25 Nov
Blog

LG GP9 Review: The Best Gaming Speaker You Shouldn’t Buy

LG GP9 speakers in front of a monitor

LG UltraGear GP9 Review: The Best Gaming Speaker You Shouldn't Buy

RRP $ 499.00

"The LG GP9 is an incredible speaker that is only as good as its price allows."

advantages

  • Excellent sound quality for games

  • DTS: X and Hi-Res headphone support

  • Broad sound field

  • Excellent microphone echo cancellation

disadvantage

  • Way too expensive

  • Weak battery life

  • Below average music experience

LG's UltraGear brand is known for gaming monitors, but it's branching out. The GP9 gaming speaker is LG's first attempt at establishing UltraGear as a gaming brand beyond the field of monitors and hopefully getting LG into the conversation when it comes to the best gaming speakers. It's a solid attempt, but unfortunately it's tarnished by nagging oversights and an astronomical price tag of $ 500.

It seems that LG designed the GP9 in a vacuum, outperforming alternatives like the Razer Leviathan and Panasonic SoundSlayer by a few hundred dollars. On paper, the GP9's features justify the higher price tag – a built-in microphone for voice chat, support for high-resolution audio, and wireless operation from the built-in battery. In practice, however, these benefits do not match the price LG is asking.

Immediately after unboxing and setting up the GP9, I was overwhelmed with its gaming performance. This is one of the best gaming speakers, and it can't be denied, but it's hard for the GP9 to keep the conversation going when speakers that cost half the sound are almost as good.

Establish connection

Inputs on the LG GP9 speaker.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

The GP9 has three inputs and two outputs. For inputs, you can connect it using the USB-C port, an optical cable, or Bluetooth. That's a solid range of options, although I imagine most of them use USB by default, which I have been doing throughout my review.

Bluetooth is a nice addition, but I wouldn't want to use the GP9 as a bluetooth speaker. For one thing, it's big and bulky so it's not the best travel companion, and it doesn't have an IP or water resistance rating, so leaving it outside isn't a good idea. Even with these issues, battery life is the real killer.

The GP9 has a built-in battery that LG says can last five hours, but even that is generous. On a morning of sparse video calling and the occasional YouTube video, the speaker lasted just under four hours. Blink, and the GP9 is dead.

In addition to the inputs, the GP9 has a headphone output. This port supports DTS Headphone: X for 7.1 virtual surround sound, but this is less of a feature than more of a plus. The GP9 is a $ 500 gaming speaker, after all, so plugging in headphones just for virtual surround sound would be a shame.

Built for games

Using the GP9 for the first time is like putting on one of the best gaming headphones. The soundscape suddenly opened up, sound effects felt like they were having an impact, and music complemented the game sound instead of working against it. If you've used a good quality gaming headset, you already know the experience the GP9 delivers.

LG GP9 speakers on a desk.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

In Deep Rock Galactic, the synthesizer-driven soundtrack perfectly superimposed the sound of the drill through the stone, and the sound field seemed to stretch from one end of the room to the other. My desk is in the living room, but the GP9 still envelops the room.

The default sound profile sounds great. I tried it out in a couple of rounds of Call of Duty: Vanguard and Halo Infinite and could make out footsteps, bullet splatters, and explosions around me. LG's 3D gaming sound may seem like a gimmick, but it works.

In addition to the standard profile, the GP9 includes an FPS profile and an RTS profile. The names are irrelevant, even if these profiles sound great. The FPS profile has a more forward-looking presence, with much of the sound moving towards the center of the sound field, while the RTS profile pushes things to the sides as if the floor has fallen out of frequency range.

There's no denying that the GP9 sounds great in games.

The GP9 sounds great for games and skillfully places the smallest nuances around the sound field so that even separate 2.0 systems cannot cope. It's hard to ignore the cost, however. At $ 500 the tone is not enough. The Razer Leviathan sounds great too, is half the price, and includes a dedicated subwoofer.

Films and music take a back seat

The LG GP9 is a gaming speaker, and it shows in the sound quality of other media too. It is set up to play games, not listen to music or watch movies.

LG GP9 speakers on a desk.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Music was the biggest pain point for the GP9. I started with an emphasis on bass, uploading DNA from Kendrick Lamar and See You Again from Tyler, The Creator (which turned into a full listen to Flower Boy, as so often happens). For $ 500, I wasn't impressed. The GP9 sounded good, but no better than a $ 200 bluetooth speaker like the Sonos Roam.

With music, the main problem was having consistent bass. Songs with a consistent low end – like a metal track like Spiritbox's Circle With Me – worked fine, but any kind of dynamic low end fell apart. The GP9 undergoes the compression that often comes with smaller speakers, with the high-end getting out of the way for a moment while the bass booms.

And the bass is booming. The two passive bass radiators bring out impressive bass for such a small speaker, maybe even too much. In terms of sound, the bass is not too strong, but the speaker on my desk vibrated constantly when listening to music, even at about half the volume.

When watching movies or listening to music, it was like using a completely different speaker.

Problems still exist at the other end of the spectrum. The speaker is very bright and does not separate the higher frequencies when the volume is turned up. I couldn't counteract the problem with EQ, just blunt it. A couple of larger satellite speakers, like the Logitech G560s, can handle these higher frequencies with more grace.

If you want to listen to music, stick with headphones. The Quad-DAC shines with a flat pair of sockets like the BeyerDynamic DT 770 Pros. It supports high resolution, lossless audio, and I could immediately see the bright top end, warm bass, and massive sound field compared to my PC's sound card.

LG GP9 speakers with headphones attached.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

Movies were better on the speaker. I saw Dune and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Dune sounded great. The transition from ambient to bombast in the score felt natural, and the soundscape, although narrow, still felt a lot wider than the speaker. Shang-Chi brought me back to earth, and the sound seemed to funnel into the hard upper mid-range.

Even with a bright spot in Dune, this isn't a speaker I would use outside of games. When watching movies or listening to music, it was like using a completely different speaker.

A functional built-in microphone

Microphone button on the LG GP9 loudspeaker.Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

One advantage of the GP9 over gaming speakers like the Panasonic SoundSlayer is that it includes a microphone, but the quality isn't great. It's just slightly above a laptop's microphone, although it was able to pick up my voice cleanly from a few feet away.

What impressed me more was LG's noise cancellation. LG is calling it Clear Voice Chat technology, which sounds like a bullet point on a product page. Fortunately, it's more. Even at a comfortable volume, the microphone was able to separate my voice from the speaker's audio, and that's hard to achieve.

The microphone is a voice chat solution, just not a great one. Clear Voice Chat is an impressive addition, but I would prefer most of the other microphones to the one in the GP9. You get far better quality with a $ 150 boom mic headset like the Corsair HS80 Wireless.

The app: a compromise case

App screens for the LG GP9.

The LG GP9 was designed for gamers, not gamers, and you don't need to look further than LG's XBoom app to see this. The app isn't bad and it only took a few minutes to set up the GP9 the way I liked it. But it's absurd that a speaker designed for PC gaming doesn't have a desktop app.

XBoom feels like a half-baked solution.

To connect the speaker you need to connect it to bluetooth, download the app, pair it with your phone, and then go back to your original audio source. That took me about 30 seconds. Here's the problem: turn off bluetooth and you'll have to repeat the process all over again. It's not bad, but XBoom still feels like a half-baked solution.

In the app you can adjust the EQ curve, change the RGB sub-lights and update the firmware of the speaker, as well as access all functions that are available as buttons on the top of the speaker. It's not a bad app, but a desktop version would round out the GP9's list of features.

