27 Aug
Blog

Beats Solo3 Headphones Review: Style Leads The Way

Beats Solo3 rating headphones Solo 3 8

"The price for the Beats Solo3 is geared towards style and compatibility and a bit high for just average sound."

  • Multiple color options

  • Great battery life

  • Strong compatibility with Apple products

  • Bad bass

  • Tight fit leads to hearing fatigue

Beats was about brand and style, as well as sound quality and features. So it's not surprising that all of the on-ear / over-ear options have more color choices than the pre-audio specs.

The Beats Solo3 are the company's most accessible headphones in terms of price, but that doesn't make them cheap. At $ 200, they still hit the high-end personal audio market despite their lower status among the Beats options. Where does the Solo3 end up in a headphone market that has become very competitive in recent years? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

The Beats Solo3 are simply delivered. In a few layers of cardboard packaging you will find the headphones, a soft carrying case, a USB-A-to-USB-Micro-B charging cable and a small carabiner (for grinding onto the soft case and for attaching to things, I. guess). Beats also comes with a number of booklets that clearly explain setup and use, and a sticker in case this is your jam. Although the headphones accept a 3.5mm jack connector that bypasses the power requirement, the Solo3 headphones don't come with one. For the price, I'd think including such a simple cable would be a breeze, but Apple is for you.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I'll say the packaging was free of excess plastic which means you can probably easily recycle most of it anywhere, which is lovely. Here we award points for sustainability.

Build and design

The color of the Beats set that was sent to me for review is Satin Silver which is basically white. They're straightforward and clean looking, but in my opinion they're the least interesting options besides maybe the matte black. As for style, Beats nailed it down the line with its headphones as some of the other options look amazing.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The build quality is also solid. The hinges are made of polished chrome, the ear cups are well padded, and while the outside of the cans is plastic, the headphones don't feel cheap. The headband isn't particularly sturdy, but the ease of the Solo3s mixed with the strength of the clamping pressure on the ears makes me try that.

Speaking of clamping pressure, it's significant. The Solo3 headphones are on-ear headphones, not over-ear headphones. Hence, the cups rest right on your ears and press into the sides of your head when you wear them. I don't have a particularly large head and it's narrower than round. Nevertheless, the auricles press pretty hard against my ears until wearing the Solo3s becomes uncomfortable even after a short time. I could only wear them for an hour at most before I became significantly tired. In short, these headphones are very small. So if you have a bigger head, chances are that these are even more uncomfortable for you than you are on mine.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The Solo3 weighs only 215 grams, is well distributed and makes it easy to carry or carry. I mentioned that the headband didn't feel as sturdy, and that's because the padding over the band that's on top of my head isn't very soft. It didn't bother me too much, but the Beats Solo Pros and Studios have a much more padded headband so it was disappointing to see fewer pillows here.

The soft case that came with the Solo3 is nothing special. You can use the included carabiner to attach it to the inside or outside of a bag if you wish. The case is quite compact, which is a plus, but it just won't win design awards for its looks.

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In the right auricle there is a micro-USB charging port and the power switch. The left auricle has a 3.5mm jack input on the bottom and on the side of the mug with a button to pause, play and skip tracks and two buttons for volume control. I like the physical buttons on the Solo3s as opposed to a touchpad on other headphones, as the tactile feedback lets me know I'm using the controls correctly while wearing the headphones (since I can't see what I'm pressing).

Compatibility and battery

As an Apple brand, the Beats headphones provide the best user experience with an iPhone, but are also fully compatible with Android devices. The Solo3s feature Apple's W1 chip, which provides additional functionality when used with Apple products, including support for “Hey Siri” and multiple headset listening (when using other Beats or Apple products). The headphones and their remaining battery life are also displayed when they are held near the iPhone.

As an iPhone user, the Beats Solo3 headphones slipped straight into my portable library.

As an iPhone user, the Beats Solo3 headphones have slipped into my portable library with ease, just like when I added the AirPods Pros and my Apple Watch. Pairing was quick and easy, and jumping to additional sources was quick, even though they don't support Bluetooth multipoint. I hope that using the Solo3s across multiple Apple products will be even easier when Apple releases auto headphone handover with the next operating system.

The battery life of the Solo3 headphones is very good.

The battery life of the Solo3 headphones is very good: 40 hours between charges. They even offer a quick 10 minute charge for 3 hours of listening. This is some of the best battery performance you can ask for a headphone on the market right now. It would be the best if it weren't for the recently released Jabra Elite 45H with a 50 hour battery life.

Audio quality

Beats did an excellent job of making the audio from these headphones as appealing as possible. For an audiophile, these are as close as I can imagine. However, they are harmless to the average listener.

It's a perfect line for a brand like Beats.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The sound from the Solo3 headphones is center-controlled, with the higher registers as well as the lows and bass playing a lesser role. That doesn't mean the bass isn't there – it is. The Solo3 headphones just don't pump bass the way I like it sometimes, or seem to have the ability to present it at any depth.

The sound stage is particularly narrow because the areas are compressed into a small space. On Sias Chandelier, the bass sounds overworked and mushy, but her vocals come through well enough. Similarly, Hans Zimmer's No Time for Caution doesn't have the "oomph" it should and can't boost the drama high enough for my taste due to a weak bass signal. As crescendos, the bass gets a bit choppy and unrefined, which again leads me to believe that these headphones cannot output clear bass when a song demands it.

These headphones cannot output clear bass when a song requires it.

The fact that the bass isn't strong on the Solo3 is confusing as a punchy bass is pretty much a big part of the typical beats sound. Perhaps it is good that these offer a break from what is usually stronger in the lows, or it would be disappointing if you bought these and expected the same beats sound.

Beats also doesn't offer a way to optimize the EQ. So you hear what you get out of the Solo3 headphones.

Unless you're really looking for a powerful bass that will rock your jaw, the tone is easy to hear and generally pleasant. It's that center-headed audio that's damn easy to hear. Warm and approachable, most people will like it well.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

The Beats Solo3 headphones rely heavily on their style and Apple connectivity for audio quality to make their $ 200 high price tag. For many it will be worth it. But it's a very competitive market, and Beats might have a hard time convincing the well-informed that these doses are the ones to get.

Are there any better alternatives?

At $ 200, both the Know Calm and Razer Opus are solid options. The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are also in this price range and are worth considering. If you're looking to spend less, the Jabra Elite 45H are half the price, but sound much better, despite lacking the firm grip of the Solo3. In all four cases, you may have to sacrifice style and compatibility, but you will get better sound. It depends on your preference.

How long will they last?

When micro-USB is on the way out, it can be annoying to have that extra cable with you when the rest of your technology is set to USB-C, especially if you're using Apple products and are already using a lighting cable. Apple's 1-year limited warranty applies to Beats products. The build quality is solid.

Should you buy it?

Maybe. The thing is, they are expensive for average audio performance but they look great and compatibility with Apple products is nice and hard to miss. You need to balance what's important to you and determine if the Beats Solo3 headphones meet these requirements.

Editor's recommendations




27 Aug
Blog

Adapt Workout Goals to Chronic Pain and Injury

There is no getting around it: Chronic pain, be it due to an illness, a persistent injury or an acute incident, sucks.

If you are an active or competitive person and have ever been seriously injured or struggled with significant pain, you know that it can be devastating. If you are a coach or trainer you know that keeping a client motivated and even compliant in this scenario is incredibly difficult, to say the least.

Why can a seemingly superficial problem like an injury trigger such a strong grief response?

People, especially those attracted to competitive or challenging physical activity, generally have a why, what is our ultimate ultimate goal, and the how, how we want to achieve it that motivates us in our training.

When we figure out how this aligns with our goals and makes us feel productive, We often begin to identify with how it relates the ultimate end goal to our ways of achieving it.

If someone's goal is to get stronger and their way to achieve that goal is to stick to a powerlifting program, it is not uncommon for that person to identify as someone who does deadlifts, benches, and squats instead of identifying as a person who generally wants to be stronger.

Pain and injury are uniquely powerful in their ability to keep us away from the things that are fundamental parts of our identity.

When I identify as a powerlifter and suffer a back injury that keeps me deadlifting and squatting for an extended period of time, it feels like a large part of me is gone. That feeling sucks.

When or when the problem becomes chronic, a different set of challenges arise. Often times, we can save our motivation by relying on the idea that our pain or injury is temporary.

When this is no longer the case, we lose hope and can act in harmful ways, e.g. B. by stopping physical activity altogether.

There is a typical process of grieving for injuries that I consider normal and sometimes inevitable. Still, there are specific steps we as athletes and coaches can take to circumvent some of the deleterious effects of this process.

1. Develop a symbiotic, proactive relationship with pain

Develop a symbiotic yet proactive relationship with your pain or injury. Irrational behavior about the harm and pain often stems from an attitude that the pain is or is not an adversary.

When we are seriously injured or in chronic pain, our perception of that pain needs to change so that we can maintain our spiritual well-being and act in a way that supports our ultimate goals.

The first step is to consider the possibility of this restriction not being lifted for a while. Some may call this idea radical acceptance; no matter where you have been or where you want to be, Accept where your body is now.

At the same time, take daily actions to make sure you are doing something to relieve the pain. Work with a qualified practitioner on the proactive piece.

