17 Nov
Blog

Pokémon BrilliantDiamond/Shining Pearl Review: Old Faithful

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Promotional pic shows trainers relaxing with their Pokémon in Amity Square.

Pokémon Shiny Pearl and Brilliant Diamond

RRP $ 60.00

"Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl play it safe and reinvent two classic DS games true to the original – sometimes with a mistake."

advantages

  • Great for kids

  • Grand Underground is an improvement

  • Strong endgame

  • Wonderful music

disadvantage

  • Formula adventure

  • Lack of challenge

  • New graphics are too faithful

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are exactly the games fans have been asking for – and they still won't be happy about them. The notoriously hard-to-please fan base has been begging for years for a remake of the Nintendo DS classics Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, but immediately went into nitpick mode when they were actually announced. While the Switch remakes stay true to the originals, the internet discourse is undoubtedly fused with anger over missing features or "cut corners".

However, the entertainment related to the game will sound very different when you have kids. Budding coaches who are venturing into the Sinnoh region for the first time will not know or care whether a popular feature has been tweaked. You will be too busy capturing an army of monsters and battling your way to the Elite Four. The magic is still there as long as you leave decades of luggage at the door.

Nintendo plays it safe with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and serves two remakes that are almost flawless. A straightforward adventure makes them perfect for kids, but older players can get bored with a familiar structure and lack of challenge. Fortunately, the return to Sinnoh is worthwhile with a strong endgame and the cleverly redesigned Grand Underground.

For the kids

Although I played and enjoyed the original Diamond and Pearl when they first launched in 2006, I couldn't remember much about them going into the remakes. I immediately realized why: They were Pokémon for drawing by numbers.

In a matter of hours, I experience beats that I feel like I've played through a dozen times. In my first gym, I use water attacks to defeat Geodudes and Onixes. Inevitably, I have to fight a fisherman with a team of six Karpadores (Pokémon's favorite punch line). I later infiltrate the headquarters of a seedy company by stepping on teleportation pads. While every other mainline Pokémon game has a crucial characteristic (good or bad) that sets it apart, Diamond and Pearl were just consistent. They doubled what people loved about the original games and polished up the formula with the power of the Nintendo DS.

A trainer looks at a Dialga statue in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Maybe that's why people remember the classics so fondly, but it's a little too familiar in 2021. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are careful not to change too much in the originals, which will be a relief for those who just want a nostalgic trip that keeps their childhood in Amber. But as someone with no real attachment, I often played on autopilot. A cave full of zubats and geodods? Check. A safari-zone-like area where I can bait and catch monsters? Check. It's as if the ICLA developer is following a strict set of rules.

It doesn't help that the remakes are ridiculously simple. The first time I passed out was in the Elite Four. My Pokémon were consistently 10 to 15 levels above my opponent's monsters, and I was able to take out most of them with one shot. That was without grinding. Anytime it looked like I might be in danger, the game's friendship mechanics saved me like a deus ex machina. Pokémon can dodge inevitable attacks, heal their own status ailments, or hold out with a point of health if their friendship is high enough. I couldn't lose most of the game if I wanted to.

The remakes are the best choice for kids who like Pokémon as cute cartoon to actually play the games.

It is clear who the target group is here: children. Any change in quality of life removes any friction a young player might have – and I don't think that's a bad decision. The remakes are the best choice for kids who like Pokémon as cute cartoon to actually play the games. The straightforward story and the lack of challenges serve as the perfect introduction to the series without completely dumbing down the mechanics as in Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee. Those longing for a more competitive adult experience may need to face the facts: the Mainline series won't grow up with them.

Big changes

While the core structure of the remakes is largely untouched, there are some important changes to the side activities. The biggest difference here is a completely reinterpreted version of the underground called the Grand Underground. In the original games, this was a place where players could dig for treasure and build secret bases in an adorable touchscreen mini-game. That's all mostly intact here (missing some collectibles ruffling some feathers) and as addicting as ever, even without a pen.

ICLA has made impactful changes where they matter most, especially in the Grand Underground.

More importantly, players can now trap creatures in the Great Underground. It has essentially been turned into a giant dungeon crawler full of type rooms and roaming Pokémon. Once I had access to the area, I could come down and add non-Sinnoh monsters like Absol to my team. Most of my last party came from hours spent exploring the underground, which makes up for the fact that Sinnoh's normal Pokémon list is pretty weak. You didn't start with Chimchar? Ponyta would be your only other fire option if it weren't for the Grand Underground.

A trainer exploring the grand underground in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

This updated feature is just one of many that give Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl an impressive endgame beyond the main story. I really enjoyed looking for fossils and statues (which can be used to decorate secret bases) as a different type of post-game collection. There are even more legends to catch after the Elite Four thanks to the new Ramanas Park area. Stickers are also cute collectibles that players can use to create small effects when freeing a creature from their Poké Ball.

Not every feature has been upgraded here. Super Pokémon Competitions are a weak point as they have been reduced to a boring one-button rhythm game. Other DS-centric functions don't translate very well here either. Pokétch returns, offering players a handful of cute apps like a clock, but they'll feel out of place without the DS's second screen. Players can also choose partner Pokémon to follow, but it's a low-cost implementation compared to the Pokémon Let's Go games, which include more playful interactions and a better sense of monster size.

Luxio uses an electric attack in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

There are likely a few other nuances missing that die-hard fans will complain about. Not every aspect of the original games got the same luster here. Even so, the ICLA has made impactful changes where they matter most, especially in the Grand Underground. There are many reasons for players to come back after the credits and I can't tell for a lot of the final installments.

True to a mistake

The remake's most polarizing design decision is its aesthetic approach. Instead of giving Diamond and Pearl the full sword and shield treatment, ICLA chose a "Chibi" art style here. The cute and colorful graphics won't be for everyone, but the choice makes sense. It modernizes the game graphics on the DS, but stays true to its top-down sprite work. It looks essentially the way fans envisioned it in 2006 – and that's exactly what makes a good remake.

But that is a blessing and a curse. The graphics maintain a sense of nostalgia and help avoid some of the “cornering” discourses that plagued the launch of Sword and Shield, but they have a few drawbacks. The world itself suffers particularly as it feels indebted to the original visuals. It feels like every place has been put together with a Super Mario Maker-like asset tool that allows developers to put trees and buildings on a grid. This makes the entire visual experience feel a little flat and devoid of personality.

A trainer explores a cave in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

The music does better, which is proof of how great the original soundtracks are. Classic themes are remixed with surprising rhythmic ticks that undermine my expectations far more than the gameplay. I imagine that this time the music will stay with me more than the cities or the gyms.

It feels like every place has been put together with a Super Mario Maker-like asset tool that allows developers to put trees and buildings on a grid.

It's so true to the original that I wondered if it had to exist at all. Couldn't Nintendo have simply ported the Nintendo DS games to Switch and sold them in the eShop for $ 20? In this particular case the answer is no. The DS's two-screen experience puts many classic games in an odd position. We'll likely never see the concept mirrored again unless Nintendo starts integrating smartphone controller support into its consoles. So the remakes are a necessity in a way.

Perhaps that is why Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are playing it safe. They're trying not to disturb the original template too much as they are essentially replacing it. This publication also serves as a conservation project, regardless of whether this is intended or not. I'd love to play a remake that completely reinvents Sinnoh and turns the formula upside down, but that wouldn't be Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. These games are more like my experience with these games in 2006, and that comes with all its ups and downs.

Our opinion

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are absolutely adorable remakes, even if they aren't the most memorable adventures. Smart tweaks to the Grand Underground help fix some of the bugs of the original games, though other features like Super Pokémon Competitions have been overly simplified. A lack of difficulty and a cute but polarizing art style suggest these remakes are geared more towards kids than adults, which doesn't go down well with some already irritable fans. But if you want to bring the magic of Pokémon to your kids, this is an easy entry point like any other.

Is there a better alternative?

Pokémon Sword and Shield take more creative turns on the formula, even if they don't always land.

How long it will take?

The main game can be completed in 20 to 30 hours thanks to quality of life changes, but there is a lot to do here. Above all, the Grand Underground will offer some playtime.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but keep an eye on your expectations. This is a cute, simple Pokémon game best for kids, not adults who want tough, competitive play.

Editor's recommendations



17 Nov
Blog

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Review: Thinner, Lighter, Less Capable

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x sits at an angle on a desk /

Lenovo ThinkBook 13x

RRP $ 2,000.00

"The Lenovo ThinkPad 13x is a small business notebook that costs more than it's worth."

advantages

  • Thin, light and durable housing

  • Very good IPS display

  • Competent productivity performance

  • Good keyboard and touchpad

disadvantage

  • Inconsistent battery life

  • Insufficient connectivity

  • Way too expensive

Lenovo's ThinkPad series offers a wealth of company-specific features that make them great business laptops for businesses. But for many smaller businesses and remote office workers, a ThinkPad is overkill.

This is where the ThinkBook comes in – it contains a handful of features that appeal to small businesses and avoid costly extras. We tested the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 and found it a solid choice for its target market. With the ThinkBook 13x, Lenovo has now introduced a new version that promises the same features in a thinner and lighter case.

I tested the next entry-level version of the ThinkBook 13x with a Core i5-1130G7 and a 13.3-inch 16:10 WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) IPS touch display, which is currently at $ 2,000. That's significantly more money than the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 ($ 780) and the AMD-based ThinkBook 13s Gen 3 ($ 1,340) that Lenovo also recently released. Yes, the ThinkBook 13x is a bit thinner and lighter, but at the cost of too many compromises and at a price that is far too high.

draft

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is tilted backwards.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ThinkBook 13x looks very similar to the ThinkBook 13s. It has a silver chassis (Lenovo calls it Cloud Gray, but a darker Storm Gray is available) with tapered edges on the sides and a rounded rear edge. It's a very minimalist design – something I've been seeing a lot more lately – with an aesthetic flourish that is a two-tone finish on the lid that is attractive and helps the laptop not to get boring. It's not as streamlined and sleek as the Dell XPS 13, but the ThinkPad 13x has its own unobtrusive charm.

Thanks to a combination of an aluminum lid and an aluminum-magnesium alloy housing, the ThinkPad 13x is robust. The lid bends a little under sufficient pressure, but the keyboard deck and the lower chassis resist bending. It is almost on par with the ThinkPad 13s and just behind the XPS 13 and Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Nano.

Lenovo subjected the ThinkBook 13x – like all ThinkBooks and ThinkPads – to military tests for durability. This is one of those business features that you won't find in Lenovo's consumer products. Lenovo has also added its self-healing BIOS, a feature usually found on ThinkPads, to ensure easy recovery from a corrupted or hacked BIOS. That's also something the company's consumer laptops don't have.

As mentioned earlier, the ThinkBook 13x is primarily intended to be a thinner and lighter version of the ThinkBook 13s – including the newer AMD-based Gen 3 version, which has the same dimensions as the Gen 2. Both laptops are almost identically wide and deep, thanks to the minimal bezels around their larger 16:10 displays.

But the ThinkBook 13x is 0.51 inches thick and weighs 2.49 pounds compared to the ThinkBook 13s at 0.59 inches and 2.78 pounds. This is a significant difference, but it is questionable whether it is enough to warrant serious compromises (more on that later). The XPS 13 is a little less wide and deep, measuring 0.58 inches and 2.8 pounds, and the ThinkPad X1 Nano is thicker at 0.68 inches but even lighter at 2.14 pounds.

On the left side of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x there are two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.

Power button on the right side of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x.

Connectivity is severely limited with just two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 (one of which is used to charge the laptop) and a 3.5mm audio jack. That's it – no HDMI, no USB-A, no SD card reader. This is a shame for a business laptop.

The ThinkBook 13s, on the other hand, has two out of three, with a full-size HDMI and two USB-A ports. Such limited connectivity is not worth a savings of just 0.08 inches thick.

The latest connectivity standards Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 take care of the wireless tasks.

power

The bezels and the webcam of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x up close.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

My test device was the 11th with the Intel Core i5-1130G7. It also runs at slower clock speeds, which means it should achieve better battery life, but performance suffers. The ThinkBook 13x appeared to be pretty fast during my testing and as I wrote this review, but its benchmark results indicated that it was power efficient. You can also choose a Core i7-1160G7, which should be a bit faster, while the 16GB of RAM in my test unit is the maximum that is available.

In Geekbench 5, the ThinkBook 13x was the second slowest in our comparison group – only the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable with the same CPU was slower. The ThinkBook 13x does particularly poorly in our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video as H.265. However, when I used Lenovo's utility to switch from Smart Cooling mode to Extreme Performance mode, the laptop completed the test in a more competitive 196 seconds. Oddly enough, our handbrake test was the only one where switching to performance mode made any significant difference.

