25 Mar
Blog

1More ComfoBuds Pro Review: Affordably Awesome ANC

Man on the phone wears 1more comfobuds pro

"Very effective ANC makes these buds a great AirPods Pro alternative."

  • Very convenient

  • Elegant design

  • Good sound quality

  • Very good ANC and transparency modes

  • Good call quality

  • Limited controls and adjustments

  • No wireless charging

  • No EQ adjustments

Earlier this year, 1More launched its $ 60 ComfoBuds, an affordable alternative to Apple's AirPods. Now the company is back with its $ 95 worth of ComfoBuds Pro, which – unsurprisingly given its name – is an attempt to appeal to potential AirPods Pro buyers. With a hybrid ANC system and a more secure fit, they're definitely a lot of boxes people look for in a new set of true wireless earbuds, but how do they stack up in terms of sound quality, battery life, and other key traits? Let's take a look at it.

What's in the box?

1More ComfoBuds ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

1More has a habit of using non-recyclable materials for its cardboard boxes, such as locking magnets, plastic, and foam, and the ComfoBuds Pro are no exception, but there are fewer of these materials than with previous products, so it's at least a step in the right direction is the right direction from a sustainability perspective. In the packaging you will find the charging case, the earbuds, a total of four sizes of silicone earbuds, a USB-C charging cable, a carrying case with a drawstring and a surprise: two thick silicone rubber shells that can be attached to the charging case for additional protection, what we've never seen in a set of true wireless earbuds.

design

1More ComfoBuds ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The ComfoBuds Pro are available in glossy black or matte white and look very similar to the original ComfoBuds, but differ in one major physical difference: The Pro are equipped with silicone earplugs that form a seal around your ear canal, while the ComfoBuds simply sit in the Inner sitting auricle. The long and slender stems that narrow at the ends to a fine point aren't everyone's idea of ​​a good design, but I think they look elegant and are a nice alternative to all of the existing stems and stemless designs we have offer I see these days.

The charging case is small and light and its rounded diamond shape sits comfortably in the pocket. The lid is easy to open and close, but feels a bit thin, which could explain 1More's decision to include the protective rubber shells. The hinge feels similarly sensitive and doesn't prevent the lid from accidentally closing in the open position – a minor point of contention.

The lack of wireless charging is an unfortunate omission, but at $ 95 we'll save 1More a little less time – tons of more expensive earbuds still don't have this handy feature.

While these rubber cups are a good idea on paper, they are a bit awkward to use. The supplied adhesive tape strips on the inside of the bowls hold them firmly to the bottom and to the lid of the housing. However, since there are no ribs or other grip points on the edges of the housing, the rubber shell can be easily pulled off the housing when you open the lid. It's also very easy for dirt and dust to get between the case and the rubber shell, which can eventually lead to small scratches.

One thing you don't have to worry about is sweat: with an IPX4 rating for water resistance (like the AirPods Pro), you can let them run if you want.

Convenience, control and connections

1More ComfoBuds ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The ComfoBuds Pro are indeed very comfortable. They are the same general shape as the AirPods Pro, but they use larger silicone earbuds and have a smaller body. If I compare them to several other in-ear canal earphones that I have on hand, they are the smallest overall size of them all. This results in an earbud design that most people find comfortable enough for all day.

Experimenting with the different sizes of earbuds will ensure a secure fit, as well as the best possible sound and ANC performance. You won't have a problem staying on a walk, but they may not be the best choice for high impact, intense activities.

The touch controls are easy to use and, for the most part, respond very well. Since the earbuds are so slim and (quite slippery on our black test unit), you'll need to be precise when typing as it's easy not to completely hit the small area of ​​the earbud that responds to touch.

You can customize the controls in the 1More Music app, but you still have some tough decisions to make. There are only three gestures: touch and hold, double-tap, and triple-tap. There is no way to assign different functions to each earbud. In addition, touch and hold is dedicated to the ANC mode function. This means that for the two remaining gestures, you need to select: do you want to play / pause, volume up / down, skip tracks forward / backward, or voice assistant access? You can have any two, but that's it.

These earbuds are great music companions regardless of your favorite genre.

One way to cheat this a bit is to take advantage of the built-in wear sensors. These can be configured to pause and play automatically (when you remove and reinsert an earbud), just pause automatically, or do nothing. With auto pause and play selected, you can use this feature instead of assigning play / pause to either of your two available gestures. The sensors are triggered immediately and the ComfoBuds Pro can be removed and reinserted very easily thanks to these long handles.

You can use one earbud at a time, and the Bluetooth range is excellent. I was able to insert two full stories between the ComfoBuds Pro and my phone before the signal went out.

Sound quality

1More ComfoBuds ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The ComfoBuds Pro sound great. They don't quite offer the same level of performance as the AirPods Pro, but they come close enough that the 1Mores are a hell of a good deal if the Buds of Apple are your only point of comparison.

Her sound signature is a comfortable balance that moves very slightly towards the bottom. The soundstage is wide enough to get a good feeling of immersion, and the bass creates the depth you need to enjoy bass-heavy tracks. There's a little bit of mud in the midrange, and you don't want to turn the volume up too high – it can get tough when you're north of around 75% – but overall, these earbuds are great music companions no matter what your favorite genre, as long as you are You don't expect a critical listening experience.

The ComfoBuds Pro offer the best ANC you can find in a pair of true wireless earbuds under $ 100.

My only gripe is that 1More didn't include an EQ adjustment in the music app.

Noise cancellation and transparency

1More ComfoBuds Pro Music App

1More ComfoBuds Pro Music App

Last year, I tested the 1More True Wireless ANC, the company's first true wireless noise-canceling earbuds. I found the ANC feature to take work and it certainly doesn't meet the standards set by Sony, Apple, Bose, or Jabra.

The ComfoBuds Pro, on the other hand, are surprisingly good, especially for the price. The ANC not only significantly reduces outside noise, it is also adjustable and, in addition to the switch-off and transparency mode, also offers settings for strong, mild and wind reduction. It makes a little noise when you're not playing music, but anyway I'll put myself to the test and say the ComfoBuds Pro have the best ANC you can find in a sub-pair of $ 100 real wireless earbuds .

