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De’Longhi Eletta Explore review: delicious hot and cold brews from one bean-to-cup machine

6:21 pm | June 5, 2024

De'Longhi Eletta Explore two-minute review

Throw your Starbucks loyalty card out of the window, because the De’Longhi Eletta Explore is here to completely shake up your coffee addiction, offering a gamut of both cold and hot drinks in one brilliant machine.

This is easily one of the best bean-to-cup coffee makers I’ve tested, pouring deliciously smooth and sweet espresso and cold brew coffee in record time with minimal maintenance. Of course, as with many bean-to-cup machines, it’s not going to be one for the fervent, ride-or-die coffee lovers; they're better off with one of the best espresso machines. It is, however, perfect for those of us who don’t need the ritual of coffee-making and just need the good stuff.

Relatively compact at 15.13 x 10.25 x 17.5" / 38.5 x 26 x 45cm (H x W x D), the De’Longhi Eletta Explore manages to pack in a lot of features and functionalities without eating up too much counter space — provided you’ve got fairly deep counters. It’s not a thing of beauty, but it’s not bad-looking, clad mostly in black and deeper grays, and it comes with a whole host of accessories; a travel mug, two milk carafes, an ice tray, a grounds scoop, a brush and a hot water nozzle. You name it, and it’s probably in the Eletta Explore box (provided it’s somewhat relevant to coffee-making, that is).

De’Longhi Eletta Explore on a kitchen counter — (Image credit: Future)

As ever, I was impressed by De’Longhi’s Bean Adapt and Latte Crema technology, which work in tandem to ensure drinks produced by the Eletta Explore are as close as possible to barista-made beverages. The Eletta Explore can also connect to De’Longhi’s Coffee Link App, meaning you can remotely control your machine and line up your orders from the sofa. But keep in mind that the machine runs its cleaning cycles before use, so you’ll have to get up to switch your mug for the container catching wastewater.

De’Longhi Eletta Explore review: price & availability

Price: $1,899.99 / £999.99 / AU$1,799.00
Available in US, UK and Australia

The price for the De’Longhi Eletta Explore varies wildly across the globe; in the UK, its list price is £999.99, though retailers seem to consistently sell it at least £100 cheaper at £899.99. In Australia, it’s priced around the same at AU$1,799, but in the US it’s horrifically more expensive at $1,899.99.

In the UK/AU, it’s definitely offering relatively good value for money; yes, it could still do with being cheaper, but there aren’t that many bean-to-cup machines as capable as the Eletta Explore, especially not when it comes to cold drinks. When it comes to the US, however, it’s inconceivable why it should be double the price.

The machine comes with all the accessories you should need: a travel mug, two milk carafes, an ice tray, a grounds scoop, a brush and a hot water nozzle. It also comes with a descaling kit and one water filter, which you’ll need to replace to keep the machine in good working order; these cost $9.95 / £11.99 / AU$19.95 and $19.95 / £15.99 / AU$29.95 respectively.

De’Longhi Eletta Explore specs

De’Longhi Eletta Explore review: design

Compact design
Touchscreen display
Hot and cold milk carafes

While the De’Longhi Eletta Explore takes up a decent chunk of kitchen counter space, it’s broadly speaking a compact and space-efficient machine provided you have deep enough counters and sufficient overhead. It measures 15.13 x 10.25 x 17.50" / 38.5 x 26 x 45cm, but you’ll also have to think about how you store its many accessories.

On top of the machine at the rear is the 10.6oz / 300g bean hopper and grounds hatch. These are not airtight, unlike the detachable bean hoppers included with the De’Longhi Rivelia I tested a few months ago, meaning you probably only ever want as much coffee in there as you intend to use in a given day to keep your beans and grounds fresh.

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Bean hopper and grinder adjustment on the De’Longhi Eletta Explore — (Image credit: Future)

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De’Longhi Eletta Explore with the water tank pulled out — (Image credit: Future)

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De’Longhi Eletta Explore's display showing its 'Mug to go' option — (Image credit: Future)

You can also change the grind size using a dial seated beneath the hopper lid — this is a slightly annoying design choice, especially if you like to fiddle with your settings and have lower cabinets. There are seven grind options for the conical burr grinder within the machine.

Moving towards the front of the machine, there’s a metal tray that is great for storing accessories or cups, and then at the very front are the controls. From left to right, there are touch controls for the machine’s different menus: ‘To-go mode’, cold beverages, hot beverages and your favorites menu. These controls surround the 3.5-inch (8.9cm) color touchscreen display in the middle of the console, which displays various instructions and status updates while your coffee brews.

De’Longhi Eletta Explore grinding beans for a flat white — (Image credit: Future)

Beneath the controls on the front of the screen are the spout, the accessory slot where you can click in the Hot and Cold LatteCrema Carafes or hot water nozzle, and the 60.9fl oz / 1.8L inbuilt water tank, which slides out of the machine. I love the design of this in principle; however, in practice, it can be really annoying. I found that the tank didn’t always quite align with its threads properly, meaning it would be slightly askew in the machine, especially if you fully remove the tank — so thankfully, De’Longhi has included an insert lid for the tank with a small hole for pouring in water. If, like me, you refill your coffee machine with filtered water from a jug, that’s no issue, but if you will be refilling from a faucet or otherwise affixed water source, you might find this process tedious.

At the base is the drip tray, which is just about fine for all cup sizes, barring some of the larger mugs I have in my collection. It gets better still when you lift the hatch here, which grants some extra height and allows you to fit full-size travel mugs — a really neat addition that’s perfect for early-morning commuters.

A hand holding the De’Longhi Eletta Explore's Cold LatteCrema Carafe — (Image credit: Future)

In addition to the machine itself, you get two LatteCrema milk carafes for hot and cold milk beverages. The reason these are split into two containers is that different nozzles are needed to foam milk with and without heat, which makes sense, but does create some frustrations in use. Plus, you can exclusively use semi-skimmed milk and plant-based milk with the Eletta Explore.

On top of each carafe is a dial that allows you to choose between min, mid and max froth, as well as the cleaning setting. These lids aren’t snugly fit to the carafes, so make sure you don’t make the same mistake I did in lifting them by the lid — unless you want to cry over spilt milk. The nozzles sit quite far forward on the carafe, meaning slimmer tall mugs can be a bit problematic, given the espresso spout is fairly far back.

Design score: 4 out of 5

De’Longhi Eletta Explore review: performance

Consistent and rich results
Impressive grinder
Easy to maintain

As with any bean-to-cup coffee machine, the quality of the beverages will never quite match those made by hand using a more sophisticated espresso machine, but I was nonetheless impressed by the De’Longhi Eletta Explore. Broadly speaking, its results were consistent and rich, although occasionally it spat out a very acidic espresso. This was usually only when I hit a not-so-sweet spot where I’d made a few coffees in close succession and the beans had been in the non-airtight hopper a little too long.

The rest of the time, the Eletta Explore made delicious, well-balanced espresso with a well-formed crema and plenty of body. Its cappuccinos had great microfoam with impressive staying power, and the lattes were delicious and creamy. All of the drinks came out at the perfect recommended drinking temperature, too.

De’Longhi Eletta Explore making an iced latte — (Image credit: Future)

Most impressive, however, was the cold coffee made by the Eletta Explore. From rich and creamy iced lattes to delicious cold cappuccinos with excellent foam — though it’s never quite as good as foam created by heating the milk. Even its cold brews that compress a slow brewing process into mere minutes came out deliciously, with only a hint of bitterness. The machine will tell you the perfect number of ice cubes to use from the supplied tray, which in my experience was the perfect amount every time.

The conical burr grinder inside the machine is fantastic, crushing beans to the perfect size for smooth and delicious coffee. I mostly kept the grind setting to five, but the Eletta Explore offers seven different settings from fine to coarse. It’s fairly loud (70dB) in use, but not the loudest I’ve tested.

Swapping between milk jugs is pretty annoying if, like me, you want to have different coffees throughout the day. It seems to be a workaround, as different nozzles are needed for different milk temperatures, but why couldn’t they just offer changeable nozzles?

De’Longhi Eletta Explore making a cup of espresso — (Image credit: Future)

I used the Coffee Link App and Bean Adapt technology with my Eletta Explore to ensure I was crafting the best possible coffee, inputting information about my coffee bean of choice to finesse the water temperature and intensity. The app and machine both boast a huge menu of espresso-based options, too, if you’re ever looking for inspiration.

Maintenance-wise, the machine is pretty easy to look after. It cleans itself automatically, but you’ll need to keep on top of the descaling and water filter to make sure it remains in good working order. The drip tray and grounds container are easy to remove, but the drip tray is a little fiddly to clean. The milk carafes are both dishwasher-safe, but relatively easy to clean by hand in the sink, too.

Should you buy the De’Longhi Eletta Explore?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How I tested the De’Longhi Eletta Explore

I used the De'Longhi Eletta Explore as my main coffee machine for a month, testing its various settings and functions and drinking a lot of different coffees. I used both its cold and hot coffee technology to try almost every drink on its expansive menu - excluding those that are effectively just iterations on standard drinks.

In addition to coffee taste and quality tests, I also maintained the device per the manufacturer's instructions to see how easy it is to run over time. I also tested the De'Longhi coffee link app to see how easy it was to use and how successfully it can control the machine.

I've been testing home appliances for two years, in addition to my years of experience testing tech more generally, which informs my ratings and opinions on how well tech performs, how well it's designed and if it offers value for money.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Vasco Translator V4 review

5:06 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

When I crammed the Vasco Translator V4 into the small pouch on the side of my rucksack a few days before the start of my holiday, I have to admit that I was quite skeptical as to whether I would actually ever need to use the gadget. The latest product from electronic manufacturer Vasco, I believed that this portable translator, which supports 108 languages, would simply pale in comparison to the translation capabilities of my far pricier iPhone 15 Plus.

After two weeks testing the device in the heart of Tokyo, however, I can report that it is a formidable device that is in many ways far superior to simply relying on your phone, and perhaps even better than some of the best translation software.

The Vasco Translator V4 being used to translate a store display. — (Image credit: Dashiell Wood / Future)

Vasco Translator V4: Two-minute review

So, what makes this translation device better? First, there’s the matter of the Vasco Translator V4’s more convenient form factor. It’s remarkably slim, with a candy bar shape that's easy to slot into even a cramped pocket. It has a slightly rubberised plastic back, which is pleasantly grippy and successfully endured being roughly tossed into various bags and even occasionally dropped throughout my trip.

On the left hand side of the device, there's a simple volume rocker while the right hand side features a power button and two speech recognition buttons which are used for voice translation. Each button denotes the language of one speaker, allowing you to intuitively switch between translating either to or from your desired language as you converse. In addition to plenty of chats with native Japanese speakers, I was also able to test the device’s translation capabilities in a handful of other languages.

Although far from a conclusive appraisal of all 76 languages that are currently supported by the voice translation, I found that it was quite fast and very accurate - with a few bilingual friends even remarking that the results were noticeably superior to both Google Translate and Apple's Translate app. Sure, the odd bit of nuance was inevitably lost here and there, but everything was good enough to have me navigating everyday interactions in shops and restaurants with ease.

The top of the device contains an array of microphones used for this purpose and I found that they did a good job of distinguishing voices from loud background noise like construction work or passing trains. The microphones are flanked by two small LED indicators that alternate between two colors to denote the current speaker which is a great touch. The bottom of the device features a USB-C port used for charging or attaching a pair of USB-C headphones. While a dedicated headphones jack would definitely be better, the ability to use some form of headphones is still welcome.

It’s not just good for voice translation, though, as the Vasco Translator V4 also offers fast photo translation. The 8-megapixel camera can be quite blurry and slow to focus, which makes it harder to use in motion, but I was still consistently impressed with the results. The translation of museum displays, signs, advertisement brochures, and restaurant menus was quick and, as far as I can tell, right on the money. Although the 5-inch touch-screen is quite small, you have the nifty ability to zoom into your translated text or even isolate it against an easy-to-read plain white background.

A close up shot of the Vasco Translator V4/ — (Image credit: Future)

Elsewhere, the device supports text translation, though the tiny on-screen keyboard definitely hampers its capabilities in this regard. It also has a language learning tool, but this largely just boils down to basic electronic flashcards. There is also a group chat function, which lets you communicate with colleagues, friends or even family - provided that you can successfully convince them to download and set up the Vasco MultiTalk app on their phones.