Looking at the rest of our benchmarks, the same trend persisted. The only outliers were the PCMark 10 Complete Score, in which the Dell XPS 13 performed worse, and the 3DMark Time Spy test, in which the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 with Radeon graphics was slower. Perhaps most notably, the ThinkBook 13x was slower than the thicker and heavier ThinkBook 13s Gen 2, which means you are trading performance for minimal size and weight reductions when choosing between these otherwise similar devices.

Despite these benchmark results, the ThinkBook 13x offers reasonable productivity performance. I didn't notice any slowdowns during my fairly typical productivity workflow. Discerning productivity users and creative professionals won't be happy, but the ThinkPad 13x will be fast enough for most users.

Geekbench (single / multiple) Handbrake
(Seconds)		 Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Lenovo ThinkBook 13x (Core i5-1130G7) 1337/4863 271 1282/4037 4590 1363
Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 (Core i5-1135G7) 1406/5379 178 1357/5502 4668 1511
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable (Core i5-1130G7) 1352/4796 185 1125/3663 4443 926
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1185G7) 1549/5431 204 1.449 / 4.267 3,859 1,589
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (Core i7-1165G7) 1327/5201 170 1469/4945 5147 1776
Samsung Galaxy Book (Core i5-1135G7) 1401/5221 175 1361/5391 4735 1584
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 (Ryzen7 5700U) 1184/6281 116 1287/8013 5411 1247

The ThinkBook 13x has Intel Iris Xe graphics, but is a bit slower than the full-speed U-series machines. His 3DMark Time Spy score was the second slowest among Intel computers, only managing 16 frames per second (fps) at 1200p and epic graphics in Fortnite.

This is a few fps slower than the comparison group, but doesn't make a huge difference. Neither of these are gaming laptops, and the ThinkBook 13x is no different. Stick to older titles or prepare to reduce the resolution and graphics quality significantly.

advertisement

Close-up of the display of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Lenovo has recently switched to larger displays, and the ThinkBook 13x benefits from a 16:10 13.3-inch panel. It runs at a high resolution, namely WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600), which makes it extremely sharp. I found it to be quite bright, with attractive and natural colors and a deep contrast for an IPS display. Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR) support made for pleasant Netflix and Amazon Prime Video bingeing.

When I put on my colorimeter, my subjective impressions were verified. The display of the ThinkBook 13x is very bright at 417 cd / m², well above our 300 nit threshold, and offers an excellent contrast of 1,430: 1, significantly better than our preferred 1,000: 1. With 76% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB, its colors were only slightly above the average of the premium notebook, with an accuracy of DeltaE 0.97 (anything below 1.0 is considered excellent).

The display of the ThinkBook 13s Gen 2 couldn't keep up and achieved a brightness of 274 nits, a contrast ratio of 920: 1, 77% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB and an accuracy of 1.65. However, the Dell XPS 13 4K display was almost as good with 420 nits of brightness, a contrast ratio of 1,360: 1, 79% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB, and an accuracy of 1.3.

The ThinkBook 13x benefits from a high-quality IPS panel that offers an excellent display for productive work. Creative professionals will want wider colors, but given the high contrast and exceptional color accuracy of the ThinkBook 13x display, it can work even for creative professionals in a pinch. The display is one area where the ThinkBook 13x is better than the 13s.

Two downward facing speakers take care of audio tasks, and they barely produce adequate volume when turned all the way up. There was no distortion, however, and the mids and highs were clear. Bass was lacking, so headphones are a must-have for streaming video and audio.

Keyboard and touchpad

Image of the keyboard and trackpad of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The ThinkBook 13x has the same keyboard found on all Lenovo laptops without a ThinkPad. It enjoys molded keycaps with a lot of clearance and a familiar layout, but there isn't much wiggle room. The switches are snappy, with a noticeable floor movement, but not as precise as the HP Specter range of keyboards or Dell's XPS. I also found the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro keyboard even snappier thanks to newer switches that apparently weren't used here.

The keyboard is of course backlit, has three brightness settings (one of which is barely visible) and it's also splash-proof – another of those business features that Lenovo has removed from the ThinkPad range to differentiate the ThinkBook from its consumer laptops . Another nod to business users are call buttons on the keyboard for managing video conferencing.

The touchpad is medium in size and takes up most of the space on the palm rest. It has a slightly grippy surface that provides tactile feedback when swiping, and the Microsoft Precision touchpad support means that all multi-touch gestures are well supported by Windows 10. The keys were light, clicky, and quiet. The touch display responded too, and I was glad to see it.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by a fingerprint reader built into the power button on the right side of the case. It was quick and responsive, and I found it convenient to turn on the laptop and log in. There's a physical ThinkShutter switch that blocks the webcam, which is common on Lenovo laptops.

Battery life

The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x sits upright on a desk /Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The battery capacity decreased slightly from 56 watt hours for the ThinkBook 13s to 53 watt hours for the ThinkBook 13x. Both have high-resolution displays and the ThinkBook 13x has a less powerful processor. I had expected the same or maybe a little better battery life from the thinner and lighter model.

I didn't get it, at least not consistently. Instead, I saw battery results that were somewhat exceptional. In our web browsing test of the cycles through some complex websites, the ThinkBook 13x managed almost 8.5 hours, compared to the ThinkBook 13s with 9.3 hours. These are average values, but we like to see 10 hours or more on this test.

In our video test replaying a local 1080p movie trailer, the ThinkPad 13x lasted a solid 15.75 hours, much better than the ThinkBook 13s, which got around 13.4 hours. These are both strong stats, but we don't usually see that big a discrepancy between the web and video tests. I noticed that the video was choppy at times during the ThinkBook 13x test, which meant the laptop wasn't running fast enough to play the video smoothly, which certainly added to its endurance. For a further comparison, the Dell XPS 13 4K only managed 6.3 hours in the web test and 10.5 hours in the video test.

In the PCMark 10 Applications battery test, which is the best indicator of battery life, the ThinkBook achieved 13x 8.5 hours, less than the average of more than 10 hours we saw in this test. The ThinkBook 13s reached 11.5 hours and the XPS 13 4K reached 8.7 hours. In the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, the ThinkBook 13x lasted 2.75 hours, which is slightly more than two hours longer than the ThinkBook 13s and 3.5 hours less than the XPS 13 4K. This test seems to show how hard a laptop works on battery power, and the ThinkBook 13x seems to be quite throttling. That would help explain the choppy video.

Overall, the ThinkBook 13x should get you through a full day if your productivity load isn't too high. But you might want to have your charger handy just in case. And if you want your video bingeing to go smoothly, you should turn on Performance Mode which is likely to cut your viewing time significantly.

Our opinion

The ThinkBook 13x is a difficult notebook to evaluate. In and of itself, it's a nice little machine that's thin and light enough to toss in a backpack and barely even notice it's there. However, it's only 0.07 inches thinner and only 0.29 pounds lighter than the ThinkBook 13s, which shares the same design, basic features, better performance and battery life, and more ports. Are these tiny differences in thickness and weight enough to justify the tradeoffs?

I do not think so. The ThinkBook 13x doesn't offer enough to recommend it over its bigger brother, especially at the current price of $ 2,000. If it were as light as the ThinkPad X1 Nano and cheaper, it might make more sense, but it looks like the ThinkBook 13s is a better choice.

Are there alternatives?

I've already said it: the ThinkBook 13s is a superior alternative. It provides far better value for small business users with greater expandability, faster performance, and better battery life. For a little more money, you can go with either AMD or Intel in the Gen 2 version, or AMD just with the slightly updated Gen 3 model.

The Dell XPS 13 is another solid choice. Yes, you forego the military tests on durability, but the XPS 13 is undoubtedly quite durable, and you also lose the spill-resistant keyboard and self-healing BIOS. But you get a better built, faster, more stylish, and all around better laptop.

Finally, the HP Specter x360 14 is an excellent option if you are considering a convertible 2-in-1. It looks better, is faster, and has superior construction, and its OLED display is spectacular, with deep black colors and wide, accurate colors.

How long it will take?

The ThinkBook 13x is built well enough to promise years of service and its components are state-of-the-art. As usual, the one-year warranty is disappointing, especially for a notebook aimed at small business users who may need extended support expect.

Should you buy it?

No. The ThinkBook 13x is a nice laptop, but it's incredibly overpriced right now and just doesn't justify buying it against its (very marginally) bigger brother, the ThinkBook 13s, even at a more reasonable price.

Editor's recommendations



17 Nov
Blog

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Review: Everyday EV

Front view of the Hyundai Kona Electric 2022.

Hyundai Kona Electric

RRP $ 43,685.00

"With a range of 258 miles and a lot of technology, the Kona Electric is a great entry point for electric vehicles."

advantages

  • Impressive range

  • Functional interior

  • Intuitive infotainment system

  • Available digital key

disadvantage

  • Charging with low power consumption

  • Poor driving experience

Electric cars based on existing gasoline models can feel half-baked, but the Hyundai Kona Electric 2022 appears to be the exception to that rule. The gasoline Kona was already a good subcompact crossover SUV, and the Kona Electric adds an impressive range of 258 miles. To find out if this electric vehicle was as good in real life as it seems on paper, we spent a week driving one.

The Kona Electric was launched as the 2019 model and is receiving some notable updates for the 2022 model year. Highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Digital Key functionality, and the same new touchscreens found in other Hyundai models be used. Hyundai also made some changes to the exterior, but made no changes to the powertrain, so the range stays the same.

Hyundai offers the Kona Electric in the base SEL and our test model Limited, which start at $ 35,185 and $ 43,685, respectively (all prices include a mandatory target fee of $ 1,185). The Kona Electric is also eligible for the full federal tax credit of $ 7,500 and may receive state and local incentives based on where you live.

Close-up view of the headlights and charging port on the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric.

Design and interior

Hyundai has promised a line of electric cars based on a dedicated platform, but right now the Kona Electric shares its basics with gasoline models. That means it has largely the same exterior design as gasoline Kona models, with stacked headlights and daytime running lights, a plastic trim, and a shape that's somewhere between an SUV and a traditional hatchback. Whether gasoline or electric, the Kona looks like nothing else on the road.

Electric models are characterized by a dimmed grille (which also houses the charging port) and model-specific wheels that, according to Hyundai, optimize aerodynamic efficiency. The styling optimizations for the 2022 model year include functional ventilation openings on the front bumper, revised lighting and a new rear bumper. The changes are pretty subtle, however.

The interior is practically identical to that of the gasoline Kona. The main difference is a series of buttons that replace the shift lever on the gasoline model. The interior design is clean and functional, with a convenient storage compartment under the center console. The only drawback was the quality of the material. Almost everything was plain black plastic, and while that would be fine for the price of a simple gasoline Kona, it didn't seem appropriate given our test car's MSRP of roughly $ 43,000.

Whether gasoline or electric, the Kona looks like nothing else on the road.

The Kona Electric has a little less head and legroom in the rear than the already cramped gasoline Kona. The small size and relatively low seating position of this vehicle doesn't feel particularly SUV-like, but the passenger compartment is similar to that of competing electric vehicles. The Kia Niro EV and Chevrolet Bolt EV / EUV offer similar headroom, although the Chevys offer more legroom in both rows. The Volkswagen ID.4 offers more headroom in the front and rear, as well as more legroom in the rear seats, but long-legged drivers won't notice much of a difference.

At 19.2 cubic feet with the rear seats inserted and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, the cargo space is identical to the gasoline Kona models. With the rear seats folded up, the Hyundai offers more cargo space than the Kia Niro EV and Chevy Bolt EV / EUV, but loses that advantage when you fold the rear seats. Conversely, the Nissan Leaf has more cargo space when the rear seats are folded up, but less when the rear seats are folded down. Only the VW ID.4 offers more cargo space in both cases.

The interior of the Hyundai Kona Electric 2022.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher equipment variants receive a 10.25-inch touchscreen with coupling of several devices, but only wired CarPlay and Android Auto.

Our test car had the larger touchscreen that was carried over from other Hyundai models. This is not a problem as we have had positive experiences with the same device in the past. The reasonable layout of the screen, well-designed graphics (including old-fashioned vacuum tubes for the radio menu), and responsiveness have made it one of the best from a mainstream automaker. That's still the case here.

The Kona Electric does an exceptionally good job of displaying charging information. A tab on the right side of the screen shows the battery level, an estimated range, and locations of nearby charging stations. You can also set up the charging station search by station type and even by large networks such as ChargePoint or Electrify America. It's an intuitive setup that first-time EV drivers should put at ease, while also offering the functionality that more experienced drivers are likely to appreciate.

