The Blacklyte Atlas Lite is a heavy-duty yet straightforward desk with solid adjustability, bold branding, and the ability to transition seamlessly between work and play. The instructions are easy to follow for setting this desk up, the controls are easy to learn, and the desk motors are very quiet.
Blacklyte is well known in the gaming world, but then started making some professional desks as well, or at minimum, desks that gamers could also use for professional desks. The Atlas Lite is a good example of that. It still has some gamer vibes, but is also very much a professional desk, transforming your gamer central to a business professional workspace for your day job as well.
Ignore that branding on the desktop - if you can. If you prefer a more stylish design over the standard metal frame and wood-colored desk, and demand a truly useful cable tray (often lacking on similar models), it's one of the best standing desks I've used for work and play.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Pricing and Availability
The Blacklyte Atlas Lite is usually sold for around $700 but is currently on sale for $569 from the official US site and UK site (for £439) at the time of review. It's also available from a handful of other retailers, but availability seems sporadic right now.
There are a handful of sizing and color options. I chose Obsidian Black, but Moonstone White looks gorgeous too. The natural oak to me was a third option, but it didn’t look nearly as good as the Obsidian or Moonstone to me.
Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Unboxing and First Impressions
The Blacklyte Atlas Lite shipped in two boxes, as most standing desks do: the desktop for one and the legs and building materials in the other. These pieces were pretty well tucked into the box with packaging. One thing I couldn’t help but think about while unboxing was that the boxes were super deep black. I had a moment of worry about ink transfer or it rubbing off on my carpet or walls, but that worry quickly dissipated.
A lot of desks are the same main idea for assembly, but most people don't build a plethora of desks; some may build only one ever. So, it’s nice to see Blacklyte including a QR code to a YouTube assembly video for those who are more visual learners, are not familiar with assembling a desk, or perhaps run into issues with assembly.
If you have experience building desks, though, the entire process should be an absolute dream. The bags of screws are labeled, the instructions are actually helpful, and the parts are easy to get together. All in all, this shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes to assemble from boxes in your living room, office, or wherever you open large boxes into a fully assembled desk.
Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Blacklyte Atlas Lite feels heavy-duty. I’ve tested a lot of desks. Some feel flimsy but look pretty; some are all-around bad; some are a whole art piece. The Blacklyte Atlas Lite sits in the middle. It’s a functional piece that feels like a real workhorse with a bit more style than most.
The desktop itself is a bit textured, but it feels nice even for long periods of use and work sessions. I also like it as it doesn’t feel like I need to baby the desktop. Granted, I don't plan on beating it up anytime soon, but it’s nice to know that I can use this desk without worry of a scratch from moving something across the desktop.
Another thing worth mentioning in the design is the cable management. The rear notch allows for easy cable drops, especially if you have the back of your desk up against a wall in your workspace, or even to keep things clean, so your cables aren’t draping over the edge of the desk. I also like the built-in cable management tray. While this one isn't a grid or mounting plate like some, the tray is a welcome addition.
Blacklyte Atlas Lite: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Specs
as tested
Dimensions: 47x32-inches Height Range: 27 to 46in Max Load: Up to 265lbs Warranty: 3 years
I've got this desk set up for a simple laptop, podcast, or meeting setup for some of my team. While I haven't added a monitor, there is plenty of room for one here alongside a laptop, with room to spread out your tablet, notes, diagrams, or whatever else you may need.
Switching between sitting and standing is rarely timed for me; I usually work, and when my knees start aching, or I get antsy, I'll jump up to stand. For the desks that don't have presets, that takes switching focus to choose where I want the height, then adjusting ever so slightly because it's slightly off, and so on. For desks with presets, such as this one, it's so much easier. Once I decide whether to stand or sit, I can press the corresponding preset button and get to work. And it works flawlessly here.
Another thing that makes switching between sit and stand more enjoyable is that it's smooth and relatively quiet. I don't hear clicking, knocking, creaking, or anything else. Just smooth up and down.
Perhaps that's Blacklyte perfecting the art of quiet motors, especially for their gamer crowd, or maybe that's something else. Still, regardless, the Atlas Lite is noticeably quiet (or is that un-noticeably quiet?).
Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
This desk is for those who want a gaming vibe and a desk they enjoy, while still looking professional enough for work, before a night of gaming, or for those who want a simple, high-quality standing desk that lifts and lowers smoothly.