It's a solid feature set, but the biggest selling point of the Vasco Translator V4 is comfortably its lifetime global cell coverage. Not having to scramble for a local SIM card the second you land is a welcome relief and it's hard to overstate the value proposition here. While most other pocket translators cost less up front, they then rely on some form of expensive recurring subscription fee. The Vasco Translator V4, in contrast, will simply work almost anywhere in the world at no additional cost.

Depending on the features or settings that you use, you’re also looking at roughly four days battery life with frequent use or about a week on standby mode - keeping you more focused on enjoying your trip than where to find the nearest power outlet.

It’s not a cheap device by any means, and those on a budget will certainly be able to make do with a comparably priced phone, but it’s a great gadget for those willing to spend a little more for a much smoother experience aboard.

A translated conversation on the Vasco Translator V4. — (Image credit: Future)

Vasco Translator V4: Price and availability

Priced at $389 / £389
Available now in the US and UK
Not readily available in Australia

The Vasco Translator V4 is available now from the Vasco Electronics website or third-party retailers like Amazon in the US and UK. At £389 / $389, it is pretty expensive up front, even compared to other similar devices. However, when you factor in the lifetime global cell coverage, which works in nearly 200 countries, the high cost of entry becomes a lot more palatable.

Although our sample was provided in the rather plain black colorway, the device is also available in grey, blue, red, and white.

Vasco Translator V4: Specs

Should you buy the Vasco Translator V4?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Not keen on the Vasco Translator V4? These two cheaper alternatives should be on your radar.

How I tested the Vasco Translator V4

Used for a month
Tested abroad and at home
Tested with multiple languages

I used the Vasco Translator V4 for just over a month, which included a two week trip to Japan and some testing at home and in the office. Some of the languages I tested included Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Romanian, German, and Italian. During my time with the device, I endeavored to use every available feature in order to assess its performance and usefulness.

In order to test the efficacy of the translation, I compared my results to competing software like Google Translate and Apple's Translate app and considered the opinion of a handful of multi-lingual friends, colleagues, and family members.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD review: a supreme 4K gaming monitor

10:00 am | June 4, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

The Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD seems to want to be all things to all people. While it ticks pretty much every gaming box you’d expect a gaming monitor to tick (and then some), it also just so happens to be a stunning video display.

At the heart of its multifaceted talents is one of Samsung’s latest Quantum Dot OLED panels, here delivered in a flat 32-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Samsung has managed to fit a full 4K resolution into this gaming monitor, backed up by support for a 240Hz refresh rate.

Where the S32G80SD really kicks up a gear, though, is with a trio of remarkable new features. First, a potent new screen filter enhances gaming immersion and contrast by somehow suppressing almost all reflections from your room. Second, pictures are driven by the same ultra-powerful processor deployed in Samsung’s flagship 8K TVs. Third, a new ultra-efficient cooling system has been built into the S32G80SD’s OLED screen to protect it more effectively than any other OLED monitor from potential heat damage.

Add to these ground-breaking features insanely precise and vibrant gaming images and a video performance that humbles many premium TVs, and the S32G80SD’s initially hefty-looking $1,499 / £1,099 price suddenly doesn’t look unreasonable at all.

The Samsung S32G80SD viewed from a slight angle. — (Image credit: Future)

Price and availability

Price at $1,499 / £1,099.99
Available in the US and UK

The Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD is available from the first week of July, priced at $1,499 in the US in the US and £1,099.99 in the UK. That represents a serious hunk of change in a world where 32-inch HDR-capable monitors such as the recently tested Gigabyte GS32QC can be had for $250 / £250, but the S32G80SD does one heck of a job of justifying that cost.

It’s built around a premium Quantum Dot type of OLED panel for starters, with all the innate picture quality advantages that it brings. Around that screen, moreover, Samsung has built a gorgeous-looking chassis packed with premium processing and hardware features the like of which, in some cases, the monitor world hasn’t seen before.

Specs

The corner of the Samsung S32G80SD. — (Image credit: Future)

Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD: Design

The S32G80SD looks and feels every inch a premium monitor. Build quality for the 32-inch, 16:9 flat screen is excellent, as a silvery metallic sheath wraps around from the outer edges of the bezel to cover the rear panel. This is replicated, too, over the handsome, heavy-duty hexagonal desktop foot. The rear panel is on-trend slim, but still finds room for some elegant arcs and curves, while the stand neck features a reflection-free corrugated black finish on its front edge and a cable tidy ‘ring’ on its rear.

Against such a subtle and refined design the appearance of a ring of colored LEDs around the stand attach point feels a bit garish at first. Thankfully you can turn this light show off if you wish - though actually, over time I grew to quite like the extra immersion it brings to gaming.

Impressively the S32G80SD’s screen attaches to the neck and the neck attaches to the stand simply by twisting them together until they click into place. There’s not a screw in sight. The screen can tilt, swivel, pivot, and slide up and down on the stand, and there’s support for VESA mounting if you want to move away from the provided stand.

Connections are rather awkwardly positioned but impressively include two high bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports as well as two USB-C ports, one USB-B port, and a DisplayPort (1.4). The S32G80SD ships with a small but ergonomic remote control that features a USB-C charge point on the bottom and, even better, a solar panel on its rear.

The rear lighting of the Samsung S32G80SD. — (Image credit: Future)

Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD: Features

The Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD’s epic roster of features kicks off with its use of one of Samsung’s new Quantum Dot OLED type of screens, which are already renowned for their remarkable color and contrast properties. What’s more, using a 16:9 aspect ratio has allowed Samsung to squeeze in a native 4K/UHD pixel count of 3840x2160.

The screen sports arguably the most effective anti-reflection filter I’ve ever seen on a monitor. General ambient light and mildly reflective objects in your room are rejected pretty much completely, while even harsh direct lights positioned directly opposite the screen are dispersed to a degree where you barely notice them even when you’re wandering around the dark underground environments in Shadow Of The Tomb Raider. There’s no overstating how much this reflection suppression enhances your immersion in whatever you’re watching or playing.

Anyone concerned about OLED’s susceptibility to screen burn-in should be very interested indeed in the S32G80SD’s new Pulsating Heat Pipe cooling system. This condenses or evaporates coolant contained in tiny pipes that run behind the screen to control heat where necessary without any compromise to image brightness.

This potentially game-changing new OLED panel protection feature is joined by more traditional ones such as local dimming of logo/HUD elements, general ‘thermal modulation’ (brightness control), and a screen saver.

The gaming hub application of the Samsung S32G80SD. — (Image credit: Future)

The S32G80SD is powered by what has to surely be the most powerful processor in the gaming monitor world. Samsung has essentially ported in an optimized version of the Neo Quantum 8 AI Gen 3 processor used in Samsung’s latest, highly acclaimed flagship 8K TVs. This might sound like overkill for a 4K monitor, but it really does make sense to apply to a gaming monitor a processor able to handle vast amounts of pixels, motion, color, and multi-window management (including simultaneous playback of different external AV sources) in real-time backed up by a knowledge base derived from no less than 512 separate neural networks.

The S32G80SD also carries the same Tizen operating system, with a few monitor-specific tweaks, used in Samsung’s latest gaming TVs. This means you get access to Samsung’s excellent Game Hub, which brings together your external game devices as well as streamed gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, NVidia GeForce Now, Boosteroid, and Utomic into one attractive and intelligently curated dedicated home screen. A ‘Daily+’ section of the Tizen interface also provides monitor-friendly features such as Easy PC setup, Remote PC support for PCs and Macs, Microsoft 365, and Samsung’s DeX system, while the home screen additionally gives you access to a great selection of video streaming apps. Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, and Apple TV, for instance, are all present and correct, as are many of the UK’s most popular terrestrial broadcaster catch-up platforms.

Almost every aspect of the S32G80SD’s features can be controlled by voice commands using either the Bixby or Alexa voice recognition systems, often giving you an excellent shortcut without having to delve into the on-screen menu system.

Alongside the relatively unusual and premium features detailed so far, of course, are plenty of other modern gaming staples. There’s support for 240Hz, for instance, as well as 120Hz with native 4K feeds meaning it is firmly positioned to offer a premium PS5 monitor or Xbox Series X monitor solution. Variable refresh rates are supported in the core HDMI and AMD Freesync (though not NVIDIA G-Sync) flavors, while Auto Low Latency Mode switching (ALLM) is provided so that the TV can switch into a video or gaming mode automatically depending on what sort of content you’re playing on your console or PC.

You can also call up a dedicated Game Bar menu while gaming to get game signal information and fast access to gaming assistants such as an onscreen crosshair, and a couple of motion enhancement levels if you want to reduce judder at the cost of a little screen response time, and the option to raise the brightness level of dark areas without impacting the rest of the picture.

When it comes to HDR, finally, the S32G80SD supports the HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ formats. There’s no support for the popular Dolby Vision system.

The Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD gaming monitor on a table with an Xbox Series X — (Image credit: Future/John Archer)

Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD: Performance

The Odyssey S32G80SD’s combination of a top-end OLED panel and ground-breaking new processing and features delivers images that are consistently jaw-dropping. And not just with games, either.

In fact, because it's so monumentally good with video compared with any other monitor I’ve seen, that’s where I’m going to start. With streamed video or external video sources, for starters, immaculately deep and clean black levels combine with pristine bright whites and rich colors without the slightest hint of compromise - even when the lightest and darkest parts of an HDR image are just a pixel apart.

Sharpness and detail are out of this world, as cramming a 4K pixel count into a 32-inch screen delivers a pixel pitch so small that high-quality 4K sources essentially just look like real life rather than something a screen is producing. The hugely powerful NQ8 AI Gen 3 processor delivers the most natural, detailed, and dense upscaling of sub-4K content I’ve ever seen on a monitor too. Please note, though, that while it’s fine with internal apps and connected video devices and consoles, the upscaling doesn’t work if the monitor is set to its PC mode.

Colors are gorgeously rich (bolstered by the pure RGB architecture of the QD-OLED panel), but also full of nuance and balance. They enjoy totally natural video tones, too - something most other monitors find very difficult to achieve.

Viewing angles are pretty much infinite, while the ability of the NQ8 AI processor to show even small objects like tennis or cricket balls without them phasing in and out of the picture is like nothing I’ve seen before on a monitor.

You have to be a little careful with some of the S32G80SD’s video settings. I’d recommend avoiding the garish Dynamic preset, turning off the Auto Picture clarity mode, and choosing a custom setting with the Blur and Judder reduction elements set no higher than their level five. I’d also turn off Dynamic Tone Mapping, as it can cause some brightness instability with HDR sources.

The rear ports of the Samsung S32G80SD. — (Image credit: Future)

Set up correctly, though, the S32G80SD’s video images are nothing short of a revelation.

While the S32G80SD’s video mastery might be its biggest surprise, though, it is also, of course, a joyously brilliant gaming display. The sense of detail with native 4K games like Ori And The Will Of The Wisp delivered from an Xbox Series X is out of this world, for starters. In fact, the extra sense of the beauty of Ori’s world I got when running the game in 4K 120Hz on such an incredibly precise monitor actually felt a bit emotional!

Contributing to this sense of absolute precision is the OLED panel’s ability to control the light output of every individual pixel, which yields a gorgeously refined but also at times remarkably dynamic and intense sense of contrast. The range of colors the S32G80SD can cover (I measured 100% of sRGB and a whopping 99.2% of the DCI-P3 gamut) with almost infinite tonal subtlety plays a part in the immaculate finish of high-quality gaming images too.

If you’ve got a gaming PC capable of running 240Hz smoothly, you’ll find the S32G80SD more than up to the job of doing full justice to it. Unfortunately, neither this nor an incredibly fast screen response time of 0.03ms Grey to Grey could stop me sucking at Fortnite on PC - but at least getting hammered looked nicer.

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 on PS5 looked and played better than I’ve ever experienced before on a monitor, too, while the beguiling world of Baldur’s Gate 3 on console and PC became even more enticing and rich looking - especially with the Game Motion Plus tool called in to smooth away any slight judder.

Games streamed from the many services the S32G80SD’s Game Hub carries are all handled extremely slickly too, thanks to the monitor’s high-bandwidth Wi-Fi system and processing architecture expressly designed to minimize lag.

It’s tough to find anything negative to say about the S32G80SD’s image performance. The Dynamic Tone Mapping option set to on by default in the Standard video preset can cause some distracting brightness instability with video sources, and I guess the image isn’t spectacularly bright in HDR or SDR (319 nits and 190 nits respectively on a 10% measurement window) mode. On the brightness point, though, the pinpoint precision of the OLED lighting, the reflection-free screen, a pretty high claimed typical brightness of 250 nits, and the impressive potential to hit nearly 1000 nits when showing small HDR highlights all add up to a typically quite rich and punchy HDR performance.