Our opinion

LG has launched an attractive kit with the GP9. It's a speaker that offers the gaming headset experience without the annoying hassle, with a wide sound field, a built-in microphone for communication, and a healthy dose of RGB flair. At $ 300, I'd sing the praises of the GP9. At $ 500, it's an excellent gaming speaker that shouldn't be bought.

It's one of the best gaming speakers in terms of sound, but the sound isn't enough for a speaker that costs as much as a new console.

Are there alternatives?

Dozens. The Razer Leviathan and Panasonic SoundSlayer are the most obvious alternatives, but there are several other options for gaming. These include the Audioengine A2 + speakers and the Logitech G560 kit, both of which are cheaper than the LG GP9.

How long it will take?

Without years of using the GP9, it's hard to tell how long the speaker will last. LG offers a one-year parts and labor warranty as standard.

Should you buy it?

No, unless you can have one on sale. The GP9 is too expensive for what it is, and its positives are outweighed by the price. However, if you can pick one up for around $ 300, this is an excellent option.

Editor's recommendations



23 Nov
Blog

Can you get Buy zopiclone 10mg

Buying Zopiclone Online is the best sleeping pill prescribed for those who have insomnia for a short period of time. You can sleep well if you have trouble falling asleep, wake up early, or lie awake late at night. Relaxation and drowsiness can be achieved by altering the chemical balance of your brain.

Only take zopiclone for a short time (10 days or less). This is because your body gets used to it quickly and after a while it no longer has the same effect. It could also become a habit for your body.

Only resorting to zopiclone after you've exhausted all other options is important to continue to practice relaxation techniques while taking the drug. Find out more about sleep disorders, insomnia and how to sleep better.

Zopiclone 10 mg (7.5 mg) is available as a tablet. One tablet of zopiclone at night is the normal dosage. Older people should take a smaller dose (half a tablet instead of a whole tablet) (over 65 years of age). Excessive sleepiness, which can lead to falls and other side effects, can be reduced by taking the drug at a lower dose.

Usually your doctor will recommend treatment for 10 days or less. Take zopiclone as directed by your doctor. You can find dosage instructions, frequency recommendations, and other specific instructions on your medication's pharmacy label.

Dosage instructions for zopiclone

Zopiclone does not have to be taken every day. If you absolutely must take zopiclone, do it sparingly. Only use zopiclone when you cannot fall asleep by taking sleep hygiene measures first. Do not crumble or chew the pill; Instead, swallow it as a single piece. Taking zopiclone with either meal is an option with this sleep aid. If you wake up all night, do not take zopiclone.

Precautions – before using zopiclone.

  • Are you having problems with your liver or kidneys?
  • Do you have respiratory problems like asthma or COPD?
  • What is the status of your pregnancy or breastfeeding?
  • Do you suffer from dementia?
  • Are you taking anything else? This includes herbal and supplemental medications that you buy without a prescription.

If you are using zopiclone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of insomnia. Certain medications may not be suitable for people with certain medical problems, or may only be safe if taken carefully.

There are a few important things to be aware of while using zopiclone.

Zopiclone can make you tired and reduce your ability to concentrate the next day, so special care should be taken when taking it. You may feel sleepy for at least twelve hours after taking your dose.

Drinking alcoholic beverages is a bad idea.

  • Avoid drinking alcohol while taking zopiclone, especially if you are just starting out on the medication.
  • Drowsiness and poor concentration can be caused by ingesting alcohol while taking the sedative zopiclone.

Only drink tiny amounts of alcohol if you want to experiment with it and see how it affects you.

As a result of taking more medication

In combination with other medications (such as antihistamines or antidepressants or pain relievers) zopiclone can cause tiredness and drowsiness.

Find out if you are taking other medications or natural supplements.

Travel

Taking zopiclone can negatively affect your ability to concentrate and drive. The effects of zopiclone can last for at least 11 hours after ingestion, which can have a significant impact on the ability to drive.

Slips and falls

Due to the effects of zopiclone on your ability to concentrate, sleep, and muscle weakness, it can increase your risk of collapse.

Learn more about the relationship between medication and falls and how to avoid them. Take zopiclone as directed for at least two weeks before you stop suddenly. Slowly reducing the dosage is the best option.

If you take it for more than two weeks, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and restlessness, and increased sleep disorders.

Like any other drug, zopiclone can Side effects, while not everyone experiences them.

Addiction

If you have been taking zopiclone for even more than a couple of weeks then this is much more likely. Some people are more prone to addiction and appear to be more sensitive to their desires than others. If you've used alcohol or recreational drugs in the past, or suffered from mental health problems such as depression, you may be more vulnerable.

Zopiclone should only be used 2 or 3 evenings a week, or even every night. Just in case: If you cannot fall asleep with sleep hygiene measures, only take zopiclone if you cannot fall asleep without it.

Tired or dizzy the next day

Be careful when using this medication while driving a car or using electrical appliances. Especially if you are older, you are at risk of falling and getting injured from these side effects. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor.

Zopiclone can and can be taken by whoever. Adults over the age of 18 can take zopiclone. Some people are not suitable for this. Talk to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions before using zopiclone:

  • Have a history of side effects on medication
  • have a problem with your liver or kidneys
  • have a disease called myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness
  • Difficulty breathing and / or snoring (where you stop breathing for a short time while you sleep)
  • are plagued by mental health problems
  • have had a history of alcoholism or substance abuse
  • or are about to start a family.

Take the pill in one sip. Do not chew or crush it. Zopiclone is a drug that can be taken with or without meals, depending on your preference.

It is important that you take this medication exactly as your doctor has told you. Instead of taking a pill every night, you may only need to take it two or three times a week.

12 Nov
Blog

Best Black Friday Roomba Deals 2021: What to Buy Today

Digital Trends can earn a commission when you shop through links on our website.

We look forward to epic Black Friday Roomba deals this year. Based on the best Black Friday Roomba deals out there already, we anticipate iRobot will move massive stocks of the most popular Roomba robotic vacuums through major retailers. Roomba vacs are a huge draw, bringing shoppers to retailer sites where they can also hope to find more of this year's best Black Friday deals.

We've scoured the internet and rounded up some of the best Black Friday Roomba deals currently available. Stock is likely to run out of stock quickly, so go quick if the product you have your eye on is listed below.

Black Friday Roomba dealers

  • Amazon Black Friday Deals: Amazon always has the largest selection of iRobot Roomba robotic vacuums, so you can count on the online mega-retailer to have tons of Black Friday Roomba deals. We focused on seven specific Roomba models to review and compare prices, but you can find good deals on other Roomba models like the self-draining Roomba i7 + for $ 535 or the Roomba E5 for $ 210 with one Find a discount of $ 350. Shopping now.
  • Best Buy Black Friday Deals: Best Buy's Black Friday Roomba deals aren't as extensive as they are on Amazon, but prices are within $ 1 on the most popular models like Roomba 694 and Roomba s9 +. Shopping now.
  • Walmart Black Friday Deals: Walmart typically sticks to the best-selling small appliance models and that goes for the Roomba too. Walmart's Black Friday Roomba deals for the Roomba i3, Roomba j7 + and Roomba s9 robotic vacuums are identical to or very close to Amazon and Best Buy prices. At Walmart, there are sometimes a little more price advantages for selected models. Shopping now.

