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Here’s why Samsung won’t be selling the Galaxy A55 in the US
7:57 am | March 15, 2024

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

This Monday Samsung made the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 mid-rangers official, and then shortly after that it was revealed that the company wasn't planning on selling the A55 in the US, while the A35 would be offered over there. This was and is an interesting reversal of the past, when the A3x model generally wasn't available in the US, but the A5x device always was. At the time we got no reason from Samsung for not wanting to sell the A55 in the US, but today that changes, since the company issued another statement, this time to Android Authority, and this one explains things pretty...

US passes ban that could ban TikTik unless ByteDance sells it
7:04 pm | March 13, 2024

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

Only a week ago reports came out that a new bill is looking to force ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban in the US. And now that bill has passed the US House of Representatives (with a strong bipartisan support, the vote went 352-65). The next stop, the Senate. Senator Rand Paul opposes the ban, so there may be hope. But if the bill passes, President Joe Biden has stated that he would sign the bill into law (even though the Biden reelection campaign joined TikTok a month ago). Back in 2020, several US companies were interested into acquiring TikTok’s global operations, including...

Samsung won’t be bringing the Galaxy A55 to the US
12:19 am |

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

Samsung announced its Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 midrangers yesterday and only revealed European pricing details. In a new development, Samsung confirmed that it’s not planning to bring the A55 to the US any time soon. A Samsung US representative confirmed to CNET that “We [Samsung] will not be carrying the Galaxy A55 5G at this time.” Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 Samsung did not reveal why it decided not to bring the A55 to the US but it could have to do with competition with its other Galaxy devices like the S23FE which boasts similar specs. We do get confirmation that the Galaxy...

Motorola Moto G84 review
9:29 pm | March 11, 2024

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

Moto G84 two-minute review

Another day, another Moto G phone…

…and as usual, the Moto G84 is a surprisingly adept and reliable Android handset from one of the world’s most dedicated phone manufacturers, with Motorola continuing its forcible takeover of our round-up of the best cheap phones.

The latest entry in Motorola’s ever-growing G-line of low-cost mobiles, the G84 brings a few clear and concise arguments as to why it should be your next purchase, as well as a few wardrobes that it hopes you won’t be checking for skeletons.

First up, the Moto G84 is the company’s latest collaboration between Motorola and paint company Pantone, with one of its three colors designed by color experts. This is the Viva Magenta one that you can see pictured above, adorned in the shade that Pantone decided was its Color Of The Year 2023.

It's a distinctive shade (which may put some people off), and we’re big enough fans to add the vibrant and striking look to the ‘Pros’ list above. But for some reason, Moto decided to release two other color options, silver and black, which look pretty boring by comparison.

We go from one of the phone’s touted selling points to something Motorola is barely mentioning: the G84 is a powerhouse for gaming. While I’ve been disappointed by other mobiles brandishing the same Snapdragon 695 chipset used here, the Moto chews through gaming and other intensive tasks. If you’re a gamer on a budget, this is definitely a solid pick.

The Moto G84's home screen next to some festive cookies

(Image credit: Future)

It’s at this point in the review (less than a minute into the ‘two-minute review’, so pretty early on) that I should mention the Moto G73. This mobile, released in early 2023 and still ranged by most retailers including Moto itself, has lots of specs in common with the G84.

It has a lower price and the same camera array, same rough design, same software, same battery size, same charging speed and same screen size. Admittedly it’s screen quality is worse, it doesn’t have an under-display fingerprint scanner, it’s less powerful and it doesn’t catch the eye quite like this Viva Magenta-clad beast. But if you want to save some cash and don’t mind these tweaked features, it’s a very real competitor that may sway your attention.

‘Close competition’ is nothing new for Moto phones, given how many similar-looking budget mobiles it releases each year. Neither is my other major gripe with the handset: its cameras are anything but impressive, with photos that look a little dull and unexciting.

Picking up a Motorola phone and being surprised that its cameras aren’t amazing, is like picking up a dumbbell and being surprised it’s heavy – that trait is just par for the course. The cameras aren’t terrible either, they just won’t suit passionate smartphone-centric photographers.

And overall, the Moto G84 is a terribly impressive phone, when you consider its feisty look, gaming power and low price; it’ll just fit some users better than others.

Moto G84 review: price and availability

  • Released in September 2023
  • Costs £249.99 (roughly $315, AU$475) 
  • Not for sale in US or Australia

The Moto G84 in the hand

(Image credit: Future)

The Moto G84 was released in the UK in mid-September 2023, after coming out in India and Europe in the weeks prior. It was joined by the low-end Moto G54 and premium-leaning Moto Edge 40 Neo.

You can pick up the phone for £249.99 (roughly $315, AU$475), which lodges it firmly in the category of ‘cheap Android phone’, perfect for people on a budget who want a reliable mobile. That’s Moto’s whole schtick, after all. There’s no information on a US or Australian launch, but they seem unlikely even several months after the phone's release.

Rivals at that price include Samsung’s Galaxy A23 5G, Redmi’s Note 12 5G, OnePlus' Nord CE 3 Lite and several of Motorola’s own mobiles, like the Moto G73 5G and Edge 40 Neo, which are all at roughly the same price point. But for its price and the performance it offers, the G84 is solidly good value. 

  • Value score: 4 / 5

Moto G84 review: specs

The Moto G84 has many traits in common with other budget phones, but it exceeds its class in a few areas too.

Moto G84 review: design

  • Vibrant Pantone-designed red shell
  • Repositioned under-display fingerprint scanner
  • 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C port

The Moto G84 looking festive amongst some baked goods

(Image credit: Future)

Motorola isn’t exactly in the business of revolutionizing smartphone design (well, at least for its budget mobiles, though you can say what you like about the Moto Razr). So if you’ve seen a Moto G in the last few years you’ve seen the G84.

It’s a standard Android mobile measuring 160 x 74.4 x 7.6 mm – a few years ago we could’ve called it "a little on the big side" though you could probably consider it average now. It’s surprisingly light at 166.8g, which means the phone sits a little comfier in the hand than most phones with a flat edge.

You’ve got the usual accouterments of a Moto: a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack underneath, a power button and volume rocker on the right edge. But Motorola has made one big adjustment in its budget phones of late, and that’s in replacing the side-mounted fingerprint scanner with a more premium under-display one. And it’s a great change too, as unlocking the phone is much easier than in previous Motos. The scanner is a bit lower down the phone than on most others, but it’s something I got used to.

There are three different color options for the Moto G84: a silver and a black option, and also an eye-catching red version called Viva Magenta. This latter was created by paint company Pantone, and it’d make the phone very attractive if it wasn’t for the big Pantone-logo color swatch on the bottom. You can’t remove this, it’s part of the phone.

Still, if the G84 was in a line-up of 10 random other phones, it’d be the most attractive one the vast majority of the time – its red is a little richer than Apple’s Product Red and the glossy alternatives some Chinese phones offer.

