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Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review: a pricey but high-quality tri-port plug
6:00 pm | October 13, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review

The Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) is a premium multi-port charger that will get your devices juiced up in no time. With three ports – two of which are USB-C and one is USB-A – it’s the ideal solution if you’re someone that needs to charge multiple devices simultaneously.

Let's say you’re out and about and need to charge your phone, laptop, and wireless earbuds. This charger would easily get your devices back to full charge quickly, thanks to a maximum total power output of 100W. That’s definitely going to be more than enough power for the vast majority of people. It’s worth noting, though, that individually, the single USB-A port only has a maximum output of 22.5W, compared to the 100W of the USB-C ports – so bear that in mind when charging more power-hungry devices.

Thanks to its high power output, you’ll be able to fast charge devices, or even super-fast charge them, if they’re compatible with this. For instance, my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, which is capable of super-fast charging, went from 0% to 100% in less than one hour and 30 minutes – even with two PS5 controllers charging alongside it. That’s the sort of speeds you'd expect from the best Android phone chargers or best iPhone chargers.

Given how much power this charger offers, it’s decently compact. Don’t get me wrong, it's not super tiny and lightweight, but compared to competitors that offer around 100W of power, this is nicely sized. The charger has foldable prongs too, which is ideal if you want to carry it in your pocket.

Overall, this is a well-designed plug. It has a sleek, silver exterior that is decently nice to look at, although there are no other color options available. It's well designed on a technical level too, with Anker’s ActiveShield 2.0 safety tech able to monitor temperature and adjust power output, creating a more secure charging experience.

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room though, which is price. This charger is $84.99 / £79.99 (about AU$120) – that’s by no means inexpensive. Not only that, but there are a decent amount of similar products out there at a considerably lower price. For instance, the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port GaN Fast Charger is only $64.98 / £59.99 – more on this later. Overall though, the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) is still a great multi-port charger and is certain to offer excellent performance and practicality, even when you’re on-the-go.

Front of the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) with prongs folded

(Image credit: Future)

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review: Price & specs

Top of the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports)

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports)?

Buy it if…

You need to charge multiple devices simultaneously
This charger has three ports and offers a maximum power output of 100W. That’s going to be more than enough to get devices such as smartphones, wireless earbuds or headphones and a tablet juiced up quickly, all at once.

You’re in the market for something more premium
You get plenty of capacity here, but that’s not all. This is a well-built, sleek, compact charger with higher build quality than most cheap alternatives. This does mean, of course, you have to pay a fairly steep price.

Don't buy it if…

You only need a phone charger
If you’re only really going to charge your phone or can stomach the concept of juicing up one device at a time, this isn’t the best choice for you. That’s because there are so many great single-port options on the market. For instance, the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) is a fantastic, stylish single-port charger that will only cost a fraction of this plug’s price.

You’re looking for a cheap option
If you’re in the market for a cheap multi-port charger, this isn’t it. This plug is part of Anker’s Prime range and there are plenty of cheaper high-wattage, multi-port alternatives available on Amazon (and beyond).

Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) review: Also consider

UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port GaN Fast Charger
Ok, so you want a decently powerful multi-port charger, but this option from Anker is just a bit out of your budget. Enter the UGreen Nexode Pro 100W 3-Port GaN Fast Charger. This isn’t quite as compact as Anker’s alternative and only one of the USB-C ports can get up to 100W maximum output, but these are going to be minor issues for the majority of people. At $64.98 / £59.99 (about AU$90), you’re getting a good quality plug for substantially less.View Deal

Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad review: the cure for my last-minute iPhone charging woes
11:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad review

The Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad is reasonably priced at $24.99 / £24.99 / AU$49.95, so it's roughly the same price as a similar charging pad from ESR. Although I can't speak for its charging speeds, the ESR caught my eye as it has a reinforced cable base, and braided nylon around the wire, potentially giving it more longevity than the Anker equivalent, but I'll touch more on this later.

Equipped with Wireless PowerIQ, Anker's signature wireless fast charging, the speed at which the MagGo Wireless Charger Pad juiced up an iPhone 13 Pro was satisfying. It took just two hours and ten minutes to charge it fully, and it charged both AirPods Pro 2, and Motorola Moto Buds+ cases happily.

The magnetic attachment is satisfyingly strong. I was able to shake the phone about vigorously multiple times without the pad shifting more than a tiny amount from side to side. I also tested the magnet's strength by hanging the pad, with the phone attached, by its cable, and the phone stayed put – which is great, even for one of the best iPhone chargers. When it doesn't stay put, on the other hand, is when it's placed on a flat, smooth surface. As the concept behind this particular charger's design appears to be for it to be easy to hold, I can forgive Anker for this.

Due to its slim depth and curved base, it was pleasantly easy to continue to use my phone as it charged. I have rather small hands, and I didn't feel like it was particularly disrupting the way I'd usually hold my phone, which made a welcome change from the power banks I often use for this purpose.

One small negative I have to raise is that the integrated power cable was a little annoying. Because it's not removable, it makes it a little more tricky when you're trying to pack it up when heading out. I've not had it long enough to observe this, but my concern is that the first section of flexible cable that comes out of the pad could become worn over time –though this is only my speculation. My rationale is that if Mous managed to fit a USB-C port in the slimmest part of their low-cost MagSafe Compatible 3-In-1 Portable Charger, then I'd have thought that it'd be plausible for Anker to have done this too.

Overall though, this is a simple but satisfying MagSafe charger. I found it minimally disruptive and nice to hold as I continued to use my phone while replenishing its life force, and when left to charge my phone without me using it, the charging time was good for the price. If you're looking for something cheap but practical because your phone rarely leaves your hand, I'd recommend taking a look at the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad. However, if you're in the market for something a little different, we have a variety of other chargers to check out in our pick of the best wireless chargers.

The back of the Anker Wireless Charging Pad, which is sitting on a grey stone-effect surface, against a light pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad review: Price & specs

The side of the Anker Wireless Charging Pad, which is sitting on a grey stone-effect surface, against a light pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad?

Buy it if…

You want a comfortable solution
Due to its small and curved design, it's satisfyingly easy to hold as you continue to use your phone. I have small hands, and I found it a convenient alternative to larger options, like wireless power banks.

You want something small and light
Despite my niggles with the cable, the charger is light and compact, so you won't need to awkwardly cart about a charging stand.

Don't buy it if…

You want to take it out with you regularly
As the cable is fixed into the charging pad, it isn't the best choice if you regularly want to pack it away. You might be more organized than me, and be happy to fold up the cable each time and neatly secure it, but if you want to just chuck it in your bag, it's not as convenient to pull it back out as it would be if you could pack the pad and cable separately.

You want a secure desktop charger
This charger is perfect for hand-held use, but it isn't the best choice for desktop charging. With no anti-slip elements, and a smooth and slightly curved base, there's no chance of it staying put if the phone gets knocked or the cable gets pulled.

Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad review: Also consider

Apple MagSafe Charger
If you're a die-hard Apple consumer, then you'll be happy to know that there's an official Apple charging pad available to purchase at Amazon. Providing up to 15W of power, it's compatible with the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 Pro. It currently features as the best Apple MagSafe charger in our selection of the best wireless chargers. View Deal

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) review: a classy, compact and super-quick phone charger
12:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) review

The Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) is an elegant, compact charging plug, ideal for getting your devices back to 100% in a pinch.

Something that makes the charger stand out is its neat design. It has striped, textured edges as well as a glossy top, making it easy on the eye. Not only that, but there are three color options, including Shell White, Black Stone and Ice Lake Blue – much more interesting than the plain white or black options I’ve become accustomed to, even when reviewing some of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers.