Today's Best Black Friday Roomba Deals

  • Roomba 694 – $ 180, was $ 274
  • Roomba i3 – $ 349, was $ 399
  • Roomba i3 + – $ 549, was $ 600
  • Roomba j7 – $ 499, was $ 650
  • Roomba j7 + – $ 699, was $ 1,000
  • Roomba s9 – $ 899, was $ 1,000
  • Roomba s9 + – $ 949, was $ 1,300

Great deals on Black Friday Roomba – Roomba 694

  • Roomba 694 – $ 180, was $ 275

Among the many Black Friday Roomba deals is the Roomba 694. Our initial coverage of the robotic vacuum cleaner was positive as our expert wrote, "The new iRobot Roomba is the robotic vacuum you want." This cheapest Roomba model benefits from many functions of the higher priced iRobot models. The Roomba 694 automatically detects floor coverings and particularly dirty or dirty areas and adjusts the cleaning power accordingly. You can also control the Roomba 694 with Alexa or Google Assistant. If you want a Roomba but don't want to spend a bundle, the Roomba 694 is an excellent choice.

The best Black Friday Roomba deals – Roomba i3 & i3 +

iRobot Roomba i3 Plus on the floorJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

  • Roomba i3 – $ 349, was $ 400
  • Roomba i3 + – $ 549, was $ 600

If you're looking for more than the basics in Black Friday Roomba deals, consider the Roomba i3 or i3 +. The difference between the two models is the i3 + 's self-draining feature, as mentioned in the Roomba i3 Plus review, which adds about $ 200 to the price. However, you can pick up this powerful mid-range model for around $ 350. You can't set virtual limits, but you get efficient and effective cleaning with more power and longer battery life than entry-level models.

The best Black Friday Roomba deals – Roomba j7 & j7 +

A Roomba vacuum cleaner in a living room station.

If you've owned a robot hoover before, you know that wires and cables on the floor are probably the toughest obstacle you can get past. Sliding extension cords under or behind furniture will likely spend time saving your stuck robotic vacuum cleaner. We're excited to see the Roomba j7 and j7 + among Roomba's early Black Friday deals because the j7's specialty is wire and cable detection. As our expert mentioned in the iRobot Roomba i7 + review, this model is smarter than average robotic vacuum cleaners. There's a lot more to the j7, but cable avoidance is high on the list.

  • Roomba j7 – $ 499, was $ 650
  • Roomba j7 + – $ 699, was $ 1,000

The best Black Friday Roomba deals – Roomba s9 & s9 +

i robot

If you're planning on chasing Black Friday Roomba deals to save on the top of the line, talk about the Roomba s9 and the self-draining s9 + variant. Our expert made his opinion very clear in the iRobot Roomba s9 + review when he called it "the best robot vacuum cleaner money can buy".

  • Roomba s9 – $ 899, was $ 1,150
  • Roomba s9 + – $ 949, was $ 1,400

Should You Buy Black Friday Roomba Deals Now?

Obviously you want the best Roomba Black Friday deals, but waiting to see prices drop any further this year isn't a wise strategy. In fact, it usually doesn't work after it goes on sale in years when inventory levels are not in question. However, this year many retailers are likely to head into Black Friday with lower than normal inventory levels due to the ongoing supply chain disruptions and shipping issues. Black Friday Roomba deals also started earlier than ever this year as Amazon ditched the challenge with early Black Friday deals in the first week of October. When you see a great deal on a product that you know you want to buy, don't hesitate.

We found that, as nice as some of the Roomba Black Friday deals are, some are just $ 50 off list prices. That doesn't mean they aren't good deals in the market today. Rather, the relatively small discounts likely reflect the low inventory levels. So if you see an attractive Black Friday Roomba deal now, we encourage you to grab it. If you buy from Amazon and the price drops within 30 days, you can return your original purchase for your money back, as long as it is in like new condition with its original packaging.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we carefully and independently choose what we cover. The prices, details and availability of the products and offers in this post are subject to change at any time. Make sure they are still valid before buying.

Digital Trends can earn commissions on products bought through our links, which supports our work for our readers.

Editor's recommendations



07 Nov
Blog

Hisense U7G 4K HDR TV Review: Confidently Click Buy Now

Hisense U7G television shows a picture of breakfast items.

Hisense U7G 4K HDR TV

RRP $ 900.00

"At under $ 1,000, the Hisense U7G is an unmistakable value."

advantages

  • Impressive brightness

  • Solid black levels

  • Excellent backlight control

  • Great to play with

  • Easy adjustment

disadvantage

  • Bad off-angle performance

  • Potentially dirty screen effect

My pick for the best TV under $ 1,000 for the past few years went to a TCL TV, but this year Hisense is at least a co-owner of that coveted spot with its U7G 4K ULED TV. At well under $ 1,000, this TV exceeds my expectations almost every step of the way – through the lens of a very picky TV enthusiast (me).

For most people, the U7G is absolutely a breeze. Here's why.

Out of the box

Hisense U7G TV remote control in hand.Riley Young / Digital Trends

Over my 29 years in consumer electronics, I have preached that heavy equipment is premium equipment. Of course, that notion has its limits – you don't want 25-pound headphones. But by and large, the best devices in each category have a certain weight, because even in the digital age, quality components tend to weigh more than cheap components.

This would mean that the Hisense U7G would not qualify as a premium television. It's amazingly easy. So much so that I had serious concerns about its overall build quality and its potential to impress me with its performance. But since I was able to move the U7G from place to place very easily in my test lab, I've found this TV to be well built and should stand the test of time.

Close up of The Hisense U7G TV stand.Riley Young / Digital Trends

As a bonus, the U7G is very easy to assemble and mount on the wall. Stand-alone installation requires just a few feet, and for those using a media center or sideboard, the footprint of the U7G is 47.75 "wide by 10.5" deep.

The box with the TV contains the feet, screws for the feet, a Google Voice remote, batteries for the remote, and some paper-printed product literature that you probably don't need.

Details on the U7G series

While we tested the 65-inch model 65U7G, our test also applies to the other screen sizes available in the series.

Screen size Model no RRP
55 inches

55U7G

 $ 700
65 inches 65U7G $ 900
75 in 75U7G $ 1,200

Put up

Hisense U7G TV with a picture of a chocolate ice cream bar on the screen.Riley Young / Digital Trends

One of the things I like the most about Hisense TVs is their ease of setup – especially when it comes to having the right picture mode presets for all of the different inputs and streaming apps on board.

I realize that a lot of people buy a TV, plug it in, turn it on, endure the necessary setup wizard, and then start watching TV right away without ever touching the picture settings. That's a shame. To get the best picture out of any TV – and the Hisense U7G in particular – it pays to take a little time to make at least a few simple adjustments.

By default, the TV is in a standard picture preset that ultimately suits your tastes, but the TV is also in a low-power mode that I strongly recommend users turn off right away. This eco setting limits the peak brightness of the TV and if you don't turn this off you will never know what your TV is really capable of.

Once the TV's eco mode is turned off, I would also suggest turning off motion smoothing. While motion smoothing is helpful for some fast-moving sports content, it makes movies and some TV shows look artificial and introduces the soap opera effect which I think is terrible. However, not everyone agrees with me. So if you like the smooth looking movement feel free to leave it on – just know, I'll never watch TV with you.

Personally, I think the pro move is to select Theater Day as the picture mode. If the color temperature seems a little warm to you or the picture doesn't seem so vivid, this is normal. Give your eyes a chance to get used to it. I think you will find that it looks a lot more authentic. Theater Day also gives you the best brightness output for SDR content without messing around with other settings.

A photo of kiwi fruit on a Hisense U7G television.Riley Young / Digital Trends

As soon as Theater Tag is selected for an HDMI input, it is also selected for the others. And if you select Theater Tag in one streaming app, that is the default for other streaming apps (again, this applies to SDR content). Most TVs don't offer this convenience, which is why I commend Hisense for making TV setup easy.

