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OnePlus Nord 4 review: an iterative update with welcome additions but a few bugs

6:39 pm | August 8, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets OnePlus Phones Phones | Tags: AI, AU, UK, US | Comments: Off

OnePlus Nord 4 two-minute review

There’s a comfort in knowing exactly what you’re getting with a phone before you’ve even picked it up, and that’s certainly the case with the OnePlus Nord 4. Given the brand, you know you're getting an Android phone with a focus on performance; given the sub-brand you know it’ll have some competitive features for its mid-range price; and given the '4' you know that the company has been doing this for long enough now to nail the concept.

Chinese company OnePlus created the Nord line as an affordable counterpart to its feature-packed but pricey main series of phones, the most recent of which is the OnePlus 12, and it’s grown into a bustling family of varyingly-priced mobiles.

A brief glance at the OnePlus Nord 4’s specs sheet shows that this is an iterative upgrade over 2023’s OnePlus Nord 3; it takes the same basic design and feature set, improves some of the aspects a little, and throws in a few extra features for good measure.

So you’re getting many of the OnePlus Nord 3 features we liked, including its big, bold, high-res screen and fine camera array. But then there are a few spec improvements: the battery is slightly bigger, the charging is a bit faster, the chipset is newer and quicker, the software is a more recent Android build, and the screen goes quite a bit brighter.

These all bring welcome, even if not especially needed, improvements, and I particularly appreciated the brighter screen and quicker charging during my testing period.

But my favorite part is the new features. OnePlus has made a song and dance about the AI additions to OxygenOS, which let you read auto-summaries of voice recordings or online articles, but I particularly loved a new screen addition called Aqua Touch, which means you can carry on using the display even if your hands are wet. No more annoying mis-touches here.

It’s also worth bearing in mind two things: the OnePlus Nord 4’s base model costs less than the Nord 3 did. And while that 2023 mobile only saw a limited release due to shipping issues, the Nord 4 is a lot easier to buy in most countries.

These considerations make it easier to look past the unchanged screen and the near-identical camera array, which has gained features but lost a lens.

I found it hard to think of ‘cons’ for this OnePlus Nord 4 review; that’s not to say it’s perfect, just that its flaws can be overlooked when you consider its competitive price. Sure, you can ask for better cameras or a more interesting design or wired charging, but it’s unrealistic to expect too much in a phone like this.

A few software problems did detract from my experience using the phone, as did the fact that the high-storage model is quite a bit pricier than the standard one, and the pre-installed bloatware; however, for the price, it’s easy to overlook these.

So the OnePlus Nord 4 continues the Nord-ic tradition of offering lots of power at a low price, and the discount over last year’s model, plus some tweaks across the board, ensure that the newer model is the preferable one to buy.

OnePlus Nord 4 review: price and availability

The OnePlus Nord 4 before a leafy backdrop. — (Image credit: Future)

Released in UK in July 2024; AU launch possible, US unlikely
£429 (roughly $550, AU$820) gets you 12GB RAM, 256GB storage
£529 (roughly $680, AU$1,000) gets you 16GB RAM, 512GB storage

The OnePlus Nord 4 was announced at a launch event in mid-July 2024 ahead of a release in mid-August, alongside the OnePlus Pad 2, OnePlus Watch 2R, and OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro.

The phone hasn’t been announced for the US, and there’s a chance that it won’t be given that OnePlus markets different Nord models in different areas. The phone is listed on the OnePlus Australia website, so it’ll likely be available there, but there’s no pricing yet.

In the UK, two versions of the phone are on sale. The base model comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, and you can pick it up for £429 (roughly $550, AU$820), while if you want more power there’s a 16GB and 512GB alternative for £529 (roughly $680, AU$1,000), which is the model I tested.

Those prices puts this phone in the ‘mid-range’ bracket, where it goes up against rivals including the Google Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy A55 and Oppo Reno 12 Pro – particularly the latter, which comes from OnePlus' parent company and has quite a few specs in common with the Nord 4 (more on that at the end of this review).

OnePlus Nord 4 review: specs

The OnePlus Nord 4 is a mid-ranged mobile with specs to match. Here's the spec sheet in full:

OnePlus Nord 4 review: design

Two-tone body
IP65 rating and metal frame for protection
Camera bumps stick out a fair way

The OnePlus Nord 4 offers a small design twist on the generic Android phone.

Its flagship silver edition comes with a two-tone body: the lower three-fifths has a striped ridged-looking pattern (the effect is just optical, as it feels totally flat to touch) while the top two-thirds that surrounds the camera bumps has the flat look of a typical phone. It's a small touch that makes the Nord look distinct.

Other than that, though, this is barely different to any other phone on the market. It’s pretty big, measuring 162.6 x 75 x 7.9mm, and bang-average in terms of weight, tipping the scales at 199.5g.

Typical for modern-day Androids, it has a USB-C port on the bottom and a power button and volume rocker on the right edge; I’d say the power button is well within reach for hands of varying sizes, although those with smaller mitts might struggle to adjust the volume one-handed. Breaking the norm somewhat, the Nord also has an alert slider (yes, like old OnePlus phones – throwback!) which lets you easily switch between silent, vibrate and full-volume modes. It’s an easy way to ensure that your phone is muted in important meetings or moments, though I found it hard to easily set the slider into the middle position (vibrate), as it tended to jump all the way to the left or right.

The metal frame and rear make the OnePlus Nord 4 feel well-protected from drops and knocks, as does the IP65 rating against dust and beads of water.

With two big camera bumps on the rear for the two lenses, the Nord doesn’t sit flat against a table, but these two protrusions weren’t as distinct as those on many of the phone's rivals; I never caught the camera lenses while sliding the phone into my pocket, for example.

My review unit was the silver model, which seems to be the one shown in promotional materials. There are also black and green options, and these have the same two-tone rear, although the lower part isn’t striped, instead having a matted look.

Design score: 3.5 / 5

OnePlus Nord 4 review: display

6.74-inch, 1240 x 2772 resolution
Bold colors thanks to AMOLED display
Aqua Touch feature lets you use display with wet hands

When you look at the OnePlus Nord 4, you can instantly tell it has a big screen: clocking in at 6.74 inches diagonally, this is certainly a beast. What might surprise you though is the resolution: at 1240 x 2772 (roughly 2.5K) you’re getting more pixels here than on the majority of similarly-priced Android phones.

The display looks good – it's an AMOLED panel with nice vibrant colors that supports HDR10+. The max brightness is apparently 2150 nits, which is very high, although during testing the phone’s display never seemed that bright to me, and I wouldn’t have minded some extra illumination in well-lit conditions.

The refresh rate is 120Hz, which means the screen image updates 120 times per second, which in turn ensures smooth motion when you’re navigating through menus, playing games or watching supported videos.

The display is broken up by a very small punch-hole gap for the front-facing camera; it’s so small that it barely takes any space away from the screen.

A feature OnePlus mentioned in its promotional material for the Nord 4 is Aqua Touch, which means that the display will still pick up your touch well when your hands are wet. I tested this in a few situations that’d normally cause me grief with my normal phone like after a shower, in a mild drizzle of rain and when doing the washing-up, and it always worked perfectly – Aqua Touch is a really impressive addition.

Display score: 4 / 5

OnePlus Nord 4 review: software

Android 14 with OxygenOS 14.1, and four updates
Good-looking UI and some extra features
Some software bloatware and bugs

Like most of its contemporaries, the OnePlus Nord 4 comes with Android 14 pre-installed, and as a OnePlus phone it has the company’s OxygenOS 14.1 user interface layered over the top.

The company has promised that the phone will see “up to” four updates too, bringing you to at most Android 18, which is a decent amount given that not all rivals at this price point guarantee you even one update.

OnePlus fans love OxygenOS, and it’s not hard to see why. The user interface and menus are attractive, with bold colors and punchy icons, but with enough restraint that your eyes aren’t being overwhelmed with colors and shapes. The quick settings menu is a great example with this, as it makes it easy for you to swipe down and toggle a feature, increase the brightness or turn on Bluetooth.

OxygenOS also brings some unique features. One I always use on OnePlus phones is Zen Space, which lets you soft-lock your mobile while you work so you can concentrate. Some relatively newer ones are available on the Nord 4 too, including a tool which summarizes online articles you’re reading, or audio notes into bullet-list agendas.

The Nord does have some bloatware, with pre-installed games, online retailers and social media platforms already present when you boot up the phone. It’s not nearly as bad as on some other phones at this price I’ve tested, but there’s no such thing as ‘good bloatware’, just ‘not-as-bad bloatware’.

During testing, I faced a few issues that affected my experience of using the phone; I don’t know whether these are limited to my review unit, or the current build of OxygenOS or come from another source, but I encountered them often enough that they bear flagging.

Minor issues include that auto-rotate wouldn’t always work properly, infrequently marooning the device in a horizontal orientation, and that sometimes I’d unlock the phone only for it to think I was trying to turn on the lock screen magazine feature.