The reasonable layout of the screen, well-designed graphics, and responsiveness make it one of the best from a mainstream automaker.

All Kona Electric models also get a standard 10.25-inch digital instrument with EV-specific gauges for things like state of charge and regenerative braking. Everything was easy to read and the information was well organized, but we found the default white on black a little too bright (there is a night mode too).

The Kona Electric can also be equipped with Hyundai's Digital Key function, which allows the driver to use a smartphone instead of a conventional key fob. Drivers can lock or unlock the doors, start the car and drive with just a connected phone. However, this feature only works with Android phones.

The standard driver assistance technology includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic warning, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane following assistant, safe exit assistant and a driver attention monitor. The Kona Electric Limited adds adaptive cruise control and automatic high beam. That's a pretty good range of features, but the Kona Electric doesn't have the clever camera-based blind spot surveillance system available in other Hyundai models that shows a camera view in the instrument cluster when a turn signal is activated.

The 10.25-inch touchscreen of the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited.

Experience at the wheel

The Kona Electric's single engine produces 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. That's roughly the same horsepower you get in a base VW ID.4 or Chevy Bolt EV, but the Hyundai has a lot more torque.

While the gasoline versions of the Kona are available with all-wheel drive, the Kona Electric is only front-wheel drive. That's not ideal for a vehicle billed as an SUV, but most of the Kona Electric's competitors don't offer all-wheel drive either. You can buy a four-wheel drive VW ID.4 or spend more money on a Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, or Volvo XC40 Recharge.

The lush torque provides more kick off the line than the Kona's petrol sibling.

That luscious torque gives you more kick off the line than the Kona's gasoline siblings, or leads to pointless wheelspin if you're not careful. Robust acceleration, however, is a feature of every electric car as electric motors provide instant torque delivery. The driver can choose between different levels of regenerative braking using paddle shifters. The lowest setting allows the car to roll at highway speeds. The highest setting provides a significant delay in lifting the accelerator, but falls a little short of the single-pedal driving that most EVs aim for.

The Kona Electric couldn't differ from other EVs in terms of handling, as it lacked the solidity of the VW ID.4 and the maneuverability of the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV. The sloppy handling of the electric model also felt like a devaluation compared to the last gasoline Kona we tested. The cabin at least kept road noise out (all Kona models get more sound-deadening acoustic glass for 2022) and the ride was pretty comfortable most of the time. However, the suspension couldn't absorb even small bumps and transmit a harsh jolt into the cabin every time.

The instrument cluster of the Hyundai Kona Electric 2022.

Range, charging and security

At 258 miles, the Kona Electric offers significantly more range than most other equally priced electric vehicles, beating the Kia Niro EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Nissan Leaf. The Chevy Bolt EV offers 259 miles of range, but that drops to 247 miles for its Bolt EUV sibling. The Volkswagen ID.4 is rated with a range of 260 miles in the basic rear-wheel drive Pro configuration and achieves this with more SUV-like amounts of passenger and cargo space.

However, when it's time to recharge, you may have to wait a long time. According to Hyundai, it takes the 7.2-kilowatt onboard charger nine hours to fully charge the 64.0-kilowatt-hour battery from a level 2 240-volt AC source. The Kona Electric is also equipped for DC fast charging with 70 kW, with which, according to Hyundai, a charge of 10 to 80% can be achieved in 47 minutes. However, it took us a little over an hour to go from a 25% charge to 80%, and we only got a peak charge of 39 kW. While a single charging session does not allow for a scientific conclusion, that is not encouraging.

Full crash test ratings for the Kona Electric are not available. The gasoline Kona performed well on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, but these results may not apply directly to the electric version. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also didn't publish any crash test ratings for the Kona Electric, but again, the gasoline Kona did well in the federal agency's tests.

The Kona Electric comes with the same 5-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle warranty and 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty as gasoline Hyundai models, which are some of the best warranty terms in the business. The electric model also comes with a 10-year battery guarantee for 100,000 miles, which is competitive with other guarantees for EV batteries.

Three quarter rear view of the Hyundai Kona Electric 2022.

How DT would configure this car

As mentioned above, when it comes to tech, you have to make a choice with Hyundai infotainment systems. The basic Kona Electric SEL gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Kona Electric Limited gets a bigger touchscreen with better graphics. We'd go for the Limited model with a larger screen, which we think will be more appreciated in everyday use. The Limited also adds other technical features.

This high-end Kona Electric has standard wireless device charging, Hyundai's digital key, and battery heating system. These three features are available as part of a paid convenience package for the Kona Electric SEL, but that adds $ 3,500, bridging the gap on the base price of the Limited. The limited trim also gets adaptive cruise control. With the SEL, that is not possible at any price.

Our opinion

The Kona Electric is bucking the trend of mediocre electric vehicles based on gasoline cars. It offers impressive range for the price while maintaining the well-designed interior and funky styling of the gasoline Kona. However, it is let down by low power charging and a lackluster driving experience.

The Hyundai's cramped interior and cargo area would be a drag compared to traditional crossover SUVs, but it's a similar story with the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Bolt EV / EUV (which are currently undergoing a major recall). Only the recently launched Volkswagen ID.4 offers a true SUV-like experience with more cargo space and an all-wheel drive version on the way.

Marketing categories aside, the Kona Electric stands out as a budget electric vehicle. It offers a lot of tech for the price and sufficient range not to interfere with most drivers, although uneven charging infrastructure deployment could still be inconvenient for some people. The upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be the automaker's true future tech statement, but anyone ready to venture into EV now won't be disappointed with the Kona Electric.

Should you get one?

Yes sir. The Kona Electric doesn't feel like the car of the future, but it is a great electric vehicle for today.

Editor's recommendations



16 Nov
Blog

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid Review: 7 Seats and Great MPG

Front driver's side from an angle of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid in a meadow.

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid

RRP $ 33,590.00

"It's not even a close comparison – the Sorento Hybrid is one of the best mid-size SUVs."

advantages

  • Tons of technology

  • Noble design

  • Compact car MPG

  • Spacious first and second row

  • Doesn't feel slow

disadvantage

  • Tight third row

  • Model 2022 has more functions

The three-row midsize SUV segment is one that automakers are slow to electrify. It makes sense – these hulking SUVs tend to have boxy designs that aren't efficient at first. Finding a way to reduce fuel consumption without sacrificing all that space is a huge challenge – so there may be few options to choose from.

With the brand new 2021 Sorento Hybrid, Kia has found a way to make this work. The Sorento name has been around since 2002, but this is the first time you'll find hybrid drive in an SUV. This powertrain not only gives the Sorento its own place in the Kia range, but also in the overall segment. If you are looking for a midsize hybrid SUV, go straight to a Kia dealer to test the Sorento Hybrid before anything else.

The entry-level S starts at $ 34,760, including the target fee of $ 1,170. The EX-Trim we tested starts at $ 37,760. Our tester was painted in Runaway Red Paint, which costs $ 445, bringing the price of our tester to $ 38,205.

Design and interior

The last Sorento had an old-fashioned design – not exactly hideous, but awkward from some angles. In that regard, the new Sorento Hybrid is a massive improvement. It doesn't have the same street presence as the larger Telluride, but it still has its own kind of American boast. Not many midsize SUVs and even fewer hybrids look cool, but that's exactly what the Sorento Hybrid does.

Front end close-up of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid in a meadow. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Kia's Tigernose grille gives the Sorento Hybrid a familiar design compared to the automaker's other SUVs, such as the Niro, Seltos and Telluride. Compared to the regular Sorento, the Sorento Hybrid doesn't look drastically different. From our point of view, that is a good thing. The only noticeable difference between the two is the glossier trim on the hybrid.

Not many midsize SUVs and even fewer hybrids look cool, but that's exactly what the Sorento Hybrid does.

The interior design of the Sorento Hybrid is just as beautiful as its exterior with a stylish look that feels just as classy as the exterior. The center console rests in the middle of the vertically aligned air vents and the toggle switches for the HVAC temperature control and the heated seats make the cabin look like the cockpit of an airplane – this is also fully functional. The biggest downside is the select-operated gear shifter, which seems like a good thing on paper but not in the real world.

One of the main advantages of the Sorento Hybrid over other hybrids is that it can accommodate up to seven people. Only a few midsize SUVs can claim the combination of hybrid drive and seating for the whole family. Thanks to clever packaging, the Sorento Hybrid offers just as much cargo space as the Sorento. Unfortunately, it's not as spacious as its competitors. Behind the third row there is 12.6 cubic meters of cargo space. Folding down the rear seats gives 45 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Sorento Hybrid can hold a maximum of 75.5 cubic feet of cargo.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The main disadvantage of the Sorento Hybrid is its infotainment system. Kia does not fit the Sorento Hybrid with the same available 10.25-inch touchscreen of the regular model. Instead, you get a standard 8-inch device for the full range of products. It's not a bad touchscreen, but the extra space that is available in a regular Sorento leads to envy. It's like looking at your neighbor's backyard and then realizing that yours doesn't quite fit. For patient people, Kia made things the same for 2022.

It's not the fanciest list of features, but there's something reassuring about a car with easy-to-use technology.

Close-up of the infotainment system in the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid showing fuel consumption. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The size of the touchscreen might not impress, but its features will. The EX equipment we tested came with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster, eight USB ports, a wireless charging pad and six audio speakers. It's not the most famous list of features, but there is quite a bit to be said about a car that doesn't choke on technology.

The touchscreen's graphics aren't as sharp or as colorful as those of the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, but they're still really good. It's also nice to be able to use logically placed buttons and knobs. Someone could get into this car and become familiar with it within 10 minutes – this is not the case with many new vehicles.

Kia equips the Sorento Hybrid with its Drive Wise suite of advanced safety functions. The suite includes collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian recognition, rear cross traffic warning, exit warning and rear parking sensors. The EX equipment adds adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection, intersection assistant and front parking sensors.

Experience at the wheel

The Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine paired with an electric motor and a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. The combined power is 227 hp, while a traditional six-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting. It's a departure from the norm as most other hybrids use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). If there's a downside to the Sorento Hybrid's powertrain, front-wheel drive is the only configuration available.

Compared to the competitors from Ford and Toyota, the Sorento Hybrid no longer has any power. The Ford Explorer Hybrid has a 3.3 liter V6 engine and an electric motor for a combined 318 hp. Toyota's Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that produce 243 hp. Against that crowd, the Sorento Hybrid sounds like it could use a little more punch, but the SUV feels very powerful. There's a bit of a lag off the line, but it's still peppy, just about a second away from the regular Sorento's regular 2.5-liter, four-cylinder turbo engine in a sprint to 60 mph. Overtaking on the autobahn, which is usually a test of patience with a hybrid, is uneventful.

The six-speed automatic transmission is gentler than options with a CVT like the Highlander, but it's not exactly trouble-free. During our week with the SUV, we noticed that it jerked a few times when switching between reverse gear and drive. Downshifts can be slow if you're trying to speed them up using the paddles on the steering wheel, but that's to be expected on a powertrain where fuel economy is paramount.

Of the few hybrid mid-range SUVs on the market, the Sorento Hybrid is the most efficient of the bunch.

Side profile of the 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid from the passenger side in a meadow. Joel Patel / Digital Trends

While Kia's driving modes usually result in a noticeable change, the Sorento Hybrid's Comfort, Smart, and Sport modes don't make radical changes to the SUV's performance. So it makes a lot of sense to keep it in eco mode most of the time. Additionally, Kia's Eco mode doesn't suppress the responsiveness of the accelerator pedal, so it feels more like a normal driving mode. The eco mode also matches the compliant driving behavior and easy steering of the Sorento Hybrid for a relaxed driving experience.

Gas mileage and safety

Of the few three-row midsize SUVs on the market with hybrid drive, the Sorento Hybrid is the most efficient of the bunch. The hybrid is rated to get up to 37 mpg combined (39 mpg city, 35 mpg highway). The best the Toyota Highlander Hybrid can get is 36 mpg combined, while the Ford Explorer Hybrid has a paltry 28 mpg combined rating. The Sorento Hybrid is so efficient that it is almost on par with smaller hybrids like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue, which have 38 mpg combined ratings.

Engine compartment of the Kia Sorento Hybrid 2021.Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet subjected the Sorento Hybrid 2021 to crash tests. However, the regular Sorento received the “Top Safety Pick” rating after receiving a “Good” rating in all six crash tests – a “Superior” rating for its front crash prevention technology and headlights, which ranged from “Bad” to “Good” " are sufficient. In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Sorento Hybrid received an overall safety rating of four stars in 2021.