For HDR content, I recommend choosing HDR Theater and I recommend Dolby Vision Custom for Dolby Vision. Here, too, these picture modes are used across the board as soon as they are selected for an HDMI input or a streaming app.

One final note on setup: Android TV / Hisense's setup wizard will ask you lots of questions about privacy. Take a moment to read this information and choose carefully based on how well you are collecting data about your viewing habits. Also note that you can keep your ad data to yourself, but at the expense of relevant content suggestions.

Dimensions / specifications

Image of berries on a tree shown on the Hisense U7G TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

As is common with TV reviews, I used a Spectracal C6 colorimeter profiled on an X-Rite i1Pro spectrometer along with the Calman Ultimate software to measure the out-of-the-box performance of the U7G before making detailed adjustments. Since few people will pay to have such a TV calibrated, I think these numbers are the most valuable.

I checked the peak luminance performance for SDR on Theater Night (283 nits) and Theater Day (566 nits). Theater Day looks just bright enough to provide a good-looking picture in a room with moderate natural light. This isn't overwhelming brightness, but it is definitely above average for televisions priced below $ 1,000. The backlight setting can be increased to increase the brightness in brighter rooms, but the black levels take a beating and look a bit greyish.

For the HDR theater mode, I got between 930 and 950 nits depending on how long I tested the peak brightness. I think almost 1,000 cd / m² in HDR is a good figure for a television in this price range. That's definitely bright enough to make HDR look like HDR, and that's again above average for a TV in this price range.

Interestingly, I found that the HDR standard mode didn't get any brighter than HDR Theater. This is atypical and another reason for me to recommend the HDR theater setting.

I also checked the U7G's 2 point grayscale performance and found it to be flawless. And I don't mean just for Hisense, I mean the grayscale was on Sony A80J accuracy levels. I expected this would result in excellent color accuracy, but oddly enough it didn't.

Normally, accurate grayscale means that the colors are tracking well, but technically the television has chromatic aberrations that go into the visible spectrum. However, they're not so significant that I think most viewers would notice.

Given that the TV is so cheap, a videophile on a budget might do well to buy the U7G and have the color calibrated by a professional. For the modest total cost of ownership increase, I think returning it to the right person might be worth it. However, most people will be happy with the color if they're not downright impressed.

Backlight and black levels

A photo of kiwi fruit on a Hisense U7G television.Riley Young / Digital Trends

I am very impressed with the backlight performance of the Hisense U7G. I have observed little to no blacks (where dark grays / shadow details are represented as black). There was also surprisingly little blooming and halo around light objects on dark backgrounds, which is impressive considering how bright the TV can get.

I have a new favorite piece of content to check black levels, shadow detail, blooming and halo effects all at once: Night on Earth, which is available on Netflix. I watch the show with the subtitles on and quickly learn everything I need to know about backlight controls and the black level performance of a television.

The great thing about this Netflix nature documentary series is that it is shot almost entirely at night – hence the title. They use special cameras and technology to take night pictures – action in nature that has never been seen before. The show is extremely gloomy on average, except where it isn't, which makes for a hell of a torture test, and I can tell you the U7G passed the test with ease.

Close-up of the edges of the Hisense U7G TV stand.Riley Young / Digital Trends

I've seen almost no noticeable blooming from the edges of the TV or halos around bright objects, the best test of which is the closed captions, which are bright white on an almost pitch black background. It's rare that I don't get distracted by a backlight system while watching dark content, but the U7G just got me to enjoy the content – that's a great endorsement.

HDR highlights were exactly what I expected / wanted for a TV in this price range. I think the U7G is a bit high on the brightness curve in terms of accuracy, but it's fun. The U7G reminds me of some Samsung TVs in this regard, but with better blacks for the price. HDR had pop and I enjoyed it.

Movement and processing

The movement performance was good – overall in the middle range. I saw a bit of stuttering and flickering when panning vertically, but that wasn't a consistent problem. Movement problems didn't occur often enough to upset me, which means most people will be very happy with this TV presentation.

Upscaling and processing were generally just fine. The U7G doesn't clean sound as well as a Sony TV, for example, but neither does most TVs. In particular, I noticed a bit of color streaking on low bit depth content from streaming services. The U7G isn't going to make Bob Ross look like a 4K studio master on PBS, but it's good for the type of content most people will be watching today. For the price, I couldn't ask for anything better. You'd have to pay MUCH more to get better build quality so I'm giving it back to Hisense to strike a good balance.

Games

Car video game played on the Hisense U7G TV.Riley Young / Digital Trends

According to the Xbox Series X 4K TV details, the Hisense U7G supports almost every gaming parameter available, including variable refresh rate. I wasn't expecting VRR on this TV, but when I enabled it on the Xbox Series X, I got no argument. What a pleasant surprise! I was only able to verify HDMI VRR and FreeSync support for the U7G – the jury has yet to be on G-Sync for PC gamers.

The U7G will be great for gamers. The input lag is super low (less than 15 milliseconds for 4K and about 7 ms for 1080p and VRR) and the HDR images are fantastic. There is great shadow detail and very little motion blur. All the essentials for a great gaming TV are in place.

Bonus material

The Hisense U7G is an Android TV with Google Assistant support and support for Google smart home devices. It's not as fancy a platform as Google TV, and the U7G has no hope of upgrading to Google TV in the future, but Android TV is a solid platform that will work well for years to come.

Our opinion

The U7G is currently the best TV you can buy for under $ 1,000. This honor was once shared with the TCL R645, however, supply chain issues have raised the price of the TV, leaving the U7G with that title for now. I also have to call the U7G the best TV for enthusiasts who don't have a big budget. This TV proves that you have great picture quality and you can't spend a small fortune.

Is there a better alternative?

At the price, no. The U7G offers unique value in 2021. However, the Hisense U8G only offers slightly higher performance (brightness) for $ 100 to $ 200 more.

How long it will take?

The Hisense U7G is positioned in terms of performance and features to perform well for several years. Hisense provides a one-year parts and labor warranty on its televisions provided they are used in a non-commercial environment.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The U7G is a great television. The low price makes it a headless buy.

Editor's recommendations



03 Nov
Blog

Apple Watch Series 7 Review: The Only Smartwatch to Buy

Apple Watch Series 7 in your pocket.

Apple Watch Series 7

RRP $ 399.00

"Stylish, customizable, powerful, reliable and with a larger field of view, smaller bezels and faster charging than before, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the best smartwatch you can buy."

advantages

  • Big screen, small bezels

  • Simply personalized

  • Choice of models and sizes

  • Comprehensive health tracking

  • Reliable software and notifications

  • Fast charging

  • Stronger and harder than before

disadvantage

  • Only works with the iPhone

The Apple Watch Series 7 could be the perfect smartwatch. I'm sorry to give away the game so early, but there are no secrets or surprises here – and that's a good thing. A smartwatch should be an extension of your smartphone, but it must also function reliably and sensibly on its own. It should provide comprehensive, motivational and informative health and activity tracking without alienating those who are not athletes. It should look good and easily adapt to your mood, style, and surroundings. It shouldn't require constant supervision or have complex or tricky features that overshadow basic day-to-day utility. New models also need to be improved from the previous version, so anyone can consider upgrading if they want.

