Hands-on iPhone 16 Plus review: Two-minute preview
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
If you were to stumble upon an iPhone 16 Plus from the front, looking directly at the screen, I'd hedge that you might think it's the 15 Plus or even the 14 Plus. It sticks with being the big-screen iPhone that doesn't cost an arm or leg, offers fast performance, and has two excellent cameras.
When you flip it over, though, or examine the left or right sides, the story begins to change. That's what I did when I first saw the iPhone 16 Plus in the hands-on area shortly after Apple's "It's Glowtime." event concluded.
It's still a large 6.7-inch iPhone with a vibrant OLED display and the Dynamic Island at the top for cool Live Activities and unlocking with Face ID. But turning it to see the left-hand side reveals the Action Button, which I like to think is the iPhone's superpower of sorts. You can set it for whatever you like through a Shortcut – albeit with some work – or pick from several presets like a flashlight or setting a timer. You can also change the preset based on the device's orientation.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Even though the arrival is exciting, it's not an entirely new feature. Action Button premiered on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2023. However, just like the iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and even the iPhone 16, the new "Camera Control" is here.
By definition, it's not really a regular button, though it is recessed and can be pressed in. It's a slightly recessed piece of sapphire glass that you can press in, light press, or even swipe on.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
When the iPhone is locked, you can click it in to open the camera, and another press lets you snap a shot. A swipe to the left or right enables you to zoom in or out, and a slight press-in lets you play around with camera options. It takes a little bit to get the hang of, but no doubt it's one of the most exciting parts of the new iPhone 16 Plus, and it's really awesome that Apple is including this on the standards and the Pros from the start.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Thanks to the A18 chip inside, the iPhone 16 Plus will also have plenty of power to handle this new form of input and snap photos with the new 48-megapixel main and 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. It's also plenty powerful to handle the forthcoming Apple Intelligence features – the very first of which should begin to arrive next month – and all of the new iOS 18 features like customizations. If you enjoy gaming on the iPhone, A18 means that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus can tackle AAA titles and even support hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Apple is still promising all-day battery life for the iPhone 16 Plus, and considering how well the 15 Plus performed, it's safe to say we have high hopes.
I did save the best for the last, though, and that is color. The iPhone 16 Plus, like the iPhone 16, has one of the best color palettes in recent memory. I especially like the 16 Plus in either Ultra Marine (kind of a mix of blues, but don't call it blue) or Pink, though you can also get it in Teal, Black, or White. The colorful ones are, well, colorful, but all of these pop in a way that really delights.
The iPhone 16 Plus is still the big-screen iPhone for the masses, and considering the addition of the Camera Control and Action Button, it's more Pro than ever before – a sentiment I echoed in my iPhone 16 hands-on as well. It also means that if you can live without a 120Hz screen or a telephoto lens, the 16 Plus is set to deliver a big value.
Wondering how much? Well, so am I, and we'll need to test it further to deliver that answer.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Hands-on iPhone 16 Plus review: Price and availability
Starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,599
Pre-orders open on September 13, and shipping begins on September 20
The iPhone 16 Plus was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime.' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.
The iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,599 for the model with 128GB of storage, which is the same launch price as the iPhone 15 Plus. Full iPhone 16 Plus pricing can be found below.
Hands-on iPhone 16 Plus review: Specs
Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16 Plus' key specs.
AirPods fans take notice: You no longer need to go Pro to get active noise cancellation. Furthermore, Apple has answered the call if you have a distaste for ear tips or simply don’t want your ears sealed off.
AirPods 4 are now official and come in two flavors: just AirPods 4 at $129 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation at $179. After spending some time with the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series X, I dashed over to the AirPods 4 on display. I got the chance to briefly test the higher-end option – including putting the noise cancelation to the test in a noisy, loud, and crowded hands-on area.
For one, the case is very compact and tiny, appearing smaller than the AirPods Pro or even the third-generation AirPods. In fact, it’s kind of like a shorter AirPods second-generation carrying case in terms of width across. You should have no issue bringing these with you and fitting them within most pockets.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation also trickles down some of my favorite features of the AirPods Pro case. Bluetooth Low-Energy is inside and a speaker, making the case here findable within Find My. So, if you lose it, you can ping it from another Apple device to help you find it. There is also a USB-C port for charging, and a cable comes in the box, but the rear here also supports recharging with an Apple Watch charger or a standard Qi charger.
Flip open the lid, and you’ll find the left and right AirPods 4, which Apple dubs the “best-fitting AirPods ever.” I’ll need to spend more time with them, but they’re very compact, with short stems containing the force sensor for intuitive controls. However, the overall look is similar to that of AirPods' third generation.
Apple has redesigned the fit here to better stay in the ear, be comfortable for an extended period, and for the best acoustic performance. I found them comfortable during my brief demo, and even with a few headshakes, I couldn’t get them to fall out. However, I haven’t had that issue with previous open-ear style AirPods like the first-, second-, or third-generation models.
With their lack of silicone ear tips, AirPods 4 rest in your ear and won’t fully seal it off from the world around you. With no audio playing and no listening mode on, you will still hear a good bit of the world around you. With the H2 onboard here and the higher price, these feature listening modes, though.
These seriously impressed me in my brief demo – I started with Transparency mode engaged and 1901 by Phoenix playing in the background at a low volume. I could hear the track playing and the noisy crowd of folks demoing other gadgets around me, albeit at a slightly lower volume. The overall audio mix was vibrant and crisp. I couldn't test out "Personalized Spatial Audio" in this space, but AirPods 4 does support it.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
When I engaged the AirPods 4's Active Noise Cancellation feature and had the track playing, it pretty much lowered the volume of the crowd completely – this was with audio at about 60-70%. At a lower volume, that crowd roar can still be there a bit, but considering the open style of AirPods 4, these performed way better than I had initially anticipated. I’m curious how these might perform with blocking out noise in other situations, be it a plane or a place with a roaring HVAC system. I didn’t get the chance to try Adaptive Audio here, but I look forward to testing that and seeing how it handles blending transparency and active noise cancellation together.
