Organizer - Gadget news

Deals: Moto Razr 50 Ultra price slashed, whole Realme GT 7 series discounted

3:04 pm | August 10, 2025

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

New models launch to a lot of fanfare, but then they gradually fade from the public consciousness. Let’s have a look among the old and older phones to see if there are any good deals to be had. The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is last year’s model, but it’s last year’s flagship. Because of its age, it has a massive 45% discount at the moment. This means that it costs a lot less than you would pay for a Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, for example. However, this one packs a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, 6.9” LTPO inside and 4.0” LTPO outside displays, plus a 4,000mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless...

I’ve just found a couple of travel tripods that surprise and excite me in equal measure, while the video version is truly something special

1:00 pm |

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: two-minute review

When you think of the humble tripod and all of the variations available, it’s difficult to imagine that a slightly different take on the classic three-legged design is possible. But Ulanzi has done just that with the Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod.

Before getting into specifics, these two tripods are exactly the same, except for the head, with both being built around the same legs and basic ball head design; it’s the video model’s fluid pan and tilt movements alongside the handle that differentiate.

Oh yeah, and there's even a craftily hidden tool kit in the handle for adjusting the tripod. This head makes the video model slightly taller and heavier than the standard model, but the movements it allows for are impressive.

Both tripods also feature an articulating center column, which is rare for travel tripods, and this provides the opportunity for you to position the camera at many different angles. Further to this, the video version can achieve gimbal-like movements thanks to this feature, alongside 360-degree pan mechanisms on both the centre column and the head.

I love this feature and the creative camera angles and movements it allows for, which is something I’ve not seen with a tripod before, especially a video travel tripod. The head on this tripod features a fluid pan and tilt design that provides smooth movements without judder, which is essential for video.

One video tripod feature that is missing, however, is a levelling base; these are used to level the tripod head without the need to level the legs.

Image 1 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod ball head — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image 2 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod video ball head — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image 3 of 5

Image 4 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod ball head clip — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image 5 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod plate — (Image credit: James Abbott)

The way around this simply comes down to the fact that the video features of the head are built onto a ball head with the pan mechanism above the ball joint. This cleverly and effectively mimics the effect of a levelling base, while also providing fast set-up in a lightweight and highly portable travel tripod. Then there are some 1/4in and Arri mounting threads for attaching accessories.

These are tripods where the head itself is an integral part of the overall package and can’t be changed. It’s essential to be aware of this because the head becomes an even more important part of the purchasing decision than a tripod where the head can be changed. That said, the two head options do work extremely well and avoid camera slippage thanks to the clip lock that secures the ball joint perfectly.

I’ve not seen this design on a ball head before, and it’s more effective than low-end and mid-range ball heads that use the traditional locking knob/dial. The GlideGo tripods use Ulanzi Uka and F38 tripod plates rather than Arca Swiss, so you can’t use L-brackets with the heads unless the L-bracket has a 1/4in screw thread. There is, as with most ball heads, a notch allowing you to position the camera in portrait format, so you can shoot vertically.

The tripod plate uses a locking system where you push it into the head to engage the lock, push the button to the side to lock the button and then slide and push the button to release. This is admittedly much quicker and easier to use than a knob-style lock, although I can’t say whether it’s better or worse – it’s simply another approach that works and is a pretty neat way of locking and releasing.

The overall build quality of the two tripods is excellent, with four carbon fiber leg sections that provide an impressive level of rigidity and support, especially considering the narrow diameter of the thinnest bottom section. Legs are secured by clips rather than twist locks, and I found them to be fast, reliable and positive in use when working with both tripods.

Image 1 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod panning for video capture — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image 2 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod leg lock being adjusted — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image 3 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod articulating center column — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image 4 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod clip locks on legs — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Image 5 of 5

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod carry bag — (Image credit: James Abbott)

The standard ball head version offers a height range of 16.1x72.4in / 41-184cm and weighs 3.44lbs / 1.56kg. The video version provides a height range of 17.3x73.6in / 44-187cm and weighs 3.88lbs / 1.76kg. Let’s just forget the numbers for a second and put it into context. This means that you can position your camera at over six feet with these tripods, which is high for compact travel tripods.