The Apple Watch Series 7 has all of this and more. Let us talk about it.

draft

It's almost impossible to tell the difference between Series 7 and Series 6 just by looking at them. The 1mm increase in case size – 45mm and 41mm for the 7 Series versus 44mm and 40mm for the 6 Series – is only noticeable when you remove a tape measure, and the slightly larger curvature at each edge is only visible when you put the two of them look side by side and look very carefully. The speaker on the left side of the case is a single slot rather than the Series 6 double slot, but that's about as noticeable as the visual changes.

Apple Watch Series 7 on the wrist.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

What you notice are the much smaller 1.7mm bezels (down from 3mm on the 6 Series) and the increased field of view. Apple says that compared to the Series 6 and the Watch SE, 20% more screen area is visible and 50% more than the Apple Watch Series 3. The Ion-X glass above the screen has a contoured edge so that the screen follows The case seems to bulge at the top, just like a curved screen on a smartphone.

The version in our photos is an aluminum model in midnight that is black in color with a hint of blue and I chose it because, unlike the blue or green versions, it is easier to combine with more bracelet options. If you have a bracelet collection from an existing Apple Watch, they all go perfectly with the Series 7, just in case you worry that the 1mm increase will make them look weird.

Apple Watch Series 7 from the side.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It would be easy to blame Apple for not changing the design much, but it hasn't because it isn't necessary. The Series 7 looks amazing and the Apple Watch has become a style icon in my opinion. The soft curvature of the case makes it very comfortable to wear, no matter which bracelet you choose, and it is really light at 38.8 grams without a bracelet, so you can wear it day and night.

While this is true of some fitness bands as well, the difference is that the Apple Watch looks great and it's incredibly easy to change the entire look of it when you get bored. Apple's watch faces have come a long way, especially in WatchOS 7 and WatchOS 8, becoming classier and more visually exciting instead of just adding complications. Put together a small collection of bracelets and bracelets, and Apple Watch is ready for whatever you wear, any time of the day.

Apple Watch Series 7 on the wrist from behind.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's this versatility that makes owning the Apple Watch so convenient. It turns it from a piece of technology into something that is truly yours. No other smartwatch offers such easy customization. You can even just choose the Wear-and-Forget-Sport Loop Harness, which is some of the best basic harnesses you can get and is adjusted for the duration of your possession.

The Apple Watch Series 7 wears no differently than the Series 5 or Series 6 Watch, and that's fine. It's still the most comfortable, personal, and easiest-to-live smartwatch you can buy.

screen

If the slimmer bezel didn't change the design significantly, did it change the screen? Yes it did, but don't expect the Series 6 to make you feel like a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The increase is much more subtle, but Apple emphasized the difference through WatchOS 8 by using new watch faces like Contour, adding larger fonts, and making better use of the extra space.

App menu on Apple Watch Series 7.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Buttons are bigger and easier to find, wider notification cards contain just a little more information, more text fits on the screen at one time, and you can see more at the same time. Swipe up to see quick settings, and turning on a focus mode requires a less precise action and is faster than before. But perhaps the best indication of how much screen the Series 7 has gained is the three additional font sizes available when compared to older models.

Apple says the screen is brighter indoors, but I didn't notice any difference. However, this may be because I never have any problems reading whether I am in the sunlight or in the dark, or whether it shows the main screen or the excellent always-on dials. It's sharp and colorful and doesn't reflect absurdly either. The Ion-X glass over the top is also tougher and more resistant to cracking than before, but to get the supposedly more durable sapphire crystal displays you'll need to buy the stainless steel or titanium models.

Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 6 from above. "Aria -habenby =" gallery-9-2823138

Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 6 from the side. "Aria -habenby =" gallery-9-2823139

  • 1.
    Apple Watch Series 7 (left) and Series 6 (right)
  • 2.
    Contoured screen of the Apple Watch Series 7 (red, top) versus the Series 6

The smaller bezels also make the Series 7 look more modern, even when placed next to the Series 6, a smartwatch that can hardly be called old. If you're from a Series 3 watch, the smaller bezels and larger viewing area of ​​the Series 7 will transform the experience for you. In this case, the Series 7 is a huge upgrade. I used a Series 6 last year and the extra screen real estate was evident when I used the Series 7.

Health and activity tracking

The Apple Watch Series 7 measures your heart rate and your electrocardiogram (EKG), measures the oxygen level in the blood, warns of heart rate irregularities, sends an emergency alarm when you fall, reminds you to start exercising if they don't notice you are moving or cycling, records your swimming activity and automatically starts a timer when you wash your hands. I'm just scratching the surface here as I haven't mentioned sleep tracking, dozens of exercise plans, Apple's Fitness + service, sound alerts, and the mindfulness app.

Heart rate on Apple Watch Series 7.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The health and fitness tracking is comprehensive, detailed, accurate and, in my case, completely exaggerated for my needs – and that's a good thing. That means, should I decide to do more, the watch will be ready without upgrading. The Series 7 records my walks, my sleep and my training at home without any problems and can be started so quickly and easily that sometimes I don't even have to go to the training app because the watch detects my activity more than usual and suggests a tracking mode. Or I use the app selection mode by pressing the bottom button on the watch to jump straight into the workout app. It takes seconds what I want as an occasional trainer.

I also appreciate the "silent" features. Heart rate, blood oxygen and even noise are monitored in the background, so if anything changes it will let me know. I don't have to do anything with setup either, since most of these functions are active by default. Apple's Activity Rings give me a clear indicator of my daily activities and are appropriately motivating, with reminders to move me and animated screens when I reach a goal.

Daily activity in the Apple Health app.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Overview of Apple Health.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apple Health breath data.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

All health data in the Apple Health app.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The data is presented in the Apple Health app. It shows helpful trends that let you know if you're doing more or less than usual, summaries of your recent workouts (including GPS maps), and offers the ability to dig deeper. I love the All Health Data list view, which shows you the most current information instantly and also combines it with historical data. Tap each section to see a more detailed breakdown of the data. It's well laid out, very informative, and extremely easy to digest.

Although everything is presented very nicely with bright colors and neat graphics, the app can feel dense and complicated. But it does show how much capability the watch has and how it can benefit those who are much more focused on fitness than I am. I would really like to see the health and fitness apps combined in one, as I often forget the fitness app, which has more information about daily activities.

EKG on Apple Watch Series 7.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Blood oxygen measurement on Apple Watch Series 7.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apple Watch Series 7 case back.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Apple Watch Series 7 is any fitness partner you want, and it works just as well no matter the amount of effort you put into the workout. It has all of the skills, dates, and motivations you want – or as little as you want – all without irritating messages about pushing your limits either on the clock or in marketing. This also goes well with the design and customization, because all of this looks as sporty or not as sporty as you want it to be. It's excellent.

Software and performance

Apple's WatchOS 8 software, released in September, will be installed and will be compatible with all Apple Watch models since Series 3. It works the same way as it does the Series 6, and I'll summarize my experience with the software in a previous article.

It's fast, responsive, and full of features. I easily get notifications from my iPhone 13 Pro and can reply to most of them right from the watch. Most messages can be replied to using the keyboard, which has a new QuickType swipe function. It's surprisingly accurate and makes it much faster to type on the watch's small screen. I also like how the iPhone comes up with a popup that allows you to enter text on the phone rather than the watch without finding the message to match. Not all messages have this deep interaction. For example, tweets can only be liked or retweeted and Outlook e-mails cannot be answered on the wrist, but only marked or marked as read.

It's still the most comfortable, personal, and easiest-to-live smartwatch you can buy.

The Watch Series 7 processor may be called S7, but it's just a name change, and it has the same performance as the S6 in the Series 6. That means it is 20% more powerful than the S5 chip in the Apple Watch SE , which Apple is still selling along with the new Series 7. You can purchase the Series 7 with a cellular connection and, provided you pay at your monthly cellular plan, the watch can make and receive calls and receive messages even when you are not connected to your phone.