The S32G80SD partners its imperious pictures with a stereo 5W sound system. This is not, inevitably, in the same realm of brilliance as the picture quality is, but it does deliver game and film soundtracks with a decent sense of clarity and busyness, and without succumbing to distortion even at almost maximum volume. There isn’t much bass around, maximum volumes are limited and the sound lacks forward impact and impetus. But it’s perfectly acceptable, for the most part, for users who are likely to be sat quite close to the screen.

All in all, while not cheap by 32-inch monitor standards, the Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD does more than enough in the feature and, especially, image quality departments to justify its cost. While there are a couple of notable absentees in the form of Nvidia G-Sync and Dolby Vision support, the S32G80SD compensates for this with a raft of new unique cutting-edge performance enhancements and a remarkable ability to be a fantastic video screen as well as a brilliant and wonderfully immersive gaming monitor.

A picture of the Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD gaming monitor with a close up on its game menu while sitting on a table — (Image credit: Future/John Archer)

Should you buy the Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

Not sold on the Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD? Here are two good alternatives to consider.

The rear of the Samsung S32G80SD. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Samsung Odyssey S32G80SD

Tested over 12 days
Used for gaming, productivity, and media consumption
Tested with plenty of games

Over the course of the 12 days I spent with the Samsung S32G80SD before writing this review, it was liberally used not just as a desktop display and gaming monitor, but also, once I realized how good it was with video, as a screen for watching streamed video from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

I’ve never spent anywhere near as much time watching video on a gaming monitor as I did with the S32G80SD, in fact. But then I’ve never previously come across a video that’s so brilliant at showing video.

This didn’t prevent me from getting many (many!) hours of both work and play out of the monitor too, though. Calman software was used to measure the screen’s color capabilities and accuracy, along with a Murideo signal generator and Minolta colorimeter.

Games that found themselves in regular rotation were Fortnite and Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on a PC; Ori And The Will of The Wisp, Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox Series X; and Fortnite and Elden Ring on PS5.

Tests were done for video, desktop and gaming uses in both HDR and SDR modes.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

The Pump review: Arnold Schwarzenegger offers his muscle-building expertise to the masses

6:15 pm | May 31, 2024

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

You’ve heard of Arnold Schwarzenegger. You’re familiar with the best fitness apps. Put the two together and what do you get? The Pump, that’s what.

The app is Arnie’s latest way of offering his considerable training experience and expertise to “anyone with access to a phone”.

Rather than providing thousands of bright video workouts like rivals such as Peloton, The Pump offers a select few long-term plans, a goal-setting framework for everyday life called “Action Plans”, and a blog-like “Community” section where Arnold’s team shares interesting info and like-minded users are able to chat.

The workout plans are designed to help you hit one of two fitness goals: ”get big” or “get shredded”.

Admittedly, this can seem like you’re not getting as much bang for your buck as you do with similarly-priced alternatives like Sweat and Centr, which put a vast library of fitness content at your fingertips. But that’s the whole point, The Pump’s creators argue. This is because the two pillars of any successful strength training plan are consistency and systematic progression. If you’re flitting randomly from class to class on a more expansive app, you’re unlikely to get either of these things.

The Pump, on the other hand, serves you with a limited number of longer-term plans to follow based on your fitness goals. Consistency is paramount, with workouts scheduled on set days and ticked off when you get them done. If you’re looking to build muscle then, paired with appropriate nutrition, this will get you results.

Admittedly, this approach isn’t for everyone. If you just want to move more for your health or enjoy a varied fitness routine, look elsewhere. But if you’re a strength training fan looking to build muscle, picking up a subscription to The Pump could pay dividends.

The Pump: Price and availability

Screenshots from Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Pump app — (Image credit: The Pump app)

$9.99 per month (£10.49 in the UK, approximately AU$15 in Australia)
$99.99 per year (£105.99 in the UK and approximately AU$150 in Australia)

You can download The Pump app for free, but you’ll need to pay $9.99 per month to unlock access to its training plans. Or you can save $20 by paying $99.99 for a full year. New joiners will also receive a seven-day free trial, so you can try before you buy.

This is a fairly standard price for a fitness app. You don’t get anywhere near the amount of content you would from the likes of Peloton, which costs $12.99 per month for the App One membership, but everything that is there is all experience-based muscle-building gold.

From a training point of view, I’ve known people pay far more per month for a solid workout program, which is exactly what this app provides.

Some might argue that the StrongLifts app is a cheaper alternative, with a free version available or a pro version costing just $50USD per year. However, the focus here is more on improving your strength for the big three lifts (the squat, bench press and deadlift), with these three lifts dominating most programs. That’s why I think the community element, wider bodybuilding scope and more varied sessions make The Pump a worthy extra investment for most people.

Value score: 4/5

The Pump: Design

Simple to navigate
Clean design

This app isn’t as busy as others I’ve tried like Peloton, Echelon and Freeletics, and that’s one of its strengths.

There are five tabs – a homepage, workouts, community, action plan and profile – and each one is straightforward to use. The white text on a black background is easy to read, and I found navigation pretty intuitive. If anything, it could have benefited from a few more images from Arnie’s colorful career, but that’s just my preference.

As mentioned in the intro above, there are a limited number of workout plans (not individual workouts) available. Those that show up are tailored to your answers in a quick induction (equipment available, goals, training experience – the usual culprits).

As a new-starter, I found I had to complete a 90-day “The Foundation” program to gain access to any other plans. The focus is on drilling consistency; if you only have one workout at a time to focus on, you’re more likely to stick to the plan, and that’s a surefire path to results.

However, if you’re a seasoned gym-goer, you may not want to strip your training back to three days per week for 90 days before you can get return to your usual frequency.

Design score: 4/5

The Pump: Features

Everything you need to support training for muscle gain
Informative and enjoyable “community” blog
Minimal extras beyond a goal-setting page

Features are limited on this app, and again, I’m not sad about it. They can be boiled down to three main offerings; workout programs, “Action Plans” and community.

Workout programs should be pretty self-explanatory. Everyone starts with a 90-day foundations course to get them in the swing of things, then there are a few different plans to choose from depending on your answers in the intro questionnaire.

For me, there was the prospect of unlocking muscle-building plans named “Next Level”, Foundations Continued”, and “The Classic Arnold Throwback”. The last option is a six-day-a-week lifting plan inspired by Schwarzenegger’s bodybuilding training of old, which will send die-hard (wrong action film?) fans into raptures.

Action Plans are Arnie’s tried and tested goal-setting method, both in and out of the gym – set a longer-term goal, identify something you can do every day to work toward achieving it, then tick off each day that you take this measure. I think some people will find this helpful, but I found it wasn’t something I kept coming back to.

Finally, Community is set-up like an old-school blog, with posts showing up chronologically in a vertical feed. You’ll find nutrition tips, guest posts, muscle-building tricks and occasional Q&A’s with Schwarzenegger, and members have the opportunity to chat in the comments. This element, I loved. The blog posts aren’t just public relations fluff – they’re genuinely interesting and useful. Expect insights from experts, interviews with actors and discussions on recent health and fitness research results.

Schwarzenegger’s (roughly fortnightly) Q&A’s are a highlight too. There’s a real focus on inclusivity with users of all fitness levels celebrated for their successes.

This is all overwhelmingly positive, so you might be wondering why The Pump only scores 3.5 out of five for its features below? The simple answer is that there just aren’t many of them.

What is there is very solid, but I can’t award it a four or above knowing what rivals offer. The likes of Fitbit and Apple Fitness+ can link to their brands’ respective smartwatches, offering insights on sleep, nutrition-tracking and more.

Meanwhile Peloton, Hydrow and the like offer a plethora of follow-along workouts with engaging videos and enthusiastic instructors, as well as the chance to hop onto exercise machines for a connected workout.

The only videos I came across on The Pump were exercise demonstrations linked in each workout, as well as occasional nostalgic clips from bodybuilding’s golden era in the 1960s and 1970s. And, while I thoroughly enjoyed the throwbacks and insights from Arnold on how to get the most out of each move, this wasn’t enough to bump up the app’s overall score.

Features score: 3.5/5

The Pump: Performance

Clean and easy to use
No problems
Doesn’t push the envelope

The Pump doesn’t get much wrong on the performance front, although some of this can be put down to the app not pushing the envelope particularly far. It’s intuitive to use with clean design, and I didn’t find any of the landing pages to be overcrowded as can sometimes be the case with busier fitness apps. Instead, it’s just a functional combination of text and buttons – no thumbnails or moving parts.

The app’s no-frills approach continued during my workouts. And, as someone who likes to keep their gym sessions largely analogue, I appreciated this. There were boxes to enter my reps and weight lifted for each set, helping me track my performance so I could progress my lifts week-on-week. This allows you to take advantage of progressive overload, which is the principle behind any successful strength-building plan.

There was also an automatic timer to stop your rest times from outstaying their welcome, if that’s a common problem for you. If not, you can put your phone back in your pocket (or throw it aside, as lifters love to do).

Performance score: 4/5

The Pump: Scorecard

TechRadar fitness writer Harry Bullmore completing a workout from Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Pump app — (Image credit: Future / Harry Bullmore)

The Pump: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested

I used The Pump app for a week, following its "The Foundation" workout plan, using its Action Plan feature to work towards a goal outside the gym, and regularly checking in on new posts in the Community section of the app.

The Foundation program provided three full-body workouts to complete every other day during the week, so I headed to the gym and took them for a spin.

Also consider

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review

12:16 pm | May 29, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Hair Care Home Small Appliances | Tags: UK | Comments: Off

GHD Flight+ hair dryer: two-minute review

A travel hair dryer needs to tick very specific boxes. It needs to be compact enough to fit in your luggage, without sacrificing too much power. It needs to offer enough controls to make it useful, and ideally you should be able to use it in different countries with minimal fuss.

The GHD Flight+ dryer hits a home run on almost all of these features. Its handle tucks underneath the body of the dryer when it's ready to be packed away, making it a highly compact and portable appliance. Despite being slightly heavier than its predecessor, the GHD Flight, the Flight+ remains lighter than most of the best hair dryers. This means it won't significantly eat into your baggage allowance, and it also makes it a lightweight and enjoyable dryer to use over long periods.

This is fortunate, because the GHD Flight+ is a long way from the fastest, most powerful dryers on the market. Even on the fastest speed it took almost eight minutes to rough dry my long, fine hair, and 11 minutes and 25 seconds, on average, on the slowest setting. Blow drying then took considerably longer: 15 minutes 10 seconds on the faster speed, and 20 minutes on the slower.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer — (Image credit: Future)

That said, this is what I'd expect from a travel dryer. With 78% of the power of the full-sized GHD Air, the Flight+ performs better than the majority of travel dryers I've tested and my hair felt soft after each use. It had an impressive amount of movement and body and while it lacked any discernible shine and the dryer created more frizz than I'm used to, the Cool Shot function helped to negate these issues.

All of this, combined with the Flight+'s matte black finish and simple controls, contributes to the dryer's overall appeal. As does its dual voltage capability. This is essential for international travel and you can easily switch between 240V and 120V via a dial on the Flight+'s handle. The mechanism to change the voltage setting requires the use of a coin, which is a bit of a faff, but it's much less hassle than having to pack a step-down converter or adapter.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer in its case with other hair items — (Image credit: Future)

My only complaints about the GHD Flight+ are minor. I'm not a fan of the dryer's built-in nozzle. With a semi-transparent, almost brown finish it lets down the rest of the Flight+'s aesthetic. I also don't feel like the carry case, which comes with the Flight+ as standard, adds too much. Its rigid lid makes it harder to pack, not easier, and I quickly abandoned it when I took the Flight+ on a weekend trip. The case’s design does allow for storing other items, like a hairbrush and full-sized hair products, and it keeps everything neat, but I'd rather pay less for the Flight+ itself and not have the case.

Speaking of price, when you compare the Flight+ to the rest of the GHD range, it appears affordable. Yet look outside the brand and the Flight+ is significantly more expensive than the vast majority of travel dryers on the market – as much as five times the price. In my opinion, you do get what you pay for and many of the Flight+'s cheaper rivals lack the folding handle, the power, the dual voltage and the stylish design. Not to mention the carry case.