Maybe standing desks have become too complex, maybe not, but either way, the Atlas Lite is a solid option for most people. It's solid, quiet, has good lifting capacity, is durable, and offers enough space and options for most users.
A little over a week ago we first heard that vivo is working on the X200T, and today its full list of specs has purportedly been leaked. The phone allegedly comes with a 6.67-inch flat LTPS OLED screen with "1.5K" resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1,600-nit High Brightness Mode.
It's powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ SoC, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. On the rear there's a 50MP main camera with OIS using Sony's IMX921 sensor, a 50MP ultrawide using Samsung's JN1 sensor, and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom using Sony's IMX882 sensor.
For...
Checkr is a next-generation background-check platform that accelerates and simplifies hiring through automation and advanced data analysis. It draws from thousands of official databases, including county courts, criminal registries, and motor vehicle departments, to produce timely, accurate reports.
Using artificial intelligence, Checkr standardizes diverse legal terms and classifications, helping hiring teams interpret results quickly and consistently.
The service has become particularly popular among companies handling high hiring volumes, such as gig platforms, retail chains, staffing agencies, and tech firms, thanks to its real-time data retrieval, API-driven integrations, and intuitive dashboards.
Checkr: Plans and pricing
Checkr structures its pricing into tiered packages that scale with organizational needs:
Basic+ Plan ($29.99 per check): Includes SSN trace, sex offender search, national criminal database screening, and global watchlist monitoring. County verifications, when necessary, add roughly $15 per record.
Essential Plan ($54.99 per check): Expands on Basic+ by adding searches for all counties tied to a candidate's past seven years of residence.
Professional Plan ($79.99 per check): Adds employment and education verification to the Essential Plan to provide more complete candidate profiles.
International background checks cost $32 to $124 per report, and add-ons, such as motor vehicle record (MVR) checks or employment verifications, range from $6 to $40. Organizations conducting 300+ checks annually typically qualify for volume discounts.
This transparent, mix-and-match pricing model helps businesses tailor their screening programs to job types while controlling costs.
Checkr: Features
Checkr stands out for its extensive automation and advanced data-handling capabilities:
(Image credit: Checkr)
AI-powered charge classification: Automatically interprets and standardizes criminal charges from multiple jurisdictions, translating complex terminology into consistent, easy-to-read summaries.
Extensive data coverage: Accesses county criminal courts, sex offender registries, global watchlists, and other verified government sources for comprehensive results.
Integration ecosystem: Connects with over 100 HR platforms and applicant tracking systems (ATS), streamlining the hiring pipeline.
Automated candidate communication: Sends real-time notifications--including check initiation, progress updates, results, and adverse action letters--to both employers and candidates.
Bulk and batch tools: Ideal for high-volume hiring, allowing employers to process multiple candidates simultaneously and trigger workflows at scale.
(Image credit: Checkr)
Checkr's speed, often delivering results within one or two business days, remains a primary selling point for companies that can't afford delays in staffing or onboarding.
Checkr: Setup
The onboarding process is straightforward. After signing up, administrators can invite team members, configure access controls, and connect Checkr to their HR systems through prebuilt integrations or APIs.
Organizations can choose which screening packages to apply to specific job roles, set compliance notifications, and automate report delivery. For candidates, setup requires little more than completing a brief authorization form and submitting personal details through a secure online portal.
Checkr: Ease of use
Checkr's web dashboard emphasizes visual clarity and efficiency. Reports are organized into collapsible panels covering criminal searches, employment history, and motor vehicle records. Color-coded highlights signal pending charges, clear results, or items needing review.
Because of its automation-first design, HR teams can handle large batches of background checks with minimal manual input. Candidates also benefit from transparency: they can track progress, upload documents, or dispute errors through a 24/7 self-service portal.
That said, customer support primarily operates via a ticket-based system, which can delay responses during peak periods--an area where some competing services still outperform Checkr.
Checkr: Security and privacy
Checkr employs enterprise-grade security measures, including encryption in transit and at rest, strict data access controls, and continuous system monitoring.
The company complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable, ensuring candidates' data is handled lawfully and privately.
Candidates must provide explicit consent before a background check begins, and all adverse action notices are automatically sent to maintain compliance with federal and state laws. Checkr also allows users to dispute information directly through the candidate portal, providing added transparency.
Checkr: The competition
Checkr's closest competitors include GoodHire, Sterling, and HireRight, all of which offer employment background screening with varying emphases on compliance, support, and global coverage.
