10 Nov
Blog

Front Squats: not just a weightlifting exercise

Yes you read it right! Front crouch is more than just a weightlifting exercise, it is an exercise that is very widely used in weightlifting training, but unfortunately it is not used too much other than the weightlifters. But that is now changing. Well, that's because the front-loaded nature of the exercises requires a higher level of technical competence within the athlete. And because of that, it enables better movement and a more balanced athlete in the end. And if an athlete is struggling with the back squats, some of the issues can be resolved pretty quickly by adding more front squats to their program. What are the reasons? You are welcome:

  • Forces the athlete into a more upright position and recruits the muscles of the core
  • Allows for greater depth, which increases the function and strength of the joints of the lower body
  • Requires more flexibility and control over shoulders, arms and wrists
  • Does not overload the body and thus ensures a better balance when increasing strength

How do I do front squats?

The To install

  1. Start with the bar, which is in a crouched position and level with your mid-chest.
  2. With your hands, hold the bar wider than shoulder width apart. Bring yourself close to the bar and lower yourself into a 1/4 squat so the bar is level and touching your chest at the top and front of your shoulders.
  3. Without letting go of the bar, pull your elbows out and raise them as high as you can.
  4. Try to keep your elbows as high as possible throughout the squat – this will keep your body upright and the bar securely in the crook of your hand and against your chest and shoulders.
  5. Approach to pull the bar out of the frame.

How it goes

  1. Take a step back. Position your feet shoulder-width apart, with your toes pointing slightly diagonally from each other.
  2. Get ready, take a deep breath, keep your torso rigid, and bend your legs to lower yourself into a crouch. Keep your knees wide apart and your heels down.
  3. Lower until your legs are parallel to the floor, then slowly stand up to your original position.

Yes, this is the correct form to maintain while squatting. In case you're having trouble maintaining it, below are some tips and steps on how to do it.

The perfect shape of the front squat:

As mentioned earlier, below are some steps and tips to keep in mind as you attempt to properly pull a front squat.

The bar

It means that your goal is to raise the bar as close to your back as possible. And the higher the bar rests on your shoulders, the better it is to lay the foundation for an efficient mechanic. You should feel the bar literally resting on your shoulders and physically pressing against your neck. The second the bar slips off your neck and shoulders, you'll be pulled forward, making the squat far more difficult. This can be uncomfortable. So be sure to practice with an empty bar to adjust to the sensation. Of course, there's never fun shedding a crazy heavyweight and wishing you were suffocated. However, it is necessary.

The poor

Something incredibly common about this exercise where people forget to interact with their torso before lifting while doing a front squat. Squatting works your legs, but your whole body needs to get the most of it. This is especially true of the front squat. When softening your torso, the bar pulls you forward and you are not squatting with very efficient mechanics. To avoid this, take a deep breath, straighten your chest, tense your shoulders, and raise your elbows up. These tensions will stir up all of the muscles in your torso and along your midline, keeping your entire body involved throughout the lift.

Your account balance

It is common for you to back your butt into a squat as it forces athletes to recruit their glutes as this is the main cause of oversized exercise. The difficulty with this front squat hint, however, is that the second you pull your bum back, you allow your torso to lean forward and the bar pulls you forward, which creates the problem that the two primary points are generally have. The goal is to stay upright while simply falling straight down to perform that front squat. But you're wrong here. So don't push your bum back like hell, don't push your knees forward. Just break the crease of your hips and knees at the same time and let your bum fall straight to the floor. This enables a more active body during the entire lift. Push your bum back while squatting and keep yourself busy throughout the workout.

Your bum is the key

This is something you see all the time in weightlifters, and something quite challenging when you don't. But once you learn, this is a fantastic tool that will allow you to use your energy to do hip extension. The idea is that you crouch aggressively at the very bottom and then stand up with an intensity equivalent to a vertical jump. Although this can cause the body to loosen up on the floor and the hell out of the athletes losing tension trying to get out of the most challenging position of the squat. Stay in suspense! However, if you hold the tension and then bounce back like a superman from that lower position, you may be on the verge of jumping over a tall building in a single jump

Complete the train

Just don't try to release the tension until you have completed the elevator. Reason? Well, people tend to relax their upper body in a split second before fully expanding. Or worse, they start to break the bar after their final repetition. Stop rushing and release the tension! Stand in the loop, stand tension for a second, and choose to either take a breath and do your next rep, or control the bar again.

Front squats versus back squats

Both back and front squats are useful. However, taking a look at your skills and goals can help you decide which exercise to include in your workout.

To perform a front squat efficiently and safely, you need good range of motion in your upper back, shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles.

On the other hand, a squat doesn't require a lot of agility. Therefore, it's easier to start here and pay attention to your shape and strength building.

Although it would be a whole new story, one or maybe both movements in the back and front squats will make you feel comfortable. Before doing this, make sure your goals are listed. Since both vary, the squat effects vary, and so do their requirements. Here are some suggestions in case you have a hard time making up your mind.

  • Squats can help you gain weight faster while promoting strength and strength.
  • While front squats also increase strength and strength – albeit not as quickly – they're a great exercise for developing the quads.
  • If aesthetics is your goal, your focus should be on the front squats.

However, if you want to harness strength, power, and aesthetic benefits, include both the back and front squats in your routine.

A word of warning

Before diving into any of the workouts, fronts squats and back squats, you should consult an expert. This may be because these two workouts are exactly what you have been looking for and delve into them with no prior precautions and requirements. Such as having a thorough knowledge of your own strength, weakness and shape when performing squats. Speaking of which, if you break your form on the squats, you will regret it for the rest of your knees and pay for it with your knees and maybe even your shoulders. So, if you've tried cheating on this bargain, you'll be sorry that the price tag is just too high for a simple mistake. So don't give it a try without being rated by a trainer or expert.

Related articles

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09 Nov
Blog

Acer Swift 5 2020 Review: Tiger Lake Comes Into Its Own

Acer Swift 5 in late 2020

Acer Swift 5 Intel EVO Thin & Light Laptop

"The Swift 5 is light and fast, making it a comfortable 14-inch workhorse to take with you."

  • A performance that fulfills Tiger Lake's promise

  • Very thin and light

  • Solid build quality

  • Good keyboard and touchpad

  • Below average battery life

  • A bit expensive

I haven't evaluated many Intel Tiger Lake systems, but I've seen enough to know that there are kinks that need fixing. So far, there hasn't been a Tiger Lake laptop (officially reviewed or just benchmarked) that performed as I expected. Now Acer has released its latest Swift 5 based on the Tiger Lake platform – this isn't the only update to this premium microlight – and there is one more example that needs to be evaluated.

Acer sent me a well-configured machine with an 11th generation quad-core Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16 GB of RAM, a 1 TB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD) and a Full HD 14 Inch IPS display. This Swift 5 configuration costs $ 1,300 on Amazon and includes some features that stand out from the crowd of premium laptops. My biggest question, however, is: has a Tiger Lake laptop finally got the performance of the chipset?

performance

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 ventMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Don't waste time answering this question: so far, the Acer Swift 5 is the fastest Tiger Lake system I have personally reviewed or rated, and in Digital Trends' experience, it only gets (hardly) from the Tiger Lake reference machine surpassed that Intel sent us to see (which uses the faster Core i7-1185G7).

Geekbench 5 tells part of the story. The Swift 5 achieved 1,580 points in the single-core test and 5,836 points in the multi-core test. The higher-clocked reference laptop scored 1,563 and 5,995 points, which means the Swift 5 could more than keep up. Compared to the Asus ZenBook Flip S, which managed 1535 and 4913, the Swift 5 was significantly faster in the multi-core test. In some contexts, consider that the Microsoft Surface Book 3 13 with a 10th generation Core i7-1065G7 only scored 1,316 and 4,825 points.

However, in our more realistic tests, the Swift 5 performed well. First off, in our handbrake test, which encodes a 420MB video as H.265, the Swift 5 took a little over three minutes to complete. The Intel reference machine was only 17 seconds faster. The Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA with the Core i7-1165G7 lasted four minutes in normal mode and 27 seconds longer than the Swift 5 in performance mode. The ZenBook Flip S also lasted almost exactly four minutes. The Microsoft Surface Book 3 13 also took four minutes, which shows that Tiger Lake is not yet consistently impressive in the performance department.

Next, I tested the Swift 5 in Cinebench 20. He scored 2,091 in multi-core and 542 in single-core mode. The ZenBook 14 was slower in both normal (1,746 and 497) and performance modes (1,766 and 498), and the ZenBook Flip S fell behind at 1,264 and 482, respectively. The Surface Book 3 13 managed 1433 and 429, which means that only one of these other Tiger Lake laptops was slightly faster than the Ivy Lake Surface Book 3, the Swift 5 was a lot faster. Then consider that the Intel reference laptop scored 2092 and 570 in Cinebench 20, which means the Swift 5 managed to stay close to the higher-clocked Tiger Lake machine again.