Overall, the GHD Flight+ is a great travel hair dryer that makes small compromises in drying power and speed for improved portability and a thoughtful design. It won't replace a full-sized dryer for everyday use but offers a solid alternative for those needing a lightweight, stylish option on the go.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review: price & availability

$199 / £109 / AU$160
Available US, UK and Australia

The GHD Flight+ is the brand’s entry-level travel hair dryer, having recently replaced the original GHD Flight.

It's sold in the US, UK and Australia and costs $199 / £99 / AU$160. For this price you get the foldable hair dryer and a leather travel case. In the UK, you can alternatively buy the Flight+ as part of a limited edition gift set. This set costs £109 and the standard travel case is replaced by a corduroy case with rose gold accents.

In the wider GHD hair dryer range, the mid-level GHD Air costs $209 / £139 / AU$270, while it’s top-of-the-range model, the GHD Helios, costs $279 / £179 / AU$350. This makes the Flight+ look almost cheap in comparison.

Yet, look elsewhere and it's rare for a travel hair dryer to exceed $40 / £30 / AU$55. Granted none of these cheaper models offer the style, power and considered design of the Flight+ and, in my view, you get what you pay for with the GHD model. If you're after a no-frills travel dryer, though, the Flight+ may exceed your needs.

The GHD Flight+ is available from GHD, and Amazon worldwide. You can additionally buy it from Target and Walmart in the US; Lookfantastic, and Cult Beauty in the UK; and Adore Beauty in Australia.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review: design

Compact, foldable shape
Power converter built-in
Simple controls

The GHD Flight+ is one of the most compact hair dryers I've ever tested. Even before it's folded. Not only does it weigh just 1lb / 0.5kg, with the cord and nozzle, but when in use, it measures just 9 x 7 x 3.5" / 22.9 x 17.8 x 8.9cm (H x W x D). It then shrinks when folded to 9 x 5 x 3.5" / 22.9 x 12.7 x 8.9cm.

This is slightly heavier than its 0.9lb / 422g predecessor, the GHD Flight, but is noticeably lighter than the Dyson Supersonic, for example, which weighs 1.7lb / 653g.

One of the most distinctive features of the GHD Flight+'s design, and the first thing you notice about it, is its folding handle. There's a small hinge where the handle meets the Flight+'s barrel. It locks into place during use, but with a small amount of force you can push the handle so it tucks neatly beneath the dryer's body.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer with the handle folded — (Image credit: Future)

The hair dryer itself looks similar to the GHD Air, albeit half the weight and 25% smaller. It has a stylish matte black finish that is synonymous with the GHD range, with a shiny black plastic slider where you can select one of the two speed settings, or the Cool Shot function. The Cool Shot button, especially on cheaper dryer models, tends to be a button that you have to press and hold. This can make your hand ache after a while so being able to choose this option as a fixed setting on the Flight+ is a small but welcomed touch.

Below the speed switch is a dual voltage dial that lets you adjust what voltage the GHD Flight+ operates at. You can choose either 240V, or 120V and this means it will work in countries that produce different voltage levels without the need for special plugs or step-down converters. The only downside is that it's not easy to turn this dial – which is likely deliberate to avoid your turning it by accident mid-style. Instead, you need to use a coin or similar to switch between voltages.

Controls on the GHD Flight+ hair dryer — (Image credit: Future)

At the bottom of the handle is a hanging loop, which is a nice touch and adds to how you can store this dryer, attached to the GHD Flight+'s 6ft / 1.8m cord. This cord shorter than the 9ft / 3m cord found across the rest of the GHD range, but makes the Flight+ easier to pack and store.

On the front of a barrel is a detachable, semi-transparent plastic nozzle, similar in size to the concentrator attachment that comes with the GHD Helios, albeit it with a wider mouth. Its nice to have the attachment included as standard, but it has a slightly brown/grey tint that lets down the Flight+'s overall aesthetic. On the rear of the barrel is a GHD-branded metal grille.

Whereas some brands simply shrink the size of a standard hair dryer and call it a travel model, it's clear GHD has put a lot of thought into how the Flight+ looks and works. Little touches such as the dual voltage dial, shorter cord, folding handle and carry case will all elevate its appeal. It's just a shame the nozzle lets it down.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

GHD Flight+ hair dryer review: performance

Fast drying times
Difficult to determine the best mode
Mixed styling results

To test the GHD Flight+'s power, I used it as my go-to hairdryer at home for three weeks. I also took it on a weekend away with my family. I timed how long it took the Flight+ to dry my hair on the two different speed settings, and noted down how my hair looked and felt after each use.

The dryer noticeably lacks power compared to a standard size dryer, a point that GHD openly acknowledges (and which I'd expect from a travel dryer.) GHD claims the 1600W dryer offers 78% of the power of the GHD Air, compared to the 70% power of its 1400W predecessor, the original GHD Flight. It produces an airflow temperature of 149°F / 65°C.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer's rear grille — (Image credit: Future)

Even on the fastest speed it took almost eight minutes to rough dry my long, fine hair, while on the slowest speed, this increased to 11 minutes and 25 seconds, on average. My hair felt soft after each use, and had a surprising amount of movement and body, but it looked frizzy and was lacking in shine.

When blow drying my hair properly, with a barrel brush and by sectioning each piece off, these times rose to 15 minutes 10 seconds, and 20 minutes respectively. This left my hair looking and feeling much smoother, although it still lacked any discernible shine.

Given the dryer's compact design, these results weren't entirely unexpected and are on par with, if not better than, many other travel dryers I've used. What's more, the smaller form and lighter weight of the GHD Flight+ make it a dream to use while blow drying your hair. It's easy to maneuver around your head and my arms and wrists never ached, despite the longer styling times.

The Cool Shot function works well. It helped to set my style and reduced some of the frizz the dryer created. The drop in temperature compared to the regular airflow temperature wasn't dramatic but it was definitely cooler and the longer I used it, the cooler it became.

I didn't leave the country during my GHD Flight+ review, so was unable to test the effectiveness of the dual voltage switch. However, I did take it on a weekend trip so was able to review its portability.

GHD Flight+ hair dryer next to its case — (Image credit: Future)

The carry case is a nice touch, and I was initially impressed that it came as standard with the Flight+. It comes with a strap, and a handle to make it easy to carry on its own. However, because it has a rigid lid with soft sides it's not great for packing in your luggage. Its rectangle shape takes up more space, not less, and I would have preferred a bag or similar; so much so that I abandoned the case and packed just the dryer to save space.

On the plus side, there is enough room in the case, alongside the Flight+, to store other items such as a hair brush and styling products if you wanted to keep everything together in your case. Plus the carry case does allow you to store the Flight+ more neatly at home.

For such a compact and light dryer, the GHD Flight+ performs admirably. Its slower times would only become a problem if you were using the dryer every day but for a styler that you'll use occasionally, it's a small sacrifice for the portability and considered design.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should I buy the GHD Flight+ hair dryer?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: May 2024

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Samsung Galaxy A55 review: mid tier has never looked so high end

10:43 am | May 28, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones Samsung Galaxy Phones Samsung Phones | Tags: Australia, OS, UK, US | Comments: Off

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G: Two-minute review

If you’re shopping for a mid-range phone in 2024, there’s a lot of box-ticking happening in this category. Thankfully, Samsung is a pretty sure-fire bet in this space and its latest release, the Galaxy A55, is another strong contender to become one of the best cheap phones you can get. Like its predecessor, it’s a mid-tier phone with a design that arguably looks and feels as good as its flagship counterpart.

It might not possess all the high-end components and cutting-edge features of the Galaxy S range, but straight out of the box, the Galaxy A55 looks and feels like a premium smartphone – all while costing less than half the handsets that sit atop our list of the best Samsung phones. And while it might be slightly sacrilegious, I think it's even more attractive than the Samsung Galaxy S24.

The A55 has kept the elegantly smooth and clean design of its predecessor, including the shiny back glass that was a major improvement over the Samsung Galaxy A53. However, what sets the A55 apart from both the Galaxy A54 and other mid-tier phones, and what makes it feel like a premium device, is that it’s completely ditched plastic in favor of a new and strikingly classy metal build.

Samsung Galaxy A55 on desk — (Image credit: TechRadar/ Max Delaney)

Upgrading the already impressive 6.4-inch display in the A54 to 6.6-inches, you could assume the size increase would make the A55 harder to hold than its predecessor. Don't immediately rule out the A55, however: while I admittedly have big hands and had no issue using the Galaxy A54, I found the A55’s aluminum frame even easier to grip. As a happy side effect, this ensures its bigger Super AMOLED display isn't tarnished by having to put your grubby fingerprints all over it to comfortably hold it.

That's about where the big talking points end. The Galaxy A55 won't leave you disappointed in the photography department, keeping the same 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro camera trio that we loved in our Samsung Galaxy A54 review. The photos and videos are detailed, the app is snappy, the autofocus is quick and it does indeed perform well in low-light areas, even if it takes a bit of a learning curve to get the best results. The only real flaw I found was that the photos taken in bright sunshine tended to be overexposed, resulting in a hazy, unsaturated image.

Despite retaining the same 5,000mAH battery as its predecessor, the Galaxy A55 easily saw me through more than seven hours of screen time during my testing – that’s regular use like social media, YouTube, some light gaming and sitting on the home screen while I stare into the abyss – and that’s thanks to its new Exynos 1480 chipset. It's unlikely to see you through the two-day battery life that Samsung boasts about, but it will last long enough for most users. While I loved the battery life, it's charging was slower than I'd have liked, and it didn't have the convenience of wireless charging to make up for it.

Samsung Galaxy A55 rear glass on natural background — (Image credit: Future/ Max Delaney)

This also isn't the phone for the more intense or passionate mobile gamer, but it can still handle relatively demanding titles (like 3D online shooters) with medium graphics settings.

These few sacrifices, though, are what make the Galaxy A55 a great budget smartphone – a speedier chipset than before, a bigger display and a premium design at an affordable price tag that matches the launch price of the A54 in some markets.

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Price and availability

Launch price from £439 / AU$699
Released March 20 in the UK and March 25 in Australia; unavailable in the US at the time of writing
Available in two storage options and four colorways

While it was released across the globe in March 2024, the Galaxy A55 is unavailable in the United States as Samsung places a larger focus on the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the even more budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy A35 5G in that market.

In other markets like the UK and Australia, the A55 is available in two storage options – 128GB and 256GB – both with only 8GB of RAM (there is a model with 12GB RAM that seems to be listed only for availability in India). However, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G provides the rare feature of up to 1TB of additional storage via a microSD card.

In a change to what we see across a span of products, Aussies actually get quite the deal in comparison to their UK brethren, as £439 directly converts to over AU$800. So while we think the Australian price is very fair, UK customers aren't getting the same deal. It's not all bad, though, as the UK price is actually cheaper than the launch price of the Galaxy A54's two £449 and £499 models last year, and the 6GB RAM option is no more.

Value Score: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Specs

There's a few considerable changes from the Galaxy A54, including improved glass durability, a larger display and greater size generally. Here's a quick breakdown of the Samsung Galaxy A55's specs.

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Design

Aluminum build
IP67 rating means it can handle a splash
Fingerprint sensitive
Bigger and heavier than it predecessor

With no plastic in its build, Samsung has continued its lean towards sustainability by opting to use aluminum for the Galaxy A55’s chassis, giving it a premium-looking, exceptionally classy and functional metal build. When combined with its stylish back glass, it amounts to a supremely elegant design that brings the handset physically more in line with Samsung's Galaxy S series.

It's not beauty over function, though, as the upgraded Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus – the toughest yet – adds even more durability to its front and back than what we saw in the A54, and the pretty aluminum build increases sturdiness while making it easier to grip. During my testing period, it's strong build and IP67 rating had no problems handling the trials of everyday life – in and out of bags, a few small drops onto a carpeted floor and some water-laden situations when listening to podcasts while in the shower – the A55 is almost as durable as it is beautiful.

Samsung Galaxy A55 showcasing fingerprint smudges on its rear glass — (Image credit: TechRadar/Max Delaney)

Unfortunately, that big sleek, glossy back glass isn’t without drawbacks, as I found out as soon as I picked up my Navy Galaxy A55, which was anything but ‘Awesome’ in this respect. It picks up smudges as easily as my niece picks up germs from preschool. Even leaving some room for the possibility that I have an above-average knack for smudges, the phone is extremely smudge sensitive. However, it's safe to assume fingerprint marks on the lilac, lemon and ice blue models will be less visible.