Checkr stands out for its automation, real-time data network, and speed, making it especially strong for high-volume, tech-forward employers that care about quick turnaround and HRIS/ATS integrations.
Compared with GoodHire, Checkr offers similar per-check pricing tiers and overlapping core checks. Still, GoodHire offers robust U.S.-based phone and email support and a very low reported error rate, which may appeal to smaller businesses that prefer more hand-holding.
GoodHire also supports very low-volume, pay-per-check use and historically charges a one-time setup fee. At the same time, Checkr leans toward scalable, API-driven workflows with no prominent setup fees, making it better suited to companies that expect frequent or bulk screenings.
When stacked against Sterling, Checkr takes the lead in automation and speed, with a higher percentage of criminal checks completed within an hour and more steps handled without manual review.
Sterling, on the other hand, offers a long-established, compliance-heavy product set, including drug testing, I-9, and specialized packages, making it more attractive to large enterprises or regulated industries that need deeper policy support and more customized verification programs.
Checkr's self-service package customization from the dashboard is generally more straightforward. In contrast, Sterling often routes customization through account managers, which can be helpful for complex but slower for fast-moving teams.
Versus HireRight, Checkr typically delivers faster turnaround times and a higher "hit rate" for specific criminal searches due to its AI-driven data-matching engine and more automated workflows.
HireRight is stronger for organizations with extensive global hiring, offering mature international coverage and compliance tools. Still, it may involve slower processing and more traditional, enterprise-style onboarding and support, which can feel heavier for smaller or more agile businesses.
In practice, Checkr tends to be the better fit for gig platforms, tech companies, and staffing firms prioritizing speed and modern UX. At the same time, HireRight is often chosen by large, globally distributed enterprises that value broad jurisdictional coverage and long-standing compliance expertise.
Checkr: Final verdict
Checkr brings innovation and efficiency to background screening, emphasizing automation, speed, and integration. Its AI classification tools, real-time data retrieval, and candidate transparency make it a forward-looking choice for companies scaling their hiring operations.
Despite its limited human-support options and less robust compliance in highly regulated fields, Checkr remains one of the most compelling solutions for fast-moving organizations that prioritize digital workflows.
For gig employers, startups, and HR teams seeking speed and scalability without sacrificing accuracy, Checkr strikes a smart balance between cost, functionality, and user experience.
The Redmi Note 15 5G became official for markets outside of China yesterday, but it apparently still has a way to go until it reaches India. Following up on its very extensive teaser campaign for the device, today Redmi's arm in India has finally revealed when the Note 15 5G is landing over there: on January 6.
Perfection in every curve and detail.Presenting the #REDMINote15 5G in its full glory, built for those who never compromise.The countdown to 6th January 2026 begins now. Stay tuned.#FasterStrongerSimplyBetter #108MasterPixelEdition Know More: https://t.co/cv8IVXCGfx...
The Competitor is an Xbox and PC-compatible controller from manufacturer Hyperkin that adopts a DualSense-like appearance and symmetrical thumbstick layout. While it does feature niceties like drift-resistant Hall effect sticks and triggers, I’ve found it to be a blissfully simple controller.
The Competitor has no fancy RGB lighting, no gyro sensors, no trigger locks, no wireless connectivity options, and no supporting apps or software. It’s also impressively cheap, has a nice design, and a great idea or two of its own. Its straightforward nature serves it well, and it’s one reason why it’s one of the best Xbox controllers I’ve tested in quite a while.
Some of my favorite controllers in recent years have been the likes of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and GameSir Tarantula Pro - both gamepads that are stuffed with desirable features that definitely make their price tags trend upward. The Competitor’s stripped-back, simplistic nature is actually quite refreshing in comparison, and is a staunch reminder that controllers don’t need to be a smorgasbord to remain appealing in the contemporary market.
There are some slight missteps. I’ve never been a fan of the PlayStation-style D-pad adopted here, the Menu and Share buttons are rather awkwardly-placed, and - while this is certainly personal preference and not indicative of The Competitor’s quality - it lacks wireless connectivity. Though at its relatively low price point, it’s easy to forgive these shortcomings.
(Image credit: Future)
The Competitor review: price and availability
List price: $49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)
Available from most major retailers in the US and UK
Compares in price to similarly cheap controllers like the GameSir Kaleid
You can get The Competitor today for $49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95), making it one of the cheaper Xbox and PC controllers that’s actually worth recommending. Readily available at Amazon in the US and the UK, you’ll also likely find it at your local retailers of choice, including Best Buy in the US and Argos in the UK.