In terms of protection, you’re looking at IP54: it’s partly dust proofed but not against all solids, and is splash-proof but can’t be dunked in water. That's all to be expected at this price. 

  • Design score: 3.5 / 5

Moto G84 review: display

  • Big 6.5-inch screen
  • FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh
  • Automatic brightness issues

The Moto G84's front-facing camera

(Image credit: Future)

The Moto G84 has a 6.5-inch display, which is pretty average for a smartphone these days, but the Moto’s specs are anything but average.

The phone packs an FHD+ display (that’s 1080 x 2400) and a 120Hz refresh rate, which means the display updates its image 120 times per second, over the old standard of 60Hz. Lots of budget mobiles tout this spec now but certainly not all of them, and it brings a marked improvement when you’re scrolling around the menus.

Another unusual trait is the use of the DCI-P3 color gamut with over 1 billion colors – this was designed for use in movies and it makes videos look that little bit better than on another budget phone.

One other display feature worth flagging is that the punch-hole that houses the front-facing camera is very small, reducing the amount of screen space you’re losing from it.

A small issue I had with the phone was with its display and the automatic brightness features. Often, the phone would default to a screen brightness that was just too low, and I frequently had to manually adjust it to be able to make out the display.

  • Display score: 3.5 / 5

Moto G84 review: software

  • Stock Android 13 is clean
  • Useful Moto Actions return
  • Plenty of customization options

The Moto G84 looking festive amongst some baked goods

(Image credit: Future)

When you boot up the Moto G84, it’ll come running stock Android 13 – that was the current OS when the mobile launched, though Android 14 started rolling out just weeks later. The G84 is only confirmed for one software update too, so Android 14 is all you’ll definitely get, though you’ll be able to enjoy at least three years’ security updates.

Stock Android is always fairly clean, at least compared to some other Android forks, but some bloatware has snuck into the Moto. There’s TikTok, LinkedIn and three simple games – it’s nothing too offensive, and if you’ve used one of the budget phones from another brand you might have used something a lot worse, but it’s still not ideal.

Moto phones have always been great for software customization, even before Google made it an official Android feature, and there’s no difference here. You have plenty of choice in terms of font, color scheme, icon shape, animations and more – if you like diving into the settings and then tweaking the nitty-gritty of how your phone looks, you’ll love this phone.

A returning feature exclusive to Moto phones are Moto Actions, which are easy navigation tricks that I find myself using a lot. Examples include a double karate-chop motion to quickly turn on the torch and a twisting shake to open the camera app. They take a little getting used to, but once you’ve got the knack for them, they’re incredibly handy.

  • Software score: 4 / 5

Moto G84: cameras

  • 50MP main and 8MP ultra-wide cameras
  • Some extra features like Spot Color
  • 16MP front-facing camera for selfies

The Moto G84's camera bump

(Image credit: Future)

The camera department is an area that Motorola phones rarely excel in, and there’s no exception here. The phone uses up its ‘color’ budget on its exterior shell and there’s none left for its photos…

The main snapper is a 50MP f/1.9 unit and it’s joined by a single 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide companion. On the front, you’re looking at a 16MP f/2.5 selfie camera. That’s not exactly a revolutionary combo for Moto, which used the exact same line-up in the Moto G73 from earlier in the year. 

Pictures taken on the main camera looked fine – that nondescript word is the best way to describe them – with fair sharpness but a lack of vibrancy or color that made me miss Samsung’s or Xiaomi’s handsets.

Flip onto the ultra-wide camera and you’re getting pretty grainy pictures – it’s an 8MP sensor, what did you expect – though not straight away. No, the secondary snapper was surprisingly slow to focus when I pressed the icon in the camera app, and I often found myself waiting a few moments for it to sharpen the image.

You can also use the ultra-wide camera for macro (close-up) shots, but this suffers from the issue that all wide-angle-macro phone photos do: it’s rounded and distorted thanks to the lens type. No thanks!

There’s no zoom lens on the Moto G84, so you have to use its 8x digital zoom to get closer to a subject. But I’d really recommend you don’t, unless you want your photo to be as grainy as spot art.

Grainy is also the word to use for pictures captured on the front camera, which is a surprising twist as some Motos redeem themselves on their selfie abilities. They'll be fine for sending between phones, especially with bokeh working well in Portrait mode, but if you look at selfies on any bigger screen you'll see the pixels clearly.

When capturing video, you can shoot at 1080p, with no 4K option. There’s also a slow-mo option as well as dual capture (front and back cameras at once) and Spot Color, which lets you isolate a single color in your recording. These latter two options are also available for photography.

  • Camera score: 2.5 / 5

Moto G84 camera samples

Image 1 of 7

A coffee photographed on the  Moto G84

This 'standard' shot of a coffee looks a little dull in the froth and colorful plates. (Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 7

A pint captured on the  Moto G84

This photo came out bizarrely yellow. (Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 7

A street shot on the  Moto G84

Here's a standard snap of a street, so you can contrast to the next pic... (Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 7

A street captured on the Moto G84's ultra-wide camera.

...here's that same street in ultra-wide. (Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 7

A christmassy table captured on the G84

This festive outlook also looks a little duller than what another phone would capture. (Image credit: Future)
Image 6 of 7

A selfie on the Moto G84

If you were to zoom in close to the face, you'd see it's quite grainy (but please don't!). (Image credit: Future)
Image 7 of 7

The Moto Edge 40 Neo captured on the  Moto G84

I captured the G84's contemporary, the Edge 40 Neo, so you can see how it picks up color. (Image credit: Future)

Moto G84: performance and audio

  • Snapdragon 695 chip exceeds expectations
  • 12GB RAM and 256GB storage
  • 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth 5.1

The Moto G84 packs the Snapdragon 695, and anyone who’s used a phone using this chipset knows what to expect: fine everyday performance, but a lackluster showing when used for gaming or intensive processes. That's how this exact same chip worked in the recent OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, and gaming was a slog.

In a pleasantly surprising plot twist, the G84 bucks expectations: it runs a lot faster than you’d think. In fact, through our rigorous gaming tests, it proved itself as one of the most reliable low-budget phones for gaming.

When playing titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile, the phone could be relied on to get through a match without lags, stutters or freezes – in fact, the G84 beat many gaming phones in that it didn’t even overheat!

This may be thanks to the 12GB RAM you’re getting, a surprising amount for a phone at this price. The 256GB storage is also laudable – this is a phone that’ll last you a long time, and even if you do manage to fill the device’s onboard storage, the microSD card slot will keep you going for even longer.

If you’re into your facts and figures, a benchmark test through Geekbench 6 returned a multi-core average score of 2,037. That middling score shows that this phone is no supercomputer that’ll land a spaceship on the sun or predict the future, but for the price, I was very surprised.

Onto audio – this is par for the course for a Moto phone. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired music and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless. The onboard stereo speaker is nothing to write home about, but it’s not so tinny that voice calls or memos are affected.