Twitter notification on Apple Watch Series 7.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

With WatchOS 8 on the Apple Watch Series 6 and Series 7, I had no issues with responsiveness or apps. While setting up the Series 7, I had issues with the Set up as new watch option, but it turned on without any issues when I chose the Restore from a backup option. This is the first time I've come across it and I suspect it has to do with the Series 7 setup on launch day and the server delays that came with it.

battery

I've worn the Apple Watch Series 7 24 hours a day for the past week, and when I wake up in the morning after tracking my sleep, the watch still has between 20% and 30% energy left, depending on whether I have during the day previously recorded a workout. This means that a single use over a whole day is not a problem. At 30% remaining, it continued through the end of a work day if I did not record any workout. Alternatively, if you don't enable sleep tracking and disable it overnight, two days or even more are achievable.

Apple Watch Series 7 for a fee.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Watch Series 7 has a new charger with quick charge function and can be easily recognized by the silver housing compared to the older versions. According to Apple, it offers an 80 percent charge in 45 minutes, but when plugged into the Apple Fast Charger, it exceeds that and hits around 88% in that time. It reaches 100% in an hour. There's also a handy feature where an eight-minute charge gives back eight hours of sleep tracking.

Using an old charger with the Series 7 will charge it at its normal rate, which is understandable but unfortunate to anyone who has sat on a stand like the Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe charger, as you have the benefit not received from the speed increase of the new charger.

Price and availability

the Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $ 399 for the 41mm model and $ 429 for the 45mm model. Add $ 100 for the GPS + Cellular version and even more depending on which bracelet you choose. For example, if you'd like the RED Braided Solo Loop Belt product in our photos, prices start at $ 449.

In the UK, the 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 in aluminum starts at 369 pounds and the 45mm model starts at 399 pounds. Prices increase depending on the bracelet you choose, and you have to add £ 100 to the price if you want the GPS + Cellular model.

The Series 7 looks amazing and the Apple Watch has become a style icon in my opinion.

Outside of the standard Apple Watch models, you can buy special Nike versions that are the same price but come with Nike straps and exclusive watch faces. You can also pay more for the Apple Watch Series 7 for a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal above the screen. Prices start at $ 699 or £ 649. The titanium Apple Watch Edition starts at $ 799, or £ 699, and the Apple Watch Hermés starts at $ 1,229, or £ 1,179. Functionality and specification are identical in the entire range, so all of these only offer material and strap differences.

Our opinion

Smaller bezels and a 1mm difference in case size have had a big impact on the Apple Watch Series 7, increasing its appeal and overall visual appeal. Faster charges and that helpful 8-minute zap for overnight use mean the relatively short battery life is much less of a concern and you can use and enjoy the watch 24 hours a day. WatchOS 8 is reliable and easy to use, health tracking remains unmatched even without hardware changes, and massive customization is fun.

It's everything you'd expect from a smartwatch as it integrates perfectly with the iPhone but still has enough power to be used on its own at will and never feels redundant due to lack of features or poor app support. The Apple Watch Series 7 has improved over the Series 6, and even feels like a worthwhile upgrade to last year's model for those who don't mind spending the money. It's also worth noting that Apple hasn't changed the price either, and has kept it the same in recent generations despite hardware and software improvements.

The Apple Watch Series 7 does anything I want, and I am very aware that it can do a lot more, making it feel like a safe purchase even for those who are just starting out with a smartwatch. The uncomplicated handling also makes it great for newcomers and thanks to the two sizes and different designs, there is something suitable for you. It's really great, and I'm struggling to find a reason not to wholeheartedly recommend it.

Is there a better alternative?

It doesn't happen often that I say this, but if you own an iPhone and want a smartwatch, there is no better alternative to the Apple Watch. There is usually an alternative, but in this case, buying an Apple Watch Series 7 is the best option available. This year, the Apple Watch SE is doing less well than it was in 2020 due to the lack of an always-on screen, a larger bezel, standard charging speed, and less powerful health monitoring.

If you have an Android phone, there is no point in making good use of the Apple Watch, so check out our recommendations for Android smartwatches.

How long it will take?

The Apple Watch Series 7 is dustproof according to IP6X, water-resistant to 50 meters, is float-proof and has a stronger, more break-proof glass above the screen. Belts can be exchanged easily and inexpensively if they should be broken or dirty. Apple should support the watch with new software updates for up to five years. Keeping the Apple Watch Series 7 for five years can be a challenge if you want to keep up with technology trends, but for everyone else, it's perfectly doable, given the Series 7's capabilities, performance, and ruggedness.

Should you buy one?

Yes sir. Not only is it the best smartwatch for your iPhone, it's also the best smartwatch available today.

Editor's recommendations



02 Nov
Blog

Nokia G50 Review: Buy For The Battery and Software, Not 5G

The Nokia G50 in blue.

“The 5G connection of the Nokia G50 is not a reason to buy, just a decent advantage for the future. Instead, the battery life and the software make it worthwhile to search. "

advantages

  • Long battery life

  • Strong build quality

  • Straightforward, reliable software

  • Guaranteed software updates

  • 5G for the future

disadvantage

  • Screen with 60 Hz refresh rate

  • Low resolution screen

  • Big and heavy

The $ 300 Nokia G50 might hit the headlines because it includes 5G priced at $ 300, but no matter what the wireless industry wants you to be, there is no real reason to get this phone or any other phone right now to buy. Instead, you should still look at all of the common suspects – software, battery, screen, and camera – before making a decision.

With the G50 in my daily use for over a week, I've found it wins in two of these four categories, which means 5G is enough to make it a buy recommendation. But you still need to be aware of its one major disadvantage.

draft

The Nokia G50 is a very large cell phone. The 6.82-inch screen is massive, the case is almost 9 mm thick and 174 mm high (the Galaxy S21 Ultra is 10 mm shorter by comparison), and it weighs 220 grams. Small pockets will bother you, but never one Bag get lost. There is absolutely nothing subtle about it and it is completely unsuitable for one-handed use.

Nokia G50 seen from behind.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The back is made of plastic and has a moderate grip. On the right side there is a fingerprint sensor in the power key, on the left side there is a Google Assistant button. It's in just the right place to hit all the time and is a hateful addition as it can't be switched to something more people might find helpful. You can turn it off completely, but that way it feels like a wasted opportunity.

On the back, the design is as usual for Nokia with a round camera module, simple branding and an ocean blue color, another in a range of Nokia colors inspired by the Nordic environment. It catches the light in an attractive way and is not covered with fingerprints. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top of the phone, and charging on the opposite end is through a USB Type-C port.

Nokia G50 fingerprint sensor.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

For the past week the G50 has been in and out of pockets and bags, roughly tossed in my car's door pocket and generally not handled with kid gloves. There is something about the sizeable frame and gigantic size that encourages this type of treatment, and the good thing is that the G50 looks exactly the same as it did when it was unboxed. It's not a rugged phone, but there is a distinct sturdiness here, and while the design makes it difficult to distinguish from many other newer Nokia phones, it is still attractive in a simple way.

screen

Oh dear, the screen is where the G50 really loses points. It's 6.82 inches, which is gigantic, but the 1560-by-720-pixel resolution definitely isn't. It's an IPS LCD panel so there is no always-on display available, there are some serious bezels, the 450 nits maximum brightness is only acceptable but the worst part is that it is a 60Hz refresh rate -Panel acts.

