Samsung released a major camera-improving update for the Galaxy S23 series in South Korea last month, which was later rolled out in Europe and India. Now the update is seeding in the US for carrier-locked and unlocked models of the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Galaxy S23 (left), Galaxy S23+ (center), and Galaxy S23 Ultra (right)
The update comes with firmware version S91xUSQU1AWC8 for the carrier-locked units and S91xU1UEU1AWC8 for the unlocked models. It brings the April 2023 Android security patch to the Galaxy S23 trio along with all the camera improvements and...
The Humanscale Float Mini is a fascinating standing desk with an impressively minimal, electricity-free design. While there may be better choices for someone looking for a triple monitor setup or an ultrawide behemoth, this could be a perfect little desk for someone looking to stand with their laptop. Since this desk is not powered, you could add casters to improve mobility within an office space or wherever needed.
Unboxing (Image credit: Humanscale)
Unboxing and First Impressions
Unboxing this desk was as expected. It was a simple process, with all the elements labeled and the tools for construction included. This desk took us about 15 minutes to assemble after unboxing everything. The included instructions were easy to follow, and thanks to the aforementioned labeling, we were always clear on what to do.
When choosing our model, we added the NeatCharge wireless charger. This of course requires power, but the desk itself remains powerless. The NeatCharge wireless charger takes up zero desk space as it uses passthrough technology and mounts to the underside of the desk. Then, on the desktop, a little conductive adhesive is added to show where to place your Qi wireless charging device to align with the charger below. This design leaves the entire desk space usable (see photo).
Humanscale Float Mini + NeatCharge (top) (Image credit: Humanscale)
Design and Build Quality
The Float Mini from Humanscale is a very modern-looking desk. Our model has a squared-off leg, a clean white metal base and leg, and a light bamboo desktop.
The lifting mechanism utilizes a counterbalance system with a simple lever so that even without a motor, this desk can raise and lower very smoothly and efficiently.
The weight capacity of this desk is a mere 60lb, so this isn't a desk to jump on, load with huge monitors or ride up and down like you can with a lot of standing desks. However, it is excellent for a single laptop, notebook, or drawing setup.
The desk utilizes a counterbalance system so you can raise the desk without the use of an electric motor. We thought this would be an inferior experience, but actually, the act of raising and lowering is relatively smooth and surprisingly easy to use.
(Image credit: Humanscale)
In Use
We found an excellent use for this smaller footprint desk in an infrequently used area of our office space as a standing desk, using just a laptop or notebook. It could be the smaller footprint or the single-leg design, but this desk fits into a corner or against a wall quite nicely without feeling like it's protruding into the room. Because of this, we noticed several team members would venture over to this desk to knock out some emails, stretch from their workspace, or get a change of scenery.
The desk can drop down to a seated height; however, we only tried this once or twice as proof of concept but never actually used it this way. We use the height adjustment to match an individual's standing height, without making drastic changes to adjust for someone sitting.
The NeatCharge is a beautiful solution for small desktops like this Humanscale Float Mini. Its lack of real estate is what makes it so attractive. Only a slight bump from the sticker shows where to place a Qi device on the charger. However, that spot is still absolutely usable if needed. We put the charger on the front right corner of our desk because we wanted to be able to place headphones or smartphones to charge while working somewhere else in our office.
NeatCharge bottom (Image credit: Humanscale)
Final Verdict
The Humanscale Float Mini with NeatCharge is a quality combination that is an excellent fit for a range of users. The minimalist design and relatively small footprint make it an ideal fit for small spaces that won't accommodate a standard desk, allowing us to make more use of our space. Adding in the NeatCharge takes the desk to the next level of practicality and productivity.
It’s well known that the prices of Android flagship fall pretty quickly after launch and we’re seeing just that this week. We also found offers for tablets for those wanting a larger screen. Use the links below to jump to your region:
USA
The UK
Germany
India
USA
The Galaxy S23 series may be flying off the shelves, but that (thankfully) hasn’t prevented price drops even this early in its life cycle. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is already down to $1,000 for the base 12/256GB unit, $200 off its MSRP. Similarly, the Galaxy S23+ is down $150 and is now close to the...
With the Motorola Edge 40 Pro, Motorola has once again made its Pro handset a true Android flagship. The company has packed in all the de rigeur trappings of a flagship phone – so you’re getting the best processor, all the latest connectivity standards, nicer materials, and the like.
The phone impresses at everything you would want it to do. Even its plain black colorway is nice to look at. The soft round edges are comfortable to grip, and the material at the rear feels nice to the touch.
The software is clean and well considered – it’s closer to a stock Android experience than most; with some minor additions. There are some small issues, of course – the phone insists that you choose from a selection of recommended Moto apps during the initial setup, and downloads them unless you manually unapprove each one, but after that Motorola leaves you to it. The company promises three years of software updates, but we note with trepidation that the Motorola Edge 20 and Edge 30 are still on Android 12, even as Google is prepping Android 14 for release.
(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
The camera takes images quickly and the sensors capture good dynamic range, although shots overall are only just above average. The front-facing camera is decent, but smooths out the skin in portrait shots a little too much.
The phone excels in the battery life and charging departments, thanks to optimizations facilitated by its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and 125W fast-charging tech.
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro is a strong entry into what’s shaping up to be a competitive market for Android phones in 2023. At £799.99 (availability and pricing have yet to be confirmed for the US and Australia), it’s a little expensive, but you are definitely getting what you're paying for here.
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro next to the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. (Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: price and availability
Priced at £799.99 in the UK (directly converts to $995 / AU$1,480)
Unconfirmed for the US but Motorola says it may have something to announce later in the year
Available from April 4
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro is on sale as of April 4.
In the UK, the phone is priced at £799.99, which is comparable to competing phones from Apple, Samsung, and Google. The OnePlus 11 is a bit cheaper in the UK – at £729 for the base model, while the Xiaomi 13 will set you back £849. The Edge 40 Pro is priced cheaper than most brands’ Pro variants, so there’s some unmistakeable value here, if you want to look at it that way.
Motorola has not yet announced an Edge 40, 40 Fusion, 40 Neo, or 40 Ultra model. While either of those first three more affordable variants could emerge down the line, as some rumours have suggested, it’s hard to imagine Motorola releasing an Motorola Edge 40 Ultra this year when – spoiler alert – the Edge 40 Pro is so good.