This charger isn’t just a looker though; it’s super-practical. It's very compact, making it ideal for slipping into a small bag or pocket. And if you do carry this charger in your pocket, you can live without the worry of it stabbing into your leg, thanks to its foldable prongs.

But what matters more than anything is charging speeds. So, how does the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger fare? As you’d expect, very well. I started charging my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 when it was at 0% and managed to get back to 100% in just 80 minutes. This charger’s total output power of 30W means it’s powerful enough to activate super-fast charging on phones that support this – including the Z Flip 4.

As is the case with most of these charging plugs, there’s no cable included here. As this plug has a USB-C port only, you’ll need a USB-C to USB-C/Lightning (or appropriate alternative) in your possession. That’s worth bearing in mind if you only have USB-A to USB-C / Lightning cables and you’re looking for an ultra-cheap charging solution.

With that said, this is still a well-priced charger, coming in at $18.99 / £19.99 (about AU$30). There are a few cheaper alternatives out there from the likes of IKEA, but build-quality-wise, these won’t compare.

So, if you’re on the lookout for a small, stylish, speedy charger, the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger is a truly great option that’s well worth purchasing.

Prong of Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) pointed outwards

(Image credit: Future)

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) review: Price & specs

Prongs of the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) half-folded inside the plug

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W)?

Buy it if…

You need to juice up your device quickly
Need super-fast charging? You’re in luck, because the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger is sure to get you back to 100% battery in no time. For example, when charging my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, I was able to fully recharge the device in 80 minutes, which is exactly what I’d expect with super-fast charging active.

You want a charger with a bit more personality
Sure, this charger isn’t gonna blow your mind with a groundbreaking design, but even the fact it comes in multiple colors sets it apart slightly. That’s right, you can get it in Shell White, Black Stone or Ice Lake Blue, with all colorways featuring quality, textured outer casing. That’s a touch more exciting than a plain ‘ol chunky white charger, don’t you think?

Don't buy it if…

You want the cheapest option available
In truth, there are some less pricey chargers out there than this that still offer enough power for fast- or super-fast charging. Don’t get me wrong, though: this is by no means a super-expensive product, and its build quality helps to justify the additional cost.

You’d like to charge multiple devices at once
The Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger is limited to one USB-C charging port only, so you might want to try an alternative for charging multiple devices at once. For instance, the UGreen USB-C 40W charger has two ports – ideal for getting some extra hours out of two devices when you’re on the go.

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W): Also consider

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W
The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is pretty similar to this Anker plug. Of course, it has the same maximum power output, but it can also be purchased in multiple colorways and has a super-compact, foldable design. It's not quite as elegant, in my view, but it does have a slightly lower list price, making it a worthy single-port charger competitor.View Deal

Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh review: : a high-capacity power bank for a super low price
7:00 am | October 6, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Iniu PD 22.5W 20000mAh review

The Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh isn’t the most capacious power bank on the market. But for its price, it will give you a whole lot of charges for not much money.

The Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh doesn’t rock a ridiculous number of features, but what’s there is impressive, especially for the price. First of all it has a whopping 20,000mAh Lithium Polymer cell inside, which accounts for its bulk, which means it should keep charging your devices day after day. Additionally, with a USB-C and two standard USB ports, you’re able to charge three devices at once.

To really put the Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh through its paces, I took it away to a music festival and used it to charge my iPhone 12 Pro over the course of a long weekend. Charging my phone up to 100% once a day on the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only depleted the battery down to 54%, meaning you may well get almost a week’s worth of charge out of it if you aren’t fully draining your phone every day. That’s more than many of the best power banks can deliver.

On top of this, the Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh offers 22.5W charging, which is fine for the max charging the best iPhones require, although falls quite a way short of the 100W that the best Android phones like the OnePlus Nord 4 are capable of drawing, and means you won’t be charging a MacBook off it. In practice though, during a separate test, this meant it took 128 minutes to charge the iPhone 13 Pro’s 3,095mAh battery, which could be much worse.

Looks-wise, the Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh is a nice-looking battery, while not being so stunning that you’re going to be terrified of damaging it. It comes with a pleasing matte finish in either black or white. An LCD screen on the front of the device tells you exactly how much charge is left – far more useful than the series of LEDs some power banks employ.

At an inch thick and weighing 12.8oz (323g), this power bank has got some serious chonk to it. It also doesn’t have any IP weatherproofing, meaning you really don’t want to drop it in any puddles. In spite of this, it still sat comfortably enough in my pocket as I wandered around and boogied at the festival, and it survived a full day of torrential rain in the pocket of my damp jeans without much worry.

For an affordable power bank, the Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh offers a serious amount of juice. While it doesn’t provide features like fast charging or wireless charging, it’s an obvious choice for anyone who wants to keep their phone topped up during a week away.

The Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh on a stone surface in front of a pink background

(Image credit: Future)

Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh review: Price & specs

The Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh power bank on a stone surface in front of a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh?

Buy it if…

You need a big-capacity battery that doesn’t cost the earth
There are (slightly) bigger power banks out there, but few of them are this reasonably priced, costing a fair bit more for a modest increase in total charge.

You want to charge multiple gadgets at once
With its USB-C and dual USB ports, the Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh Power Bank will happily charge your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds all at once.

Don't buy it if…

You want to charge your phone, fast
The Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh Power Bank is only capable of 22.5W charging, which is much slower than many Android handsets are capable of these days.

You want a compact, lightweight power bank
At 12.8oz (363g), the PD 22.5w 20000mAh Power Bank is a fairly weighty battery. It can still fit in a pocket, but if you want something you can just carry around until you need it, it might be worth looking elsewhere.

Iniu PD 22.5w 20000mAh review: Also consider

Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W)
At $179.99 / £179.99 (roughly AU$261.35), affordable it ain’t. But if you want the perfect combo of ultra-high capacity and insanely fast charging, your best bet is the Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W). It can charge a MacBook Pro M2 to 50% in just 30 minutes or charge an iPhone 16 more than four times, which makes it a beast of a power bank.View Deal

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review: an ultra-compact, speedy phone charger
7:00 am | October 5, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review

The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is a brilliantly compact USB-C charging plug ideal for those looking for a fast phone charger.

The plug comes in two different color variants: Silver Grey (more of a dark gray color) and Blue (which has a white tint to it). Both look and feel decent quality-wise, but perhaps the best aspect of their design is their size and shape.

That’s because the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is only 2 x 1.8 x 1.5 inches / 50 x 46 x 39 mm, making it considerably smaller than the plug you used to get with a new Samsung phone, for example. For those looking for a charger that’s super easy to carry around in a pocket, this is an excellent option – it’s also pretty lightweight, meaning it scores very well on overall portability.

The only real limitation of the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W’s design is that you’re only getting a single USB-C port. So, if you’re hoping to charge multiple devices from a single port, this won’t serve you too well. There are a number of UGreen chargers, such as the UGreen USB-C 40W, that counteract this, so check your options.

How fast is the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W at charging? Pretty fast! Thanks to its 30W power output, Android phones with Super-Fast Charging – including my personal phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – can fill up very quickly. It took my phone just under 80 minutes to fully recharge when using the Nexode Mini 30W – the sort of speed I'd expect from the best Android phone chargers. If your device can handle faster charging, you’re guaranteed a very swift charge with this plug.

Although the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is limited to one port, it’s able to charge your devices very quickly and it’s super compact, making it an excellent option if all you need is a new phone charger – especially given its very reasonable price of just $16.99 / £17.99.

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W prongs half folded into the charger

(Image credit: Future)

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review: Price & specs

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W balanced on prongs showing USB-C port

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W?

Buy it if…

You’re looking for a compact charger
The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is considerably smaller than the charging plugs you used to get with a Samsung or Apple phone. If want a charger that will fit in your pocket, the Nexode Mini 30W is a strong option.