Nokia G50 screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Be it the low resolution that matches its large size, or that my eyes are very used to a 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate screen, scrolling on the G50 is often an uncomfortable, fuzzy mess. The G50 could be used to sell phones with higher refresh rate screens because the difference between them is so great that even the most ardent “I don't get the excitement” denier will quickly be convinced that 90Hz or higher is the only way are.

Almost as bad is the weak automatic brightness, which is far too slow to react in sunny outdoor conditions, and it is often faster to actually adjust the brightness manually. It has to be at maximum brightness to be seen anyway. Does that mean it's a video disaster? No, it's not that bad. The viewing angles are good, but you quickly lose some of the color, which is vivid and beautiful when viewed directly. It's all a lot better than you'd expect. I can even live with the clear and loud single speaker on the bottom of the phone.

However, the fuzzy blur of the 60Hz refresh rate is tough on your eyes, makes everything from Twitter to Google Discover uncomfortable to use, and is by far the worst part of the Nokia G50's screen. Too bad, otherwise it's fine for a cell phone at this price point.

power

Nokia is pushing the G50 as an affordable 5G phone, and in fact, I got a 5G signal delivered here by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor and modem. You get Sub6 5G but not mmWave. 5G is nice to have, but not essential for everyday use, and I would rather have a screen with a higher refresh rate, for example.

Games on Nokia G50.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Snapdragon 480 is a decent performer, but it's never what you'd call really fast. Apps open and screens switch at a calm, but never frustrating, pace. You can play Asphalt 9: Legends, but it never feels pale, fast, just acceptable. The G50 has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and the good news is that there is a microSD card slot to add up to 512GB to that total. The call quality is really good and I haven't had any problems with network, WiFi or Bluetooth connections.

camera

It's standard in the round module on the back of the G50, with a 48-megapixel main camera, a 5-MP wide-angle camera, and a 2-MP depth camera. The results are consistent with similar camera setups on other phones as well, with the main camera producing pretty, colorful, and divisible (with some editing) images. I like this.

Nokia G50 camera module.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The wide angle is less successful. It takes photos that are too dark and details are lost in the shade, especially on cloudy days. I wouldn't use it in situations where the results are important to me. The depth camera helps with portraits that have acceptable edge detection, but also suffer from problems in low light. There are several portrait selfie modes that will add an unusual background to your shots, but because of their incredibly artificial appearance, they are not very successful.

If the 48MP / 5MP / 2MP camera combination hasn't already given it away, the Nokia G50's camera doesn't stand out from the competition, but it does its job, provided you don't expect too much outside of the main camera.

Software and battery

The Nokia G50 has Android 11 installed with no special user interface, which means it is similar to the software experience of a Google Pixel, and all the better. The Snapdragon 480 chip is brave enough that the software never feels clumsy, it runs all of the apps I installed, received notifications with no issues, and was a trusted partner during my time on the phone.

Charging the Nokia G50.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Friendly software like the one installed on the G50 makes a world of difference to ownership. The phone may not have flagship hardware, but the software is better than some other phones that have more enviable specs. It's logical and easy to use right from the start, and a highlight of the G50.

It is similar with the battery. The 5,000 mAh cell in the G50 certainly adds to the size and weight of the phone, but since the phone can last two to three days without a charge, it probably won't matter to everyone. If you want a long battery life, the G50 is worth it. It also consumes electricity in standby mode. When the phone wasn't used a lot outside of messages and a few photos, it barely used 20% of its power, despite switching between 4G and 5G connections all day.

If you want a long battery life, the G50 is worth it

Unfortunately, it doesn't have a very fast charge – just 18W fast charge and no wireless charging – and it takes at least an hour and 45 minutes to charge.

Price and availability

The Nokia G50 can be purchased via Nokia's own online shop in the US for $ 300 or in the UK for £ 200.

Our opinion

The wireless industry wants you to think 5G is a reason to buy a smartphone, but it isn't. At least it isn't yet. Better to think of it as a feature that can help you hold the phone longer, and instead look at features that are now improving ownership every day, such as: For example, the screen and camera when you decide to buy a new phone. The G50 is not outstanding in either area, but offers reasonable performance for the price and convinces with its great software and long battery life.

Is there a better alternative?

In the US, check out the Moto G Stylus (2021) or Moto G Power (2021), which costs between $ 250 and $ 300, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G with a 90Hz screen, or the US $ 280 Dollar Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. But if you spend 400 US dollars, you can get the Google Pixel 5a with its excellent camera and even better software or the currently reduced OnePlus 8 with Snapdragon 865 chip and 90 Hz screen.

Don't confuse the G50 with the recently announced Nokia G300, which will be released over the Tracfone and Straight Talk networks. It only costs $ 200 but has a smaller screen and lower spec camera.

In the UK, the Realme 8 5G has a 90 Hz screen, a large battery, and a good camera for the same price as the Nokia G50, as does the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G. If you can expand your budget to £ 300 the OnePlus Nord 2 CE 5G is great value, or for £ 400 you can get the OnePlus Nord 2 5G or the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G.

How long it will take?

There is good news for the software as it will receive major version updates for two years and security updates for three years. While 5G isn't a reason to buy the G50 on its own, its presence can make a difference as you own it as the network becomes more accessible and useful. The G50 doesn't cost a lot of money, but it can realistically be used for three years.

It doesn't have a water resistance rating and it's not a rugged phone by design. A case would be a good idea, although the phone feels like it needs to be handled a little harsh on its own.

Should you buy it?

Yes, the software, battery life, and build quality, plus a decent but simple camera are the reasons to buy. The 5G will only help you last longer.

Editor's recommendations



14 Apr
Blog

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Review: Buy This Phone

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

"The excellent Samsung Galaxy A52 5G has a clever trick: it looks good, does everything you need, takes good photos, and has a battery life of two days, but is reasonably priced."

  • Colorful 120 Hz screen

  • Two days of battery life

  • The camera takes photos that can be shared

  • IP67 water resistance

  • Useless fingerprint sensor

Samsung made the best Android phone of 2021, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but at more than $ 1,000 It's a serious investment. The Galaxy A52 5G costs less than half the amount it would take to back up an S21 Ultra. However, does this mean that it is not worth thinking about? Samsung has made great strides in the attractiveness and overall performance of its mid-range A-series hardware, and while the A52 5G obviously doesn't compare to the S21 Ultra, it has a lot going for it.

While we expect smartphones to have decent cameras and good software, Samsung has thought about what features will improve the A52 5G in meaningful ways and has added them. It turns a good phone into a great one. I lived with the Galaxy A52 5G and so it is.

design

Don't think too long about what the Galaxy A52 5G is made of, but think about how it looks and feels. The matte back has a soft, glass-like surface that is warm to the touch and still offers a reasonable grip. The case has a shiny chrome finish. It's not metal and the back wall isn't glass, but from a distance you would never know. The camera module appears to be part of the back, which reinforces the illusion that it is made of a considerably more expensive material than it actually is.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The white paint on my review unit looks excellent and doesn't attract any nasty smudges or fingerprints, although the chrome finish on the sides did notice a few small scratches during my time with the phone. However, you will have to search hard to find them. Although it weighs 189 grams, it is perfectly weighted and does a very good job of disguising this larger than expected mass.