Bottom line: accept your current circumstances, but take steps daily to change them.

2. Think objectively about why and how

Think more objectively about your why, and then find other options. One of the exercises I do with my clients is to explore the roots of their primary goals (AKA, their why).

If we lose our preferred method, we have to find different ways to get to the why. Sometimes the why is not as clear as it seems.

For example, if someone says their end goal is a pullup, their real goal might be:

  • Develop more upper body strength
  • Become more effective on a particular activity
  • To achieve something physically new

Conclusion: get to the bottom of your why. Then start thinking about alternative options.

3. Develop and improve your movement toolbox

Develop and improve your movement toolbox. One of the most powerful insights I see from customers is this When it comes to exercise, there are always other options.

These options are dynamic and can change from day to day. They almost always change as our body adapts to new circumstances and balances them out.

Over time, however, we find that a certain tool (AKA a certain how) is not available to usThere is always another tool that we can use.

In extreme circumstances such as a systemic flare-up or the like, the tool may not be physical, but it still helps us get closer to one of our real end goals. This principle enables us to remain productive and to move despite our acute or chronic limitations.

Bottom line: always have a plan B (and C) ready.

The bottom line of the bottom line

While injury and pain can steal the limelight and seemingly take us away from our goals, we can still make progress by changing our perceptions, realizing what we need, and getting a little creative with our solutions.

Identify, adapt and move.

27 Aug
Blog

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 Review: The Legacy Continues

Lenovo Ideapad Slim 7 review Thinkpad X1 Yoga Gen5 01

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5

"The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 continues the old ThinkPad legacy without missing out on modern features."

  • Excellent workmanship

  • Tactile keyboard

  • Additional security functions

  • The pen is included

  • Convenient port selection

  • Thick bezels and outdated design

  • Too expensive

  • Uses Comet Lake processors

ThinkPads don't change. The decades-old design is part of its enduring legacy, and its looks have become iconic over the years.

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga, however, has always been a deviation from the norm. With an aluminum case, touchscreen, and included stylus, it's not your father's ThinkPad – that's the saying.

Now in its fifth generation, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga has been updated with the latest internals, and sky-high prices remain. My test unit was $ 2,303, and even the base model is a whopping $ 1,439. Does the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 live up to the venerable ThinkPad legacy? Let's find out.

design

The aluminum case is the standout feature of this laptop, which is strange to say. Since the days of the early MacBook Air, the silver color scheme has been brought to death. Of course, not every silver laptop is created equal, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 gets it right. It's a discreet dark gray – dare I say "Space Gray" in tone.

The aluminum material makes it even more robust than your average ThinkPad. This builds on the brand's pedigree for great build quality, and it's even more important for a convertible laptop with a 360-degree hinge. The X1 Yoga should be used as a laptop, but it should also be rotated in "media" mode or even turned upside down in "tent" mode. It's a device that you should touch, and that's what durability is important for. The aluminum also helps in reducing fingerprints for which the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is known.

Whether it's the distinctive keyboard or the TrackPoint node, you won't confuse this with a MacBook.

The hinge is constructed tightly – maybe even a little too tight. Like most laptops, it cannot be opened with one finger and requires a two-handed grip to pull it apart. However, the aluminum adds to the weight of the device. It comes in at just under three pounds, which is over half a pound heavier than the X1 Carbon.

Outside of the aluminum, the X1 Yoga is a ThinkPad through and through. Whether it's the distinctive keyboard or the TrackPoint node, you won't confuse this with a MacBook or anything else.

Thick bezels are also part of this specialty. On all sides, they're not as slim as I would expect from a laptop released in 2020, even when compared to some other 14-inch laptops from Lenovo. The lower chin is a particularly notable culprit. Other 2-in-1 laptops like the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 or the HP Specter x360 can maximize screen space better.

Ports

ThinkPads have always offered a wide variety of ports, and the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is no exception. On the left side there are two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a USB-A port, HDMI and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Lenovo's proprietary mechanical docking connection is connected to one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports and can be helpful when setting up a new home office. However, the dock itself is sold separately.

On the right side you will find another USB-A port, the power switch, a Kensington lock and the pen slot. The included pen, the ThinkPad Pen Pro, is a great addition. Many manufacturers such as HP and Dell charge a surcharge for a pen and do not offer a housing for the device. Unfortunately, the ThinkPad Pen Pro cannot be pulled out when the laptop is flat on the table. Other pen slots, such as those used by Samsung, have a spring mechanism that allows them to pop out.

The pen itself is light and simple, precise enough to take notes and scroll through web pages. For a pen that's better for illustrating, consider using either an Apple Pencil or a Surface Pen.

The ports on the right have been moved towards you to make room for a sizeable exhaust vent. The location of the vent also means that if you're right-handed and want to use an external mouse, a wave of hot air will be pushed towards you. Plus, the single USB-A port is in an awkward spot where cables can dangle.

Although the device has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, both of which can be charged, I would have preferred if Lenovo split them up. Charging from both sides of the laptop can definitely come in handy.

Keyboard and touchpad

ThinkPads are known for their keyboards. I understand why – that extra travel in the keys is a rare feature these days. After a few days of typing, I began to appreciate the luxury of this long trip. The slight concavity of the keys is comfortable, and the additional force exerted on the key presses ensures tactile precision.

But I have to admit, I have problems with the layout of this keyboard. In line with ThinkPad tradition, the X1 Yoga still swaps the fn and ctrl keys on the left. The different layout bothers me every time I type on a ThinkPad computer and it never stops being frustrating. It took me several days to type Ctrl + T and Ctrl + Z incorrectly to unlearn the layout.

But there is more. ThinkPads use the standard half-size arrow keys that are just below the rest of the keys. That alone can cause me to trip a bit, but placing PgUp and PgDn keys right next to them is additionally problematic. As a touch typist, I can't tell you the number of times I accidentally jumped to the page because of small errors.

Touch typists have to unlearn some keyboard commands.

My final layout complaint is about the keyboard backlight. While the ThinkPad X1 Yoga has a backlight, you will have to rely on the Fn + Space keyboard command to turn it on. Neither of these layout problems is new to ThinkPad users, but they are an issue for those who came from other laptops or keyboards.

As always, the touchpad hardware buttons are located above the touchpad for easy access while using the TrackPoint. The red nub in the middle of the keyboard is an icon and a unique feature. However, if you want to rely mainly on the touchpad, the buttons take up valuable space where a larger touchpad surface could have been. My fingers often ran against it while wiping with two fingers or gesturing with three fingers. The glass touchpad itself feels precise and smooth, and the click is quieter than other laptops.

The fingerprint scanner is unfortunately to the right of the touchpad. I would prefer something built into the keyboard itself, but the reader that comes with it is good. Above the screen, you also get an IR camera for Windows Hello face recognition and a 720p webcam.

Display and speaker

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 has a 14-inch 4K display. However, you can also go for a 1080p model that will save you a few hundred dollars. However, the 4K display is brighter, sharper and more colorful. The maximum is just under 500 nits, which is bright enough to overcome glare even in brightly lit rooms. Although the X1 Yoga Gen 5 is not like the ThinkPad X1 Extreme OLED, in contrast it does well at 1,020: 1.

The colors are a bit mixed up though. For a 4K display, I expect the broadest possible color range and precise color accuracy. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is a bit behind some of the leading companies in this area, such as the Dell XPS 13 or the HP Specter x360. While 86% of Adobe RGB is better than the average laptop, the color accuracy isn't quite up to par. Professional photo editing or graphic design are not the type of work the X1 Yoga Gen 5 is good for.

The 1080p screen is a better choice for most potential buyers as it translates into longer battery life.

The speakers face down and are located under the edges of the case. Unsurprisingly, the audio quality is a bit squishy. The speakers don't have the quiet highs of many laptops, but they won't impress you either.

performance

Despite the desire of the X1 Yoga to be more attractive, all ThinkPads are business computers at heart. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 pays tribute to that legacy with the latest 10th generation vPro Core i7 processors. These are business-specific chips from Intel that provide additional security and manageability features that your IT department will appreciate.

The decision for vPro over a normal processor of the 10th generation has one disadvantage: pure speed and graphics performance. The Intel Core i7-10610U vPro is a quad-core processor, but it belongs to the older 14nm Comet Lake variant. The newer Ice Lake processors, like those of the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 or the HP Specter x360, are said to be faster. This was true for Cinebench R20, where the XPS 13 was 10% faster than the X1 Yoga Gen 5 in both single-core and multi-core tests.

The business class processor results in a slight performance penalty.

The X1 Yoga Gen 5 wasn't the fastest in real world performance either, such as when it came to video encoding in Handbrake. Laptops like the XPS 13 and the 13-inch MacBook Pro blow it out of the water thanks to their improved multi-core performance. The new generation of AMD laptops extends this lead even further. Unfortunately, choosing a business processor with additional security features still results in a slight performance penalty.

I'm not saying the X1 Yoga is a slow computer for everyday tasks. Creating multiple 4K monitors, extensive multitasking, and even light content is no problem.

Graphics are the only performance area where the difference is most evident. Comet Lake processors use Intel's terrible built-in UHD graphics, while laptops like the XPS 13 2-in-1 or the Specter x360 have the option for Intel's improved Iris Plus graphics. Neither of these will turn your laptop into a hardcore slot machine, but Iris Plus is at least enough to get past lighter games on low settings.