You only want to charge your phone
If you’re only really looking to charge your phone, you can’t go wrong with the Nexode Mini 30W. It only has one port – a USB-C variant – so make sure you have a USB-C to USB-C cable if you want to charge your iPhone, Android, or other devices.

Don't buy it if…

You need to charge multiple devices (or one big device)
So yeah, if you want to charge a tablet or laptop as well as your phone, look elsewhere. UGreen offers a number of chargers primed for juicing up multiple devices, such as the UGreen USB-C 40W, which has two USB-C ports.

You don’t want to buy a new USB-C cable
If you have an older iPhone and a USB-A cable, this won’t be the cheapest option available to you. If you’re looking to save the most money possible and don’t fancy buying a new cable, look for an alternative.

UGreen Nexode Mini 30W: Also consider

Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W)
If you want a stylish, small, equally speedy alternative, the Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger (30W) is the perfect candidate. This charger has an attractive, textured exterior, beautiful color options and foldable prongs. It's only slightly more expensive than the UGreen Nexode Mini 30W, at $18.99 / £19.99 (about AU$30).View Deal

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set review: an ideal 3-in-1 charger for home and away
11:00 am | October 4, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set review

I was a big fan of the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set from the first charge. This isn’t a cheap travel set, with a list price of $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149.99 making it a costly travel companion. However, I would wager that you’d be happy to use this as your everyday charging device, rather than confining it to outings only. I certainly was. Its reliable design and fast iPhone charging make it one of the best iPhone chargers and best wireless chargers, and it'd certainly make a good companion for the best iPhones, too.

While the Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger may have it beat when it comes to being lightweight and effortless to pack up and carry, this Qi2 charging set is noticeably more premium, with better quality materials and a strong hinge making it possible to continue using the phone as it charges. The MagSafe-style wireless iPhone charging pad made it easy to switch up the orientation of the iPhone while it charged too.

The main body that holds the charging pads for the iPhone and AirPods case is sturdy and well-designed. Other 3-in-1 travel chargers can prove a little flimsy, so it’s nice that the Qi2 Travel Wireless Charging Set feels robust. However – where many travel chargers incorporate the Apple Watch charging pad into the main body for convenience, ESR has opted to include it as a separate component with this set, meaning there’s an extra piece to remember.

It’s great that there’s a travel case included in the price (and you can opt to purchase it without the case for a lower price) but the extra space for the Apple Watch pad, the plug, and the padding surrounding them makes it a bit bulky to be travel-friendly, in my opinion.

I was majorly impressed with the speed at which this wireless charger was able to charge up an iPhone 13 Pro, taking just under two hours to charge it from 0 – 100%, making it the quickest charger I’ve tested so far. In addition to this, the Qi2 travel set took around two hours to charge my Apple Watch Series 9, and the rear wireless charging pad had no issues charging up my compatible wireless earbuds case.

So, while this ESR 3-in-1 charger may seem to be expensive for a travel charging set, I would say that it is worth the investment for an Apple device charger that could easily replace your everyday charger, with the added benefit of being able to fold it down and pack away for travel. The satisfyingly fast Qi2 charging is a nice bonus.

The components of the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 travel wireless charger sit on a stone-effect surface in front of a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set review: Price & specs

The black leather-effect travel case sits on a stone-effect surface in front of a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set?

Buy it if…

You want a premium travel charger
This ESR charger is far from a cheap and flimsy option. It feels sturdy and well made, and could easily be used as your everyday charger.

You want fast charging
I was impressed with how quickly this charger juiced up an iPhone 13 Pro, taking just under two hours for a full charge, faster than older wireless chargers I've tested.

Don't buy it if…

You want a cheap travel charger
If you’re just looking for something cheap to keep in your away bag for occasional use, then this charger’s likely going to prove too expensive for your needs.

You want something compact
This charger is on the large side for traveling light, and the separate Apple Watch pad increases the chances of losing parts.

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set review: Also consider

Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger
If the ESR charger sounds too big, this portable Mous charger is a great alternative. It's an a 3-in-1 charger with a footprint of barely more than a credit card, and it weighs just 3oz / 87g.View Deal

Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W review: interactive, customizable charging doesn’t come cheap
7:00 am | October 3, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W review

When I say charging station how do you feel? Are you filled with great excitement and enthusiasm? If not, the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W, will almost certainly change that.

This charging station has six charging ports – four USB-C and two USB-A. You can monitor the electricity output levels for each port via the station’s onboard screen to ensure each device is getting the appropriate levels of power.

However, let’s say you’re charging six devices, but you want to ensure your phone gets back to 100% quickly. Fear not – with the Port Priority option, you can ensure your phone charges without delay. That’s not to say this station can’t handle six devices at once, of course. With a maximum output of 250W, you’ll likely have more than enough power to go around your phones, laptops, tablets and more.

I used the default charging configuration during testing, AI Power Mode. This uses artificial intelligence to optimize power allocation across the station. However, there are also three other modes – Port Priority, Dual-Laptop and Low Current mode. Most will find that the default is perfectly capable of performing their charging chores.

What I really like about this station is how many neat features it offers, making it easily one of the best Android chargers and best iPhone chargers. If you download the Anker app, you can connect to the charging station via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can add a clock screensaver to the station, with a number of different designs to choose from. The Anker app also lets you view real-time data on power output, schedule power on/off, and adjust the station's screen brightness.

One odd but welcome nugget is Secret Features, which includes a collection of fun animations for the station’s screen if you complete hidden tasks (such as switching Port Priority on and off 10 times).

So what’s the catch? Well, this station has a list price of $169.99 / £169.99, a lot to invest in what is, at the end of the day, just a multi-port charger. However, if you want a feature-rich, speedy station that’s perfect for your work desk, it’s not going to get much better than this. Ultimately, Anker has delivered a top-quality product here, but it's going to be a lot more than most people need.

Side profile of Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W showing control knob and two USB-A ports

(Image credit: Future)

Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W review: Price & specs

Top of the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W showing 'Anker' engraving

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W?

Buy it if…

There are a lot of devices at your desk
With six available charging ports, you’re unlikely to be left wanting more. Four ports are USB-C, two are USB-A – so you’ll be ready to charge all of your devices.

You want a feature-rich charging solution
This station has an impressively long list of features, including port prioritization, power modes, screensavers and more. There's even a companion app.

Don't buy it if…

You’re on a tight budget
You’re gonna have to pay a pretty penny for this one. At $169.99 / £169.99 (about AU$250), if you want a six-port charger, Anker also offers a screenless 200W alternative at half this price.

You only need to charge one or two devices simultaneously
If you only need to charge one or two other devices, this isn’t for you. An Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger can also charge your devices for much less.

Anker Prime Charger 6-Port Desktop Charging Station 250W: Also consider

Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 ports, GaN)
Anker's Prime Charger delivers excellent quality and rapid charging. It has similar capabilities, with four USB-C and two USB-A ports, but a lower maximum power output of 200W. It costs $84.99 / £79.99 (about AU$120).View Deal

Mous MagSafe Compatible 3 In 1 Portable Charger review: a perfectly pocket-sized travel pal
10:32 pm | October 2, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phone Accessories Phones | Comments: Off

Mous MagSafe Compatible 3 In 1 Portable Charger review

The Mous 3 In 1 MagSafe Charger is a light and compact charger and one of the best iPhone chargers I've reviewed. It charges all AirPods and Apple Watch models, as well as third-party Qi-compatible earbud cases. It's compatible with any iPhone 12 to iPhone 16 model, so it will charge all of the best iPhones.