Kia supports the Sorento Hybrid with a 5-year basic warranty of 60,000 miles and a 10-year warranty for the powertrain of 100,000 miles. The warranty exceeds that offered by Toyota and Ford, which includes a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year powertrain warranty of 60,000 miles.

How DT would configure this car

Skip the $ 3,000 EX trim that doesn't justify the price. The standard Sorento Hybrid has an extensive list of safety functions, two-zone climate control, six audio speakers, wireless smartphone compatibility, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats and an 8-inch touchscreen, making it well-equipped for most drivers.

Our opinion

Best-in-class fuel economy is just one characteristic that makes the Sorento Hybrid such an impressive vehicle. It also comes with nifty tech features, a relatively spacious cargo area, a peppy drivetrain, and a long warranty. The breathtaking design of the Sorento Hybrid cannot be overlooked either. It's not even a close comparison – the Sorento Hybrid is one of the best mid-size SUVs on offer.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is available with a larger 12.3 inch touchscreen, although its graphics and menu layout look dated, it can hit up to 36 mpg combined, it has up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, it has 243 horsepower, and it can pull up to 3,500 pounds. The Highlander Hybrid isn't as stylish as the Sorento Hybrid, but it is available with all-wheel drive.

If fuel economy is what you're looking for, the Ford Explorer Hybrid likely won't fit the bill. It's rated at up to 28 mpg combined, which is way behind the Sorento Hybrid's number. On the other hand, its drive train delivers up to 318 hp, well above the Sorento Hybrid. The Explorer Hybrid can also pull the most cargo with a valuation of up to 5,000 pounds. When it comes to cargo space, the Explorer Hybrid has the most space with up to 87.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Ford offers the Explorer Hybrid with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.

Should you get one?

Yes sir. The 2022 model adds more technology and all-wheel drive available, but the 2021 model is still worth buying.

Editor's recommendations



14 Nov
Blog

Anker PowerHouse II 800 Review: A Camper’s Best Friend

Anker PowerHouse II battery pack for charging various devices.

Anker PowerHouse II 800

RRP $ 700.00

“The PowerHouse II 800 is characterized by the fact that it can charge several small devices for short trips outside the network. ”

advantages

  • Solar friendly

  • Extra built-in LED lighting

  • Lots of USB ports

disadvantage

  • Strong but awkward handle

Anker is well established in the phone backup battery space and I've enjoyed some of their models for years. However, after a couple of camping trips laden with a dozen portable packs to keep my (and my friends') phones well charged, I was eager to streamline things with a clunky powerhouse like the Anker PowerHouse II 800.

Out of the box

This 777 watt hour battery has enough plugs to charge a number of devices at the same time. Two AC plugs are available for your larger devices, while four USB-A ports and two 60-watt USB-C ports can power your phones and tablets. There is also a DC car power outlet that you might use for an air mattress pump.

As for the charging inputs, the PowerHouse II supports 800 solar modules with an output of up to 120 W. It also benefits from the maximum power point tracking, which dynamically optimizes the battery to make the most of the variable input current from solar panels. I was able to plug an old Goal Zero Nomad 13 solar panel into the DC slot and charge it well, but after sitting on my balcony for two and a half days of sunshine, the PowerHouse barely clocked 3%. You will likely need some large solar panels to charge that bad boy in a reasonable amount of time.

Anker PowerHouse III backup battery on the table.Simon Sage / Digital Trends

With the socket outlet, you can always juice the PowerHouse II 800 the old-fashioned way. If you want to put in a little more power, you can also plug the supplied USB-C cable into the wall.

draft

The PowerHouse II 800 positions itself as a rough product thanks to its reinforced corners. We're dealing with electronics, so in general you don't want to stand in the rain with your cell phone while charging, but as far as water protection is concerned, the AC plugs and the DC car plug are well covered. The only complaint is that the connections are not well positioned for plugs that are angled 90 degrees towards the ground wire. Anchoring these silicone flaps over the plug instead would have prevented additional wear.

Anker PowerHouse III backup battery.Simon Sage / Digital Trends

The handle at the top is sturdy, stiff and has a good grip. It is badly needed for something that weighs 18 pounds. However, the handle breaks up the profile of the box, making packing difficult. So if you put something on it during your road trip or in your closet in the off-season, you put strain on that handle and generally make storage awkward. You are also losing prime real estate to your devices. Many other power plants in this category have their handles built into the corners of the case themselves to avoid such problems.

The front LCD display gives you all the relevant information you need, including total charge, estimated remaining life, time to full charge, current frequency and power, and temperature warnings. Below that are three hardware buttons with which you can activate each of the main areas independently of one another. Unfortunately, there is no companion app to monitor these things.

Performance characteristics

It is probably wrong to see the PowerHouse II 800 as a proper home backup solution. It's specifically rated not to support devices over 500W such as microwaves, toasters, or hairdryers. The most aggressive test I put this battery on was plugging in my desktop PC and plasma TV to watch some YouTube videos.

The PowerHouse II 800 appears to be intended for weekend camping trips with multiple people needing to charge their phones.

The draw fluctuated between 460W and 500W, which gave me a little over an hour of charge. My dreams of rough off-grid individualism shattered, I took a more modest test the next day. This time, I just had my laptop and external monitor plugged in, and they worked perfectly all day. Anker estimates that with a fully charged PowerHouse II 800 you can get 55 phone charges, 19 tablet charges, or 10 laptop charges.

The maximum power of 60 W on the USB-C connectors is not as high as it could be. Many power plants have a more powerful USB output that is able to keep more powerful laptops running. As it stands, you'll have to settle for one of the standard AC slots. You will also see more and more power plants with wireless charging on top for added convenience. For what it's worth, Anker uses its PowerIQ 3.0 charging technology over USB-C, which is compatible with Apple, Samsung and Qualcomm fast charging standards.

Anker PowerHouse III backup battery.Simon Sage / Digital Trends

The perfect use case for the PowerHouse II 800 seems to be weekend camping trips with multiple people needing to charge their phones. If something really hammers home outdoor use, it's not one, but two built-in LED lights. A little guy can provide a focused beam of light while the wide one at the back has a nice diffused light that would fill a tent perfectly. The little light includes an SOS mode that can come in handy when you're left on an island with no beer late at night and need to signal friends across the lake.

Our opinion

The expectations I had of my first power plant were somewhat ambitious. I was hoping that something like this could keep my refrigerator running in the event of a breakdown, but I would have known better if I had taken a closer look at the box. The PowerHouse II 800, priced at US $ 700, is distinguished by the fact that it can charge multiple small devices for short off-grid trips.

Aside from a few minor design tweaks, the PowerHouse II 800 is small and light enough to be thrown in the trunk for a weekend getaway. Even if it doesn't have the capacity to keep household appliances running, such a power source in the closet can certainly help keep your personal electronics running in the event of prolonged power outages. Good connectivity for solar panels and additional integrated lighting make it a natural companion for outdoors.

Is there a better alternative?

The market for mid-range power plants is huge. The last powerhouse we looked at was the Jackery Explorer 1000. It has a couple of USB slots for an extra power plug and has a larger capacity which is perfect with its higher price. EcoFlow products include in the $ 700 range Companion apps and expandable capacitiesthat are gimmicks, but definitely catch the eye.

How long it will take?

The lifespan of lithium-ion batteries is around 3 to 5 years, but this may depend on usage. For something this season, I would expect it to last a little longer. Anker suggests charging the PowerHouse II 800 every 3 months to preserve its lifespan.

Should you buy it?

If you are looking for something that will enhance your everyday portable battery, the PowerHouse II 800 is a great choice. It lacks some of the bells and whistles you'll find on other power plants in its class, but nothing significant.

Editor's recommendations



14 Nov
Blog

HP Victus 16 Review: A New Gaming Brand Makes Its Mark

Oblique view of the HP Victus 16.

HP Victus 16 in the test: A new gaming brand sets the tone

RRP $ 1,360.00

"The HP Victus 16 is a solid gaming laptop at an affordable price."

advantages

  • Excellent productivity performance

  • Solid 1080p gaming performance

  • Comfortable keyboard

  • The display is good for both productivity and gaming

  • Acceptable price

disadvantage

  • Build quality is below average

  • The keyboard backlight is limited

  • Bad battery life

Gaming laptops have never been more popular, and HP has a new line of devices to meet the growing interest. Victus is the name, and it is under HP's premium gaming brand Omen, replacing the Pavilion slot machines on a budget level.

HP Victus brings a higher quality design, souped-up internals and Windows 11. I was sent a high-end configuration with a Core i7-11800H and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 for $ 1,360.

That's a fair price for a moderately-featured gaming laptop – the next Omen 16 configuration I was able to put together is $ 1,950 in comparison. Given the price difference and great performance, the HP Victus 16 has already made a name for itself in the world of affordable gaming laptops.

draft

An oblique view of the rear of the HP Victus 16.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The first thing that catches your eye once you are familiar with the Omen line is the Victus logo. It's a "V" based on the same core geometry as the Omen logo, with the lower portion essentially isolated to stand on its own. The logo is not only located on the outer lid and on the display chin, but is also embedded in the ventilation above the keyboard and outlines the ventilation on the underside of the case. If nothing else, the Victus has its branding below.

The rest of the Victus 16's aesthetic is minimalist, with few nods to a more eye-catching gaming design. In fact, the only real gaming design element is the row of air vents along the back of the case. They give a visual flair and at the same time offer improved thermals (more on that in a moment). My test device was the color Mica Silver (black); Performance Blue and Ceramic White are the other options.

Overall, the Victus 16 is a gaming laptop with a more traditional laptop design. We saw this on a few other gaming devices, like the conservatively designed (and much more expensive) Razer Blade 15 and the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which has a non-gaming aesthetic along with the lid and rear ventilation. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro lives in both worlds at the same time, with a no-nonsense design with some gaming elements such as aggressive ventilation openings that appear to be glued on. Conversely, the Asus ROG Strix G15 and Alienware laptops retain a die-hard gaming aesthetic through and through.

The Victus 16 has quite small bezels for a gaming device, at least on the top and on the sides. Even with a massive chin, the combo results in a screen-to-body ratio of 84% – not bad for a gaming laptop. This made it possible to integrate the 16-inch display into a housing that is more like a 15-inch gaming device. The Legion 5 Pro has smaller bezels around its 16-inch display with an aspect ratio of 16:10 and is almost identical in width and depth to the Victus 16, which has an old-school 16: 9 panel.

The Asus ROG Strix G15 with a 15.6-inch display in 16: 9 format is a fraction of an inch wider and deeper. The Victus 16 is 0.93 inches thick and weighs 5.5 pounds, compared to the Legion 5 Pro at 1.1 inches and 5.4 pounds and the ROG Strix G15 at about an inch and 5.7 pounds. This makes the Victus 16 a decently sized gaming laptop in view of the display and components. You can get thinner gaming laptops like the Razer Blade 15 which is only 0.67 "and the HP Omen 16 which is 0.89", but you will pay for them.

Straightforward picture of the HP Victus 16.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

One area where the Victus 16 doesn't quite live up to its price is the build quality. It's an all-plastic laptop, which is fine, but the lid is too pliable and the keyboard deck has enough flexibility that you can feel your fingers pressing against anything directly under the keyboard and palm rest. The Legion 5 Pro and ROG Strix G15 felt more stable to us, and they're about the same price as the Victus 16. The hinge was incredibly wobbly, easy to open with one hand, but prone to shaking during gaming sessions. Perhaps the build quality was carried over from the budget-conscious Pavilion gaming line, but HP may want to improve it in future generations.

One of the more sensible upgrades to the Pavilion Gaming 16 is the thermal design. HP integrated a new system with five-way airflow thanks to an additional exhaust opening on the RTX 3060 model, four heat pipes and larger fans. The result, according to HP, is 30% more airflow, which makes the laptop quite loud when you work hard, but keeps it cooler than its predecessor. As we'll see in the performance section below, the Victus 16 gets the most out of its components, and that's in part because of its excellent thermal design.

The HP Victus 16 has an Ethernet port, a full-size HDMI port, a USB-A 3.2 port, a USB-C 3.2 port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a full SD card reader Size on the left.

Two USB-A 3.2 ports on the right side of the HP Victus 16.

The Victus 16 has a mix of ports, with an emphasis on being able to connect a wide variety of gaming peripherals. There's an Ethernet port, a full-size HDMI port, a USB-A 3.2 port, a USB-C 3.2 port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a full-size SD card reader on the left Side and two more USB-A 3.2 ports on the right side. Juice is provided by a massive 200 watt power brick and a proprietary barrel connector.