The only thing stopping them from being a slam dunk in this department is the three-mode switch that 1More imposes on you when using the touch-and-hold gesture: there's no way between that Jump to the ANC strength and transparency you have chosen without first having to go through the off position. If 1More can give us the option to remove the off position from this gesture, possibly in a future firmware release, this will be a huge improvement.

Speaking of transparency mode, it's very good too. Some earbuds with this feature prefer sounds that are further away, making your voice sound muffled. Not so with the ComfoBuds Pro – they open the whole world, and this is exactly how this function should work.

Battery life

1More claims that the ComfoBuds Pro has a battery life of six hours with the ANC switched on, two more charges for a total of 20 hours. Turning off ANC increases these numbers to eight and 28 hours, respectively. As far as I can see these numbers are pretty accurate. They don't stand out, but when you consider that you can get a 2 hour boost after just 15 minutes of charging with the quick charge feature, that's more than enough to get you through a full day of listening.

Call quality

1More ComfoBuds Pro1 more

Like the ComfoBuds, the ComfoBuds Pro also have good call quality. Her voice comes through clear and surprisingly surprising. As with most true wireless earbuds, they occasionally have trouble blocking out background noise. However, as long as you're not trying to close a million dollar deal while standing next to a construction site, the ComfoBuds Pro are good for phone calls.

Our opinion

Good sound, good ANC, and great convenience – that's not bad for a set of true $ 95 wireless earbuds, and it should make the ComfoBuds Pro an attractive alternative to Apple's expensive AirPods Pro.

Is there a better alternative?

No – at least not at this price. The closest competitor to the ComfoBuds Pro is the $ 100 Earfun Air Pro, a great sounding set of true ANC wireless earbuds. The Earfun Air Pros aren't quite as comfortable as the ComfoBuds Pro, and their ANC / transparency features aren't as effective, but they have a long battery life and slightly higher water resistance.

How long will they last?

The 1More ComfoBuds Pro comes with a one-year guarantee. Despite their IPX4 rating for water resistance, the earbuds and charging case don't seem built to be rugged. To get the longest life out of them, you need to handle them carefully.

Should you buy it?

Yes. They may not sound quite as good as the AirPods Pro, but with very effective ANC, transparency, and call quality, and one of the most comfortable fits we've found, they are great value for a range of true wireless earbuds.

Editor's recommendations




22 Jan
Blog

Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Review: Affordably Awesome

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro

Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro

"Great sound quality and tons of features make these ANC Buds great value for money."

  • Very convenient

  • Very good sound quality

  • Effective ANC

  • Customizable sound and controls

  • Some functions still require phone access

  • So-so call quality

Much to the surprise of seasoned audio reviewers, Anker Soundcore has evolved from the depths of the Amazon brand basement into a manufacturer of great sounding wireless headphones, bluetooth speakers, and true wireless earbuds. In 2020, Digital Trends reviewed the $ 110 worth of Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro, praising the wide soundstage and overall sound quality, despite some concerns about the overall design of the buds.

Now Soundcore is back with nothing less than its sights on dethroning Apple's AirPods Pro for $ 249 at $ 130 Liberty Air 2 Pro, the company's first true wireless earbuds to offer active noise cancellation (ANC). Can Soundcore deliver the same functionality as Apple for almost $ 120 less? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Anker Soundcore continues to use way too much packaging for its true wireless earbuds. The Liberty Air 2 Pro comes in a glossy, book-style, printed box with the lid closed by magnets. Inside there is a lot of plastic and foam that surrounds the important parts: the earphones, the charging case, a USB-C charging cable, and some documentation. But as much as I dislike all of this unnecessary material, I have to give Soundcore props for nine sets of silicone earplugs. A good fit is critical to comfort, sound quality and noise cancellation. Having a variety of earbud sizes is key to a good fit.

design

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Liberty Air 2 Pro, which comes in four colors (black, blue, pink, and white), certainly looks a bit similar to the AirPods Pro. This is mainly due to the elongated stem sticking down from your ear. But they are even more similar to Earfun's $ 80 Air Pro and the $ 100 Edifier TWS NB2. All three use an ergonomically shaped main body that sits in your outer ear, a silicone-tipped horn that goes into your ear canal, and a pronounced stem.

It's the only case design I've tried that can be effortlessly opened and closed with one hand.

Whether or not you like this AirPods-inspired shape is a matter of personal preference, but I think they look pretty good.

What I like most about the Liberty Air 2 Pro's design is the wireless charging case. It's light and relatively compact – albeit nowhere near as small as the AirPods Pro – and has the same sliding lid mechanism as the Liberty 2 Pro. It's the only case design I've tried that can be effortlessly opened and closed with one hand.

The earbuds snap into their charging sockets easily and precisely, and can just as easily be removed – which isn't always the case.

I can't say if the sliding lid is as sturdy as a traditional hinge in the long term, but it immediately feels very sturdy, which is a good sign.

Convenience, control and connections

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Liberty Air 2 Pro are very comfortable. I was able to find an earbud size (thanks to the wide choice) that provided a very good seal, which also helped the earbuds sit securely. I've found that stem-style earbuds feel less ear-filling than stem-less designs. This also applies to the Liberty Air 2 Pro.

Soundcore includes a small feedback tone for taps – this should be standard on all touch-based earphones.

However, the stems of these earbuds are longer than those of the AirPods Pro, and to me this meant they made contact with the side of my face. While this wasn't a comfort issue in and of itself, it meant that the act of speaking gradually loosened the fit so I had to adjust it more often.

The Liberty Air 2 Pro uses touch sensors on both earbuds to control key functions. I prefer physical buttons, but I found the sensors were sensitive enough and almost always detected my tapping. I really appreciate that Soundcore includes a little feedback tone to let you know when these taps have been successfully detected – this should be standard practice for all touch-based earphones.

You can customize how the touch controls work using the Soundcore app. However, you need to prioritize which functions are most important as only four commands can be assigned. Double tap and long press control volume, play / pause, track forward / backward, access to voice assistant and ANC mode. However, there aren't enough gestures to use all of them. Fortunately, you can assign one of these options to control switching between ANC and transparency modes without going through the third (normal) mode without ANC, as so many other earbuds require.

Thanks to the built-in wear sensors, the music will automatically pause and resume when you remove and replace an earbud. That worked perfectly.