An extra that I’m adding to this review at the eleventh hour is that the device struggled to connect to either of the PCs I tried to download its photos to using USB: sometimes my PC wouldn’t recognize any of the images, sometimes it would see a few but not let me download them, and sometimes my computer just wouldn’t detect that the phone was connected to it at all. On a few occasions, trying to open the Nord’s storage through my PC caused Windows to freeze for a little bit.

I go through this process of downloading photos from every phone I test, and I’ve never faced such inexplicable connection issues before. The camera samples you see below were therefore transferred via the cloud and have been compressed a little.

One final issue that I faced was that the phone would frequently lock without me pressing the lock button; it happened a lot during gameplay, and I’d need to hurriedly punch in the pass code when mid-way through a game.

Software score: 3 / 5

OnePlus Nord 4 review: cameras

50MP main and 8MP ultra-wide cameras, 16MP for selfies
AI scene optimization saves some shots
Magic eraser AI tool has okay results

You get two rear cameras on the OnePlus Nord 4, and one on the front, and they’re clearly not the important bits of this phone.

In terms of the rear array there’s a 50MP f/1.8 main camera joined by an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide one with a 112-degree field of view. If you’re a big OnePlus fan you might notice that that's one fewer rear camera than on the Nord 3, but the lack of a 2MP auxiliary camera here is no great loss; the other two cameras are the same.

Hardware-wise, these snappers are fine; they do the job but you’re not going to be uttering ‘wow’ too often at any of the results. Pictures are sufficiently bright and detailed, though they don't have a huge amount of dynamic range.

However I occasionally took a picture that looked distinctly better, and it seemed to be when the scene optimization jumped in to make some tweaks. I’ve included two pictures of flowers which show this well: the stark contrasts between the bright flowers and the shadows in the image really pull out the flora’s vibrancy.

On the topic of AI, OnePlus has included the same AI eraser tool that most phone brands have adopted, so you can remove unwanted objects from snaps. The mode was good at removing people from a scene, but not as good at actually identifying people to remove in the first place, and often I’d circle people or objects to be removed only for the phone to think I still wanted to keep their legs or hairstyles, or one part of the furniture they were seated on.

On the front you’re looking at a 16MP f/2.4 main camera – it’s nothing to write home about but it’s fit for purpose, letting you take bold selfies (thanks to some ample post-processing). Portrait mode is pretty light-touch, which I appreciate, giving gentle beauty tweaks and a soft bokeh that looks lovely and natural.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a mid-range phone, you’re not getting any unique camera modes here, but the long list of expected ones show up: portrait, panorama, time-lapse, slow-mo, night, pro, pro video (here called Film) and so on. Video recording goes up to 4K at 60fps and down to 720p at 240fps or 1080p at 120fps.

OnePlus Nord 4 camera samples

Camera score: 3 / 5

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OnePlus Nord 4 camera sample — (Image credit: Future)

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OnePlus Nord 4: performance and audio

Really powerful thanks to Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 chipset
Two models: 12GB/256GB or 16GB/512GB
Bluetooth 5.4 or USB-C port for audio

Phone fans might see that the OnePlus Nord 4 totes a Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 chipset, and turn their nose up at the ‘7’ part, which denotes that this is a mid-range processor. I would have been the same if I didn’t begin my testing process with a benchmark test.

In the Geekbench 6 benchmark test, the OnePlus Nord 4 returned a surprisingly powerful multi-core score of 3863, which puts it above most of its same-priced contemporaries and comparable to the top-end powerhouse of yesteryear.

That’s a lot of power for a mid-range phone, and my day-to-day testing matches the high hopes that score instilled in me. The Nord is a beast for gaming, smashing through game after game of Call of Duty Mobile with little problem, even with graphics turned all the way up. I got a bit too into the gaming part of testing the phone as a result…

I was using the 16GB RAM model of phone, which comes with an indulgent 512GB memory, and people using the 12GB / 256GB might have a slightly slower experience when gaming. But I don’t imagine that lower-powered model will offer a drastically different experience for most mobile titles.

Moving on to audio, you may have noticed in the ‘design’ section that I didn’t mention a 3.5mm headphone jack, and that’s because OnePlus has ig-Nord this for its latest phone. Instead you can use the USB-C port with an adaptor for wired audio, the mobile’s Bluetooth 5.4 connection for wireless headphones, earbuds or speakers on the built-in stereo speakers to play out loud. I found the latter fine for mobile gaming and video calls but if you want high-quality sound for streaming TV shows or music, it won’t impress you.

Performance score: 4 / 5

OnePlus Nord 4 review: battery life

Phone easily lasts into second day of use
Blistering 100W charging
No wireless powering

OnePlus has outfitted the Nord 4 with a giant 5,500mAh battery, which serves its big screen well. The phone easily smashes through a day of use without breaking a sweat, and it works well into day two before you’ll need to charge it up.

This proved true even in the middle of my ‘games testing’ phase, showing that the mobile is a reliable blower for people who need a long-lasting device.

Charging the phone up is incredibly quick, too, with the mobile boasting 100W wired charging. This gets the device from empty to full in less than half an hour (if you have a compatible charger, of course). Incredibly quick.

Battery score: 4 / 5

OnePlus Nord 4 review: value

If you’re considering the lower-storage version of the OnePlus Nord, I’d say you’re getting great value for money: the processing power, charging speed and good-looking display are all offered for a relatively low cost.

Jump up to 16GB/512GB and there’s quite a price hike, and that muddles the value proposition somewhat; I can see people being skeptical buying the phone for this higher price.

Saying that, if you need lots of storage it’s your only real option (other than cloud storage) so you can justify the price increase that way.

Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the OnePlus Nord 4?

Buy it if...

You are a gamer on a budget
The Nord offers a lot of power compared to its same-priced rivals, and its attractive display and fast charging are just extra perks to make it a gaming powerhouse.

You often have wet hands
The Aqua Touch display is a game-changer in loads of different settings, and if you text in the bath, live somewhere rainy or just spill your Pimm's all the time, you'll notice the difference.

You want a big streaming mobile
Not too many cheap phones like this have screens that are both big and attractive, so if you're a Netflix fiend you might find this a great option.

Don't buy it if...

You own the Nord 3
As an iterative update, you really don't need to buy the Nord 4 if you own last year's model, and possibly even the previous Nord flagships unless they're ailing. It's not that huge of an upgrade.

You're a photography fan
If you spend ages trying to find the perfect shot with your phone, I don't think the Nord 4 will impress you. It's fine for QR codes, document scanning and snaps to send via WhatsApp though.

OnePlus Nord 4 review: Also consider

While largely positive, this OnePlus Nord 4 review should make it clear that the phone has issues. So here are some other options you may want to consider:

How I tested the OnePlus Nord 4

Review test period = 2.5 weeks
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

I tested the OnePlus Nord 4 for just shy of three weeks, so I had ample time to put it through its paces.

To test it I used it as though it was my own smartphone: I used it for texting, calling, taking photos, playing games, watching TV shows, checking my hair do and everything else you'd hope your phone would do.

As you can tell by my software gripes, this testing is rigorous, and it also involves some benchmark tests and tools so that we can compare phones against themselves in an objective way.

I've been reviewing smartphones for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that time have used plenty of mobiles from OnePlus, as well as other devices in the price segment. In fact I recently reviewed one of the competitors mentioned above, and moved straight from the Nord 4 onto another OnePlus blower.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL prices for the US leak

6:22 am |

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: Google Pixel, US | Comments: Off

In the latest Pixel-related leak of the day, we now have a purported price list for some Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL SKUs. While we've had a big price leak about the entire Pixel 9 series a while back, that one was all about European pricing, while today's gives us US pricing. So, the Pixel 9 Pro will start at $999.99 with a T-Mobile plan, it seems - this price list appears to have originated at T-Mobile, in fact. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 Pro XL will go for $1,199 with 256GB of storage - or maybe that's $1,199 for 512GB, the list has both options as you can see so it's...

Ninja Slushi review: a simple way to make frozen drinks at home

4:09 pm | August 5, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Small Appliances | Tags: US | Comments: Off

Ninja Slushi: two-minute review

Frozen drink connoisseurs rejoice - the Ninja Slushi is here. Even the best blenders, tend to create watered-down beverages full of ice chunks, but this machine aims to deliver your favorite frozen drinks, from milkshakes to spiked slushies, at the perfect temperature, with an ideal texture, in under 60 minutes. That’s thanks to RapidChill Technology, which uses an evaporator, auger, and motor to continuously rotate the liquid while chilling. But does this kitchen gadget deliver on these promises? For the most part, yes.

Ninja has been in the small appliance game for a while and is known for creating quality, mid-range products from coffee makers to air fryers. However, the Slushi is a completely new and unique product from the brand, paving its own path. In fact, there’s really nothing like it on the market. Sure, there are a few at-home slushie machines, but none come close to the Slushi’s versatility, making this device worth the higher price tag.