The Mous 3 In 1 costs $44.99 / £39.99 / (around AU $75). It’s worth noting purchases made from Australia are shipped from the US, so I’d recommend checking your local shipping fees and taxes before setting your heart on this charger.

If you’re partial to a cheap-and-cheerful travel charger, the Mous 3-in-1 Portable Charger is a good choice. It weighs just 3oz / 87g and has a footprint not far from the size of a credit card, with a depth of around half an inch / 13mm when folded, making it ideal for sliding into bags and pockets as you go off on your travels. Its 3-in-1 design comes in really handy, as there are no extra parts to keep track of. The charger is strongly held together magnetically, so it shouldn’t open up accidentally.

The charger is powered by a USB-C cable, which is included in the price. Unfortunately, a power adapter must be purchased separately. This is important: you'll need to put more thought into the power output of your wall charger. The Mous 3-in-1 Portable Charger requires one that can charge at 30W or higher. Mous sells 30W adapters for $29.99 / £24.99 / around AU$50, but this feels particularly steep at around two-thirds the cost of the device itself. Other 30W adapters can be sourced for less from Amazon, so don’t let that put you off.

I tested the Mous 3-in-1 Portable Charger on my iPhone and it didn’t exactly provide speedy results: it took three hours to fully charge my iPhone 13 Pro. This is a massive difference compared to a premium portable charger like the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set, which fully charged the same iPhone 13 Pro in just under two hours.

Despite taking longer to juice up the iPhone, it charged my Series 9 Apple Watch in the same amount of time as its competitor, two hours and ten minutes, which is pretty good going considering the $55 / £50 / AU$75 price difference. Mous claims on its website that you can charge more than just AirPods on this compact charger, and I can confirm that I had no problems charging my off-brand earbuds.

Although the space-saving design is useful for traveling, it means that you don’t get the benefit of a stand, so it's difficult to use your phone as it charges. With its flexible faux-leather hinge, I was tempted to fold the charger back on itself, but I found my phone began to overheat very quickly when I tried this. Another downside - this charger's lack of anti-slip areas means that it’s susceptible to movement, but this shouldn’t pose a problem if it’s charging somewhere out of the way.

If you’re looking for a lower-cost travel charger that’s perfectly portable, then the Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger is the way to go. If you want something a little more premium and faster charging for your travels, we recommend the ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set instead. Alternatively, we have several other charger varieties to peruse in our pick of the best wireless chargers.

The Mous MagSafe 3 in 1 charger is folded closed, pictured in a man's hand to show its small size.

(Image credit: Future)

Mous MagSafe Compatible 3 In 1 Portable Charger review: Price & specs

The Mous MagSafe 3 in 1 charger is pictured open on a white tabletop with a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Mous MagSafe Compatible 3 In 1 Portable Charger?

Buy it if…

You want a compact travel companion
The Mous 3-in-1 Portable Charger is super convenient. With a footprint just bigger than a credit card and around half an inch / 13mm when folded, it’ll have no problem fitting in pockets or bags.

You want to charge multiple chargers without compromising on space
With an iPhone charging pad on one side and an AirPods charging pad on the other, along with a nifty pop-up Apple Watch charger, good things really do come in small packages.

Don't buy it if…

You need something that will stay put
While its light weight makes it perfectly portable, if you accidentally catch the cable or knock it there are no anti-slip aids to stop the charger from whizzing off the surface it’s sitting on.

You want to continue using your phone as it charges
Due to its design, phones lay flat as they charge, meaning you can’t easily carry on watching YouTube or playing games.

Mous MagSafe Compatible 3 In 1 Portable Charger review: Also consider

ESR Qi2 3-in-1 Travel Wireless Charging Set
For faster iPhone charging with a sturdier build, this premium 3-in-1 wireless charging set is a great choice. It's nowhere near as portable as the Mous charger, but it comes with a handy travel bag that holds all the components, plus the included 30W plug.View Deal

Xiaomi 14T review: considered compromises
3:29 pm | October 1, 2024

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

Xiaomi 14T: Two-minute review

The Xiaomi 14T offers the design language and beautiful display of a current ultra-premium smartphone in a more affordable package, giving users a simply stunning screen and reliable performance for around half the price of a typical flagship. The compromises, notably in the camera department, are clear, but the 14T's display, battery life, and performance show Xiaomi isn’t just skimping, but making considered choices to deliver excellence in key areas.

The gorgeous 6.67-inch AMOLED display is the star of the show here. Photo and video content looks amazing on this panel, which packs a punch in terms of both contrast and detail. The tall, high-resolution screen makes the lightweight 14T a reliable and portable gaming machine – I found it could sustain demanding games like Call Of Duty: Mobile and Race The Sun with no drops in performance and without overly depleting the battery.

In day-to-day use, performance is snappy across the OS, though the phone can stutter a touch when switching between apps. The impressively large 5000mAh battery keeps the 14T going all day with regular use, and easily into the next with lighter usage; I found it genuinely difficult to run the phone down to 0% over the course of a normal day. 

A price tag like this necessarily implies compromises, and Xiaomi has made clear concessions in two areas. The telephoto and ultra-wide cameras, while nice to have, do not live up to the main camera’s standard. And the phone’s premium aesthetics don’t preclude concerns about durability – the front panel picked up a good amount of scratches in the course of normal use during my testing. 

Overall, however, Xiaomi has produced a solid mid-range flagship with the 14T. This is a big, responsive, feature-rich phone, and a reminder that the gap between standard and premium smartphones is narrowing. 

Xiaomi 14T review: Price and availability

  • Not available in the US
  • Starts at £549

The Xiaomi 14T starts at £549. As with most Xiaomi phones, it’s very unlikely that the 14T will be released in the US. It comes with 256GB or 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. 

As a mid-range flagship, the Xiaomi 14T sits next to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which starts at £649, and the Google Pixel 8a, which starts at £499. The 14T’s starting price of £549 feels appropriate when you factor in the specs sheet and Xiaomi’s weaker brand recognition in Western markets. 

Here's a Xiaomi 14T price guide for the UK and EU. 

Xiaomi 14T review: Specs

Xiaomi 14T review: Design

The Xiaomi 14T rear panel

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
  • All-aluminum chassis
  • Four-ring camera housing
  • Comes in four colors: Titan Gray, Titan Black, Titan Blue, and Lemon Green

The Xiaomi 14T has a blocky aluminum-alloy construction, with squared edges that round ever so slightly into the back panel. It’s lightweight, with just enough heft to allay any feelings of cheapness, and the rounded corners and matte finish on the rear panel make the 14T comfortable to hold in either landscape or portrait for extended periods of use. 

Xiaomi calls the specific material used a “metallic aluminum alloy”, which comes in three colors: Titan Gray, Titan Black, and Titan Blue. Xiaomi also offers a variant of the 14T in Lemon Green: the company says this variant uses vegan leather made from 50% bio-based materials, including lemon fiber, with 100% recycled PET in its construction. The unit I tested was the standard Titan Blue model, but I commend Xiaomi for offering a more environmentally conscious option. 

The 6.67-inch display and 20:9 aspect ratio from last year’s 13T and 13T Pro are unchanged – this remains an undeniably large phone. The Xiaomi 14T generally feels great to hold, but I can see reachability being an issue for those with smaller hands – you can enable a slightly fiddly gesture to access one-handed mode. 

A volume rocker and textured power button are built into the right side of the phone, with a USB-C port and dual-SIM tray along the bottom. A speaker on the bottom edge and the earpiece cutout along the top bezel of the display form a stereo pair for audio, which is serviceable for videos but a bit tinny for music. 

As with its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14T features a large camera bump. In contrast to the 13T’s futuristic black camera module, the 14T’s camera housing seems to be made of the same aluminum-alloy as the rest of the phone, and this gives the 14T a refreshingly industrial aesthetic. 