Both tripods have a max payload of 39.68lbs / 18kg, which is slightly misleading because this figure refers to the legs, while the head has a maximum payload of 11lbs / 5kg. This is still a commendable payload that can comfortably support the vast majority of camera and lens combinations, but a far cry from the headline figure.

Moving back to the articulating centre column, which is one of the defining features of the tripods, this also offers a telescopic function. This is where the articulating section is hidden within a vertical section until lifted out, and the outer section can then be left in position or raised to increase the height of the tripod.

There’s a useful hook at the bottom of the outer section of the tripod to add weight and stability when required, alongside a smaller hook on the inner column to add counterbalance if and when required.

While this is all great when finding angles, viewpoints and increasing the height of the tripods, it does mean that you can’t splay the legs to articulate the centre column at a low angle. Instead, you can keep the legs at their ‘standard’ angle and articulate the inner section of the centre column downwards. This means the camera is upside down, but you can shoot at low angles. It’s strange, but to be fair, it works.

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: key specs

	JJ05	JJ06 (video)
Head	360-degree pan, 90-degree vertical switch	360 degree pan, 90 degree vertical switch -50 to -60 degrees tilt
Leg sections	4	4
Height	16.1-72.4in / 41-184cm	17.3-73.6in / 44-187cm
Weight	3.44lbs / 1.56kg	3.88lbs / 1.76kg
Max Payload	39.68lbs / 18kg	39.68lbs / 18kg
Material	Carbon fiber	Carbon fiber

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: Price and availability

The Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod were announced on 28 July 2025 and can be ordered directly from Amazon, the Ulanzi website and online photographic retailers, so they’re easy to get hold of.

Ulanzi is a photo accessory company you’ve probably come across, since there are many Ulanzi products available on Amazon. The company is well-known for its low-cost accessories that are manufactured to a high standard, and although the GlideGo tripods are priced similarly to bigger brands, they are still fairly and reasonably priced based on features and quality.

The JJ05 GlideGo Travel Tripod costs $269 / UK£300 /AU$359, while the JJ06 GlideGo Video Tripod is slightly more expensive at $299 / £320 / AU$389. The tripods come with carry cases, and the video tripod even has a handy toolkit hidden away in the tripod handle.

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: Also consider

Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod

The Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod is a small and lightweight travel tripod you may not have heard of. But with a lower cost than its Peak Design rival and innovative design, this is a tripod that can support multiple camera types, including phones. Plus, it incorporates a mini tripod into the overall design, so as the name suggests, this is an impressive 3-in-1 option.

Read our Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod review

Peak Design Pro Tripod

The Peak Design Pro Tripod is available in three variants and is considered an exceptional tripod with a similarly high price to match. Their leg design allows them to be folded down to an impressively small size, plus their optional ‘mods’ allow you to increase the video functionality as well as some spiked feet if you need a little extra grip on location.

Read our Peak Design Pro Tripod review

Should I buy a Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod?

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods side by side on grass — (Image credit: James Abbott)

Buy it if...

You need a high-quality travel tripod

With excellent build quality, an innovative design and excellent features, this is a pair of tripods that can deliver something new.

You need a lightweight video tripod

If you’d like a lightweight video tripod with unique movements that mimic gimbal shots, the video version is the tripod for you.

Don't buy it if...

You need a larger and heavier tripod

Sometimes larger and heavier tripods are the best option for maximum stability, so if you don’t need a travel tripod, a full-size tripod might be more suitable.

You want to use multiple heads

Some photographers have different tripod heads for different jobs, and the heads on this tripod are fixed, so you can only use the included head.

How I tested the Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods

Tested for several weeks
Handling, stiffness and rigidity tested
Ball head operation and features

The Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod were tested over several weeks for stills photography and videography to test the specific features and functionality of each.

This was with several different camera and lens combinations, shooting subjects including landscape, cityscape and for video, the focus was on B-roll capture to test the movements possible with the GlideGo Video Tripod.