It's also probably worth mentioning that the A55 doesn't lie evenly on its back due to its floating camera design – and placing it face down just put the abundance of fingerprint smudges on display. This little niggle is not exclusive to the Galaxy A55, but I did find it bothersome.

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Samsung Galaxy A55's rear outdoors — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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While UK customers will have access to the full gamut of colorways, a design factor that the Galaxy A55 5G has retained from its predecessor, Australian customers only get two colors. Last year it was Awesome Violet and Awesome Graphite, and now in 2024 it's Awesome Lilac and Awesome Navy. Apparently Aussies only like near-black shades and variants of purple. The UK has a little more room for taste, with Awesome IceBlue and Awesome Lemon added into the fold.

Design Score: 4.5/5

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Display

Samsung Galaxy A55 display — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

Bigger display than the Galaxy A54 (6.6-inches)
1000-nit peak brightness
120Hz variable refresh rate
Protected with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+

It would be unreasonable to expect immense display upgrades with such heavy improvements to the A55's design, but there are a few slight improvements from the A54 that make a definitive difference. Most notably being a slight increase in size, moving up to 6.6 inches from the A54's 6.4 inches. Otherwise, you'll get the same 1080 x 2340 resolution Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR 10 support and the same 19:5.9 aspect ratio.

While Samsung makes a clear point of saying the A55 peaks at 1000 nits, and did not say that the A54 did, our time with both shows that the difference, if any at all, is negligible. In comparison to the Google Pixel 8a's 2000-nit maximum, let alone something like the OnePlus 12 that boasts an insane 4500 nits, the A55's output can't be considered much more than a pass mark.

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Galaxy A55 display reflecting the sky — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Galaxy A55 display — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Samsung Galaxy A55 display playing PUBG Mobile — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G has a wonderful display that makes swiping through socials, watching videos and playing games an absolute blast. Heck, I could almost taste LeBron James' wine while watching the Mind the Game podcast. With a passable peak brightness you'll be able to enjoy its beauty even in direct sunlight and its minimum brightness is more than comfortable laying in bed. The A55's display is vibrant, detailed and strong, so while there might be better displays on more expensive phones, I have very few complaints.

One thing I did like about the A55's display was the built-in fingerprint sensor. While it's not the snappiest I've experienced, it was accurate and faster than typing in a passcode or pattern. Even if it's a bit slow for your taste, the payoff of the A55's flawlessly clean design – with no fingerprint sensor or button below the screen or on the back glass – is well worth it. However, I was unimpressed with the A55's facial recognition, too often finding myself swiping to unlock before it was ready, despite my face being unobstructed.

Display Score: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Software

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Samsung Galaxy A55 software — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Galaxy A55 homepage, app library and control panel (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

Android 14 w/ One UI 6.1
Four years of OS updates
Knox Vault and Seamless Updates

If you were expecting the Galaxy A55’s software to mimic that of the Galaxy S24, you've set yourself up for disappointment. This is a mid-tier phone that costs a lot less than the S24, so expecting mass upgrades from the A54's output would be unfair. That said, the OS is far from bad, it's just a minimal update to that of the A54, running on the Android 14-based One UI 6.1.

Despite reported issues for older phones and rumored impact on charging speed from the One UI 6.1 update, the Galaxy A55 runs very smoothly, and will be familiar to those with some Samsung experience. While it doesn't have the Galaxy AI functionality of the S line, and only four major upcoming OS updates to the latter’s seven, One UI 6.1 is a perfectly fine operating system that works seamlessly within the A55.

One positive feature worth noting – a very happy introduction that comes years after Google launched a similar function with the first Google Pixel – is the introduction of a new era of update functionality for Samsung devices. 'Seamless Updates' adds the ability to download system updates in the background, and the A55 is the first Samsung phone to feature it as part of the brand's March 2024 security patch.

Shutting your phone down for 20 minutes while it updates is, or should be, a thing of the past, and this patch means only a speedy 3-minute restart is needed to complete updates. Along with seamless updates, the A55 also sees the addition of Knox Vault – a new addition passed down from the S24 – that secures important data like passwords and biometrics.

Now, while those two little features aren't much, when put together with the design and display developments we've already looked at, it makes for quite the enhancement. Combined with smooth performance and everything Samsung fans already enjoy about the Galaxy software – squircles and all – there's a lot to like about the software of the A55. With guaranteed four years of software updates coming, you can rest easy knowing your phone will remain up to date, at least for a while.

Software score: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Cameras

Galaxy A55 camera trio — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

50MP f/1.8 main camera w/ OIS
12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro camera
32MP f/2.2 front-facing camera
Improved low-light photography

Photography is a crucial part of the modern handset, and a phone's camera can make or break it in the eyes of the user. In the best way possible, the Galaxy A55's camera does neither.

Providing a rear trio of cameras that can take wonderful photos in various ways, and a front camera that you'll have no problem taking flattering selfies with, the camera is a huge upgrade… over the Samsung Galaxy A53's 64MP main camera. But, a lack of massive change from the A54 isn't what disappointed me about it.

Whether it's selfies, ultra-wide shots, high-detail pics or snaps of your morning coffee, the Galaxy A55 has an objectively good camera system that will be more than serviceable, even for the most photo-obsessed. My biggest problem was that it just didn't capture the reality of what I was looking at when I most expected it to – aka in bright sunlight. Whether it was photos of my sun-baking dog, the book I was reading or a cat-holding selfie out in the garden, the results were a toned-down, dull version of what my eyes were seeing due to overexposure. They were still clear, beautiful images, but a touch too hazy for my liking.

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Photos of my sun-loving doggo — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Some flicks of a morning coffee and some very handsome limes — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Galaxy A55 excels at pet photos — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Galaxy A55 Camera — (Image credit: TechRadar)

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Night photography — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Samsung Galaxy A55 camera — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Combine that issue with a macro camera that was near-impossible to hit the sweet spot with – as you can see by my best results below – and you have a camera that is little more than good. There is just too much high-quality competition, even within this price range, to give it any further praise.

Samsung does make up for that slightly, though, with an abundance of options to help you take the best photo possible, even before you get to the pool of editing tools waiting for one to be taken. Within the four main photo-type options in the camera app (Fun, Portrait, Photo and Video) are tools to help you smooth out the image, get the right framing, activate a timer, turn the flash on and enter the camera settings to ensure you're ready to click away.

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Samsung Galaxy A55 macro camera — macro camera results (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Galaxy A55 macro camera — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

While the modes within More, like macro, slow-mo and Pro, will undoubtedly be put to good use by some users, they remain mostly unused by me. However, the one mode hidden here that I do think is worth a special mention, is night mode. I wasn't blown away by the A55's ability to take photos in low-light areas at first. However, when I put it to the test in a pitch-black room its performance was truly impressive.

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Galaxy A55 night-mode photography — Testing the night mode on the Samsung Galaxy A55 (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Galaxy A55 low-light photography — The before: the books are invisible in normal, standard photo mode (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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Samsung Galaxy A55 low-light photography — The after. The same lighting but with night mode turned on (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

While it might not be a breathtaking photo of the night sky, I think the night mode better portrays how well the Galaxy A55's camera performs in low light. As you can see from my sample images, it works pretty darn well. From freezing cherished moments at dimly-lit restaurants, taking selfies under the hazy ambiance of street lights and snapping pics of your puppy snoozing under the TV’s silver glow, the A55's nighttime performance will be there for a really good shot.

Camera score: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Performance and Audio

Samsung Galaxy A55's rear glass shining in the midday sun — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

New Exynos 1480 Chipset
8GB RAM (12GB in select locations) with no more 6GB model
Stereo speakers
Up to 256GB of storage with up to 1TB additional storage

With a new chipset, I had high hopes for a noticeable performance improvement over the Galaxy A54, but I was prepared for the more-than-likely event that it would be hardly noticeable. Thankfully, the Exynos 1480 chipset provided much more of the former than the latter.

With scores of 1155 and 3468 in the two single-core and multi-core Geekbench tests, and solid results in the 3D Mark: Wildlife, Wildlife Extreme and Sling Shot Extreme stress tests of 3996, 939 and 6216, the Galaxy A55 won't be getting any awards on the test front. However, its results were consistent. For reference, the Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy S24 results can be seen below.

Despite what the numbers might say and how they compare, the A55 felt excellent during my time with it. From Spotify, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube, Netflix to the camera, the A55 ran each one of them perfectly, even when I switched haphazardly between them to try and force some lag – it didn't break a sweat.

Galaxy A55 rear glass reflecting the sky while resting on a red hat — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

One area the Galaxy A55 did slow down slightly was within high-performance apps like the Camera after considerable use. With a day’s worth of apps open and some considerable time spent within the camera app, load times started to get noticeable when switching between camera modes. Though it was little more than slight stutters, the lag did stand out compared to its otherwise smooth performance.

Perhaps due to its upgraded cooling system and adaptive refresh rate that better uses its battery, the A55 will be more than adequate for even a heavy casual mobile gamer. I had no problems earning 20 eliminations and a win in my first game of PUBG Mobile, even if it was against a bot, and was happy to see PUBG automatically set the graphics and framerate to their mid-range settings, with the A55 remaining smooth even when turned up to Ultra HD and the highest framerate. However, some rendering issues did start to occur at those high settings, but didn't impact gameplay. Whether it's PUBG Mobile, Apex Legends or hours of Candy Crush interspersed with regular phone use, the Galaxy A55 will handle it all, with battery to spare.

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PUBG Mobile on the Samsung Galaxy A55 — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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PUBG Mobile on Galaxy A55 — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

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As for audio, whether you like to listen to podcasts through the phone's stereo speakers or blast music through a pair of the best wireless headphones, the days of muffled speakers from the A-series handsets are gone. You'll find little problems in how the A55 handles its audio.

The phone's earpiece and down-firing speakers combine to offer clear, balanced sound, providing easy listening when you don't feel like using headphones – and you won't unless you need to. While audiophiles might want to stick with their high-powered stereo units, the A55 does more than well enough for the average person, retaining some clarity even at high volume. And, in regards to connecting wireless devices via Bluetooth, I had absolutely no issues – even when pairing Apple AirPods 3, which don't always easily connect to Android devices.

Performance and Audio score: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy A55 review: Battery

5000mAh battery
25W wired charging
Advertised two-day battery life

Simultaneously great and disappointing might sound strange, but the Samsung Galaxy A55's fantastic battery life was slightly tarnished by its disappointing charge speed.

The surprisingly good battery life of the Galaxy A55, improving on the A54, more than offsets the slight disappointment I felt when my handset went from only 18% to 48% after 30 minutes of charging. That's far from terrible, and fully charging in around 90 minutes to reach 100% isn't the worst thing in the world, but it took longer than I had hoped. Unfortunately, Samsung's claims that the A55 has “super fast charging”, burying in the fine print that the fast-charging wall adapter is sold separately, sets the phone up for some disappointment.

Samsung Galaxy A55 on-screen battery and charging information — (Image credit: TechRadar / Max Delaney)

Retaining its predecessor's 5,000mAh battery, Samsung created high expectations once again, and fell short once again. While you won't get two days of use unless you leave your phone untouched and unopened, I was still impressed by the A55's battery life. Whether it was the seven hours of continuous Stranger Things – after which it still had more than 15% battery left – or hours of Candy Crush, plus everyday actions like social media, video calling, browsing and audio playing – the battery life of the A55 more than held up. I racked up around seven hours of screen time from a full charge, far more than my personal average of just over five, and there was still ample battery at the end of the day.

While the A54 charges slightly faster than the A55 in my experience, the Exynos 1480 chip the Galaxy A55 uses helps it to outlast its predecessor – if by a miniscule amount – leaving enough charge left that could be the difference between ordering an Uber and being left stranded. In short, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G has more than enough battery life to get you through work, fun and be there when you need it. Just don't expect it to charge to 50% in 15 minutes before you head out.

Battery score: 4/5

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A55?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If this review of the Samsung Galaxy A55 has left you wondering about other mid-tier alternatives, take a look at a few listed below. I’ve also compiled a specs comparison between them and the A55 for a clearer snapshot.

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy A55

Review period: Three weeks
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used: 3D Mark: Original, 3D Mark:Extreme, 3D Mark: Slingshot Extreme (unlimited), Geekbench 6.2.2, Geekbench, native Android stats

Once I received the Samsung Galaxy A55, I put it to the test immediately by running it through some benchmarking tools. I then used it as my main phone through the first week and this included playing games, taking photos and watching content.