The company has not announced US or Australia availability. It’s available directly from Motorola now, and will be available from more retail outlets in the coming weeks.
Value score: 4 / 5
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: specs
(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: design
The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro compared. (Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Borderless design
Curved edges
Soft-touch matte glass.
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro takes a lot of its design DNA from the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, rather than the Edge 30 Pro. It’s all the better for it, though. It has the same soft-touch matte glass you’ll find on the Edge 30 Ultra, a similar rear camera layout, and a nigh-identical front design. It even has similar dimensions – although the cases aren’t transferable, in part because with the Edge 40 Pro, Motorola has made the welcome decision – from an ergonomic standpoint – to switch back to a rounded-edge design.
The iPhone 12 made flat sides on smartphones popular again, and many manufacturers rushed to copy Apple. However, flat sides aren’t always the best tool for the job, even if they are now regarded as ‘modern’. They can dig into the palm, and cause otherwise well-balanced phones to sting.The Edge 40 Pro feels a lot nicer in the hand; it’s nicely rounded, well balanced, and soft to touch, compared to the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
The rounded look and feel is accentuated by the curved edges of the display. The curved vs flat debate has raged ever since Samsung introduced curved edges on its Edge phones. If you like them, you like them; if you don’t, you don’t. These curves are a lot subtler than the extreme curves you’ll find on a Pixel, and more like what you’ll find on top-end Chinese phones from the likes of Xiaomi and Oppo. They’re aesthetically pleasing, but in functional use they can be a little annoying sometimes, and I think flat edges would be better practically speaking.
Now, let’s talk about materials. This year, Motorola has gone all in on premium materials. The matte glass from the Edge 30 Ultra returns, but Gorilla Glass Victus covers the phone on both sides rather than the older Gorilla Glass 5 on the Edge 30 Ultra or Gorilla Glass 3 on the Edge 30 Pro. The sides are aluminum. I keep comparing this phone to the Edge 30 Ultra because again, while it’s this year’s‘Pro’ model it’s more or less an upgrade of last year’s Ultra and more deserving of the Pro name than last year’s Pro.
Motorola has made a phone that is nice to look out and nice to hold, and that’s all it really needs to do.
Design score: 4 / 5
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: display
(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
6.7-inch Full HD+ (2400x1080) pOLED
Up to 165Hz variable refresh rate
Curved-edge display
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro has a good-looking display, and the specs – like the rest of the phone – sit up there with some of the best. It’s a large and immersive 6.67-inch Full HD+ panel, that’s only broken up by the 60MP front-facing camera (more on that later). It’s great for scrolling your social feeds or watching videos on your commute, and it’s also great for games. The taller, narrower 20:9 aspect ratio, paired with the phone’s more rounded form means that it’s a lot more comfortable to hold for long periods than an iPhone and, of course, native Android tools like split screen make good use of the available display space too.
As with all Android flagship phones, the 40 Pro sports a high refresh rate, although the 165Hz maximum available here exceeds the 120Hz peak of most rivals. The refresh rate is set to adaptive 120Hz by default, meaning it’s optimized depending on what you’re doing on your phone, but you can also manually set it to 60Hz, 120Hz, or 165Hz; with 60Hz the best option for conserving battery, and 165Hz delivering maximum fluidity for gaming.
You can choose between Natural and Boosted color profiles too. I prefer Boosted as I’m a fan of bright, popping colors but, of course, your mileage may vary. It's a bright display that can go up to 1300nits in peak conditions; that’s not quite as bright as the super-bright iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it is brighter than the iPhone 13 Pro Max, and it’s almost double the Motorola Edge 30 Pro’s 685nits.
Display score: 4.5 / 5
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: software
Android 13 on the Motorola Edge 40 Pro looks a lot like Google's. (Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Android 13 at launch
Clean take on Android
Three of years OS updates + four years security updates
Motorola’s software is very clean. It reminds me of Google’s take on Android – except Motorola has left in some things in that Google has taken out.
The software itself works well and is unobtrusive. The interface uses Google’s Material You design language, and if you’ve encountered it on a Pixel phone, and loved it, you’ll love it here too. There are small differences mostly with regards to theming and customization, and to my eye they’re for the better. On Motorola’s MyUX, for example, you can still change your font and icon size, as you could on Pixels running Android 11 and older – someone should let Google know that leaving this option in neither ended the world nor broke Material You.
Motorola promises three years of software updates and four years of security updates. It’s on a par with Google for the former, but behind Google’s five years of security updates for its Pixels.
While three years of updates is admirable from the point of view of reducing e-waste and helping people keep their phones for longer typically is, the regularity with which Motorola rolls out updates is less so. Perhaps people don’t care about updates as much these days.
Maybe Android updates have gotten increasingly incremental, and those who do want regular updates already look to literally any other Android brand (aside from HMD Global, which is just marginally less terrible in this respect) or believe that Google's habit of instead keeping features up to date via the Play Store is enough. Either way, we won’t be holding our breath for Android 14 or 15 to come to this phone quickly. For context, Motorola just rolled out Android 13 to the Edge 30 Pro. If you’re buying the Motorola Edge 40 Pro, know that you’re going to have to be very happy with Android 13, or consider looking elsewhere.
Software score: 3 / 5
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: cameras
The triple-rear camera of the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. (Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Triple rear camera layout (50MP + 50MP + 12MP)
60MP selfie camera
Raw support
The Motorola Edge 40 has a great camera experience and set up The Motorola Edge 40 Pro has a triple-lens rear camera setup, comprising a 50MP f/1.8 main camera, a 50MP f/2.2 ultrawide – with a 114-degree field of view, and a 12MP telephoto.
The power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is on show here in spades. Images capture quickly and speedily, and shots have good dynamic range and color reproduction. However, image quality is one area where you’re reminded that – despite the similar-looking software – this isn’t a Pixel (or any other of the best camera phones currently out there, for that matter). Crop in on images and they quickly begin to resemble watercolor paintings, as fine detail goes missing. For sharing to Instagram or TIkTok, though you’re good. Images taken at night are also serviceable, but you likely won’t be printing them out and framing them.