The cheaper Xbox controller spectrum has gotten broader in recent years, with pads like the GameSir Kaleid ($49.99 / £59.99) and 8BitDo Pro 2 ($44.99 / £39.99) also coming in at similar price points. The Competitor, rather fittingly, has some tough competition in the space, then, but I’d definitely say it’s comparable in quality to those aforementioned pads.
The Competitor review: Specs
Price
$49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)
Weight
7.1oz / 200g
Dimensions
6.2 x 5.0 x 2.5in / 158 x 127 x 64mm
Compatibility
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type
Wired (USB-C)
Battery life
N/A
(Image credit: Future)
The Competitor review: design and features
The Competitor differs from most Xbox controllers in its symmetrical thumbstick layout and design that’s practically identical to that of the DualSense Wireless Controller. You’ll find the same boomerang-esque shape here, with similarly designed D-pad and face buttons.
I wouldn’t say build quality is luxurious, certainly not up to the DualSense standard, but it does the job at its price point. That is to be expected, though, given the lower price. Otherwise, nothing about the controller screams cut corners or lazy design; it’s an extremely tight ship. Usually, you’d expect one or two blemishes to stand out on budget-friendly controllers.
But my only issues, really, are the slightly awkward placement of the central Menu and Share buttons, as well as the spongy-feeling PlayStation-style d-pad. However, the latter comes down to personal preference more than anything else.
The color scheme of The Competitor is quite pleasing, too. It sports a black and white aesthetic in a sort of ‘X’ pattern across the front of the pad. The face buttons and d-pad have a translucent, glossy finish that feels quite nice against your thumbs, too.
(Image credit: Future)
The Competitor review: Performance
The Competitor is a strictly wired controller. However, that’s not strange at its relatively low price point, so easy to forgive. That said, if you’d prefer a wireless model, you may be better off checking out similarly priced gamepads like the Xbox Wireless Controller or 8BitDo Pro 2.
What isn’t a guarantee for cheap controllers is the inclusion of drift-resisting Hall effect thumbsticks, but they are here on The Competitor. The sticks themselves feel great, too, with solid responsiveness and a rugged textured finish around the edges.
The Competitor features two remappable buttons on the rear of the controller. And these are easy enough to customize by holding the mapping button on the back, in conjunction with one of these rear buttons and one of the main ones on the front.
These remappable buttons are assigned by default, which I typically find a touch annoying. However, this is alleviated by a handy feature you don’t see on all that many controllers. There are lock switches for both remappable buttons, which can prevent them from being pressed in entirely. It’s arguably a bit of a workaround to keep them unassigned, but I welcome the ability to manually enable or disable them in such a way.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy The Competitor?
Buy it if...
You want an affordable, effective controller The Competitor simply does what it says on the tin (or, um, the cardboard box, I suppose). It’s a straightforward gamepad with no obvious flaws, available at a fittingly competitive price point.
You’re looking for a drift-beating option with light features Hall effect sticks and two remappable buttons are present here. It’s on the lighter side in terms of features, but it’s really all a controller at this price needs to stand out.
Don't buy it if...
You want a more robust D-pad Some game genres, like fighting games and platformers, benefit from a more well-rounded d-pad than the one on The Competitor. I actually love the circular design of the Xbox Wireless Controller's d-pad, and would recommend it over The Competitor if that's something that will be important to you.
You’re on PS5 The Competitor isn’t compatible with PlayStation hardware, despite the DualSense-looking design. Consider checking out our best PS5 controllers guide if you’re shopping for a Sony gamepad instead.
The Competitor review: Also consider
If The Competitor isn’t quite competitive enough for you, here are a couple other options very much worthy of consideration.
The Competitor
Xbox Wireless Controller
GameSir Super Nova
Price
$49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)
$59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74
$44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89
Weight
7.1oz / 200g
8.5oz / 241g
9.3oz / 263g
Dimensions
6.2 x 5.0 x 2.5in / 158 x 127 x 64mm
5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 150 x 105 x 60mm
6.1 x 4.2 x 2.3in / 156 x 106 x 59mm
Compatibility
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
PC, Switch, Switch 2
Connection type
Wired (USB-C)
Wireless (Xbox), Wired (USB-C)
Wireless (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz USB dongle), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life
N/A
Varies, around 20-40 hours
15 hours
Xbox Wireless Controller Always an incredibly solid choice, the official Xbox Wireless Controller isn’t big on bonus features, but it offers incredible reliability and is available in countless color options these days.