It’s even poised for the same viral popularity as the Ninja Creami; at the time of writing, the Slushi is sold out. But Is the Ninja Slushi worth the hype? Yes, as long as you love a frozen drink and set your expectations accordingly.

Making an orange juice slushie with Ninja Slushi machine — You can prepare a frozen juice drink in just 15 minutes with the Ninja Slushi (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

This slushie machine is a bit heavy and tall, but surprisingly easy to use with a straightforward control panel featuring presets that automatically set the optimal temperature. The five presets are slush, spiked slush, frappe, milkshake, and frozen juice. Some recipes are as simple as pouring a juice or soda into the vessel and watching the machine turn your drink into slush in as little as 15 minutes, all while staying whisper quiet.

I managed to test out most of the Ninja Slushi’s presets to varying results. The machine produced the best consistency using tropical juice in the frozen juice setting, and Coke in slush mode, with both beverages ready to drink in under 20 minutes. Making those drinks thicker using the temperature controls on the panel was also simple.

However, when testing the frappe mode, my drink came out extremely frothy, and the strawberry daiquiri on the spiked slush mode was too liquid, even after adjusting the temperature to the coolest setting.

Ninja Slushi machine making orange slushie — Texture can sometimes be an issue, but you can adjust the temperature of your drink using simple touch controls (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Though there were some slight texture issues, the drinks were delicious and never watered down like the ones made in blenders tend to be. Clean-up afterward is less hassle than you'd expect, too. A rinse cycle does a great job of removing stuck-on residue, and most components are easily removable and dishwasher-safe.

The Ninja Slushi is a solid machine that’s especially well-suited for those who love to entertain, as it’s capable of making up to 64oz of frozen drinks that will remain frozen for up to 12 hours, and has an easy-pour handle for guests to serve themselves. However, given the high $299.99 (about £240 / AU$470) price tag, it’s only worth the investment for those who adore a variety of frozen drinks and plan to use this kitchen gadget regularly.

Ninja Slushi review: price and availability

List price: $299.99 (about £240 / AU$470)
Launch date: July 2024
Availability: US only

The Ninja Slushi retails for $299.99 (about £240 / AU$470) and is only available in the US. However, it’s currently sold out. It’s possible to join a waitlist on the Ninja website to be notified when the machine is back in stock. Given this product is brand new and extremely popular, don’t expect to see any major discounts on the Ninja Slushi for a few months to a year.

Slushie machines are few and far between. When comparing the Ninja Slushi to others on the market, nothing beats its versatility and ease of use. The Slushi is in a category all its own, and the high price tag reflects the uniqueness of this kitchen gadget. Since the build quality is solid and the machine delivers on the promise of producing less watered-down frozen drinks quickly, it’s good value for money. However, I would only invest in this machine if you love frozen beverages and plan to use it regularly.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Ninja Slushi review: specs

Ninja Slushi review: design

Heavy and tall build
Sleek, simple design that highlights drinks
Straightforward control panel

The Ninja Slushi resembles a smaller version of the slushie machines you see at the movie theater or convenience store. It’s still a hulking device that takes up a good amount of space, weighing 24.25lb / 11kg and measuring 16.28 x 6.52 x 16.92in / 414 x 166 x 430mm (L x W x H).

The narrow design allows it to squeeze between other appliances. My biggest issue was height, as the Slushi failed to fit under my kitchen cabinets. That led to lots of rearranging of kitchen gadgets. Given its size and weight, the Slushi isn’t something you’ll want to move often. At least the power cord reached a long way, which was necessary for my final placement.

Ninja Slushi machine straight after box with instruction manual — The Ninja Slushi comes almost fully assembled (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Assembling the Ninja Slushi was an absolute breeze. Out of the box, it came almost fully assembled. The two-part drip tray was the only component not attached. There's a handy notch on the side panel to slot the drip tray when you store the machine, ensuring it doesn’t get lost.

Before the first use, I washed the vessel and auger. The evaporator needs to be wiped down, as it’s not removable. That process was fairly simple, and the machine comes covered in stickers and has multiple instruction booklets to help you along while removing different components.

Once it's set up, the Ninja Slushi looks awesome, and is definitely a conversation piece when you have friends over. The arctic blue and gray coloring is simple and stylish, while the clear vessel for frozen beverages looks especially flashy with colorful, fruity drinks inside. It’s mesmerizing watching the evaporator and auger do their thing, creating and spinning the slush.

Side view of Ninja Slushi machine — The machine is narrow but tall, which may make it challenging to fit in your kitchen (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Most of the machine’s components are plastic, but feel sturdy. However, the vessel, which can hold up to 64oz / 1.9L of slush, seems a little flimsy and could crack if accidentally dropped during cleaning. I also would have loved a metal handle for pouring, but the one included feels solid enough to last several years.

The Ninja Slushi’s control panel is straightforward. There are five presets to choose from when making a drink: slush, spiked slush, frappe, milkshake, and frozen juice. After selecting a preset, the machine will begin the cooling process with a small LED illuminating the selection. A beep indicates that the beverage has reached the desired temperature (each option sets the optimal temperature for your drink of choice).

On the opposite side of the presets is the temperature control with easy-to-press up and down arrow buttons to adjust the preset temperature. The LEDs indicate the current set temperature, and will blink as the beverage cools to the set temperature. Blinking will stop and the LEDs will remain lit when that temperature is achieved. It’s
super simple and took me less than a minute to figure out how the control panel worked.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Ninja Slushi review: performance

Easy to create frozen drinks quickly
Not always the best drink consistency
Quiet operation

The Ninja Slushi may be one of the easiest kitchen appliances to master, as it mainly involves pressing a couple of buttons and letting the machine do its thing. Sure, I had to mix up a few beverages before pouring them into the vessel, and occasionally tap the temperature control for the proper slush consistency, but that’s it. Never needing to deal with ice makes life so much easier.

Out of the five different drink presets available, I tested four. My first drink was a tropical juice slush. It just involved pouring juice straight from the carton into the vessel. There’s a 16oz / 473ml minimum for liquids, and it’s well-marked on the vessel. The inability to make smaller portions is a slight annoyance, but you can leave the machine on for up to 12 hours – plenty of time to finish the frozen beverage.

Ninja Slushi machine control panel — The machine's control panel is extremely easy to use; just select a drink type, then dial the temperature up or down if you like (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Since I was drinking the tropical juice slush alone, I only filled the drink to the minimum mark. After turning on the machine and pressing the Frozen Juice preset, the Ninja Slushi’s auger attached to the motor immediately began to spin. Thanks to the Whisperchill compressor, the machine only hit about 55dB while in use. The noise level is consistent and around the same level as an electric fan. I found it quickly became a barely noticeable background sound.

After about seven minutes, I noticed the drink getting thicker, and after 15 minutes it beeped and the temperature control LED stopped flashing, indicating the drink was finished. Ninja was right on the money, stating you could have a frozen drink in under 15 minutes.

Ninja Slushi machine easy-to-pull handle — The easy-to-pull handle makes it straightforward for guests to serve themselves at parties and BBQs (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Immediately after finishing, I poured myself a glass of frozen juice. As I pulled the handle towards me, the beverage started to come out, but it didn’t dispense smoothly, coming out in clumps. Still, the drink itself had a lovely consistency but melted rather quickly. With the RapidChill technology that allows the machine to forgo ice, my tropical frozen juice wasn’t watered down in the slightest, maintaining a rich, tangy flavor.

I tested the machine further using the temperature control panel to make the beverage thicker. It worked like a charm, with the consistency getting chunkier in under 10 minutes. I also let the drink just spin for about four hours. Even after all that time, it tasted the same with a similar texture. Just be prepared for the machine itself to get a little warm

Thick consistency of frappe made using Ninja Slushi machine — The finished frappe was almost entirely foam (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Beyond the frozen juice setting, I was hyped to try the frappe mode, as I love these blended coffee beverages. To make it, I followed a recipe in the instruction manual. Around 25 minutes after pressing the frappe preset, the drink was finished. Unfortunately, when I poured it out, it was excessively frothy. Still delicious, but almost my entire glass was filled with foam. That’s not the ideal situation when trying to get your caffeine fix, but not having it become a watery, tasteless drink after melting was a huge boon.

Using the spiked slush preset also had its own issues, as the drink would come out too liquid, even on the coolest setting. It was also ready surprisingly fast, at under 25 minutes, when the drink was estimated to take closer to 45 minutes. That could be due to the alcohol content, as the recipe for the strawberry daiquiri I created called for a tiny amount of rum (a third of a cup to served between four and six people), so I added more. However, the machine alerts you when too much alcohol is in the vessel, and that didn’t happen. Maybe pre-mixed alcoholic beverages or wine slushies would’ve worked a little better. The drink still tasted great and had some slushiness to enjoy.