It's also educational to compare the Swift 5 to AMD Ryzen 4000 laptops. In Handbrake, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 with the Ryzen 7 4800U finished the test in about two minutes, a full minute faster than the Swift 5. The Cinebench scores were 3,255 and 482, much faster in multi-core mode than in the Swift 5 managed to improve it in single core mode. While Tiger Lake has the potential to beat its 10th generation predecessors, it can't compete with AMD's latest Ryzen chips on many tasks.

However, there is one area where Tiger Lake competes well with AMD's chips – Adobe applications. I ran our Premiere Pro test encoding a two minute 4K video on the Swift 5 and it took 11 minutes and 52 seconds. That's not fast compared to Intel's 45-watt parts, which can get the job done in under three minutes in some cases, but it's a lot faster than the Ryzen 7 CPU in the IdeaPad Slim 7, which is more than one Hour needed. The Intel Tiger Lake reference system lasted 11 minutes and 13 seconds, so the Swift 5 was competitive again. If you're an Adobe user, don't assume that an AMD system will better meet your performance needs.

If you're expecting enhanced gaming from the Swift 5 thanks to Tiger Lake and Intel's Iris Xe graphics, you're in luck. You get better performance than Intel's previous Iris Plus graphics and almost as fast performance as a discrete GPU like the Nvidia GeForce MX350. I saw 53 frames per second in Civilization VI at 1080p and medium graphics and 27 fps on ultra graphics. This exceeds the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 (Intel version) with the MX350 with medium graphics by 2 fps. In Fortnite, the only other game I tested, the Swift 5 managed 31 fps at 1080p and high graphics that dropped to 22 fps for epic graphics. The IdeaPad Slim 7 achieved 37 fps with high graphics and 24 fps with epic graphics. The bottom line is that you can play some modern titles at 1080p if you keep the graphical details in check – a serious improvement over the previous generation from Intel.

In short, the Swift 5 shows what Tiger Lake can do, at least when compared to the previous version of Intel CPUs. It's very quick in practice and I certainly didn't notice any slowdowns no matter what I threw at it during my review. As more Tiger Lake systems continue to be released and the inevitable initial issues with the chipset are fixed, this will be a significant upgrade for Intel users. And the Swift 5 will be hunting right there.

design

Acer Swift 5 in late 2020Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Swift 5 was updated with 10th generation CPUs in early 2020, but was otherwise identical to the 2019 version. The latest model of the Swift 5 brings more changes than just an update for Tiger Lake.

First, it's a little heavier at 2.31 pounds compared to last time versus 2.18 pounds. That said, it's still a remarkably light 14-inch laptop, just not quite as much as the last version. However, it's still 0.59 inches thick, which makes it a very thin laptop too. That's comparable to the ZenBook 14 at 2.58 pounds and 0.54 inches. In the thin-and-light category, 14-inch laptops have clearly proven their worth. The latest Swift 5 also benefits from smaller bezels all around (the chin is only slightly larger than some laptops with tiny bezels, but not by much), resulting in a 90% screen-to-body ratio. This is competitive with the latest Dell XPS 13, which weighs 2.65 pounds and is 0.58 inches thick, and is better than the 84.5% of the previous Swift 5.

The low weight of the Swift 5 is due to its construction from magnesium-lithium and magnesium-aluminum alloys. According to Acer, these materials are two to four times stronger than aluminum, but weigh 20-35% less. Certainly the Swift 5 feels sturdy, with a lid that won't bend if you don't apply too much pressure, a keyboard deck that is as stiff as any other, and a lower case that is just as stiff as any Has compliance. So the Swift 5 feels light, but it doesn't feel cheap. This is what you get when you use plastic to cut the pounds. I would love to see the hinge redesigned so that it can be opened with one hand, but it stays nicely in place.

The laptop's durability extends to the case surface, where Acer used a micro-arc oxidation process to create a finish that is hard as ceramic and resists scratching and corrosion. That's a good thing, because my test device has the optional mist green color (gold is the other option), which is quite subtle and elegant and deserves protection. The case itself is relatively simple in the gem-cut design compared to extremes like HP's Specter x360 line, but the color – including the yellow accents and keyboard lettering – and angles make the laptop look good overall.

The surface of the housing is not only more durable, but also more resistant to microbes. Acer created the first complete antimicrobial laptop solution that includes two main features that I have never seen on any other computer. First, there is a silver ion antimicrobial agent in a coating on the surface of the case, keyboard, hinge, fingerprint reader, and even the labels attached to the laptop. Even the rubber feet are made from an antimicrobial silver ion material. Second, the screen uses Corning's Gorilla Antimicrobial Glass, the world's first to bake silver ions for antimicrobial properties.

I won't go into all the details here – you can visit this page to learn more – but the overall solution promises a reduction rate of greater than 99.9% that involves a "broad spectrum of bacteria". Note that this does not say anything about viruses, so to my knowledge the solution does not protect against the coronavirus that is causing COVID-19. Even so, Acer is the first to take you seriously if you want your laptop to be bacteria-free.

Note that the Swift 5 is Intel Evo certified. That promises a few things, including an 11th generation CPU (Natch), Thunderbolt 4 support, constant battery responsiveness, waking up from hibernation in less than a second, nine or more hours of battery life, and four hours with just 30 Minutes charging time. As we'll see later, I'm not sure if the laptop lives up to the promise of actual battery life, but it does seem to meet the rest of the Evo certification requirements.

Finally, connectivity with the thin and light Swift 5 is a strong point. On the left is a proprietary power port (but the laptop charges via USB-C), a full-size HDMI 2.0 port with HDCP support, a USB-A 3.2 port, and a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 -Support. On the right side there is a Kensington lock port, a USB-A 3.2 port and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Unfortunately, there is no SD card reader, which is disappointing.

display

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 adMark Coppock / Digital Trends

We have reached a point where most premium laptops (and many budget computers) have very good displays that fall within a relatively narrow range on most objective criteria. According to my colorimeter, this is almost exactly where the Swift 5 is rated – it's "average," but today's average makes a nice display for everyone but creatives who need the widest, most accurate colors.

First, the Swift 5's 14-inch touch-enabled display exceeded our preferred brightness threshold of 300 nits at 327 nits, and its contrast ratio barely missed our preferred 1000: 1 brightness at 950: 1. This is a great indicator for productivity work unless you are working outdoors in direct sunlight. An example of a similar laptop with a slightly better display in these metrics is the Asus ZenBook 14 UX425 with its 352 nits and a contrast ratio of 1060: 1. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga is an example of that with just 274 nits and 720: 1 Opposite.

Next, the Swift 5's colors are good, but not great, just like most premium laptops. The coverage of the sRGB color gamut is 96% and 73% of the AdobeRGB color gamut. Most premium laptops are similar to the ZenBook 14 with 94% sRGB and 72% AdobeRGB. You have to jump to something like the Dell XPS 15's 4K display, with 100% coverage of both color gamuts, to get a display that creatives crave. The Swift 5 achieved a spot color accuracy of DeltaE of 1.27, with anything below 1.0 indistinguishable to the human eye and considered excellent. Note that the Dell XPS display had a DeltaE of just 0.73%, while the ZenBook 14 was slightly higher than the Swift 5 at 1.42%.

In real use, the Swift 5's display was a pleasure, with lots of brightness for my needs and black text that jumped off the side thanks to the (almost) excellent contrast ratio. Binging Netflix was pleasant enough thanks to a perfect gamma of 2.2 that nothing was too light or too dark. I have no complaints about the display.

The audio quality wasn't quite up to standard. First, the two speakers couldn't produce much volume even though they were 100% undistorted. The mids and highs were fine, but (as usual) the bass was missing. The audio system works well for occasional viewing of YouTube videos. However, if you want to watch TV shows, movies, or listen to music, consider using headphones or external speakers.

Keyboard and touchpad

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 keyboard and touchpadMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The standard island keyboard is well spaced and has keycaps that were a little too small for my taste. The mechanism had a nice click but was a little loose, so I didn't find it quite as precise as my favorite keyboards, HP's Specter keyboard and the Magic keyboard on Apple's latest MacBooks. As a writer, I'm particularly sensitive to this aspect of laptop design, and while I wasn't thrilled with the Swift 5, it will likely make most users happy.

I like the color scheme with pale yellow letters and backlighting (only on and off unfortunately) that works in both light and dark environments. This is an improvement over some keyboards, like that of the latest Dell XPS 13, which has a backlight that makes it almost impossible to read the letters when they are on and with ambient lighting.

The touchpad is medium in size and uses Microsoft's Precision touchpad drivers. As such, it was able to swipe and use Windows 10's multi-touch gestures – something that can be said about most touchpads lately. The touch display was accurate, responsive, and very welcome.

Windows 10 Hello support was provided by a fingerprint reader on the top right of the touchpad. It was quick and accurate during my tests.

Battery life

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 side viewMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Swift 5 packs 56 watt hours of battery capacity into its thin frame, an average amount for a laptop with a 14-inch full HD display. We don't have that much experience with Tiger Lake efficiency so I wasn't sure what to expect.