That about sums up my first impressions of AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. For one, they make noise cancellation more affordable within the AirPods lineup – though $179 is still not the cheapest – and also deliver a potentially more comfortable fit for folks who don’t like ear tips. I especially like that it ushers in some of the nicer-to-have features of AirPods Pro, like Find My for the case and the H2 chip, which should deliver great sound playback. AirPods 4 will also feature gesture controls like nodding your head up or down to answer a call or left and right to ignore it.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
You can also use “Hey Siri” hands-free for things like sending a message or asking a topical question. Apple promises five hours of playback on a full charge and 30 hours with recharges in the case. If you engage Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Adaptive Audio, that will drop to 20 hours with recharges.
Of course, if you don’t need noise cancellation and can live without wirelessly charging the AirPods case, the $129 AirPods 4 might be a better fit – pun intended – and won’t be as big of a hit on your wallet. These have the same fit from the redesign and have the H2 chip inside.
The MSI Claw, announced back at CES 2024, was a PC gaming handheld that had a lot of hype built up around it (myself included), and it didn't have the most auspicious launch earlier this year. Beset by performance issues that could rightly be laid at Intel's feet (Meteor Lake has been rather meh), I wouldn't blame anyone for looking at the MSI Claw 8 AI+ with a good bit of side eye and skepticism.
I also wouldn't blame folks if they gave me some as well, since I was definitely excited for the Claw's release, only to be just as disappointed as everyone else when the handheld finally shipped out.
So, I won't ask you to take my excitement for the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ without a heap of salt, but having spent more than half an hour taking the Claw 8 AI+ for a spin at IFA 2024 this weekend, I'm going to ask that you bear with me. I've seen what these new Lunar Lake chips are capable of, and I really do think that Intel and MSI have ironed out what was wrong with the original Claw and are set to deliver a very impressive gaming handheld that will easily challenge the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go in an increasingly competitive market.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
That's not to say there won't be issues with this handheld, sadly. Intel's graphics drivers for its Intel Arc GPUs simply lack the legacy support for older games that Nvidia and AMD graphics drivers do, and they always will, as many older studios aren't even around anymore to help Intel work out the bugs in DX10 games and earlier.
If what you're after is playing the classics from the mid-2000s and early 2010s, an AMD-powered handheld is going to do that better. But if what you're looking for is a chance to play the latest PC games on the go, the Claw 8 AI+ may be the gaming handheld to beat in 2025.
A huge part of that is Lunar Lake. Rebuilt from the ground up in a way that Meteor Lake really wasn't, Intel Lunar Lake promises significantly improved performance over previous Intel chips while using substantially less power in the process. This translates directly into better battery life for when you're on a flight, on the road, or just chilling on the couch and you don't want to be married to a wall outlet.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
In terms of gaming performance, I've seen the same Intel Core Ultra 7 chip that'll ship in the Claw 8 AI+ average nearly 70 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings at 1080p and it looked fantastic, and it'll look even better on the smaller 8-inch screen which significantly ups the pixel density over a 14-inch ultrabook.
Plus, with an 80WHr battery packed inside, it'll almost certainly get some of the longest battery life of any gaming handheld on the market. Of course, we aren't talking more than an extra hour or two, but there's a huge difference between playing GTA IV for two hours on a flight and stretching things out to four hours (assuming the Claw 8 AI+ can effectively run this particular DX9 title).
The final specs for the Claw 8 AI+ aren't final yet, though it will come with an Intel Core Ultra 7 200-series chip in either 16GB or 32GB of memory. Whether a Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 9 configuration is in the cards isn't known yet, and as such, there's not much we can say about pricing at this time. But an MSI rep did tell me that MSI is targeting a January 2025 launch window, so we're bound to hear a lot more about the MSI Claw 8 AI+ in the weeks and months ahead.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Design
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has been redesigned somewhat from the original Claw, especially in terms of its aesthetics. Gone is the boring all-black chassis of the first-gen Claw, as there is now a matte silvery-copper panel around the controls that nicely accents the otherwise black plastic chassis.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
MSI wasn't able to provide a full spec sheet for the Claw 8 AI+, so I can't tell if there is anything new about the ports on the new Claw other than the addition of a second USB-C port. This will likely be a Thunderbolt 4 port, but I didn't have an opportunity to confirm that.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The back of the Claw 8 AI+ looks pretty much the same as the original Claw, featuring two programmable macro buttons and an air intake for the cooling system.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
One very welcome change though is the revamped MSI Center, which is accessible from the touch of a button and features as close to a modern console interface as I've seen on any handheld other than the Steam Deck. It will even change the background to reflect the game that you're highlighting.
Windows 11 is still a terrible platform for PC gaming handhelds, so getting the MSI Center software right will be critical, and MSI is still tweaking the interface to improve it ahead of launch. Even as it is today, however, it's a much better experience than you'll find in other handhelds.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
I didn't get to really push the Claw 8 AI+ to its limits during my time with the device since MSI is still fine-tuning the power profile for the chip, but I got a chance to play some Hi-Fi Rush and Sonic the Hedgehog to see how the device handled.
True, these are not the most demanding games around, but even in the early production state my Claw was in, the two games looked fantastic and played without issue, consistently getting very high frame rates.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Price & availability
The spec sheet for the MSI Claw 8 AI+ isn't finalized yet, so there's no way to price this system out, either from MSI or my own estimates based on the hardware profile.
As for availability, MSI is targeting a January 2025 launch for the Claw, but that's not an official release date, so it might slip a bit deeper into 2025. We'll hopefully know more about that soon as we get closer to the holiday season.
MSI Claw 8 AI+: Final thoughts
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
It's too soon to tell how the MSI Claw 8 AI+ will perform, much less whether it will be a success, but there's no question that this is a very different experience than I've had with the first-generation model.
Everything I've seen from Lunar Lake makes me optimistic though, and the improvements that MSI has made to the Claw's design are also stand-out arguments in this second-generation Claw's favor.
We won't know for certain until we get an actual production unit in hand to benchmark and review, but given what I've seen so far, I can definitely say that I am very eager to see what this gaming handheld is capable of in a few months time.
Mind map software helps you in many ways, from determining a creative path in piece of collaborative art to formulating IT security policy. The uses of this visualization practice are almost infinite, but mind mapping has an enemy: time. Often, the spark of inspiration can extinguish before it reaches your pen, which is why mind mapping apps have become increasingly popular over the past 20 years.