The Bluetooth connection was also very reliable as both the initial pairing and subsequent repairs went smoothly. Switching from one earbud to both (and vice versa) was also very reliable.

Sound quality

The Liberty Air 2 Pro sounds really good. They offer strong bass response, a well-balanced midrange, and highs that are clear and never sizzling. What's impressive is that the bass isn't just a boom – tracks like Hans Zimmer's Time show both warmth and subtlety while also offering the deep resonance you need to appreciate the complexity in the lower range. Better still, this low end doesn't trample the chant. Billie Eilish's Bad Guy, a song that is a torture chamber for a headphone's ability to separate lows and highs, comes into its own beautifully, with Eilish's whispering ASMR-like tickle while the persistent booming bass beat remains anchored to the floor.

The Soundcore app allows you to tweak the EQ using a variety of genre-based presets and save your own custom EQ settings. The app also offers you the option of activating the HearID hearing profile system, which can be used to compensate for any frequency losses. I didn't find it improved my sound enjoyment so I left it off.

The Liberty Air 2 Pro doesn't just block outside noise.

The Liberty Air 2 Pro have a richer and more punchy sound than the AirPods Pro, but they don't display the same extremely expansive soundstage as the Liberty 2 Pro. Even so, I think most people will really enjoy the Liberty Air 2 Pro sound.

Modes for noise reduction and transparency

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 ProSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Liberty Air 2 Pro's ANC performance is solid. The most intrusive noises outdoors, such as traffic and construction, were effectively canceled out so I could hear podcast voices without having to turn up the volume. Unlike some cheaper ANC earbuds, there's a noticeable difference between ANC on and ANC off, which shows that the Liberty Air 2 Pro can do more than just block outside noise.

In the Soundcore app, you can activate four different ANC modes: Transport, Indoor, Outdoor or Custom – each with its own focus on different frequencies. The transparency setting has two modes: fully transparent and vocal mode.

I like the choices this gives you, but I have a feeling that most people will just choose transport and full transparency as these are the most noticeable differences.

The fully transparent mode lets in a good amount of sound, but isn't quite as clear as on more expensive ANC earbuds like the Jabra Elite 75t or 85t or the AirPods Pro.

When listening to music, the Liberty Air 2 Pro's ANC goes well with the AirPods Pro, but when the music is turned off, you'll find that the Liberty Air 2 Pro has a noticeable noise, unlike the AirPods Pro, which produces almost noticeable noise Noise shows an eerie cone of silence.

Battery life

Soundcore has a battery life of six hours when using ANC and seven hours when the device is switched off. The charging case brings these numbers to 21 or 26 hours. I didn't fully run the Liberty Air 2 Pro during these cycles, but after each listening session I checked the Soundcore app's battery gauge and found these claims to be spot on.

Those numbers are okay, but not exceptional. The AirPods Pro might not last as long on a single charge (4.5 hours with ANC), but their case extends that time to almost 24 hours.

The quick charge is fine, with 15 minutes in the case of an extension of the game time by three hours.

Call quality

The call quality on the Liberty Air 2 Pro is a mixed bag. The noise cancellation of the six microphones is impressive. Passing cars and even noisy trucks were almost completely undetected, and wind noise – often a challenge for earphones – was handled perfectly. However, that same noise cancellation also tends to muffle your voice, especially when those other noises are around.

You can still make your voice heard, but it's rarely a crystal clear experience for your callers.

It's great when you can hear yourself on a call while in transparency mode. However, unlike the AirPods Pro, you need to turn on transparency before you make or receive a call. Once you make a call, you cannot switch.

Our opinion

The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro offers a really compelling alternative to AirPods Pro at a cheaper price.

Is there a better alternative?

If you are looking for a great set of noise canceling true wireless earbuds, the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro is hard to beat at this price point. The two closest models are the $ 80 Earfun Air Pro and the $ 100 edifier TWS NB2.

I think the Liberty Air 2 Pro has better sound quality and ANC than these two models, and the Soundcore app has a ton of customization options for sound, controls, and ANC. They also offer wireless charging, which neither the Earfun nor the Edifier have. That means they have a slightly better battery life and the Earfun Air Pro has a bit more water resistance (IPX5 versus IPX4 for the Liberty Air 2 Pro). I think the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro definitely justify their higher price.

How long will they last?

The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro comes with an 18-month warranty and lifetime technical support that is above the industry average. They appear to be very well built, so I'm assuming at this price point they can be used just as well as many similar models. The sliding lid on the charging case could be a weak point over time, but so far I haven't seen any complaints about the Liberty 2 Pro using an identical design.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro offers great sound and a very good ANC at a price that is far below that of many comparable products.

Editor's recommendations




18 Sep
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus Review: Awesome Tablet For Video

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 plus review

"Once you watch videos on the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus tablet, you don't want to go back to anything else."

  • Amazing screen for video

  • Very powerful

  • Long battery life

  • S pen pen included

  • No wireless charging

  • Android still doesn't do very well on tablets

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is a terrible trailblazer for bad habits. Look away now when trying to cut down your TV time as you will want to see a lot more after you buy. It doesn't matter what you want to see as pretty much everything looks and sounds amazing.

However, super video quality is just one reason to buy an expensive tablet and compete against the best high-priced tablet right now, the 2020 iPad Pro, there is much more that needs to be done. Because of this, I start the same way I did my iPad Pro review by writing this review on the Galaxy S7 Plus.

Hardware and design

The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is huge and has a 12.4-inch screen. With the keyboard accessories attached, it's the size of a laptop and much larger than the 11.9-inch iPad Pro with the Magic keyboard we tested. It is a widescreen tablet with an aspect ratio of 16:10, so it is considerably wider in landscape mode. It's a device that always feels happier in landscape mode than it does in portrait mode. In practice this means that it is much better to watch movies horizontally than to browse books vertically or to read while lying in bed.

At just 5.7mm, it's very thin and the angular edges give it a modern and stylish look. The weight of 575 grams (1.27 pounds) is manageable and evenly distributed across the tablet so that it does not become unwieldy or tiresome. If the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is used exclusively as a tablet, it makes more sense, as it becomes uncomfortable with the keyboard cover attached.