  • Performance score: 4 / 5

Moto G84 review: battery life

  • Large 5,000mAh battery
  • Over a day's use from a single charge
  • 30W charging isn't particularly fast

The Moto G84's ports looking festive amongst some baked goods

(Image credit: Future)

If there’s one thing a Motorola phone can be relied on to have, even more than a confusing name, great customization or that distinctive sound when you first boot it up, it’s a long-lasting battery life.

No surprise, then, that the Moto G84’s 5,000mAh battery lasts a long time. You can use it to get through a day of use with no issue, and in our tests it lasted well into a second day before the charging cable needed to come out.

That charging cable gets you powering at 30W, so it’s not particularly fast, not when rival budget mobiles hit 50W, 67W or higher. You’re looking at charging times just shy of an hour, or more if you’re using the thing as you power it.

There’s no wireless charging here, but at that price, no-one should be surprised.

  • Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Moto G84?

Buy it if...

You like the color
As soon as you opened this review and saw the header image, you came to a quick conclusion on its distinctive color. If that reaction was positive, then for sure, go for it!

You’re a budget gamer
Honestly, if I didn’t already have a phone, I’d consider the G84 just for its gaming chops alone – it plays games just as well as a handset that’d cost you twice as much. 

You need a reliable budget device
Moto's G phones are always dependable low-cost Androids that'll last you a long time, and if you're not fussy about certain premium features, they're always great picks.

Don't buy it if...

The Moto G73 is fine for you
The G84 has many specs in common with the G73, yet costs more – if you don’t mind screen quality and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, you’ll be happy and have more cash with the older phone!

You’re a phone photographer
If there’s one cut corner with the G84, its the lackluster camera performance. If you love taking pictures all the time with your phone, you can do better than this handset.

You care about software updates
Software fanatics out there might raise an eyebrow at Moto's limited software update promise. If you want new Android versions for years to come, you might want to opt for another brand's phones.

Moto G84 review: Also consider

If you're looking for Android phones at the Moto G84's price, you've got loads of rivals to consider. Here are a few:

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
A bigger screen, higher-res main camera and fast charging are balanced out by a higher price, weaker gaming chops and a bulkier build in this recent rival from OnePlus.

Redmi Note 12 Pro
Xiaomi is a strong budget phone rival with its spec-heavy Redmi mobiles, and the 12 Pro is an example. Lots of specs in common with the G84 but more processing power.

How I tested the Moto G84

  • 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 5, Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

As you can tell from my review and the images, I tested the Moto G84 in its Pantone-endorsed Viva Magenta colorway. It felt fitting to test this festive-looking mobile during winter, hence the Christmas baking images!

Before true testing commenced I set up the phone to let the battery use settle, then used it as a standard mobile for two weeks. This included all the tasks you'd use your mobile for: social media, photography and streaming. 

I also used it for gaming a lot. In fact, it was so snappy and fast for this task, alongside its lovely display, that I was loathe to move onto the next handset I'm testing for TechRadar!

My tech review history spans five years for TechRadar, and more for other brands. I used to work as an editor and writer for the site, covering phones, tablets and wearables (as well as a wide range of other gadgets), and continue to write freelance reviews across many types of gadget.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2023

Brane X review: a portable smart speaker with incredible bass
1:00 pm | March 10, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Brane Audio Brane X: Two-minute review

Brane Audio’s Brane X has managed to achieve the unthinkable in the mostly mundane realm of the best wireless speakers, which – to be clear – is full of models that don’t leave much of an impression. Some are good, some are okay, and many are bad. But the Brane X makes an impression. 

The main way the Brane X impresses is by delivering bass output extending into the sub-bass range. That’s unheard of for a portable speaker. Still, the Brane X isn’t an ordinary portable speaker, but one with proprietary Repel-Attract-Driver (R.A.D.) technology that uses a magnet array to cancel out air pressure within the speaker’s enclosure. This allows big bass to be generated from a small woofer in a highly compact box, and it needs to be heard to be believed.

Aside from its sub-bass output capability, the Brane X comes off as a normal-looking portable wireless speaker. It has a lunchbox-like form, complete with a carrying handle, and an unassuming design. Its built-in battery carries a charge for up to 12 hours of playback time and requires three hours to fully recharge. The IP57-rated speaker is dust and waterproof, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

Wireless streaming support includes Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth 5.1. An app lets you configure bass and custom EQ settings, and it can also be used to group multiple Brane X speakers for multi-room playback. Controls to adjust volume and bass level are located on the speaker’s top surface, and there are built-in mics for Alexa voice control.

Sound quality is where the Brane X makes its mark by delivering a notably dynamic and detailed sound for a portable speaker. Hip-hop, techno, rock, and even classical music are equally well served, with the speaker’s deep bass providing a strong foundation for other layers in music mixes. Voices, in particular, sound natural – something that benefits both music and podcasts – and the Brane X also manages to convey a sense of stereo separation and depth.

The catch with the Brane X, and you probably saw this coming, is that its performance comes at a price. At $599 (around £475 / AU$915), it’s more expensive than other premium portable speakers such as the Sonos Move 2 ($449 / £449 / AU$799). That factor makes the Brane X a tough sell if you simply want a portable speaker for casual outdoor and indoor listening, but if you’re looking for one with best-in-class sound quality, the Brane X is it.

Brane X review: Price and release date

Brane X smart speaker on table

The Brane X has a lunchbox-like design with a carrying strap for toting it around (Image credit: Future)
  • Released December 2023
  • Currently available only in US
  • Priced at $599 (around £475 / AU$915)

The Brane X is currently sold exclusively through Brane Audio and is only available for shipment in the US. International shipments will start in late 2024 according to the company’s website.

At $599 (around £475 / AU$915) the Brane X is very much on the pricey side for a portable wireless speaker, though it has sonic tricks up its sleeve that the competition lacks. To put it in context, you can buy a Sonos Move 2 for $449 / £449 / AU$799, which gets you a portable wireless speaker with a similar feature set plus twice the battery life. You can also spend quite a bit more on the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 ($1,099 / £899 / AU$1,950), a portable wireless speaker that generally looks similar to the Brane X, but has a more attractive design that’s typical for that brand.

Brane X review: Specs

Brane X smart speaker on table showing top controls

Capacitive touch controls are located on the speaker's top surface (Image credit: Future)

Brane X review: Features

Brane X smart speaker on table next to Sonos Move

The Sonos Move 2 (at left) was used for a comparison in our Brane X (at right) listening tests (Image credit: Future)
  • Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth support 
  • Voice control using Amazon Alexa
  • Built-in battery provides 12 hours playback time

Brane Audio’s Brane X streams music wirelessly via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and also supports Bluetooth 5.1. A Brane app is available and can be used to select low, medium, and high Bass presets for best sound (most likely dependent on where the speaker is located), create a custom 5-band EQ setting, and store speaker groups for multi-room playback on multiple Brane X speakers. There are four built-in microphones for voice control, which is carried out using the Alexa voice assistant.