Relying on fast typing and keyboard shortcuts – no slow mouse input is required here – mind map software has evolved considerably, and is now increasingly embracing AI. One such example is GitMind, a Chinese mind mapping tool with desktop and cloud versions and a heavy reliance on AI.
Dividing its workspace into “planets” for online collaboration, GitMind aims to help you focus on “collective wisdom.” To find out if it does, we’ve assessed the software, looking at its price, features, ease of use, customer support, and how it measures up against competing tools.
(Image credit: Future)
GitMind: Plans and pricing
GitMind is available with a trio of pricing options.
First, the free trial. This affords 10 files, 1 “planet,” and 30 credits for AI. You also get access to a basic chat model, and can export images in a standard resolution.
With the annual subscription ($69, which works out at $5.75 a month), file creation is unlimited, you get 5 planets, 2000 credits, and an advanced chat model. GitMind chat plugins are also available, and image exports can be enjoyed in HD format.
A monthly subscription of $19 a month is also available. This has the same features as the annual sub, but you only get 300 credits. This works out as more over the course of the year (3600) of course, but the price is far higher.
If you find the basic subscription options aren’t enough, GitMind also offers add-ons.
For $9 you can get 300 credits (£0.03/credit) which can be used on the AI mind map, AI summary, and GitMind chats. You can also use these credits to unlock premium themes and backgrounds for your mind maps. 1000 credits costs $25.99 (0.026/credit), while 5000 credits is $99.95 ($0.02/credit). Each of these offers a greater use of AI benefits.
Because credit transactions are complicated and differ for every usage, spend some time in the GitMind pricing page to get an idea of how credits can be used.
Note that while it might seem that credit add-ons are useful for the free plan, you can’t buy them without a subscription.
(Image credit: Future)
GitMind: Features
The key draw of GitMind is that it is an AI-powered mind mapping tool. Along with the cloud app, you can download GitMind to run on Windows, Mac, iPhone and iPad, and Android. Because the software is cloud-based, your planet and files can be accessed from any device that you’re signed in through. You can sign up using Google, Apple, Facebook, or your own email address.
GitMind’s AI tools include an AI chat feature, a personal assistant that is designed to get you started with your next mind map. There is the AI art generator tool, to create images from text prompts, and the one-liner mind map which lets you specify a mind map with a single line description.
You can also use GitMind to summarize any file on your PC as a mind map. This is particularly useful with text documents.
All of these features – and a few others – are intended to work together to enable connections and ideation, resulting in what GitMind calls the “metaverse of ideas.”
Beyond mind maps, GitMind also supports the development of flowcharts and whiteboards. While similar and often used in related ways, these are distinct types of diagram. Some mind mapping tools are focused purely on the core diagramming type, so it’s good to see additional options in GitMind.
(Image credit: Future)
GitMind: Ease of use
Most importantly, GitMind is easy to use. It relies on the established keyboard shortcuts of Tab, Enter, and Backspace to aid the easy creation of nodes on your mind map. The selection of built-in templates are stylish, and the work area itself looks good, feels modern, and is big enough to use – almost enough space to call it a planet!
The key feature of GitMind, the AI creation tool, is perhaps the most adept of all the generative AI mind map tools we’ve looked at. Not only is it fast and efficient, it also gives some good feedback for your prompt. It can create an original mind map within 10 seconds, which can of course save a lot of time.
Initial testing of GitMind was performed using a Google account. While the sign up process for this is naturally more streamlined, we found that it didn’t have any free trial AI credits. Instead, we had to use a different private email account to access free AI credits. It’s possible that GitMind is deprioritising Gmail – our chat with the AI chatbot support (see below) broached the topic of credits, and the help on offer didn’t really solve the issue.
One thing to note: the website itself, beyond the cloud app, is a bit of a mess. Items in the top menu change and switch from screen to screen, which can lead to some confusion.
(Image credit: Future)
GitMind: Customer support
If you run into trouble using GitMind, a few options are open to you. A repository of help guides are available, which are pretty detailed. GitMind support can be reached via email, or you can use the live chat interface, which appears to be AI-controlled.
In attempting to contact the support team using the chat interface, we found the response slow. Further, the answer to the question (“Hello, can you tell me how long GitMind has been running?”) could not be given.
(According to WhoIs, the URL was registered in 2017).
It isn’t a stretch to imagine that the live chat has a heavy AI element to it, given the nature of the software. However, first impressions count, and this exposure to the live support didn’t leave a good one.
(Image credit: Future)
GitMind: The competition
A multitude of mind mapping apps – cloud and desktop – are currently available. How does GitMind sit in comparison?
Straight comparisons with tools without AI are unfair. Consequently, I have selected a pair of mind mapping tools with AI enhancements included as an option to weigh up against GitMind.
A strong competitor in this regard is EdrawMind, from Edrawsoft. This is a cross-platform app with a one-line AI mind map suggestion tool. EdrawMind is cheaper than GitMind, and doesn’t require you to buy credits if your subscription “runs out” of AI uses – it simply doesn’t run out.
Meanwhile, Xmind is one of the best mind mapping tools around, but while it has an AI feature, our evaluation of that tool determined that it wasn’t as good as EdrawMind’s, or GitMind’s.
(Image credit: Future)
GitMind: Final verdict
GitMind is easy to use, and offers all of the features you would expect from a modern mind mapping tool. The generative AI feature is great for saving time, and can both help you get started with ideation or just produce the mind map for you.
Price-wise, GitMind is competitive, but the customer service response could be better. The AI tool is good, but if you run out of credits things can get expensive, and this isn’t a problem with competing AI-equipped mind maps like Edrawmind.
Running from the Apple Keynote to the expansive demo room right behind it, I was confronted by long tables of new products, including iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max phones on pedestals (as they should be), and hoards of excited media and analysts who crowded so tightly around the products that I could scarcely get close enough to sniff them.
Lucky for me, many Apple representatives were milling about who would almost surreptitiously remove the gleaming handsets from their pockets and then just as casually walk you through features.
That was how I finally got close to the iPhone 16 Pro, a now 6.3-inch iOS 18 device that is slightly larger than the iPhone 15 Pro while offering noticeably more screen real estate. Apple managed this trick by shrinking the bezel so it's just a thin dark line surrounding the Super Retina XDR display. Apparently, Apple figured out how to reroute some of the screen traces from the edges to underneath the display, which made the razor-thin bezel possible.