With nearly 30 years of photographic experience and 17 years working as a photography journalist, I’ve used many of the cameras and lenses that have been released in that time. As a working photographer, I aim to test cameras, lenses and accessories from a photographer’s point of view.

First reviewed August 2025

I’ve used the Shot Scope G6 for a bunch of rounds, and its simplicity and accuracy make it an easy entry-level golf watch to recommend

12:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness | Tags: GPS | Comments: Off

Shot Scope G6: One minute review

The Shot Scope G6 is a splendid budget-friendly GPS golf watch. Offering a robust feature set, accurate yardages, and an easy-to-use control scheme, it's a GPS watch that's comfortable in its own skin, offering no more and no less than what it does - all for an attractive price.

Sitting firmly in the entry-level end of the best golf watch market, it does have some strong competition for company in the form of the Garmin Approach S12, for example. However, the G6 stands firmly on its own two feet with what it offers over the S12 in the form of colored maps and visual hazard and layup distances, to name but two.

Out on the course, the G6 is easy to use with a simple four-button input system that means you can quickly and cleanly navigate holes and manage your way around courses. Yardages are wonderfully accurate based on our testing, and a robust battery life that gets you comfortably through two full 18 rounds nicely rounds out a strong feature set for a budget-friendly GPS golf watch.

While a proprietary charging system and port, a slightly small display, and a distinct lack of shot tracking and even score recording through the (otherwise decent) companion app do frustrate, this is a fine GPS-only, entry-level golf watch that is easy to recommend if you're shopping in the sub-$200/£200 range.

The Shot Scope G6 golf watch — (Image credit: Future)

Shot Scope G6: Specifications

Component	Shot Scope G6
Price	$179.99 / £179.99 (around AU$370)
Dimensions	1.7 x 1.7 x 0.39in/44 x 44 x 10mm
Weight	1.48oz / 42g
Case/bezel	Brushed steel
Display	176 x 176px; Daylight readable MIP
GPS	GPS L1, Galileo E1, Glonass L1
Battery life	GPS Mode: 2+ rounds of golf / Watch Mode: 4 days
Connection	Bluetooth 5
Water resistant?	Not stated

Shot Scope G6: Price and availability

List price of $179.99 / £179.99 (around AU$370)
Entry-level pricing offering good value for money
Launched in March 2025

The Shot Scope G6’s price point puts it firmly in the entry-level end of the golf watch market. However, it does punch nicely above its price tag with what it offers – as I’ll talk about in the rest of this review.

Generally, though, the Shot Scope G6 is attractively priced in the entry-level end of the market, but still faces some robust competition in the form of the Garmin Approach S12. The latter watch, a budget model in Garmin’s excellent Approach line of golf watches, features a lot of what makes that brand’s devices excellent, and while a few years old now, it still holds its own in the market and sells for the same price as the Shot Scope G6.

With that being the case, it’s wise to temper ones expectations in terms of what the Shot Scope G6 will offer you as it, as expected, doesn’t feature more premium features that you might see on the likes of the Garmin Approach S70, of course, and even those on its older sibling, the Shot Scope V5.

What it does offer, though, is simplicity in a golf watch that certainly means you get great bang for buck value.

Value score: 4/5

Shot Scope G6: Design

44mm watch face housing a clear screen, and button labels
Loads of different straps to choose from
The screen is smaller than the watch face

The Shot Scope G6 doesn’t throw up any surprises when it comes to its design. It’s a simple circular watch face with two dimensions and four buttons placed on the outer edge equidistantly. Simple. The four buttons are a microcosm of the G6’s simplicity in themselves, operating only one function each: up, down, back, and select, respectively.

One major thing to note is that the display is not the same size as the watch face – in fact, it is comfortably smaller, and a black band runs around the face. This almost acts like an on-screen bezel you’d see on a monitor, and means there’s a chunk of watch face that houses only the G6 model typeset, and the four buttons’ names before the display part actually starts or resides. It’s still clear and crisp when it needs to be, but it’s not a watch that prioritises its screen real estate as a result.