The driver array of the Brane X consists of two 0.75-inch tweeters, two 2-inch mid-range drivers, and a 6.5 by 9-inch (165 x 229mm) woofer. Four class-D amplifiers are packed into the compact speaker, for a total of 200 watts of power. A built-in battery allows 12 hours of playback at a reasonable volume level, and it can be fully recharged in 3 hours.

I would be amiss to describe the bass driver in the Brane X simply as a “woofer,” since the company applies unique technology to it to achieve extended bass. Woofers in conventional speakers generate bass by moving forward and back in an enclosure. That movement is driven by the passage of magnets on the woofer’s voice coil through a magnetic field, and it affects the air pressure within the speaker.

Brane Audio’s Repel-Attract-Driver operates similarly to a regular woofer, but in this instance, additional magnets are used to cancel out air pressure within the speaker. The cancellation effect allows for the use of a smaller woofer, along with a smaller enclosure, enabling Brane Audio to generate powerful sub-bass from a lunchbox-size speaker.

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Brane X review: Sound quality

Brane X smart speaker on table  showing back panel

The speaker's rear panel features a power on/off button and 3.5mm audio input (Image credit: Future)
  • Excellent bass extension and substantial output
  • Well-balanced sound with natural voice reproduction
  • Can play cleanly at party-like volume levels

The Brane X may be compact, but there’s nothing small about its sound. After reading about this portable speaker that’s capable of not just substantial bass extension, but also substantial sub-bass output, I was ready for something different and upon first listen I got that.

Getting straight down to business, I streamed Boom by Tiësto, Sevenn, and Gucci Mane to the speaker from Tidal HiFi via AirPlay. This is a track with bass to spare, and if the Brane X could handle that, it would pass the test. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my mouth flapped open when I heard the deep, pounding bass put out by the Brane X, which wasn’t far off from what I expect to hear from a hi-fi system with a capable subwoofer. The speaker’s extended dynamic range also allowed other elements in the mix to come through clearly, especially vocals, which had a natural, unstrained quality. Pushing up the volume to, naturally, satisfy my curiosity about how loud the Brane X could play, it went up to party-like levels without distorting or sounding congested.

Radiohead’s Desert Island Disks features a spare acoustic guitar that’s played over a low, pulsing beat. On my regular portable speaker, the Sonos Move 2, that beat comes across as more of a tap. When I played the song on the Brane X, however, it had a surprising low and full quality that dynamically anchored the sound and allowed for details in vocals along with the song’s more subtle ambient elements to come across clearly.

Even classical symphonic music fared well on the Brane X. When I streamed Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition – The Great Gate of Kiev, as played by the Cleveland Orchestra, on Tidal HiFi, the tympani rolls were conveyed in an appropriately thunderous manner and the volume sweeps of strings sounded smooth and convincing. Comparing the Brane X’s performance here again to my reference Sonos speaker, the Sonos came across as comparatively flat-sounding, with no sense of low-end muscle in the percussion and double basses.

Given the Brane X’s hi-fi prowess, it seemed almost weird to set it up in my kitchen in the spot normally occupied by my Sonos Move, where it is used mainly for listening to news and podcasts. When I did, I found I needed to dial down the bass in the app for best sound in the new spot. That done, the Brane X made voices sound completely natural, with none of the strained quality that can typically be heard when listening with low-cost Bluetooth speakers. Brane Audio’s portable may have been overkill in this setting, but I certainly wasn’t eager to swap it out.

The only sonic quirk I encountered when using the Brane X was a faint level of noise when the speaker was turned on but not being used for playback. This didn’t exactly bother me, and in most cases when I had the speaker turned on it was streaming audio, which fully masked the noise, but it was there nonetheless.

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Brane X review: Design

Brane X smart speaker on table  showing bottom moiunted woofer

The Brane X's bottom-mounted woofer (Image credit: Future)
  • Basic, unassuming design
  • Carrying strap for portable use
  • 1P57-rated dust and waterproof

There’s nothing particularly fancy about the Brane X’s design. As noted in the Features section of this review, it’s about the size and shape of a lunchbox. A rubber carrying strap is attached for toting the speaker around, and the black plastic top surface contains capacitive touch controls to adjust volume and bass level, as well as toggle the microphones on and off and set up Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing mode. A black mesh grille covers the speaker’s full front surface and sturdy rubber feet are provided to secure the speaker and allow clearance for the bottom-mounted Repel-Attract-Driver.

The Brane X’s back panel features a power on/off button and a 3.5mm aux input for connecting sources like a disc player or turntable. You’ll also find an input here for the speaker’s large, bulky external power supply and a QR code to access the Brane Audio website. With an IP57 rating, the Brane X is both dust and waterproof, making it a solid option for a workshop and a pool party.

  • Design score: 4/5

Brane X review: Value

Brane X smart speaker on table  with sonos move in background

(Image credit: Future)
  • Expensive compared to the competition
  • Unique among portable wireless speakers
  • Has sound quality to back up the high price

With a $599 (around £475 / AU$915) price tag, the Brane X is undoubtedly expensive, making other premium portable wireless speakers such as the Sonos Move 2 look like a bargain in comparison. But the Brane X sounds better and certainly delivers better bass than the Sonos Move 2, which is its top competition. There is nothing quite like it on the market, a factor that enhances its value.

Suppose you’re looking for a compact portable wireless speaker that doesn’t sound like a compact portable wireless speaker, but a regular stereo system with a subwoofer instead. In that case, the Brane X is your only option. Yes, it’s expensive, but it has the sound quality to back up the high price.

  • Value score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Brane X?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Brane X review: Also consider

Brane X smart speaker review: How I tested

Brane X smart speaker on deck railing outdoors

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested with music streamed from Tidal HiFi and Apple Music via AirPlay
  • Used Sonos Move 2 for comparison during listening tests
  • Tested over several weeks of both casual and critical listening

I tested the Brane X using a range of different music genres from hip-hop to classical and also used it for everyday listening to news internet radio stations and podcasts. During my testing, which lasted for several weeks, I moved it around to different rooms in my home and also gave it a listen outdoors.

I used a Bluetooth wireless connection from my iPhone for casual listening but switched to AirPlay 2 for critical listening during my review. Most music tracks played during my test were sourced from Tidal HiFi, with some played from Apple Music. For a direct comparison with a competitive speaker, I used a Sonos Move 2, switching between both speakers using the same music tracks to make a subjective listening comparison.

My audio reviewing experience extends back over two decades, and during that time I have tested everything from full surround sound speaker systems to subwoofers and soundbars. 

You can read TechRadar's review guarantee here.

