 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 3 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS indoors

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Tipping the scales at the best part of 2.5kg, this is not a lightweight lens. Nor is it small by anyone’s standards, especially with the lens hood attached. Yet Sony has made it a surprisingly manageable telephoto zoom to shoot with. For starters, internal zoom keeps the weight balance relatively centered over the tripod foot, which usefully doubles up as a handle.

Then you’ve got the tactile, accessible controls. With well-judged resistance, the focus ring makes manual adjustments a joy. Similarly, the short throw and smooth action of the zoom ring mean it’s swift and easy to shift through the full spectrum of focal lengths. Add a trio of programmable focus hold buttons, and the 400-800mm becomes a super-telephoto that’s easy to handle.

It’s also a lens with superb focusing skills. This isn’t G Master glass, but you wouldn’t know it from the responsiveness of the autofocus: driven by two precision linear motors, it moves fast and very rarely misses, and only when shooting busy scenes at a serious distance will you need to consider manual fine-tuning. At the wide end of the range, it also has the versatility to focus on subjects just 1.7m away.

This isn’t a perfect lens. Professional wildlife photographers will get better fine detail from a premium telephoto prime, while serious sports coverage requires the faster maximum aperture of something like the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports. But compromise is inevitable with a lens that's designed to cover several bases, and if you want a super-telephoto zoom that gets you closer than any other Sony E-mount glass, the trade-offs here are more than palatable.

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS specs

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS: Design

  • Heavy but well-balanced lens
  • Robust build with weather seals
  • Internal zoom with smooth ring rotation

There’s no escaping the fact that the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS is a hefty lens. At the best part of 2.5kg, you’ll feel its weight when wielding it. That said, it’s not too much bigger than the 200-600mm: it's 358g heavier, 29mm longer and just 8.3mm wider. Those don’t feel like huge trade-offs for the extra reach at the long end, although you will need to invest in costly 105mm front filters.

It helps that Sony has done a good job of balancing the lens. Rather than telescoping out in front, the zoom mechanism is all packaged internally. That keeps the weight distribution fairly consistent, whether you’re shooting handheld or on a tripod. It also means that the zoom control ring only requires a light touch, which contributes to the sense that this is a manageable lens.

So does the tripod foot, which sits pretty squarely beneath the lens and body’s center of gravity. Its collar isn’t removable, but you’ll likely find the foot useful to have more often than not. The design isn’t exactly ergonomic, but the foot makes for a natural handle, both when carrying and framing. The collar can be easily rotated, with markers for landscape and vertical orientation.

Image 1 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 2 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 3 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS indoors

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

While this isn’t a pro-grade lens, it’s more than robust enough to survive a lifetime of shoots in the wild. Besides its general weightiness, everything feels well-assembled: the barrel is solid, the control rings turn smoothly, and the switches have a nice, affirmative action. Weather seals are there to keep dust and moisture out, too.

Despite its size, Sony has tried to make the 400-800mm an accessible lens. The hood, for example, attaches with a simple button release, and features a sliding window, so you can make filter adjustments without removing it. Around the barrel, three focus-hold buttons sit at 90-degree intervals, and each can be programmed with custom functions. Then you have its stack of five focus and stabilization switches. As heavyweight telephoto zoom lenses go, this is one of the most user-friendly.

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS: Performance

  • Fast autofocus with two linear motors
  • Relatively slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture
  • 1.7m minimum focus distance at 400mm

When it comes to focusing performance, the 400-800mm impresses. Driven by a pair of high-speed linear motors, autofocus is both rapid and reliable, with zero delay between button press and motor response. According to Sony, the telephoto zoom can handle the 120fps maximum burst speeds of the A9 III. We didn’t have Sony’s sports star to hand during testing, but our chosen body – the A1 II – is no slouch, and the 400-800mm had no trouble keeping up.

It’s not immune from the odd miss, particularly when shooting over significant distances, but two features help here. The first is the focus limiter switch, which lets you give the 400-800mm a helping hand. By switching from the full range to one of two restricted modes, based on your distance from the subject, the lens has to hunt around less to find focus.

The second is full-time direct manual focus, which allows you to manually fine-tune focus in any mode by twisting the control ring. There aren’t many occasions where you’ll need to do this, but if the autofocus is having trouble with branches, for example, you’ll find the focus ring has just the right amount of resistance to let you make careful adjustments.

Close focusing is another key selling point of the 400-800mm, with a minimum distance of 1.7m at the wide end. In practice, that lets you get the shot even when your subject is relatively close. 400mm is probably too tight to practically shoot from the sidelines of a sports event, but that distance does mean you can capture small creatures that are near the end of the lens.