The camera bump houses three cameras and a flash that gets its own lens-like ringed frame – initially, this seemed like an effort to make the device seem more premium than it actually is, but with time I’ve come to appreciate the visual symmetry this choice provides. 

Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14T review: Display

The Xiaomi 14T with its display on against a leafy background

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
  • 6.67-inch AMOLED
  • 144hz adaptive refresh rate
  • 4,000 nits peak brightness

The 6.67-inch display on the Xiaomi 14T is its best feature and true selling point. It seems to be the same display as on the Xiaomi 13T Pro, but that’s no issue with a phone of this price: as we found in our 13T Pro review, this is a gorgeous AMOLED panel that is consistently bright, sharp, and contrasty in a range of environments. Videos, photos, games, and anything else you can put on this screen all look fantastic. The 20:9 aspect ratio means the punch-hole selfie camera sits right on the edge of 16:9 video content, a considerate piece of design. 

With a resolution of 2712 x 1220 and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 144Hz, the 14T’s display is fluid and detailed. The display reaches a peak brightness of 4,000 nits, which is probably unnecessarily bright, but it means you certainly won’t have any issues using it outdoors. 

The tall aspect ratio and high resolution make the Xiaomi 14T’s display great for gaming, too – that extra space on either side gives your thumbs a place to sit without obscuring much of the screen’s center. Web browsing, social media, and other day-to-day activities are smooth, with several color profiles and in-depth display settings allowing users to calibrate the look of the 14T’s display to their liking. 

An under-display fingerprint scanner offers biometric security for unlocking the phone and creating passkeys. 

One area where the display appears to fall down, unfortunately, is durability. I noticed a few clusters of scratches on the front panel in my week or so of regular use. These aren’t noticeable in the vast majority of situations, but it does leave me wondering how well the 14T will hold up over time. 

Display score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14T review: Software

The Xiaomi 14T open on the home screen

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
  • Android 14 with HyperOS
  • Google Gemini out of the box 

The Xiaomi 14T ships with Android 14, styled as the company’s proprietary HyperOS user experience. It’s a responsive and uncomplicated implementation of Android that comes with some great customization options.

HyperOS is a slick Android wrapper that keeps the amount of extras to an acceptable level. Some of the inbuilt apps are compatible with Xiaomi’s account system but they’re far from essential – Xiaomi’s App Mall and Mi Browser sit alongside the Google Play Store and Chrome on the home page, and it's likely most users will head straight for Google’s platforms. The Xiaomi 14T also comes with Google Gemini pre-installed, accessible via a half-second press of the power button, though I didn’t find much use for these AI features during testing. 

There is some pre-installed bloatware, which robs the 14T of some of its premium sheen, but for the most part these can be easily dispatched or consigned to the app drawer. As a deployment of Android 14, HyperOS is smooth and rich in customization features, and Xiaomi’s own animated wallpapers and overall aesthetic choices add a sense of flair and excitement to using the 14T. 

Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14T review: Cameras

The Xiaomi 14T camera module, with four rings set out in a square pattern

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
  • 50MP main camera
  • 50MP telephoto with 4x optical zoom
  • 12MP ultra-wide

Xiaomi has put photography at the forefront of the marketing push for the 14T and 14T Pro, but I found the cameras to be a mixed bag. The main camera takes great photos – pleasantly colorful and decently detailed with especially great results in bright conditions – but zooming in with the telephoto camera or out with the ultra-wide lens produces results of varying quality.

As with last year’s model, Xiaomi partnered with Leica to develop the 14T’s camera module. The main 50MP wide camera produces vibrant, contrasty photos even in overcast conditions, but can struggle with finer details. The telephoto camera gives the 14T a 4x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom, controlled by an intuitive scroll wheel. Colors and contrast feel contiguous across the main and telephoto cameras. 

However, taking photos at higher zoom levels seems to trigger an aggressive post-processing routine, which returns an overly smoothed and brightened image. The camera app’s settings don’t seem to have any options to curb this processing, meaning long-range photos are more limited in their detail than images taken at lower zoom levels and subsequently cropped in on. The ultra-wide camera is also just okay, offering a useful 0.6x magnification but producing a much warmer and less detailed picture. 

The camera app is brimming with settings and options that give you a satisfying amount of control over the final image. Leica lends its name to two toggleable ‘styles', Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant, which respectively produce a more grounded or more colorful image; I preferred the contrast and saturation of Leica Vibrant. There’s also a HDR option (on Auto by default), a range of tasteful filters, and a Pro mode stacked with controls. An impressive night mode delivers photos that feel both visible and realistic. 

As for video, the 14T can record 1080p footage at 60fps or 4K at 30fps. Videos capture a lot of detail, but come out a little over-sharpened. There’s a Movie mode that applies a depth-of-field effect to people in the frame, similar to Apple’s Cinematic Mode, and a Director mode with a camcorder-style interface. I noticed the 14T getting a little warm when using the camera for an extended period of time, but not uncomfortably so. 

Some of the 14T’s photography limitations are explained by its pricing, but even within this price range there are higher-resolution sensors and more reliable image processing pipelines. Still, the 14T is very much capable of producing great photos, and the control the software offers allows for some real creativity. 

 Cameras score: 3.5 / 5 

Camera samples

Image 1 of 5

A bush with red berries against blue sky

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
Image 2 of 5

A utility shed with graffiti on it

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
Image 3 of 5

A costumed figure proceeding as part of a carnival

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
Image 4 of 5

Two apartment towers against blue sky

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
Image 5 of 5

The Canary Wharf skyline against clouds

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)

Xiaomi 14T review: Performance

The Xiaomi 14T open to the home screen of Call of Duty: Mobile

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
  • MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Ultra chipset
  • GPU: Arm Mali-G615 MC6 
  • 12GB of RAM

In typical use, the Xiaomi 14T is snappy and responsive, handling web browsing, social media, and system apps with ease. The MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Ultra chipset that powers the 14T comprises an octa-core CPU and dual-core GPU, enabling the 14T to power through demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG with ease. 

In fact, it’s kind of surprising that Xiaomi has pushed the 14T as a camera phone when it’s clearly so good for gaming. This reliably strong performance works in tandem with the unit’s relative light weight and excellent display to offer a portable, powerful mobile gaming platform. This feels like the 14T’s secret power, and I’m confused as to why the company has made next to no noise about this aspect of the phone, instead focusing almost exclusively on photography. 

The phone can get a bit warm during extended gaming sessions, but not unbearably so, and battery life takes a noticeable hit when driving multiple demanding apps. I did experience the occasional stutter when switching between apps, too. However, the 14T’s performance remains impressive overall, especially considering its price bracket. 

Performance score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14T review: Battery

The USB-C port on the bottom of the Xiaomi 14T

(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
  • 5,000mAh battery
  • All-day battery life
  • 67W wired charging, no wireless charging 

As seems to be the case for Xiaomi phones, the 14T can easily sustain a day of use on a single charge. It’s equipped with an impressively massive 5,000mAh lithium-polymer battery, and it shows. I actually struggled to drain the battery in the course of a normal day, and standby times are truly impressive. 

The Xiaomi 14T supports 67W wired charging, which is certainly fast, but far from on a par with the 120W speeds the 14 Pro can handle. Somewhat annoyingly, the base 14T misses out on the 14T Pro’s 50W wireless charging upgrade, and in fact doesn’t support wireless charging at all. That’s not a huge concern given the fast wired charging speeds and reliably long battery life, but it’s a little disappointing nonetheless. 

You get a USB-A to USB-C cable in the box, but not a wall plug. I tested the phone’s charging speed with a Huawei 40W power adapter and found it charged reasonably quickly. I’ll update this review when I’m able to test the 14T’s maximum charging speed. 

Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 14T?

Buy if...

 You’re a mobile gamer

The Xiaomi 14T has all the components of a great gaming phone – its high-resolution display, long battery life and reliably fast performance make it ideal for modern titles.

You want a long and reliable battery life

With an immense capacity of 5,000mAh, the Xiaomi 14T confidently boasts all-day battery life. It’s something of a challenge to bring the battery from 100% down to 0% in the span of a normal day. 

You want premium aesthetics

The Xiaomi 14T's visage is reminiscent of its more premium contemporaries – the aluminum-alloy construction and moderate curves make this phone both beautiful and ergonomic.

You want a cost-effective all-rounder 

The Xiaomi 14T is a strong reminder that mid-range handsets are inching ever closer to pro standards, and while I wouldn’t call it cheap, it’s certainly more wallet-friendly than a premium flagship. 

Don't buy if...

You need something rugged 

The Xiaomi 14T may have a premium look, but it’s clearly not built to the same durability standards as some of its peers. The display, while beautiful, picks up scratches easily.

You want the very best cameras  

The Xiaomi 14T’s 50MP main camera takes reliably great photos, but the 50MP telephoto and 12MP ultra-wide cameras leave something to be desired. It’s a shame, too, because the phone comes with a comprehensive array of camera settings and photography controls. 

Xiaomi 14T review: also consider

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

The latest phone in Samsung’s long-running line of cheaper FE flagships, the S24 FE features a 6.7-inch 120hz display and Samsung’s iconic triple camera system.

Read our hands-on Samsung Galaxy S24 SE review

Google Pixel 8a

The cheapest Pixel handset is a great value buy, with Google’s own Tensor G3 chipset and a massive 4,492mAh battery.

Read our Google Pixel 8a review

iPhone 16 

Taking one or two steps up the price ladder, we find Apple’s latest flagship. The iPhone 16 is a clear choice for photographers with its new Camera Control button. 

Read our iPhone 16 review

How I tested the Xiaomi 14T

  •  Review period: One week 
  • Testing included: Everyday use: social media, web browsing, photography and video recording, gaming, calls and messages, music playback, and charging tests 

My testing of the Xiaomi 14T included a number of specific usage tests as well as everyday use over the course of about one week. The model reviewed had 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM in the Titan Blue color option.

I put the Xiaomi 14T through its paces with games like PUBG, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Race the Sun, streamed video with YouTube and music with Spotify, and scrolled through Instagram and Google Chrome. I went out to take photos with all three cameras in a variety of conditions. I then applied my knowledge of smartphone specs and journalistic training to assess the qualities and overall value proposition of the Xiaomi 14T.

For more on our smartphone testing process, check out our guide to how we test.

First reviewed September 2024

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: one small step for value, one giant leap for quality
5:20 pm | September 27, 2024

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

Xiaomi 14T Pro: two-minute review

The era of AI phones has well and truly arrived, and the Xiaomi 14T Pro proves that mid-range phones don't have to miss out on all the fun. As with previous generations of T Pro models, Xiaomi hasn't skimped on the hardware included in this latest edition, meaning the door is more open than ever for accessible, and affordable, AI exploration.

Unlike many of the latest phones, however, Xiaomi hasn't put all its focus into AI, and it's for the better. Straight out of the box, you can see some of the new thought that's gone into the 14T Pro's design, with the phone sporting a clean aluminum frame and what Xiaomi describes as a "3D curved back". These changes, partnered with a traditionally large (if now a tad less obvious) camera bump, give the 14T Pro a superbly premium feel and weightiness in the hand.

Get it loaded up and frankly, AI is the last thing you'll be thinking about. Xiaomi's HyperOS is smoother than ever, and the continued priority given to the phone's display and processing capabilities means you'd easily be fooled into thinking you're handling a much more pricey device than it is.

Xiaomi 14T Pro in Titan Gray on post in grass field

Xiaomi's new 14T Pro in Titan Grey features an improved design, with a glass back and color matched camera bump. (Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

Xiaomi's ventures into AI are much more measured than we've seen from the likes of Google and Samsung, and, in fairness, what you're given here is a pretty good starting point if you're looking to AI-ify your day-to-day life. While Xiaomi has, of course, added Android-wide features such as Circle to Search and Gemini to the 14T Pro, it has taken positive, if potentially cautious, steps in its own direction in terms of what's offered uniquely on its devices. Rest assured, though, that the Xiaomi 14T Pro is a more than capable scalpal with which to enter the AI world.

Whether your focus is on AI or some of the other more necessary advancements Xiaomi has made in recent years – I'm looking at you, wireless charging – then you're unlikely to be disappointed with the Xiaomi 14T Pro. In fact, as ever, you'll likely find yourself seriously impressed with just how much can be packed into a device whose price tag doesn't even come close to those of its flagship competition.

Xiaomi does, however, continue to limit the markets in which it operates (by choice or otherwise), which does a disservice to the Xiaomi 14T Pro. Lacking availability in America leaves a market gap that the likes of Samsung or OnePlus can quite happily fill, and while the price of the 14T Pro is impressively cheap for a phone of this quality, there are plenty more premium options out there for, in some cases, only a fraction more money.

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: price and availability

  • Starts at £650 for 256GB and 12GB RAM
  • Unavailable in the US or Australia
  • No rise in price from the previous model

As a value proposition, the Xiaomi 14T Pro stands strong. No price rise from its predecessor, but a host of increase-worthy upgrades such as an aluminum alloy frame and wireless charging mean you're now getting even more bang for your buck than you'd once have expected, which is something we rarely see from mobile phone manufacturers nowadays.

Here's how much the Xiaomi 14T Pro costs in each of its available regions:

Despite being an extremely high-value phone, the 14T Pro's availability in other regions is frustratingly limited. Since Xiaomi's US presence became muted in the wake of the controversy surrounding Huawei, there's never been a direct route through which to buy a Xiaomi phone in the US. This alone is seriously annoying given how well the 14T Pro fares against similarly priced competition from the likes of OnePlus and Samsung. Maybe next time, US readers.

Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: specifications

The Xiaomi 14T Pro boasts some impressive specs given its price tag. Take a look at the full breakdown below:

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: design

Xiaomi 14T Pro in Titan Grey

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
  • New aluminum frame with 3D-curved back
  • Smaller camera bump than previous models
  • Some fingerprint issues

The Xiaomi 14T Pro takes a notable step up in terms of design versus its predecessor, but that doesn't make it flawless. Coming in three colors – Titan Grey, Titan Blue, and Titan Black – you'd almost expect the phone to be built from titanium, right? Well, despite pre-launch rumors hinting at such an upgrade, there is, in fact, no titanium on the Xiaomi 14T Pro, which, while disappointing, isn't necessarily a bad thing.

All three colors look positively premium, and with the aluminum alloy frame and 3D-curved back, the phone possesses a flagship-like feel in the hand, much like the Google Pixel 8, which isn't bad company to be in whatsoever. One thing I did find in testing, however, was that while the back of the phone is indeed lovely, it was an absolute fingerprint magnet. I mainly used the phone in the case that comes with it, but my Titan Gray test model became covered in fingerprints the moment it left that case, which is somewhat of an annoyance when frankly the phone is otherwise rather pleasing to the eye.

Xiaomi 14T Pro side angle view in a field

The camera bump on the Xiaomi 14T Pro has seen serious improvements versus the 13T Pro. (Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

The biggest improvement in terms of design comes to the phone's camera bump. The best Xiaomi phones are known for their cameras, mainly due to the brand's partnership with Leica (which we'll come to later), but also due to the sheer size of their camera bumps. In reality, the Xiaomi 14T Pro is no different; the bump covers over 50% of the width of the phone and, by rough maths, over a third of the length, from its position in the top left of the back panel. Despite this, the bump is a huge upgrade from prior models, with this year's cameras not only protruding less far from the rear of the phone, but also being housed in a color-matched bump.