  • First reviewed: March 2024
Zoma Hybrid mattress review 2024
10:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Health & Fitness Mattresses Sleep | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Zoma Hybrid mattress review: two-minute review

The Zoma Hybrid mattress is a 12-inch (30cm) tall hybrid mattress with memory foam and pocket springs, and is available in both the US and the UK. The brand is geared specifically towards using sleep for recovery, and promises 'cutting-edge sleep technology'. For this review, I slept on a UK king-size for four weeks, alongside my husband. I also ran several objective tests for performance aspects like pressure relief and edge support. The aim was to cut through the tech-talk and see how this model really matches up against the rest of today's best mattresses.

The overall feel is firmly springy. There is memory foam here, but it's paired with a bouncier foam layer and the overall feel is responsive, with minimal contouring. There's no indication of firmness on the Zoma website but I'd say it's around an 8.5 out of 10 (with 10 being the firmest). Myself and my husband (5ft 8 and 6ft 4 respectively, with a combined weight of  190kg) both found it far too firm for side sleeping, and it caused pressure to build up uncomfortably in our shoulders. It's far more comfortable for back sleeping, where the foams and coils help distribute weight evenly and keep the spine aligned. 

Zoma Hybrid mattress

(Image credit: Zoma)

Elsewhere, the mattress performed well. The edges are nice and sturdy, so if you, like me, end up pushed to the side of the bed by a toddler in the middle of the night, you shouldn't have to worry about rolling off. I was also impressed by the temperature regulation; I had no issues with overheating during my review period. 

In terms of price, this mattress is almost always discounted (in the UK and the US) and generally sits in the mid-range price bracket. That's a good price for a hybrid model, but if it's a competitive bracket and there are cheaper models in our best hybrid mattress guide that offer similar quality. 

At time of writing, Zoma isn't a particularly well-known brand in the UK, but it has a following in the States with some high praises from athletes. I was impressed by some of the brand's sustainability practices in the UK – it offers free old mattress recycling and it has a 'zero waste to landfill' policy in its factories. For more details on these points, read on for my full Zoma Hybrid mattress review.

Zoma Hybrid mattress review: price & value for money

  • Never sold at full price; consistent discounts in both US and UK
  • Sits in the mid range, and well priced for a hybrid
  • ... although there is strong competition in this bracket

At ticket price, the Zoma Hybrid is getting into the premium mattress space. It is, however, very rarely sold at full price. In the US, expect $150 off all sizes, and in the UK there's usually £250 off. Based on the typical prices you'll actually pay, it sits in the mid-range price bracket in both the US and the UK. 

Here's the pricing for the Zoma, alongside the discounted price you can expect to actually pay. 

In the US:

  • Twin: MSRP $749 (usually sold at $599)
  • Full: MSRP $949 (usually sold at $799)
  • Queen: MSRP $1,149 (usually sold at $999)
  • King: MSRP $1,349 (usually sold at $1,199)
  • California King: MSRP $1,349 (usually sold at $1,199)

In the UK:

  • Single: £749 (usually sold at £499)
  • Double: £849 (usually sold at £599)
  • King: £949 (usually sold at £699)
  • Super king: £1,149 (usually sold at £899)

Overall, the mattress feels well made, and that's a decent price for a hybrid (most of today's best cheap mattresses tend to be all-foam models.). I have tested mattresses that suit my sleep style better and that I think are better value for money (read more in the alternatives section) but it's competitively priced in the wider market.

Although mattress sales happen year-round and Zoma's discounts tend to remain consistent most of the time, there are some events where you're more likely to see a bigger discount. The big one is the Black Friday mattress sales, which take place on the last Friday of November each year. In the US it's also worth checking the Memorial Day mattress sales in May, the 4th of July mattress sales, the Labor Day mattress sales in early September, and the Presidents' Day mattress sales in February. 

  • Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Zoma Hybrid mattress review: design & materials

  • Hybrid mattress with several types of foam and pocket coils
  • Breathable mesh fabric cover, not removable and no handles
  • 12" (30cm) tall, on all sizes, although review model was a bit shorter

The Zoma Hybrid is a hybrid of different foams and pocketed springs, and it's made in the US or UK (depending where you reside). The top layer is a memory foam that has been designed to provide targeted support and relieve pressure on joints. It's infused with gel to promote cooling. A layer down is something Zoma calls 'Reactiv'. It's designed to be responsive and bounce back quickly.

Zoma Hybrid mattress

(Image credit: Zoma)

Underneath these two types of foam is where you'll find the hundreds (no specifics given) of 19cm pocketed coils. These are there to add stability and support, and will also allow air to move through the mattress, aiding with breathability. It looks like there may be a layer of base foam beneath the coils (there's reference to a 'high-density base layer' but again, no specifics are given). If you're not bothered by having coils, there's an all-foam version of this mattress available too.

Zip on side of Zoma Hybrid mattress

There's a zip, but Zoma says the cover shouldn't be removed (Image credit: Future)

The Zoma Hybrid is wrapped in a soft, breathable cover that it calls 'AirCloth'. This knitted material is designed to wick away heat and moisture. It's not removable or washable – there is a zip, but that's for manufacturing purposes only – and there's no non-slip gripping anywhere that I can see to help keep the mattress firmly on the bed base. It also doesn't have handles, which could be a problem if you need to move it at any time because it's pretty heavy.

Zoma Hybrid with tape measure showing depth of mattress

(Image credit: Future)

Officially it's 12 inches (30cm) tall, but I measured by review model in a few spots and it was only 11.2 inches (28.5cm). Regardless, it's still on the thicker side, so you'll probably need some deep-fitted sheets.

  • Design score: 4 out of 5

Zoma Hybrid mattress review: comfort & support

  • No firmness indicated on Zoma website, but I rate it 8.5 out of 10 (firm)
  • Most comfortable in a back sleeper position
  • Springy, responsive feel, with minimal contouring

I'd describe the Zoma Hybrid as having a 'firm bounce'. There is memory foam here, but it's paired with a bouncier foam layer and the overall feel is responsive. The foams contour slightly around the sleeper, but don't expect a body-hugging feel. The upper foam layers are thick, so you can't feel the coils through them. When the pressure is removed from the surface of the mattress, it returns to shape almost immediately. 

To test the firmness I placed my 10kg weight in the middle of the mattress; it sunk by 1.5 inches. Unusually, there's no indication on the Zoma website of how firm this mattress is. I emailed a rep and the rating they gave me was in our 'soft' bracket, but I'd completely disagree with that. Although it did soften up a bit over the course of our testing period, it's definitely a firm mattress – I'd rate it around an 8.5 out of 10 on firmness (with 10 being rock-hard). It's a contender for TechRadar's best firm mattress guide.

Reviewer lying on her side on the Zoma Hybrid mattress

(Image credit: Future)

Throughout the testing I found that I was most comfortable laying on my back, even though I am naturally a side sleeper and it took me a while to adapt to this new position. This was the same for my husband. When laying on my back it felt like my weight was more evenly distributed, and helped to realign my spine after hunching over a computer all day. 