Battery life

All 4K laptops have battery life issues. More pixels mean more power to power them, and the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is no different. It took me about five hours in my daily use which consists of lots of multitasking and browsing tabs but not lots of heavy applications. That's not bad, but you can't safely stay away from an electrical outlet for an entire day at work.

In our lightest test, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga lasted 7 hours and 49 minutes while looping a local 1080p video file. The HP Specter x360 lasted almost two hours longer in the same test, despite a 4K OLED panel. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga matched the battery performance of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

Our heaviest test is the Basemark web benchmark, which simulates the battery life in a heavy application. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga ran out of juice after just two hours, which is not uncommon for a 4K laptop.

Our opinion

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 5 is a modern business laptop, but it still has a commercial heart. This is no excuse for some of his cumbersome design choices, especially the beefy bezels. The ThinkPad X1 brand still has its advantages, especially when it comes to the keyboard, TrackPoint, and world-famous build quality. The included pen is also a unique feature that is unique to the Samsung Galaxy Book Flex.

Is there a better alternative?

There are two ThinkPad X1 alternatives to Yoga: the X1 Carbon and the X1 Extreme. The X1 Carbon is lighter and the X1 Extreme is bigger and far more powerful. Neither the aluminum housing nor the 2-in-1 functions.

Both the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 and the HP Specter x360 13 are better 2-in-1 laptops for the average person, with better performance and a more modern design. Both are cheaper than the X1 Yoga, but neither are business-class laptops.

If the business pedigree is a must, both the HP Elite Dragonfly and Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 are worthy rivals of the X1 Yoga.

How long it will take?

The ThinkPad brand is known for durability and the X1 Yoga Gen 5 is no different. It should take up to five years, although the standard warranty is only one year.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The X1 Yoga won't win conversions in its fifth generation, but it's a good choice if you're upgrading from an older ThinkPad.

Editor's recommendations




27 Aug
Blog

BeatsX Review: Expensive, But Maybe Still Worth It

Beats BeatsX wireless earbuds

Beatsx wireless headphones

"Though expensive for what you get, they're stylish, comfortable, and a joy to use."

  • Very convenient

  • Decent sound quality

  • Excellent call quality

  • Easy pairing with Apple products

  • A bit expensive for what you get

  • The battery life is no longer competitive

  • Not good for Android users

Apple's own Beats range of wireless headphones are perhaps best known for their large and bold studio over-ear model and its smaller sibling, the Solo Pro, but Beats offers more than big doses.

Take the $ 100 BeatsX, for example. Since their introduction in 2017, they have been the cheapest, arguably the most wearable beats you can buy.

But can the small and simple BeatsX hold its own in a world now dominated by true wireless earbuds (including Beats' own Powerbeats Pro)?

Time to find out.

What's in the box?

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BeatsX WirtsX earphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-beatsx-00007-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

BeatsX WirtsX earphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-beatsx-00009-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The BeatsX comes in a simple box and sleeve. The only reference to plastic is the small black retail hanger loop and packaging that contains the optional three sizes of silicone earbuds. The rest is easily recyclable.

You will receive paper documentation such as the quick setup guide and a Beats sticker. A short USB to lightning charging cable is the only other accessory.

Apple does not include a travel bag or bag for the BeatsX. You must therefore find a safe way to store them when not in use.

design

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BeatsX WirtsX earphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-beatsx-00004-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

BeatsX WirtsX earphones "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-beatsx-00005-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Beats products are usually flashy things with bold colors, shiny plastics, and wide headbands that are instantly recognizable from a distance.

But unless you go for the bright red and black color scheme, the BeatsX are subtle compared to their cousins. In the other two colors – silver and black – the only shiny surfaces are on the earbuds themselves, which are essentially hidden when worn.

The BeatsX use a hybrid cable design that combines a flat, tangle-free wire and a thicker, rubberized section around the neck that springs back into its U-shape no matter how hard you twist and turn it.

At both ends of the U there are elongated plastic housings that house the battery, electronics (including the W1 Bluetooth chip developed by Apple), as well as the charging port and power / pairing button.

Thanks to the combination of the rubberized coating and the dimensionally stable properties of the U-profile, the BeatsX stays in position – especially when it comes into contact with bare skin.

With just eight hours of battery life, the BeatsX are slowly showing their age.

The earbuds are closed together with magnets, which makes storage a little easier. However, I found it more useful when I took out the earbuds and used the magnets to prevent the buds from jumping around independently.

Despite the huge popularity of true wireless earbuds (not least thanks to Apple's other line of personal audio products, AirPods), the BeatsX are a reminder that there is still a reason to buy wired wireless earbuds.

There's no need to lug around a charging case, worry about where to put the earbuds when they're not in your ears, and the built-in control buttons on the right cord are easier to use than even the best touch controls.

Battery life

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Another benefit of the BeatsX design should be battery life. With a lot more room in these plastic cases for a large battery than real wireless earbuds, the standard for this type of design is now anywhere from 15 hours (Beats Powerbeats 4) to 20 hours (1More Dual Driver ANC Pro). But after just eight hours, the BeatsX show their age.

But it's also the case that Apple's true wireless earbuds, the AirPods and AirPods Pro, only need about five hours before they need more juice. So when it comes to the length of a single session, the BeatsX are still an improvement.

With the BeatsX, you don't get a charging case to extend the battery life, but it only takes five minutes to charge to use another two hours.

I would like the BeatsX to give audible feedback about the battery status when it is switched on. Instead, you get two types of visual ads. The on / off switch on the neckband glows white if you have up to eight hours left (but this can mean anywhere from 1.5 to a full eight hours) and red if you have an hour or less left.

The more informative display is on an iOS device, where you can view the remaining power as a percentage right in the control center. The same information is available to Android users, but only when you open the free Beats app for Android.

Convenience, control and connections

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Wired bluetooth earbuds are often more comfortable than their true wireless counterparts because the earbuds are basically just the drivers that produce the sound. So they are much smaller and lighter. For me, this was certainly the case for the BeatsX, which did an admirable job of sitting comfortably and securely in my ears.

The neck portion of the BeatsX is so light it's easy to forget you're wearing a wired set of buds in the first place. Except for the actual wires, of course.

These tangle-free flat wires are a treat, but you need to be careful not to twist them. By default, they stay away from your face, but if you grab an earbud that happened to be twisted the wrong way, the opposite happens and the wires are suddenly very shabby with your cheeks.

The inline controls are instantly familiar to you if you've ever used Apple's wired EarPods. The three-button module (which also contains the microphone) gives you access to all the most frequently used functions: play / pause, volume up / down, answer / end call, skip track forwards / backwards and voice assistant.

It's a really clever design too, as any button can be pressed with a press of your thumb and forefinger, regardless of which direction the buttons are facing.

Apple fans will love how Bluetooth works on the BeatsX. To pair them, simply turn them on a few inches from an unlocked iOS device with iOS 10 or later and you'll be instantly notified that your BeatsX are just a tap away from setup.

And while they don't have a true Bluetooth multipoint (which allows you to connect them to two devices at the same time), Apple's multipoint version is almost as good, so you can switch between Macs, iPhones, and iPads with just one click.

They deliver a lot of punch through the low and high frequencies, the kind of EQ that compliments rap and hip hop.

Finally, the BeatsX are also compatible with Apple's audio sharing feature, which allows two headphones or earphones equipped with W1 or H1 to listen to content from an iOS device at the same time.

Unfortunately, these three Bluetooth functions are not available for Android. Class 1 Bluetooth performance is available to all BeatsX buyers, giving them tremendous range compared to most non-Apple wireless headphones. Class 1 devices can operate up to 328 feet under perfect conditions – almost ten times further than class 2 devices.

The only thing really missing is a wear sensor so your music can automatically pause when you pull out an earbud. However, this is a rarity outside of the real world of wireless earbuds.

Sound quality

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The BeatsX may not look like other Beats products, but you can be rest assured that you're still getting the full bass-forward sound signature that has become the brand's sound card.

They deliver plenty of punch through the low and high frequencies, just the kind of EQ that compliments rap, hip hop, and a variety of club and EDM subgenres.

They also get impressively loud when this is your cup of tea (try not to overeat, your ears will thank you later).

But the BeatsX, as the price suggests, won't be everything for everyone, at least from a sound quality standpoint. Your midrange range suffers from a lack of separation and definition, one of the clearest signs that these are not high-end earphones. There is also a flatness and narrowness in the soundstage – a sense that all of the individual elements are huddled together instead of taking up a larger virtual "space" in your head.

For $ 100, this isn't a deal breaker, and I don't think most BeatsX buyers will be put off by it. Still, these are not the wireless earbuds for you, if you want to sit back and relax in your own place and immerse yourself in all the details of your favorite songs.

These are great wireless earbuds that you can use to answer calls in all kinds of environments.

For that pursuit, you need to look up the food chain in the $ 150-250 range.

Call quality

Beats BeatsX wireless earbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you are unsure whether or not the BeatsX is for you, this may help: The BeatsX offer great call quality. Maybe I've just gotten used to the somewhat overwhelming call performance of most true wireless earbuds, but I can't get over how good these earbuds sound.