There’s a range of wristbands to choose from if you’re keen to customise your watch, all of which are easy to attach and detach from the watch itself.

Like the Garmin watches I’ve used over the years, the charging point on the G6 is a point of annoyance for me. It’s a proprietary connection, comes with a wire that’s never quite long enough, and the port is on the rear of the face. As a result, you’ll have to charge the watch face down all the time, and at a place sufficiently close to a socket or USB port. While it’s an entry-level watch, it still feels a bit clunky and inelegant for a golf watch in 2025.

Design score: 3.5/5

Shot Scope G6: Features

Robust golf GPS features - but no shot tracking or score recording
Simple and intuitive on-course features
Bright and easy-to-view color screen

On board the Shot Scope G6 is a robust feature set that is befitting of its GPS golf watch proposition and entry-level pricing – with a few caveats.

Pre-loaded with 36,000 courses, you’d be hard pushed to find a course not on there (even in the face of competing brands offering 40,000+), and each of the courses’ holes is displayed in crisp and clear colorings, which makes glancing at the watch for navigation easy.

There is a companion app, though it is rather ‘separate’ from the watch, with no sending of data or scores from the watch to the app, which holds back the overall functionality somewhat. However, on a broader note, I have found the Shot Scope app itself to be excellent, particularly in the way you can build your bag using specific brands, models, and lofts of clubs.

Relatedly, having grown used to watches that will track shots and also send back completed rounds to a companion app in order to build a bank of scores for a handicap, or give you data on your clubs for future rounds, the Shot Scope G6 does feel a little lacking in this particular area of its feature proposition. Especially when its competitor, the Garmin Approach S12, does at least offer the ability to send rounds back to its app.

It will keep score for you during the round, don’t get me wrong, but there’s no facility for that score to be sent ‘back’ to the app and for it to be recorded that way. I know we’re swimming in budget golf watch territory here, but in 2025, that seems like a winning feature to include if at all possible.

Features score: 3.5/5

Shot Scope G6: Performance

Accurate yardages and hazard maps
Robust battery life
No score recording or shot tracking holds it back

In short, the Shot Scope G6 is a simple and robust GPOS golf watch and one that performs to a level on the course that makes it easy to recommend.

Yes, recognising that there’s no shot tracking and score recording is key, but what the G6 does offer you, and what it does do, is excellent. The yardages are accurate, and the presence of distances to hazards, doglegs on holes, and several different layup points is incredibly welcome, and complements the front, middle, and back green distances it offers very well indeed. Golfers can also adjust their own lines on the watch to navigate holes as they see fit.

Across all my rounds, at home and abroad, the Shot Scope G6 was reliable, clear, had really accurate yardages, and was a genuine help around the course from shot to shot. The hazard and dogleg information were particularly useful for course management.

It functioned quickly, too – I found the GPS to find my course and kick into gear to be operating quicker than a Garmin Approach S70 and my Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition, both of which cost upwards of three times the price of the Shot Scope G6.

It was also easy to use during rounds, even when wearing gloves (I wear two), but the buttons do take some getting used to, especially so when you engage the lock screen as I did regularly to avoid accidental pushes.

As mentioned above, the app doesn’t truly work in tandem with the watch, but it is a nice extra thing to use adjacent to it. It allows me to put in each and every individual club type, brand, model, and loft. However, the lack of a feature that sends back rounds and scores from the watch to the app does hold it back from achieving more in my eyes.

As for battery life, I found it to be pretty much in line with Shot Scope's own assessment, though I was in dire need of charging it after my second round of 18, plus a bit of ‘on time’ before and after rounds. As a result, perfectly acceptable and robust enough to work, and forgiving enough if you forget to charge it after one round.

Within its limitations as a GPS watch only, it is a fine device and one I would happily use again and again. If that’s all you’re after, then it’s a great golf watch to go for.