Gone are the days of a large, garish black block on the back of your device. Instead, you get a lovely, Lego brick-esque square in a color that matches your back panel seamlessly. What's more, the reduced depth and increased width of the bump means you experience very little wobble should you choose to use your phone without a bump-eliminating case or any case at all, which is a nice (if a tad niche) benefit.

Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: display

Xiaomi 14T Pro displaying TechRadar homepage on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
  • Bounds of brightness with viewing angles to match
  • Great responsiveness thanks to adaptive 144Hz capabilities

The 14T Pro continues the Xiaomi trend of putting superb displays on phones you wouldn't expect. The display resolution sits between FHD and QHD at 1220 x 2712 pixels, a resolution unique to Xiaomi, Xiaomi Redmi, and Xiaomi Poco devices.

It's near impossible to find fault with a display like this; CrystalRes AMOLED technology and adaptive refresh rates up to 144Hz meant, more often than not, I had a seriously smooth and vibrant experience. Whether gaming, streaming, or simply scrolling Instagram, the adaptability of the phone's display meant I rarely saw any choppiness that impacted my experience, and I mostly enjoyed 120Hz of seriously pleasant viewing. What's more, if you want to save battery, there's always the option to lock the display to a maximum of 60Hz. That is, if the app you are using doesn't automatically limit your refresh rate, should you choose to simply use the default refresh rate settings.

One limitation I found of the 14T Pro's unique display composition was the compensation some apps made to accommodate it. Most often this came in the form of black bars on either side of applications in landscape mode, which is a frustrating, but not fatal, flaw, especially if you're trying to see the full benefit of the now 93.3% screen-to-body ratio when streaming, for example.

Despite this, the display's 4,000 nit peak brightness and lack of glare make for a very consistent viewing experience at almost any angle. With phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, manufacturers boast about readability, but this seems to have gone especially under the radar with the Xiaomi 14T Pro, despite it being continuously impressive and something that day-to-day use benefits from tremendously during brighter days.

Display score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: software

Xiaomi 14T Pro on wooden surface

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
  • HyperOS with Android 14
  • Steady but well-thought-out steps into the world of AI

Every phone right now seems to be throwing all its eggs in the AI basket, but Xiaomi seems to be taking a more measured approach to its AI rollout. Despite this, there are still some fundamental qualms I have with Xiaomi's approach that tarnish the near-premium experience the rest of the phone provides. While the days of being greeted by tens of preinstalled apps on Xiaomi devices are long gone, it seems that Xiaomi isn't quite ready to give up on them entirely.

On loading up the phone, you're not only greeted by the array of on-device tools and features, which I'll get to in a second, but you're also met with apps such as AliExpress, TikTok, WPS Office, and LinkedIn. Plus, in the same app folder, you're bombarded with a host of recommended apps and games that aren't yet installed but could be downloaded from the Mi Store via a shortcut, which overall seems a tad messy and unnecessary in an otherwise impressively clean layout.

Pre-installed qualms aside, there's very little to take offense to about Xiaomi's HyperOS or the tools that come installed with the Xiaomi 14T Pro. Instead, this is where we start to see Xiaomi's slow and steady approach to introducing AI come into its own. First and foremost, your digital assistant comes preset to Google Gemini rather than Google Assistant, and, while it wasn't available during our review, Circle to Search will also be rolling out to these devices.

Xiaomi 14T Pro home screen on wooden surface

Xiaomi's HyperOS offers a superbly clean experience, including what it calls Super Wallpapers such as the Mars example above, which spins as you flick between pages. (Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

Outside of what Google adds to the device, Xiaomi's app offerings have become evermore positive since the launch of HyperOS. The biggest benefactor for mobile users of the HyperOS upgrade was the Gallery, which not only saw a number of small feature improvements to improve efficiency and add easy access to auto-generated folders and media types, but also gave prominence to Xiaomi's Best Take feature, which can analyze multiple similar photos and tell you which of the shots is, you guessed it, the best.

The general theme of HyperOS was always to improve the interconnectivity of Xiaomi devices, which essentially boiled down to making everything look clean, work efficiently, and interact seamlessly with each other, no matter what device you were using. The downside of having the nicest user experience on Android, however, is that HyperOS hides some of its best features in the depths so as to not look overly messy – which is made more baffling by the array of apps you're shown on receiving the device.

One of the best examples of this is Xiaomi's AI Subtitles feature, which you can use to translate conversations either in-person using the microphone, or even to translate films and TV shows by configuring it to translate system audio. Pretty cool right? The issue is, to find this feature, which worked impressively well in testing, you need to go into the depths of the settings menu, apply for beta access (as it is yet to be fully released), and then add a shortcut to your home screen.

Xiaomi's control centre featuring on the Xiaomi 14T Pro

Xiaomi's Control Center was one of the biggest benefactors of HyperOS, gaining this new, clean layout with an array of customizable options. (Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

Xiaomi is, however, remaining steady with its AI releases, and we're expecting AI Recorder and some AI Film features to arrive in the near future. One thing's for sure, though: this is the most polished HyperOS we've seen since launch and the Xiaomi 14T Pro is, arguably, the perfect example of this software given just how smoothly you can access everything, from settings in the updated Control Center to your favorite photos via improved image searching.

If the slow, steady, and simple approach does one thing very well for HyperOS and the Xiaomi 14T Pro in particular, it's the extent to which simplicity is combined with effectiveness throughout its apps and interfaces. Whether you're using the Control Center to control your music or the redesigned weather app to check the forecast, there is little to no excess in terms of what you're shown, and yet you can quickly access anything you might need. When partnered with the Xiaomi 14T Pro's hardware, this gives you a seriously impressive mobile experience.

Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: cameras

Xiaomi 14T Pro camera layout on grey phone

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
  • Leica partnership continues to impress with standard shooting
  • Some strange variations in light capture and vibrance

If there's one thing the Xiaomi 14T Pro is supposed to excel at, it's photography, but right now I'm constantly flitting between loving it and hating it. Since Xiaomi brought its Leica-partnered camera systems to its T series with the 13T and 13T Pro, it has probably set the bar for mid-range photography. With these latest phones, however, it seems to play jump-rope with this bar a little too much, with some features seriously pushing the mark, and some falling annoyingly beneath.

Take, for example, close-up photographs. There's no denying that the results I was able to achieve were extremely positive, especially when you consider that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, aka the best camera phone from the brand, offers similar close-up performance. However, I often found myself resorting to standard camera modes rather than the usually more effective portrait mode to take the best shots, as I was having difficulty getting the right levels of focus and exposure otherwise. This isn't a major issue, but if one mode can get into focus in less than half the time that another can and produce equal – if not better – results, why wouldn't I use that?

Xiaomi's partnership with Leica brings into focus several features that supposedly enhance your shooting capabilities. The first of these you'll likely encounter is the shooting styles: Leica Authentic, and Leica Vibrant. Shooting with the 50MP wide lens is the best opportunity to see the variations in style in action, as the results can be starkly different. Something that became immediately apparent using the Xiaomi 14T Pro was that, whether you chose Authentic or Vibrant, you were guaranteed an immense amount of color. In either mode, shooting in wide made each color almost excessively saturated, with greens of grass making England seem much more beautiful than it was in reality, and, in fairness, making a much more visually appealing scene out of something that was otherwise rather grey. All in all, superb photos, but not necessarily the most honest to the colors in the scene.