I suspect it has everything to do with the microphone placement. The BeatsX position their microphone much closer to the source of your voice (i.e. your mouth) than real radio buds can hope for, and this pays off in two ways.

First, your voice is just clearer. There is no distortion, no wobbly effects that I associate with these devices. Second, because your voice is closer, the headphones' background noise suppression circuitry doesn't have to work as hard to amplify it while everything else is reduced.

These are great wireless earbuds that you can use to answer calls in all kinds of environments.

Our opinion

For $ 100, you can get a pretty decent set of real wireless earbuds these days. Still, because of their convenience, good battery life, and great Bluetooth connectivity and call quality, the BeatsX are worth considering, especially if you've already invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Is there a better alternative?

If you like the BeatsX design around your neck, there are two great alternatives. The cheaper JLab Epic ANC for $ 79 are comfortable and have incredible battery life, but they won't impress you with their noise cancellation or sound quality, while the more expensive 1More Dual Driver ANC Pro for $ 150 are a big step up, though You want a significant improvement in sound quality and ANC.

How long will they last?

The BeastX are very well built, with durable materials and connections. They come with an Apple one-year warranty that can be extended with an optional AppleCare purchase. I think they will last for many years with normal use, although you can expect the battery capacity to decrease over time.

Should you buy it?

If you're an Apple customer, yes. While the BeatsX is a little expensive for what you get, it still offers a number of good features and sound quality. Android users should probably look for alternatives.

Editor's recommendations




27 Aug
Blog

Wasteland 3 Review: A strong entry in the storied franchise

Wasteland 3 Key Art Scorpitron

"Wasteland 3 is a rewarding game with unprecedented variety and a great jump in points for new players."

  • Deep gameplay systems

  • Nice graphics

  • A robust open world

  • Sometimes youthful writing

Wasteland, the franchise that helped shape the role-playing game genre, proves once again why it's still one of the reigning champions of tactical video games. With a robust history, deeply explorable world, and unprecedented choice, Wasteland 3 offers a great introduction to new players, both to Wasteland and tactical role-playing games in general, as well as a rewarding experience for long-time fans.

Explore the wasteland

Wasteland 3 continues the story of the Desert Rangers, who traveled from the arid landscapes of Arizona to the bitter cold of Colorado. They seek the help of the patriarch, the ruler of the former state. He asked the Rangers to fight his rebellious children. In return, he will provide them with weapons, vehicles, personnel and operational bases.

The Patriarch in the Wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

The story starts out simple enough, but quickly rotates in a thousand different directions, offering the player numerous avenues to either help or possibly betray the patriarch. Every place you visit is filled with unique characters whose stories make up the narrative tapestry of the game version of Colorado. The quests they offer can range from single tasks to multi-level experiences that either minimally or heavily affect the end goal of assisting the Patriarch. They help create a natural feel narrative that doesn't telegraph where its turns will take you.

The game provides a great starting point for new players, but also a rewarding experience for long-time fans.

The nice thing about Wasteland 3 is how it hides its mechanics. While playing, it is not obvious whether or not the decision you are about to make will have a massive impact on future endeavors. Unlike some games, which have significant narrative variations, the structure of Wasteland 3 is incredibly subtle. It forces the player to make decisions based on their moral compass rather than predicting how something will affect the game. There were a few times during my playthrough where I tried to manipulate the situation into a more favorable outcome. Often times, due to the consequences of previous decisions I had made, the results were something I could never have predicted.

Unfortunately, the complicated narrative contains less than outstanding writing. While Wasteland 3 is set in a somber, post-apocalyptic world, it has a rather light and humorous tone, similar to the Fallout franchise, which was heavily influenced by the first Wasteland game. Wasteland 3 triggers as many giggles as moans. For example, if you visit a brothel in search of a traitorous character, the option to pay for sex is by saying to the owner, "Let's talk about a sexy time," which is perhaps the least sexy thing anyone can do can say.

I often wish the dialogue was a little more refined and not read as youthfully, with characters written more appropriately for 2020. With developers more committed than ever to the way they construct their characters and stories, there are moments in Wasteland 3 that read as if they were written in 1988 when the first Wasteland episode was released. I just wish the game had applied the nuance it uses with its structure to writing more consistently.

Build your crew

Adaptation in the wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

Participation in the story is not a single protagonist, but a crew of them. From the jump, the player has the option of choosing from several pairs of characters or creating their own pair. Every character has skills, perks, and attributes that determine who they are. Maybe they are great for a sniper rifle, or better for weapons that are up close. The level of customization is incredibly deep and means that the player is constantly being asked to adapt their characters to the situation or think outside the box when they may not have the right employee for the job.

Unlike some games, which have significant narrative variations, the structure of Wasteland 3 is incredibly subtle.

At the start of the game, players will then choose two more rangers from a given list as well as additional characters they find on their travels and maybe even an animal companion. The number of people you can have in your party at the same time is six, and you can change your crew at any time. The additional characters on your team depend on the types of side missions available to you while playing. Choose wisely as some characters have much better story missions than others. I felt attached to certain companions and had to weigh my affection for them against the potential for new narrative paths and rewards that I might lose.

To go to war

Your crew will tour the wasteland doing tasks for people to improve the rangers' situation. Many quests result in fights, and for the first time in the series, your team and the opposing team take turns together, rather than each character having their own initiative. It's by far the fastest game in the series and a welcome addition as it's also the largest and longest entry in the franchise.

Battle in the Wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

As you get close to enemies, you will see areas of vision around them. So if you fall on them, your battle advantage increases significantly. There was one particular mission where I got off the wrong foot and was very quickly decimated by the enemy. On my next try, I put my characters in better positions, and it was my enemies who went into rapid decline.

With many encounters, keep your fingers crossed that your latest tactical decision will bring you a well-deserved victory. The conclusion of a successful confrontation often brought with it a deep and satisfying sigh of relief.

If your Rangers or Companions are killed in combat, they are not permanently dead. Once the combat encounter is over, you can use certain items to bring them back or speak to the doctor at headquarters. This is great for newer players, although it's a shame that there isn't a permadeath option for those who wish.

In between quests, you can bring your crew back to the aforementioned headquarters, a gift from the Patriarch to aid you in your endeavors. Your base can be upgraded over time with improved facilities and new staff. It's a place where you can regroup and equip your gear before venturing into the frozen abyss. It serves as an evolving physical representation of your choices as you travel. This will help you better understand the consequences of your actions in the wasteland and visualize the sense of progress that can be lost simply moving from settlement to settlement.

The reworked fight is by far the fastest game in the series.

Travel between locations in the wasteland is done via a large tank called Kodiak, which is just as customizable as the members of your group. The overworld map is littered with hidden locations and sometimes you run into multiple timed events and have to choose between quests knowing that you are losing other activities. I often get lost in the wilderness, exploring every corner of the map I could before heading to my originally planned destination.

The game offers a tremendous amount of sights and activities. Since certain areas and stories are blocked depending on the selection, a repetition is almost guaranteed to be very different. While this value is great, I imagine only a few are actually interested in starting another experience that will last several tens of hours because the core progression system remains largely the same.

Travel in the wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

An audiovisual leap

The original Wasteland was released in 1988 and its sequel was released with the help of Kickstarter in 2014. Wasteland 3 is just as big an advance in presentation as Wasteland 2 is for Wasteland. The graphical fidelity is amazing, with crisp textures and beautiful lighting. On several occasions, my actions during combat were driven almost entirely by my curiosity about what would visually happen, like using a Molotov grenade to detonate a nitrogen tank.

The music combines the visual quality with an incredible soundtrack. The score combines a number of different genres into a unique sound compared to audio queues typical of post-apocalyptic dishes in games and movies. There were moments when I would step away from the keyboard and mouse just to listen for fear that a conversation with an NPC or a quest would swap the current title I was hearing.

Battle in the Wasteland 3Provided by Deep Silver

Our opinion

Despite my concerns about some of the game's articles, there's no denying that the creators of the tactical RPG genre are still some of the best in the business. A near-unprecedented level of storytelling and choice, combined with a revamped combat system and a massive audiovisual upgrade, makes Wasteland 3 one of the best tactical games ever made.

Is there a better alternative?

Gears Tactics is another excellent tactical RPG that was also released on PC in 2020, although it offers a lot fewer choices and has a more linear story.

How long it will take?

A single playthrough can take up to 80 to 100 hours if the player explores it to the full. However, if some narrative choices preclude others, a second and third playthrough of the game can add up to another very different 80-100 hours if the player so chooses.

Should you buy it?

For those looking for their next RPG or tactical fix, as well as for gamers who want to dip their toes into these genres, Wasteland 3 is absolutely worth buying. Those looking for a quick experience, especially during a holiday season full of games, may want to wait until there are fewer new titles to play.

Editor's recommendations




27 Aug
Blog

Adapt Workout Goals to Chronic Pain and Injury

There is no getting around it: Chronic pain, be it due to an illness, a persistent injury or an acute incident, sucks.

If you are an active or competitive person and have ever been seriously injured or struggled with significant pain, you know that it can be devastating. If you are a coach or trainer you know that keeping a client motivated and even compliant in this scenario is incredibly difficult, to say the least.

Why can a seemingly superficial problem like an injury trigger such a strong grief response?