There is no Thunderbolt 4 support, however, which is disappointing. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 offer wireless connectivity.

power

The Victus 16 is powered by a 45-watt eight-core / 16-thread Intel Core i7-11800H – a workhorse among Intel's lineup that offers some of the best creative application performance you'll find outside of the AMD Ryzen 5000 series. Not to mention its productivity performance, which is exaggerated for even the most demanding office worker.

There's nothing that says a gaming laptop can't be used to get work done, so it's worth looking at how well the Victus 16 does for non-gaming tasks. Consider my wife, an interior designer: she was given an Alienware gaming laptop as a work machine because it offers both a fast CPU and a separate GPU to accelerate applications such as AutoCAD, Revit, CET and the Adobe suite. The HP Victus 16 would fit more discreetly into an office environment than an Alienware computer, that's for sure.

Image of the bottom of the HP Victus 16.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In any case, the Victus 16 is undoubtedly a fast notebook compared to mainstream laptops with comparable equipment. It led the field in Geekbench 5 with impressive high scores, finished third in Cinebench R23 (with the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro and its Ryzen 7 5800H being the fastest machine), and finished first in our handbrake test, the one 420 MB video as coded H.265 and even achieved the high score in PCMark 10, a primarily productivity-oriented benchmark.

In PugetBench, which uses Premiere Pro to handle a number of demanding tasks and can use a separate GPU, the Victus 16 again achieved the highest score among its closest competitors.

If you are looking for a fast notebook for productivity and creative tasks, then you have come to the right place with the HP Victus 16. It takes its components to extremes thanks largely to its excellent thermal design and is certainly faster than your typical mainstream and often thinner and lighter laptop. Note that you can also buy the Victus 16 with an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H if you want even faster CPU performance.

Laptop Underdog bench 5 Cinebench R23 PugetBank
(Premiere Pro)		 Handbrake
(Seconds)		 PCMark 10
HP Victus 16 (Core i7-11800H) 1594/9141 1510/10145 765 91 6808
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (Core i7-11800H) 1520/7353 1519/10497 388 99 6251
Dell XPS 15 OLED 2021 (Core i7-11800H) 1544/7692 1513/9979 509 101 6024
MSI Creator Z16 (Core i7-11800H) 1540/7625 1444/9615 738 103 6486
Dell XPS 17 (Core i7-11800H) 1568/8801 1525/10145 692 n / A 6209
LG gram 16 (Core i7-1165G7) 1573/5454 1394/4137 N / A 213 4827
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (Ryzen7 5800H) 1460/7227 1430/11195 622 99 n / A

Games

Top view of the lid of the HP Victus 16.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

But of course the Victus 16 is a gaming laptop and should therefore compete with other gaming laptops. Here, too, it impressed with quite a good performance, as it has one of the slower GPUs in our comparison group. Note that HP includes its Omen Gaming Hub app with the Victus 16, which enables undervolting and three power modes: quiet, standard, and performance.

I ran all of the benchmarks – including those in the section above – in both standard and performance modes and found very little differences in performance. In most games, the performance mode only squeezed out a few additional frame rates.

The 3DMark Time Spy Score was in line with our comparison group, coming in penultimate place, with only the MSI Creator Z16 – a non-gaming computer with the same GPU that I added for comparison purposes – achieving a lower score.

In actual games, the Victus 16 did well. It managed to get close to the Razer Blade 14 and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro in Assassin's Creed Valhalla in a few frames – and both are equipped with RTX 3070s. It almost reached the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro in Battlefield V and beat the Razer Blade 14 in Fortnite. It eventually beat both RTX 3070-equipped machines in Civilization VI.

And best of all, these are very playable frame rates across the board, making the Victus 16 a high-performance 1080p gaming device. These results are all at high graphics settings, which means you don't have to turn things down to maintain high frame rates. For a gaming laptop with an RTX 3060, the Victus 16 is competitive. If you go for the AMD version of the laptop, you can opt for a slower AMD Radeon RX5500M GPU to save some money.

Laptop 3DMark time spy Assassin's Creed Valhalla
(1080p ultra high)		 Battlefield V
(1080p-Ultra)		 Fourteen days
(1080p epic)		 Civilization VI (1080p Ultra)
HP Victus 16 (RTX 3060) 7341 59 fps 72 fps 99 fps 118 fps
Razer blade 14 (RTX 3070) 8605 60 fps 96 fps 96 fps 111 fps
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (RTX 3070) 9175 61 fps 73 fps 101 fps 114 fps
Asus ROG Strix G15 (RX6800M) 10504 77 fps 109 fps 108 fps 150 fps
MSI GS66 Stealth (RTX 3080) 9097 70 fps 117 fps 140 fps 149 fps
Razer blade 15 (RTX 2080 Super) 7637 58 fps 98 fps 110 fps 134 fps
MSI Creator Z16 (RTX 3060) 6322 50 fps 57 fps 56 fps (1600p) 92 fps

The Victus 16 moves a lot of air when it's working hard, so the fan noise was quite audible. It is not enough to force you to wear headphones all the time, but you can still do so. The laptop's surface remained reasonable, reaching 101 degrees Fahrenheit on the right side of the keyboard deck during benchmarking. The underside of the chassis did not exceed 115 degrees F during my tests. The notebook stayed cool and quiet in non-gaming mode.

According to 3DMark, the maximum GPU temperatures were between around 75 ° C and 100 ° C, which is the highest possible safe temperature. We usually don't like it when temperatures get this high, and you can find better thermals in laptops like the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro.

Configurations

While our test configuration was on the high end for $ 1,360 – with the Core i7-11800H, RTX 3060, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and the 144 Hz Full HD display – you can get the Victus 16 for a lot get less money. For example, for just $ 730 you can get a Core i5-11400H, GTX 1650, 8 GB RAM, a 256 GB SSD and the entry-level 60 Hz Full HD panel. But honestly, that's not a configuration most people will enjoy between the outdated graphics card and the 60Hz display.

The $ 1,640 maximum you can spend upgrading our configuration to 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a QHD (2,560 x 1,440) 165Hz display.

If you're looking to save money but don't want to compromise as much on performance, you can still keep your purchase price below $ 1,000. For $ 920, you can get the Core i5, an RTX 3050 Ti, 8 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and a 144 Hz Full HD display – a solid entry-level gaming laptop at a very attractive price especially if you're trying to buy a gaming laptop under $ 1,000.

advertisement

Close-up of the HP Victus 16 display.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Gaming laptops don't always have displays with wide and accurate colors and high contrast, but instead focus on things like refresh rates. The display installed in my test report Victus 16 circumvented these restrictions. It's a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, with its only weakness being the old-school 16: 9 aspect ratio.

But when I used the display, it seemed like a similar panel I could find on a thin and light premium laptop aimed at productive work. It was bright, with dynamic colors that weren't oversaturated, and enough contrast to make blacks stand out against white.

I was very happy with the display on the Victus 16.

My colorimeter confirmed my impressions. The display is indeed bright at 375 nits, well above our 300 nit threshold, and the contrast was 1120: 1, beating our preferred 1000: 1. The colors were above average at 79% AdobeRGB (with about 72% being the norm) and 100% sRGB, and fairly accurate with a DeltaE of 1.85 (1.0 or less is considered excellent).

The Asus ROG Strix G15 wasn't nearly as good with 278 nits, a contrast ratio of 1,090: 1 (a good result) and only 48% AdobeRGB and 64% sRGB with a color accuracy of 2.19. The Legion 5 Pro's display was also good with 515 nits, a contrast ratio of 1,380: 1, 74% AdobeRGB and 97% sRGB, and a color accuracy of 1.36.

I was very happy with the display on the Victus 16. Not only is it fast for gaming, but it can also perform well for productive work. Thanks to its fast performance, it can even do some creative work in a pinch.

The tone wasn't quite as impressive. The two downward-facing speakers were very quiet even when turned up fully, although there was no distortion. The mids and highs were clear enough, but the bass was missing. You will need headphones when playing at full strength as the sound is not loud enough to comfortably overcome the fan noise. The same goes for Netflix binge and listening to music – headphones are a must.

Keyboard and touchpad

Close-up of the HP Victus 16 keyboard.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Here's one thing the Victus 16 didn't inherit from the Omen line: RGB lighting per key on the keyboard. Although the keyboard of the Victus 16 is actually backlit with white lighting, it is only switched on or off with no level in between. So HP has taken great care to ensure that the Omen retains its lead here. The keyboard feels great, however, with a large travel and very snappy switches that provide great responsiveness for both gamers and productivity users. It's not a mechanical keyboard, but it shouldn't hold back competitive gamers.

The touchpad has become larger compared to the Pavilion Gaming 16 and takes up most of the space on the palm rest. It has a pleasant surface to swipe, but I found the buttons a bit loose and they only vibrated a touch when pressed. It's nothing outrageous, and as a Microsoft Precision touchpad, it supports the full complement of Windows 11 multitouch gestures. Overall, I would rate the touchpad as competent, but nothing special.

There is no passwordless support for Windows 11 Hello and the display is not touch-enabled. So these are two missing features that would have been welcome but are often missing on midrange gaming laptops.

Battery life

The Victus 16 is a gaming laptop with relatively high-quality components and a 70-watt-hour battery. I wasn't expecting great battery life from the machine and I didn't get it.

In our web browsing test, which ran through a number of complex websites, the Victus 16 only lasted 4.5 hours – a terrible score. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro worked over seven hours, which is still not great, but it is far better than HP's, while the Asus ROG Strix G15 does even worse at just 3.8 hours.

In our video test going through a local 1080p movie trailer, the Victus 16 got 6.5 hours, another terrible score. The ROG Strix G15 lasted eight hours, and we didn't put the Legion 5 Pro through this test.

I also ran the PCMark 10 Applications battery test which got the Victus 16 up to just over five hours. We haven't tested any other gaming laptops with this benchmark, but most laptops get 10 hours or better. In the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, the Victus 16 lasted 92 minutes, which means that it also works without a power plug.

The Victus 16 is not intended to be a portable productivity machine, so these battery results are forgivable. Just keep in mind that you'll want to have your fairly large power adapter with you when you change gaming environments.

Our opinion

The HP Victus 16 is a legitimate competitor in the mid-range gaming market. It is well equipped and performs admirably. Its chassis is a bit too flexible, but not too big to take with you.

HP has found a nice balance with the Victus 16. And now the company has a real gaming brand under the Omen range that should be better off attracting gamers on less money.

Are there alternatives?

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is probably the best alternative to the Victus 16. It's about the same size, although its display is in the superior 16:10 aspect ratio and its gaming performance is similar. You will also be spending roughly the same amount of money.

You might also consider the AMD-equipped Asus ROG Strix G15 as an inexpensive alternative, and the ROG Zephyrus G15 offers a thinner chassis and higher specs for those looking to take their gaming one step further.

How long it will take?

Despite a loose hinge and an easily bendable lid and chassis, the Victus 16 should withstand years of hard gaming. The one year warranty remains as disappointing as ever.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. For the price, the HP Victus 16 is a competent gaming performer in a comfortable case.

Editor's recommendations



13 Nov
Blog

DJI Mavic 3 Review: A Return to Flagship Territory

dji mavic 3 hands on rating 17 out of 21

DJI Mavic 3

RRP $ 2,200.00

"This is the drone for the serious user who wants the best of the best in a portable package."

advantages

  • Versatile dual camera system

  • Flies incredibly smooth

  • Above average battery life

  • Excellent dynamic range

disadvantage

  • Expensive costs

  • Telephoto lens not good for low light

Never the one who sits still and lets the competition take a little of the limelight, DJI has set a wild pace in recent years. Since the release of the Mavic 2 series in 2018, the company has diversified its fabulous range of drones. Well, it's back to where it all started with a real successor in the DJI Mavic 3.

Instead of splitting it into two versions like its predecessor, the Mavic 3 combines everything in one package – complete with a Hasselblad dual camera system with a telephoto zoom lens. Seriously, it pretty much covers anything professional users could want. Knowing this, DJI is the only one that DJI competes with.

draft

Unsurprisingly, the Mavic 3 follows the same clean design language that has followed the company's range of products. Although, at 895 grams, it's technically bigger and heavier than that Mini 2 and Air 2S, the Mavic 3 still features the same foldable design DJI is known for, which makes it easy to travel. Throw it in a backpack with the controller and spare batteries, you still have room for all your other normal gear.