We usually use the Basemark web benchmark to test a laptop's battery life when the CPU and GPU are under stress. So far, however, every Tiger Lake laptop I've tested, including the Swift 5, won't complete this review. So I can't tell how long the laptop will last if you work hard.

In our web benchmark, which runs through a number of complex websites and is the best indicator of battery life in our tests, the Swift 5 lasted just under eight hours. This is an average score topped by the Dell XPS 13 with its 10th Gen Core i7 that lasted over 11 hours and the Tiger Lake Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA that lasted almost 10 hours. It is debatable whether the Swift 5 meets the Evo requirement of nine hours of productivity life – that depends entirely on your workflow.

Finally, the Swift 5 lasted 11.5 hours in our video test grinding a Full HD Avengers trailer. The XPS 13 lasted 14.5 hours and the ZenBook 14 12.25 hours, which means the Swift 5 also fell behind in this test.

Ultimately, the battery life was a little disappointing, but not terrible. If you don't put that heavy load on the CPU and GPU, you might be able to do it for a full day. However, if your tasks are demanding, you need to keep your power adapter with you.

Our opinion

The Swift 5 is better than the previous generation in everything but weight and isn't exactly heavy. It makes extensive use of Intel's Tiger Lake platform and uses some innovative techniques to make the case surface more robust and resistant to microbes.

It's also a nice looking laptop and has some weaknesses. When it comes to 14-inch laptops, the Swift 5 is one of the best on the market today.

Are there alternatives?

The Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA is an obvious competitor to the Swift 5. It's almost as fast if you hold it in Performance mode, but then the fans spin louder and more frequently than the Swift 5. It's just as well built and looks just as good and also offers excellent input options.

If you want the flexibility of a 2-in-1 device, the HP Specter x360 13 is a great alternative. It uses Intel's latest generation of chips, so it's not as fast, but it has a more eye-catching appearance, stunning OLED display, and the morphing nature of a 2-in-1 device.

Finally, you can consider the Dell XPS 13, one of the best laptops out there. It was recently updated to Tiger Lake and features one of the best laptop designs out there. It's a bit more expensive and has a slightly smaller screen, but those may be tradeoffs worth making.

How long it will take?

The Swift 5 is well built and robust, with modern components that will meet your productivity needs for years to come. The one-year warranty is disappointing on a premium laptop, but it is industry standard.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Swift 5 is thin, light and powerful. It is the first Tiger Lake notebook we tested that lives up to the chip's performance promise.

Editor's recommendations




09 Nov
Blog

OnePlus Nord 10 5G Review: Bringing 5G to the Masses

oneplus nord 10 5g rating 4

  • Solid display

  • Simple software

  • Good battery life

  • Headphone jack

  • 128 GB storage

  • Performance can feel sluggish

  • Camera is a weak point

  • Start on Android 10

OnePlus has long been the bastion of value for money in the Android world, but as the prices of its flagship phones rise, more room has been made for lower-cost devices that still have some great features. The original OnePlus Nord is an example of this, with a solid design and good battery life. OnePlus is now expanding the series – with the new OnePlus Nord N10 5G.

The new device is currently only available in Europe and the UK. However, OnePlus announces that it will soon be brought to North America along with the also new OnePlus Nord N100. At £ 329, it's still not a cheap phone, but it's definitely budget conscious. Should you buy it? We tested the OnePlus Nord N10 5G to find out.

Editor's note: Since the Nord N10 5G is first available in Europe, we have received a European model to test. When tested in the United States, the phone had technical limitations related to 5G bands and other network technologies. The North American model should not encounter any of these problems.

Design and display

Midrange phones have gotten a lot better, and many of the best midrange devices now feature a modern design with an edge-to-edge display. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G is no exception to this rule. The display has nicely rounded corners, there is a (relatively large) hole cutout on the top left of the display for the front-facing camera, etc. The only thing that breaks the illusion is a big chin at the bottom of the display, but it certainly isn't Deal breaker.

The back of the phone looks a lot like other modern OnePlus devices. At the top left of the back of the phone is a circular camera module that houses the quad lens camera. The only difference, at least in looks, is the back-mounted fingerprint sensor, which generally worked fine.

Of course, the look and feel are a little different. The back of the phone looks nice but is made of plastic and you can feel it. It's common on phones in this price range, but I would still love to see mid-range phones made from higher quality materials.

The phone looks great, but it looks and feels different – you know it's made of plastic.

You get all the usual features around the edges: a USB-C port, a volume rocker, and a power button. There's also a strange hole at the bottom. After reading the instructions, I discovered that it was a "headphone jack". Strange.

The Nord N10 5G offers a 6.49-inch display with a resolution of 1080p and looks great. No, it's not a high-end 1440p display, but at least it's a 90Hz, high refresh rate display. It gets bright enough to be used in direct sunlight, has relatively vivid colors, and is more than good enough for most.

Power and battery

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G offers a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 processor as well as 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. It's not a bad set of specs, and in fact, it's really nice that the base model has 128GB of storage. But there are other phones that feel faster in the price range. A perfect example of this is the Google Pixel 4a, which is roughly the same price and has a Snapdragon 730G – and the high-end Pixel 4a 5G, which is admittedly a bit more expensive, has a Snapdragon 765G. While the standard Pixel 4a does not outperform the OnePlus Nord 10 5G in benchmarks, Google's phones react very quickly in real use and are more up-to-date with the software.

The phone performance limitations are sometimes felt. Sometimes the keyboard takes a second or two to load, and sometimes it can skip a beat while typing to actually show the character on the display. Basic operations are relatively smooth most of the time, but there are times when you are not reminded that you have a budget device.

Benchmark results confirm this. The Nord N10 got 5G 281,214 in AnTuTu and 606 single-core, 1,804 multi-core in GeekBench 5. Playing on the phone is a decent experience. Games take a while to load, but the actual gameplay worked well in our testing with games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9.

The phone's battery has a capacity of 4,300 mAh and could easily be used for a full day. Even so, I recommend turning off the phone's constantly on display. The OnePlus Nord 10 5G has an LCD panel. When the display function is activated, the backlight remains on even if the display is switched off. This can take some serious drain on the battery, and with the feature turned on, I found that the battery was so degraded that I had to charge the phone before the end of a day of moderate use.

All-day battery pack isn't an issue, and Warp Charge 30T fast charging is a differentiator at this price point.

Fortunately, the phone supports OnePlus' Warp Charge 30T and comes with a charger. Since the European model of the device was shipped to me, I have not tested the charger here in the US. However, having tested OnePlus' fast charging in the past, chances are the phone can get a majority of its charge back in around 30 minutes. That is a differentiator at this price point.

The Nord 10 5G, as the name suggests, also supports 5G thanks to the new Snapdragon 690 chipset and the Snapdragon X51 modem from Qualcomm. The result is you get Sub-6 5G connectivity, but not the super-fast mmWave that carriers like Verizon have touted. For most, however, this shouldn't be a big deal – mmWave is barely available, and you really shouldn't buy or avoid a phone that relies on mmWave support.

camera

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G offers a four-lens camera system, but it's not necessarily as versatile as you might think. While you might think that there is a telephoto lens among these four lenses, sadly there isn't. Instead, you get a 64-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 5-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. I really wish OnePlus would get rid of the macro lens – it's useless.

The cameras are fine, but not groundbreaking. This is where the Pixel 4a stands out.

Photos are fine, but not groundbreaking. If you want the best photos on a phone in this price range, you'd better go for the Pixel 4a, which has flagship-level image processing.

In general, the phone didn't provide as much detail as I would have liked to see. The colors were also a bit muted and not as vivid as I would normally expect from a 2020 phone. This is especially true for trick shooting situations, for example with a light background and darker foreground. Making sure HDR is enabled will help in these situations, but it won't completely solve the problem.

software

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G comes with the OnePlus OxygenOS 10.5, and it's a little frustrating to see that it doesn't come with the latest OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11. This newer software is already widespread and only frustrates the Nord N10 5G when it comes to longer-term software support. That said, the overall experience with any modern OnePlus phone is still good, and customizing OxygenOS Android is still simple and easy to navigate.

You also get some additional features. For example, the phone has OnePlus Zen mode which allows you to restrict your own access to your phone for a limited time. Other functions are the App Locker, with which you can hide apps behind the fingerprint sensor or a PIN code. Basic theme options make it easy to customize the look of the phone, and OnePlus is especially good at keeping duplicate apps and bloat to a minimum.

Price, guarantee and availability

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G is available in Europe and the UK for 329 pounds sterling, which equates to about $ 430 right away – although I would assume the US price will be under $ 400. At some point the device will be released in the USA, but we don't have a date for it yet.

The device comes with the 12-month standard warranty from OnePlus, which practically only covers manufacturer defects.

Our opinion

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G is a nice phone. It looks and works fine despite the plastic construction, except for a few cases where performance is a little poor. However, the main selling point for the Nord 10 5G compared to the competition seems to be its 5G support. And if you've read anything we've written over the past few years, you know you shouldn't buy a phone as it supports 5G.