Across the final two weeks of my testing time, I put it under the stresses, both technical and physical, of everyday life. From scrolling sessions at home to podcasts on the bus to being pulled in and out of my bag and accidentally walking into the doorway of my bedroom. These activities allowed me to see how the battery holds up over the course of time with normal use, not just how it handles high-impact stress tests.

With a heavy coverage focus on phones here at TechRadar, I'm knowledgeable of the phone market, what it has to offer and how different phones aimed at different budgets fit into it – making me the perfect candidate to test a mid-tier phone like the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed May 2024]

Amazon Luna review: perfect for Prime members

7:42 pm | May 22, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Amazon Prime, Far Cry, UK, US | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

Amazon Luna is a cloud gaming service that allows you to stream games over your internet connection. If you already have an Amazon Prime subscription, then you can access Amazon Luna at no additional cost right now. This is one of the biggest reasons to consider the service, as this basic tier offers a surprisingly well-rounded package. You get a rotating selection of a few free games, which has recently included big hitters such as Fallout New Vegas, on top of access to free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Trackmania.

If you own any Ubisoft games on PC, like Assassin’s Creed Mirage or Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, you can also link your Ubisoft and Amazon accounts together to gain immediate access to them on Luna. This isn’t just restricted to recent titles either and, while there are some omissions, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I could still jump into older favorites including Beyond Good & Evil and Far Cry 2 on the cloud.

A screenshot of the Amazon Luna web page showing Ubisoft games. — (Image credit: Amazon)

If you don’t own any Ubisoft PC games, you can buy them in Luna and have them automatically added to your Ubisoft PC library - a smart way to ease concerns about losing access to purchased games in the event that the service’s servers are taken offline. Although it’s not available right now, Amazon is also working to integrate a selection of games from the GOG storefront in a similar way which will even further expand its library.

You then have the option to upgrade your membership with Luna+, which grants access to a range of new games. It’s cheaper than the competition, which is reflected in the more limited catalog, but there’s still an impressive variety in the titles here ranging from AAA blockbusters to smaller indie adventures. Amazon Luna is also compatible with Ubisoft+, on top of offering an incredibly affordable Jackbox Games subscription which grants access to all of the Jackbox Party Pack games on the service. The multiple tiers and various services might be a little confusing for newcomers, but they bring a level of flexibility that’s simply not present in any other cloud gaming service and allow you to save cash by only paying for the parts of the library that interest you.

No matter what you’re playing on Amazon Luna though, you can expect smooth performance provided your internet meets the minimum speed requirement of 10 Mbps. I found that games ran almost flawlessly at that speed, with very little if any noticeable input latency and a clear 1080p 60 frames per second (fps) picture. That said, you can expect sudden lag and visible compression if your connection becomes unstable, so it’s definitely worth playing with an ethernet cable if possible.

A screenshot an Amazon Luna game library. — (Image credit: Amazon)

Price and availability

Basic tier included with Amazon Prime
Upgrade to Luna+ for $9.99 / £8.99 per month
Available on a range of devices in the US and UK

Basic access to Amazon Luna is included with Amazon Prime, which costs $14.99 / £8.99 per month. This base tier offers a rotating selection of games plus access to free-to-play titles and your Ubisoft PC library. If you’re already an Amazon Prime member with good internet speeds there’s really no reason not to boot up the service and give it a go.

You can also upgrade your membership with Luna+, which costs an extra $9.99 / £8.99 a month and includes just over 120 games. You can still buy Luna+ if you’re not an Amazon Prime member though, which comes with the same perks and access to your Ubisoft PC library without the need for the Prime membership. In addition to the game library, Luna+ grants priority access to servers allowing you to boot up your games a little more quickly.

There’s also a separate Jackbox Games subscription that costs $4.99 / £3.99 a month. This offers access to ten installments of the Jackbox Party Pack series, plus Drawful 2 and The Jackbox Party Starter. If you’re looking for a cheap way to dive into some top-party games with friends, this could be a worthwhile add-on.

On top of all this, Amazon Luna is also compatible with Ubisoft+. Ubisoft+ costs $17.99 / £14.99 per month and lets you play all of the Ubisoft games on the service. If you’re a Ubisoft+ subscriber, you can also use your membership on a range of other platforms including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

The Amazon Luna service is available as a web app that can be accessed on iOS, Android, PC, and Fire tablets, in addition to Fire TV devices and recent Samsung smart TVs in both the US and UK. Amazon Luna is not currently available in Australia, though.

Features and interface

No matter your platform, the Amazon Luna interface is simple and easy to navigate. It shares a lot in common with video streaming services, as each game is presented through a panel that you can then view a trailer or further details. When you’ve found a game that you want to try, you simply hit the prominent “Play now” button and wait a few moments for it to begin. Some titles take a little longer than others to start, but I found that I could get into most games in under twenty seconds which is an impressive result.

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A screenshot of River City Girls 2 on Amazon Luna. — (Image credit: Amazon)

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The mobile Amazon Luna interface. — (Image credit: Amazon)

When you’re in-game, you can hit a shortcut to open a basic overlay that displays the option to quit or begin live streaming via Twitch. In addition to capturing your gameplay, the Twitch streaming option supports external microphones and webcams giving you everything that you need to capture your reactions. Multiplayer games also allow you to start a Luna Couch session. This gives you a short code that you can share with your friends, allowing them to quickly jump into your game without the need for their own subscription. It’s a fantastic feature and one that I found worked surprisingly well, even while playing with friends with less reliable internet connections.

Games can be played using touch-screen controls, a compatible controller such as an Xbox Wireless Controller, or a keyboard and mouse if you’re on PC. You also have the option to use your phone as a wireless controller via the Luna Controller app in a pinch, though the lack of physical inputs and cumbersome layout make this a little more trouble than it's worth.

If you're struggling to find games to play, the Luna home screen lets you sort games by a variety of criteria, including different genres and age ratings. You can save your favorites to the ‘Playlist’ tab, making for a simple way to keep track of any longer games that you might want to dip in and out of.

The Playlist tab in Amazon Luna. — (Image credit: Amazon)

Game library

Amazon Luna’s biggest shortcoming is its relatively small game library. Luna+ offers just over 120 titles to choose from. Even when you add on another 40 coming from Ubisoft, 12 more from Jackbox, and the 12 or so titles offered to Prime members, this is still less than half the number of games that you can find on Xbox Cloud Gaming. Even so, Luna does offer a solid selection of different genres so it’s not like you’re going to find yourself without at least a few things to play.

I personally loved revisiting River City Girls and Elex 2, but also discovered a new favorite in Young Souls. The lack of any downloads makes it easy to jump in and out of games immediately, which is especially easy to appreciate with many of the larger titles like Control Ultimate Edition and Devil May Cry 5. Many Ubisoft games also offer full cross-progression and even cross-platform multiplayer, which is a perfect match for sprawling adventures like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6. Being able to jump right into my existing saves from my phone during my lunch break in the office is almost magical and a great way to squeeze in a little more progress.

Amazon says that 4K game streaming is in the works but, for the time being, every title is restricted to a 1080p maximum resolution. This is realistically going to be enough for most casual players, but it does mean that some more graphically demanding games lose a bit of their luster on big displays. Even at 1080p, however, the data requirements for game streaming are absolutely immense. You can expect to use about 10GB per hour of play, making this one to avoid if you have a limited internet or mobile data plan.

Some of the couch co-op games available with Amazon Luna. — (Image credit: Amazon)

Buying a game on Amazon Luna. — (Image credit: Amazon)

Should I use Amazon Luna?

Use it if…

Don’t use it if…

How I tested Amazon Luna

I tested Amazon Luna for over two months, playing around five hours of games each week. During that time I tested a large share of the games in the Amazon Luna catalog with a range of hardware. This included playing on my iPhone 15 Plus and Samsung S23 Plus with a Razer Kishi Ultra in addition to a PC and laptop. While playing on PC, I used a number of compatible peripherals including the Amazon Luna Controller, the Xbox Wireless Controller, and the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud Controller.

I was careful to try the service using a range of internet connections and mobile data in order to assess performance at different speeds. During my time with the service, I used a combination of my personal Amazon Prime membership, personal Ubisoft PC library, and a complementary Luna+ membership that was provided by Amazon.

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: a Samsung Galaxy S24 for the rest of us

7:00 pm | May 19, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones Samsung Galaxy Phones | Tags: Australia, OS, UK, US | Comments: Off

Samsung Galaxy A35 two-minute review

The Samsung Galaxy A35 is a smartphone designed for people who want the finest tech from South Korea’s favorite phone company, but can’t stomach the hefty price tag often demanded by the best Samsung phones.

By ‘finest tech’ I of course refer to the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, Sammy’s recent line of flagship phones, which come with a cost that's north of my monthly rent. Thankfully, people who prefer their cheap phones can still enjoy some of the best Galaxy tech thanks to the A35.

If you’re new to the Galaxy A range, it’s Samsung’s step-down line compared to the flagship Galaxy S range (though not as far down as the M or J series, available in some countries). The ‘3’ in the title refers to the phone’s place in the sliding scale of premiumness – ‘0’ is super-cheap, and higher numbers get incrementally better – while the ‘5’ tells you that this is part of the fifth generation of Galaxy A mobiles (well, at least since Samsung started this numbering system).

These handsets all borrow specific bits of Samsung tech from the company's top-end mobiles, while otherwise presenting an affordable package with corners cut to keep the price low. And the Galaxy A35 is another great example of that strategy.

Samsung’s fantastic display tech is shining brightly on the Galaxy A35: the screen is big, bold, bright, vibrant, and other synonyms for ‘nice to look at’. If you consider your phone to be a glorified Netflix, Prime Video or Disney Plus-streaming device, then the Galaxy A35 will tick your box.

The Samsung Galaxy A35 leaning against a bench. — (Image credit: Future)

You’re getting all of Samsung’s popular OneUI software here, with its customization tools, programmable routines and the colorful, fun user interface. You’re also getting its bloatware, as it’s not just stuffed with Samsung and Google apps, but also some choice third-party ones, too.

The chipset is a surprising feature: on paper, it’s just a bog-standard, low-end Samsung chip, but it absolutely cracks through long gaming bouts or intensive tasks; mobile gamers won’t find anything to turn their nose up at here.

It’s not a perfect phone, though, even by Galaxy A standards. The cameras are a prime example, as they just don’t hold a candle to those on other models I’ve tested. Low-light snaps were vibrant enough, but odd scene optimization AI edits and questionable ultra-wide performance marred the results.

The trappings of low-end mobiles are here in some respects, too: charging is slow, the design is a bit utilitarian and the fingerprint sensor is just awful. Stick to facial unlocking or a PIN/password if you buy this device.

Still, there’s nothing on this phone that’s outright disappointing when you consider its price, and a fair few features are actually better than you’d expect. All told, then, you’re not going to be left feeling mugged off if you buy the Galaxy A35.

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: price and availability

Released in March 2024
On sale in the US, UK and Australia, among other regions
$399.99 / £339.99 / AU$549.99, only one variant

The Samsung Galaxy A35 was announced in March 2024 and released shortly thereafter, as part of the company’s 2024 line of budget smartphones.

You can pick up the device for $399.99 / £339.99 / AU$549.99 in its sole 128GB configuration, though you can pick between a few color options if you want some amount of customization.

At that price, this is a worthy budget alternative to the $799 / £799 / AU$1,399 Samsung Galaxy S24, getting you a few specs and features pinched from the premium mobiles, but at a much lower price.

It’s not Samsung’s cheapest phone, with the Galaxy A0X, A1X and A2X lines all offering cheaper options, though almost all of those devices have specs weak enough to make them not worth considering (with the exception of the Samsung Galaxy A25).

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: specs

The Samsung Galaxy A35 has specs that run the gamut from low-end to top-end, which you can see below:

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: design

The Samsung Galaxy A35's USB-C port. — (Image credit: Future)

Standard-looking chocolate bar Android phone
Color options vary by region
Fingerprint scanner is unreliable

Samsung hasn’t exactly been changing things between its Galaxy A-series mobiles of late, and the Galaxy A35 is certainly no exception. It’s your standard chocolate bar smartphone with a fairly large body and a flat edge.

The handset weighs 209g, so it’s roughly average as mobiles go, and it measures 161.7 x 78 x 8.2mm, which is a little on the hefty side but not as big as Samsung’s ‘Ultra’ phones. It’s noticeably bigger than the S24, though.