As they handed me the phone, I noticed its Black Titanium body felt just as solid and smooth as before. It felt familiar because the design was largely unchanged from the last iPhone. The one noticeable and significant difference is the new Camera Control. This tactile/haptic combo button, which adorns the full iPhone 16 lineup, is kind of the star of the new iPhone show.
Stuffed full of technology, the button lives below the power button and is used initially to open the camera app. A lighter press activates the haptic response access controls, and a double press accesses a deeper set of camera controls.
After that, you can swipe up and down on the bottom to select different photography features. After a quick training, I could use it to access the different lenses, set exposure, and change the depth of field. There's a visual cue on the screen to help you keep track of all the touch, tap, and gesture-based camera changes.
Eventually, virtually any app that uses the camera could access the Camera Control button. Snapchat is already doing so.
This button might just change how you use your iPhone, and I think people will like it.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
There is another big and significant change in the iPhone 16 Pro. Again, it has parity on the zoom front with its big brother, the now 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max.
While the iPhone 15 Po offered just a 3x optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro has the same 5x tetra prism zoom as the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Other camera changes include a 48MP ultra-wide and a faster shutter speed on the 48MP main camera. I saw some of these photographic skills in action when I took a few sample photos, but I didn't gather enough evidence to draw any useful conclusions.
Demos I saw elsewhere of the 4K 120fps show some impressive video skills. I have yet to see or try out the Cinematic Slo-Mo, but it looks like a great tool for pro videographers.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The new A18 Pro CPU powers the iPhone 16 Pro, a mobile processor with more power than most consumers need, but I suspect pro users will appreciate it. It'll also support all those promised Apple Intelligence features. The news here, though, is that the iPhone 16 Pro will not ship with Apple Intelligence. Apple has promised to ship an iOS 18 update next month that will support it.
The good news is that I did see some Apple Intelligence features in action. Photo Cleanup works smoothly to identify photographic detritus and expertly remove it with a tap or erase gesture.
Writing tools are hidden but appear to have a lot of depth and are ready to not just clean up your writing but almost do your writing for you...if that's your thing.
Siri got a literal glow-up and now turns on the entire iPhone 16 Pro screen when activated. It was hard to use her in the crowded room but I do love the look of it.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
While I didn't spend a lot of time with the phone, the initial operation appeared snappy. A18 Pro has all the power you need for virtually any task and more. Console-level gaming is now a thing on the iPhone. Even at 6.3 inches, the screen might be a bit small for some AAA games, but it can certainly handle the action. Part of that is due to the new heat management system that makes the iPhone more efficient for longer at peak operation.
I think it'll be a challenge to over-tax this smartphone.
Even with all that power and new AI features, Apple said during the keynote that we should expect longer battery life, and by longer, I mean you might be able to measure it in hours. That's an exciting prospect.
It's a shame that this iPhone 16 Pro will start with half the storage of the iPhone 16 Pro Max: 128GB vs. 256GG. 128GB is nothing to sneeze at, but if you're shooting a lot of 4K video, you might wish for that extra 128GB.
A better and bigger screen, improved cameras, including 5x zoom, that new Camera Control button, and so much power could make this one of the best iPhones Apple has ever made. Will it be the best smartphone? That's a question I can't answer until I test it.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,849
Pre-orders open on September 13, and the phone ships from September 20
The iPhone 16 Pro was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.
The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799 for the model with 128GB of storage, with storage options rising to 1TB. For reference, that's the same starting price as the iPhone 15 Pro.
Full iPhone 16 Pro pricing is as follows:
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review: Specs
Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16 Pro's key specs.
Hands-on Apple Watch Series 10 review: Two-minute preview
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Going into Apple’s September 9, 2024, “It’s Glowtime.” event, I wouldn’t have blamed you for potentially dismissing the rumored Apple Watch Series 10. I heard it would get a larger display, a new health feature, and a thinner build. On paper, that doesn’t do much, but I’ll admit I underestimated it.
Maybe, I should have checked the calendar as today (Sept. 9) marks the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, and while the Series 10 casts a familiar look, it’s all in the details.
Ten generations in, it’s clear Apple’s sticking with this rounded square design, and they’re working on perfecting it – or, as my colleague Lance Ulanoff put it, Apple’s well-polishing the Apple.
To sum it up, the Series 10 does indeed resemble the Series 9, but it’s way thinner – Apple shaved off a whole 1-millimeter, which is a lot for something on your wrist – and packed in a way larger display. In fact, the 46-millimeter display is even bigger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and while that sounds like a behemoth, it’s not. The smartwatch didn’t feel massive at all on my wrist and looked rather elegant, especially in the Jet Black aluminum finish, which brings me so much joy as someone who waited for hours to get an iPhone 7 Plus in that same shade.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
The screen here is the star, though, and it’s not just bigger for sheer numbers' sake. In Calculator, you can more easily hit buttons, and when viewing photos, you can pick out more details. Better yet, when reading text in an email or a news article, the screen's large enough to fit an additional line of text.
That’s super functional, but the display is also more visible, so you can make out what is on the display for off-axis viewing, even at extreme angles. Think of this as the second half of what Apple was aiming to do with the Series 7 that curved down the edges.
To accomplish the Apple Watch Series 10 has a “Wide Angle OLED” display with an LTPO-3 panel underneath. In practice, it’s a wicked bright (up to 2,000 nits) screen that offers crisp, vibrant details and can get down to a super low 1Hz refresh rate. Watch and timepiece: fans will appreciate just how good the ticking secondhands look on various watch faces.
You’d likely expect this from an Apple Watch, but the screen on the Series 10, seemingly a pretty simple upgrade, steals the show here and makes a much bigger impact or impression after you see it in real life. The 44-millimeter to 46-millimeter doesn’t sound massive, but it makes me want to ditch my Apple Watch Ultra. Of course, if you don't want the larger Apple Watch, you still get the thinner build and more expansive display with the smaller, 42-millimeter Series 10.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Second, while Apple is still promising the same 18 hours of battery life, they offer an enhancement in the charging realm. I’d call this battery adjacent, as it can let you stretch the life of the Series 10 with a simple charge. It still ships with the fast-charging USB-C Apple Watch puck that’s been in the box since the Series 7, but thanks to a new coil on the Series 10 it can hit 80% in just 30 minutes. That should make a big impact, and you can still get 8-hours of use in just 8 minutes.