Performance score: 4/5

Shot Scope G6: Scorecard

Category	Comment	Score
Price	This is a very attractively priced entry-level golf watch that offers robust bang for buck value if you’re after a GPS watch.	4/5
Design and screen	Intuitive controls and a plain but functional design make for an easy-to-use watch, despite the small screen space.	3.5/5
Features	While it’s a shame there’s no shot tracking or score recording (beyond an in-round scorecard), the GPS accuracy and in-course info, such as hazards, make for a robust feature set.	3.5/5
Performance	Within its limits as a GPS-only watch, the Shot Scope G6 is a great watch that performs very well, and it never let me down in terms of accuracy and on-course assistance.	4/5
Total	If you’re looking for an entry-level watch that’s ideal for on-course assistance and companionship, rather than to analyse data, then the Shot Scope G6 is an excellent choice at its attractive price point.	4/5

Shot Scope G6: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

You want an entry-level golf watch that’s great value for money

Coming in safely under the $200 / £200 mark means the G6 begins life at a good value price – but then really emphasises its value with the accuracy and feature set it offers.

You’re after a simple golf course companion for straightforward assistance

The ShotScope G6 is brilliantly simple in its proposition and provides some of the best and simplest – and most accurate – on-course information I’ve experienced.

You’re already in the Garmin ecosystem

The S70 is an ideal step up if you've tested the waters already with one of Garmin’s budget golf watches and want to embrace something more feature-filled.

Don't buy it if...

You crave shot-tracking and score-recording features

With no way to track your shots or your rounds beyond a digital scorecard, even in partnership with the robust app, the G6 is not the best pick for those looking for a device to store yardages for their clubs and build a bank of scores to track a handicap.

You want your golf watch to be a daily driver smart watch

The G6 really is just a GPS golf watch; nothing more, nothing less. As a result, if you’re looking for your first or next golf watch to do anything more, particularly to fill a smart watch void, then this isn’t it.

You want a big display

While the G6’s display is clear and bright enough, there’s no escaping the fact that the display area is pretty small.

Also consider

	Shot Scope G6	Garmin Approach S12	Shot Scope V5
Price	$179.99 / £179.99 (around AU$370)	$199.99 / £179.99 / AU$299 (launch prices)	$249.99 / £239.99 / AU$429.99
Dimensions	1.7 x 1.7 x 0.39in / 44 x 44 x 10mm	1.72 x 1.72 x 0.45in / 43.7 x 43.7 x 11.5mm	1.69 x 1.69 x 0.47in / 43 x 43 x 12mm
Weight	1.48oz / 42g	1.2oz/34.1g	1.76oz / 50g
Case/bezel	Brushed steel	Lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer	ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Display	176 x 176px; Daylight readable MIP	175 x 175px; ??????????	240 x 240px; 1.2in / 30mm Daylight readable MIP
GPS	GPS L1, Galileo E1, Glonass L1	Unspecified	GPS 1, Galileo E1, Glonass L1
Battery life	GPS mode: 2+ rounds of golf / Watch mode: 4 days	GPS mode: up to 30 hours / Watch mode: up to 10 weeks	GPS mode: 2+ rounds of golf / Watch mode: around 5 days
Connection	Bluetooth 5	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
Water resistant?	Unspecified	Yes, 5m	Unspecified

Garmin Approach S12
Another excellent entry-level golf watch, Garmin’s Approach S12, is a brilliant alternative that packs in a whole bunch of Garmin’s excellent golf features into an affordable package.

Read our full Garmin Approach S12 review

Shot Scope V5
If you’re looking at the G6 but are after a little more functionality and features, then the Shot Scope V5 adds shot tracking data (including 16 club tags to use), a host of ways to analyse your stats, as well as a great battery life and slick design.

Read our full Shot Scope V5 review

How I tested the Shot Scope G6

I used the Shot Scope G6 over the course of a couple of months, using it for a host of rounds at my home course in Somerset, as well as multiple rounds on holiday around the course of Belek in Turkey. I used all of its features, from checking yardages to hazard information, and found it a reliable and easy-to-use watch while on the course.

I was able to directly compare the G6 to other golf watches I had access to, including the Garmin Approach S70 and my TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition. While these are much more premium golf watches, the comparison still enabled me to appreciate what the G6 offers for its entry-level price and what could be added to improve it further.