If you are a OnePlus fan who wants a phone in this lower price range, this is a great option as it is the same value for money, solid display, simple software, and good battery life.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're ready to ditch 5G support (and that's really not a huge loss), it's worth getting the Google Pixel 4a instead of the OnePlus Nord 10 5G. The Pixel 4a offers a better camera and an even simpler software experience, even though it's at a slightly higher £ 350.

If you really want 5G support and can afford to spend a little more, the Pixel 4a 5G is the way to go, though it may be a full price range higher at £ 499. If you're feeling really adventurous, consider the iPhone SE, which offers better performance than any phone we've mentioned and a solid camera, although the design is a little dated.

If you live in the UK or the OnePlus Nord is available elsewhere, this should be considered before the N10. It's £ 379 in the UK, and it's a much more tech-savvy phone for just a little more.

How long it will take?

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G should last a solid two years, but should really slow down at this point. However, the phone does not have an official water resistance rating. To bring it to two years you have to be careful with it.

Should you buy one?

No. You should spend a little more money on the Google Pixel 4a instead.

Editor's recommendations




09 Nov
Blog

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Review: One of the Good Ones

Assassins Creed Valhalla Review Assassin s

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

"Valhalla combines the best fight on the show with a more organic world."

  • Breathtaking fight

  • Refined metasystems

  • A more thoughtful open world

  • Raiding never gets old

  • The expansion of your settlement is convincing

  • Familiar story

  • Buggy, especially on the PC

  • Stealth and modern content are missing

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is my personal favorite in this new, remastered trilogy of games in the franchise, but the reasons I enjoy it might be shutdowns for others. Improved combat and one-train raid is at the heart of the game, and while it's well executed, it ultimately throws aside the franchise's stealth roots.

This is a step the series needs to take. to break away from what defined these games nearly a decade ago to become the standard bearer for action RPG.

I want to get this out of the way too: if you were going to record this game on PC at startup, don't. Not to say that the console version can't be buggy at times, but the PC version was almost unplayable for me (a problem I also had with Watch Dogs: Legion) and I gave up trying to get it Constantly crashing after an hour Another writer on our team had a problem with a deceased NPC and to progress they had to speak to that NPC. You are now gently prevented from continuing in the game and that is with the patch from day one.

First known, the story goes to some interesting places

Many Assassin's Creed games are campaigned around family, betrayal, and political clash, and Valhalla is no different. Eivor is set in the 9th century and can be avenged at different points in history as a man or woman or as a gender at different points in history. He takes revenge for the death of his parents at the hands of a rival clan leader. In order to get what they want, they make certain decisions that ultimately lead them out of Norway with their brother Sigurd in order to found a new home in Anglo-Saxon England.

From there, the main focus of the game is for this small group of Danes to expand their reach through devastating raids or diplomatic alliances, expanding their Ravensthorpe base camp from a dilapidated village to a thriving community.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is my personal favorite in this new remastered trilogy of games in the franchise.

The family core of the game, Eivor and her brother Sigurd, is at times strikingly similar to the dynamic of Kassandra and Alexios in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Over time, and as the history of the Raven clan grows across England, Valhalla makes some interesting deviations that set it apart from the newer entries in the series, but I really hope the next game in the franchise breaks off this one Establishment completely.

The narrative, which is directly related to the gameplay of the Raven clan's expansion across England, is the story that I found more compelling but which can get out of whack at times. Eivor and her people are not refugees who have no choice but to flee Norway. You specifically choose to go to reap the rewards of literally greener pastures.

While they initially arrive with the goal of being as peaceful as possible, they very quickly move on to the raid and loot part. The game then creates villains who are so vicious and power hungry that you have no choice but to choose Eivor. Valhalla sometimes tries to come up with a mutually exclusive argument, but it never really works as well as intended.

I ended up taking things at face value very quickly and ultimately enjoying the narrative for what it was. It has never been lost, however, that Ubisoft is a company going through its own internal problems regarding abuse of power. So I've never entirely given up questioning the game's narrative.

The gameplay is the best the series has ever had

There's one phrase people like to use when criticizing video games: Gameplay is king. While I never fully signed this idea, it's hard to argue that in the case of Assassin's Creed Valhalla it isn't true. Something that ultimately pushed me away from Origins and Odyssey is the feeling that the battle system rebuilt was only part of the way to get there. The two year gap in the titles has allowed the development team to refine it and I am so excited with the results.

Valhalla makes some interesting changes that set it apart from the newer entries in the series.

Eivor and her clan are a devastating and relentless force that completely captures the gameplay. Every swing of my ax felt snappy and satisfying, and even after hours of playing I continued to gush out incredulous exclamations about Eivor's ruthlessness.

Most of the time, Eivor is accompanied by a group of Viking warriors to extend the range of Ravensthorpe. It works better than any system implemented in previous Assassin's Creed games. It feels like the Brotherhood should have felt.

This idea of ​​working consistently with NPC allies means there are even fewer cases this time where stealth is required. The game at certain points tries to get you to use it, but it is rarely ever needed or the more desirable tool to help you achieve your goal. While one of the big selling points has been the return of the ability to blend in with the crowd, hacking and cutting through enemies is always the more satisfying and successful solution.

The fact that stealth plays second fiddle after confrontation is an improvement, but it can be a problem for some. Fans of the series who were hoping for a return to form for stealth on a grand scale will likely be disappointed with the increased emphasis on personal combat.

All metasystems also feel more refined than previous entries. Instead of getting tons of marginally better weapons and armor, I'm more likely to find improved upgrades, reducing the need to constantly manage my inventory. Likewise, the skill tree is slowly unfolding as you branch over it, rather than presenting you with the entirety of what it has to offer from the jump. This makes the game's RPG features, which many fans have turned off in recent years, a lot easier to swallow.

A more organic and varied world

Another big problem for me regarding Origins and Odyssey was the sheer size and infinity of the game's map and activities. That's not to say the world of Valhalla isn't huge or lacking in quests, but everything feels far more manageable and achieving goals is less like ticking things off a checklist and more about natural discovery .

England, the largest map in the game, but not the only one, is a single landmass that can be traversed on foot, on horseback, or by boat through the branching rivers that run across the country. At the center is Ravensthorpe, and the game of Eivor returning to his home base often provides more context for the world that just doesn't exist in the nomadic lives that Bayek and Kasandra / Alexios led in their games.

Every swing of my ax felt snappy and satisfying, and even after hours of playing I continued to gush out incredulous exclamations about Eivor's ruthlessness.

Rather than feeling compelled to hide every marker on an island and ultimately not do so, as I did in Odyssey, Valhalla leaves your desire to strengthen the Raven clan to be your guide to traversing, and side activities, on therefore, those you bump feel far more integral.

Gone is the need to rely on your avian partner to track down an area and mark every enemy and resource you see before systematically switching from marker to marker. While you have a raven partner to look for you, it is more about getting a first lay of the land than familiarizing yourself with every nook and cranny.

Odin's Sight, a vibrant ability that highlights POIs and enemies in your immediate area, is far more useful this time around as it allows players to stay more in the immediate action and engage with them organically.

This is, of course, Assassin's Creed, which means that there are also some modern parts with our contemporary protagonist Layla. The game tries to make it more relevant by bringing in characters tied into Desmond's story in the original trilogy and spin-offs, but it feels half-hearted again, both narrative and visually. As with stealth, the modern content is something the series is forced to do, but these games would be stronger without it, and at this point I wouldn't care if they dropped it completely.

Our opinion

Assassin's Creed Valhalla promised to return to the roots of the series after two big strides by them in Origins and Odyssey, but what it tries to rekindle is holding it back and what it does best makes it decidedly very unassassin & # 39; s Creed . Those willing to hug Valhalla for what it is will find a compelling and satisfying action RPG.

Is there a better alternative?

The only other great action RPG around the launch of the Xbox Series X | S and PlayStation 5 is Watch Dogs: Legion, but Assassin's Creed Valhalla is by far the better of the two games.

How long it will take?

Ten hours or more, hundreds of hours if you're a Completor.

Should you buy it?

Yes, especially if you choose a next-generation console that increases the frame rate significantly and eliminates load times.

Editor's recommendations




09 Nov
Blog

Grab the best-ever fitness experience by doing a quad stretch

Many people report weak quads. It happens because you don't exercise that part of your body enough. The quadriceps are not only crucial for active leg performance, but also for back care. But if you've never tried it before, don't worry. Today you can learn the trick of caring for them with us while we teach you how to make one Quad stretch. Yes, this is a helpful workout that can help improve your range of motion dramatically. It can also help you figure out how to properly exercise all three muscles in the quadriceps.

An ace of all leg exercises

A group of muscles in front of the thigh is called a quadriceps. The four different muscles in the quads, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius, work together for the quads to function successfully. These are used for activities that require intense leg training. Hiking, running, walking, jumping are some of the activities that get this muscle maximally. To keep this up, we've already developed a few exercises that can help you improve your leg performance in no time. We're going to feature a variety of quad stretch variations like that Quad quad stretch lying that will do the job.