That alone might sway you to wear the Apple Watch Series 10 overnight for sleep tracking, but Apple’s also adding a new health feature. Sleep Apnea detection will arrive on Series 10 the Ultra 2, and Series 9 once the FDA clears it. Essentially, it’s using the accelerometer and a custom algorithm to detect if you potentially have it, and if it detects it, you’ll get an alert in the Apple Health app. It doesn’t need to measure blood oxygen or employ other sessions, and Apple’s only rolling out this feature after extensive testing to root its process in science.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
These three stand out as the most impressive feats Apple pulled off for the Series 10, which debuted on the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch. Inside, it’s powered by the S10 SIP, which performs similarly to the S9 (in the Series 9 and Ultra 2). Still, because the Series 10 is thinner, Apple had to engineer the inside, so it’s much flatter than the previous one.
Apple also redesigned the speaker, which is now larger and shaved off 1-millimeter of the Digital Crown on the inside. The red circle on the Digital Crown, which noted LTE connectivity, is gone, and the rear panel of the Apple Watch is now metal, matching the rest, which makes it seem like the Series 10 is one hull.
I had my skepticism going in, but I cannot wait to spend more time with the Apple Watch Series 10 and put it through its paces. Though, as I write this after a long, lengthy day at Apple Park, my mind keeps returning to the screen. It’s much more expansive, but it’s not overly large and doesn’t have an extensive bezel around the screen like the Ultra. It’s minimalist, classy, and still feels like an Apple Watch at its core.
If you're already sold, the Apple Watch Series 10 is up for order now, starting at $399 / £TBC / AU$649 and will begin shipping on September 20, 2024.
Apple's iPhone 16 is officially official, and returning are fun, vibrant colors, a redesigned camera bump on the rear, and a slew of new buttons. I'm on the ground in Cupertino, CA, and as Tim Cook closed out the "It's Glowtime." keynote, I dashed out of the Steve Jobs Theater and headed straight towards the iPhone 16.
First, the colors are fantastic and best described simply as fun, at least for most shades. Ultra Marine (a mix of blues, but don't call it blue), Pink, and Teal all come together to freshen up the iPhone palette and look delightful. I think Pro users will be a little upset with the vibrant shades here, though. You could say Black and White here resembles the more neutral shades that the Pros get.
Regardless of shade, it's most prominent on the back and is also the canvas for the redesigned main camera bump that sits vertically. It contains a 48-megapixel primary lens and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and the new orientation will allow this iPhone to capture spatial video for playback on the Vision Pro.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
The physical changes live on the sides, though – the Action Button has trickled down to the standard iPhones and lives above the volume rocker. I see it as a welcome addition, and much like the new customization features of iOS 18, it is a customizable button on your iPhone. You can be like me and use it to unlock your car, play a specific version of "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, make a custom Shortcut to trigger, or pick from presets like turning on the flashlight or opening up the camera.
Though, I don't know why you would set it to camera, considering the iPhone 16 has an all-new "Camera Control" button on the left. It's in the perfect position, as when you're holding the iPhone 16 horizontally, it's on the top right, which mirrors the design of nearly any camera. You can click it once to open the camera and again to take the shot, but it's a button filled with technology. You can swipe left or right to zoom in or out, and a slightly lighter press-in lets you jump between shooting modes and other effects. It's really cool, and I cannot wait to spend more time with it.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Aside from these changes, though, the iPhone 16 really resembles the iPhone 15 quite a bit. Thanks to an aluminum build, it still feels solid in the hand, but it won't weigh you down. To the untrained eye, the front is nearly all display, at 6.1 inches, and the OLED is still vibrant and crisp with details. It's still just 60Hz, so there is no buttery smooth refresh rate, but I imagine most folks will be split. If you have a phone with a 120Hz screen, it's best to steer clear, but if you haven't experienced it, I don't think you'll mind it all.
Plus, the Dynamic Island is on top, so you can use the Live Activities galore. During my brief hands-on time, the iPhone 16 felt snappy for opening applications, playing around with the new buttons, and even attempting a few games. There is also a new chip under the hood – yes, an entirely new one instead of Apple trickling the Pro's one down – and it's the Apple A18 chip, which can handle a lot. It will be plenty for daily tasks and will be ready to help you make the most of Apple Intelligence when those features arrive.
To address the proverbial elephant in the room, the iPhone 16 will come out of the box with iOS 18, meaning that no Apple Intelligence features will be available out of the box. The first of those features, Writing Tools and Photo Cleanup will arrive with iOS 18.1 in October.
That about sums up my first impressions of the iPhone 16 – it's a powerful smartphone that should be zippy with some extra buttons in a similar, familiar build. I suspect the experience will be a lot like the iPhone 15, but I'm also curious to see how it steps things up, especially compared to earlier iPhones. At the minimum, these are way more colorful, which is something to celebrate.
(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)
Hands-on iPhone 16 review: Price and availability
Starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399
Pre-orders open on September 13, and shipping begins on September 20
The iPhone 16 was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.
The iPhone 16 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 for the model with 128GB of storage, with that price rising to $899 / £899 / AU$1,599 for the model with 256GB of storage and $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,949for the model with 512GB of storage.
Full iPhone 16 pricing can be found below.
Hands-on iPhone 16 review: Specs
Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16's key specs.
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Two-minute preview
At a glance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max doesn't look or feel much different from what preceded it, and perhaps that's to be expected. The competitive game of smartphones is now one of inches. The question is, can the small or even invisible changes add up to something big?
In the early going with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I'd say the answer is yes.
Design-wise, it's a doppelganger for the iPhone 15 Pro Max...except it isn't. As soon as I held a sleek Titanium Black one, I was struck by the screen. It's still Super Retina XDR, but somehow, it seems much larger. Where the iPhone 15 Pro Max offered a 6.7-inch display, this one is 6.9 inches. That is Apple's largest iPhone display ever. Thankfully, Apple did not do this by simply making the whole device larger (it is a bit larger but more or less a wash-on weight difference). One way Apple gained so much visible screen real estate was by shrinking the black bezel surrounding it way down. I suspect that someday, that bezel will disappear altogether.