Looking back at our reviews of the Motorola Edge 30 Pro and Edge 30 Ultra, the failings seem to be about the same here. It is a Motorola phone with a Motorola camera. Amazing on paper, just good in real life. It’s a Motorola camera. It should do a lot better than it does. It just doesn’t.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro camera samples
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(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Testing out the zoom on the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. You can zoom in really far (up to 16x, as in the image on the furthest right – but you probably shouldn't).
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(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Motorola's portrait mode has a range of focal lengths. Above depicts 35mm, 50mm and 85mm.
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(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Not entirely sold on how the camera captures my darker skin. The front camera tries to smooth it out entirely in broad daylight, creating a weird effect. It's somewhat ok at night, and the rear camera does the same as the front camera during the day.
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(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
The ultrawide camera can fit a lot of stuff in.
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And the regular wide camera is good in broad daylight.
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Checking out the ultrawide camera again, because I love ultrawide shots.
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(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro is decent at night too.
This is a Motorola phone with Motorola cameras, and it should do better. While the specs promise outstanding performance, the reality is rather underwhelming; it’s just ‘good’, where it should be amazing.
There is one thing I must call out, though. You can overcome the phone’s image quality shortcomings to a degree by shooting in RAW format. As on Apple’s iPhones, you can tweak the exposure and color of RAW images to a greater degree than you can that regular images, enabling you to push shots that might otherwise only be a 6 or 7 to 9 or even 10. It’s not something everyone will want to get into (I don’t), but if you like this phone and want to improve the quality of its camera output, it’s an option.
Camera score: 3.5 / 5
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: performance
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC
12GB RAM (LPDDR5X)
Up to 512GB of storage (UFS4.0)
In terms of specs, the Motorola Edge 40 Pro is every inch a proper flagship that’s comparable to the best that Samsung, Oppo, and Xiaomi have to offer. This means it has all the requisite high-end Android specs, including the latest chipset in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, backed by 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, with either 256GB or 512GB of UFS4.0 storage. Basically, it is a very fast phone and – when it comes to downloading Netflix shows I trick myself into thinking I’ll have time to watch, or hoarding graphic novels on Comixology – I know I’m not going to get pestered by low-storage warnings.
It also supports all the latest connectivity standards, including USB 3.2, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7. 5G on a flagship is, these days, a given.
There are dual speakers at the top and at the bottom of the handset. They’re Dolby Atmos-tuned, and they’re great for watching TIkToks and other videos in those rare instances when you’re not listening over headphones.
There’s not much to say about the specs. They’re all very good and Motorola gets top marks here for putting together a compelling package.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
Motorola Edge 40 Pro review: battery
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro next to its charger. (Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
4,600mAh battery
Supports 125W TurboPower charging
All-day battery life
The Motorola Edge 40 Pro is powered by a 4,600mAh battery. That’s not especially large in the Android world – where Samsung and Google have equipped their latest flagships with 5,000mAh batteries, but a combination of the incredibly efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 125W fast charging mean that battery life is unlikely to be an issue here.
First, let’s talk about longevity. Motorola’s phone proved very efficient in our testing, with the battery making it through a full day or slightly more. According to accubattery, the phone’s battery can last for around six hours of screen-on time – given my typical use patterns, and mixed usage will see that stretch into two days. I found that to be pretty accurate. Not that it ever got to that. Trying to kill the battery, so that I could see how fast it would charge to 100% from zero, was harder than anticipated – as is typical of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones.
The 125W fast charging is the real deal. Motorola says the Edge 40 Pro can go from 0 to 100 in about 23 minutes, and that’s more or less what we saw. When 125W charging is enabled, a little indicator pops up showing just how fast the phone is charging, along with a ‘125W TurboPower’ icon on the lock screen. There are situations where the charger may not be able to draw the full 125W due to a bottleneck somewhere in the chain, in which case you’ll still get the ‘TurboPower’ indicator right around there but with no 125W notation. It’s still fast, which is nice to know, just not super-fast.
Battery score: 5 / 5
Should you buy the Motorola Edge 40 Pro?
Buy it if...
You want a clean, stock Android phone with fast charging There are many Android phones which offer even up to 240W fast charging speeds. If you want one that's built with an interface that's how Google intended, this is really your only option.
You want a powerful phone that costs a little less than rivals Motorola has made a top-tier phone that costs a little less than value rivals like the Pixel 7 Pro and that is commendable.
You want a phone that lasts all day The charging is incredibly fast, not that you'd need it with how efficiently the processor and battery work together.
Don't buy it if...
You want the absolute best Android camera Motorola cameras have consistently been ok to good. This touches very good but falls short of great.
You want fast and timely updates. Motorola is just not that company when it comes to updates. Complaining would be pointless. Just note it, weigh it, and move on.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro: Also consider
Motorola set out to make the vest big Android phone -- but not everyone likes everything.
Pixel 7 Pro remains a solid phone that has quite a few of the advantages of the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. You keep the same excellent software but pick up faster updates and a better camera. It's a little pricier and the charging is quite literally 10 times slower.
Samsung Galaxy S23 is the best Android phone of the year. A strong update policy, powerful and flexible cameras, and a broad accessory market make this a top pick.
How I tested the Motorola Edge 40 Pro
(Image credit: Michael Allison / Future)
Review test period = 1 week
Testing included = Everyday usage, web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming
Motorola handed me the phone after the Moto event in London. After which, I used the phone as my main phone for a week. I ran benchmarks for it at TechRadar's London offices, after which I used it as normal.
Normal use for me includes texting a lot on WhatsApp, playing One Piece Bounty Rush and Bleach Brave Souls on auto play while doing other things. I read a few books on the Kindle app (plural, I'm a fast reader). On the weekend, I did watch several TikToks, a brief Netflix show, and then I finally got around to watching the Guardians on the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney Plus.
The photo testing part of the review involved walking around London in the rain at night. That IP68 rating gave me some extra confidence and I did appreciate the speed of the camera then.
As for me, I've been writing about and reviewing mobile technology since 2014, nearly a full decade. Prior to TechRadar, I worked at Digital Trend's Mobile division, and before that I was at Android Central about Android phones on a daily basis.
A couple of days ago, OnePlus announced the Nord CE 3 Lite mid-ranger. It's an interesting device undoubtedly, with a 108 MP main camera and 5,000 mAh battery with 67W fast charging support.
If those hero specs sound intriguing to you and you're in the US, here's something interesting a user on the OnePlus forums uncovered. It turns out that the company is getting ready to offer the Nord CE 3 Lite in the US, only rebranded as OnePlus Nord N30.