How do I do a quad stretch while lying down?

The Quad quad stretch lying is a simple exercise that you can try at home with minimal discomfort. The practical directions for this exercise will make your daily fitness routine more fun. Incorporate this workout into your daily fitness routine for numerous benefits. The risk of injury and poor movement will be gone forever. Before starting the exercise, make sure that you do a 5-minute warm-up exercise to activate your muscles. Since this exercise will keep you going for a long time, you don't want your muscles to get exhausted right away. A pre-workout warm-up can do wonders for this.

1. Lie on your left side with your legs straight. Make sure you are supporting your head with your right arm. Remember to keep yourself in a straight line.

2. Bend your right leg. When you do this, use your right hand to bring your foot close to your buttocks. After exhaling, gradually pull your right leg back until you feel a stretch in front of your thigh. Your right knee should be pointing at your extended left foot. Do not lift your right leg. Make sure you hold the stretch for between 30 and 40 seconds.

3. When you straighten your right leg to the starting position, be sure to inhale. Relax for about 15 to 30 seconds.

4. Repeat the process Quad quad stretch lying at least two to five times at a time to get the most benefit.

How do I do a standing quad route?

The standing quad track is practical training that you can do without a second thought. This exercise is best for beginners and requires the only chair to work out. So you don't have to worry about investing a fortune in equipment. Focus on the instructions so you can complete the exercise like no other.

1. Stand on one leg. If you need help, a chair can do the job.

2. When you bend your right knee, bring your heel toward your buttocks.

3. Try to grab your knuckles with your left hand.

4. Stand straight and try to pull in your abs. Make sure both knees are close together. At this point, try to relax your muscles. When you keep your leg in the bent position, you can feel a slight pull on the front of your thigh and hip.

5. Inhale and hold the stretch for about 20 to 30 seconds. Release the quad stretch and repeat on the opposite leg.

6. Repeat the process standing quad track regularly in order to acquire its outstanding advantages.

How do I do a quad route?

If you want to activate your muscles, legs, and upper back, there is no better quad

Elongation variation than this. The wAlking Quad Stretch is a Fit Pick for people who like to exercise. With this simple exercise, you will be only an inch away from your fitness goals. So let's see how to do it.

1. Stand in a straight position and raise one foot toward your buttocks. Take it behind your back with your other hand.

2. Exhale as you pull your foot up. Something like this helps improve the stretch on the quads. With your unused hand, reach straight up to stretch the lats. Once you do that, press down on your toes to activate your ankles.

3. Lower yourself from your calf and reach both arms above you. Step forward into a lunge position and maintain an erect torso.

4. Press back to the starting position and repeat Walking Quad Stretch on the next stage.

Take that away

These were some of the best Quad stretch Try variations at home. If you want to instantly improve your leg performance, these are not to be missed. It works out!

FAQ

  1. What mistake should I try to avoid while running standing quad track?

While you're doing thatTanding Quad Stretch, Avoid hopping, locking your knees, and arching your back. These are some of the things that can interfere with your workout and cause injury.

2. Do that Walking Quad Stretch help prevent injuries?

Yes, it does.

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08 Nov
Blog

Philips Hue Iris Review: Hypnotic Accent Lighting

Philips Hue Iris table lamp blue

"The Philips Hue Iris is rich, vibrant and bright, and an intriguing accent light."

  • Rich and vivid colors

  • Very bright light output

  • Bluetooth connection option

  • Unique looking design

  • It is expensive

  • Colors cannot be traversed alone

When the original Philips Hue Iris hit the market in 2014, smart lighting was still in its infancy and was a relatively new concept for many consumers. Fast forward to the present, and the company is bringing us an updated version of its popular table lamp with Bluetooth connectivity, richer colors, and increased brightness – all for $ 100. I've never had the opportunity to use the original, but I do appreciate the new version of the Philips Hue Iris to add a bit of color to my life.

A different looking table lamp

The Philips Hue Iris has a radiant design with a transparent plastic base and a cord wrapped in fabric. Honestly, I find it hard to classify it as a table lamp as it is unlike any other table lamp I've used. It's not intended as a reading lamp, nor is it designed like a traditional table lamp for a side table in my living room – it would look out of place if I placed it there.

Philips Hue Iris table lamp greenJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

On the other hand, the orblike design is certainly what makes this table lamp unique. At first I struggled to accept its peculiar design style, but that slowly washed away once it came to life.

Hypnotic glow

The lamp is a glowing magic ball that works best on bookshelves, desks, or corner tables. It's meant to act more as an accent light than anything and help add a bit of color to a room. When it's on, the glow from the transparent base is hypnotic and I like that the light coming from it is softened by the diffusion panel that covers its top. This diffusion helps create soft, even lighting that is not too harsh and does not cast too many shadows.

The glow of the transparent base is hypnotic.

If there is any anger I have about smart light solutions, it must be that some of them are just weak, weak and not sufficiently saturated. Fortunately, this is not a problem with the Philips Hue Iris, which can reach up to 570 lumens when using white light. That's enough to read books with no effort.

Philips Hue Iris table lamp pinkJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

The level of saturation that the Philips Hue Iris can achieve is even better. Compared to other smart LED light bulbs I use, the iris can produce deep, rich colors. Blue, green, and red all have sufficient saturation and brightness to grab my attention. Personally, I prefer to put the iris on a counter facing a corner, as the upward direction of light combined with diffusion results in wider coverage. One feature that I like more and more on other lamps is the option to automatically scroll through different colors. Unfortunately, this is not an option here as you can only set one color at a time.

Works without a Philips Hue bridge

Since I've been using the Philips Hue system in my home for a long time, I got the Iris to connect to my Hue bridge for remote access when I'm not at home. However, it should be noted that you do not need a Philips Hue bridge to use the Iris. This is because this updated version has a bluetooth connection for direct access through the Philips Hue app. This is a useful option if you have not already decided on the Philips Hue ecosystem.

Philips Hue Iris table lampJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Connecting the iris to the bridge simply means more controls – like color combinations with other Philips Hue lights and automations. I can use the app to set it to turn on automatically at sunset and turn off at 1 a.m. every night. You can also achieve more complex automations, e.g. For example, it switches on when the door sensor on your front door is triggered – or when you tell the Google Assistant that you are at home. With advanced automation, you can get the most out of the iris.

Our opinion

The Philip Hue Iris complements every room in the house with its hypnotic glow. You have to pay more than $ 100 to pick it up. This isn't cheap, but the cost is worth it when you consider how good it is to use different colors of the rainbow to accentuate rooms and your mood.

How long it will take?

The plastic construction makes it feel on the hollow side. So make sure that the power cord is not in the way of pedestrian traffic. If you are concerned about the LED bulb inside, just know that it is rated to last 25,000 hours. There is also a 2 year limited warranty that covers the iris against defects in material and workmanship.

Is there a better alternative?

When it comes to brightness and saturation, you won't find anything else that matches its performance. However, there are other smart table lamps like that too Xiaomi bedside lampthat's half the cost. It's certainly not as saturated or bright, but it can still act as a complementary accent light.

Should you buy it?

This is an ideal solution if you want to expand the smart lighting in your home beyond traditional smart LED light bulbs. You will fall in love with the hypnotic glow of the iris and how brilliantly it throws accent lights on walls and ceilings.

Editor's recommendations




07 Nov
Blog

Glute ham raise machine to attain your dream body in no time

Numerous fitness freaks experiment with the best workouts for strength and flexibility every day. However, not all of them can benefit from it. Something like that is because not every exercise that promises to improve strength and flexibility will get noticed. So does this mean that no training can help achieve these goals? No. Glute ham raise is such an incredible workout that is helpful for situations like this. So if you are looking for the perfect exercise that can help you achieve these benefits, this exercise is a must to try.

The best workout for fit muscles

There's a reason most people tend to use a Glute Ham Hoist instead of other machines to exercise their bodies. The glute ham increase is not only exceptional for strength and flexibility, but also for helping the body improve its stability. This workout is so powerful that even athletes, Olympians, and weightlifters choose to do this workout. Although the exercise is easy to perform, many people are afraid of being hurt. If you want to avoid this, all you need is to get maximum results from this exercise. If you practice this workout every day, there is no way you will get the body of your dreams.

How Do I Perform a Glute Ham Elevation?

1. First set the Glute Ham Hoist with your body. With the help of your instructor, learn how to adjust the body comfortably with your machine.

2. There is a special footplate in the machine. So place your feet against the footplate between the rollers and lie down. Don't forget to adjust your knees behind the pad.

3. Bend your knees first and keep your back arched.

4. Now make sure that your foot is on the footplate. Keep your torso stiff at this point. Keep moving until your body is straight.

5. Hold for a moment, then gradually move to the starting position. Now slowly bend your back and return to the starting position.

6. Practice this workout on one Glute Ham Hoist if possible.

How do I do a natural glute ham raise?