First reviewed May-July 2025

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Pricing & Availability

This Dynabook starts at just under $2,000 for a Core Ultra 5 model with 16GB, 512GB, and can run up above $2,000 for the Core Ultra 7 model with 32GB, 2TB. You can pick one up from Dynabook's website globally, but it is available from selected online retailers.

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Unboxing & first impressions

The incredible weightlessness of this laptop began when I first grabbed the packaging. It felt like there was nothing inside the box. Grabbing the laptop from the box, I noticed the texture of the computer.

With so many laptops being made from aluminum and other metallic materials, this one stands out as being made of a lighter plastic. It does, admittedly, make it feel a bit cheaper, but then I noticed the chipset and started utilizing it.

Once I logged in and got to work, responding to emails, handling project management, researching, and going about my workday, I realized that most things were working better than expected. This laptop felt minimal, but was surprisingly capable.

I was genuinely surprised and impressed by how thin and sleek this phone felt, especially considering its durability on paper. I was also happy to see USB-C -- even though it's now standard practice, it's still good to see.

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Design & build quality

Specs

Weight: 2.11 lbs
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5
Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1200
Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth,
Ports: HDMI, USB-C x2, USB-A x2, RJ-45, Headphone Jack, microSD

The choice of alloy in the Portégé Z40L-N provides ultralight weight, but it also makes this computer feel less than premium. The edges are crisp, the ports are great, the screen is good enough, and other elements are solid. But, coming from someone who usually works with more premium laptops, this one does feel a bit lower quality. However, that is an obvious tradeoff for having something so lightweight -- one that many would be willing to make.

Another interesting feature of this design is the return of a removable and replaceable battery. This not only helps extend the device's longevity but also makes it easier to replace or repair the battery if any issues arise in the future.

The last notable feature of this laptop is that, despite its lightweight and portable design, it still offers more ports than most modern computers. Even some of the most premium, professional-focused laptops have transitioned to almost entirely USB-C or a Thunderbolt port -- that's it. Dynabook chose to completely surprise us all by including an abundance of ports in this laptop, making it even more fantastic for those who are on the go. With the Portégé Z40L-N, you won't feel any weight in your bag, and you won't need to add a dock either.

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: In use

In the last month, the Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N has stood up to pretty much everything that I've thrown at it - surprisingly. Granted, I'm not expecting this machine to be the best video editing laptop or a machine to run local LLMs on, nor am I designing 3D models on it, but for everyday professional business tasks, it works surprisingly well. It's no surprise, though, that the real benefit of this laptop is its portability. I've been able to take this just about anywhere I've gone, tossing this into even my lightest backpack to take with me for the day.

The Core Ultra chip handles basic productivity, messaging, emails, research, and more without any issues. Plus, if you're the person who may need to present or plug into something at some point, having that peace of mind that you won't need a dongle is great.
While the laptop itself is relatively small, you can expand the workspace by plugging into a docking station or selecting one of the top business monitors that feature a USB-C input and a built-in dock.

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Final verdict

The Dynabook Portégé Z40L‑N is a surprising laptop. On one hand, it is an unfathomably lightweight machine that feels so lightweight it's almost toy-like. But, on the other hand, it's also surprisingly capable, boasting impressive ports and a powerful chip. It's shockingly rugged yet also lightweight, it's powerful yet portable, and it's AI-smart yet simple. If you are looking for a new laptop and want something highly portable as a top priority, this laptop is one that you should consider, especially if you stick to standard business-type work.

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Design	Incredibly minimal	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use	Easy to use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality	Practical for portable / nomatic users	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price	Pricy for what it is	⭐⭐⭐⭐

For more options, we've reviewed the best business laptops for working on the go.

Weekly poll: do you still have your ringer on or is your phone on vibrate all the time?

7:31 am |

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

A long, long time ago, polyphonic ringtones were a noteworthy feature. Years later, the iPhone ringtone (Marimba) became instantly recognizable. Before that it was the Nokia Tune. Even to this day smartphone makers put a lot of effort into making ringtones – e.g. Samsung rented out a concert hall to add Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons for One UI 8. But do people still leave their ringer on? Do you? Speaking of Apple, it recently removed the Ring/Silent switch, which was present even on the very first iPhone. It replaced it with an Action Button and Camera Control. Similarly, OnePlus axed its...