That would make it the successor to the Nord N20 from April of last year, so the timeline definitely fits. Compared to that model, the screen...
Honestly, I wish I was allowed to put more items in that ‘Pros’ list up there. The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition (which, I will admit, is something of a mouthful) genuinely might be the best Chromebook I’ve ever reviewed. It’s beautiful. It’s perfect. It’s, uh… wait, it’s a thousand bucks?
Yes, the entry price is sure to make some folks’ wallets shrivel in horror, but don’t run for the hills just yet. That $999 price tag is still less than the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook that currently sits at the top of our carefully-curated best Chromebooks list - and while Framework’s entry doesn’t quite offer the same level of performance, it does plenty to justify the cost.
For those unfamiliar with Framework, it’s a company that specializes in ‘fixing’ consumer electronics - not physically repairing them but fixing the broken nature of our transient, wasteful consumption of technological goods. Hardware - in particular, laptops - is becoming less and less repairable and long-lasting. Planned obsolescence is a huge problem, with kit designed to essentially become redundant after just a few years so you’re forced to drop more cash on a newer model.
To hell with all that, says Framework - and I couldn’t agree more. Laptops should be user-repairable and user-upgradable; I should be able to crack open my MacBook Air to slap in a bigger drive, faster memory, or a new battery, not be beholden to the whims (and fees) of a teenaged Apple store ‘genius’.
(Image credit: Future)
Back when we reviewed the original Windows-powered ‘DIY edition’ of the Framework Laptop, we praised its design, repairability, and performance - and I fully believe that Chrome OS is the perfect home for this sort of device.
Since it relies mainly on web apps and cloud computing, Chrome OS demands less system resources from your laptop, allowing Framework to outfit this Chromebook with a relatively tame Intel Core i5 CPU and 8GB of RAM. On a Windows laptop, I might look at those specs with that price tag and scoff; here, it makes a lot more sense. Sure, you’re still paying a hearty sum, but the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition’s solid performance and unique features make it more than worth the money in my eyes.
In keeping with previous non-Chrome models (and Framework’s overall design ethos), this Chromebook is constructed and packaged using recycled materials, contains easily replaceable internal components, and - best of all - features hot-swappable ‘expansion cards’ that enable you to customize your laptop’s port selection in seconds.
I’m gonna say it: this is the future of laptops. Buy one, buy your kid one, buy your grandma one. I want Framework to succeed so badly; because we’re in a downward spiral of tech hardware consumption that’s only going to get worse for us all.
I don’t like doomsaying, but the numbers don’t lie. We now produce 50 million metric tons of e-waste annually - and a lot of that is down to laptops, tablets, and phones that (by design!) can’t be repaired by consumers. I hope that one day, all the best laptops will be like this one. It’s time for change. It’s time for Framework.
Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review: Price and availability
Base price of $999 (around £800 / AU$1,500)
Expansion cards range from $9 to $149
Only available in the US at time of writing
I’m not going to claim that the Framework Chromebook is one of the best cheap laptops, although it does offer a lot for the asking price. $999 is fairly expensive for a Chromebook, no doubt. But with a 12th-gen Intel processor, 2K display, and generally solid construction, it’s already well on the way to marking itself as solid value for money.
Customizability is a big selling point here. I’ll get more into it later, but the upshot of the ‘expansion card’ system is that the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition effectively has four Thunderbolt 4 ports - something that’s still missing from plenty of Chromebooks.
These cards vary in price from $9 for a simple USB-A or USB-C port to $149 for a hefty 1TB slot-in drive, which can be easily removed to take with you. You can buy them from Framework’s own online marketplace, along with a variety of other components for replacing or upgrading your laptop’s internals.
(Image credit: Future)
As you’ll learn in the Design section further down, Framework hasn’t skimped on quality. In addition to Thunderbolt 4 support, we’ve got a Full HD webcam, the latest Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and a robust brushed aluminum outer casing. It certainly feels the way a premium Chromebook should.
It’s worth noting that the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition isn’t available outside the US at present, hence the pricing estimates provided above for the UK and Australia. There’s currently no news on whether this model will make it to other regions, but if you opt to import one you can purchase regional keyboards - since that’s user-replaceable too!
Price: 4 / 5
Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review: Specs
There's only one configuration of the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition available for you to buy - but due to the nature of the laptop, you can upgrade and customize it to an impressive degree.
The default configuration uses a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1240P with 8GB of DDR4 and a 256GB SSD. The laptop essentially has four Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, but these are hidden beneath the casing for you to slot the expansion cards into them, letting you decide exactly which ports you want and how you want them positioned.
While the SSDs, RAM, keyboard, screen bezel, and obviously the expansion cards are available to purchase and upgrade individually, you can't buy a specific CPU for Framework's laptops. Instead, the company sells integrated mainboards that incorporate a processor, motherboard, and cooling solution. You can now get 13th-gen Intel models, as Framework has started to make new configurations for its Windows laptops - and those are fully backwards-compatible with this version.
Not content with just making a Chromebook that was sustainably designed and user-friendly, Framework also had to flex a little, didn’t they? This is one of the best Chromebooks out there in terms of physical design, mirroring the best aspects of the regular Framework Laptop but with a few Google-inspired twists.
The outer shell is clean, brushed aluminum with the Framework logo stamped in black on the lid along with the ubiquitous Chromebook logo in the top corner - though here it’s in greyscale, so as not to detract from the laptop’s straightforward aesthetic. Opening it up, we’ve got a pleasingly large trackpad and a black keyboard with soft white LED backlighting.
The keys themselves are a good size and well-spaced, making typing on the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition feel nice and comfortable even for extended periods. The Chromebook keyboard layout may feel a little alien to Windows users at first, with the caps lock and Esc key replaced by the ‘Everything Button’ and lock key, but it’s an otherwise easy adjustment.
(Image credit: Future)
The display is frankly far beyond what I’ve seen in the vast majority of Chromebooks I’ve tested, a 3:2 aspect ratio ‘productivity screen’ with a 2K resolution that matches the great display on the aforementioned HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook. The maximum brightness is great at over 400 nits, and 100% sRGB gamut means bright colors look vibrant.