DJI Mavic 3 hovers in the air.John Velasco / Digital Trends

I highly recommend buying the Fly More Combo just because for the extra cost ($ 2,200 versus $ 3,000) you can get the replacement batteries, ND filters, charging station, and the most versatile drone bag I've ever seen. The sturdy fabric of the bag makes it feel sturdy, but I'm particularly amazed that it can be transformed from a shoulder bag into a backpack.

The design is not particularly innovative here. We've seen it countless times, but at least it's solidly built. There's a difference between its build quality and its entry-level drone in the Mini 2 – this one feels a lot thinner!

camera

The focus here is on the Hasselblad dual camera system that the Mavic 3 carries. Without question, it's what most folks serious about drones will pay attention to the most – and since it contains the largest sensor in the Mavic line, there are no surprises about its performance.

Close up of the camera on DJI Mavic 3.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Let me start with the main camera: a 20 megapixel 4/3 CMOS sensor that can record videos at 5.1K / 50fps, 4K / 120fps. When it comes to snapshots, they are accompanied by sharp detail and incredible dynamic range. The latter is worth describing in more detail because I'm impressed with how well it handles such contrasting light sources – it degrades highlights to compensate for the exposure of the rest of the scene. It is a joy to use for all types of aerial photography, ensuring that it is well equipped to handle it in all conditions.

The video quality of the Mavic 3 is just as impressive. Even if I don't use many of the Mavic 3's functions enough, there is a Pro mode to adjust video settings in the blink of an eye, and the option for 10-bit D-Log – perfect for everyone who who want to get the most out of the camera. Needless to say, the 5.1K video recording is handy for post-production, but I left it at 4K for the majority because it is less stressful on my computer.

When it comes to low light, this is still an area of ​​possibility in my opinion – just because shadows tend to have more noise, which becomes more noticeable if you decide to increase the exposure in post-processing. Videos in particular can still appear noisy in the shade, but their low-light performance is by and large significantly better than that of the Mini 2 and Air 2S.

The 162mm f / 4.4 aperture telephoto lens is useful if you know how to use it effectively. Technically, the drone switches to the secondary telephoto lens when it reaches the 7x zoom level – and I can tell the difference in real time because the image looks sharper on my phone. In addition, including the maximum 28x zoom, the quality will decrease as all of these zoom levels are nothing more than digital zooms.

It is a pleasure to use for all types of aerial photography.

I really love how I can get closer to a subject without actually having to control the drone to get closer. I can still be at a decent distance and get good shots. However, you will need some practice to keep the subject in the frame, as you will have to compensate for the zoom, which makes the controls more sensitive.

  • 1.
    DJI Mavic 3 1x zoom.
  • 2.
    DJI Mavic 3 7x zoom.
  • 3.
    DJI Mavic 3 28x hybrid zoom.

You should only use the telephoto lens when the lighting is good, just because it cannot be used in low light. In fact, I found that the Mavic 3 struggled to lock focus with the zoom lens when it was dark. Also, it doesn't help that the zoom lens quality can be riddled with noise – it just isn't meant for low light.

Controls

I've always enjoyed flying DJI's drones. The same smooth and responsive controls I've seen on previous DJI drones, the Mini 2 and Air 2S, can be seen here on the Mavic 3. The remote control is the same too, so I didn't have to spend time adjusting it. Part of the reason I enjoyed flying it is because of the new OS3 + technology which delivered a reliable 1080p feed to my phone at 60 frames per second here. I was really able to get a feel for how tightly the controls shift into sport mode, which allows you to push the Mavic 3 to its speed limits.

DJI Mavic 3 Fly More combo content.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The only hiccups I encountered while piloting the drone was when I was finishing a recording. Sometimes the feed froze for a brief moment, which was probably due to the microSD card I was using. So you should use one that can write to the card faster to avoid this particular problem.

Another reason the Mavic 3 is so comfortable to use is because of the omnidirectional obstacle sensors around the drone. The front, back, bottom and top of the drone are all covered so that first-time flyers or relatively young pilots can fly safely. These sensors help inform the drone if there is an obstacle in its flight path, such as a tree nearby.

Close-up of the omnidirectional sensors on the DJI Mavic 3.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The only thing missing from my tests was ActiveTrack 5.0, the system that would allow the Mavic 3 to fly autonomously while tracking a subject. Unfortunately, the firmware to enable this feature won't be available until January 2022 – along with other modes like MasterShots, Quickshots, and Panorama. Even so, I tested the Mavic 3's auto-tracking system by selecting a subject, either by selecting it on the screen or by drawing a frame around the subject on my phone. From there I was able to fly the drone while the camera remained fixed on the subject. It works fine of course, but I'm excited to see how the Mavic 3 will fly itself when ActiveTrack 5.0 is available.

battery

Sure, the Mavic 3's 47 mph top speed and 9.3 miles of transmission range should be applauded – mainly because I can fly the drone further than previous drones in the series. But the other notable thing is the 46 minute flight time. That's incredibly long compared to the Mini 2 and Air 2S, so I enjoyed flying the Mavic 3 without worrying about swapping out a new one frequently. However, in my tests, I found that the battery life got in the region of 35 minutes longer. That's still damn respectable in my book!

characteristics

Experienced pilots will eat up the drone's incredible camera performance and versatility to capture breathtaking content with its dual camera system. With this parallax effect, I was able to take gentle pans, but that was partly due to my experience. What is missing are the other recording modes that make DJI's drones easy to use, even for beginners who don't have a lot of flight time under their belt.

I can fly the drone further than previous drones in the series.

In particular, both MasterShots and Quickshots were inaccessible with the firmware I tested. However, having tried them both on the previous DJI Air 2S, I'm confident that they will work flawlessly on the Mavic 3. This is one of the Mavic 3's many attractions as it appeals to beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals alike.

DJI Mavic 3 hovers in the air.John Velasco / Digital Trends

I'm not saying the DJI Mavic 3 should be the drone you should buy when you're just starting out, but if you can afford it, there are tons of features to use to get you started. Instead, it is the pro user who is really going to get the most out of the Mavic 3 for commercial purposes.

Our opinion

DJI didn't take a moment to breathe. So when you think about what has happened in the past 3 years, it's incredible that the company continues to push the limits with its drones. After tackling the entry-level and mid-range market with its final drones, the DJI Mavic 3 screams out onto the stage to set the bar in the series. In fact, it's the one out there for those who are serious about their drone photography and cinematography – but I wouldn't go far to say it's the best drone out there.

In particular, the $ 2,200 startup cost is a significant investment for the average consumer. You can buy four DJI Mini 2 drones for the price of just one Mavic 3. Knowing this, it can be argued that many of its features are exaggerated if not used frequently. To reiterate, the Mavic 3 is for the serious user.

Is there a better alternative?

Fortunately, DJI has a few drones that are worth a look. The DJI Air 2S is a drone that bridges the gap between beginners and professionals, and it's only half the price of the Mavic 3. Alternatively, I can't overstate the appeal of the DJI Mini 2 as the perfect entry-level drone.

How long it will take?

Since it is largely considered the flagship drone in the DJI range, the Mavic 3 is solidly made from sturdy materials. Everything about its build quality and construction gives me confidence that it will work really well in the long run. There's a one-year limited warranty that covers defects, but you can purchase extended warranties through DJI that also covers damage.

Should you buy it?

You bet! If you want the best quality footage in a portable drone, you won't find anything better than the Mavic 3.

Editor's recommendations



13 Nov
Blog

Google Pixel 6 Review: Don’t Overlook the Cheaper Pixel

Back of the Pixel 6.

Google Pixel 6

RRP $ 599.00

"The Pixel 6 may be thinner and cheaper than the Pixel 6 Pro, but the software, performance, and even the screen and camera come close enough to make it still alluring."

advantages

  • Great camera

  • Screen is colorful and vibrant

  • Latest Android 12 software

  • Years of software updates

disadvantage

  • Flakey connectivity

  • Quick charger not included

The Pixel 6 Pro is Google's big hitter in its new line of smartphones for 2021, but the Pixel 6's lower price tag – $ 599 instead of $ 899 – makes it a lot more enticing to most people. But now that we know how good the Pixel 6 Pro, which was recognized by Digital Trends' Editors ’Choice, does the cheaper version still make sense given the hardware tradeoffs?

draft

If you just take a cursory look, the Pixel 6 doesn't differ much from the Pixel 6 Pro, especially when both are face down. Take a closer look and it's obvious what it is as the Pixel 6 has a smaller body section above the camera module compared to the 6 Pro. If the light is right, you'll see that the Pixel 6's camera module doesn't contain a periscope zoom camera either.

Back of the Pixel 6.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Pick up the Pixel 6 and the flat-screen design gives it a more "classic" feel in the hand, and it actually gives it a better grip than the curvy Pixel 6 Pro. I didn't have to juggle the Pixel 6 as much as I did the Pixel 6 Pro, and I generally felt that it was less likely to accidentally drop it. However, the Pixel 6 is made of glass and metal, which makes it still slide on many surfaces. At 8.9 mm thick and 207 grams, it's also quite substantial.

In fact, it's barely smaller than the Pixel 6 Pro – just flatter – and that creates a minor problem. While the Pixel 5 was compact by modern standards, no Pixel 6 phones are slim you. It's the Pixel 5a (if you are in the US or Japan) or opt for a different brand.

Pixel 6 from the side.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The color of the phone in my photos is called Seafoam and the mint tone is really very pretty. I've been using the phone for a few weeks now and it has spent time in and out of pockets and bags but hasn't been treated too badly. I noticed a few superficial scratches on the back of the Gorilla Glass 6, which can be felt with the fingertip, but which are only visible when the light falls properly. Oddly enough, the Pixel 6 Pro didn't collect these markings, despite being made of the same materials.

Pixel 6 Pro (left) and Pixel 6 (right).

Pixel 6 Pro (left), Pixel 6 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Pixel 6 Pro (left) and Pixel 6 (right).

Pixel 6 Pro (left), Pixel 6 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Aperture comparison of Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

Pixel 6 Pro (below), Pixel 6 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I would have liked the Pixel 6 to be smaller to really be a clearer choice over the Pixel 6 Pro, but otherwise the design is a winner. It's got character and visual appeal, the body-wide camera module looks cool and the colors are inspired, silly names aside. This time around, it's a very different and welcome approach compared to Google's drab designs on previous Pixels.

screen

The other crucial design aspect of the Pixel 6 is its screen, which is flat compared to the curved Pixel 6 Pro. It measures 6.4 inches and has an aspect ratio of 20: 9 and a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 90 Hz. It supports HDR and has an always-on screen. This is a lower spec than the 6 Pro, but in reality the two aren't that different.

Pixel 6 screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Interestingly, before we dive into that, it doesn't seem to suffer from the same issues that I encountered with the Pixel 6 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling is smoother in the apps, which was problematic on the Pixel 6 Pro at 120 Hz, although perhaps not as smoothly as on other phones. It still doesn't feel quite right, but it is significantly better than the Pixel 6 Pro.

The refresh rate issues were the only flaw against the Pixel 6 Pro's screen, which is otherwise glorious. So can the Pixel 6's lower screen keep up? Due to the lower resolution, it is of course not that razor-sharp, but you have to look for the difference. Watching videos reveals that it's a tiny bit cooler than the deliciously natural and warm Pixel 6 Pro screen, but it takes a few minutes of careful study to see the difference.

Video on the Pixel 6.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The screen is really nice and a highlight of the Pixel 6, but it's not flawless. It disappoints with the bezels and overall flatness. There will be those who don't mind the flat screen, but to me (along with the 20: 9 aspect ratio) it looks cheap and aged, and the bezels are quite large, especially on the chin. The automatic brightness can be dull, and the overall brightness is not that high either. I can still see it in sunlight (well, most pathetic sunlight in the UK) but it requires maximum brightness which makes me question its ability when I go to a place with real sun.

Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The in-display fingerprint sensor is more reliable and slightly more accurate than that of the Pixel 6 Pro. I didn't have to re-enroll my fingerprint to make it work more consistently, and I was also able to use the PIN less. Google says that improved security measures make using the sensor slower than some others, but I've had different experiences on both phones so I'm not sure if this is really the case. For me, the Pixel 6's fingerprint sensor is better to use and live with every day than the Pixel 6 Pro's.

camera

If you want the best camera from Google, you have to buy the Pixel 6 Pro, but the Pixel 6 still has the same main camera with 50 megapixels, f / 1.85 aperture and 12 MP wide-angle camera with a 114-degree field of view. It does not have a 48 MP telephoto zoom camera. The selfie camera is also different, with the Pixel 6 getting by with an 8MP camera with fixed focus in the hole punch.