People, especially those attracted to competitive or challenging physical activity, generally have a why, what is our ultimate ultimate goal, and the how, how we want to achieve it that motivates us in our training.

When we figure out how this aligns with our goals and makes us feel productive, We often begin to identify with how it relates the ultimate end goal to our ways of achieving it.

If someone's goal is to get stronger and their way to achieve that goal is to stick to a powerlifting program, it is not uncommon for that person to identify as someone who does deadlifts, benches, and squats instead of identifying as a person who generally wants to be stronger.

Pain and injury are uniquely powerful in their ability to keep us away from the things that are fundamental parts of our identity.

When I identify as a powerlifter and suffer a back injury that keeps me deadlifting and squatting for an extended period of time, it feels like a large part of me is gone. That feeling sucks.

When or when the problem becomes chronic, a different set of challenges arise. Often times, we can save our motivation by relying on the idea that our pain or injury is temporary.

When this is no longer the case, we lose hope and can act in harmful ways, e.g. B. by stopping physical activity altogether.

There is a typical process of grieving for injuries that I consider normal and sometimes inevitable. Still, there are specific steps we as athletes and coaches can take to circumvent some of the deleterious effects of this process.

1. Develop a symbiotic, proactive relationship with pain

Develop a symbiotic yet proactive relationship with your pain or injury. Irrational behavior about the harm and pain often stems from an attitude that the pain is or is not an adversary.

When we are seriously injured or in chronic pain, our perception of that pain needs to change so that we can maintain our spiritual well-being and act in a way that supports our ultimate goals.

The first step is to consider the possibility of this restriction not being lifted for a while. Some may call this idea radical acceptance; no matter where you have been or where you want to be, Accept where your body is now.

At the same time, take daily actions to make sure you are doing something to relieve the pain. Work with a qualified practitioner on the proactive piece.

Bottom line: accept your current circumstances, but take steps daily to change them.

2. Think objectively about why and how

Think more objectively about your why, and then find other options. One of the exercises I do with my clients is to explore the roots of their primary goals (AKA, their why).

If we lose our preferred method, we have to find different ways to get to the why. Sometimes the why is not as clear as it seems.

For example, if someone says their end goal is a pullup, their real goal might be:

  • Develop more upper body strength
  • Become more effective on a particular activity
  • To achieve something physically new

Conclusion: get to the bottom of your why. Then start thinking about alternative options.

3. Develop and improve your movement toolbox

Develop and improve your movement toolbox. One of the most powerful insights I see from customers is this When it comes to exercise, there are always other options.

These options are dynamic and can change from day to day. They almost always change as our body adapts to new circumstances and balances them out.

Over time, however, we find that a certain tool (AKA a certain how) is not available to usThere is always another tool that we can use.

In extreme circumstances such as a systemic flare-up or the like, the tool may not be physical, but it still helps us get closer to one of our real end goals. This principle enables us to remain productive and to move despite our acute or chronic limitations.

Bottom line: always have a plan B (and C) ready.

The bottom line of the bottom line

While injury and pain can steal the limelight and seemingly take us away from our goals, we can still make progress by changing our perceptions, realizing what we need, and getting a little creative with our solutions.

Identify, adapt and move.

26 Aug
Blog

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 Review: An Astonishing Value

Anker Soundcore SpiritX2 headphones

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2

"The Spirit X2 delivers on the promise of solid battery life, excellent weather resistance and booming bass."

  • Solid battery life

  • Excellent weather protection

  • Big bass

  • Great value for money

  • Unattractive aesthetics

  • Awkwardly positioned controls

On paper, the Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 sounds too good to be true. They are offered as headphones with flawless functions at a remarkably low price. In most similar cases, there is usually a serious unmentioned disadvantage somewhere on the line.

There are a few quirks with the $ 80 Spirit X2 headphones, but they're far from serious. Apart from these small flaws, the Spirit X2 lives up to the hype.

Out of the box

The packaging of the Spirit X2 opens in a binder style and shows headphones that are housed in a transparent plastic case next to the charging case. (I don't know if this was intentional or not, but after removing the headphones and case from the plastic shell, the remaining cutouts for the product are a dead alarm clock for the face of an angry clown.)

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Beneath the annoying clown compartment is a USB-C charging cable, a wholesome amount of extra earplugs and ear fins, and something that can only be characterized as an excessive amount of documentation. I'm everything for a company that makes sure I have everything I need to operate a device, but even by those standards, it seems like too much.

All you need is the quick start guide to get started and you can effectively set the rest of the documents aside. Step 6 in the booklet instructs you to put the headphones in the charging case and then open the case without removing the phones. They'll be put into pairing mode so you can find them in your mobile device's bluetooth settings and connect. This connection is supported by Bluetooth 5 technology by the way, which works exactly as I expected, with seamless connectivity and an exceptional range.

design

The most polarizing part of the Spirit X2 design will no doubt be the large ear hooks that swing upward and rock the back of your ears. In a world where true pint-sized wireless earbuds have taken the market by storm, the bulkier footprint these headphones take is likely to give them the nickname of the group's ugly duckling.

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

And I have to agree with that feeling: somehow it's you. From a purely aesthetic point of view, I found these headphones unattractive, at least when compared to a smaller pair of sporty earphones like the Urbanista Athens. Other than looks, I found the Spirit X2 very comfortable to wear, which is arguably more important. The hooks were tight around my ears but not restrictive. The ear fins and ear plugs fit snugly into the ear, but do not exert unnecessary pressure. The Spirit X2 has threaded the needle between comfort and function well, enabling a range of intense workouts and cardio sessions without having to adjust them.

The Spirit X2 has threaded the needle well between comfort and function.

The buttons on the headphones were functional, but ultimately not fun. You can change tracks, increase or decrease the volume, answer and reject calls and activate your preferred voice assistant by pressing one of the two buttons on either headset. As long as you wish, he will do what you ask him to do right. However, it takes a lot of getting used to and it doesn't help that the controls are clumsily attached to the top of the earhooks. I used to reach for my phone to control the headphones. This is usually not what you want to do during a gym workout or for the long term.

properties

If I am being completely honest after this section of the review you can easily stop reading and you will have all you need to know about the purchase of these headphones. Because if you can get on board with the earhook design, the Spirit X2's features are a worthwhile buy for just $ 80.

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The battery life, which according to Anker is nine hours per charge and a total of 36 hours with the supplied case, makes the Spirit X2 a bargain. While these statistics may not be entirely accurate – I came in about 8.5 hours on my first few charges, even though I was listening at a higher volume most of the time – they're still better than many, far more expensive earbuds. The Apple AirPods and Google Pixel Buds 2 are nowhere near those numbers, and the Jabra Elite Active 75t comes in 7.5 hours on a single charge and just 28 hours of total battery. Thanks to the quick charge function, with which you can play for 10 minutes for two hours, the Spirit X2 are an absolute budget battery champion.

The weather resistance IP68 protects the Spirit X2 from rain and complete immersion in up to two meters of water for a maximum of 30 minutes. Although Soundcore says these headphones are not suitable for swimming, showering, or exposure to pool or ocean water, this is still a solid rating for such an affordable product. The Urbanista Athens have IP67 protection, but are $ 50 more expensive.

At less than $ 100, I don't know if real wireless sports headphones with better features exist.

Soundcore also advertises its "SweatGuard technology", a "submarine structure and hydrophobic nano-coating" that helps ward off perspiration. I think it would take a longer period of testing to really assess how well the Spirit X2 compares to the effects of sweat compared to a traditional true wireless competitor, but having extra sweat protection is certainly not a bad thing, especially for this price.

Audio quality

Anker went to great lengths to market the low-end features of the Spirit X2. The company has integrated a technology called “BassTurbo”, which is inspired by the technology of high-end loudspeakers. Essentially, the technician positions "an acoustic chamber behind the (12mm) driver" to add low-end resonance. Put simply, it seems like a lot for $ 80 headphones, so of course I went straight to bass heavy tracks when I started listening to the Spirit X2.

Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Holy cow.

I have regrets for doubting the Spirit X2's marketing team, even though my reservations about the frequency with which features are overrated held valid. It's refreshing to find cases where it doesn't and the Spirit X2 delivers.

From the throbbing bass in tracks like Childish Gambino's 3005 to the low notes in Lil Nas X's Panini, the Spirit X2 delivered far better results than I'd previously thought for under $ 100 earphones. By using the dual EQ on the Spirit X2 and activating the “BassUp” mode, these headphones really rocked when listening to bass-heavy music. I no longer lift the weight I used to be (thanks to pandemic) but if I were at a gym again I would want that kind of low end in my ears when pumping up for a bench press.

These headphones really rocked when listening to bass heavy music.

The Spirit X2 doesn't handle the rest of the frequency range nearly as well, but I'd say it's definitely passable for most people shopping in this price range. The Jabra Elite Active 75t or the Sony WF-SP800N certainly sound better overall, but at a much higher cost. If you also take into account the Spirit X2's aptX support and a dual microphone approach that ensures adequate call quality, these headphones are really a bargain.

Our opinion

The Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 doesn't have the tastiest design or the simplest controls. But they did promise exceptional battery life, full water resistance, and big bass in a $ 80 package – and, amazingly, they delivered.