Google already touts improved digital security as a key selling point of Chrome OS, and we’ve got some decent physical security features here too. The square power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, while the excellent 1080p 60fps webcam and dual microphone array both feature dedicated kill switches on the top bezel of the screen - a nice touch that far too many laptops forgo.
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Of course, I couldn’t not talk about the expansion cards here. They’re phenomenally easy to slot in and remove, with a simple button on the underside of the laptop to release them so they’ll never fall out while the laptop is in your bag.
Framework was kind enough to send us a selection of cards featuring USB-A, USB-C, MicroSD, and HDMI outputs, but you can also get Ethernet, DisplayPort, and 3.5mm jack adaptors (though the latter is already included separately to the card slots).
Continuing the theme of customizability, Framework also sells swappable keyboard covers and screen bezels, and the fully-recyclable box also comes with a small Torx driver to open up the laptop and swap out the memory, storage, or even the entire mainboard. Like the look of this Chromebook, but wish it came with a more powerful 13th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU and 32GB of DDR5 RAM instead? You can make that a reality. I can’t stress this enough: that’s cool as hell.
If those specs up above were for a $999 Windows laptop, I’d be a tad concerned. But Chrome OS has always been able to do more with less compared to Microsoft’s nigh-omnipresent operating system, able to run smoothly on far less powerful hardware than what’s on offer here.
So that Core i5-1240P processor and 8GB of RAM found in my review model is more than enough: Chrome OS runs buttery-smooth here, with no slowdown whatsoever through my entire testing process. Opening a ton of Chrome tabs? No problem. Running games from the Google Play Store? You’ve got it.
In fact, the graphical performance on offer here is impressive. Sure, you won’t be playing all of the best PC games here, but WebGL performance was strong, and when I downloaded some Play Store games to give the integrated Iris Xe graphics more of a workout, I got an impressively steady framerate north of 30fps. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: iGPUs are the future of gaming. Who needs a graphics card, right?
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General CPU performance is also fairly strong, providing speedy operating in just about every area and giving solid results across the rest of our benchmark suite. The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition also runs very cool and quiet; in our review of the original Framework Laptop, we critiqued the noisy fans, but they rarely kicked in here - only while downloading Genshin Impact’s massive update pack and after running a hardware stress test for several minutes.
One of the best things about the Framework Chromebook is still the fact that if you’re ever even remotely dissatisfied with the performance, you can just go ahead and upgrade it!
A simple bump up to 16GB of RAM (if you happen to be running more memory-intensive software) will only cost you $30, while an SSD upgrade to a healthy terabyte of storage will run you $99. As someone who got his start in tech journalism by building custom computers, I have to say that Framework’s pricing is pretty damn reasonable.
Of course, this is a Chrome OS system, so you’ll want to be mindful if you’re switching over from Windows or MacOS. While it’s lighter on system requirements and offers better child safety and data security features, it’s also limited in terms of which apps it can run. If you’re aiming to use a specific piece of software that isn’t on the Play Store (or otherwise downloadable for Chrome OS), consider yourself warned.
Performance: 4.5 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review: Battery life
Decent all-day battery life
Doesn’t quite measure up given the price
Does charge fast, however
Our default Chromebook battery test, which sees us looping a 720p video at 50% brightness and letting the battery run down to empty from a full charge, turned up a respectable but not amazing nine hours of runtime. It also charges fast via USB-C, and you can change which side the charge port is thanks to the slottable expansion cards.
If you’re using the Framework Chromebook for more demanding work, it’ll be less; if you opt to turn on the battery-saver mode and lower the brightness, it’ll be more. Framework has previously noted that there’s a known bug with the battery involving certain expansion cards (including the HDMI output, which I was using during my testing process) so it’s possible that with some future firmware updates, the longevity could be improved.
It’s worth noting here that 50% brightness on this particular Chromebook is actually a fair bit brighter than many cheaper options. Nonetheless, this is still a very middle-of-the-road score. Nine hours of battery life is good and should see you through a full day of work, but we’ve seen plenty of Chromebooks that surpass it - most recently the similarly eco-friendly Acer Chromebook Vero 514, which managed a solid 10+ hours.
Battery life: 4 / 5
Should you buy the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition?
Buy it if...
You’re eco-conscious
If you’re worried about e-waste and want to make an impact, this is the laptop to buy. Framework’s ethos is unquestionably the best around right now when it comes to sustainable hardware.
You want future-proof
The durability and repairability of the Framework Laptop Chromework Edition are simply a cut above the competition, meaning this laptop will last you for years with some periodic upgrades.
You need an office laptop
With its bright 3:2 display, the Framework Chromebook offers plenty of vertical screen real estate for scrolling through web pages and documents, making it great for office work. It’s also compact and light enough to easily take on your commute.
Don't buy it if...
You’re a serious gamer
The Intel Core i5-1240P inside this laptop actually offers decent graphical performance, but it’s not going to measure up to the power of a dedicated graphics card in a proper gaming laptop.
You want ultra-long battery life
The battery life here isn’t terrible, comfortably eclipsing many Windows laptops, but it’s still decidedly average compared as far as Chromebooks go - and it doesn’t even come close to the MacBook Air.
You’re on a tight budget
Yes, $999 is a lot of money for a Chromebook. I’m sticking to my guns; I still maintain that the price is fair for what you get, especially since Framework’s products are so unique, but it’s an entry price that may be simply too high for some people.
Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review: Also consider
If our Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...
How I tested the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition
(Image credit: Future)
Used it for everyday work
Watched Netflix in bed in the evenings
Ran some games as well as our standard suite of benchmark tests
As is custom for my laptop reviews, I incorporated the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition into my daily routine to properly get to grips with it - using it for my everyday work as well as personal activities (mostly watching Netflix and scrolling through Reddit in bed) in the evenings.
I naturally used it to write most of this review, and found it very comfortable for long typing sessions, which was nice to see - I've typed some negative reviews on some pretty crummy laptop keyboards.
This week we found some major discounts on current flagships, plus deals on mid-rangers and some entry-level phones. Use the links below to jump to your region:
The UK
Germany
India
USA
UK
The new Galaxy S23 starts at £900 unless you engage in trade-in deals. The Galaxy S22 is still a fairly capable phone and it is a good deal cheaper at £540. This was the last generation of Exynos-powered S-phones in Europe, but the rest of the hardware is similar enough (it’s not like the S23 got a QHD LTPO display or faster than 25W charging).