When you hold it in portrait orientation, the volume rocker and power button are on the right side, top and bottom are speakers and a USB-C port. It doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the back, a black stripe extends under the camera module, which hides a magnetized holder for the S Pen, which serves as a wireless charging point for the device. It's a neat solution, but it prevents the tablet from laying flat on your back when you attach it. But kudos to Samsung for including the S Pen in the box.

I like the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. It looks ultra-modern, the brushed metal case is classy and high quality, the screen bezels are slim, and everything is beautifully built as you'd expect. Tablets don't have to turn heads with their design, but they do need to look stylish and modern on a coffee table or when pulled out of the pocket, and the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus delivers it with ease.

Screen and video

The 12.4-inch Super AMOLED screen has a resolution of 2800 x 1752, a dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz, HDR10 + support and, to absolutely no surprise, is insane. There is life, vibrancy, color and detail everywhere, and the high refresh rate makes it very easy on your eyes.

In the media, the Tab S7 Plus excels, and the resolution allows you to watch videos at 1440p, which I miss a lot when watching videos on the iPad Pro. I've found that I've been using Samsung's Video Enhancer mode for brightness and color more on the tablet than on the Note 20 Ultra because it really makes videos disappear from the screen.

This is how the carfection test of the Porsche 911 Targa looks fabulous. Such razor-sharp whites, eye-catching greens and with a resolution of 1440p also breathtaking levels of detail. The already atomic colors in Red Velvet's monster video are enhanced, and the amazing graphics look practically beyond the world at 1440p.

It almost didn't matter what I saw on the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, it's a great viewing experience. The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime? Dreamy. Paranormal Lockdown with its monochrome, loud night vision shots? Crisp and atmospheric. Even a relatively low-resolution episode of Wheeler Dealers from 2018 looked fine, despite not benefiting at all from the Video Enhancer mode.

Four speakers on the edge of the tablet ensure an impressive, surprisingly centered sound. Tuned by Samsung's own audio experts AKG, the vocals and speech are clear and defined, but the sound lacks deep bass. This is a minor point of contention, however, and the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus's ability as a video entertainment device is top-notch.

Other media? I found the tablet a bit too big for reading e-books lying down – it's like putting a small TV in bed – but good for more visual media like comics. After watching my regular rotation of videos on the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, I no longer wanted to watch them on my laptop or iPad. It really is that good.

software

Samsung's OneUI 2.5 installs alongside Android 10 and is very similar to the software found on the latest phones. This means that it is colorful with big icons, a very recognizable design, and a neat settings menu. The usual Android functions – for example a dark mode, gestures and the notification shadow – are all available and work quickly and reliably.

Problems arise with app support, as many (daring most) Android apps don't scale very well on a tablet screen and others don't work very well with the Tab S7 Plus keyboard or multi-windowing support. Twitter, Pocket Casts, Amazon, Google Drive, Strava, and so many other popular apps look terrifyingly bad in the landscape. They either enlarge the content dramatically to fit the screen, or slide it to one side with an unused blank surface next to it. Some apps even force you into portrait mode, which is incredibly frustrating.

The keyboard accessory trackpad is not fully supported by major productivity apps like Google Docs. For example, double-clicking text to highlight words does not work. In some cases, it's better to just reach up and touch what you need. With this full-featured keyboard and trackpad, you can get by with more web-based workflows. If you want to do all of your work on the tablet, it helps to be in the Microsoft ecosystem. It syncs Samsung Notes with OneNote and Outlook, for example, and the Outlook app actually looks pretty good here. Since I use a Mac with Pages and sometimes Apple's Notes app, the iPad fits my workflow better.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 plus review screenshot 20200917 165011 Twitter

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 plus review screenshot 20200917 164843 Twitter

Multitasking is strong and offers the ability to run three apps at the same time. Everything looks simple thanks to the power of the tablet. Chrome and Gmail work very well even when YouTube is running in a small pop-up window. If you're running an app in full screen mode, you can drag a multitasking app launcher to a tab on the right edge of the screen with the click of a mouse and drag out the app you want. It can be dragged to the left or right for a 50/50 split, or floated in the middle to make it a pop-up window. However, not every app supports split view or popup. So it is a bit of trial and error until you remember who can do what.

The 50/50 split view fixes many of the app scaling issues and brings them into the phone-like aspect ratio that you would expect. You can also drag the handle between the apps to resize them to whatever compromise you want. On such a large screen, you can easily do a 70/30 split and have a smaller tablet-sized app alongside a phone-sized app without feeling cramped.

Entering multiscreen mode is more tedious than multitasking activation in iOS, but I like the little icon that appears on the screen when you gently exit a pop-up and are ready to bring it back to front when required. It's great for playing YouTube in the background and still accessing it quickly when needed.

If you want a more focused work mode, there's Samsung DeX, which turns the tablet into a laptop environment with a familiar desktop layout, customizable windows, and a distinctly Windows 10-like design. The performance is great too without slowing down multiple apps running. Despite warnings, the tablet may get warm, but I didn't notice it. However, you need a really good keyboard and trackpad to take advantage of DeX.

I couldn't be satisfied with working on the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. At least not for long periods of time, and I'd only go for the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard if I thought my tasks were going to take more than 30 minutes. Most of this is due to apps that don't perform very well and keyboard issues, which I'll talk about below.

camera

It is a dual-lens camera on the back of the tablet with a 13MP main lens with a f / 2.0 aperture and an ultra wide-angle lens with 5MP f / 2.2. This is a tablet. So don't expect camera performance to be the same as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or even phones that cost half the price like the Pixel 4a. The photos taken are acceptable, but cannot handle shadows or low-light conditions well, tend to be oversaturated, and indoor photos may lack detail. However, it doesn't matter how often the camera is used for anything beyond the basics.

The selfie camera is 8 MP and performs well on video calls. Plus, the Live Focus portrait mode took decent bokeh-style photos. Placing it above the screen in landscape mode works well for zoom conferencing and video calls with friends because the angle is more natural than when the lens is placed on the side bezel. Overall, the camera does a good job for a tablet.

Performance, safety and battery

The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chip and either 6 or 8 GB of RAM, depending on whether you buy the basic version with 128 GB or the more powerful model with 256 GB or 512 GB.