However, laying on my side quickly became uncomfortable – I woke a couple of times in the night during testing with pins-and-needles on the side I was lying on. My husband experienced a similar thing. For reference, we have a combined weight of 198kg, and are taller than average; I'm 5ft 8 and my husband is 6ft 4. 

That's not really a surprise – the best mattresses for side sleepers tend to be a bit softer (between 5 and 7.5 out of 10 on firmness), to allow the shoulder to sink in a bit, and prevent pressure from building up in this area. Even though we typically like quite a solid mattress, my husband and I found it was far too firm for us. 

Zoma says there's no real weight limit on the mattress, but the general industry recommendation is 115kg per sleeper. However, I found myself rolling inwards towards my partner, who's the heavier of the two of us, in the night. 

Zoma Hybrid mattress review: performance

  • Great temperature regulation – no issues with overheating
  • Some motion transfer but only an issue for light sleepers
  • Excellent edge support

As well as taking into account the comfort and pressure relief of the Zoma Hybrid, for this review I have also focused on: temperature regulation (how hot or cool one feels on the mattress), motion isolation (how well it absorbs movements on the surface) and edge support (how sturdy the edge of the mattress is). Read on for my findings…

Temperature regulation

Memory foam can have a habit of clinging on to body heat, and many brands use fancy terminology to make it sound like you're getting a cooler option. The only way you'll know if it actually works or not is to either try it out, or read a review.

The memory foam in the Zoma Hybrid mattress is infused with gel, with the aim of aiding temperature regulation. Whether it's down to the gel or not, I found the Zoma did a great job of keeping me at a comfortable temperature. 

Zoma Hybrid mattress with reviewer's hand resting on it

(Image credit: Future)

I was in the middle of a new home renovation during my testing period, so I slept on the Zoma in cold UK winter temperatures either with no heating or with raging heating while waiting for a thermostat. I didn't wake once feeling hot during the night, which is a sign that this aspect of the mattress spec was performing as it should.

  • Temperature regulation score: 4.5 out of 5

Motion isolation

This is about how movement transfers across the mattress. If a mattress has poor motion isolation, you'll feel it when your bed-sharer turns over or gets into or out of bed. If you're a restless sleeper and/or share a bed, it's worth paying attention to this aspect of performance.

To try out the Zoma Hybrid for motion isolation I bravely put my 10kg weight next to a pint-sized glass with some water in it. The glass (almost) fell over at 3.5-inches, wobbled at 8-inches but was safe at 12-inches away from the weight.

Zoma Hybrid mattress with a weight and glass of water on it

(Image credit: Future)

I also tested out the motion isolation in the real world, by moving around in bed, and asking my husband to move around too. The bouncy feel means there is a bit of motion transfer. I could feel my partner changing position and getting in and out of bed, and vice versa, although there wasn't enough movement for it to bother either of us. If you're a particularly light sleeper, you might want to look for something with more complete motion isolation, however. It's also worth noting that the mattress tended to cause me to roll inwards towards my partner (who is heavier than I am).

  • Motion isolation score: 3 out of 5

Edge support

Edge support is an important factor to look out for because a sturdy edge means that you'll be able to comfortably sit on / push up off a mattress when getting up, as well as being able to sleep right up to the edge. To test the Zoma Hybrid for edge support I placed my 10kg as close to the edge as possible – it sank 2 inches, which is slightly less than the centre. That's a good result.

Zoma Hybrid mattress with a weight resting on it

(Image credit: Future)

I also tested out the edge support in a real-world scenario. I felt well supported when sitting on the edge of the bed, and also when lying right near the edge of the mattress when our toddler decided to squeeze into bed with us. Overall, I was impressed with the edge support here.

  • Edge support score: 4.5 out of 5

Zoma Hybrid mattress review: customer experience

  • Mattress delivered vacuum-packed and boxed; free delivery to door
  • Standard 10 year warranty and 100 night trial
  • Free old mattress removal in the UK

As a bed in a box mattress, the Zoma Hybrid is delivered vacuum-packed and rolled (if you're new to this kind of bed, read about the difference in our mattress in a box vs traditional mattress explainer). Zoma offers free delivery, but only to your front door. I can only speak for the UK delivery setup, but I was impressed with the company's communication – I received text messages a week prior to delivery (confirming delivery date) and then the day before delivery (with a more specific time slot).

Image 1 of 3

Zoma Hybrid mattress vacuum-packed and rolled in its box

(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 3

Zoma Hybrid mattress vacuum-packed and rolled on bed frame

(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 3

Zoma Hybrid mattressZoma Hybrid mattress vacuum-packed and unravelling on reviewer's bed frame

(Image credit: Future)

It's a shame there's no option to upgrade to a delivery that includes setup – some bed brands offer this as a paid-for extra, and a handful even include it for free. Although the box was much more compact than a non-vacuum-packed mattress would be, it was still mega heavy and definitely needed two people to lift it. 

There were no instructions or little pamphlets or even a little cutting tool to break the mattress free from the plastic wrapping. I found some scissors, and scored down the side of the plastic. The pressure of the vacuum-sealed mattress helped to force it out. Within a few minutes, the Zoma Hybrid was unwrapped and on the Livingstone Bed Base (also on review). It was pretty much ready to use straight out of the box, although the official advice from Zoma is to wait 4-6 hours before sleeping on it. There was no off-gassing.

If you're not entirely satisfied with your new Zoma Hybrid then you can return it, for free, after a 30-day period until the 100-night sleep trial ends. This 30-night mark stands because Zoma wants you to try it out for a minimum of a month to allow your body enough time to get used to it. Should you wish to return it within a month, you'll be charged $99/£79 shipping fee. 

Zoma Hybrid mattress unzipped, showing inside

(Image credit: Future)

The 100-night trial is about the minimum offered by any of the big bed brands, although still long enough to try your mattress out thoroughly. Trials of 200 nights are fairly common now, and a few brands like Nectar give you a full year.

All Zoma mattresses also carry a 10-year warranty, which again is acceptable but not especially generous. During this time you're covered for a full repair or replacement, but the warranty only covers workmanship and structural defects – so no accidents.

An unusual perk is that Zoma offers free old mattress recycling. Old mattress removal is generally a paid-for extra, if it's offered at all, so this is good to see. In the UK, it's part of Zoma's commitment to sustainability – there, it repurposes all excess foam so there's zero waste to landfill. Any returned mattresses are recycled or refurbished. (This does not appear to be the case in the US.)

  • Customer experience score: 4 out of 5

Zoma Hybrid mattress specs

Zoma Hybrid mattress review: other reviews

  • 4.8* average over 1,217 reviews (Mar 2024), US / UK reviews combined
  • High praise for comfort, breathability and motion isolation
  • Some complaints of it being too firm

At the time of writing, Zoma mattresses hadn't been available to UK customers for very long, so all the reviews that we're available to sift through are from the US. As of March 2024 there were a total of just over 1,200 reviews, the majority of which were 5 stars, and all sang the same tune about comfort and coolness. It's ordered highest scores to lowest, so you'll need to head to the latter pages for any complaints. 