Ninja Slushi machine prepared to make a frappe — The machine will warn you if you've not used enough sugar, or if your ingredients contain too much alcohol (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Similar to alcohol, a low sugar warning goes off when the minimum sugar levels aren’t met. It’s an easy fix, as you can add sugar, syrups, and honey to meet the requirements. Just don’t expect to be drinking low-calorie beverages, as artificial sweeteners and sugar-free substitutes will not meet the recommended sugar minimum.

Another slight qualm with the machine was the martini glass for the daiquiri didn’t fit under the spout when the drip tray was installed, leading to drips on the tabletop when I was pouring. Also, at one point, I didn’t have the removable shroud attached to the spout, and the slush splashed everywhere, so don’t make that mistake.

For my final frozen beverage, I made a Coke slush using the slush preset. After about 20 minutes, this soda slush yielded the best results of the bunch with a great consistency that took me straight back to my childhood of getting slushies from the machine at the movie theater.

Ninja Slushi machine immediately after making frappe — Even if the finished texture isn't always perfect, the Ninja Slushi delivers on its promise, making tasty frozen beverages in minutes, with just a few button presses (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

Even if the results weren’t always perfect when making my different beverages, the Ninja Slushi achieved what it promised, creating a less watered-down frozen drink quickly. Sure, the texture wasn’t always ideal, but I was never left with the random ice chunks you’d get from a blender. Some of the machine’s problems could have been human error; more experimenting could’ve yielded better results.

Cleaning the Ninja Slushi was easier than it looked. The machine runs a rinse cycle after finishing the frozen drink, which does a solid initial clean, helping to remove any sticky residue from the components. After that, a bail handle lets you remove the vessel, auger, and drip tray for a more thorough cleaning. I had some issues with dripping upon removal, but tipping the vessel upwards helped alleviate the problem. The condensation catch also needs to be dumped and rinsed.

Ninja Slushi machine bail handle to remove parts before cleaning — a bail handle lets you remove the vessel, auger, and drip tray for thorough cleaning (Image credit: Danielle Abraham)

If you’re hand washing the vessel, it’s a bit of a pain to get in all the nooks and crannies, but it didn’t take me more than two minutes to clean. The auger and drip tray took less time. Most components are dishwasher safe, but note that the motor base and evaporator need to be wiped down by hand. Other than cleaning, no regular maintenance is required on the Ninja Slushi.

Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Ninja Slushi?

Buy it if...

You love a frozen beverage
If you enjoy drinking slushies, frappes, and frozen juice, this machine makes these drinks quickly with minimal effort. The results never taste watered down like many frozen beverages that require ice.

You like to entertain
The Ninja Slushi makes up to 64oz of slushies, has an easy-pour handle, and can run for up to 12 hours. It’s perfect for pool parties or BBQs.

You want an easy-to-use machine
It takes just a couple of button presses and a little time to enjoy a refreshing frozen drink. Clean-up is a little more involved, but most components are dishwasher safe.

Don't buy it if...

You have limited space
The Ninja Slushi is a large, tall machine that takes up a good amount of room on the counter and won’t fit under some cabinets. It’s also heavy, weighing almost 25lb, making it a pain to move around.

You want to make low-calorie drinks
Every slushie has to contain at least four per cent sugar. Sugar-free or artificial sweeteners won’t work with the Ninja Slushi.

You’re on a tight budget
Retailing for almost $300, the Ninja Slushi doesn’t come cheap. It also only serves a single purpose (making frozen beverages), making it a luxury appliance rather than a necessity.

How I tested the Ninja Slushi

I tested the Ninja Slushi for a couple of weeks, making various frozen beverages in the machine for myself and a few friends. I used four out of the five presets available: slush, spiked slush, frappe, and frozen juice. Beyond observing the texture and taste of the different slushies, I used a decibel reader on my phone to measure the noise levels.

First reviewed August 2024

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: the king of the camera phones

11:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Phones Xiaomi Phones | Tags: GPU, OS, Qualcomm Snapdragon, US | Comments: Off

Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Two-minute review

The past few years have seen the temperature quickly rise in the camera phone market. For many months in 2023, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ruled the roost, until the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, with its Leica-powered camera technology, came along to shake things up. The latter phone was usurped by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra earlier this year, but now Xiaomi is back with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, a handset that proves Xiaomi's commitment to producing the best camera phone.

With four rear cameras and a front camera, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has everything you need, from super telephoto to ultra-wide.

Images are captured on a new 1-inch sensor that delivers a truly step-less variable aperture with intermediate stops between f/1.6 and f/4.0. This guarantees incredible results in low light and produces a level of detail that has never before been possible on a smartphone. The phone's sensor handles highlights equally well, with detail maintained even when you'd expect it to be blown out.

The quality continues with the phone's design. A high-strength aluminum frame and Xiaomi Shield Glass provide all the strength and protection required to stand up to day-to-day wear. The softness of nano-tech vegan leather on the rear helps to give a nice tactile experience, too.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra's 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display with Xiaomi Shield Glass continues this thread of quality, offering a 3200 x 1440 pixel resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate that's fantastic for watching videos and gaming.

One of my only gripes with this phone's design is that the weight of the rear camera notch makes it impossible to hold and operate with one hand. Annoyingly, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra kept tipping out of the top of my hand.

The performance of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is another one of its strengths. The phone's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is an impressive CPU with very few limitations, and enables apps to keep running with very little downtime.

All in all, then, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a fantastic phone. Whether it's worth the money will depend on how much you intend to use your phone for camera and video work. Considering some of the best beginner DSLRs can be picked up for a similar price, potential customers will need to weigh up whether they want their phone and camera in one package. If the answer is 'yes', then the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is hard to beat.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Price and availability

Priced from £1,299
Released in the UK February 2024
Not available in US

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is available in the UK for a price of £1,299. This will give you storage of 16GB + 512GB, with no other options to choose from. This incredible camera phone is yet to be released in the US or Australia.

One of the 14 Ultra's direct rivals is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 512GB, which is currently retailing in the UK for £1,349 so Xiaomi's price is a little cheaper. A 25GB version of the S24 Ultra can be picked up for £1,249, which means the Xiaomi 14 Ultra sits squarely in the middle in terms of price.

This phone is very much for photography enthusiasts. If you don't need the next best camera phone but rather need a great everyday phone, then check out one of our best phones of 2024.

Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Specs

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Design

High-strength aluminium frame
Xiaomi Shield Glass
Nano-tech vegan leather

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is beautifully designed and engineered with some of the best materials seen on any flagship phone at the moment. The case is dominated by a sizable circular notch that protrudes out of the back. Inside are four amazing Leica cameras alongside a flash, with everything protected by strengthened glass.

There's no denying that it looks great but I have a couple of problems with it. The first is that I was scared of breaking it. The 7 or 8 mm protrusion means that every time you put your phone down, you're in danger of scratching the glass. This is not something you want to be concerned about, especially when the cameras are the main selling point of the phone.

The second problem I have with it is that it makes the top half of the phone significantly heavier than the bottom half. This wouldn't be a problem, save for the fact that it's almost impossible to hold the phone in one hand and type with that same hand. Every time I tried, the phone just flopped out of the top of my hand. Not great at all. I appreciate they will have wanted to keep the overall weight down but some extra weight towards the bottom would have helped to counter the issue.

Aside from the problematic notch, the overall design is actually incredibly nice. It's beautiful to look at and masterfully engineered. The phone is made from a brand-new 6M42 high-strength aluminium frame, Xiaomi Shield Glass, and next-generation Xiaomi nano-tech vegan leather.

It sounds impressive, and believe me, it is. I tried bending the phone, and it didn't budge a bit. The material choices not only keep everything safe but also increase durability. The strength represents a doubling of rigidity compared to the Xiaomi 13 Pro.

The back of the device is covered in a new material developed by Xiaomi called nano-tech vegan leather. It is resistant to both wear and dirt, increasing overall durability. At the end of my tests, which took around a month, there were no visible marks on it at all. Now, I think if you took a fingernail to it, you'd quickly scratch it but that's the payoff with a textured surface like this.

The power button and volume rocker are located on the right-hand side of the phone and are nicely positioned for easy access. The power button has a textured finish, which is a nice touch and helps users identify it without looking.

The device lacks a range of different colours to customise the user experience. Xiaomi has instead opted to only ship it in either black or white.

Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Display

6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED with Xiaomi Shield Glass
3200 x 1440 px resolution (20:9 aspect ratio)
120Hz Refresh rate

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra boasts a gorgeous 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED, which absolutely looks the part. The display is almost edge to edge, with pixels running right up to the point when the glass starts to curve off towards the aluminium edges. This is achieved by stacking multiple layers and thereby introducing the required flexibility at the edges. It works really well, and it blends seamlessly into the frame.

The display has 522 PPI and a 3200 x 1440 pixel resolution, which works out at a 20:9 aspect ratio. This is noticeably larger than the 2670 x 1200 resolution on the Xiaomi 14. I would love to have seen the resolution pushed up to 4K, especially for a phone that is labelled 'Ultra'.