Here are the benchmark tests:

3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 6343 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 961 single core / 2758 multi core

These are above the results of the Galaxy Tab S6, but slightly below the Asus ROG Phone 3, which also uses the Snapdragon 865 Plus chip. Playing on the tablet is great in terms of performance, but the size of the tablet means the case will dig into your palms after a short while, and I never wanted to play for hours. This is where the tablet's Xbox Gaming Pass feature comes in, which allows you to pair an Xbox controller and use the tablet as a screen. Given the stunning looks of the Tab S7 Plus screen, it can be a powerful gaming tablet, but only if you're willing to spend on the Xbox Pass and controller if you don't already have one.

An optical fingerprint sensor in the display is the most important biometric security measure, but not reliable enough. Almost every time I use it, it takes two or three times for the tablet to potentially unlock. The size of the tablet makes it quite difficult to aim the selfie camera when trying to use face unlock, which adds further delays. Accessing the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is frustrating, and most of the time I had to use my PIN number to unlock it because the biometric methods failed. Interestingly, the smaller Tab S7 uses a side-mounted capacitive fingerprint sensor instead.

It's a massive 10,090 mAh battery that powers the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. With medium to heavy use, it lasts two days. This includes light work, hours of video, some reading, and some games. The included 15W charger takes at least two hours to go from around 5% to full, and unfortunately there is no wireless charging, a feature I liked on the Huawei MatePad Pro. It is compatible with a 45W charger for faster charging. However, you have to buy one from Samsung.

Bookcover keyboard and S Pen

The so-called "book cover keyboard" is an optional accessory for the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. So should you pick her up? First, let's talk about the good things. The book cover area attaches to the back of the tablet with magnets, remains very secure and has a very versatile pull-out stand and convenient compartment to keep the S Pen pen securely while charging. The hinge holds at every angle and perfectly matches the brilliant media capabilities of the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus.

The keyboard also locks into place with magnets, but is separate from the book cover. Key travel is judged well, and the keys are well spaced for touch input, and the trackpad is a decent size. If you're just typing at one desk or table at a time, that's fine. If you want to type with the tablet on your lap, it is no good at all. The keyboard area is too floppy because it is attached to the tablet with some cloth rather than a hard hinge. And while the bookcover's angled stand is set so that the screen is facing you, the entire setup is just too big unless your thighs are about 3 feet long.

In that respect, it doesn't compare to the surprisingly compact 11.9-inch iPad Pro and Magic keyboard. The trackpad also isn't very responsive and can get confused easily if your finger is still on it when you click. I also found the buttons and trackpad quite loud. So not good? It's about what I expect from the average tablet keyboard case. It's great for brief flashes of light sitting at a desk or table, but not for pronouncing thousands of words in a variety of environments. The two-piece design is a winner, however, as you can remove the keyboard and still retain the ability to prop the tablet.

If you only want to use the Tab S7 Plus for media consumption, the $ 80 book cover is a good buy as it comes in a slightly different configuration with a screen cover if you don't receive the keyboard. However, at a whopping $ 230, the Bookcover Keyboard is a tough sell. That puts the entire package north of $ 1,000, right in the range of high-end laptops, without a keyboard experience that matches the laptop.

The S Pen comes with the tablet and does not need to be purchased separately. It works the same as the S Pen does on the Galaxy Note series phones, and connects to Bluetooth for a variety of functions, including activating the shutter button in the camera. The S Pen is mostly great. The menu is easy to use, the response time of 9 milliseconds makes typing on the screen very pleasant and the note taking system is really useful.

However, some features are difficult to activate. Writing screen-off memos requires a precise combination of pressing the S Pen button and tapping the screen. The fact that the S Pen has to be placed on its flat edge in order to properly attach to the back of the tablet and charge is annoying. That said, the palm rejection is top notch, and I could put my hand on the screen and still write with ease, which makes it suitable for artists too.

Price and availability

The Wi-Fi Galaxy Tab S7 Plus can now be pre-ordered from Samsung and Amazon. Shipping begins September 18th and starts at $ 850 or £ 799. If you want 5G, pay $ 1,050, or £ 999, and only get by with the 128GB model. The keyboard bookcover is priced at $ 115 when pre-ordered, but has a normal retail price of $ 230. The book cover alone costs $ 80.

Our opinion

If you are worried about video, gaming, online shopping or other fun activities while viewing the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, just put your money down and enjoy the great giant Samsung tablet. The book cover is worth the extra, but the keyboard implies that you might want to do some work and that, despite its size and high price, isn't really its forte.

Is there a better alternative?

The 2020 iPad Pro was the main competitor of the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus and a better alternative until the 2020 iPad Air arrived with the new Apple A14 Bionic processor and compatibility with the Magic Keyboard. It costs $ 599, which is $ 200 less than the $ 799 iPad Pro. There are major differences between the two, but both share the same great iOS 14 software and app selection.

Another thing to note is the smaller $ 650 Galaxy Tab S7. It's cheaper but doesn't have the S7 Plus' AMOLED screen, but an LCD. The bigger question is, do you have to spend that much on a tablet in the first place? The new 8th generation iPad costs $ 329 and has everything that the more expensive models can do, but with fewer high-tech features. For most, simply hooking up with a phone and laptop is probably more than enough.

How long it will take?

Age. The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus offers the same performance as a top smartphone without the same requirements being placed on it. Therefore it will last for many years. When you take it out into the world, note that it doesn't have a rugged body or any form of water resistance. You can also buy the 5G version of the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus if you envision your future usage changing.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is a fantastic media-focused tablet. All you have to do is settle for the starting price of $ 850 and pay an additional $ 115 (or $ 230 if you buy from MSRP) for a keyboard.

Editor's recommendations




01 Jun
Blog

Logitech Combo Touch Review: An Awesome Keyboard Case

Logitech Combo Touch

"The Logitech Combo Touch is certainly the best keyboard case for mid-range iPad models."

  • Excellent protection

  • The keyboard feels great

  • Good touchpad

  • Affordable price

The iPad is now a laptop. Whether it's a good alternative is up for debate, but with the right accessories, it's now possible to drop an old school clamshell for the best tablet in the world. Apple's own Magic Keyboard is a good choice if you have a recent iPad Pro. However, if you need a full keyboard and touchpad for another iPad model, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Logitech's Combo Touch is at the top of your list. It is the only keyboard case with a touchpad that supports the iPad Pro 10.5-inch, the iPad Air and the iPad of the 7th generation. The price is also around $ 150. This undercuts most third-party iPad keyboards with a touchpad, such as For example, the $ 200 Brydge Pro +.