GameSir Super Nova While losing Xbox compatibility, this is a fantastic and affordable wireless controller for PC and the Switch family of consoles. I’d go for this one if you’re after a PC controller and interested in a budget-friendly wireless option. Oh, it comes with a charging dock and some lovely color options, too.
I tested The Competitor over the course of about a week, putting the wired wonder through its paces primarily on a gaming PC with my Steam library. All my go-to games were present here, including Final Fantasy 14 Online, Tekken 8, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Tokyo Xtreme Racer.
Given the shape and feel of the controller, I tried to compare the experience of playing with The Competitor to that of the DualSense Wireless Controller. Obviously, the PlayStation controller is more feature-rich, with bespoke haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as its touchpad. Build quality isn’t quite as strong with The Competitor, in comparison, but it’s certainly not miles off, given the price.
Earlier today, Samsung made the Exynos 2600 chipset official, and this will be featured in some members of the upcoming Galaxy S26 family in some markets.
Covering the event, a Korean publication has once again said that the S26 series will become official at some point in February, and will be unveiled at a special event taking place somewhere in the US.
Samsung Galaxy S25 series
This was rumored in early November, but then another report from a few weeks later claimed the launch would actually take place in January. So, if you're keeping score, February seems to be in the lead...
Oppo already launched the Reno15 and Reno15 Pro in China, but we've been hearing a lot of rumors about a Reno15 Pro Max as well, and that one still isn't official. That could change soon, as it may have been spotted in the Geekbench database with the model number CPH2811.
It is powered by the same MediaTek Dimensity 8450 SoC as the Reno15 and Reno15 Pro, and in the specific prototype which ran the benchmark this was paired with 12GB of RAM. The phone will run Android 16 with ColorOS 16 on top from day one.
It's unclear what's going on here, perhaps the Reno15 Pro Max will only be...
Oppo already launched the Reno15 and Reno15 Pro in China, but we've been hearing a lot of rumors about a Reno15 Pro Max as well, and that one still isn't official. That could change soon, as it may have been spotted in the Geekbench database with the model number CPH2811.
It is powered by the same MediaTek Dimensity 8450 SoC as the Reno15 and Reno15 Pro, and in the specific prototype which ran the benchmark this was paired with 12GB of RAM. The phone will run Android 16 with ColorOS 16 on top from day one.
It's unclear what's going on here, perhaps the Reno15 Pro Max will only be...
I'm already a fan of the Ricoh GR series of premium compact cameras, having purchased the GR IIIx several years ago. There really is no other camera this small that can shoot photos that look this good – and that's why I've featured it in my best compact camera and best point-and-shoot camera guides.
My GR III series camera is far from perfect, though. It's prone to damage, its autofocus can be really sluggish at times, and it could do with a built-in flash. I'd also love a tilt screen – oh and poor battery life is another gripe among users.
Despite these limitations I still carry my Ricoh with me most days, but I've been keeping a keen eye out for the arrival of its successor, in the hope it could deliver particular upgrades and become my perfect compact. Well, the Ricoh GR IV is finally here, six years after the GR III, and I've had my hands on it for around three weeks, with the new camera in one pocket and my GR IIIx in the other.
So is the GR IV my dream upgrade? Not quite... but it is a better camera in many other ways. I'm disappointed that the build quality is mostly the same (besides what Ricoh says is better sealing on the new lens), in that it isn't technically weather-sealed and so will need looking after, even though its feels decent in the hand.
On the plus side, I was already happy with the image quality from my GR III, but Ricoh has introduced a new 26MP sensor and refined the lens to further improve quality, while the sensor has improved 5-axis stabilization.
(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
As mentioned, I was hoping for a built-in flash this time around, but the GR IV doesn't have one; ditto a tilt screen. I also wanted much better autofocus performance, but I'm not seeing enough of a difference.
On the flip-side, again, the GR IV delivers some significant upgrades that I didn't see coming: internal storage is bumped up from 2GB to 53GB, there's a new bigger battery with approximately 20% better capacity, and the body is even slimmer, with a refined grip making the camera feel even better in the hand.