...
Samsung US started accepting pre-orders for the Galaxy A54 this morning and will start shipping the first units out on April 6. The regular price of the phone is $450 (for a 6/128GB unit), but an early bird deal that can reduce the price to as low as $200.
This is with a trade-in of up to $250. If you want in, you can follow this link to Samsung.com. US buyers can pick between Awesome Violet and Awesome Graphite.
Samsung Galaxy A54
6/128
Up to $250 trade-in credit
Read our hands-on...
The refresh of last year’s model, 2023’s Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 sets out to be a monster of a gaming machine while avoiding the pitfall of taking on the weight and bulk issue of desktop replacements (to a point of course). It comes in only black, a bit boring for color choices, but the chassis itself is surprisingly thinner than most, which is especially impressive for a laptop housing a GeForce RTX 4090 GPU.
The 16-inch display is a beauty, as it’s a QHD+ (2560 x 1600, WQXGA) mini-LED with a ridiculously high 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time that also supports HDR and G-Sync. The sound system is one that befits what the best gaming laptop would be outfitted with, as it’s powered by Dolby Atmos, uses Smart Amp Tech, and features two 2W Tweeter and a 2W dual-force woofer. This ensures that during your session, the laptop conveys every bit of audio design and music, making for a more immersive experience.
It seems that RGB lighting is a requirement for any gaming keyboard, and this one doesn’t disappoint, as both the touchpad and keys are beautifully backlit. The Chiclet keyboard itself is smooth and easy to type on, which helps if you prefer gaming on a keyboard versus connecting a controller.
Gaming performance is the crown jewel of this laptop, with some serious specs, memory, and storage even in the lowest configuration. The base model has an RTX 4070 and the highest is equipped with the incredibly powerful RTX 4090. While testing out the latter graphics card in the review unit I received, I found its boosting capabilities to be quite impeccable, thanks to its max TGP of 150W when using Dynamic Boost on Manual Mode.
Another feature of note and one that sets this refresh apart from previous models as well as other gaming laptops is the AniMe Matrix mode. This mode allows you to activate either default animations and messages or create your own, then display them on the outside chassis. It’s a fun, if not useful, feature that’s best for showing off and entertaining others. But you can easily save money by opting for a model without it.
Though it may be a contender for one of the best Asus laptops, there are some drawbacks to this laptop. First, the throttling issue concerning the CPU is more pronounced in this laptop, which not only lowers the potential of the normally powerful Core i9-13900H but even causes stuttering with any tasks not directly related to gaming. The software, while possessing many features and modes, is counterintuitive and requires a lot of time and effort to navigate.
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023): Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
Starting at $2.999.99 / £2,399.99 (around AU$4,417)
Available now
Available in the US and UK, and possibly Australia in the future
The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) is an incredibly expensive and luxurious gaming laptop. Its starting price is $2.999.99 in the US and £2,399.99 in the UK through the official Asus online store. That pricing works to around AU$4,417. Compared to other similar desktop replacements released with current-gen components like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, this laptop is definitely a step above in cost. However, compared to something as premium as the MSI GT77 Titan (2023), it’s a more affordable choice for a high-end machine.
Currently, it isn’t available in Australia just yet. According to a representative, that’s likely to change in the future. As of this writing, the ROG Zephyrus M16 is sold out in the US as well, which makes obtaining it a bit more difficult.
Price score: 4 / 5
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023): Specs
(Image credit: Future)
The specs for the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) review unit sent to me are as follows: an Intel Core i9-13900H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 2TB of storage, as well as the AniMe Matrix mode that comes with only certain models. The base version is nearly identical in specs except for an RTX 4070 GPU, while the most premium version has the same GPU but with 64GB of RAM.
While there are plenty of models to choose from, each model cannot be configured to your unique specifications.
Specs score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023): Design
Simple color, sleek form factor
AniMe Matrix mode is a fun gimmick
Display and sound system are great
Though the color of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) is a pretty standard black, overall it has a surprisingly sleeker design than most desktop replacements, especially as my own review model is housing an RTX 4090. That beefy card also increases the weight, putting it at five pounds compared to the RTX 4070 laptop at about four and a half pounds. Despite that, its form factor is well-balanced enough that you barely feel it. The chassis is solid, though not as hardy as other heavier laptops.
It has both an excellent display and audio system that’s built for the best portable gaming experience possible. The 16-inch display is a QHD+ (2560 x 1600, WQXGA) mini-LED with a ridiculously high 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. It also supports HDR and G-Sync for those extra smooth and crisp visuals. As an extra bonus, the bezels are thin enough to offer over 90% screen-to-body ratio, meaning more of your favorite PC game’s UI is visible.
AniMe Matrix mode is the defining feature of this laptop, and it’s pretty cool. You use the built-in software to create messages or animations, which is then displayed on the back of the chassis for others to see. It makes for some fun conversation starters but otherwise has no impact on the laptop’s performance. Not all models have this mode, so feel free to purchase a different version if you need to save some money.
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The sound is much better quality than most other laptops, as it’s powered by Dolby Atmos, uses Smart Amp Tech, and packs two 2W Tweeter and a 2W dual-force woofer. It’s crystal clear and loses nothing in quality when turned up, perfect for capturing audio design and music. It’s complemented by a superior mic quality that keeps background noises out of your conference calls when the webcam is activated, though the webcam visuals are slightly above average.
The keyboard is a Chiclet type, which makes for nicely snappy, responsive keys. However, the downside is that since the speakers are hugging said keyboard, it doesn’t leave room for a numlock pad, which is an important part of any gaming rig. Both the keyboard and touchpad have RGB lighting, great for illuminating a night session and just pretty to look at.
There’s plenty of ventilation going on as well including liquid metal, a vapor chamber, a heat sink, heat pipes, and fans. It can get a bit noisy at times, and despite all the precautions, some parts – namely the underside and space between the keyboard and screen – are prone to warming up. I also noticed that having AniMe Matrix mode active puts even more of a burden on the ventilation so after a while I had to turn it off.
It has a solid port selection as well, including one 3.5mm combo audio jack, one HDMI 2.1 FRL, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, one Thunderbolt 4, one microSD reader, and one Kensington Lock. It is missing an ethernet cable, which for a normal laptop wouldn’t be too big of a deal but for a dedicated gaming laptop that’s supposed to replace a desktop PC? It forces you to rely on wireless connections only, a kiss of death for connection-reliant fighting games for instance.