The Galaxy A35 has a glass front and back, making it feel more premium in the hand than many other mid-range phones. It ships in a range of color options, too, but those options depend on region: US buyers can pick between navy and lilac, Australian customers can choose navy or pale blue, and UK buyers get all three of those options, as well as the fetching pale yellow that you see in the images accompanying this review. All these colors are relatively restrained given the vibrancy of some of Samsung’s previous Galaxy A color options.

Unlike some of its cheaper A-series siblings, the Galaxy A35 doesn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, its only port is the USB-C one on the bottom edge of the device.

Both the volume rocker and power button are on the right edge of the device, and you may find yourself stretching to reach them unless you have big mitts.

Samsung uses an under-display fingerprint sensor for the phone, but you’d be forgiven for not noticing — that is to say, it failed to find my finger more often than it succeeded, and I ended up having to type my password in far more often than on most other mobiles.

The phone is certified with an IP67 rating, which means it’s totally protected from small particles (sand, dust, flour and the like) and will also survive being submersed in liquid at a depth of up to 1 meter for a limited time – don’t take it swimming, then, but it should still work if you accidentally drop it in your beer.

Design score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: display

6.6-inches with 1080 x 2340 resolution
Super AMOLED results in punchy visuals
120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling

If any part of the Samsung Galaxy A35 will make you forget that you’re using a budget mobile, it’s the display.

The phone boasts a big 6.6-inch display, which is bigger than most Galaxy A-series mobiles and also the Galaxy S24. It has a 1080 x 2340 resolution, which is the same as most mobiles on the market, and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.

Anyone who’s used a Samsung phone will know that the company’s tech is strongest in the display department; this mobile uses a Super AMOLED panel with a fairly high max brightness of 1000 nits. The screen is bright and colors pop, enhancing that Netflix stream or gaming session.

Even your average scrolling experience is better on the Galaxy A35 thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate, which makes motion look smoother and is far from a given on phones in this price range (heck, even the iPhone 15 doesn't have a 120Hz refresh rate).

Display score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: software

The Samsung Galaxy A35's quick settings menu. — (Image credit: Future)

Android 14 with One UI 6.1 over the top
Customization and routines good, bloatware bad
Four years of OS updates, five of security

A major similarity between the Samsung Galaxy A35 and its Galaxy S24 brethren is in the software department: both come with Android 14 pre-installed, with Samsung’s One UI 6.1 slathered over the top.

Samsung has promised four years of software updates, taking you up to Android 18 (unless Google decides to get funky with numerical orders) and you get an extra year of security updates on top of that.

Visually speaking, One UI is one of the more distinctive Android forks, offering pebble-shaped icons, colorful menus and easy-to-parse icons in the quick settings menu. However, between the Samsung apps, Google apps and a fair few third-party apps, the Galaxy A35 is also chock-full of bloatware, which is something you’d think a massive company like Samsung would be above.

One UI brings plenty of customization options with widgets for your installed apps, a wide range of pre-installed wallpapers, the ability to pick a system-wide color palette, and more. The options here aren’t quite as extensive as on, say, Motorola or stock Android phones, but it’s something.

Like on iPhones, Samsung offers a handy ‘Modes and Routines’ feature so you can jump between, say, sleep, driving or workout modes at the tap of a button, which lets you completely change the way your phone works if you need different settings for a temporary amount of time. These options do require some set-up, though, so carve 15 minutes out of your schedule when you first buy the phone to set them up.

Software score: 3.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: cameras

The Samsung Galaxy A35's camera app. — (Image credit: Future)

50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro cameras
13MP selfie camera on front
Range of extra photography and video modes

You’re looking at three rear cameras on the Samsung Galaxy A35. They create a package that’s par for the course for a mid-range phone at this budget, but won’t hold a candle to the Galaxy S24 range or even higher-priced Galaxy A mobiles.

The leader of the pack is a 50MP f/1.8 main camera, which is joined by a 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide snapper, with a 5MP f/2.4 macro rounding out the trio.

In well-lit conditions, the main camera takes bright and colorful pictures, which made pictures of close items like flowers or food look bold. That's likely due to Samsung’s scene optimization AI processing, which is a staple of Galaxy phones. This feature adds some pep and pizazz to your snaps; and by that I mean it ratchets up the contrast and saturation, and also drizzles in some sharpening and HDR.

Seasoned photographers might find this tweakery unwanted, but seasoned photographers probably aren’t using this kind of phone. The optimization is most welcomed for snappy social media posts and selfies.

Why did I specify ‘close items’ before? Well, for wider shots, pixel binning seems to result in a noticeable lack of quality, which you can see in the picture of a tree in the camera samples section below.

The Samsung Galaxy A35 taking a selfie. — (Image credit: Future)

The Galaxy A35 also struggled in lower-lighting conditions, with details lost and contrast handled about as well as you’d expect. Sometimes scene optimization decided to cast an odd blue pall over snaps – a picture of some ducks below was taken in overcast conditions, yet looks like a cheap TV-movie day-for-night.

The camera will suit you better if you usually take pictures of close-up subjects (including people) in decently-lit environments, rather than wider landscapes at darker times of day.

The Achilles’ heel of the phone’s camera array is the ultra-wide snapper, because photos taken on it looked dull and lifeless compared to their counterparts. It’s as though the AI scene optimization forgot to step in!

Rounding out the trio is the macro camera, which is a lot more situational in use than its siblings; it’s used for those close-up photos that the main camera will struggle to keep in focus. It’s up to the task, but you probably won’t be using this camera too much if you can help it.

On the front of the phone is a 13MP f/2.2 selfie camera, and everything I said about the rear camera’s optimization is out here in force, with the added distinction that the subject of a selfie is generally going to be close to the camera, so no landscape-shot woes here. There’s nothing wrong with nice bright selfies though, and in Portrait mode the device was fab at blurring the background and balancing the elements of the picture to create a great-looking shot.

Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps or FHD at 60fps, or goes very low with several slow-mo modes. Most of the modes here are par for the course for a modern-day smartphone, with night, time-lapse and Portrait modes present and correct. Samsung stalwart modes Food (which ramps the saturation up for a very limited focus area) and Fun (which adds AR effects on human subjects) are back here, too.

Samsung Galaxy A35 camera samples

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A selfie taken on the Samsung Galaxy A35 — A selfie taken in 'standard' mode. (Image credit: Future)

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A bright flower taken on the Samsung Galaxy A35 — A flower taken on the standard camera. (Image credit: Future)

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A field with a church taken on the Samsung Galaxy A35 — An ultra-wide picture of a field. (Image credit: Future)

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A well-lit tree taken on the Samsung Galaxy A35 — A well-lit willow tree with detail lost on the leaves and grass. (Image credit: Future)

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A picture of ducks taken on the Samsung Galaxy A35 — An oddly-blue picture of ducks on the Galaxy A35. (Image credit: Future)

Camera score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy A35: performance and audio

Snapdragon 695 is fit for purpose
128GB storage can be expanded up to 1TB, plus 4GB RAM
3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio

The ‘brains’ of the Samsung Galaxy A35’s operation is Samsung’s own Exynos 1380 chipset, which Samsung previously used in the pricier Galaxy A54 from last year.

In a Geekbench 5 benchmark test, the Exynos 1380 returned an average multi-core score of 2,868; the warmer the phone was, the lower the result, with scores ranging from the low 2,900s when cool to the mid 2,700s when warm. I’ve seen phones with much more dramatic ranges than that, I just say this to contextualize the average score.

The high 2,000s is nothing to phone home about, but it’s more than enough for most everyday use cases, and the A35 performed admirably in real-world testing. It blitzed through many games of Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG Mobile without breaking a sweat (though it did warm up if I was pushing it), and it did so without significant lagging, bugging or any crashing. Mobile gamers on a budget won’t find anything to dislike here.

Similarly, the phone felt snappy and fast to navigate, which is something you hope for but can never guarantee with phones around this price.

There’s 6GB RAM and board and 128GB storage; if you want more space you’ll need to rely on cloud storage, as there’s no expandable memory.

With no 3.5mm headphone jack, you’ve got one less option for audio on the Galaxy A35. The stereo speakers are serviceable: I found them perfectly fine for CoD:M, but even cheap headphones are better for music. The Bluetooth is 5.3, which is a decent standard for reliable and power-economic connection. You can also use a USB-C to 3.5mm adaptor if you absolutely need wired music.

Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: battery life

Chunky 5,000mAh battery
Phone lasts a day of use, sometimes more
25W wired charging is slow

You’re looking at a 5,000mAh battery on the Samsung Galaxy A35, which is the same battery you'll find in the vast majority of other budget and mid-range mobiles (and some high-end ones, too).

In testing, that saw the phone comfortably last for a full day of use, despite the big bright screen and 5G connectivity. It limped until lunchtime on a second day before charging really became necessary, so I’d recommend charging daily.

Charging is done using the USB-C port, and it’s 25W, which isn’t exactly fast. At that speed, you’ll have to be tethered to the wall for over two hours, which nudges into ‘overnight charging’ territory.

There’s no wireless charging, but that’s no surprise when it comes to a mid-range mobile like the A35.

Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: value

The Samsung Galaxy A35's camera bump. — (Image credit: Future)

In many ways, the Samsung Galaxy A35 gives you exactly what you pay for, but you’re getting great value for money in a few distinct areas. I wasn’t kidding when I called this a budget Galaxy S24.

The display, software and performance all reach above the trappings of the A35’s low-mid-range price tier, giving you an experience that’s not quite ‘premium’, but is still more than you’d usually get for this price.

Plus, there’s no real department in which the Galaxy A35 falls below expectations: value all around.

Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A35?

Buy it if...

You watch lots of videos
The good-looking display on the Galaxy A35 makes it a dream for Netflix fans on a budget.

You're a gamer on a budget
The A35 is decently powerful for its price, but the big and attractive display ticks even more boxes.

You want One UI, without the price
You don't need to pay Galaxy S24 prices to use all of One UI's handy features, like routines and its customization options.

Don't buy it if...

You're a photography fan
The Galaxy A35's three cameras aren't going to impress amateur photographers much, especially with its overactive AI optimizations.

You need quick charging
You can buy budget phones with 120W charging, so the Samsung Galaxy A35's paltry 25W is slower than its rivals.

Your budget goes a little higher
Only a small fee will let you upgrade from the Galaxy A35 to the Galaxy A55, or another Samsung phone with improved features.

Samsung Galaxy A35 review: Also consider

If you're not certain on the Samsung Galaxy A35, here are some alternatives you might want to consider:

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy A35

The Samsung Galaxy A35's Samsung logo.

(Image credit: Future)

Review test period = 2 week
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

I tested the yellow – sorry, 'Awesome Lemon' – version of the Samsung Galaxy A35 for two weeks for this review. Product photography was conducted right at the beginning of testing, hence why I've only got a few apps in-shot.

Testing was done by using the phone as my normal smartphone for the two-week duration: texting, photography, music streaming, Netflix, and so on.

I have over five years' experience of reviewing tech gadgets for TechRadar, having previously been an editor for the phones team and currently freelancing for several verticals. I've used plenty of Samsung phones (and other gadgets by the company) including previous Galaxy A devices.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2024

Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender review

5:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Juicers & Blenders Small Appliances | Tags: Australia, UK, US | Comments: Off

Nutribullet Pro+ blender: two-minute review

The Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 personal blender sits towards the upper end of this brands range, with a more powerful motor and an added pulse button compared to cheaper models.

This looks a lot like a standard Nutribullet, and for the most part it's the same straightforward but effective design. Add the blade part to one of the two included cups, twist it on to the main body of the blender and it starts to blend immediately, cutting out after 60 seconds to prevent pressure from building up in the cup. The more powerful motor (1200W) makes light work of even tough smoothie ingredients, and delivers consistently smooth results. To-Go lids can be attached directly to the blending cup once you've taken off the blade part, enabling you to blend and go.

Another point of difference here is the addition of a pulse button. This is good for things like salsas, and make it easy to tailor your blend to the perfect consistency you're looking for.

Pulse button on Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender — (Image credit: Future)

Price-wise, it sits in the mid-range of the wider market, and I'd say it's worth it if you want that extra power and the versatility of the pulse function. If you don't want the pulse function and are happy with a lower-powered option, you might be just fine with a cheaper Nutribullet like the 900 (read TechRadar's Nutribullet Pro 900 review), and if you want a quieter model with a fancy touchscreen rather than the twist-to-blend approach, you'll need to spend a bit more on the Ultra model (read TechRadar's Nutribullet Ultra review). However, in terms of effectiveness and value for money, the Pro+ 1200 is easily one of the best blenders I've tested, especially for smoothies.