You get the picture – the GR IV is a decent upgrade for certain users, but one to skip for others. I for one can't see a good enough reason to splash out, but I understand why others would. And for those who are new to the series and looking for a premium compact, you won't find a better one at this size.
A word of thanks
A special mention goes to Park Cameras (UK) who loaned me the Ricoh GR IV and made this review possible.
One final, and significant, entry for the 'cons' column is that the list price has been hiked by around 20% over the GR III's, depending on where you live (the GR III originally cost $999 / £899 in 2019). I firmly believe that $1,150 / £1,000 is a much fairer price for the GR IV than $1,500 / £1,200 / AU$2,200.
What has caught my eye, however, is Ricoh announcing that a GR IV Monochrome is in the pipeline, which would be the first black-and-white-only camera in the series. I'm a fan of the black-and-white profiles in these cameras, and I shoot the majority of my pictures in monochrome, so this niche version could well be my next camera purchase.
The Ricoh GR IV was first unveiled in May 2025 and went on sale from August, with a launch price of $1,499 / £1,199 / AU$2,199. That's an approximately 20% mark-up over the GR III, depending on which region you live in.
I wish the GR IV had a built-in flash, but in its absence Ricoh has done the next best thing, launching a new GF-2 flash that sits in the GR IV's hotshoe and is suitably tiny. It wasn't available to me while I was testing the camera, so I'm yet to use it, but it's also compatible with GR III cameras (with reduced funtionality) so I expect I'll be buying one.
Ricoh GR IV: specs
Ricoh GR IV Specs
Sensor
APS-C, 5-axis stabilization
Resolution
26MP
Video
1080p up to 60fps
Lens
18.3mm (28mm equiv.) f/2.8-16
Screen
3.0in, 1.04m-dots
Dimensions
109.4 x 61.1 x 32.7 mm
Weight
262g (with battery + card)
Battery life
250 shots (approx)
Memory
microSD, internal 53GB
Ricoh GR IV: design
Slim body and refined grip give a secure and comfortable single-hand hold
Easily slips into a pocket
Still no built-in flash or weather sealing
Internal storage upped from 2GB to 53GB
Fixed touchscreen can be hard to see in bright light
The GR IV might look largely the same as the GR III, but there are design tweaks to the new camera that add up to improve the overall handling.
Its width and height are essentially the same, meaning the GR IV will still easily slip into a trouser pocket – the same can't be said for the bulkier Fujifilm X100VI. What's new, and seriously impressive, is that Ricoh has slimmed down the GR IV compared to the GR III, while keeping the grip depth the same.
The GR IV immediately felt different in the hand to me, having been so used to the GR III – the slimmer body and refined grip give a secure and comfortable hold with just one hand, however you're holding the camera. It's a tiny design tweak that makes a big difference – I often want to shoot with one hand using my GR III, but to do so comfortably I've had to attach a separate thumb grip.
Ricoh has reverted back to the ± button that was on the GR II, but dropped from the GR III. This can control the likes of exposure compensation, and overall it's a welcome return, even if I found myself tapping the button all too easily.
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Three of my top wishes as a GR III user interested in this successor sadly remain elusive – there's no built-in flash, tilt screen, or weather sealing. Those upgrades alone would have had me reaching for my wallet.
A built-in flash would be supremely helpful for portraits at parties – without one, I wouldn't really use the GR IV in such scenarios. Ricoh has, as mentioned, announced the tiny GF-2 external flash, which is an accessory I will absolutely look into purchasing.
I find the fixed touchscreen of my GR III hard to see clearly in bright light, and it doesn't make low-angle shooting easy. A tilt screen would help no end, but sadly this is another potential upgrade that didn't materialize.
However, it's the lack of weather sealing that's the real kicker for me. I've taken my GR III in for minor repairs twice in the years I've had it – cheap repairs for seized buttons, caused by moisture ingress – while the pop-out lens is beginning to struggle on start up. Ricoh says there is better sealing in the new lens, but besides this, build quality is the same. As such, I'd be conscious of the need to look after the GR IV, which is something I don't want to think about with an everyday camera that's in my pocket.
To Ricoh's credit, there are other upgrades. The internal storage has been upped from 2GB to 53GB, and there's a larger-capacity battery inside too, even if this has necessitated a switch from SD card to micro SD, which is a fiddly card slot on the GR IV.