Are there any better alternatives?

At less than $ 100, I don't know if real wireless sports headphones with better features exist. For $ 130, the Urbanista Athens comes very close in the equipment department, offers solid sound and a more pleasant design than real funk buds. If the price doesn't scare you, the Sony WF-SP800N has better battery life and active noise cancellation for $ 200.

How long will they last?

The Spirit X2 is backed by an 18 month warranty and more waterproof protection than most people know what to do. If you don't deep-sea diving with them, they should endure well into the future.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Don't let the earhooks and oddly placed controls put you off: The Spirit X2 is currently one of the best ratings for true wireless hearing and should be at the top of the list for anyone who can leave a few quirks behind.

Editor's recommendations




26 Aug
Blog

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV Review: Stabilized and Affordable

olympus om d e m10 mark iv rating hkg 3259

Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review: like a point-and-shoot

"The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a rare budget camera with stabilization that the more expensive models from Olympus borrow."

  • Stabilization in the body

  • Compact vintage design

  • Good picture quality

  • Affordable

  • Slower performance

  • More noise than APS-C cameras

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an entry-level camera that carries the hand-me-downs of its bigger siblings. The $ 800 camera and lens kit – $ 700 for the body only – borrows the E-M1 Mark III's eye-detection algorithms and a clipped five-axis image stabilization system, all of which are paired with a sensor that is just 0.1 megapixels behind Cameras cost more than twice as much.

The E-M10 Mark IV launches when its parents consider a split. With Olympus talks to sell its imaging division to Japan Industrial Partners, the future of the camera line – as well as lenses and accessories – is uncertain. The company expects to reach an agreement in late September, but until then, the state of Olympus cameras will be rife with rumors and questions.

As with any hand-me-down, the features of the E-M10 Mark IV are a bit rough around the edges. Are the cost savings for the cheaper OM-D camera worthwhile despite some shortcomings? I spent two weeks with the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV to see where the camera impresses and where it falls short.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Film-inspired compact design

The E-M10 Mark IV embodies what the mirrorless camera was originally announced for: compact size. Less than 2 inches deep (and less than 3 inches with the kit lens retracted), the mirrorless camera is the ideal size between a point-and-shoot camera and most interchangeable lens cameras. Weighing around 20 ounces with the kit lens, it's light enough to hang around your neck and almost forget it's there. Even so, the body has enough space to offer a good selection of physical controls and a much greater grip than a slim compact camera. Perhaps in part because the last mirrorless camera I took pictures with was the DSLR-sized Canon EOS R6, the E-M10 Mark IV felt more like a point-and-shoot than we got from a modern one expect mirrorless camera.

Despite the lower price, the E-M10 Mark IV is a beautiful camera. The silver body with a textured black casing, the silver dials and the on / off switch make it look like a classic film winder. The body doesn't feel as sturdy as a magnesium alloy, but it doesn't feel chintzy either. Unfortunately, the high-end OM-D cameras lack the excellent weather seal. While I prefer slightly larger handles, the shape is so light that the index fingers can wrap around the front, with a nice thumb rest at the back.

The body still leaves plenty of room for a 2.36 million point viewfinder and 3 inch 1.04 million point LCD screen that is tilted 180 degrees (Note: if you're using a tripod , the full oscillation of this tilt is possibly blocked.) Similar to other newer Olympus cameras, both the viewfinder and LCD screen do not always show exactly what the camera is recording. The white balance in the viewfinder was quite different several times from the actual photo. The exposure didn't always match either, and areas in the shadows are usually muted and difficult to see in the viewfinder. Since the M-10 IV is an inexpensive camera, the viewfinder, despite its flaws, lived up to expectations when compared to cameras with similar prices.

The control scheme of the E-M10 IV makes it easy to customize most of the settings that are frequently accessed. Two control wheels adjust the shutter speed and aperture, while key combinations on the back open options for setting ISO, flash and series exposures. Settings such as autofocus modes and white balance are in a quick menu. I miss the joystick on high-end cameras that allows you to adjust the focus in one step – on the E-M10 IV, tap the shortcut and then move the cursor. But again, the joystick is a function that is generally reserved for more expensive cameras. So we can't be too tough if it's not there on the E-M10 IV.

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

On the side of the camera is a USB port for charging and an HDMI port, while both the battery and the single SD card slot share a door below. The battery compartment is barely blocked by a standard sized tripod plate, which can be a bit annoying. While the battery is rated for 350 shots, I took about 650 shots before it wore out. It lacks the connections of a more advanced camera, such as a camera. E.g. a microphone port for video, but the pop-up flash that high-end cameras often leave out.

The small size, the classic look and the control scheme make the E-M10 Mark IV a real eye-catcher. I do miss the weather seal, handle, and joystick of the more expensive siblings like the E-M1 Mark III, but because of the small size, I never had to think about lugging the camera around with me all day.

Sluggish performance, excellent stabilization

Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

Olympus touts the budget E-M10 IV using some of the same autofocus algorithms as more expensive models, including the E-M1X's continuous detection of autofocus subjects and the same eye AF as the E-M1 Mark III. While the algorithms are in place, the E-M10 has an entirely different autofocus system that makes the experience cheaper. The E-M10 IV uses a contrast detection system, while the high-end OM-Ds use a hybrid phase detection and contrast detection system.

The E-M10 IV also uses the TruePic VIII processor, which is a generation behind the E-M1 Mark III. To put that into perspective, the E-M1X has two processors. Both the more limited autofocus system and the slower processor combined with high-end algorithms mean the M10 Mark IV is more accurate than its predecessor, the E-M10 Mark III, but does not have the speed or reliability of the E-M1 Mark III or the E-M1X.

However, the 121-point contrast-detection autofocus system is a bit better than I expected from a $ 800 camera. It's accurate and easy to use, but it lacks a bit of speed. I've had very few shots that didn't hit focus, and a lot of them were because I shot a little early. The autofocus slows down slightly in poor lighting conditions, but seemed to turn on accurately without too much delay.

Continuous autofocus was fine for a budget camera because it took more sharp shots than it didn't, but still took a handful of soft-focus shots on the fastest action. Unsurprisingly, the tracking autofocus doesn't work as well, but I haven't found a camera with tracking good enough to be fully relied on even on more expensive models.

Eye AF is great for portraits and snapshots of people because it easily captures eyes and faces. However, it isn't fast enough to be used for actions. My favorite part of the Eye AF is that you don't have to be in autofocus focus mode for it to work. A property that some other brands annoyingly reserve this feature for. Olympus lets you toggle the feature on and off so that you can use it in advanced focus modes rather than just the mode where you want the subject to be automatically selected for you.

Image captured with Eye AF Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

The E-M10 IV can shoot at up to 8.7 frames per second (fps) with the mechanical shutter, but needs the slower speed of 5 fps to use continuous autofocus (or advanced ISO settings). At the fastest speed (RAW + JPEG), the camera can take 18 pictures before the fill buffer slows down the speed. If you slow the speed down to 5 fps, the camera can turn on autofocus (which, to be honest, you want to be active) and take 21 shots in a row before slowing down. It took about 15 seconds for both bursts to be fully written to a Class 10 SD card before you could review the images during playback. However, you could record slower or adjust the settings while writing to the card.

Handheld image captured Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

One of the best features the E-M10 inherits from more advanced models – albeit not quite as well – is 5-axis image stabilization with sensor shift. With a speed of 4.5 stops, the system was good enough to shoot at a tenth of a second with a 14mm handheld and still get some (but not all) shots in focus. I even took a hand-held picture of the moon. The optical image stabilization system in the body may have lagged behind the 7.5 f-stops of the E-M1 Mark III, but it is difficult to find with an inexpensive camera.

Excellent picture quality

With almost the same number of pixels as in more expensive models, Olympus did not save on the sensor in the E-M10. The 20.3 megapixel micro four thirds sensor captures sharp images with good color. While the images in the viewfinder may not look as good and the camera may be a bit slower, image quality is a feature that didn't fall short in reaching the budget price.

The pictures of the E-M10 IV and the kit lens were very detailed. They were the sharpest at f / 5 but still acceptable with the kit lens wide open. Combined with the ability to capture 0.23x magnification with the kit lens, the camera can capture many details. However, the compact kit lens tends to flicker.

ISO 3200 Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

The smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor suffers more from noise than an APS-C or full frame camera, but is quite well controlled for this category. At ISO 800 there is a slight noise in the shadows. I would go up to ISO 3200 before worrying about a significant loss of detail and sharpness.

Colors coming straight from the camera are good. The E-M10 IV also adds a new instant filter to the color profiles in the camera. It's one of my favorites for the punchy contrast and purple and red undertones. RAW files restore a considerable amount of detail from the shadows, with a slight recovery from the highlights.

olympus om de m10 mark iv review p8010144 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/p8010144-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https : //www.digitaltrends.com/data: image / gif; base64, https: //www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Instant film color profile Hillary K. Grigonis / Digital Trends

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Video is available at 4Kp30 and has the same spot colors and details as the images. Image stabilization also helps improve video quality. However, the camera is difficult to recommend for vlogging or serious video work as it lacks a microphone port.

The E-M10 IV's sensor, while not as good as a larger sensor, competes with the more advanced models from Olympus and offers great quality for the camera's small size and low price.