Weekly poll results: the Honor Magic V5 is headed for a strong launch

4:03 am |

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

The Honor Magic V5 is pricey but worth it for many voters in last week’s poll. The phone’s popularity could rise even higher, if it gets good reviews. As we write this, the V5 is preparing to launch in its first European market – that will be on August 12, Tuesday. We still don’t know the pricing, so the nearly 14% of voters who think this foldable is too expensive may reconsider. Or they may be proven right, we will check back on Tuesday. Interestingly, of those not interested in the V5, several commented that it’s because they already have a Magic V3 and are quite happy with it....

Deals: Galaxy Z Fold7 gets its first discount, Pixel 9a, 9 and 9 Pro also get price cuts

12:39 am |

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

Samsung’s new foldables launched only a couple of weeks ago, while Google’s Pixel 9 series will be replaced with the 10-series later this month. Let’s have a closer look at their prices. This might not last long, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 got its first discount – the 512GB model, only in Jet Black, is just under $2,000 now – that makes it a bit cheaper than the 256GB MSRP. Alternatively, you can get a gift card but then there’s no discount – the 256GB model is $2,000, the 512GB one is $2,120, but you score a $200 Amazon Gift Card, so the effective price is lower. If you don’t want...

Huawei Mate 80 RS to sport a dual-layer OLED and a titanium frame

9:34 pm | August 9, 2025

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

Beyond the usual vanilla and Pro models, Huawei has a tradition of releasing a special, often limited-edition RS variation of its flagship, primarily as a showcase of its technological prowess. This year, we will likely get the Mate 80 RS and some industry insider leaks have already started surfacing regarding the crown jewel in Huawei’s upcoming roster. The first rumored spec is not that surprising at all since last year’s Mate 70 RS Ultimate already debuted the dual-layer OLED tech. Apparently, it will be featured in the Mate 80 RS as well. Dual-layer OLEDs, as the name suggests, have...

I tested the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro and discovered a robust and reliable device that opened my eyes to the capabilities of rugged phones

9:02 pm |

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

Even as the world continues to become more and more technically advanced, not everyone wants the most flagship, fancy, and frankly quite delicate smartphone. We've reached a point where it's commonplace for people to have smartphones, but not everyone wants to spend top dollar on the best flagship. Some can't risk the lack of durability of some of the more highly promoted devices, regardless of the company -- whether it's fruit or robot. For those who need rigidity, durability, and reliability without compromising on bulk, the rugged smartphone stands out as a fantastic option to protect your key device and get work done, without the additional cost and expense of an extra case.

The best rugged phones can withstand drops, water, cold, gloves, and more on its own. Something that even the best flagship phones can't always claim. The Samsung XCover7 Pro is a newly released rugged smartphone that features a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, outdoor vision booster, Gorilla Glass Victus+. On the rugged side of things, it has an IP68 rating for water resistance and MIL-STD-810H drop rating. Internally, there's a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with 6GB of RAM, up to 128 GB internal storage plus a microSD Card slot for expanded storage. It also boasts great connectivity, a removable battery, built in Knox Vault security and all within a compact, USB-C ported device that can comfortably fit in your pocket.

It's engineered from the ground up for rugged use cases, offering durable reliability, enterprise-grade features, and ease of use in the field, thanks to the glove- and wet-hand-enabled touchscreen. Samsung markets this towards frontline workers and other tough jobs, and it's pretty clear why.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Pricing & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro was launched for $600 directly from Samsung and other retailers in May 2025. If you are a first responder, T-Mobile can offer priority connectivity. However, different carriers can also work with this phone, as it's frequently purchased unlocked to be compatible with any network.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Unboxing & first impressions

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7Pro is rated as a rugged phone, but that doesn't mean it feels like a smartphone with a bulky Life case or an Otterbox on it. That's what most people would guess a rugged smartphone would look and feel like. But instead, this Galaxy XCover7 Pro felt like a standard smartphone, just without a glass back.