A bigger screen does make everything seem bigger, brighter, and better. But it's not just that.
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There is one other truly noticeable physical difference between the old and new iPhones. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (actually the whole line of iPhone 16 phones) has the new Camera Control.
This button is a bigger deal than I imagined, and I'm almost embarrassed to say that I already like it quite a bit.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Covered in sapphire, the roughly half-inch long button sits on the phone's left side a couple of inches down from the power/sleep/Siri button. It's recessed (which is important, and I'll explain why in a bit) and is both a physical button and a haptic one.
A hard press gives instant access to the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera. That's a nice trick, but, of course, you could program the Action Button to do so, too. However, when I pressed lightly on Camera Control, I felt a little haptic vibration and then could sweep up and down on the button to quickly switch between the phone's cameras. If I lightly pressed twice, I gained access to deeper image controls.
Using the Camera Control, however, was not initially obvious. I was pressing too hard and then not hard enough. It took me about 20 seconds to figure it out.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
I could use Camera Control to switch zoom, depth of field, and image styles. Oh, and you're not blindly guessing which settings the Camera Control enables. Every time I used it, a little black cutout appeared on the screen right next to the button to show me every setting and control.
Yes, if you hold the phone in landscape mode, it begins to feel like you're using a traditional camera...with one caveat. The feature that would let me light press to lock focus and long press to shoot is not yet enabled. I can, though, always full press to complete taking a photo.
I even saw how Snapchat is already using Camera Control to control images simply and send photos to friends with the press of a button.
Camera Control seems like a slight misnomer. The button will also be used to enable Vision Intelligence, which lets you point the phone at an object and press the button to get a description. It's like Circle to Search without the circle or, I guess, Google.
As I noted above, the button is recessed, and I found that it's quite hard to trigger it accidentally. That's a good thing.
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The other big changes are in software and silicon. Inside the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the new A18 Pro. This is the apex Apple silicon mobile chip, a 3nm CPU that has more power for the Pro phones. It should also provide enough power to game to your heart's content. The iPhone 15 Pro Max was a pretty decent little gaming console, so I would expect no less from this bigger and better-equipped beast. I'll know more when I finally test the phone.
You won't need to play a game to experience this power, though. Like the A18 found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, the A18 Pro has all the juice you need for the Apple Intelligence.
In my brief experience with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, this is not full-boat Apple Intelligence. When the iPhone ships next week, it won't have any Apple intelligence, but an iOS update should roll out next month and then Apple will slowly seed the rest of Apple Intelligence into these iOS 18-running iPhone 16 handsets over the coming months.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Here's what I did quickly try the demo iPhone 16 Pro Max phones running a later version of iOS 18:
I brought up some photos and navigated to the new Clean Up tool. I found photos that Apple had taken and some that others in the demo room added to the phone. In one, I used my finger to paint over offending objects and watched as they disappeared. I didn't make it easy for the phone, and sometimes there was only a partial deletion. When I used a canned photo with a distinct person in the background, Apple Intelligence Clean Up automatically found and highlighted them. I tapped the screen, and they disappeared. It was as if they were never there.
I tried the Writing tools, which I still think are sort of hidden, in Notes. There were many offers to change the text to be more professional, more concise, or a total rewrite. This is not a feature I am likely to use, but I suspect some will think it a godsend.
Siri has an all-new look, and she now makes the iPhone 16 Pro Max screen glow when you summon her. The effect is beautiful on the big-screen phone. It was a loud room, so Siri only caught part of my request. I think I asked for her to show me a photo of where I am, but she only heard "where I am" and quickly brought up my location.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
While I took a few pictures, I can't offer anything definitive about the cameras. What I will say is that there is good news in this updated camera array. Now we have two 48MP cameras, one on the main Fusion camera and another on the new ultrawide. There's also still the 12MP 5x tetraprism lens. The main camera is reportedly faster than ever, with virtually no shutter lag. Between that and the updated image pipeline, I expect photography on this big phone to be better than ever.
I have not tried out the new Cinematic Slow Motion, which looks insanely cool, nor did I get a chance to try the studio-grade mics. I did see the latter in action and was impressed by how the In-frame setting could cut away any sound not coming from whatever was in the frame. I also thought the studio quality, which left in the background noises but emphasized the main subjects' sounds, was quite good.
The new 4k 120fps-capable camera looks like it will transform how people take dramatic videos. I like that there's a new speed control that will allow for easier stepping up and down of playback speed (half or quarter speed).
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
My takeaway from all these new photo and video tools is that this may be the ultimate pro videographer phone option. Apple, by the way, shot its entire Glowtime video presentation on an iPhone, and it's no wonder. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerful device with some serious skills.
Apple is promising better battery life on all the iPhone 16 models, but the gains may be especially great on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its much larger battery, coupled with the efficient A18 Pro and more battery management, might add hours to the battery life, but I won't know for sure until I test it.
Finally, there's the look of this phone. As I mentioned above, I got to touch the Titanium Black. It is a gorgeous device, and I really can't understand why you would want any other color. But if you're so inclined, it's available in White, Natural, and new Desert Titanium (think sand but shinier).
Is this the best iPhone Apple has ever made? Possibly, It'll certainly claim a spot near the top of our best iPhone list and maybe even best smartphones. I'll offer my definitive take when I finish my full review.
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149
Pre-orders open on September 13, shipping from September 20
The iPhone 16 Pro Max was announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on Monday, September 9. iPhone 16 preorders will begin on Friday, September 9, and the new phone will hit store shelves on Friday, September 20.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149 for the model with 256GB of storage, with that price rising to $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,849 for the model with 1TB of storage. For context, those are the same starting and maximum prices as the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Full iPhone 16 Pro Max pricing is as follows:
Hands-on iPhone 16 Pro Max review: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Below, you'll find a roundup of the iPhone 16 Pro Max's key specs.
Platform reviewed: PC Available on: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC (Xbox version coming in 2025) Release date: September 12, 2024
The fact that Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics exists is a miracle - a veritable glitch in the timeline. After both companies seemingly burned its bridges after Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite’s disastrous reception, any kind of comeback for the Versus series became one of gaming’s white whales.