The inclusion of an LTPO panel with a variable refresh rate significantly improves light efficiency and power consumption. The technology allows for refresh rates of anything between 1 and 120 Hz. The top end is perfect for gamers needing the quickest refresh speeds. It performs really well and delivers buttery smooth graphics, whatever you're using the phone for.

At 3,000 peak nits, the 14 Ultra delivers higher brightness even than the iPhone 15's Super Retina XDR OLED panel. At this brightness, the display is still visible in the brightest of environments.

All of this next-level technology is protected by Xiaomi Shield Glass. Xiaomi developed technology results in an interlocking structure through high-temperature sintering. This provides not only the necessary transparency but also superior strength and drop resistance. I had no concerns and was glad to see the glass survive a few knocks.

Display score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Software

HyperOS out of the box
Runs on top of Android 14
4 years of OS + 5 years of security updates

As with all of the Xiaomi 14 Series, the 14 Ultra takes on HyperOS. This is Xioami's new interface, which looks very much the same as its old OS, MIUI. To be fair, they have rebuilt it from the ground up, resulting in significantly more fluid and responsive transitions. These changes are most welcome, as MIUI was beginning to struggle on recent new phone releases.

The adoption of HyperOS is not all uneventful, though. One of the primary benefits is that it helps integrate the 14 Ultra into the wider Xiaomi ecosystem, including wearables, tablets, and now even their debut car.

The user experience is very different from almost all other Android phones, with Xiaomi ditching the long-established app drawer. This isn't particularly a problem, though, and if anything, it helps to simplify what can oftentimes be an over cluttered interface. One of the other big changes is that Xiaomi has followed swipe-down gestures found on iOS devices, with the top left and right corners delivering different results. I love that usability on my iPhone and it's great to see other phone manufacturers taking note.

As is the case with almost all Android phones, the 14 Ultra and its HyperOS include a lot of apps that could be considered bloatware. Unfortunately, this is not just the case for third-party apps; it has seeped into Xiaomi's homegrown apps too. I like to get rid of as many of these straight after setting up a new phone but Xiaomi doesn't allow for some to be removed, which is frustrating.

Before you think this is all going to be a big HyperOS bashing, there are some things that I love about it. One of the most significant ones is its gallery app, which integrates natively with Google Photos. This helps to keep your photos backed up without requiring much human intervention.

If you're interested in digging deep into everything that HyperOS offers, then Xiaomi has a dedicated page for all things HyperOS.

Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Cameras

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Main 50MP f/1.63-f/4.0 23mm focal length
Floating telephoto 50MP f/1.8 75mm focal length
Periscope 50MP f/2.5 120mm focal length
Ultra-wide 50MP f/1.8 12mm focal length
Front 32MP f/2.0 90° FOV

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is pretty impressive in most areas but here's where it gets really special. Quite simply, this is the best camera on any phone, ever. Let's take a look at why.

It all begins with an all-new Leica 1-inch sensor for the main camera. The 2023 model already had a very capable 1-inch sensor but the newer one provides a truly stepless variable aperture with intermediate stops between F1.63 and F4.0. Leica continues to dominate this area of the market and the results are stunning, with fantastic low-light performance and unrivalled image quality.

Above all, I was most impressed by the sensor's ability to handle such a wide dynamic range. Rather than blowing out highlights, it was able to sensitively control them and retain the necessary detail. It was the same story with the darker areas. Noise is also kept to a minimum in low-light areas.

Images were noticeably crisper and more vibrant compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which I was using for comparison shots. The latter were much flatter, which might be preferable to photographers wanting more colour grading control in post. The Xiaomi defaults to a Leica Vibrant profile but this can be swapped out for Leica Authentic. This seemed equally vibrant in my estimations.

Moving from inside to outside, the main camera system is located in a circular notch that protrudes out from the rear. This provides four different lenses, ranging from a 120mm periscope down to a 12mm ultra-wide. In between, there is a 75mm telephoto and a 23mm main.

All of these produce outstanding results but I was most impressed by the bokeh that all four lenses were able to generate. All of this is thanks to the next-level engineering that Leica has put into their lenses. The Bokeh is clean, predictable, and all generated in-camera.

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The telephoto and periscope cameras provide an almost unbelievable level of zoom, something that is rarely seen in mobile phone cameras. Having become accustomed to digital zooms that reduce detail and introduce noise, it's a breath of fresh air to be able to access such long focal lengths at the press of a button.

Pro mode on the rear camera makes it possible to change all the settings that you would expect to find on any DSLR, including aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. Providing this level of fine control could have led to an overwhelming interface but Xiaomi has done a fantastic job of making settings and dials incredibly user-friendly and intuitive.

The front selfie camera offers a lower but still impressive 32MP and is fixed at f/2.0. There is little to distinguish between the rear and front cameras, which is testament to what Leica and Xiaomi have achieved. Images from the front camera are as sharp as a pin and auto-focus is bang on every time.

Video quality is equally good, with 4K resolution possible up to 120 fps. Being able to slow footage down up to 4 times gives an impressive amount of flexibility when video editing in post. It is possible to increase the resolution to 8K but that does result in a drop in frame rate to 30 fps. Even though the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is primarily targeted at stills photographers, there is still plenty to attract amateur or indie videographers.

Camera score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Performance

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
GPU: Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
8GB of LPDDR5X RAM

The 14 Ultra follows in the footsteps of the Xiaomi 14 with the inclusion of Qualcomm's flagship mobile silicon Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This is an identical CPU to what is found in almost every flagship phone of 2024 including the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Find X7 Ultra, and the Magic6 Pro.

The CPU is boosted by a Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU to help with graphics processing. As a result, this is one of the most powerful phones on the market. Everything about this phone is quick, from the fingerprint scanner to app loading and switching.

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HyperOS manages performance like a pro, with power profiles that keep all your favourite apps under control. There is a dedicated 'performance mode' but I never came across a need for it.

With its 120 Hz display and powerful processors, the 14 Ultra is also sure to appeal to gamers. I didn't experience any performance drop outs and loading bars were few and far between. Game Turbo helps increase performance with the ability to prioritise networking latency, touch response input, and, of course, boost performance at the expense of power consumption.

Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Battery

5000mAh (typ) battery
90W HyperCharge
80W wireless HyperCharge

The battery of the 14 Ultra is slightly beefier than the Xiaomi 14, with a 5000mAh chosen instead of the 4,610mAh. Wireless charging is also possible up to 80W, rather than only 50W. Wired charging still tops out at 90W but that was to be expected.

Advertised charging speeds are 33 minutes for wired and 46 minutes for wireless. I wasn't able to test the latter but the wired charging time is relatively accurate. Such quick charging times are incredible and will help ensure you're never out of juice for long. To get these speeds, you'll need to make sure 'boost charging speed' is activated in the phone's settings menu.

The phone offers four different battery modes, including performance, balanced, battery saver, and ultra battery saver. You can expect to enjoy two or even three days of average use from the battery. If you are regularly gaming or streaming videos, then this will naturally reduce in time.

There's also a really nice 'Battery check-up' feature that will not only tell you what can be done to increase battery life but also how much time you'll gain for each individual item. I found this incredibly helpful, especially when I had a low battery but couldn't get to a charging point.

Battery score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 14 Ultra?

Buy it if...

You want an incredible camera
The Leica-developed quad camera system is second to none at the moment, even outperforming Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra. It's 1-inch sensor is capable of handling low light and wide dynamic range like a pro.

You like premium build quality
High-strength aluminium frame, Xiaomi Shield Glass, and nano-tech vegan leather all contribute to a strong and gorgeous looking phone.

You like Xiaomi's latest OS, HyperOS
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra's hardware and software offer near-endless degrees of customisation and functionality. If you are happy putting in the time to fine-tune the settings, then you can benefit from a truly personal experience.

Don't buy it if...

You want a well-balanced phone
The quad camera Leica notch on the rear of the phone is so heavy that it makes it very difficult to hold the phone and operate it with one hand. This is a significant design issue.

You like a lightweight set of apps
As is the case with most Android phones, HyperOS comes with a fair amount of bloatware across both third-party and first party apps. Unfortunately some of these are considered essential and therefore can't be uninstalled.

You want an affordable phone
At £1,299, this is one of the most expensive phones around. If you're not interested in phone camera photography then there are a lot of other better and cheaper alternatives out there.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Also consider

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has some clear strengths, but also some clearly-defined shortcomings. If you've got this far and think something else might be more your thing, why not consider one of these alternatives.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
If you want the absolute best phone but the Xiaomi 14 Ultra isn't what you're looking for, then check out Apple's biggest and best iPhone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The only camera to rival the Xiaomi 14 Ultra in the camera category is the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Alongside great optics, it also has great battery life, top-notch performance, and new AI features.

How I tested the Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Review test period: four weeks
Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback

I used the Xiaomi Ultra 14 as my primary phone for a number of weeks and was therefore able to get fully to grips with all of its features. My use extended to a number of apps and included web browsing and gaming.