Our opinion

As a budget model, the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV captures excellent images with some sacrifices in terms of performance, processing quality, and control. For the price, the E-M10 has a lot going for it, including great pictures, 4K video, a compact body, and image stabilization. Taking photos with the E-M10 feels like a point-and-shoot camera thanks to its small size and light weight. While using a mirrorless camera without multiple lenses hurts the camera's capabilities, with the tiny 3-ounce kit lens, the E-M10 IV feels like a decent alternative to expensive point-and-shoots like the Sony RX100 series .

Of course, in order to bring that price down, Olympus made some sacrifices. The speed is a little poor, it won't handle a rainstorm, and even in the budget category there are competing cameras with larger sensors.

Is there a better option?

The E-M10 Mark IV is a good budget camera, but it's not enough to make it the best budget mirrorless camera. The Sony a6100, which costs $ 750 with a kit lens, has a larger sensor, faster 11 fps, and a hybrid autofocus system for phase detection and contrast detection. However, it lacks image stabilization, which makes the E-M10 IV an advantage for photographers who often work in poor lighting conditions. Our current favorite mirrorless budget, the Fujifilm X-T30, has better autofocus than the E-M10 Mark IV, a larger sensor, and advanced video, but again, it's not stabilized and costs about $ 200 more.

How long it will take?

Olympus is currently negotiating a sale of its imaging division and the sale makes the future of Olympus lenses and accessories unclear. There is a possibility of buying the E-M10 Mark IV and losing support later, in addition to the limited availability of lenses. The build quality is good for a budget camera, but don't expect the longevity of its weatherproof siblings.

Should you buy it?

Not if photography is a serious hobby, but for casual shooters, it's an easy sale. The smaller sensor, slower speed, and questions about the company's future make it difficult to recommend this camera for more demanding shutter bugs. However, its small size, low price, good image quality, and built-in image stabilization – a feature that is difficult to find in an entry-level camera – are great for the casual photographer.

Editor's recommendations




25 Aug
Blog

Hisense H9G Quantum 4K HDR TV Review | Blisteringly Bright

hisense h9g quantum tv review 4k hdr ott 00 02 33 01 still008

"The image quality of the H9G Quantum can compete with televisions that cost twice as much."

  • Incredibly bright

  • Very good black levels

  • Surprisingly good HDR image

  • Easy to use

  • Responsive Android TV OS

  • Color is a little off

  • Movement jerks sometimes

Hisense is on a tear.

After several years of chasing the same brand awareness enjoyed by competing manufacturers like LG, Samsung and Sony, Hisense sales have soared. And if its H9G Quantum TV is any indication, the company could be in a dominant position.

The H9G Quantum is the first time I can remember a television that's so heavily under-promised and handed down. It's not perfect, but it's going to be one of the best TV options for the vast majority of people this year.

Out of the box

Although I recently reviewed the Hisense H8G, I was pleasantly surprised at how elegant the H9G looked after setting it up. I have to say I was initially surprised by the TV's feet – they look like giant bottle openers when not attached to the TV – but once they were installed they started to grow on me.

When those huge feet are in place, they don't look so clumsy and big anymore. Half of them are not visible and the other half seem to make the TV look nice. Not that the H9G needs a lot of disguise. It has almost no existing bezels on the top and sides, which are slightly recessed behind the glass panel of the TV, which makes for a very modern and minimalist look. The brushed metal trim at the bottom seems out of place in comparison, but luckily it doesn't attract too much attention.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Inside the box with the TV was the aforementioned feet, four screws, a power cord, remote control, batteries, and a jumble of paper product literature.

As for the remote control, it's pretty simple, but it has a couple of keyboard shortcuts for popular streaming services and a button to bring up voice control, which the Google Assistant supports.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

properties

Connectivity is all the rage these days, and this is where the H9G quantum falls a little short. While competing TV manufacturers are promoting various game-friendly features such as automatic low latency mode (automatic game mode), variable refresh rate (VRR), 4K image performance of 120 Hz, and eARC, none of the H9G's four HDMI ports support any of the following these functions.

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For gamers, there is little input delay and HDR image quality, and those who connect soundbars will need to use standard ARC as Dolby Atmos passthrough is not supported.

These shortcomings can be easy to miss if you have no plans to play with your TV and just want a great picture. The H9G offers a local dimming LED backlight system with 132 zones in the 55-inch ($ 700) model and 180 zones in the 65-inch ($ 950) model.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Hisense also claims that a peak brightness of 1000 nits is not only bright enough to convince HDR images, but should also be enough to make the black levels look nice and dark when controlled over so many dimming zones.

I'll be referring to this TV as the H9G Quantum long enough to mention that the quantum in the name means quantum dots in the TV itself and that this should allow not only a very large color gamut, but also a higher color volume with more degrees of intensity for those colors.

All of this to say, if you are looking for image quality at a great price, then be sure to read on.

User experience

Before I get into image quality, I want to talk about what it's like to use the H9G. On the whole, it's a pleasant experience, but I've encountered a few quirks that could bother those looking to tweak their picture settings for the best possible performance.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The Hisense H9G runs on the Android TV platform and does this adequately – the experience is fast enough, with some lag in clicking through apps, and apps themselves load pretty quickly. Chromecast is built right in, so you can find your favorite videos, photos or music on your phone and watch them on your TV using a mobile device or computer.

When it comes to image settings, there is some very good news and some a little confusing. The good news is that when you select a picture mode for SDR (standard dynamic range – like cable / satellite TV, DVDs, most games), the system will automatically select the picture mode that makes the most sense for HDR.

Sit, click, watch and know you're getting the best image performance.

For example, if I selected Theater Day mode for the standard display, the TV would automatically switch to HDR Bright or Dolby Vision Bright when I watched HDR content on Netflix or Amazon. When I chose Theater Night, the TV would automatically go to HDR Dark or Dolby Vision Dark mode.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

I've never seen this type of automation and is extremely helpful for the average user who isn't interested in manual adjustments. Sit, click, watch and know you're getting the best image performance.

Hisense has also built in some automatic picture and sound adjustment functions with A.I.support that try to optimize the TV's picture and sound based on environmental factors. I didn't find them particularly useful, however. In general, I prefer to be in control.

And it's the control freak in me who got confused as to why I couldn't have independent white balance settings for SDR and HDR. I admit that this is an issue that most users don't. If you are amazed by what I am talking about, you know that this problem does not affect you. But for those who choose to have their TVs professionally tuned, it has been known that the H9G was unable to make white balance corrections (an adjustment that helps adjust color) for SDR and HDR independently. Ultimately, I went back to the factory setting for this setting.

Image performance

I already hinted at this, but now I want to be very clear: the Hisense H9G offers excellent image quality for the price. In fact, I suspect this might be the right TV choice for a very wide audience.

Hisense claims that this TV can achieve 1,000 nits of brightness right on the box. That seems like an odd thing as the vast majority of the people who would see this TV in its box while shopping are likely not that keen on what a sucker is, let alone how many of them your TV is supposed to produce. But I suppose it's a large number and people might assume it's good.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

That's a pretty good number. I think you need at least 750 nits of peak brightness for HDR images to look good. When the television delivers perfect black levels, like the Sony A8H OLED or the LG CX OLED. For a TV with LED backlighting like the H9G, 1,000 nits provide impressive contrast in my opinion. What I found exciting was that the H9G I received was able to achieve much higher brightness. My sample averaged 1,300 nits and peaked at 1,400 in some scenarios, which is better than advertised. When does this ever happen?

However, all of that brightness doesn't mean much if the TV can't effectively display even dark blacks. To my amazement, the H9G offers some of the most impressive black levels I've ever seen on an LED TV, let alone one that costs under $ 1,000.

The result of the impressive brightness and deep black levels of the H9G leads to a really exciting contrast. You don't have to be a TV aficionado to appreciate it – the H9G just dazzles.

Since I approach every TV with the same level of accuracy, I tested the H9G's color accuracy. It wasn't poor, but not as good as I'd hoped it would be. To make matters worse, I found it difficult to adjust due to a color matching issue mentioned above.

When using the Calman software together with a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter, I found that the white measurement contained far too much blue. Whenever one color is out of balance in white, all other colors are removed. This manifested itself in a magenta hue to white and cream colors, and I felt that shades of red were also significantly affected.

But I'm a TV nerd and I do this every day. I don't think most people will have an issue with the H9G's color accuracy.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

However, I think some people might have a problem handling the H9G. When I test a TV, I turn off the motion smoothing functions because I don't care about the soap opera effect they cause and I have to level the playing field for all of the TVs I have tested.

With motion smoothing turned off, I saw a lot of stuttered movements, and not just in fast-paced sports. Even faces on the screen seem to blink when they move slightly. The problem was more obvious in some scenes than others, but when I saw it I couldn't see it anymore, which I found a little frustrating.

With smooth movement, there was some stuttering to be seen. Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Other users have reported similar issues to me while others still stated that they did not experience the problem. This is likely because some people are simply more sensitive to small anomalies than others.

Overall, however, the H9G is a satisfactory TV, and I think most people will absolutely love it. Both SDR and HDR content appear vibrant and rich, and in some cases seem to disappear from the screen. This is top-notch picture quality that I expect from televisions that cost almost twice as much. The image of the H9G compares well with the Samsung Q80T for $ 1700 and the Sony X950H for $ 1700.