Pixel 6 camera module.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

With the same main camera, you'd expect the photos to be the same between the two phones, but there are some unexpected differences. No better or worse, just a slight change in shade and balance – and not always. In all of my comparisons, however, it was the Pixel 6 Pro that took the better photos, suggesting that there is more to it than just changes in light, angle, or surroundings. Check out the gallery below to see what I mean.

However, there is nothing to worry about as the main camera on the Pixel 6 is superb. You can find more details on this and the wide-angle camera in our Pixel 6 Pro review. The Pixel 6 has the same Action Pan and Long Exposure camera modes as the Pixel 6 Pro, and you can use Magic Eraser in Google Photos too. The lower price means a telecamera is not included; Instead, Google offers up to 7x digital zoom. It's decent for a digital zoom, but the 6 Pro's optical telephoto camera is of better quality, which makes it more versatile.

How about the selfie camera? Despite the technical differences between them, both the 6 and 6 Pro take decent and fairly similar-looking selfies, with the Pixel 6 producing slightly warmer skin tones and higher contrast in general, but both offering a similar level of detail. I prefer the lighter image and wider field of view of the Pixel 6 Pro, but there's little in the Pixel 6's selfie that couldn't be fixed with a filter. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro's Real Tone feature enhances the way photos of people with darker skin are exposed and balanced, something no other phone camera can claim.

Yes, the Pixel 6 Pro is the smartphone you should buy if you're really into photography, but if you're just looking for a capable camera for everyday snapshots, the Pixel 6 will be more than enough. What is impressive is how precisely and effortlessly great photos are captured that are seldom disappointing, regardless of the situation or time of day. I also compared the Pixel 6 Pro's camera to the Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, so check out how good the camera is.

software

The Pixel 6 has Android 12 and is as up-to-date as Android phones. I speak at length about the software experience in the Pixel 6 Pro review, and I suggest that you look there for insights into the wonderful material you are designing. What I'm going to add here is how much I like the always-on screen, which is very helpful in showing a big clock and notification details, as well as the overall speed of the software.

It's very fast throughout, but it's the bigger buttons, clearer menus, and Google Assistant integration that help you hone your workflow. I even got used to telling Assistant to turn off the phone instead of messing around with the repurposed power button. There are a couple of keyboard shortcuts that speed things up, including a double press of the power button to wake up the camera from the lock screen and Quick Tap where a tap on the back can activate a selected feature. I've used it to bring up Google Assistant accurately and conveniently.

Also of particular note is the Google Assistant Typing, which lets you speak pretty much any message out loud anywhere in the operating system and the phone understands it. You can even send messages with your voice, which is completely hands-free. It's very accurate and very fast, which makes it useful every day.

The Pixel 6 has Android 12 and is as up-to-date as Android phones.

Any Problems? The setup process took a couple of tries to get right, a very unusual process, and when I finally got to Android 12, the performance wasn't entirely right for the first day or so. There were stutters and some errors when opening the app, but everything soon cleared up and I haven't had any problems since then. However, I am also aware that I may have been lucky with my general lack of issues with the Pixel 6. I've received emails and heard anecdotal pointers from people about bugs and other issues that make the Pixel experience less sophisticated than it seems appropriate. This inconsistency is worrying but difficult to quantify, although I seem to have heard more about Pixel 6 software bugs than any other recent version of the phone.

Performance and connectivity

The Pixel 6 contains Google's Tensor processor, plus 8 GB or RAM, which is less than the 12 GB in the Pixel 6 Pro. In everyday use, I didn't notice any difference in speed or when switching between apps, as I got directly from the Pixel 6 Pro to the Pixel 6 even after an hour of playtime.

Asphalt 9 on the Pixel 6.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Much more frustrating is that my phone is plagued with connectivity issues. It's the same issues I had with the Pixel 6 Pro where it doesn't seem to switch between Wi-Fi, 4G, or 5G very effectively. A signal is displayed but the data connection is not working and often even a reboot won't fix it. It's frustrating, and while it seems to get better on its own, I wanted to toss it across the room if it wasn't working.

I use the UK version of the Pixel 6 that connects to a sub-6 5G network, but a version with a mmWave 5G connection is also available in the US. A 5G connection is a necessary addition to a phone as it increases its lifespan, but since coverage is still sparse, you are unlikely to benefit from it every day.

battery

Google says it can expect the 4614 mAh battery in the Pixel 6 to be "beyond 24 hours," and that's about right. If I use the phone normally – emails, messages, calls, photos, and social networks – mostly over WiFi with a little 4G and turn it off overnight, it easily lasts for two full days. I regularly ended the day with about 60% battery remaining after about three hours of screen time.

Charging the Pixel 6.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Pixel 6 is equipped with wireless charging according to the Qi standard and a 30 watt fast charging option. The charger included in the box doesn't support the fastest charging speeds, so you'll need to buy a 30W USB PD 3.0 charger to get it and even then it falls short of the competition. This is an unfortunate omission as most other manufacturers include wired fast charging for midrange devices as well. WarpCharge from OnePlus, for example, is part of the Nord 2.

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 6 is Now availableeven if it can get tight. It costs $ 599 in the US or £ 599 in the UK.

Our opinion

If the Pixel 6 had been the same overall size as the Pixel 5, it would have impressed me even more than it was. Since it doesn't, all of the design changes (a flat panel display and fewer curves) emphasize that this is just the cheaper, lower-tier version of a better phone. It's not a phone that suits someone with different preferences, just one that appeals to a different wallet. That's okay, but it's also a wasted opportunity. Otherwise, if you want a smaller Google phone, you have the Pixel 5a, but again only in the US and Japan.

If you buy the cheaper Pixel 6 instead of the Pixel 6 Pro, you are actually missing out on the better camera. Otherwise, I've found that the software and performance are essentially the same, issues and everything. The battery life is decent at up to two days, plus it has all the durability and software updates you need for a permanent purchase. The screen may have different specs, but most of the time you won't notice the difference in resolution or refresh rate. Fortunately and perhaps bizarre, the fingerprint sensor somehow manages to be better than that of the 6 Pro.

The Pixel 6 Pro's higher price tag is reflected in its camera, design, and really nice screen. If both of these are within your budget and you're unsure which one to buy, we always recommend the Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6 doesn't lag that far if you're not serious about the camera, however, and at $ 599, it's great value for money. It's a shame that it's not much more compact than its more expensive brother.

Is there a better alternative?

For roughly the same price as the Google Pixel 6, you can choose the Samsung Galaxy S21, the OnePlus 9, or the Galaxy A52 5G. All of them have important advantages, including a high refresh rate screen, quick security methods, quick charging, and good cameras. All three phones are good value for money, even the Galaxy S21, which is available at a lower price than when it launched, but none can rival the Pixel 6's camera.

If you're in the UK, consider the OnePlus Nord 2 if you're looking to spend a little less, and take a look at the Realme GT too. Both have a great design, and the Nord 2 has a fast charge function, while the Realme GT has the top processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.

How long it will take?

Aside from the standard one-year warranty, Google's software commitment means the Pixel 6 will receive critical Android updates through October 2024 and security updates through October 2026. This means that if you buy the Pixel 6 (or Pixel 6 Pro) you will get updates longer than any other currently available Android smartphone.

The phone is IP68 waterproof, Gorilla Glass Victus above the screen and Gorilla Glass 6 on the back. The chassis is made of metal. Despite the overall sturdiness these features offer, we recommend a case as the phone is quite slippery and has already suffered minor scratches on the back. If you buy the Pixel 6, you shouldn't have to think about upgrading for the next three years.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Unless you prioritize the camera or a curved screen, the Pixel 6 does almost everything the Pixel 6 Pro does for less.

Editor's recommendations



13 Nov
Blog

Call Of Duty: Vanguard Review: Innovating Backwards

Soldiers walking in Call of Duty: Vanguard promo.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

RRP $ 59.99

"While it adds some interesting new features to the Call of Duty formula, Vanguard's mixed changes make it an entry to remember."

advantages

  • Guns feel wonderful

  • Classic, fast-paced multiplayer

  • Destructible environments add depth

disadvantage

  • Forgotten campaign

  • The new zombies formula isn't that fun

  • Unbalanced weapons in multiplayer

  • A cheat's paradise

I fell in love with Call of Duty again two years ago when the series' Modern Warfare storyline restarted. The game contained many of the good parts of the classic Call of Duty experience while adding some fun new parts at the same time. The tactical sprint was a joy, new options for varied gameplay with equipment and new weapons (including a lever rifle that I spent way too much time improving with) were a joy. Call of Duty: Vanguard seemed to mimic a lot of this before its release, using the same engine as Modern Warfare, and mimicking the more realistic feel.

However, Vanguard is all show and very little substance. It bends off some features and claims they are new if it's really just one of them. Outside of multiplayer, both Vanguard's campaign and zombie modes try to reinvent their classic interpretations, though both fail in those attempts. After spending around 15 hours playing the game so far, I'm happy to put my controller down and leave Vanguard for good.

Characters have no character

I have some expectations when diving into a Call of Duty game as I've been a gamer for years. I expect a straightforward campaign that lets actions speak louder than words and a zombie mode where I can turn my brain off completely and enjoy the carnage with a few friends. Vanguard tries to mix up both experiences with some pretty radical changes, though the result is that both changes left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Call of Duty: Vanguard's campaign brings the franchise back to World War II one more time. Instead of viewing the war through the lens of the fighters of a particular faction, the players are introduced to the Vanguards, a select group of highly qualified specialists from the allied nations. Everyone has their own backstory, methodology, and even special skills. Each is also painfully uninteresting, along with the rest of the campaign.

Very few of Vanguard's combative encounters get the blood pumping like previous entries in the franchise.

Vanguard puts his characters at the center of the story, not their battle. It's a big twist on a Call of Duty title that would work better if the game actually managed to get me interested in one of the Vanguards. Instead, the group presents itself as a motley team of stereotypes. The Australian was in and out of jail and ignores orders, the American is a lone fighter, the Russian is vendetta-happy and the team is led by a rational British. These descriptions are the beginning and the end of the depth of the characters that players slip into. They're typical Call of Duty characters – superficial and uninspired – yet they're in the spotlight nonetheless.

The action set pieces that usually get all the attention in a Call of Duty title are also a little disappointing. Most of Vanguard's missions follow the formula of having the player sneak before engaging them in a firefight. However, very few of Vanguard's combat-heavy encounters get the blood pumping like previous entries in the franchise.

Call of Duty: Vanguard - crawl through a jungle

Establishing tradition

If Vanguard manages to bring the intensity, it does so with weighty weapons and fantastic sound design. Each weapon in Vanguard has its own sound profile that is fascinating to listen to. I can still hear the somewhat hollow, tinny sound that an MP40 makes when it is reloading. Firing guns is a simple joy in Vanguard, and the fact that they can blow away cover (or even body parts) only gives this power that power.

Each character's skills don't add much to the power trip that players should be feeling. They are all extremely simple: highlighting enemies, commanding teammates, making players hold onto different types of explosives, etc. These skills set any character apart during the game, but they made little difference in the end.

Each weapon in Vanguard has its own sound profile that is fascinating to listen to.

Vanguard's campaign turns everything players should expect from the single-player Call of Duty experience on its head. It lacks those massive action-packed moments, instead it tells its story through character-oriented cutscenes. The same quick change of direction also applies to the game's Zombie mode, which now features a slew of characters who shout commands at players as they complete objectives. Killing zombies is not a pointless action in Vanguard, but a goal-based mode in which the next steps the player must carefully consider.

Zombies run in Call of Duty: Vanguard.

The game's lone map, The Beginning, places players in a hub area and leads them to portals that lead to zones where players must complete objectives. Some objectives are as simple as killing zombies and surviving, while others challenge players to collect drops from zombies and take them to a giant obelisk. While it's fun to revisit old zombie maps like Shi No Numa from Call of Duty: World at War and have instant access to the Pack-A-Punch machine in the hub, Vanguard's Zombie Mode felt like it was through its goals and made me wish it were more directional like its previous iterations.

The sign is missing

A Call of Duty game is characterized by its multiplayer mode, in which almost all players spend a large part of their time. And while I can testify that Vanguard's multiplayer is better than the other two game modes, this isn't exactly a high quality bar. The multiplayer in Vanguard offers satisfactory gunplay overall, but suffers from far too many balancing issues that punish players who are unwilling to grind up the game for a weekend.