If you don't have any equipment at home, don't worry. You can continue to practice this training unhindered. The natural glute ham increase is the perfect way to train your body without any discomfort. This exercise targets the hamstrings which help build a potential body right away. Follow this exercise so you can get the benefits right away.

1. Position yourself with the leg pads of a machine. This is important to keep your lower legs and under the pad. Your knees should be on the seat.

2. Once you begin the exercise, your lower legs and thighs should form a right angle. At this point, your torso should be upright.

3. Keep your arms crossed over your chest as you inhale. Lower yourself until your knees are almost straight.

4. Your body should be almost in a straight line at the end of the movement.

5. Exhale and raise yourself back to the starting position. Do this with your hamstrings for the greatest possible convenience.

6. Repeat the process natural glute ham increase for the best experience.

Glute Ham has alternatives that you can try right away.

If you don't have the equipment and don't want to try the exercise either, we still have something for you. The Glute-ham increase alternatives are the ultimate place to go if you feel like doing this workout. We promise; The exercise alternatives that you are now shown will revitalize your energy immediately.

1. Pull the cable through

For your glutes and hamstrings, there is no better alternative. In general, a cable machine is best for this exercise. However, if you don't have these, a resistance band will work too. All you have to do is follow the instructions in the workout and get it done in no time.

2. Romanian deadlift

This shouldn't come as a surprise at all. The Romanian deadlift is one of the best

Deadlift variations that always work for your glutes and hamstrings. While the workout is a bit daunting, the benefits are like no other. At least eight to fifteen repetitions of this workout are enough for an unequivocal body.

3. Barbell GHR

In the middle of the best Glute-ham increase alternativeswho have favourited the GHR barbell is amazing too. However, if you lack the perfect equipment to pad your knees, we don't recommend this exercise. You don't need a machine for this exercise. However, the benefits will keep you asking for more forever.

Take that away

Glute ham raise is the best exercise for a reason. If you want to gain strength and flexibility right away, this is all you need. So why are you waiting

FAQ

1. Can you say another name? Glute ham raise alternative to attempt?

One leg deadlift with stiff legs is the best Glute ham raise alternative try out.

2. Are exercises based on a Glute Ham Hoist useful?

Yes all the time.

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07 Nov
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Amazfit GTR 2 Review: Great Value Fitbit Challenger

amazfit gtr 2 evaluation bag

"The Amazfit GTR 2 smartwatch is nice and fast, but luckily not very expensive. It has the looks and the ability to take over more expensive activity trackers from the big names."

  • Nice design

  • Low price

  • Comfortable to wear day and night

  • Solid features for recreational activities and sleep tracking

  • Some software improvements are still needed

  • Battery life suffers when many functions are used

It would be difficult for any smartwatch to remove the top-of-the-line Apple Watch Series 6 from my wrist, but that's exactly what the Amazfit GTR 2 did, and it has stayed there for more than a week. It costs $ 179Half of what a Series 6 will set you back, which looks like great value, but the brand has a spotty history with their software that made me very wary.

My fears were unfounded as it turns out that the Amazfit GTR 2 could be one of the best budget smartwatch purchases of the year.

Design and screen

There are two new Amazfit smartwatches, the GTR 2 and the GTS 2. I wore the round GTR 2, which looks much better than the square, Apple Watch-like GTS 2. I assume that Amazfit has it in its range because it's smaller, the size might fit smaller wrists than the GTR 2, but I think the tiny style hurts both them and the Amazfit range. The GTR 2 is my choice of the couple.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The round, light aluminum housing of the GTR 2 was judged perfectly in terms of design and feel. It's only 10mm thick, the aluminum is attached to a plastic case back, and the glass above the screen has a subtle curve that blends into the case itself, making wiping convenient and quick. It's attached to a quick release silicone strap that is soft and won't get hot and sweaty. There are two buttons, the top of which is decorated with a sporty red stripe, which have a pleasant movement when pressed.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I've worn the GTR 2 day and night and it didn't cause any discomfort. Back to the glass: The shape gives the GTR 2 a certain class, as the curve captures the light in such a way that it appears much more curved than it actually is. Under the glass is a 1.39-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. It's as sharp and colorful as the technical data suggests. It's pretty "deep" under the tempered glass, which means that in certain lighting conditions the bezel will be obvious.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Other than black, I'd like some alternative colors, but the GTR 2 is a brilliant looking, well-made, and comfortable smartwatch.

software

Here Amazfit has made the greatest progress. This is particularly evident when we compare the GTR 2 to the company's previous smartwatches. The rugged Amazfit T Rex and Amazfit GTS were awkward and tedious to set up, the user interface was inconsistent and often not intuitive, and I had issues with notifications and usability. The software has been a huge downside, and when a smartwatch is difficult or frustrating to use it is quickly forgotten.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It looks a lot better with the GTR 2. Amazfit has renamed its companion app, which is now called Zepp. It looks better, is more informative, and more reliable. It's available for iOS and Android, and I've used it on an Android phone. On the watch, things are pretty much the same as before, but with greater speed and ease of use due to some general UI improvements.

A good example of how things have been improved is the way you switch watch faces. These were previously synchronized via the associated app. This process could take a few minutes. Now it immediately runs like an Apple Watch or Wear OS watch, and many of the watch faces have customizable complications. There's a new screen that always appears, and software updates are much faster than before, too. Overall, the watch and app are solid improvements over previous efforts and are easy to live with every day.

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Unfortunately, the notifications haven't improved dramatically. While I've received more regular notifications on the GTR 2 than on the Amazfit T Rex I used earlier this year, you can't interact with any of them, and the text that appears is often jumbled and misaligned. It could be a lot better, but what's there is manageable provided your expectations are low. On the upside, the GTR 2's software is pleasantly responsive and reduces frustration, while the menus and options are clearly laid out and meaningful, making it easy to use on the wrist.

The Amazfit GTR 2 can also receive calls – the speaker is loud enough for callers to be easily heard indoors – and store music. The Amazfit software cannot challenge WatchOS 7 on the Apple Watch and does not look as mature or fluid as the Wear OS. However, it does mate with other portable platforms available such as Huawei and Honor software and Fitbit's platform. What I need from software on a wearable is reliability, clarity and ease of use, and the Amazfit GTR 2 delivers.

Activity tracking

The Amazfit GTR 2 is a relatively simple activity tracker. There are 12 training modes including indoor and outdoor cycling, climbing and swimming. Each provides a lot of data, with cadence measurement on the treadmill as well as train speed and distance when swimming. The watch also has GPS for on the go.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The latest activities are displayed on the watch and also in the Zepp app. There you get the usual data – time, distance and calorie consumption – as well as other information from the heart rate sensor. The breakdown shows the time it takes for fat burning, aerobics, and endurance zones. The watch also uses the Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) metric, which makes it easy to see if you are getting enough exercise.

The Amazfit GTR 2 has a heart rate sensor, a blood oxygen monitor (Sp02) and a stress measurement. The heart rate monitor matched the results from my Apple Watch Series 6, but the Sp02 results were always very different. This is not evidence that one is more accurate than the other, but rather a statement about the usefulness and accuracy of blood oxygen measurements on your wrist in general.

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The Sp02, heart rate and stress measurement (determined with the heart rate sensor) can be carried out automatically if necessary and is also used to track sleep. The GTR 2 is comfortable enough to be worn at night. The sleep data it contains is more comprehensive than that of the Apple Watch and is more closely related to the informative TruSleep system from Huawei.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Problems? Some things from the old model have not yet been fixed. The motion alerts do not pay attention to what you are doing. For example, I was often asked to stand up and move around while driving. And I've noticed that some localization still needs to be done, as scanning the screens occasionally revealed a Chinese language that was still there. I would have preferred a few more training modes instead of using the free yoga training mode, for example.

The workout modes have been made easier to use, with a clear display during the session and a swipe of the screen to exit. However, the live reporting of data is incorrect and significantly delayed compared to an Apple Watch Series 6. It also appears that the GTR 2's display isn't updating as often as it should. For my basic training and activity tracking needs, the GTR 2 worked very well, although it can't compete with hardcore fitness smartwatches like the Suunto 7.

battery

According to Amazfit, the 471 mAh battery usually lasts 14 days between charges, but when the heart rate and SpO2 measurement is automatic and the screen is always on, that value has dropped to just eight days for me. The workouts I tracked did not use GPS. So expect another hit when using this feature.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Charging from 10% to full took about two hours and is done via a magnetic plug attached to the back of the watch. It's pretty safe and shouldn't slip off accidentally.

Price and availability

The Amazfit GTR 2 is priced at $ 179 in the US.. In the UK it costs £ 159. It's available for pre-order now and is expected to be released on November 20th. The model tested here is the sport. A classic version with a stainless steel case and leather strap is also available for $ 199. Amazfit offers a one-year warranty as well as a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Our opinion

The price of the Amazfit GTR 2 at $ 179 is very tempting, and its design and functionality are far better than you can expect for the money. Amazfit has cured many of the software gremlins that made its older wearables unsustainable, giving us a smart, stylish, and well-made alternative to boring fitness bands and ugly smartwatches from Fitbit.