Ricoh GR IV: features and performance
New 26MP sensor with improved 5-axis stabilization
Speedier start-up time and longer battery life
(Unchanged) 1080p video is an afterthought
If you're unfamiliar with the Ricoh GR series of digital compacts, then you'll probably struggle to spot meaningful upgrades in the GR IV over the GR III – and the former camera is six years old now, having been released in 2019.
For those like me that are familiar, however – and I suspect that's many of you reading this review – the headline upgrade is the new 26MP sensor.
Sure, a 2MP bump from 24MP to 26MP is hardly worth mentioning, but the improved 5-axis stabilization certainly is, and in my opinion it's a key improvement. The GR III has less effective 3-axis stabilization.
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I was able to shoot handheld images with a shutter speed as slow as one second, and for most shots at half a second, and detail still looked sharp. This offers the potential for creative long-exposure effects and can improve low-light image quality, assuming you don't need to freeze movement. Check out a few long exposure effect images in the gallery above.
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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The GR IV isn't short of color profiles either. I'm a fan of the hard monotone profile which produces punchy black-and-white images with an infrared photography-like effect (see the punchy sky images in the gallery above). At other times, I was drawn to the cinema color profiles for a gritty effect which suited nighttime images across London. In the gallery of images below, I've used a range of these color profiles.
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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
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(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
There's a macro photography setting, which reduces the minimum focus distance and enables proper close up photography. This, as like with GR III cameras, is another string to the GR IV's bow.
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The macro photography setting is totally usable and makes the GR IV an even more versatile snapper. This shot is taken with the aperture set to f/2.8 (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
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Here's the same scene but with the aperture stopped down to f/5.6 (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Start-up time has been improved too, not that the GR III was a slouch. I had the GR III and GR IV side by side and turned the cameras on at the same time, and the GR IV was ready to go a fraction quicker – it makes a real difference for an everyday camera with which you'll often want to be ready to shoot quickly. If this was a wild west showdown against most other cameras, the GR IV would be busting open the saloon doors and demanding a victory whiskey.
I can't say the same for autofocus performance. Ricoh has improved autofocus speed and reliability from the GR III, but not by much. The AF assist light helps in low-contrast lighting, as do additional focusing modes added to the series via firmware updates in recent years, such as new zone-focusing options, but it would be generous of me to Ricoh to say better autofocus is a reason to upgrade here.
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(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
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(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
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One of the many occasions that autofocus missed the mark (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
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One of the many occasions that autofocus missed the mark (Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Battery life sees a decent improvement. There's a new larger-capacity unit inside which delivers a 20% bump in shot life. Still, where the GR III has poor battery life at around 200 shots, the GR IV's is only less poor at 240 shots. Personally, though, I think limited battery life is completely forgiveable for such a small camera, and it's impressive that Ricoh has squeezed a better battery into what is actually a fractionally smaller camera.
Overall, there are some decent improvements in the GR IV, depending on how and what you like to shoot.
Should I buy the Ricoh GR IV?
(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
Buy it if...
You want a truly pocketable camera with supreme image quality The 5-axis stabilized 26MP APS-C sensor and refined 28mm lens are a superb combo for photo-philes.
You want an everyday carry that isn't your phone Slipping into a pocket, the GR IV is a camera that you can carry with you almost everywhere – just don't take it to the beach.
Don't buy it if...
You shoot a lot in low light With no built-in flash and autofocus that can struggle at times, the GR IV has its limitations in low light.
You want an indestructible camera Ricoh says it has improved the sealing of the lens to repel dust ingress, but the camera isn't weather sealed, and as such you need to look after it – as I know from my experience with my GR III!
You shoot a lot of video Maxing out at 1080p, video recording is very much an afterthought in the GR IV. It's nice to have all the same, but you'll be better off using your phone.
How I tested the Ricoh GR IV
(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)
Park Cameras loaned me the camera for several weeks
I shot 1,000-plus photos in RAW + JPEG
I carried the camera every day, using it in a range of scenarios
I used the Ricoh GR IV regularly for around three weeks, with thanks to Park Cameras (UK) for the loan. During this time I took over 1,000 photos, documenting everyday life and of course playing with the various color profiles and creative techniques possible with the GR IV.
I pushed the limit of the camera's stabilization, taking handheld long-exposure photos. I shot photos of the same scenes at different apertures to assess the quality at each setting, and checked for lens distortions.
I noted how many photos I could take with a fully charged battery, and in general I've looked after the camera rather than push it in adverse conditions. I bring several years of experience with the Ricoh GR series into this review, most recently as an owner of the GR IIIx.