Here, I found a few reviews echo what I found. There are a few reviewers who found it too firm and uncomfortable for side sleeping, and found in led to aches and pains. One likened it to sleeping on a too-full air mattress.

Should you buy the Zoma Hybrid mattress?

Buy it if...

✅ You're a back sleeper: The Zoma Hybrid relieved pressure on achy muscles and joints when laying on our backs, with no sinking.

You like a super-firm mattress: This is one of the firmest mattresses I've tested, rating 8.5 out of 10 on firmness. If you want a super-sturdy bed, this is it.

Environmental impact is important to you: All Zoma mattresses are either made in the US or UK, depending on where you reside, and (in the UK at least) the brand has some admirable sustainability practices.

Alternatives to consider

❌ You're a side sleeper: The firm feel means most side sleepers will end up with pressure building up in their shoulder. I found it uncomfortable for side sleeping, and ended up having to shift onto my back. Other reviews reflect a similar experience.

You weigh more than average: I found myself rolling towards the (heavier) weight of my husband in the night. If you share a bed and one or more of you is heavier in body weight then this isn't a great choice – our guide to the best mattresses for bigger bodies has some great specialist models.

You want a joint-hugging feel: There's not much contouring here. If you want that body-hugging sensation, our guide to the best memory foam mattresses has plenty of recommendations. 

Alternatives to consider

Rem-Fit 400 Hybrid mattress
The closest rival that I have tested to the Zoma Hybrid is the Rem-Fit 400 Hybrid. You'll usually pay around £450 for a UK double, so it's a fair bit cheaper than the Zoma. It stands for a similar purpose to the Zoma which is to help users 'recover'. I found that this mattress was far more comfortable for a side-sleeper, with reduced motion transfer compared to the Zoma. 

Simba Hybrid Original mattress
I also vouch for the Simba Hybrid (UK-only). It's typically a bit pricier than the Zoma but worth every penny: fabulous edge-support, good motion isolation and superb support. Head to TechRadar's Simba Hybrid mattress review to find out more.

How I tested the Zoma Hybrid mattress

Myself and my husband slept exclusively on the UK king size Zoma Hybrid for four weeks. The review period coincided with a new house renovation, and the testing process was during February when there were some cold nights in the UK (when we had no heating) and warm nights (when the heating needed some fine-tuning). I also ran a series of tests to measure the edge-to-edge support and motion transfer.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: February 2024
OnePlus Open’s Android 14 update rollout expands to the US
2:12 am |

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

The OnePlus Open launched with Android 13 last year and received the Android 14 update in January, but only in India. The good news is that the Android 14 rollout has now expanded to the US, so if you live in the States, you should soon get an update prompt on your foldable. The Android 14 update for the OnePlus Open in the US comes with firmware version CPH2551_14.0.0.501(EX01) and February 2024 Android security patch and requires a download of 2.54GB. You can check the screenshots below for the update's changelog. OnePlus Open's Android 14 update's changelog The...

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 review: A promising earbud let down by fit
6:43 pm | February 29, 2024

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

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: One minute review

The 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 use air conduction technology to get sound to your ears. They don’t sit in your ear canal, like most other true wireless earbuds, or cover your whole ear, like over-ear headphones. Instead they’re designed to hook around your ears, positioning little speakers above your ear canals.

The benefits of this open-ear design is that you can stay more aware of what’s going on around you, which is ideal for outdoor workouts or anyone who doesn’t want to feel cut off from their surroundings. Because no part of the design goes inside your ear, they’re also a good option for people who don’t like the intrusive design of other types of buds.

Other audio brands have been venturing into air conduction tech recently, including Bose, Shokz and JBL. But, as I’ll get to soon, keeping earphones in place when there’s nothing inside your ear is a challenge: the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 won’t give the best earbuds a run for their money. It’s very difficult to get fantastic sound from this sort of design, but I was pleasantly surprised by their audio: it was clearer than I was expecting with some decent, but not powerful, bass. 

They’re built for workouts with some specs you’d expect from the best workout headphones, like an IPX7 rating, making them sweat-resistant, and an impressive listed 38 hours of battery. I got around 35 hours during testing, so this is quite representative. The 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 may sound like a decent set of earbuds, but they’re sadly let down by their fit: for me, they simply weren’t stable enough. 

It’s easy to see why there’d be a problem with this design as in-ear buds are “anchored” in place when they fit in your ear canal. 1More attempts to solve this problem both with earhooks and small silicone rings, which sit just outside of your ear canal. However, the earhooks didn’t bend enough and were oddly-shaped for my ear. This meant I never got a good fit on my left ear, the bud fell out several times, and although I managed to get a slightly better fit on my right ear, the bud still felt precarious the whole time – not ideal for earbuds built for fitness.

Some of these fit issues could have been down to the size and shape of my ears, but I asked a few other people to test them and several had similar problems. Issues with stability became even more apparent when I was wearing glasses, too, as the earhooks and glasses were competing for the same small space behind my ear.

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: Specifications

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: Price and availability

1More S50

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Cost $149.99 in the US
  • £149.99 in the UK 
  • Around AU$290

The 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 were released internationally in September 2023 and cost $149.99 / £149.99 / around AU$290. At the time of writing, they’ve been reduced on the 1More website to $99.99 / £104.99. We don’t know if this is a permanent discount or part of a limited deal. 

1More also makes the S30, and while these earbuds use the same air conduction tech and have a similar design, they’re cheaper and a step down in terms of specs. They only have an IPX5 water-resistant rating and a 30-hour battery, compared to the S50’s IPX7 rating and 38-hour battery. The S30 cost $69.99 / £69.99 but, like the S50, are currently reduced to $47.99 / £49.99.

To put the S50 into broader context, similar air conduction rivals, like the Shokz OpenFit, are more expensive at $179.95 / £179.99 / AU$289, although I did find the Shokz buds to be generally better and much easier to wear. The S50 are more similar in price to JBL’s air conduction offering, the Soundgear Sense, at $149.99/£129.99/AU$231. 

When comparing the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 to sports earbuds more generally, you can often expect to pay more for buds at the top of their game, like the Beats Fit Pro at $199 / £199 / AU$299. Then again, plenty of the options in our best workout earbuds guide are much cheaper and perform significantly better than the 1More buds, like the JLab Go Air Sport at only $30 / £29 / AU$69.  

  • Value score: 3.5/5 

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: Design

1More S50

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Earhook design
  • Unstable fit
  • Looks nice and slickly designed

The 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 use air conduction technology to enable you to hear audio, which means there’s nothing in your ear canal. Instead, a speaker is just outside of it. So what keeps these buds in place is an earhook design that fits behind your ear and little silicone rings, which 1More calls “sound loops”, that rest just above the ear canal. There are three different sizes of these loops to choose from to get the best fit. Rival buds have a similar earhook, but we’ve not seen the sound loop-like design anywhere else yet.