With the camera being the standout feature, I also took it out on several trips, putting the cameras through their paces to see how they stacked up. I took a Galaxy S24 Ultra out on these trips, enabling me to make side-by-side comparisons of identical photos.

During my tests, I also paid careful attention to how the phone felt to use. Considering how much time we spend handling our phones, this is a vital part of any phone review. Using the phone for a variety of different tasks and scenarios has enabled me to build up a fuller picture of a typical user experience.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024

Xiaomi 14 Ultra deals

Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum review: An ergonomic chair with the flair of a sports car

3:00 pm | August 3, 2024

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

Two-minute review

Clear as day, the Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum is all about ergonomics. As soon as you pull it out of the box you can feel your spine straightening out. And while it has heaps of features backing it up (pun intended), I can't help but feel like there's something off for the $895 / £895 price tag.

The Vantum is more akin to an office chair than a racer-style gaming chair, many of which have passed beneath my buttocks. Instead of rolling with the trend, Logitech and Herman Miller have geared the Vantum toward the grown-up, corporate gamer with its rounded corners and sleek exoskeleton that comes in a variety of hilariously named colors, such as ‘Abyss Aqua’ and plain old ‘Obsidian Black.’ Just as the Embody before it - the pair's previous brainchild - it's made for gamers who want to taste superior comfort, while rocking a suave design that won't have people making jokes about your K:D ratio in the office. But just like the Embody, it's gonna cost ya.

It'll set you back $895 / £895. That's still $1,000 less than the Embody in the US, but nearly double the price of our favorite gaming chair, the Secretlab Titan EVO 2022. You expect to pay a premium for a quality-built gaming chair with little setup, though, and the Vantum is certainly that.

Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum — (Image credit: Future)

It took five minutes to put together, against the usual 20-50 minutes, thanks to the no-screw parts slotting together like humongous legos. There's zero rattle on the 3D armrests, easy and wide adjustability on the lumbar support and backrest, a mesh back for breathability, and a headrest that moves along with you. The Vantum screams quality and is damn comfortable. And while the seat is wide enough to sit cross-legged and ignore ergonomic advice like a gremlin, I've come to hate the armrests thanks to my tendency to do so.

The armrests forward/back, and in/out adjustability has no lock. While that means no messing with mechanisms to set them in place, leaning on them to stand up when they're pulled back can be dangerous. A couple of times I've forgotten as they whip forward suddenly, smashing my fingers into the desk. Omitting the armrest locks has to be an attempt to keep the price down, but at what cost?

Against its main mesh-back competitor, the $1,049 Razer Fujin Pro, they're on-par in terms of comfort and ease of assembly. While the Vantum is around $150/£100 cheaper and comes with a 12-year warranty against the Fujin's five years, you're also missing out on the all-important lockable armrests. That said, the Fujin doesn't have all those fancy color options.

In a straight toss-up between spending a little more on safety, airflow and a little more adjustability, or going brightly coloured with a better warranty, I'd rather put my fingers first and hope the Fujin Pro doesn't break after five years. That said, the Vantum is a bloody gorgeous design for less, and just as comfortable.

Price and availability

List price: $895 / £895
Available at the Herman Miller online store
Available in the US and UK

Available in the US and the UK from the Herman Miller online store, the Vantum is a little more difficult to get hold of in, say, Australia. Meaning those living down under will likely pay a premium for it. It makes it harder to recommend for Aussies, since it's already a pricey bit of kit.

The thing to note is that you can get most of the chairs on our best gaming chairs roundup for less, which makes it hard to recommend if you're on a budget. The Vantum is a sure contender for best premium chair against its sister, the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody, especially at $1,000 cheaper, but it still feels like it's missing something for the price.

Specs

Design and aesthetics

Gorgeous exoskeleton
Great color options
Recycled fabric

The Vantum sports lovely flowing lines and curvature on the exoskeleton, that's more akin to the shell of a modern sports car than the kind of racer bucket seat you expect to see from gaming chairs today. It's giving real Lotus Elise vibes, and the mesh back and textured seat mean that, while it does look like an office chair, it all adds to that almost carbon-fiber bonnet race car look.

I love that the materials are made from 100% post-consumer recycled fabric, but as someone who sits with their legs tucked under them, I must say the choice of texture is a little rough. It means I don't ever feel like I'm sliding forward off the chair, though. So there's that.

I appreciate that there are both subtle pastel and gorgeous color-pop options depending on your preference for standing out. And the fact that the mechanisms are marked with color accents for easy recognition is also great.

Comfort and adjustability

Fantastic adjustability
Incredible comfort
Armrests lack lock and rotation

From a sliding seat depth, to lumbar support, and even adjustable height and rotation on the headrest, the Vantum comes with some fantastic ergonomic mechanisms. Most are easy to use, though there's something to be desired when it comes to the armrests.

While they don't rattle, and are chamfered to give you a better angle when playing with a controller, there are cheaper chairs out there with 4D armrests that actually lock. For a premium chair, I would expect Herman Miller and Logitech to have added rotation and simple safety elements to the armrest. That doesn't necessarily overshadow the sheer comfort the rest of the chair brings, especially if you're broad enough already that you leave the arms at their widest position, but smaller people and those who move around a lot leaning on the arms will have a problem.

It's a little sad that the seat doesn't quite go down as low as I would like with a minimum height of 18 inches. Using it with the short office desks, it almost voids the great spinal ergonomics altogether as I'm constantly leaning forward to type.

That said, the addition of numeric tilt and tension limiters is fantastic. It means I can set it to my preferred tension and tilt angle without the usual trial and error. You do have to lean quite far forward to see the numbers and use the mechanisms, but they're otherwise a joy to use.

Assembly

Very minimal assembly
Easy instructions

Quite possibly one of the easiest to assemble chairs aside from the Embody's zero setup, there are only three images illustrating the process and they fit on a single box flap. I spent all of five minutes putting the Vantum together, which against the usual 30-45 minutes of reading instructions and screwing bits together, is an absolute breath of fresh air.

It's pretty intuitive too, but if you're not someone who puts gaming chairs together on a daily basis, there's a handy QR code that lets you download an instruction PDF that is 90% images. It's coherent and there's very little reading involved.

Should I buy the Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum?

Buy it if...

You have very little time to spare
You're going to be up and running with the Vantum in literal moments with super easy assembly. It's a chair that's made for the time-poor business gamer.

You're serious about ergonomics
With good adjustability and supreme comfort, this chair is easily one of the most ergonomic gaming chairs out there.

Don't buy it if...

You lean on the armrests getting up
The fact that the armrests don't lock means there's a danger in trapping your fingers as they slide toward the desk.

You're trying to save money
While not as expensive as the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody, it's still far more expensive than your average gaming chair, including most on our best gaming chair list.

Also consider...

There are a couple of chairs to consider in the same class as the Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum. Refer to the quick specs sheet below for more details on our top recommendations.

Razer Fujin Pro
With greater airflow and adjustability, the Razer Fujin Pro is a great alternative. It costs a little more especially for those in the UK where it's a lot harder to source, but for a little extra cash could save your fingers a bruising.

For more information, check out our full Razer Fujin Pro review

X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management
Minus the headrest and larger seat addons, the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management comes in cheaper than the Vantum with ever better adjustability on the lumbar and armrests. It doesn't come with all the flashy colour options, but you get even longer on the warranty.

For more information, check out our full X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management review

How I tested the Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum

Spent a week sitting in the chair on a daily basis
Yanking the mechanisms back and forth

It takes a little while to get a feel for a gaming chair, so I made sure to give the Vantum a good run, sitting in it for the best part of a full work week. I made sure to switch around between standard, cheap office chairs and the other premium chairs I've referenced that are sitting around the office, to get a good feel for how it measures up against the competition.

To the annoyance of other office-goers also I made sure to rigorously test the mechanisms, pushing them back and forth and up and down to check their ease of access, use and noisiness.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024.

Dell XPS 13 9345 review: the best XPS 13 ever

10:15 pm | August 2, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Laptops Windows Laptops | Tags: Australia, UK, US, XPS | Comments: Off

Dell XPS 13: Two-minute review

The Dell XPS 13 is generally a pretty good series of laptops, usually scoring a four out of five stars rating, though 2022's Dell XPS 13 Plus received a lower score thanks to build quality issues. But how does the latest one stack up, equipped with the powerful Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite CPU? Quite well actually, as it's now one of the best Windows laptops and best laptops of the year, coupling its already stellar design and portability with much-improved battery life and performance.

The design is sleek and smooth as you'd come to expect from the XPS line, starting at a mere 2.59 pounds and measuring only 14.8 mm thin. Thankfully, this version also has a high build quality made from machined (CNC) aluminum, ensuring that it can withstand punishment and the daily wear and tear of commutes. It's available in Platinum or Graphite with a lovely finish that's surprisingly fingerprint-resistant.

black gaming laptop on wooden table — (Image credit: Future)

The XPS 13 has three different display types to choose from, including a 3K+ OLED touch display option, which is beyond stunning for a 13.4-inch screen. The bezels are ultra-thin and yet still able to support a 1080p FHD webcam, which sports generally good picture quality.