Design score: 4 / 5
(Image credit: Future)
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023): Performance
Gaming performance is top-notch
Clears benchmarks
CPU struggles along
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023): Benchmarks
Here's how the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
If there’s one thing the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) does extremely well, it’s gaming. Even the base model of the gaming laptop is absolutely ripped and the most tricked-out version can flex its way through any title at absolutely max settings plus ray-tracing with no issues.
Compared to other gaming laptops like the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i or the MSI GT77 Titan (2023), benchmark scores are lower, except for the latter which loses out on the PCMark 10 benchmark to the ROG Zephyrus M16. And considering that the pricing of said laptop is higher than Lenovo’s own offerings, it calls into question what you’re paying for. Especially since the Pro 7i is using a 4080 compared to the 4090 of the M16.
But that’s not to say that you aren’t getting your money’s worth either. The fact that this laptop weighs significantly less than the other two laptops, can run every possible graphical and performance enhancement, can be overclocked for even better performance, and will still fit into a modest-sized laptop bag is nothing to sneeze at.
Other than the standard benchmarks, I also performed some personalized ones to test out what it could handle in terms of DLSS 3-enabled ray-tracing. Cyberpunk 2077 performed beautifully, with frame rates consistently above 100. Both the Dartmoor and Dubai benchmark in Hitman 3 also stayed above 100fps and 115fps, respectively. Finally, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered was the clear winner, averaging between 115-150fps during web-swinging and above 150fps during intense combat sections.
However, while the GPU worked splendidly when it came to any PC game I tested it with, there’s a major flaw that could turn away those needing a more well-rounded machine. Not only did the few CPU-based benchmarks feature plenty of throttled results thanks to the overpowered GPU, but there was very noticeable stuttering when I tried out regular productivity tasks like typing documents and browsing the internet. It’s nothing significant but enough that it made anything other than gaming a bit tedious.
Performance score:4.5 / 5
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023): Battery
(Image credit: Future)
Mediocre battery
Charges fast
I tested the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) using TechRadar’s movie battery test and found that it managed to last, at most, four hours and 45 minutes. That is generally quite bad for a laptop, but for a gaming laptop it’s about average. It’s certainly an improvement over the Legion 7i Pro, which can’t pass the two-and-a-half-hour mark, and it squeaks by with a victory over the GT77 Titan by about 15 minutes.
Of course, this is meant as a desktop replacement, so you won’t be unplugging this machine from the AC power, even to do some productivity work unless you can get anything done in less than five hours. If you need to transport it to another location, though, it’ll definitely last long enough for that transfer. And it also charges fast, about 30 minutes for a half charge, so at least you won’t be waiting long.
Battery score: 3 / 5
Should you buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023)?
Buy it if...
You want a gaming performance beast It chews up and spits out any PC game on the highest possible settings with both ray-tracing and DLSS 3 enabled.
Don't buy it if...
You’re on a budget
Though this is a high-quality laptop that can truly do it all, it also comes at a steep price. The average worker or creative person might have trouble affording it.
Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023): Also consider
If the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...
How I tested the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023)
I tested the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) for several weeks
I tested it using both benchmark tests and video game benchmarks
I stress-tested the battery using the TechRadar movie test
First, I tested the general weight and portability of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2023) by carrying it around in a laptop bag. After I set it up, I ran several benchmarks to thoroughly test out how much the graphics card affected gaming performance. Finally, I used a variety of programs and applications to test out both battery life and general performance during work-like conditions, as well as gaming benchmarks to test the RTX 4090 GPU.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 is a desktop replacement for gaming, meaning it's meant to be used for hardcore gaming sessions. I made sure to thoroughly test out this laptop in that regard, to make sure it reached certain levels of performance.
I've tested plenty of gaming PCs and laptops, making me more than qualified to understand benchmark test results and how to properly stress test machines to see how well they perform as a work machine.
The Cyrusher Ranger is a full-package, premium electric bike that’s shares genes with a mountain bike about as much as it does with a dual-purpose motorcycle. It’s not a cheap e-bike, but it’s making sure you get a lot for your money.
Many of the best electric bikes simply embed a little bit of motor power in an otherwise standard bicycle, like the Ribble Hyrbid AL e or Marin Sausalito E1. Some take a different tack. With front and rear suspension and fat tires, the Cyrusher ranger provides a supremely smooth ride, which is great given the 28mph top speed you can find yourself cruising along at with ease using the 750W motor. Even when you’re flying, the bike offers plenty of range from its 52V20Ah battery. With a half-twist throttle that can pull the bike along at 20mph, it really is much like a motorcycle.
The Cyrusher Ranger might be a bit over-the-top for some. If you live somewhere that doesn’t allow Class 2 or Class 3 ebikes, you’d be spending a lot for tech you can’t tap into. If you just want a casual commuter and are largely riding on smooth pavement, the Ranger suspension and big tires will be less useful while playing a large part in the pricing.
But, if you want an e-bike that’s happy to zoom down city streets, hop up and down curbs, and then hit trails all while enjoying plenty of motor assistance and range, the Cyrusher Ranger makes a competent option that’s not a bad value.
Cyrusher Ranger: Specifications
(Image credit: Mark Knapp)
Cyrusher Ranger: Price and availability
$2,799 in US
£2,799 in UK
Unavailable in AU
The Cyrusher Ranger is available now directly from Cyrusher for $2,799 in the continental United States or Alaska and Hawaii with extra shipping charges. It is also available in the UK for £2,799. Discounts are often available on the site, and it’s as-yet-unavailable in Australia.
Cyrusher Ranger: Design
Big, bulky and robust
Heavy-duty off-roading wheels
Removable battery
Electric bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but the Cyrusher Ranger’s shape and size are both decidedly big. From its monstrous wheels and motorcycle-esque dual-crown fork to its giant battery compartment and expanded bottom bracket, everything goes big on this bike. That goes especially for the weight. While Cyrusher rates the bike as weighing 66 pounds before jumping to 74 pounds with its battery installed, we weighed our test unit at 78.2 pounds before finally hitting a total of 90.4 pounds with the battery installed and all included accessories accounted for — a confusing discrepancy.