I was genuinely surprised and impressed by how thin and sleek this phone felt, especially considering its durability on paper. I was also happy to see USB-C - even though it's now standard practice, it's still good to see.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Design & build quality

Specs

Display: 6.6″ FHD+, 120 Hz, 2408 x 1080
Durability: IP68 + MIL‑STD‑810H (1.5 m drops)
Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
Connectivity: 5G Sub‑6, Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, GPS
Battery: 4,350 mAh removable
Security: Knox Vault, 7 years OS/security updates
Weight: ~240 g, glove/wet hands compatible touchscreen

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro is a phone built to be rugged, yet also one that you can carry with you every day. It's blocky and easy to grip, but it's not so hefty that you can't take it with you on days that you're not fully kitted out as a first responder, firefighter, construction crew, or the likes. It can be your everyday phone or your work phone if you prefer.

The buttons are easy to access and control, even with gloves on, and Samsung has included an XCover Key that can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, including PTT/Scanning mode, allowing for ease of radio-like communication using Microsoft or other software.

Further, the removable battery allows for quick swaps in the field if necessary, keeping one (or several) batteries on charge and then, when your active battery dies, swap it with a fully charged one in a matter of seconds, rather than waiting for even the fastest of chargers to juice up your phone.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: In use

I've had this phone in my arsenal of tech for the last 67 days at the time of writing this. Throughout that time, I've used this device extensively as a working tool, navigating around town, utilizing Samsung DeX to write portions of this article and several others, multitasking, customizing, chatting with Slack, and researching. While working outside, the display is legible and usable, but it's not as bright as some of my other OLED panels. However, it's still clear enough and bright enough that I can see what is on the screen.

During my time using this phone, I've been generally pleased with the battery performance overall. Obviously, I wish it could last longer, but in my use, even on pretty heavy days, I have seen it last 10-11 hours, sometimes longer, depending on workflow. So, even those that do work on the job for an actual sun up to sun down kind of shift, odds are when you are working on the job all day you are not on your phone all day, or if you are on your phone, you should still be suitable for quite some time, and may have to top off the battery between job sites, on the drive home, etc.

The performance has also been something that I've been happy with. It's no flagship, so it's not the best of the best, but it still held up to my workflow throughout the day. I was able to jump in and out of Google Workspace, respond to Slack, and project manage in Jira, Notion, Asana, HubSpot, and every other project management tool that my consulting business requires. I've been able to multitask (on the same screen) emails, web browsers, and more. I've been able to plug into any of my many desk setups via USB-C and run the phone in DeX mode, connecting to the keyboard and mouse at that setup and then pulling up full browsers to get some writing, research, emails, and project management done without needing another device. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 has handled all of this well. And, while I am reminded that this is in no way a full desktop setup, it's not a powerful laptop, and it's not even a powerful productivity tablet. However, it is an impressive feat for the price point and the other features of this phone.

Another thing worth mentioning, which you don't often see, but that works in the background for you with this device, is the Knox security implementation. Knox security enables a rigid separation between work and personal use, allowing you to use this device for both purposes, from the chipset up. Every element of what you do on this device can be segmented. And, so you can keep an eye on what applications can do, there is an integrated privacy dashboard that will help you see what is what.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Final verdict

I didn't know what tier rugged phone I was getting into when I grabbed the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro. I didn't know if it was going to be just rugged and slow, or what all I was going to experience. But, after nearly 70 days with this phone, I am genuinely impressed. It's plenty powerful and feature-rich for most, whether you are in the first responder category or not.

If you want a phone that you're not constantly worried about breaking, this is a phenomenal option. However, if you are on the front line, a first responder, or in construction or a similar field, this phone is a remarkable option you should consider as your work device, or even your all-in-one device.

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Design	Rugged, yet sleek design	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of use	Easy to use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Practicality	Practical for rugged users	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price	Good price	⭐⭐⭐⭐

« Previous Page — Next Page »