And yet here we are in 2024, with a brand new collection that makes seven Capcom-developed Marvel games available to play once again on modern consoles and PC. Sure, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is handily the standout title here, but the other six games (some of which have never received console ports before) are plenty worth checking out for casual and curious players.
Those expecting a content-rich experience won’t find it here, though. These are your bread-and-butter arcade ports and thus lack any additions brought to various other console ports over the years. However, with casual and ranked online play support alongside in-depth training modes and music and image galleries, there’s plenty to enjoy if you want to pick up one of these fighting games for regular play.
Reality stone
(Image credit: Capcom)
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics includes seven arcade titles, and they are as follows:
X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994)
Marvel Super Heroes (1996)
X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996)
Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997)
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998)
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000)
The Punisher (1993)
The collection is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 (and on PS5 via backwards compatibility) and PC. The initial omission of an Xbox announcement was puzzling to some, but Capcom has since confirmed it’ll be coming to Xbox One (and therefore Xbox Series X and Series S via backwards compatibility) sometime in 2025.
You might have noticed that one of the games in this collection isn’t like the others. The Punisher is a two-player beat ‘em up and released at a time when Capcom was arguably the king of the subgenre, launching around the same time as the Final Fight series, Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom, and the legendary Alien vs. Predator. The Punisher beat ‘em up may not be as fondly remembered as other Capcom greats, but it’s well worth a playthrough or two here, especially if you can grab a buddy for a co-op session.
Best bit
(Image credit: Capcom)
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is the crown jewel of this collection. This 3-vs-3 team fighter features a colossal 56-character roster shared between iconic Marvel and Capcom representation. It’s not the most balanced fighter out there with a very clear set of top-tier (and low-tier) characters, but there’s so much fun to be had in its assist system that lets you tag in fighters for massive combo potential.
Then you have the run of fighting games from 1994’s X-Men: Children of the Atom to 1998’s Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. While Marvel vs. Capcom 2 may be the culmination of these games that came before it, I’d implore you not to write them off as novel curios here - especially as they offer plenty in terms of gorgeous visuals and compelling gameplay systems.
Marvel Super Heroes, for example, turns the iconic Infinity Gems into a gameplay mechanic. They drop into a match as collectible items and offer various buffs upon activation, such as increasing movement speed or adding projectiles to your attacks. Some characters also synergize with certain gems, offering unique abilities like Psylocke’s ninjitsu or temporary invincibility for Juggernaut.
The first Marvel vs. Capcom game is also incredibly good fun. It’s got one of the more unique ‘pre-Marvel 2’ character rosters, featuring the likes of War Machine and Venom on the Marvel side, and Jin Saotome (Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness) and Strider Hiryu (Strider) among the Capcom picks. Presentation-wise, MvC 1 is phenomenal and showcases jaw-dropping team attacks that change depending on your chosen team of two.
Getting jazzy
(Image credit: Capcom)
The centerpiece of the collection is unarguably Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. As one of the most well-documented and highly-requested fighting games to receive the port treatment, very little can be said about it that hasn’t been already. While it was infamously looked down on at the time of release by seasoned fighting game players, it’s since grown to become one of the most beloved games in the community for a number of reasons.
MvC 2 might be a favorite among fighting game pros, but it always had extremely strong casual appeal. It was the ultimate ‘who would win in a fight’ game years before guest characters were commonplace in the genre - and with its 3-vs-3 tag team setup and massive 56-character roster, there are countless opportunities for team synergy and dazzling combos.
Now, it is worth noting that MvC 2 is infamously, comically unbalanced. As mentioned earlier, there is a very clear set of top-tier characters that handily outclass the rest of the roster. At the highest level of play, it’s extremely common to run into teams featuring Cable, Sentinel, Magneto, or Storm largely thanks to their strong full-screen abilities. And as the game is true to its arcade version without any kind of balance changes, it’s something you’re bound to run into if you jump into online ranked play.
By no means is this a dealbreaker; I anticipate that a whole new audience of casual fans - be they modern Marvel heads or Capcom fanatics - will be mixing and matching their favorite characters on either side of the roster. Hopefully, this’ll lead to a thriving online scene for MvC 2 that hasn’t been seen since its now-delisted Xbox Live Arcade port.
Night at the museum
(Image credit: Capcom)
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is a fantastic way to play these seven titles on modern hardware, but it’s also a great work of game preservation in itself. Each game has its own gallery of concept art, much of which has never been disclosed by Capcom before. It’s a fascinating trip down memory lane and provides superb insight into each game’s design. Full soundtracks are also available to listen to, which is always a nice bonus.
Other welcome extras include a range of display filters, side banners (though I prefer to play with these turned off), the choice to play English or Japanese versions of each game, and the ability to toggle the selection of secret characters. Furthermore, difficulty settings and the option to set one-button specials are perfect for casual players who just want to jump in for some solo arcade mode fun.
Lastly, each game features an authentic marquee card that’s accessible from the collection’s pause menu. These will give you insight into each character’s special moves as well as how to activate unique game mechanics. Full move lists and a brand new training mode can also be accessed if you really want to get stuck in and learn your favorite characters inside and out.
Accessibility
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is light on dedicated accessibility features, but what’s here is welcome. An option for one-button specials is a highlight, removing the need for relatively complex button inputs. Controls are also fully remappable for each title, and a variety of display options lets you choose a filter and aspect ratio of your preference. The Versus games in particular are known for bombastic on-screen visuals effects, and thankfully, there is a light reduction setting to help minimize the intensity of some effects.
Should you play Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics?
Play it if...
You want to know what all the fuss is about Capcom’s Versus games are highly regarded, but it’s been impossible to play them on a readily available collection until now. If you’re a Marvel and/or Capcom fan who’s always been interested in checking out these landmark titles, this is an exceptional collection for you.
You want to pick up a new fighting game There are six fighting games here that are going to draw in entirely new audiences for the first time in years. If you’re interested in learning a new fighting game with classic sensibilities, then this collection comes highly recommended.
You love diving into the history of games The collection’s various galleries are packed with concept art and development tidbits that are utterly fascinating to peruse.
Don't play it if...