Sound quality is incredible, largely due to the 360-degree spatial audio with quad speakers and Dolby Atmos. You can clearly hear each instrument, separate from each other and any vocals, while heavy bass loses very little in terms of integrity even at higher volumes.

The new Dell XPS 13 is based on the Plus in terms of its keyboard, with an edge-to-edge design achieved by removing the lattice and a touchpad and wrist rest made entirely from Gorilla Glass with no visible boundaries. The touch-based toolbar also makes its return which, while visually impressive, is just as inaccessible as it's always been. Both the touchpad and toolbar use haptic feedback in order to give the feeling of pressing a button. But while it can generally work for the former, the latter makes it impossible to know if you hit the right 'button' unless you can see it.

Port selection is still absolutely abysmal as it only has two USB Type-C ports, with no combo jack to speak of (RIP if you do audio editing because only Bluetooth works here). It does come with an adapter for the Type-A port but Dell could have easily fit at least one of those and a jack on the actual laptop.

Like other AI PCs, the Dell XPS 13 features AI Copilot+ integration and the infamous Copilot key that Microsoft shoehorned into all its AI laptop keyboards. This key works and automatically connects you to the general Copilot chatbot - a nice little trick but ultimately not very useful.

Dell XPS 13 9345: Benchmarks

Here's how the Dell XPS 13 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark Steel Nomad: 501; Fire Strike: 5,635; Time Spy: 1,925; Wild Life Unlimited: 16,819
Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 11,128
GeekBench 6.3: 2,797 (single-core); 14,635 (multi-core)
PCMark 10 (Home Test): 5,495
25GB File Copy: 20.01 seconds
HandBrake 4k to 1080p encoding: 4:47 minutes
CrossMark Overall: 1,396; Productivity: 1,300; Creativity: 1,564; Responsiveness: 1,232
Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 19:26:24
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 17 hours, 24 minutes
Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm (1080p, Ultra): 21 fps; (1080p, Low): 22 fps

Testing out the Copilot feature on the Dell XPS 13, it works as well as other AI PCs I've tried out so far. The chatbot has three levels - creative, balanced, and precise - and all three work quite well. I used my standard testing parameters including math questions, a mock interview, and a novel outline, and each answer cited several sources and made logical sense. There are also other plugins for additional tasks like other conversation types and shopping help.

There are two other features included in Microsoft Paint, Cocreator and Image Creator, that are both powered by AI models. The former turns your drawings into an AI-generated picture, which varies based on the style you choose and the level of 'creativity' (how much the finished product is based on your own art versus AI generation). Image Creator, the standard AI image generator, uses a credit system that awards you 50 credits upon sign-up and requires you to pay for more. You're better off just using the free Cocreator as it's essentially the same.

The Windows 11 AI Recall, which was set to launch along with Windows AI PCs, is still unavailable as of this writing due to being kicked back to the Windows Insider Program once the manifold security issues were exposed.

Recall works by creating a database of information on your PC through screenshots automatically taken every few seconds, building up a library of images you can search through AI. However, the Recall database, containing all the data from those screenshots and the overall history of your PC usage, is stored in plain text (in an SQLite database).

This makes it almost effortless for hackers to obtain highly sensitive information such as finances, passwords, work data, and more. It remains to be seen whether this feature will make a comeback, but that solely depends on if Microsoft can fix these massive security issues.

The Dell XPS 13's benchmark results are very impressive, standing neck and neck with the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7's own results. The Qualcomm CPU alone carries the laptop, maintaining high levels of performance regardless of the amount of tasks being carried out in the background. Each of these benchmark scores showcases the full range of this laptop in terms of handling productivity work, conference calls, streaming, and more.

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Like the other AI PCs released in 2024, the Dell XPS 13 laptop I tested had a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPU. It not only delivers amazing results in benchmark testing but then translates those results into performance that far outstripes that of earlier XPS 13 models.

While I personally never experienced the same level of performance issues as with the Surface series before the Laptop 7, the Del XPS 13 line did have some hiccups here and there. For example, the XPS 13 Plus I previously reviewed had severe overheating problems that resulted in some sections of the laptop reaching scalding high temperatures. This also impacted performance as it would throttle the CPU.

Thankfully, while this most recent XPS 13 does get a bit warm when pushed to its limits, it doesn't approach the extremes of before. This means that performance remains consistent no matter how long you run your laptop, perfect for handling heavier workloads.

black laptop on wooden table — (Image credit: Future)

The battery life for the Dell XPS 13 is by far the best out of the Snapdragon-powered laptops that I've tested. Under normal use, the battery lasts up to 20 hours with a 'low' of over 18 hours.

When continuously video streaming, the battery lasts on average for 17 and a half hours. The fact that a Dell laptop can match and even surpass many of the best MacBook models in battery life is something I would have never expected, but it's clear Qualcomm has truly outdone itself.

The only downside to Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite CPU is that the ARM support, while incredible compared to prior iterations, still has a few compatibility hiccups - mainly dealing with gaming. But even that improves constantly and the vast majority of users won't even notice the hiccups as it doesn't impact everyday use.

Dell XPS 13: Price & availability

How much does it cost? starting price is $1,299 / £1,099 including VAT / AU$2,299
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The starting price for the Dell XPS 13 13.4-inch model is $1,299 / £1,099 including VAT / AU$2,299, netting you a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage in the US, UK, and Australia. Other configurations go up to 64GB/2TB in specs, which will cost $2,499.99 / £1,823.99 including VAT / AU$3,999.60.

It's far pricier than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and M3 MacBook Air 13-inch but comes with overall much better specs including a superior processor, so if you're looking for more of an Ultrabook, then this is the choice for you.

Dell XPS 13: Specs

The Dell XPS 13 13.4-inch model starts with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage with an FHD+ (1920 x 1200) touch display. The highest configuration goes up to 64GB RAM and 2TB in storage with a 3K OLED (2880 x 1800) touch display.

Should you buy the Dell XPS 13?

Buy the Dell XPS 13 if...

You want solid productivity performance
This laptop handles productivity work like a champ including video calls, documents, web surfing, and more - while never sacrificing performance.

You want excellent battery life
The battery life on this laptop is astounding, lasting for up to 20 hours during normal web surfacing use and about 17 and a half hours with video streaming.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
This is an Ultrabook priced like an Ultrabook, meaning you need to expect to pay quite a bit of money for even the base model.

Dell XPS 13: Also consider

If my Dell XPS 13 review has you considering other options, here are two more laptops to consider...

How I tested the Dell XPS 13?

I tested the Dell XPS 13 for a week
I tested it using productivity and creative applications
I stress-tested the battery using the TechRadar movie test

First, I tested the general weight and portability of the Dell XPS 13 by carrying it around in a laptop bag. After I set it up, I ran several benchmarks to thoroughly test out the new Qualcomm processor. Finally, I used a variety of programs and applications to test out both battery life and general performance during work-like conditions.

The Dell XPS 13 is meant to be a portable laptop with a thin and light chassis. I had to spend a good amount of testing not only on performance issues but also looking for any ventilation issues. I also tested out battery life to see how long it could last off AC power.

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.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

OnePlus Pad 2 goes on sale in the US

8:00 am | July 31, 2024

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

The OnePlus Pad 2, unveiled on July 16, is now on sale in the US through OnePlus' official website. It comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage in Nimbus Gray for $550 (€510/INR46,045). However, OnePlus is offering an instant discount of $50 (€45/INR4,185), and you get another $50 off "when you trade in ANY pad in ANY condition." Additionally, customers will receive a free OnePlus Folio Case 2 with their purchase. The OnePlus Pad 2 is built around a 12.1" 144Hz 2,120p LCD and packs a 9,510 mAh battery with 67W charging support. It's powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, runs Android...

IMOU Rex 3D review: a versatile, inexpensive security camera

2:08 pm | July 30, 2024

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Home Security Smart Home | Tags: UK, US | Comments: Off

IMOU Rex 3D: two-minute review

Chinese manufacturer IMOU offers a wide range of consumer IoT products, including home security cameras. The Rex 3D is slightly unusual in that, unlike most indoor models, it has a camera that can move either manually or automatically from side to side as well as up and down.

As with most home security cameras, setup is relatively straightforward. Simply plug the camera into the mains (a relatively long power lead is provided) and download the IMOU Life app online before syncing the device to your home’s Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only, not 5GHz) and setting a strong password (essential for these devices). Alternatively, there is an ethernet connection for hooking up the camera directly to a broadband router if you prefer.