Is there a better alternative?

The price of the Amazfit GTR of $ 179 is very affordable. If the Fitbit name entices you, the Fitbit Versa 3 Watch costs $ 229, while a Fitbit Charge 4 fitness band starts at $ 149 and performs best when you buy Fitbit's premium monthly subscription for 10 Pay US dollars. A simple Garmin Vivomove 3S costs $ 199 and doesn't have a full touchscreen. The GTR 2 is cheaper than these examples.

We recommend spending a little more and getting a better all-round smartwatch experience. Apple is still selling the Apple Watch Series 3, which starts at $ 199, and it holds up admirably against the much more expensive Apple Watch SE. Right now there are some great deals on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, available for $ 179 and up. Both models are older models but the overall software and owner experience is better than the Amazfit GTR 2.

How long it will take?

This is not a sturdy watch, but the tempered glass should keep it safe if handled well. It is waterproof to 50 meters and is suitable for swimming. The 22mm bracelet has quick release pins so it can be easily changed if it breaks or gets dirty in the future.

The duration is mainly influenced by software updates on the watch as well as by the app itself. There is no reason to believe these are drying out, however, and my review watch has already received an update. Another is expected in the near future that will add Amazon Alexa support. Unless you get bored of the design, the GTR 2 should last at least a couple of years.

Should you buy it?

Yes it is way better than the low price and the previous Amazfit smartwatches would have you believe.

Editor's recommendations




06 Nov
Blog

PS5 Review: Meeting Next-Gen Expectations

Playstation 5 controller and PS5

Sony PlayStation 5 review: showing the potential of the next generation

"Sony's PlayStation 5 is the next generation console to buy this holiday season."

  • Fast hardware

  • Excellent loading times

  • Attractive design

  • Several enticing next generation titles

  • New controller with improved feel

  • Limited storage space on all models

  • Console is very big

The expectations of Sony for the coming console cycle are absurdly high. The PlayStation 4 was a tremendous success, and gamers believe the company will open up new, unimagined possibilities with its next-generation system.

The PlayStation 5 not only meets these expectations, but also makes them appear conservative. With lightning-fast loading speeds and innovative (and fascinating) changes to the DualShock controller, the PS5 sets the bar for the next generation of games.

That's impressive every year, but doubles in 2020. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Sony has put together a strong system that backs its hardware with a strong range of starting titles to challenge Microsoft's rival Xbox Series X.

Digital Trends tested the PlayStation 5 within just under two weeks. This review focuses on the larger Blu-ray drive version of the console for $ 499. However, according to Sony, that's the only difference between this model and its $ 399 smaller brother, called the Digital Edition. Both will go on sale on November 12th. Several PS5-optimized games – including Demon & # 39; s Souls, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and top third-party titles – were not made available prior to the review embargo. The PlayStation Plus collection with 20 classic PS4 titles has been made available.

The hardware: it's fast and huge

Sony has said from the start that the PS5 is about speed. But until you experience it, it's hard to convey just how great the speed can be.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales loads in seconds – and once you're in the game you won't see a loading screen even if you take the subway. Do you want tips and tricks for the game? You have to find them elsewhere.

PS5 console and remote control

This optimization can also be seen in other titles produced by Sony. It adds tremendously to the immersion factor of games and has a positive effect on the flow of the story in narrative titles. It's just as satisfying to quickly jump into games.

It's interesting to note that this perceived performance difference is more due to software than hardware. Tech-wise, Microsoft's Xbox Series X is the more powerful console, although the PlayStation 5 offers an edge in terms of storage performance. The Xbox lacks a launch title, however, and relatively few last-gen games take full advantage of the new console's capabilities. This gives the PlayStation 5 a huge advantage at startup.

The physical design of the PlayStation 5 can be an issue. It's a honking big piece of hardware, and if you place it horizontally, the stand (which is needed to correct the curved sides of the system) won't snap into place on the back panels. As a result, you have to worry about slippage when adjusting the cables. You also don't want to put anything on it. If you choose to position it vertically, there will be a mini skyscraper near your TV which, depending on the layout of the room, may be disruptive.

Microsoft's Xbox Series X is a smaller squatter console that's not quite as imposing, but its box-like shape still poses problems for the average A / V cabinet. Gamers with limited space for a console can consider the Xbox Series S instead, which is much smaller than the PlayStation 5 or Series X and has a more traditional slate-like shape.

Storage: There is not enough

The PS5's Achilles heel is storage space. Due to the proprietary solid-state drive and the size of the operating system, players only have 667 GB of the 825 GB hard drive available for gaming. That's a paltry amount that will result in the same headache that the PS4 faces. You have to choose which songs to save on your system and which to delete (although in most cases you can download them again).

The latest PlayStation 4 owners have no doubt bought the PS4 Pro, which came with 1TB of storage. Taking into account the storage reserved by the system, a PS4 Pro 1 TB offered around 862 GB of available storage. The PlayStation 5 is way behind despite the ever-growing size of AAA games.

Owners can expand this amount by purchasing and installing an NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. The console has an open SSD slot for this purpose. However, Sony has yet to confirm which off-the-shelf NVMe SSDs will work with PS5. These are the only hard drives that allow you to take advantage of the PS5's loading speeds. A typical NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD costs around $ 200, which isn't cheap. On the plus side, it's a little less than the $ 220 memory cards used by Microsoft's Xbox Series X and S consoles.

You can also connect an external hard drive or SSD, but you won't see the system's speed advantages with any game stored there. PS5 games saved there cannot be played until you transfer them to the internal drive. Therefore, external drives are only useful for older games.

The controller: It's a win

If load times are the PS5's main weapon, the new DualSense controller is the secondary weapon. And it's impressive.

Slightly larger than the DualShock 4, it refines the haptic feedback by incorporating a precise sense of touch into the video game experience that force feedback has never given before. This could become hokey (and in fairness for years to come), but right now it adds another layer to the games and increases player immersion.

Having trouble opening a heavy door or pulling an arch? The manual releases can convey this tension. Did you have a rough landing while driving over a hill or a slog through a muddy area? You will know This new haptic feedback is a subtle thing that, like the lack of loading screens, you'll soon take for granted. You won't realize how quickly you get used to it until it's not there.

Playstation 5 controller ps5Digital trends graphic

A new built-in microphone is less useful in most games, but it does allow you to have a quick chat with friends without a headset.

The cost of this new functionality is the battery life. The DualSense has a rechargeable battery (compared to AA series X batteries). However, we have found that this cargo drains quickly. Charging through the PS5's USB port rarely resulted in a full charge, whether in standby mode or at full power. A separate Sony charging stand has fully charged the controller.

PlayStation 4 controllers work with the PlayStation 5, but only with PS4 games that are played through backward compatibility. Microsoft offers controller cross compatibility that will allow old Xbox One controllers to work with the new Xbox.

Games and software: the star of the show

Microsoft has found it difficult to come up with a new console without a first-party launch title, but Sony is in an enviable position.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is great fun that shows off many if not all of the features of the PS5. The story is on the short side, but there are plenty of side missions to add to things. The included Astro Playground is a platform gamer's hidden gem, loaded with Easter eggs reminiscent of a stripped-down Super Mario Bros., yet acting as a gateway through the new features of the PS5 controller.

Demon’s Souls and Sackboy: A Big Adventure were not made available for early review, nor were BugSnax, which PlayStation Plus members receive for free when the system starts up. However, the games we played from the PlayStation Plus collection loaded smoothly and quickly using the PS5's Game Boost feature.

Long term

The PS5 may be the system to beat at the launch of this new generation of consoles, but while previous cycles have had a clear path forward, this one is much cloudier. Cloud gaming in particular is a delivery method that is gaining traction among publishers, just like digital delivery in the early 2010s.

Microsoft has already defined a path for this delivery method. Sony has PlayStation Now, but despite buying two innovators in the market (OnLive and Gaikai) long ago, the company hasn't done much to strengthen its base and build that business. This opened the door to Google's Stadia, xCloud, and Amazon Luna.

Will cloud gaming make console performance less relevant in the years to come? It's difficult to say. Gamers are skeptical of the technology and fear delays, but the proliferation of 5G and high-speed internet could remove those concerns. And if cloud gaming really does become a major delivery method, Sony could be behind the pack.

However, that is the future. For now, Sony has delivered a great next generation console that includes at least one must-play game that the system sells. It has succeeded in building on the PS4's momentum, innovating without going too far, and giving players a glimmer of hope in a year when this has been blotchy at best.

Our opinion

The PlayStation 5 is everything gamers wanted – and more. While storage space is a real concern and Sony's long-term view of industry shifts is questionable, there is no denying that this is a real next-gen machine. It makes existing games more fun and has several strong starting titles.

Is there a better alternative?

No. At least for the 2020 vacation, the PS5 clearly beats the competition and makes the PS4 appear almost archaic.

How long it will take?

Expect a long service life from this system. The biggest hurdle is moving to cloud-based gaming. If this happens faster than industry insiders anticipate, Sony may have a hard time keeping up.