The names are very slightly different in different territories, so for avoidance of confusion, here's what you're looking for:

For my review, I tested the UK version. There may be very minor differences between the models in different territories.

Nutribullet Pro+ blender review: price & availability

List price: $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$189.95
Launched: 2023
Available: worldwide

The Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 is available worldwide and is a mid-range blender. At ticket price, it's $129.99 in the US, £119.99 in the UK and AU$189.95 in Australia.

Within the Nutribullet personal blender range, it's one of the pricier options, sitting between the 900 series and the top-of-the-range Ultra. If you're on a tighter budget, there's also the less powerful 600 Series. See how all the models compare in the specs comparison table.

While the Pro+ 1200 isn't the cheapest, I think it's reasonably priced for a personal blender with a powerful motor. It's also worth keeping an eye out for deals around sales periods like Black Friday.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Nutribullet Pro+ blender review: design

Powerful 1200W motor
Two cups with two To-Go lids and two Comfort Lip Rings
Twist-to-blend, with 60 second auto-shut off
Manual pulse mode that lasts up to a minute

The Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 sits neatly on the worktop and is held in place by four suction feet. The main machine, without cups attached, measures 5.4 x 5.4 x 15" / 13.6 x 13.6 x 37.5cm (W x D x H).

It has a black body with a silver trim, and while it's not quite as sleek as the Nutribullet Ultra or the eye-catching finish of the Pro 900, it's still compact and stylish on the countertop.

Close up of blade for Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender — (Image credit: Future)

It comes with a powerful 1200-watt motor which – like the Ultra – is designed to split through tough ingredients such as frozen berries and almonds. To start it, you simply need to twist on the cup and a 60 second blend will start. What makes it stand out from cheaper models in the Nutribullet blender range, is a dedicated illuminated Pulse button on the front of the motor base, which allows you to stop the auto-blend within 5 seconds of it starting and then manually pulse your ingredients yourself for up to a minute.

To-Go lids on Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender cup — (Image credit: Future)

There are two blending cups provided – an 'Oversized' 32oz / 900ml cup and a 'Tall' 24oz / 680ml cup. There's no 'Short' 18oz / 511ml cup provided (this is the best option for a single smoothie serving) but one can be purchased separately from Nutribullet. The larger cup sizes give you plenty of flexibility when it comes to making smoothies or dips for a few people.

Both provided cups come with To-Go lids and Comfort Lip Rings, which means you don't have to decant your smoothie to a different cup before taking it out with you.

The cups can simply be twisted off after use and while they are dishwasher-safe, I found that washing the blade and cups with warm, soapy water straight after use kept them looking box fresh. Note that if those cups don't suit your needs, you can purchase other sizes separately from Nutribullet.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Nutribullet Pro 900 specs

Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender review: performance

Creates super-smooth smoothies, and pulse function useful for chunky blends
A little noisy in use – and louder than the Nutribullet Ultra
Ingredients can get stuck at top for thicker blends
Also decent at crushing ice

To give the Nutrbullet Pro+ 1200 a fair trial, I used it for a month in my kitchen to create smoothies and dips. I followed the recipe for a Creamy Coffee Smoothie, with banana, coffee, almond milk, Greek yoghurt, cinnamon and maple syrup, for example, which made a nice change from my hot morning coffee. I was also keen to find out how well it did at creating grainier dips such as hummus, as well as for a thick pancake mix.

With a 1200-watt motor base, the Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 has twice the power of the original Nutribullet 600. As soon as the cup is twisted on the blend cycle starts, and it will cut off automatically after a minute. I used the full minute for my Creamy Coffee Smoothie, and it created the smoothest of blends, and whipped the ingredients into up a delicious frothy texture. The 60-sec cutoff is so as not to cause a pressure build-up inside the cup, and it's important to wait until the motor cools before blending again.

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Making pancake batter in Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender — (Image credit: Future)

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Coffee smoothie made in Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender — (Image credit: Future)

Like the Ultra, the blades in the Pro+ 1200 are designed to work on tough ingredients, so ice, nuts and chickpeas will all work well here – provided you have enough liquid in the cup to help the mixture blend that is. If you don't have enough liquid, the ingredients tend to get stuck at the top of the cup. I had this issue when making my pancake batter – on my first attempt, the flour got stuck to the sides. I added more almond milk and shook the cup a few times, and after that it combined more effectively, and very quickly, too.

Ingredients for pancakes next to Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender — (Image credit: Future)

My final test was to see if the Pro+1200 could handle crushing ice. It performed well in our ice test, blitzing through the majority of a cupful of ice so that it formed a powder like finish ideal for snow cones. After 30 seconds i gave the cup a shake and let it soldier on through the remaining ice cubes.

Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blitzing ice — (Image credit: Future)

One feature the Pro+ 1200 has that cheaper Nutribullets don't is a Pulse button. I used this to help when making a textured hummus, and I also think this would work well for chunky salsas, guacamole or anything else where there are tough ingredients that need breaking down into small chunks.

To use the Pulse button, you need to twist the cup on the base and press the Pulse button within five seconds. You can then manually press the Pulse button for up to a minute to adjust the texture to your exact preferences.

Overall, I really enjoyed using this blender and appreciate how powerful and flexible it is. It's quite loud in operation, however. The Nutribullet Ultra (which is designed to be quiet) measured 88.9 decibels on my Decibel Meter App, while the Nutribullet 1200 Pro+ came in at around 93.3 decibels. This isn't something that would put me off buying it, however, as my household is more than used to hearing me say ‘cover your ears for 60 seconds' whenever I want to prepare my morning smoothie.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 blender

I trialled the Nutribullet Pro+ 1200 personal blender in my kitchen to see if it was capable of blitzing up standard blending recipes with ease. I used it to make humus to see how well the pulse feature could work here, and also make pancakes and a creamy coffee smoothie to see if all the ingredients combined effectively. To get a good idea of how loud it is in use, I measured noise levels using the Decibel Meter App on my smartphone. I also gave it a good wipe down and washed it to see how easy it was to clean.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2024

NEO S controller review – retro hardware that prioritizes customization and convenience

4:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Nintendo Switch, UK, US | Comments: Off

One-minute review

The NEO S is the newest product from CRKD, the creator of one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories in the Nitro Deck. Despite its compact size, there are a surprising amount of features stuffed into the controller that help it stand out in an oversaturated market of controllers for Nintendo’s console. But, if you want something more versatile, the NEO S is also compatible with PC, smart TVs, and mobile which makes for a great all-rounder.

Given its extensive range of features that pit its capabilities above its peers, there’s a lot that goes into making the NEO S a controller worth adding to your collection. For those after a new go-to Nintendo Switch controller, the NEO S is cheaper than a pair of official Joy-Con controllers as well as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Plus, it offers Hall effect thumbsticks to prevent stick drift, alongside neat extras like adaptable triggers and re-mappable back buttons to help further customize your experience.

These are features that a lot of budget Nintendo Switch controllers don’t offer, but can drastically improve your gaming experience and mark the NEO S as a standout product in its price range.

The corner of the CRKD Neo S controller. — (Image credit: Future)

Price and availability

$49.99 / £49.99
US and UK availability
Slightly pricier than third-party controllers from PowerA and PDP

The NEO S costs $49.99 / £49.99, and is available through the CRKD store page or via Amazon store. When compared to other ‘collectible’ controllers on the market, the NEO S isn’t an expensive controller by any stretch of the imagination but still falls a little short of being a hugely budget-friendly option for the Nintendo Switch. However, once you factor in that the controller isn’t exclusively compatible with the Nintendo Switch, since you can also connect via PC, mobile, and Smart TV, its price tag does begin to justify itself.

Specs

A top down view of the CRKD Neo S controller. — (Image credit: Future)

Design and features

The design of the NEO S is its main appeal. As we saw with CRKD’s Nitro Deck variants, the controller initially sells itself on its collectability. Although the unit we are reviewing is the ‘Classic Clear’ variation, the controller launched as part of a collection of nine controllers, all sporting various, vibrant designs.

The ‘Classic Clear’ design is quite literal, offering a translucent clear shell that allows you to see all the inner workings. Both thumbsticks and the d-pad and home buttons are black, and both triggers and back buttons are a light gray, but a pop of color is added through the face buttons. As a whole, the design of the controller is a blatant stab at replicating the retro side of 90s hardware, especially with its translucent design and vibrant buttons. It’s a sturdy build, though the face buttons somewhat betray the NEO S with a cheap feel compared to the rest of the controller.

The bottom left hand side of the CRKD Neo S. — (Image credit: Future)

One of the main concerns I had about the design of the NEO S prior to use was its potential discomfort during longer gaming sessions due to its rectangular shape. For players used to using controllers with grips, the NEO S will feel like a drastic difference since it's a very flat gamepad. But, even though the product looks as though it’ll be uncomfortable in your hands after using it for a few hours, curves on the back support your hands and provide a grip for overall more comfortable gaming.

The design of the back of the controller and where your hands naturally sit during use provide easier access to the pair of re-mappable back buttons. This is ideal if you need to quickly input something without moving your hands from the sticks or buttons on the front of the controller. Even though it does stray from the traditional controller shape in favor of something reminiscent of early Nintendo consoles like the SNES and NES, it's clear that the NEO S has been made with its ergonomics in mind to ensure it's consistently comfortable to use.

Performance

The NEO S is incredibly easy to set up straight out of the box regardless of which platform you’re connecting it to. For Nintendo Switch, it’s as simple as holding down the central CRKD button in the controller connect screen from the main menu while you can use the USB-C cable that comes with the controller to connect to a PC.

There are a lot of in-built features that make the NEO S feel like a high-quality product, especially given its reasonable price tag. You’ll feel the benefits of rumble, which you can increase or decrease the intensity of via the app, and motion controls which are essential for games on the Nintendo Switch like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Splatoon 3. For those looking for a more reactive gaming experience, you can fine-tune everything from trigger to thumbstick sensitivity.

Due to the amount of individual features you can customize, the experience can be tailored to suit your exact needs. Although you can use the controller straight away, there are noticeable dead zones for games that require fast movement such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, meaning that there are certain distances you have to move your thumbsticks before inputs register in- game. Fortunately, the controller also comes with a no deadzone mode which you can toggle on and off in the same way you’re available to adjust trigger sensitivity and remap the back buttons.

The back of the CRKD Neo S. — (Image credit: Future)

This can all be done through the CRKD app, where you can scan in your controller to see your product number and its rarity. This is great if you’re an avid collector of hardware, and lean into the collectible side of CRKD products. However, alongside accessing all this information, a large button labeled ‘CTRL’ (also referred to as CRKD CTRL) is your gateway to customizing your controller and also installing any future firmware updates. Even if you’ve never personalized a controller before, the app does a great job at walking you through it step by step so you know exactly what you’re doing.

All in all it’s a neat bit of tech that offers everything you could need for a Nintendo Switch controller. Paired with a battery life that lasts around eight and a half hours from my testing, given I only had to charge it once during my 20-hour testing period, it’s a vital addition if you need a decent spare gamepad or something far more comfortable than the Joy-Con. But although its offerings don’t necessarily fall short when connected to a PC, Smart TV, or mobile, they do feel more tailored to the Switch which is why we hold our comparison so close to alternative third-party controllers designed for the system.

Should I buy the NEO S?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If you’re not keen on the NEO S, take a look at these two alternatives.

The CRKD Neo S controller. — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the NEO S

Tested for 25 hours
Tested across Nintendo Switch and PC
Compared to other third-party controllers at the same price point

I tested the NEO S controller on both Nintendo Switch and PC for over 20 hours on a variety of games. For the Nintendo Switch, I tested the controller within games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Super Smash Bros Ultimate, whereas I used it for games like Stardew Valley, Duck Game, and Tekken 8 on PC. The programmable back buttons and customizable dead zones of the controller gave me the opportunity to personalize my settings to suit whatever game I was playing, which is a feature many alternative products lack.

Given the mid to high price point for a third-party Nintendo Switch controller, I wanted to see how it stacks up against its competitors - especially given the emphasis on the collectible side of the product over its performance.

To ensure thorough and honest testing, I used a variety of other controllers at a similar price, such as the PDP Afterglow, and during the testing period within the same games, and can say with confidence that the NEO S offers a solid, more personal performance due to its customizable features, alongside a sturdy build quality and unique design that makes it a product well worth considering if you’re looking for an alternative gamepad that also looks the part.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2024

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