Where the IMOU really comes into its own is its dizzying array of features. I’ve been testing the Rex 3D in my kitchen for a couple of weeks now and I’m only just getting to grips with everything it can do. That said, you will need to pay for the IMOU subscription to be able to store footage in the cloud, share the device with up to 20 users, and access some of the AI-based features beyond an initial two-week free trial.

IMOU Rex security camera — The camera can be tilted manually or automatically (Image credit: Chris Price)

Prices start at around £2 (about $2.50/AU$4) a month for the basic plan if you commit to a one-year subscription, but you can pay up to £6 (about $8/AU$12) a month for the comprehensive plan (IMOU Protect Plus – see below). Alternatively, footage can be stored on a MicroSD card (not supplied). The slot is discreetly located within the camera housing underneath the lens.

Given the name Rex (a common dog’s name), I’d naively assumed the device was intended purely for pet monitoring. But actually, it can be used for human or pet detection. Footage is captured as soon as the camera senses movement, whether it’s human or animal. Clips are displayed within the app, either by going into the calendar view and clicking on the thumbnails within the live image or scrolling through a timeline. You can also set up the device to sound an alarm when motion is detected, though this is incredibly annoying if it’s an area of the house where there’s a lot of movement, such as the kitchen.

Captured video can be downloaded to your phone or a screenshot from the footage can be taken by pressing the camera icon. Up to 8x zoom is provided so you can close in on a particular part of a recording or live footage, while ‘smart tracking’ will automatically move the camera to follow, say, a baby crawling across the floor or a dog playing with a ball.

Other features include an ‘activity zone’ for excluding motion being captured in certain parts of the frame (for example, a road where it might capture moving cars) and a ‘detection schedule’ for selecting which hours you want the camera to be in operation – such as only at night if you want to monitor a child’s bedroom or external door.

The IMOU Rex 3D also works with Amazon Alexa, so you can say ‘Alexa, show me the nursery’ and footage from that camera will be displayed. When the device is put in privacy mode, it will place the lens down to deactivate some of the functionality, such as live view.

IMOU Rex 3D: price and availability

Prices start from $64.99/£36.99 (about AU$100)
Available now in US and UK

Given everything the IMOU Rex 3D offers, it is quite simply astonishing value for money. It’s even possible to find the model on special offer for even less than the prices displayed above. That said, it’s so cheap because, like most security camera manufacturers, IMOU makes its money from getting people to sign up for its subscription plans.

These enable you to view recordings in the cloud (after the free trial ends) and access additional features, such as enhanced AI detection that can send you an alert if a person, pet, vehicle, or package is detected. Alternatively, for more basic functionality you can simply store recordings on a MicroSD card up to 256GB, which you will have to buy separately. This can be used for streaming up to 24 hours of constant footage (once storage is full it will be overwritten by new footage).

Value for money score: 5/5

IMOU Rex 3D: subscription options

IMOU Protect Basic: Seven days of storage in the cloud, share devices with 10 users - £26 (about $30/AU$50) per year.

IMOU Protect Plus: Enhanced AI detection, 30 days of storage in the cloud, share devices with 20 users - £5.99 (about $8/AU$10) per month or £60 (about $80/AU$120) per year.

IMOU Rex 3D: design

Easy DIY setup
Long power cable provided
Can be mounted to ceiling

Given the low price, you might expect the IMOU Rex 3D to feel a bit cheap, but actually, it’s pretty solid and sturdy. It’s also not overly large, about the size and shape of a softball. I’m not a massive fan of the piano black finish but it’s largely a matter of personal taste.

Running the long 3m cable from a power supply in the kitchen, I mounted the camera in the kitchen facing the back door. A bracket and screws are provided for installing the device on the ceiling if you prefer. This is a good way of optimizing the 360-degree camera as well as keeping the device out of reach of sticky-fingered children and thieves.

Design score: 4.5/5

Footage captured with IMOU Rex security camera — Picture quality is excellent, even in low light (Image credit: Chris Price)

IMOU Rex 3D: performance

High quality 1080p image resolution
Extremely sensitive movement detection
Stable connection

It’s fair to say that the IMOU Rex 3D is one of the best security cameras I’ve looked at in terms of performance. Many are tricky to set up and don’t always offer a stable connection, especially if they are located some distance from the wireless broadband router. However, even though the router was on the other side of the house, the IMOU connected first time and has been working constantly during the two weeks of testing.

If I have one complaint, it’s that the IMOU Rex 3D is a little too good in that it seems to record every little movement it detects. Indeed, it’s so sensitive I’ve had to turn detection sensitivity down to 2 out of 5 so it isn’t triggered every time a leaf blows across the lawn or a spider scurries across the floor! Also, while the AI detection is very good for detecting humans, it’s not always reliable for pets. On numerous occasions, it told me it had detected a pet even though my dog wasn’t in the room at the time!

Finally, the picture quality is excellent. As well as offering 1080p resolution for high-quality images during the day, it has a night vision setting which is very accurate for IR recording in low light. If you are mounting the camera on the ceiling, it’s possible to flip the image 180 degrees so it’s the right way round. There’s also an HDR (High Dynamic Range) setting for capturing high-contrast scenes – for example, if the camera is indoors facing a window.

Performance score: 4.5/5

App controls for IMOU Rex security camera — With an IMOU Protect Plus subscription, you'll get the ability to differentiate between packages, pets, parcels, and vehicles using AI (Image credit: Chris Price)

Should you buy the IMOU Rex 3D?

Buy it if...

You want to regularly track humans and pets
Pan and tilt camera with smart tracking makes it a great choice for capturing movement.

You want two-way audio
Great for communicating with loved ones while you're away.

Don't buy it if...

You only need a simple security solution
The vast array of features and functionality could prove a little overwhelming for some.

You're looking for an outdoor camera
The IMOU Rex 3D is intended for indoor use, and isn't waterproof.

IMOU Rex 3D security camera: also consider

How I tested the IMOU Rex 3D security camera

I used the camera every day for two weeks
I set it up myself without any assistance
The camera was set up to focus on the kitchen

To really put an indoor security camera through its paces you need to put it in a well-trafficked part of a property. That’s why I opted to locate mine in the kitchen. Plus, I made sure it was in motion tracking mode so it followed any movement around the room from either a person or a dog.

While this may not be ideal in the longer term – it does feel a little intrusive with a camera whirring round the room – it meant that I could see just how good the camera is at capturing movement. Over the last two weeks, it must have recorded more than 1000 clips and while some of these were false positives, I don’t think it ever dropped the connection during the testing period.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

WhatsApp reaches 100 million monthly users in the US

4:00 pm | July 26, 2024

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

It's been a long, hard, windy road but WhatsApp has finally reached 100 million monthly active users in the US. That market is notoriously enamored with Apple's iMessage so this is quite the feat for WhatsApp - unlike ever other place in the world where WhatsApp is as dominant as iMessage is in the US, or more. This information is official and comes straight from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The fastest-growing markets for WhatsApp in the US are Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Seattle. The company is also saying it's experienced "significant growth" in the South, with Texas having more than...

Samsung Messages replaced with Google Messages on the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 in the US

1:35 pm | July 22, 2024

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

Samsung began phasing out its Samsung Messages app in the US with the Galaxy S22 series and instead opts to ship its new devices with Google Messages. That will be the case with the brand new Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 foldables which are confirmed to launch without the Samsung Messages app in the US. According to a report from the Samsung Members app (via 9to5Google), Samsung’s new foldables will have Google Messages as their default SMS/RCS app and will not come pre-installed with Samsung Messages. Starting with Flip6, Fold6, and newer models, the Samsung Messages app will no...

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OnePlus Nord 4 two-minute review

OnePlus Nord 4 review: price and availability

OnePlus Nord 4 review: specs

OnePlus Nord 4 review: design

OnePlus Nord 4 review: display

OnePlus Nord 4 review: software

OnePlus Nord 4 review: cameras

OnePlus Nord 4 camera samples

OnePlus Nord 4: performance and audio

OnePlus Nord 4 review: battery life

OnePlus Nord 4 review: value

Should you buy the OnePlus Nord 4?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

OnePlus Nord 4 review: Also consider

How I tested the OnePlus Nord 4

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Ninja Slushi review: specs

Ninja Slushi review: design

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Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Design

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Display

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Software

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Cameras

Xiaomi 14 Ultra review: Performance

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Should you buy the Xiaomi 14 Ultra?

Buy it if...

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Two-minute review

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Specs

Design and aesthetics

Comfort and adjustability

Assembly

Should I buy the Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

How I tested the Herman Miller x Logitech Vantum

Dell XPS 13: Two-minute review

Dell XPS 13: Price & availability

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Should you buy the Dell XPS 13?

Buy the Dell XPS 13 if...

Don't buy it if...

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IMOU Rex 3D: two-minute review

IMOU Rex 3D: price and availability

IMOU Rex 3D: subscription options

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IMOU Rex 3D: performance

Should you buy the IMOU Rex 3D?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

IMOU Rex 3D security camera: also consider

How I tested the IMOU Rex 3D security camera

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