Should you buy one?

Yes absolutely. The PlayStation 5 is a gaming system that lives up to the next generation label.

Editor's recommendations




05 Nov
Blog

Xbox Series X Review: Phenomenal Power, But No Launch Game

Xbox Series X Stylized Graphics

"The Xbox Series X is an extremely powerful console, but the lack of next-gen titles has stalled its launch."

  • Potential

  • More memory than PS5

  • Library accessible through Game Pass

  • Good value

  • Missing an outstanding starting game

  • Difficult to assemble in most A / V cabinets

  • The potential of the next generation is untapped

Timing is everything.

When a console starts up, this is critical. Every component of a new system – from hardware to software – must come together to meet the expectations of an eager and often over-critical fan base. But COVID-19 has ditched even the most laborious of schedules, much to Microsoft's frustration.

Xbox Series X is like an athlete who trained for the big game all year only to find the rest of the team wasn't there. It's a powerhouse that corrects many of the mistakes made in the early days of Xbox One. It undoubtedly has a bright future. However, due to important software delays, this system does not need to be purchased immediately or anytime in the coming months.

There is no discussion of the Series X without acknowledging the Halo Infinite lag. Microsoft pinned the game's launch to its new consoles around 17 months ago. Master Chief was the other superstar to be on the starting line alongside Series X.

It doesn't matter whether Halo's delay was due to the pandemic or quality issues. Without them, there would be no system sales game to support the X series this holiday season. And while Microsoft's Game Pass means that many games can be played on the system thanks to backward compatibility and tweaks to some third-party titles, the company urges players to spend $ 500 on a new console – if the same games are already on the system work old.

Digital Trends reviewed the Xbox Series X over the course of a week. (This review focuses solely on the X-Series, not the $ 300-S Series.) And in all frankness, realizing a consumer-level experience was challenging, as optimizations were only available for a handful of titles. For example, EA just says it will be detailing its tweaks for Madden NFL 21 "soon," and SquareEnix has no plans to tweak Marvel's Avengers until 2021.

Setup: Hurry up and download it

Players are expecting a patch for day one, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. The initial download was less than 1GB, but Microsoft has not specified how large the final patch will be on launch day. (This is independent of the game updates required.) The controller also needs a patch.

The result is a setup process that will likely take 10 minutes to an hour of your time, depending on the speed of your internet connection. Obviously getting a patch is better than not, but the conflict between having major updates on launch day and wanting to load a game the moment you turn on the console is an issue that the brand new solid-state drive doesn't can fix.

Otherwise, setting up the console is a breeze. Microsoft is pushing to use the Xbox app. It's really a time saver as you can quickly copy your settings, GamerTag, Wi-Fi password (assuming you don't have a hardline internet connection for your console) and other information, which makes setup drastically easier.

Performance: A lot of performance in a big box

Microsoft has been shouting about its superior hardware on an almost deafening level since the first series X test (then called Project Scarlett). By now you probably know the technical data and keywords: 120 frames per second (fps), HDR, 12 teraflops of computing power, etc.

Despite its performance, the X Series is surprisingly quiet. The system's cooling structure is so efficient that you sometimes wonder if the console is actually turned on. The Xbox One is like a jet engine in comparison.

However, the X Series doesn't simply fit into most home entertainment centers. Microsoft (like Sony) designed its next generation system as a showcase. The X Series is smaller than the PlayStation 5, but still doesn't easily fit into the average living room A / V cabinet. This is due to its width, the result of a shape more like a box than a slate. It might be annoying for some owners.

You'd think there was more to be said about the performance, but that's not there, and that's due (again) to the lack of starting titles. This is the part of the review where amazingly beautiful new open world titles could be discussed. Unfortunately, this game is not available for Serie X at the start. No question about it, this is a powerful console – numerically it is (slightly) faster than the PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, the hardware is currently underutilized.

Storage: 1 TB is no longer what it used to be

The X series offers acceptable, if not optimal, storage space. The 1 TB hard drive (compared to 512 GB of the S series) is the same as the Xbox One X. However, after subtracting the amount used by the system's operating system, only 802 GB is available. That should be fine at first, but as this generation progresses and games require more space, this could be problematic.

Increasing the system memory to 2TB could have future-proofed the console, although that would certainly have affected the price of the X Series. The Xbox Series X console launches on November 10 for $ 499 (a major selling point for Microsoft).

However, Sony's PlayStation 5 is at a disadvantage. It comes with 825 GB of internal storage and, like the Xbox Series X, not everything is available for game installation. According to prelaunch reports, around 667 GB is available for games. This means that there is 135 GB less storage available on the PlayStation 5 than on the Xbox Series X.

Microsoft

If 1TB isn't enough, you can expand the X-series storage. Players can connect an external hard drive to the system. Tests by Digital Foundry showed that, at least for backwards compatible titles, an external solid-state drive was almost as fast as the storage on the device.

The console also has a memory expansion card slot that can double the memory size. However, at $ 220, this is not inexpensive. The PlayStation 5 can be upgraded with a wider range of third-party PCIe 4.0 SSDs, which can be purchased for just $ 200 (for 1TB of storage).

The controller: if it's not broken, don't fix it

Controllers are our connection to the games we play and they have become increasingly important over the past generations. Microsoft has kept almost the same design for the past two generations, and this time around there are no significant changes.

The X series controller sits comfortably in your hands and has been ergonomically optimized to make it a little more comfortable. It's a bit more social than previous Xbox controllers, as the record and share button has been added that allows players to take screenshots and video clips and quickly post them online.

It continues to use AA batteries instead of internal rechargeable batteries, but it's far from a power hog. We didn't even have to change the batteries during the testing process. The PlayStation 5 controller comes with an internal battery. Xbox Series X owners must pay for this upgrade as an add-on.

Games and software: the lack of launch titles

Given the lack of games designed for the Series X and the few that were tweaked during the review window, evaluating the game potential is – frustratingly – the most TBD part of the Xbox Series X experience.

Yes, the games currently available look fantastic. Gears 5 runs incredibly smoothly at 120 FPS, which raises hopes for future titles. The visual fidelity is only part of the gaming experience, of course, but it's a catch that draws players in. However, Gears 5 at 120 FPS is nowhere near enough to sell a new console as a next-gen. A new console needs a launch title to really show off, and with Halo Infinite being postponed until next year, Series X doesn't have one.

Gears 5 advantages

The promise of faster loading times also remains unproven. Loading from game start to gameplay in Gears 5 (for a new campaign) still takes well over a minute. Guard Dogs: Legion, while not optimized, took a little less time. These are better results than an Xbox One X, but not the suggested immediate availability. Hopefully games that are designed for the next generation will offer loading times that feel like the next generation.

Quick Resume, the touted feature that pauses games similar to pausing an app on your smartphone, seems to work flawlessly, although it's difficult (again) with a few optimized titles to put them through their paces. In general, games you navigate away from will reopen more quickly after a brief splash screen.

The Smart Delivery feature, which ensures players get the best version for their system, is a nice touch that saves frustration, but the fact that it isn't available every game is annoying. It's not even available for every Xbox Game Studios game, which is very confusing.

The promise

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's bet on the future. It's an insanely powerful system that could excite the gaming world once the company's internal teams begin to demonstrate its capabilities.

Microsoft believes that there is something that proves this generation of consoles. The Xbox One stumbled out of the gate and never fully recovered. This is not the case this time. While the lack of software is disruptive, the company is difficult to fault completely as the pandemic has weighed on everyone in the gaming world.

It's an insanely powerful system that could excite the gaming world once the company's internal teams begin to demonstrate its capabilities.

Microsoft makes a compelling case for the Series X value proposition with Game Pass. There's a reason the huge library of backward compatible games and the Smart Delivery option are being touted. No, you don't have a new Forza, Halo, or Gears to play with your Series X this year. And you can't for some time. However, Microsoft believes this is a perfect opportunity to play games that you've never seen or are currently enjoying (as well as the numerous third-party games coming out this vacation) in an expanded environment.

It's by no means a bad argument, but it's more reasonable and practical than emotional. Console launches were once an opportunity to reveal new gaming experiences that were simply not possible before. Currently, the Xbox Series X is insufficient in this department.

Our opinion

The Xbox Series X is a powerful system that has nothing yet to really demonstrate its capabilities. With sharp graphics, a familiar user interface, and fast load times, it is a strong competitor to this generation of consoles. However, a lack of showcase games means you don't have to rush to buy anything.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. The Sony PlayStation 5, unlike the Xbox Series X, has launch titles that are worth your attention. Astro & # 39; s Playroom and Demon & # 39; s Souls are the standout features. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is also eagerly awaited, but can also be purchased for PlayStation 4.

How long it will take?

The Xbox Series X should prove to be a solid investment, eliminating unforeseen problems (which have historically impacted first-generation console models). Despite the lack of starting titles, the X series is a very powerful system that should remain relevant for at least five years.

Should you buy one?

No not yet. The X Series is a solid console, but it lacks a launch title that requires immediate purchase of the console.

Editor's recommendations




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