As a result, the Logitech Combo Touch becomes the standard choice for some iPad owners. It's a good thing he's excellent.

Function over form

The Logitech combo touch doesn't fit the shape you'd expect from an Apple accessory. Third parties who develop products that work with Apple's popular devices often try to mimic Apple's appearance. Not here. Instead, Logitech offers a chunky, playful shell that focuses on ease of use. This corresponds to other current Apple accessories from Logitech, such as the Crayon pen and the Pebble i345 mouse.

I tested the Logitech Combo Touch with my iPad Pro 10.5 inch. This model also fits the 3rd generation iPad Air (owners of a 7th generation iPad have to buy a version that is specific to their device, but only slightly different in thickness).

You would have to push the thing straight up to do damage.

Although I didn't flip my iPad around to see if it survived, I'm confident with the Combo Touch on my iPad. This thing is a Thicc Boi, which has a lot of padding on each side and a clearly raised lip around the iPad display. With the keyboard cover that protects the display closed, you must push the object straight up to cause damage.

It has a non-slip fabric surface on the front and back of the iPad that prevents the tablet from jumping out of your hand.

Logitech Combo Touch outsideMatthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

The disadvantage of this protection is that it increases the weight. The Logitech Combo Touch weighs a total of 21 ounces. That's over a pound! The device connected to my iPad Pro 10.5-inch brought the total weight of the device to 29 ounces without the keyboard cover attached. This makes the full unit a whopping 40 ounces. That's 2.5 pounds.

I don't think weight is a problem for the trip. My iPad is still light with the Combo Touch attached and still fits in any backpack or shoulder bag. The real problem is using tablets, as this case almost doubles the weight of my iPad and makes it more tiring to use when holding it.

The Combo Touch didn't bother buttons or connections – a surprise given its size. I had no problems accessing the flash or headphone jack on my iPad and the volume buttons kept working. You might have problems if you have a device with a particularly large connector – I've seen some powerful 3.5mm jacks on high-end headphones – but none of my devices had a problem.

In this case the combo touch is mixed. The mass can be annoying, but is not without advantages. That's why I only removed my iPad Pro from the case once (and returned it soon). The combo touch case offers excellent protection and makes it easier to hold the iPad Pro with one or both hands.

The keyboard is much better than you think

I wasn't sure what to expect from the combo touch keyboard. I've been checking laptops long enough to remember the netbook era, and these tiny PCs left a distinctly sour impression on my cramped hands. While the Combo Touch offers more volume, the overall package is slightly smaller than most netbooks I've used.

Surprisingly, the combo touch is comfortable. Logitech only has one hair that more than 10 inches of iPad can work with, but the company uses every inch with a borderless button layout. No space is wasted here. The keyboard is backlit and is powered by the iPad via the Smart Connector.

Logitech combo touch keyboardMatthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

A spacious layout is supported by clicking buttons that feel great. I prefer to use the combo touch than the butterfly switch keyboard of older MacBooks. In short, don't worry about the keyboard. You will have no problem with that.

The touchpad is not that impressive, although it is known whether you own an inexpensive laptop or have ever used it. There is enough space for comfortable use and the surface responds. However, it's made of plastic, so it lacks the silky smooth feel you find on Apple's Magic Keyboard and Apple's MacBook laptops.

A stand is integrated in the housing part of the Combo Touch and is available even when the keyboard is not connected. The wide and sturdy stand made an admirable contribution to keeping my iPad on my lap. I was never afraid that the iPad could slide off or fold backwards.

It is worth noting that iPadOS supports the keyboard and the touchpad. You will find a number of function keys that provide easy access to various iPad functions. The touchpad allows you to perform multi-touch gestures that you would otherwise do on the iPad's touchscreen. Logitech's Combo Touch is a third-party accessory, but the integration between it and the iPad feels top-notch.

There's even a loop for storing your Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon pen, although I don't have one either.

An affordable laptop alternative?

The Logitech Combo Touch keyboard and touchpad last up to hours. With the recently added full cursor support for iPadOS, you can perform many tasks that were once reserved for laptops. Does that mean you can buy this case for your current iPad and throw your laptop completely overboard?

Could be. It is certainly possible, but the answer is personal and depends on your willingness to change your workflow.

Can you buy this case for your current iPad and get rid of your laptop completely? Could be.

The Combo Touch offers advantages for the iPad. The display is smaller than most laptops, but it's bright, attractive, and you can touch it. Depending on the task, you can easily switch between using the iPad as a tablet or laptop. Traveling is a snap, whether you run 5 miles or fly 500.

The iOS ecosystem also doesn't have a big disadvantage – on the contrary, many apps now feel faster and more fluid than their PC or Mac counterparts. Thanks to its display and the reasonably powerful GPU, the iPad is undoubtedly better in terms of entertainment than any inexpensive notebook.

Logitech Combo Touch caseMatthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

It is not all good news. Despite its advantages and new multitasking functions, iPadOS is not suitable for situations in which you open several apps and work side by side or have to switch frequently between them. Since iPad apps are touch-first apps, they cannot make optimal use of the iPad's limited display area.

There are even some persistent issues with web-based apps that can be picky on iPad, although Safari doesn't provide mobile versions of websites by default. Web-based WordPress is still a sore point. The app is fine, but it doesn't work with every WordPress implementation.

I can say the following with certainty: An iPad, iPad Air or iPad Pro 10.5 inch in combination with the Combo Touch becomes a perfectly usable laptop replacement. Whether you prefer is a more personal decision, but it can absolutely work.

Our opinion

The Logitech Combo Touch is a great accessory and a bargain price of $ 150. If you have an iPad that is compatible with this case, stop your search. This is the iPad keyboard case to buy.

Is there a better alternative?

The Apple Magic Keyboard is better overall, has a more professional and sophisticated design, but is only available for the latest iPad Pro models (which are not supported by the Combo Touch) and is significantly more expensive.