Image 1 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 2 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS indoors

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 3 of 3

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Of course, it’s the super-telephoto number that grabs the headlines – and for good reason: 800mm is a long way in. Compared to a barrel that maxes out at 600mm the extra reach gets you significantly tighter in on your subject, and whether you’re shooting a kingfisher or a kickabout the difference is dramatic.

Almost as important as the range itself is the short throw of the zoom ring, which is optimized for quick shifts in focal length, and has a wonderfully smooth action; the internal zoom mechanism helps here, because the control ring isn’t responsible for telescoping elements. The net result is that it's pretty effortless to move through the full 400-800mm range, and together with the swift autofocus it enables you to readily switch between subjects near and far.

What does hold the 400-800mm back in some scenarios is the slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture. This isn’t an issue in good light, where the lens performs well (see the sample images below). Under darker skies, though, it can struggle to keep up with rapid action, and at the shutter speeds required to freeze movement you’ll need to crank up the ISO setting or risk underexposed stills.

As a result, this isn’t a lens for shooting sports, especially not indoors. Even in the dimmer conditions of undergrowth, it can be a challenge to capture blur-free animal motion.

That slower maximum aperture also makes the lens less effective at blurring backgrounds. It’s not a major issue with leafy scenes or distant backdrops, but it does demand more care when composing against busy settings. At f/5.6-6.3, the 200-600mm has better light-gathering abilities and enables a tighter depth of field.

Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS: sample images

Image 1 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 2 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 3 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 4 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 5 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 6 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 7 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 8 of 8

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Optically, there’s a lot going on inside the 400-800mm. There are 27 elements in 19 groups, six of which are extra-low dispersion, which translates into sharp stills which are pretty much free from chromatic aberrations.

At a pixel level, you’ll get finer results from a telephoto prime, but for a super-telephoto zoom, the 400-800mm exhibits decent sharpness. Detail is crisp at both the center and the edge of the frame, across the full zoom range. Again, the lens delivers its best results in good lighting, where you can work at shutter speeds fast enough to eliminate motion blur.

SteadyShot stabilization helps to keep things sharp. Sony hasn’t published the official rating of its OIS system, but with a trio of modes covering static and panning shots, as well as active subjects shot using the viewfinder, we found it pretty effective at counteracting hand shake. Blur did become noticeable at the extreme end, but panning handheld at 800mm is never going to bag you the sharpest stills.

Image 1 of 6

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 2 of 6

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 3 of 6

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 4 of 6

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 5 of 6

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)
Image 6 of 6

Sample image shot with the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Chromatic aberrations are tightly controlled, with just a hint of purple fringing creeping in at super-telephoto focal lengths. Pincushion distortion is minimal, too, leaving you with very little to fix in raw images. The 11-blade aperture diaphragm also produces bokeh smooth enough to satisfy most enthusiasts.

Should you buy the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS?

Buy it if...

You’re a bird or wildlife photographer

The spec sheet of the 400-800mm reads like a wish list for bird and wildlife photographers, with rapid autofocus, a long reach, and internal zoom, plus short minimum focus distances at the wide end.

You need maximum telephoto reach

Sony’s longest telephoto zoom to date gets you closer than any other E-mount zoom lens. It has an additional 200mm on Sony’s next-longest telephoto, which gets you significantly closer to the action.

You want easy zooming and focusing

Internal zoom contributes to a smooth control ring action, while a relatively short rotational range lets you move easily through focal lengths. Full-time direct manual focusing means precision adjustments are slick and quick, too.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a sports photographer

With a slow f/6.3-8 maximum aperture, the 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS struggles to keep up with action on dull days. Indoors or in low lighting, it’s simply not fast enough for sports.

You’re happy with a shorter reach

If you shoot relatively close to your subjects or simply don’t need the extra reach at the telephoto end, you’ll find better value in the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS.

You don’t want an unwieldy lens

Its zoom range might be unrivalled, but there’s no escaping the fact that the 400-800mm is a large and weighty lens. Internal zoom makes it easier to handle, but 2.5kg is still a lot to carry.

How I tested the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS

  • I used the lens extensively for a week
  • I paired it with the Sony A1 II
  • I tested it in a range of scenarios

Sony only made the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS available for a short loan period, so I made the most of my week with it. I was blessed with a several days of clear skies and winter sun, allowing me to test the telephoto zoom in ideal conditions.

Given the lens's wildlife credentials, animals were obviously a focus of my test shots. That said, I also made sure to assess its capabilities as a sports lens, shooting on-track action at the Goodwood motorsports circuit near my home in the UK. To be thorough, I also shot architectural details, flowers, and a handful of portraits.

Paired with a Sony A1 II, I took the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS on several walks to get a good understanding of how easy it was to move and shoot with the lens handheld, taking into account not just its weight, but also its full complement of controls, as well as the collar.

  • First reviewed March 2025
« Previous Page — Next Page »