Our opinion

The Hisense H9G Quantum is one of the best values ​​on TV that we'll see in 2020 and well into 2021. Its picture quality will amaze most viewers, while its ease of use makes it a pleasure to experience every time you turn it on.

Is there a better alternative?

Possibly. The TCL R635 looks very promising, as does the Vizio P-series Quantum. At $ 900, the TCL R635 is a slightly better alternative in some ways and costs less. I'm also confident that Vizio's $ 1,000 P-Series Quantum will be very competitive in the brightness department for those who may need an even brighter TV, although that's hard to imagine after looking at the H9G. I will update this section as soon as these televisions have been thoroughly evaluated.

How long it will take?

The Hisense H9G is not well suited to taking advantage of the advanced gaming features offered with next generation gaming consoles. For television, however, it would be many more years.

warranty

Hisense warrants 1 year parts and labor.

You should buy it

Yes. If you don't need advanced gaming features but want a very bright TV with impressive black levels and overall great picture quality without breaking the bank, the Hisense H9G Quantum is an excellent choice.

Editor's recommendations




25 Aug
Blog

Fall Guys Review: A Battle Royale For A New Age

Fall Guys Key Art

Fall Guys Review: A Battle Royale For A New Age

"Fall Guys is a family-friendly battle royale and a contender for Game of the Year."

  • Addicting gameplay

  • Familyfriendly

  • Good balance between luck and skill

  • Well structured microtransactions

It's hard to imagine that someone wouldn't fall in love with Fall Guys, a new battle royale that overcomes its shortcomings by offering a unique experience in the genre. The colorful world, charming character designs and rich cosmetics will bring much-needed joy to every gamer.

Unfortunately, the game has some growing issues too, as its immense popularity collided with the fact that its developer, Mediatonic, only has 13 employees. The team has worked tirelessly to iron out bugs, some of which have made certain game types unplayable for a select few players. That said, some of the minor quirks add to the game's charm, and by that I mean, I keep coming back even if I don't think I have a chance to win.

The first family-friendly battle royale

Fall guys seesawProvided by Devolver Digital

Fall Guys takes inspiration from a variety of sources, but its biggest influences are Wipeout-style TV game shows. Each game or “show” to which the game relates consists of several rounds. Each round is designed to shrink the group of 60 players until there is only one left. While many Battle Royale confrontations can last up to half an hour, depending on the skill of a player, a show in Fall Guys only lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, resulting in an addicting “just one” experience.

I keep coming back even when I don't think I have a chance to win.

The titular Fall guys are the anthropomorphic brightly colored beans that are at the heart of the game. Players can unlock cosmetics through an experienced “Battle Pass” as well as kudos, a game currency that can also be bought with real money and used to purchase additional patterns, colors and costumes for your fall man. There are tons of customization options to choose from so that every character in the game is unique and distinguishable.

Some cosmetics require a premium currency called crowns, although you can't buy it with real money. Crowns are either made available through a select few levels on the Season's Battle Pass, or they are awarded for every show you win. In almost every other battle royale, winning just gets you boastful rights and a points boost. There's more incentive here to win at Fall Guys, making every win even sweeter and every loss more bitter. Overall, Fall Guys has one of the best monetization schemes I've seen in a game so far, and it doesn't feel like Mediatonic and publisher Devolver Digital are keeping you on your toes for better cosmetics.

All of these elements make for the first family-friendly battle royale. To the best of my knowledge, it's the first game in the genre where players don't have to shoot each other to win. Many titles are aimed at an older audience, like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Call of Duty: Warzone, and some are aimed at younger players like Fortnite, but none offer the all-age experience that Fall Guys offers.

Far more hits than failures

Fall Boys Hit ParadeProvided by Devolver Digital

Making the game even more accessible to a wider player base is the simplicity of its controls. Aside from moving your character, all you have to worry about is jumping, diving, and grasping. There's no burden to manage or meta-gameplay like building in Fortnite or buying gear in Warzone to deal with. Most cards require all three skills to be used. On the surface, this seems to result in very flat gameplay. The more you play, the more you will find certain strategies and ways to use certain moves that may not have been apparent at first glance.

Fall Guys has one of the best monetization schemes I've seen in a game so far.

For example, in Fall Ball, one of my personal favorites, two teams compete in a Rocket League-style game that tries to hit footballs into the opposing team's goal. At first glance, the only strategy seems to be to jump and dive to hit the ball. However, players began to develop defensive maneuvers by reaching out to opponents to prevent them from reaching the ball at crucial moments. Moves like these show that there is a learning curve in mastering the mechanics of Fall Guys and that there is plenty of room for your skills to grow.

Most of the games are a ton of fun, and personally there are only one or two that I moan about when they show up on the rotation. There are individual and team rounds, each with different goals. Some games will ask you to run to the finish while avoiding obstacles or trying not to be eliminated. Others will ask you to meet certain criteria before a timer expires. There's a lot of variety, which means that each show takes a completely different course.

The team has promised additional levels and cosmetics with each season and has added a new round since the start. However, it would be nice if the games that are out there could be easily customized to create a unique experience. The See Saw level, in which tumble boys race across huge platforms on which the players have to balance, could have a rotation of the placements for the platforms. Instead, it's the same layout for the level at every store. Adjustments like this can make 25 cards feel like hundreds.

Regardless, the game types are fun and haven't exhausted their reception except for Perfect Match. It shows players in a 4 × 4 grid and shows sporadic images of fruit on a handful of the tiles before revealing which fruit players players must stand on before the remaining tiles disappear after a handful of seconds. The game completely ruins the momentum of the show and is easy to go through as you can usually just follow the herd up to the correct tiles. I've been in Perfect Match games where no participants were eliminated. It is hands down the worst type of game.

Fall guys raceProvided by Devolver Digital

Backend problems

The real problems with Fall Guys, however, lie in the backend. For the first week, the game was littered with server issues due to its popularity. This meant that many players were unable to connect and the servers for the game were routinely shut down for maintenance. Even if you got into a game, sometimes the rounds would not be playable.

The game Tip Toe, which asks you to use a large grid of tiles to get to the finish line – some for sure, others collapse if you step on it – had a groundbreaking bug for me in the first two weeks of its release. If I moved too fast, I would slide as if the tiles were covered in oil and would constantly fall off the board. Despite my best efforts, I never won a single game of Tip Toe before resolving the issue.

Many of these issues have been fixed and the servers are far more stable than when they were started. However, they are not 100% present, which means that occasionally you may not be able to connect. Last night the connectivity was so bad it was almost like we were playing again on start day. In addition, some massive bugs were not eliminated. In the PC version, players found a way to change the game through their Steam name. Players can see the names of the participants at any time and certain monikers that contain certain words are displayed in giant letters, obscuring the game. So when you play on the PC your name is Fall Guy and it follows four random numbers.

This is especially frustrating if you're playing at a party that up to four players can jump from on a show. When a player is eliminated, he is showing them gameplay of a random Fall Guy, not necessarily one in your party. When everyone is just "Fall Guy ____" it is awkward to switch the camera to the desired person's point of view. Hopefully both this issue and the automatic switch to a party member's perspective will be fixed in the next update, although with such a small team at MediaTonic it is understandable that these issues have not yet been resolved.

However, it is evidence of the game that despite these blatant issues, it is still an experience I have no hesitation in recommending. It has become one of my favorite games of the year.

The zeitgeist around the game adds to the fun

Fall Guys See SawProvided by Devolver Digital

One element outside of the game itself that improves it is its popularity. The game was released in a similar way to Rocket League in that it is free for PlayStation Plus subscribers for a while. There is evidence that more than 10 million people play the game on PlayStation 4. In addition, both the regular and the collector's edition of the PC version have been at the top of the Steam sales charts since launch. It is one of the most, if not often, most watched games on Twitch right now, with hundreds of thousands of viewers.

It is proof of the game that despite glaring issues, it is still an experience I have no hesitation in recommending.

Everyone on my social media is talking about the game and sharing clips of incredible wins or devastating losses. The Fall Guys Twitter account killed him with his posts and is currently auctioning in-game cosmetics to the highest bidder for charity.

The zeitgeist surrounding the game is abundant and it is a joy to be a part of what cannot normally be said about most games. It means you shouldn't wait to play, although the game seems to have many legs for the months and years to come.

Our opinion

Fall Guys is the game of the moment and one of the best titles to be released in 2020.

Is there a better alternative?

There are certainly plenty of other battle royale games out there, none of which are as accessible to such a large number of players as Fall Guys. Super Mario Party is another fun mini-game collection that has the advantage of being on the Switch but is a lackluster experience compared to almost any other type.

How long it will take?

The nice thing about Fall Guys is: how long should it take? I sat down for a game or two or played several hours at a time. The game is still just as much fun, if not more, than my first few rounds. Given the new cosmetics and levels, as well as the growing community surrounding the game, I can confidently say that Fall Guys will stay here.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The nice thing is that if you have PS Plus that you need to play on PS4 anyway, the game will be free until the end of August. The $ 40 price tag on Steam will bring you hours of fun, and the DLC packs that are optional come with some great cosmetics. Do not miss this game.

Editor's recommendations




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