The Apple Smart Keyboard costs $ 160 and offers a very slim keyboard that takes up less space. However, it was developed before the iPadOS mouse was supported, so there is no touchpad. The Logitech combo touch flips him.

Brydge offers a variety of alternatives, but does not have a keyboard cover with a touchpad for iPad (7th generation), iPad Air or iPad Pro 10.5 inches. This also makes the Combo Touch a better choice.

Do you want more options? Check out our favorite iPad keyboard cases.

How long it will take?

The Logitech Combo Touch lasts for many years. There is no built-in battery that could deteriorate over time, and its durable construction is suitable for rough use. The only threat is water, as the Combo Touch is not designed for water resistance.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Logitech Combo Touch is an excellent keyboard case that you should choose for the supported iPad models.

Editor's recommendations




07 May
Blog

Sony WF-SP800N Review: Huge Stamina, ANC, And Awesome Sound

Sony WF SP800N review presented

"Like a top athlete, Sony's WF-SP800N earphones stand out for everything they do."

  • good sound

  • Best in class battery life

  • Very good water and dust protection

  • Good active noise cancellation

  • Outstanding call quality

  • Bulky charging case

  • No wireless charging

If you've looked at the best wireless earbuds in the past year, you know we know the world of the Sony WF-1000XM3. They excel in so many areas like noise cancellation, sound quality, and call quality that you have to dig quite deep to find bugs.

However, we were much less impressed by Sony's last attempt to create a set of true wireless earphones for the sports audience, the WF-SP700N. The bad battery life was our main criticism and the active noise cancellation did not impress us.

Enter the WF-SP800N: the highly anticipated update from Sony for its sport-oriented real wireless earbuds. At $ 200, they're a little more expensive now, but Sony seems to have learned all the lessons from the WF-1000XM3 to bring the SP800Ns up to date. They are available for Pre-order now from Amazon and Best Buy, with deliveries from the end of May.

Was Sony successful? Let’s take a closer look.

Classic design with a twist

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The WF-SP800N follows the same general design that Sony has used for all earphones – it has a slightly elongated body that protrudes from the ear. Gone is the weird lima bean shape of the WF-SP700N, but these are still bulky than most of today's much smaller earbuds. They are also surprisingly heavy. At 9.5 grams, they are 1 gram heavier than the XM3 and almost twice as heavy as the Jabra Elite 75t, which weighs 5.5 grams.

Not that they feel heavy – in fact, adding a silicone ear fin helps them stay comfortably anchored. However, if you knock on the sidewalk, you are definitely aware of it.

To put the ear fin in the correct position, you have to do a double twist when inserting it: a backward rotation to insert the ear fin into your ear and a forward rotation to lock it in place. This tilts the earphones down – a different angle than the XM3.

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The combination of the large overall size of the SP800N and the integrated ear fins means that the charging case also plays a major role. It's smaller than the case of the Powerbeats Pro and WF-1000XM3 and much smaller than the chunky case of the SP700N, but compared to the Jabra Elite 75t – a model that I used during my test of the SP800N – it's much bigger and not what I would call pocket-friendly. In the picture above, the blue case is actually that of the Jabra Elite Active 75t, but it is identical to the case of the Elite 75t.

Unlike Apple's more expensive AirPods Pro, there is no wireless charging option, just USB-C.

See the best battery

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

When the SP700N's battery life wasn't particularly long, the SP800N was clearly designed to be overwhelming: it offers an impressive battery life of nine hours with the ANC function on and an enormous 13 hours with the battery off. That's three more ANC hours and five more non-ANC hours than the WF-1000XM3. I haven't been able to confirm these statistics during my short time with the earbuds, but Sony's claims are usually consistent with the actual results.

The 13-hour performance without ANC smashes all other real wireless earbuds we've seen

After nine hours with ANC, they're only an hour behind the MW07 Plus from Master and Dynamic, but the 13-hour performance without ANC outperforms any other real wireless earbuds we've seen, including the Samsung Galaxy Buds + that followed 11 hours ahead.

The charging case contains only a single charge, which is a surprise given its physical size. However, you cannot argue with the total wireless time of 26 hours when you need it. According to Sony, the 10-minute quick charge offers up to 60 minutes of music playback for fast charging.

ANC added

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sony can very much appreciate the popularity of active noise cancellation on real wireless earbuds – more has been done to promote this feature than any other company.

The SP800N doesn't have Sony's premier ANC technology, the proprietary QN1e ANC chip in the WF-1000XM3, and Sony can't say what ANC technology the SP800N uses. But we know that: it works very well.

When I check a function like ANC during a pandemic, I can't say much about performance on a flight, but when I use a combination of bathroom fans and vacuum cleaners as a replacement, I can safely say that the SP800N shouldn't have a problem with the white noise of an airplane cabin.

Sony won't say what technology the SP800N's noise cancellation is based on, but we do know this: it works very well.

Outside is a different story. When using ANC while walking and jogging, I found that even the slightest breeze made unwanted noise because the external microphones incorrectly tried to compensate for a noise that wasn't really there.

However, it's not a big deal. Thanks to the tight sealing of the earplugs, the earphones offer excellent passive sound isolation, so you probably don't have the need to activate ANC outdoors.

Call to all athletes

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Despite the wind-related problems of your ANC, the SP800N offers impressive call quality. I've put many real wireless earbuds through the phone call test, and they're the first ones my callers have described as ringing on my phone – kudos, as most earbuds force you to compromise on the clarity you get Your phone to your ear.

The wind was occasionally felt, as were passing cars, but the overall experience was excellent.

I've had a case where the earphones lost connection to my phone while on a call, but that seems to be an isolated case. Wireless connectivity is generally excellent with the SP800N.

Excellent sound

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the advantages of using Sony wireless headphones and real wireless earphones is the company's Headphones Connect app, which allows you to customize a variety of settings, including the EQ. Unfortunately, the app wasn't ready to work with the SP800N during my trial period, so I had to make do with Sony's factory sound settings. And I couldn't have been happier.

If you want your training to be accompanied by a driving bass forward beat, you will love the SP800N.

The SP800N sounds ready to use. The tones are warm and rich, and the lows, mids and highs are well defined so that the vocals stay clear and crisp. The sound stage is both wide and deep, which smaller earphones simply cannot reproduce. And then there's the bass. It's deeply resonant and offers an impressive level of immersion in bass-heavy tracks, but it just stops being shy to be overwhelming. If you want your training to be accompanied by a driving bass forward beat, you will love the SP800N.