The Cyrusher Ranger makes sense of all that size with the gear it’s packing on. It squeezes in supple, grippy 26” x 4” offroading wheels, which are held on with a curious axle that connects with a bolt threaded onto each side — not your typical thru-axle or skewer. It has a deep Cyrusher-branded spring suspension fork in front (we’re told it’s a YISHUO Kunshan Yishuo Strong-DH/P171-26 suspension fork, but can find no details on this model online) with preload and compression adjustment dials, and a comfy soft tail with air suspension in the back that can also lock out.
The rear suspension is also Cyrusher branded but we’re told shares much in common with this DNM shock system. The bike uses Logan dual-caliper hydraulic disc brakes and includes motor cut-off circuitry with the brake levers. It’s even tacked on a 9-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain It fits a large LCD display with a USB port for charging extra gadgets onto the handlebars, though sadly most of the screen is taken up by a large green and gray arc that doesn’t actually indicate anything.
Even the controls are stacked. There’s a two-button controller for the headlight-horn combo unit, which has a decent headlight but seriously lackluster beeping noise that’s neither loud nor attention-getting. Next to that is the control unit for the bike’s assist modes and power. Meanwhile, the right handle has a half-twist throttle. This does result in quite a bit of cable mess at the front end of the bike, but it’s well-grouped with cable ties.
(Image credit: Mark Knapp)
The beefy downtube is housing the bike’s 52V 20Ah battery, which is about as large as you’ll find on standard e-bikes before breaking into the sort that is really not even pretending they're not motorcycles anymore. The battery has a latch to keep it from falling out and has a keyed locking pin.
Unfortunately, the battery comes out the bottom of the frame, which can see make it tricky to remove around the front tire, and it doesn’t provide any easy spots to get a grip and pull it out. Still, it’s good the battery is removable because the bike is incredibly unwieldy to carry as large as it is and at XX pounds, so anyone who can’t plug it in to charge in a garage will desperately want to just take the battery alone in for charging.
The Ranger comes in a few different colors, all of which use a different color for the rear triangle. Cyrusher goes a little overboard with accents on the bike, giving a bit of a gaudy appearance to a bike that already has a loud presence due to its size.
Despite all that the bike has going on, it’s fairly easy to put together. The handlebar needs attaching, and the front wheel needs to be seated in the fork (a job best for two people), the pedals need attaching, and then a few accessories need to be connected. But it’s a quick job and Cyrusher includes the necessary tools.
One problem with the bike’s size that we don’t want to overlook is how hard this can make it to safely lock up. A U-lock can really only effectively go around the top tube, and it will take a long tether to get around both wheels. Locking through the fork is possible, but less secure. You’ll likely want a long, robust chain lock for this bike, which is going to add considerably to the amount of weight you’re already dealing with.
Design score: 4/5
Cyrusher Ranger: Performance
Frame and seat awkwardly sized
Powerful motor and throttle
Holds charge well
As a bike that’s tuned for offroad riding, the Cyrusher Ranger is supremely comfortable on pavement. There’s a major confluence of comfort from the bikes various components. The front and rear air suspension combine to soak up substantial amounts of shock. That’s on top of the exceptional absorption offered by the bike’s enormous tires.
In comparison, the saddle and handlebars feel like weak links. Part of this comes from the available riding positions. The Ranger comes with an exceedingly short seatpost, so even though the bike is advertised as fitting riders up to 6’6”, taller riders will be stuck with a very low seated position that puts more weight into the saddle and will have to stand to pedal comfortably. The handlebars have basic, cylindrical grips that feel surprisingly comfortable, but that may simply be because we don’t get to put a lot of weight into our hands given the riding position.
For those who want a more natural riding experience, a new seatpost is an inexpensive upgrade. Though Ranger is styled like a mountain bike, it’s more of an urban all-terrain vehicle, so the out-of-saddle riding that’s common for mountain biking doesn’t seem all that appropriate for the Ranger. No less because the Ranger’s hub motor doesn’t have the same smooth response of a mid-drive, which would be preferable for trail riding where a jerky motor could be hazardous.
That’s not to discount the motor on the Cyrusher Ranger. The 750W Bafang hub drive is a blast. On throttle alone, it takes little time to cruise up to the bike’s 20mph cap. Even at that speed, the motor hums along quietly while the large wheels are responsible for the bulk of the noise coming from the bike. Even more speed is available by pedaling. The bike will zoom up to 28mph with ease. The system uses a torque sensor, responding to the force we put into the pedals to ramp up the motor.
The result is far more natural than a cadence sensor, which just measures how fast the pedals are spinning. The sensor may be a little oversensitive, though, as we often find it kicking in when we’re making small maneuvers at stoplights. That can be a concern since there’s a lot of motor power to wrangle after it unexpectedly kicks on.
(Image credit: Mark Knapp)
Thankfully, the bike has motor cut-offs built into the brake levers. The 180mm hydraulic disc brakes are also predictably effective. Our ability to come to a quick stop has never been a concern even with a payload of around 330 pounds between our weight and the bike’s.
Between its speed and super-smooth ride, the Cyrusher Ranger has more appeal as a low-cost motorcycle alternative. While the Super73-R Brooklyn was more overt in its attempt to make a “bike” that was as close to a motorcycle as possible, the Cyrusher Ranger stays closer to a true pedal bicycle while still being able to bleed over into that motorcycle-like category. Part of that comes from the 9-speed gearing, which makes it possible to easily find a gear where pedaling is actually useful, unlike the aforementioned single-speed Super73.
For those looking to tool around on a motorcycle, the roughly 1kWh battery provides plenty of juice for doing just that. Cruising around on the Ranger largely using the throttle and set to its highest assist level, we’re able to go over 33 miles before the battery is on its last legs and giving too little support to continue providing an enjoyable, electrified ride. As fun as e-bikes are to ride while they’re powered, they’re nearly equally un-fun to ride when that power runs out because of all their added weight.
Gearing on the Ranger makes it fairly easy to continue riding at low speeds, getting up to 12mph casually even when the battery gives up. It’s worth noting that we tested the Cyrusher Ranger in winter conditions, including some freezing days, which negatively impacts the battery performance. The 33.8-mile range we got is all the more impressive as it's effectively a worst-case range. Lighter riders, better weather conditions, and less stop-go city traffic should all make for an even longer range.