You’re after something more modern and balanced These are older games that weren’t overly concerned with balance. If the idea of incredibly cheap team compositions or broken mechanics are irksome to you, then you might want to give this collection a miss.
How I reviewed Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
I played Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics on PC for around 10 hours. That included arcade mode playthroughs of all titles, a full run of The Punisher beat ‘em up game, and a good bit of time perusing gallery mode and some time in training mode, too. I primarily used the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller for gameplay and the Razer BlackShark V2 X to enjoy the collection’s robust audio and soundtracks.
Zetexa is a relatively new eSIM provider founded in 2022 by Krishna Murthy, who has 38 years of experience in telecommunications. In spite of being new, Zetexa has caught the eye of travelers with its value-packed unlimited data plans in 170 countries and 5 regions.
We like that it offers various plans for various durations for each destination – 1, 5, 7, 12, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days. This is, in fact, a lot more than some of the more popular names in the industry. The eSIM is pretty easy to install, too – just scan a QR code and follow the prompts.
However, there aren’t many troubleshooting guides or FAQs on the website yet, but we can absolutely expect that to change very soon. Plus, there's only an online form to connect with the customer support team, meaning you may not find any quick resolution in case you run into a technical problem.
Zetexa: Plans and pricing
Zetexa offers some of the best unlimited data plans around with 4G and 5G connectivity for various validities: 1, 7, 15 days, and so on. Needless to say, the prices depend on the location, with the cheapest destinations being the Americas and Europe.
A real highlight of the service is that for each destination, you get around 15-18 plan options to choose from – one of the highest in the entire eSIM industry.
We also found plans for 5, 12, and 15 days, which you don’t get with other providers. Plus, there are a lot of options for 30- and 90-day plans as well. Let’s look at some popular Zetexa plans.
What's more, Zetexa also offers a 1-day 100 MB trial pack for all of its regional plans. So, let’s say you’re in Europe and are looking for an eSIM provider; you can get Zetexa’s trial plan for just $1.20 (this price depends on your location) to test out its speed and connectivity.
If you're satisfied with the service, you can go ahead and purchase one of its many longer-term Europe plans. Other eSIM providers usually do not provide this option, meaning you may end up wasting your money if their connection speed and service aren’t up to the mark.
However, no provider is perfect, and Zetexa’s downside is that it only offers 5 regional plans – plus there are no global plans as yet, either, which may be a serious letdown for some travelers.
Let’s now look at some of the best features you get with Zetexa.
Unlimited plans
No surprises for the number one spot here, as one of the best things about Zetexa is its unlimited plans. Even better, these plans are flexible and are available for various durations (1, 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 days) and geographical regions (Asia, Europe, etc.), as well as for specific countries.
The prices depend on your location. For example, a 7-day Europe unlimited plan costs $21.30, whereas a 7-day USA plan costs just $12.10. This makes Zetexa ideal for short international trips, where you do not want to be constantly worried about how much data you've got left.
With modern 4G and 5G speeds, you can end up using your limited data (1 GB, for example) in a span of just 1-2 days. However, with unlimited plans, you’ll always have an active internet connection to assist you while you're out and about.
It's also worth noting that Zetexa’s fair usage policy (FUP) applies to all its plans with unlimited data. So, you get 1 GB of data per day at your network’s speed after which the speed is throttled to 32 kbps. The speed is admittedly not too impressive, but it's still a win-win situation since you’d rather prefer having internet at slower speeds than not having internet at all in a foreign country.
No eKYC Required
You don't need KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to activate and use a Zetexa eSIM. This means that you can get your account up and running within just minutes after you’ve purchased your data plan.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, Indian citizens need to provide their password and VISA details. Also, if you’re traveling to the UAE, Israel, Maldives, Poland, or South Korea, you will need to do eKYC.
Zetexa: Installation
Installing a Zetexa eSIM is very straightforward and the steps are more or less the same for both iOS and Android. Once you purchase a data plan from the website, you’ll receive a QR code. Next, follow these steps to install the eSIM on your device:
Make sure to assign calls and SMS to the primary SIM on your device – because Zetexa is a data-only eSIM provider.
Zetexa: Support
(Image credit: Zetexa)
Although Zetexa on its website claims to offer 24/7 customer support, we only found an online form you can fill out to connect to their team. You’ll then have to wait for the support agents to email you back with solutions, which can be a time-consuming process. Plus, in case the conversation stretches to a handful of emails, it's going to take a fair while before you finally find a viable solution.
Now, other eSIM providers like Ubigi and KnowRoaming also offer only an online form for support. However, they also have extensive knowledgebases, with in-depth troubleshooting guides and FAQs on their websites, which solve most customer queries.
However, all that we found on Zetexa’s knowledgebase was an installation guide. The only positive explanation to this is that the platform is still new, so we can surely expect more helpful guides in the near future.
Zetexa: Final verdict
The bottom line is that Zetexa is a good eSIM, especially if you’re looking for unlimited data plans. It offers data plans in 170+ destinations and 5 regions. Plus, there are a lot of subscription options to choose from – from 1-day to 180-day plans.
The prices are pretty affordable, too, especially in the US and Europe. One of the highlights is that you get a 1-day trial plan for every single region, so you can test Zetexa’s speed and connection before you commit to a long-term plan. The eSIM installs easily with just a QR code, which is what we've come to expect from the best of the lot.
However, you don’t get any global plans with Zetexa. Plus, there are no troubleshooting guides or knowledge documents on the website, either, and you can reach out to the support agents only through an online form.
Zetexa: FAQs
What plans do Zetexa eSIM offer?
Zetexa offers a lot of plans that together cover 170+ destinations and a few specific regions, too. Plans range from 1 day to 180 days, and you get more than 15 plan options for each country. Zetexa is also well known for its unlimited data plans – something you don’t get with the majority of eSIM providers. These plans are available for shorter durations, such as 1, 5, 10, 12, and 15 days. However, Zetexa does not offer any global plans as of now.
Is Zetexa eSIM easy to install?
Yes, Zetexa is one of the easiest eSIMs to install. First, you have to buy a data plan from its website, after which you’ll receive a QR code. Then, just scan this code on your Android or iOS device and follow the instructions. At the end of the installation process, switch on data roaming on your device and make sure that you use your primary SIM for calls and SMS since Zetexa is a data-only eSIM.