When you step into Call of Duty: Vanguard's multiplayer, you get a basic set of weapons and perks. But what the game doesn't tell you is that these weapons and perks are some of the worst around. Low level players are constantly being outdone by high level players who have access to the game's better weapons and weapon accessories. The game's STG-44, its starting assault rifle, for example, is incredibly difficult to control with its starting attachments when shooting. But higher-level players who have leveled up the weapon can turn it into a laser beam that knocks down players in no time.

Vanguard's multiplayer also encounters some classic first-person shooter multiplayer problems. On some of the smaller, more chaotic maps in the game, it's not uncommon to spawn in front of an enemy and give them a quick, free kill. This problem isn't uncommon enough as not to jeopardize the outcome of a game at times or to give opponents easy access to their killstreaks, some of which are problematic in themselves. Some of Vanguard's killstreaks drop bombs on the map, and while they won't always harm you, they are guaranteed to send a cloud of smoke into the player's face. It's a disorienting effect that easily made me lose shootings and generally feeling unfair.

Call of Duty Vanguard's multiplayer mode.

Vanguard's biggest problem, aside from weird spawns and balancing issues, it shares with Call of Duty: Warzone. During my time with the game, I have played a handful of games where it was clear that a player was cheating. Killcams showed them locking onto players, sometimes through walls, before mowing them down with extremely precise fire. Cheaters will eventually make their way into any game, but given the competitive nature of some of Vanguard's game modes, such as Search and Destroy, encountering cheaters can be a game-breaking experience.

During my time with the game, I have played a handful of games where it was clear that a player was cheating.

But when everything is going right in a Vanguard game, when things don't feel too unbalanced and there are no cheaters around, the game's innovations shine. Adding destructible environments to the game brings a new level of depth as entire chunks of cover are eventually blown away, transforming the cards. Being able to burst through walls is just a tough move, like something ripped straight out of a '90s action movie. It is unfortunate that these features are overshadowed by Vanguard's more prominent issues.

Our opinion

Vanguard does what every entry in the Call of Duty franchise tries to do. It is supposed to develop the fast-paced action of the series and in some places turn entire game modes upside down. But Call of Duty: Vanguard is an example of innovation in the wrong direction. It emphasizes the wrong parts of a Call of Duty campaign and zombie mode, making them the worst versions of themselves. The only redeeming factor in the game is the multiplayer, which keeps the good ol 'run-and-gun playstyle the the players should expect. However, it is bogged down with its own problems, ranging from cheaters to potentially game-destroying spawns. These issues can be fixed, however, and once they are fixed, Vanguard could be left as an overall decent entry into the franchise for multiplayer aficionados.

Anyway, I'll be playing Modern Warfare for at least another year from 2019.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're looking for a new multiplayer FPS, Battlefield 2042 is easy to recommend.

How long does it take?

The Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign goes by quickly and lasts a little over six hours. Anyone looking to unlock everything in the game's multiplayer should be able to chat with the game until another Call of Duty title comes out next year.

Should you buy it?

Call of Duty: Vanguard doesn't hit Modern Warfare's 2019 quality mark, which is holding up well to this day. If you are in dire need of new Call of Duty content, feel free to purchase the game, but if you are happy with the game in the franchise you are playing, hang on and forego this one.

Call of Duty: Vanguard publisher Activision-Blizzard is currently facing legal proceedings over the company's alleged history of toxic behavior in the workplace. If this could influence your purchase decision, we recommend that you read up on the situation.

Editor's recommendations



13 Nov
Blog

Technics EAH-AZ60 Review: Shockingly Good Sound And Silence

Technology EAH-AZ60.

Technics EAH-AZ60 in the test: Terrifyingly good sound and silence

RRP $ 230.00

"With fantastic sound and noise canceling, the AZ60 are among the best headphones you can buy."

advantages

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Excellent noise cancellation

  • Hi-Res audio support

  • Hands-free Alexa

  • Bluetooth multipoint

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • No in-ear sensors

We were pretty impressed with the Technics EAH-AZ70 noise canceling True Wireless earbuds. They sounded great and had great noise cancellation. But at $ 250 they were expensive. And a bit bulky. So if Technics could address this problem and maybe even add some extra functionality, that would make the AZ70 even more attractive. Apparently, Technics said "challenge accepted" because its latest project, the $ 230 EAH-AZ60, does just that. How much better are the new earbuds? Let's check them out.

Still challenging, but now slimmer

Technology EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The first thing that strikes you about the AZ60 is how much smaller it is than the AZ70. I'm not sure how this is possible as they still weigh the same (7 grams per earbud) but have better battery life and one more microphone per earbud (eight total). Definitely well done Technics. They no longer stick out of your ears, and when you sit them side by side with other earbuds in the $ 200-300 range like Sony's WF-1000XM4 or Jabra's Elite 85t, the AZ60s are actually a bit smaller.

The charging case is also much smaller. No AirPods Pro small, but very slim and very practical. What hasn't changed is the styling. Whether you get the black or silver version, the AZ60 has a sleek design with polished and brushed accents that look very high quality – the perfect antidote to Apple's ubiquitous white plastic buds. With IPX4 protection, they even turn your daily training into an upscale event.

Smaller buds = comfortable fit

Man wears Technics EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It might seem obvious, but smaller earbuds generally offer a more comfortable fit. But not always. Sometimes a strange shape can cause pressure, and sometimes the box doesn't contain enough eartip sizes for your particular ear shape. Fortunately, the AZ60 doesn't suffer from either of these problems.

Their rounded contours completely fill the conchas of my ears, but do so without any discomfort. And with seven sizes of silicone earbuds to choose from, most people should be able to find something that works for them. After several hours of use, my ears definitely needed a break, but I was never bothered by these buds.

It can be that quiet

Technology EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

We found that the AZ70 has excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and the AZ60 is just as impressive. The current gold standard is the Bose QuietComfort earbuds, but the AZ60 are so good that I can hardly tell the difference between the two products. This applies to both consistent, booming noises like the bathroom fan standing two and a half meters from my desk at home, as well as inconsistent noises like traffic or conversations. They say silence is golden. Well, if silence is what you're looking for, the AZ60s are gold and more.

These earbuds also have a transparency mode and you can easily switch between it and ANC with a long press on the right earbud. It's not quite as magically clear as the AirPods Pro, but it lets in a lot of sound – more than enough for heightened situational awareness. There's also a setting in the Technics Audio Connect app that can set the transparency mode to only enhance voices to make it easier to chat with others.

Sweet sound

Technology EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The AZ60 retains Technics' energetic sound signature with incredible clarity in the mids and highs. It's the kind of precision with which you can hear details in your favorite tracks that smaller earbuds or headphones usually obscure. In the opening bars of Sia's Saved My Life, which include notes played on a piano, you can actually hear the sound of the damper pads rising and falling on the piano strings. If you hear Sweet Jane the Cowboy Junkies from their Trinity Session album, you can hear the faint echo of the drums from the recording room. This precision creates excellent stereo imaging and a soundstage that invites you to reach out and touch the instruments.

The bass response is tightly controlled – always there when you need it, but never overwhelming. It's a bit too controlled for my taste, but purists looking for a balanced or neutral sound would likely disagree. The Audio Connect app gives you several options for changing the EQ with four presets and one that you can adjust via a five-band slider. For me, the unadulterated factory tuning was the most satisfying. The Dynamic preset adds a generous amount of emphasis to the entire spectrum, but it boils over the high frequencies, making cymbals and other sibilants too sharp.

It's also worth noting that the AZ60 is one of the few wireless earbuds you can buy that support Sony's LDAC bluetooth codec, which in theory should enable Hi-Res wireless audio if you can with an LDAC enabled Pair your phone (currently Android models only). as Apple does not support LDAC). As a test, I swapped back and forth between an iPhone 11 (AAC codec) and a Pixel 5 (LDAC) with various lossless audio tracks from Tidal HiFi. There is indeed a difference, but it is incredibly subtle. LDAC creates a smoother sound signature that attenuates some of the higher frequencies. There's a little more detail too, but you have to be very careful to hear it.

But whether you use LDAC or not, the AZ60 delivers incredible sound quality. In head-to-head comparisons with Sony's $ 280 WF-1000XM4, Master & Dynamic's $ 299 MW08, KEF's $ 230 Mu3, and Grado's $ 259 GT220 – all top notch audio performers – the AZ60 can hold its own, which makes it an exceptional value considering its price and other features.

Double dip devices

The AZ60 lacks Google Fast Pair or Apple's one-tap pairing, but that's no big deal. The first time you pull the buds out of their case, they'll go into pairing mode and from there you just select them from your device's bluetooth menu. Once paired, the connection is reliably strong and consistent. I found myself up to 15 meters from my phone outdoors, but sometimes only 6 meters when walking between floors.

But what I really like about the AZ60 is its ability to make multi-point Bluetooth connections – a rarity among true wireless earbuds. In this way you can connect the headphones to your phone and, for example, your PC at the same time. You can stream music from your computer and when your phone rings just stop the music and take the call – the AZ60 switch seamlessly, with just a split second in the audio. If you're multitasking between devices (and who doesn't these days?) This is a super handy feature.

Delete calls

Speaking of taking calls, the AZ60 is very suitable for making calls. However, note the settings in the Audio Connect app. It offers an option to increase background noise reduction, and I have found that doing so can significantly reduce the clarity of your voice under certain circumstances – which is the opposite of the intended effect. Using the regular settings is probably all you need.

The earbuds are equipped with what Technics calls "JustMyVoice" – a fourth microphone used to detect speech – which the company claims can isolate and amplify words and minimize ambient noise. It seems to work, but I'd argue that Jabra's Elite 7 Pro is still better for calling in noisy environments.

A little help, Alexa?

Screenshot of the Technics Audio Connect app.The AZ60 lets you activate your phone's built-in voice assistant, but if you're an Amazon Alexa fan, you can use Amazon's AI. instead of this. The advantage of this is hands-free access to the wake-up word – just say "Alexa, …" followed by any of the usual commands you might need, including phone functions like volume ("Alexa, volume, 50%") or playback (" Alexa, (Play / Pause) "). While this is slowly becoming a more common feature, we've only seen it on a handful of earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM4, JBL Tour Pro +, and of course Amazon's Echo Buds.

Total control

While I'm not a huge fan of touch controls, Technics did a really good job with the AZ60's touch sensors. They are responsive, easy to type precisely, and offer a small tone for every successful tap. The Audio Connect app allows you to tweak any gesture to perform any of the available activities (play / pause, skip tracks, volume up / down, ANC / transparency, voice assistant, answer / end call and microphone mute). I've only seen this level of customization on the Jabra Elite series and it's a fantastic integration from Technics. Technics also offers a Find My Earbuds option that tracks the last known whereabouts of your buds and lets you turn on a chime so you can find them.

The only thing missing are in-ear sensors that automatically pause / resume music playback when you remove or reinsert the earbuds.

Sufficient power

Technics EAH-AZ60 charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The only thing that is average about the AZ60 is the battery life. You get roughly seven hours per charge (give or take 30 minutes if you use ANC or not) and the charging case can extend that to 24-25 hours of total playtime. This is neither extraordinary nor unacceptable – most people will find it perfectly adequate for a full day.

There's a quick charge option, but it's not particularly noteworthy: 15 minutes will give you 70 or 80 minutes of extra usage.

As with any earbuds or headphones that enable the LDAC codec, using this feature will drain the battery much faster, so a single charge of the earbuds will reduce the life of the earbuds to 4.5 hours of use if you also turn on ANC.

This brings us to the only other feature that Technics has omitted: wireless charging for the case.

Our opinion

Great sound, impressive ANC, comfortable and secure fit, high-resolution LDAC support and tons of features – all at a price that beats most of the competition. Yes, we are big fans of the Technology EAH-AZ60 and we think you will be too.

Is there a better alternative?

There are only two other products to consider before purchasing the Technics EAH-AZ60:

$ 280 Sony WF-1000XM4: This is the upgrade selection. It has everything the AZ60 can do, plus wireless charging, Alexa or Google Assistant of your choice, and in-ear sensors that automatically pause music when you speak or when you remove an earbud. But the earbuds are bigger and less comfortable, especially for people with smaller ears.

$ 200 Jabra Elite 7 Pro: These earbuds don't have the exceptional sound quality of the AZ60 (although, in fairness, they still sound really good) or the Alexa speakerphone, but they cost less, are smaller, and more convenient, plus they're completely waterproof, and have on-ear sensors and wireless charging.

How long will they last?

This question is always difficult to answer, but with an IPX4 rating and what appears to be a very good build quality, they should last for many years. Panasonic backs Technics' true wireless earbuds with a one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. They're one of the best sets of true wireless earbuds we've ever tested.

Editor's recommendations



«‹1415161718›»