I get the thinking behind the sound loops: they’re a way to keep the buds in place without putting anything in your ear, which means you’re still aware of your surroundings. But they defeat the point of open-ear buds a little for me, as they are still using something to block your ear, even if it’s not as intrusive as a bud in your ear canal. I much prefer the design of the Shokz OpenFit. 

But the reason the Shokz OpenFit work well without similar loops is that their earhooks are effective (albeit not perfect). Unfortunately, the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 have earhooks that are too rigid and not as ergonomic – at least not for my ears. This meant I never achieved a snug or stable fit with the buds, especially in my left ear. This bud fell out even when I was just walking and not working out. 

I played with the earhook, adjusted the positioning, tried out all of the different loop sizes but had no luck. My best guess is that the distance between the bulk of the bud and the top of the earhook was just too big, so it actually fell down over the top of my ear. I did wonder whether this was a quirk of my ears and so enlisted a couple of friends and family members to see if they had similar problems. This was by no means an exhaustive test, but I found women with smaller frames had similar problems, either with one bud or both. 

There was another problem that affected the fit: glasses. Even with my right ear feeling stable, wearing glasses meant the arm of my glasses and the earhook were competing for space behind my ear. I could either lay the earhook down first and put my glasses arm on top, which meant my glasses were unstable and vision ever-so-slightly distorted or the other way around, which meant the buds were even more unstable. 

I opted to wear contact lenses for the rest of my testing, but some people won’t be able to. This also means wearing these buds and sunglasses could be an issue, which feels disappointing considering these are buds designed for outdoor workouts.

Despite these fit issues, these are a nice-looking pair of earbuds with a sleek design. I tested the silver version but, from what I can tell from online press shots, the darker grey shade is a little more appealing. The silver shade is nice, but does look a little cheap and plasticky. The same can be said about the charging case, which has a shiny cheap look about it. The charging case that comes with these buds is also big compared to the cases offered by competitors at 86 × 65 × 29.8 mm and weighing in at 63g (82.5g with the buds in). It could be slipped into a bag or a large pocket, but it’s not ideal for taking out on a run with minimal gear.

  • Design score: 2.5 / 5

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: Features

1More S50

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • IPX7 water-resistant rating
  • Air conduction for ambient awareness
  • Good battery life

These earbuds are durable with an IPX7 sweat-resistant rating. This means they should handle the most sweaty workout sessions, even splashes, light rain and, technically, an accidental dunk in water. However, we wouldn’t advise it – and best keep them out of the shower.

There’s some opportunity to change the audio with 12 EQ presets within the 1More app. It’s good to have this option, but I preferred the way the buds sounded out of the box. You can also use the app to customize some of the touch controls on the buds. These didn’t work well for me as I never got a stable fit, so touching them made it more unstable.

The 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 have what 1More calls its ‘PurePower Driver’ inside. The company says it has a diamond-like DLC diaphragm, which results in a 40% boost in power over conventional models. It’s not clear whether this means whether that’s over previous 1More models or rivals. There are also dual mics on each earbud for calls, and an AI algorithm promises to distinguish voices from background noises, helping block out any ambient sound when you’re on a call. 

In terms of battery, 1More promises up to 11 hours of battery life from the buds and 38 hours of battery life with the charging case. I found these figures to be accurate during testing. 

This is where the S50 really shine, bringing some of the best battery compared to rivals. For example, the Shokz OpenFit offer seven hours of battery life, and 28 hours from the case. And the JLab Go Air Sport (with an in-ear design) bring you eight hours with an additional 32 hours of battery life with the case.

  • Features score: 3.5/5

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: Performance

1More S50

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Decent sound
  • Only some leakage
  • Great for hearing your surroundings

One of the biggest benefits of these open-style buds is that you can hear what’s going on around you, especially traffic, loud conversations and music. I personally found this to be a better experience than simply using the “ambient awareness” or similar modes on ANC headphones and earbuds, which I always find difficult to process.

However, due to the build of these buds – with their positioning and the silicone sound loops – not all sounds were clear in my immediate environment and it was easy to get distracted by the audio. This means you’ll need to be careful, as you definitely can’t hear everything when you’re using them. Especially when the volume is loud, which is worth bearing in mind if you run next to roads.

As you’d expect from an open-ear design, there’s some sound leakage. But not as much as I anticipated, which makes the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 a versatile proposition for wearing in a range of different environments – assuming you get a decent fit.

The S50 deliver a good but unremarkable sound. The audio is clear and there’s some decent bass and volume here too – again, two things I wasn’t expecting from the open-ear design. Push up the volume high on a bass-heavy track and things do start to sound a little muddied. Due to the style of these buds there’s also no real sense of immersion or an expansive soundstage. But then again, these buds were never going to be the best-sounding out there, you’d need to find a pair of the best ANC buds for a more polished experience. However, for me, the sound is perfect for providing a soundtrack to a walk or workout.  

  •  Performance score: 3.5/5 

Scorecard

1More Fit Open Earbuds S50: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested

I wore the 1More Fit Open Earbuds S50 most days over three weeks, and had the opportunity to test them in a range of different environments.

I used them while walking around the city and by the beach, running through the countryside and rollerblading. I took them to work at several coffee shops and the gym and wore them as I worked at home alone.

I also went on a trip to Rome whilst testing these buds, which gave me a good opportunity to use them in some different situations, like on a plane to listen to movies with my phone and in an airport to listen to podcasts and stay aware of flight announcements.

I paired them with an iPhone 14 Pro and mostly used Apple Music and Spotify streaming services to test them with music, as well as podcasts on Spotify and movies on Mubi.

I’ve tested many different headphones and earbuds over the past 12 years, especially those designed for fitness and active lifestyles. I like to find the devices that prioritize comfort and ease of use and flag up any new tech that feels more style over substance.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series’ major camera update reaches the US
1:49 pm | February 24, 2024

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

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series' major camera update, released in South Korea last week and recently in Europe, is now rolling out in the US, albeit for carrier-locked units only. The update has firmware version S92x1UEU1AXB7 and requires a download of about 680MB. It comes with the February 2024 Android security patch, and you can check the changelog below for more details about it. Brighter Backlight Shots: Say goodbye to washed-out photos! High-pixel mode now shines with better balance in bright scenes. Sharper Text Zooms (Galaxy S24 Ultra only): Get closer than ever with...

Samsung Galaxy S24 series’ major camera update reaches the US
1:49 pm |

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

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series' major camera update, released in South Korea last week and recently in Europe, is now rolling out in the US, albeit for carrier-locked units only. The update has firmware version S92x1UEU1AXB7 and requires a download of about 680MB. It comes with the February 2024 Android security patch, and you can check the changelog below for more details about it. Brighter Backlight Shots: Say goodbye to washed-out photos! High-pixel mode now shines with better balance in bright scenes. Sharper Text Zooms (Galaxy S24 Ultra only): Get closer than ever with...

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