If you don't like the big bass, you can adjust the EQ in the Headphones Connect app, but I couldn't test this.

The right touch

As with the XM3 from Sony, all controls are controlled via touch-sensitive areas on the earphones. They are very accurate, so accidental knocking is rare, but only the top half of the earphone can be used. This means that you have to get used to finding the specific areas with your finger instead of just tapping anywhere on the outside of the earphone. I personally prefer the physical buttons on the Jabra Elite 75t, but the controls on the SP800N work just fine. By default, you get play / pause, skip tracks, answer / end calls, access to voice assistants and ANC mode. However, these can be changed in the Headphones Connect app. If you want volume control, you can have it, but you need to decide which of the other features you want to swap for it.

Like many true premium wireless earphones, the SP800N has wear sensors that automatically pause your music when you remove an earphone.

Our opinion

For $ 30 less than Sony's superb WF-1000XM3, the $ 200 WF-SP800N offers everything you can expect from a set of real wireless earbuds, including excellent sound, decent ANC, great battery life, and full protection from an IP55 -Water resistance rating. A somewhat bulky charging case that doesn't allow wireless charging is one of the few downsides, but I suspect that for many, this won't be a deal breaker.

Is there a better alternative?

When you're ready to spend $ 30 more and do without the SP800N's gigantic battery and IP55 protection, Sony's WF-1000XM3 offers better ANC and sound quality. However, we are only talking about a small improvement for both.

For $ 20 less, Jabra's $ 180 Elite 75t may be a better competitor. It can't keep up with the SP800N's battery life and has no ANC, but I think they sound very similar, they're both IP55, and the Jabras are smaller and more comfortable.

How long it will take?

As with most Sony products, the WF-SP800N comes with a one-year warranty. However, this is probably not an indicator of the life of the earphones. They are very well built and with an IP55 degree of protection you can throw very little on them so that they do not survive. Treat them well and keep them in the charging case when not in use. They should be used regularly for many years.

Should you buy it

Absolutely. Currently, the WF-SP800N occupies a unique position in the real wireless world: it is cheaper than most premium earphones and offers fantastic performance in all areas that matter most.

Editor's recommendations




16 Feb
Blog

PlayStation DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment Review: An Awesome Upgrade

DualShock4 Back Button Attachment

Dualshock 4 back button attachment

"The DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment is the perfect way to better adapt the controller."

  • Robust buttons

  • Easy programming of different inputs

  • Multiple profile slots

  • inexpensive

  • Ergonomic design

  • A bit bulky

  • A bit difficult to attach

Sony's famous dualshock controls have remained relatively unchanged over the years. It is a testament to the original design. However, some require more from a controller, including additional buttons. This has driven serious gamers to third-party controllers that offer more options.

Now there is finally an official option. With the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment from Sony you can crush two additional buttons. Even better? You don't have to get used to a completely new controller to use it, as it connects to your existing DualShock 4.

Ready, done, play

Setting up the Back Button Attachment on the DualShock 4 controller only takes a few seconds. Well, if you don't have to mess around with it like me. A standard headphone plug and a charging connector are located on a swiveling part on the inside and snap into place on the underside of the DualShock 4. In my experience, it is difficult to attach this pivoting part, but it fits snugly along the back of the controller when positioned correctly.

To activate the new buttons, press and hold the large middle button for one second. The attachment screen provides options. You can scroll through the available functions for the two buttons and then click the middle button again to confirm your decision.

Setting up the Back Button Attachment on the DualShock 4 controller only takes a few seconds.

This process is even faster than inserting the back button attachment, and the middle screen turns off almost immediately to prevent it from consuming too much power. Given the miserable battery life of the DualShock 4, that's a good thing.

The back button attachment does not rely on an external app tied to your phone, console, or other device. The buttons may be easier to program when an app is available, but this approach has its own advantage. You can easily use the DualShock 4 with the attachment on another console. There is no additional setup.

The buttons feel great and have been designed to be clear and ergonomic. You press the two buttons on the curved edges, which are exactly where your fingers naturally want to rest on the back of the standard DualShock 4. They are easy to click, although the curved area is the only way to activate them. If your fingers slip, you need to mix them back in place.

Second nature

DualShock4 Back Button Attachment

With the option to reassign the buttons, games feel more natural. I tested the back button attachment extensively with Remnant: From the Ashes, a soul-like game with a focus on third-party shooting. By assigning the two new buttons to the square and X buttons on the DualShock 4, I was able to reload and dodge attacks without losing control of the camera, making intense battles against multiple opponents easier to deal with.

With the option to reassign the face buttons, games feel more natural.

The DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment contains a passage for 3.5 mm headsets. If you need to remove the attachment, you can remove it in a few moments and the memory will not be reset.

If there are rumors about the controller design of the PlayStation 5, back buttons might be available by default. In this case, it is possible that the Back Button Attachment makes DualShock 4 controllers compatible. Even if it isn't, the $ 30 price is an excellent addition to the DualShock 4.

A (big) little problem

Since the back button attachment is an accessory, it is bulkier than the paddles built into something like the Xbox Elite Controller or Scuf Vantage. The extra size can tire your hands after a few hours.

DualShock4 Back Button Attachment

The trouble I was having prevented me from taking it off when this happened, but I still did it occasionally to give my hands a break.

The majority have advantages. The back button attachment feels very robust, as I am used to from PlayStation products. Although it feels big on the controller, it's still small enough to easily stow away when traveling or to attach to your controller when you put it away.

Our opinion

The DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment turns your controller into a customizable gamepad for just $ 30. It is an excellent choice for competitive multiplayer fans. If you can experiment with different configurations in no time, you will find your ideal setup in a matter of seconds.

Is there a better alternative?

No, not near that price. Third-party controls designed for using back buttons offer a better experience. However, you spend over $ 100 on most of these controllers.

How long it will take?

It runs on the DualShock 4's battery so you don't have to charge it separately, and it feels sturdy enough to last for years.

Should you buy it

Yes, especially if you are interested in action or competitive multiplayer games.

Editor's recommendations