Berries in field

In our tests, our best results came in close-quarters shooting scenarios, with impressive colours and crisp focus. (Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

Something this color-frenzy does help with, however, is the 14T Pro's night photography. This was something that Xiaomi put immense focus on in the build-up to launch, and, with its AI processing systems helping along the way, is an element they've pulled off impressively. There's little to complain about on the night photography front: great colors, impressive light collection, and all-around enjoyable results.

If there's one thing that continues to irk me about Xiaomi's camera systems, it's the interface. Xiaomi continues to assume that you'll instantly understand everything about its cameras, and when I say everything, there's a lot! Take shooting video, for example. You have a standard video mode, and film mode. Within these, you've then got options for Xiaomi's Master Cinema mode, which is given zero explanation anywhere in the camera app itself and requires a Google to work out what it is, as well as options for functionalities such as Motion Tracking Focus and Steady Video. Other settings can also be found in the Camera settings area and the same goes for photos and other modes, too.

When you take into consideration the likely increase in AI functions coming to Xiaomi phones in the next few years, I hope this design gets a rethink. Some of Xiaomi's AI-related photo tools are already hidden in the icons menu of Gallery, and others are annoyingly poorly marked in the editor windows, which isn't an issue once you find everything, but it could take you a while to do just that.

The bottom line is this: Xiaomi's cameras continue to elevate what we expect from phones at this price. While, yes, there are definitely some areas that frustrate – most notably some strange instances of smoothing and occasional extreme amounts of light being pulled in – there's no denying that the results you get are often some of the most stunning among mid-range competitors. In the same way, although there are annoying limitations in terms of camera layout, there's no denying the Leica partnership has played a key role in driving overall quality forward. The 14T Pro, then, is a great all-round camera phone.

Cameras score: 4 / 5

Camera samples

Image 1 of 5

wide shot of a forest in a gloomy time of the day

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
Image 2 of 5

path among dark clouds

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
Image 3 of 5

A path winds between bushes and grasses of different vibrant greens

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
Image 4 of 5

Wide angle camera shot of a field of differing green and yellow grasses and bushes

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
Image 5 of 5

Close up shot of red flowers on a branch in a field of yellow long grasses

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: performance

Xiaomi 14 Pro playing Mortal Kombat at a desk

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
  • Dimensity 9300+ chipset benchmarks seriously well
  • Impressive performance in intense gaming scenarios, if a tad hot

As it doesn't come from Snapdragon or Apple, the Xiaomi 14T Pro's Dimensity 9300+ chipset could be easily overlooked, but, if our testing is anything to go by, there's a seriously impressive bit of kit powering this phone, and I struggled to find any scenarios that put this in any doubt.

In our benchmark testing, the Dimensity 9300+ scored only just under the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in single-core testing, and above the S24 Ultra in multi-core, so I wasn't joking when I said it could hold its own. Whether it's the focus on simplicity and efficiency behind HyperOS, sheer performing power, or, most likely, a combination of both, I struggled to create any scenario that caused a genuine performance impact, so you don't need to worry about killing the 14T Pro off with Chrome tabs or your daily Wordle.

The sheer amount of RAM available on the Xiaomi 14T Pro could also play a big part in these benchmark scores, with the device having up to 12GB physical LPDDR5X RAM onboard, plus the option to extend this by up to a further 12GB using the device's internal memory. For the majority of the testing period, I ran the 14T Pro with 6GB of Memory Extension as Xiaomi calls it, meaning it totaled 18GB of available RAM at any time with the model I was reviewing, but, in all honesty, that's probably as much as anyone would need, so having a further 6GB of extension available is just an added bonus.

In gaming scenarios, most notably with the likes of Call of Duty Mobile and Mortal Kombat, I saw very little in terms of performance drops or impact post-session, with the phone able to comfortably play these more graphically intense titles at maximum settings without impacting my ability to smoothly demolish my foes. One thing to note, however, is that the phone was playing games while running at between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius – or 100 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, if that's your preferred unit of measure. Not exceptionally hot, but hot enough that even with a case on you could tell there was some serious work happening under the hood. Either way, the lack of any performance drops no matter the circumstance puts the Xiaomi 14T Pro in strong company in terms of performance.

Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: battery

Xiaomi 14T Pro 3D-curved back with logo

(Image credit: Future // Rob Dunne)
  • 120W wired HyperCharge continues to impress
  • Wireless charging finally available with 50W wireless HyperCharge

For me, perhaps the best upgrade available on the Xiaomi 14T Pro is the arrival of wireless charging. What for many phones has seemed like a reasonably standard feature for several years now has long been missing from Xiaomi's mid-range phones, but now it has arrived with truly Xiaomi-worthy power capabilities.

With 50W wireless charging, the Xiaomi 14T Pro instantly puts the cat among the pigeons in terms of wireless capabilities across both Android and Apple devices. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, for example, only offers 15W wireless charging, also for a 5000mAh battery, so this is a serious step in the charging game for Xiaomi, whose flagship phones were, frankly, already among the best available from a charging perspective.

The Xiaomi 14T Pro continues to offer Xiaomi's 120W HyperCharge when wired, meaning you can get a full charge in around 20 minutes, though Xiaomi is yet to confirm any official charge times. Partner this with a 50W wireless charging alternative, and a 5000mAh battery, and you needn't worry about regularly charging the 14T Pro.

Regular day-to-day use saw me comfortably get multiple days' worth of runtime from the 14T Pro, while more intense use from gaming saw a battery drain of roughly 10% per hour, which, when you consider the strain of maximum graphics settings and online gameplay, is seriously impressive. Nice work, Xiaomi.

Battery score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 14T Pro?

Buy if...

You love a beautiful display
While the resolution is a tad strange, there's no denying that the display on the Xiaomi 14T Pro is one of the most enjoyable to use for day-to-day mobile tasks, gaming, and, streaming.

You never want to worry about charging again
Xiaomi's offering of both 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging on a phone with a 5,000mAh battery and some serious efficiency features means you'll never be left wanting for battery life.

You want serious gaming performance
In our tests, the Xiaomi 14T Pro handled even some of the most intense games with ease, and without completely wiping out your battery after one round.

Don't buy if...

You want an infinite array of AI capabilities
While a whole host of AI capabilities are available from Xiaomi, with more to come too, it's still behind some competitors in terms of the variety and amount of AI-oriented features available.

Xiaomi 14T Pro review: also consider

Honor Magic 6 Pro

A pricier but more premium alternative. The Honor Magic 6 Pro offers an equally, if not slightly more, premium experience in the same regions as the Xiaomi 14T Pro.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

If you don't quite fancy escaping the safety of Samsung in terms of Android, the newly released Samsung Galaxy S24 FE offers a toned down and affordable version of Samsung's flagship device that will be sure to suit.View Deal

How I tested the Xiaomi 14T Pro

I spent around 10 days with the Xiaomi 14T Pro prior to its launch, using the device as my day-to-day machine. During this time, I tested every feature, and was able to conduct benchmarking tests and more technical testing surrounding temperatures, refresh rates, and battery drains.

Day-to-day use of the phone saw me test features such as calling, texting, gaming, Android Auto, and playing music via Bluetooth-connected devices and the built-in speakers. I also performed work-based tasks like searching the web, and using Google tools such as Sheets, Docs, Drive, and Photos. Finally, I used the phone to take pictures, videos, and selfies, while editing these with both the in-built editing tools and Google's editing tools.

My CPU and GPU benchmarking tests were carried out using Geekbench, while temperature and refresh rate tests were conducted using the developer tools built into the Xiaomi 14T Pro. My battery tests were completed using a standardized process for all TechRadar phone reviews.

You can find out more about how we test devices such as the Xiaomi 14T Pro in our dedicated how we test guide.

First reviewed September 2024

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