Another welcome surprise is that in addition to a USB-C charging port on the bottom of the phone, the phone also has room for a 3.5mm headphone jack and the SIM slot also has room for a MicroSD card. The phone is 8.4mm thick and the overall shape is quite "angular," which adds up to the one minor downside of the A52 5G in that it feels quite large, especially when trying to use it with one hand. It's not impossible, but when compared to a slimmer, more curved phone like the OnePlus 9 Pro, which is almost the same width as the A52 5G, the range of thumb movement is significantly less.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This isn't an isolated case for the Galaxy A52 5G, however, and apart from the slight lumpiness, it's otherwise a good-looking, well-balanced smartphone with a premium feel without a high price tag.

screen

Yes, the screen has a noticeable bezel, but no, it doesn't matter. The chin is the largest area, and even then, the A52 5G still looks like a modern phone. The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED has a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, eliminating any frame concerns. When I started using the Galaxy A52 5G, I had come straight from the cheaper $ 250 Nokia 5.4, which has one of the darkest smartphone screens I've ever used. The A52 5G has twice the brightness and is readable outdoors in most situations. In addition, the viewing angles are excellent.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's lovely to look at. We've always sung the praises of the screen on the Galaxy S20, the Galaxy S20 FE, and even the Galaxy S10 before that. The Galaxy A52 5G really gives you the same visual experience as these phones, but for a lot less money. When Carfection reviewed the Nomad R, the colors and vibrancy of the surroundings jumped off the screen. The car's Evo group test, the A52 5G's willingness to show lots of detail, and the superb contrast values ​​are all on show.

A good-looking, well-balanced smartphone with a premium feel without a high price.

Add the 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling throughout the OS – it's adjustable to 60Hz if you want to prioritize battery life – and the tiny selfie camera in a hole in the top center and the Galaxy A52's screen 5G is much more like expensive phones. A real highlight of the phone until you get to safety.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Galaxy A52 5G has a built-in fingerprint sensor. Unfortunately, it's not the updated versions of the Galaxy S21 range, but rather the older, much less reliable version that has frustrated us with the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra. Because of its unreliability, where it often refuses to recognize input, I turned it off out of frustration, and that makes it a serious security problem. There is face unlock that you can resort to, but even that isn't the fastest or most accurate system. I relied on a PIN to secure the A52 5G because of the phone's hardware defects. That’s not good enough.

camera

The decent five-camera module on the back of the Galaxy A52 5G has a 64-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus and an aperture of f / 1.8. There is a 12MP wide angle camera and a pair of 5MP cameras for macro and depth. It can record videos at 4K and 30 frames per second (fps). There is also a night mode and Samsung's single-take mode.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Photos are generally good. On bright days, it's not oversaturated and shows a pleasing palette with enough pop to catch the images. However, there are situations where the camera will emphasize green colors too much, resulting in a slightly unnatural appearance. However, this is mostly the case when using the wide-angle camera. There's also very little consistency between the main and wide-angle cameras, and some may also find the HDR effect to be too clumsy.

Portrait mode is decent and likes its subject, although edge detection doesn't challenge more expensive Galaxy models. The Galaxy A52 5G's camera is not as powerful as the Google Pixel 4a and suffers from the same problems as older Samsung cameras – inconsistency and oversaturation – but I never chose not to take a photo with it. Photos were taken every day, which I found perfectly acceptable.

Software and performance

It's Android 11 with OneUI 3.1 on my Galaxy A52 test device, which is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor and 6 GB of RAM. The software is almost the same as that installed on the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 +, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. So take a closer look at these reviews. It is crucial that I have no concerns about the speed, smoothness or functionality of the software on the A52 5G.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The OneUI 3.1 from Samsung is easy to use and offers clear menus and settings. The notifications are reliable and most can be interacted with. I also like the constantly active screen with its helpful icons and large time display. Samsung removed (or hidden) its Samsung Daily screen and replaced it with Google News when you swipe right on the home screen, which I personally find more useful. I've used OneUI a lot this year and haven't found it frustrating (other than the power button) or bad, and that trend continues with the A52 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G review appsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Samsung Galaxy A52 5g review refresh rateAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Samsung Galaxy A52 5g review shortcutsAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Instead of using its own Exynos processor, Samsung built the Galaxy A52 5G with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G octa-core chip, whether you are in the US or the UK. With both Asphalt 9: Legends it is great for games and Genshin Impact play very well without generating a lot of heat. It doesn't have the instant response you get with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but I use it for normal tasks every day and it hasn't missed a beat. Top specs are always nice, but the Snapdragon 750G does everything you need.

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Review GameAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G review headphone jackAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Samsung Galaxy A52 5g review pageAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

The battery life of the 4,500 mAh cell was very good. With normal use, two days can be achieved without any problems. If you get crazy about gaming this will change, but with general usage, some photos and videos, and the 120hz screen active, I ended most days with over 50% remaining time. It only charges at Samsung's fastest 25W speeds, which is around 80 minutes to fully charge. Wireless charging would have been a welcome addition, but it's rare at this price point.

Price and availability

The 6GB / 128GB Galaxy A52 5G is priced at $ 499 in the US and £ 399 in the UK. It's available through Samsung's own online store and retailers, including Amazon. You can buy it in the white color shown here, or in black, blue, or purple.

Our opinion

What a great phone the Galaxy A52 5G is. It's not overpriced, looks really good, is very well built, takes highly shareable photos, and is powerful enough to do whatever you need to do every day. The battery even lasts two days on one charge. We really expect that from every phone these days, and where the A52 5G really wins are all the extras Samsung has packed.

The Galaxy A52 5G has a number of useful extra features – water resistance, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack – that you don't always see on more expensive phones, plus 5G for the future if you so choose. These are not gadgets, but rather features that you will actually benefit from, and that is really welcome. It's also what turns the phone from simply good to great.

While there are still plenty of reasons to buy a Galaxy S-series flagship phone, the A52 5G ticks all the boxes for half the price or less if you're not that into top-notch photography or hardcore gaming. That's a good value, and while we're inundated with great flagship phones, the less you want to spend, the fewer the choices. So it's great to have a strong recommendation here.

Is there a better alternative?

The Galaxy A52 5G's biggest competitor is the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which also costs $ 499. If the camera is the most important part of your new phone it might be a better buy, but the design and materials can't be the same as the A52 5G. Since Samsung has strong software support for the future, it manages to regain some attraction in this area.

The battery even lasts two days on one charge.

It also takes on the OnePlus 8 in the US, which is available for $ 500, but it's considerably older than the brand new A52 5G. Some might also check out the Apple iPhone SE for $ 399, which is a whole different deal. It's slim and beautifully done, but much smaller and with a less versatile camera.

In the UK, the price of the A52 5G is even more competitive as it undercuts the Pixel 4a 5G and is closer to the Pixel 4a which means it is excellent value for money. There's a lot of competition, however, from the £ 280 / $ 385 Realme 8 Pro and the £ 469 / $ 645 Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G to the £ 380 / $ 520 Oppo X3 Lite.

How long it will take?

There is some good news here. The phone is IP67 water and dust resistant (yes, even with the 3.5mm headphone jack) and Samsung says the phone will get three Android version and security updates over the next four years. The 5G connection means you're ready to connect to the fastest network, if it's available where you live.

In addition, the MicroSD card slot expands the standard internal storage of 128 GB as well as NFC (in my UK version) for Google Pay and offers everything you need from a smartphone. The Galaxy A52 5G should last two to three years, assuming you're not a hardcore gamer.

Should you buy one?

Yes, the capabilities, style, and performance of the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G exceed expectations.

Editor's recommendations




07 Jan
Blog

A Guide to Buy Exercise Equipment for Home

Experts believe that exercise is good for your physical and mental health. With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, it is not advisable to get involved in any training. Better to stay at home and do the sports that you need right for Exercise equipment for the home. With a mind-boggling selection of devices, you can be very confused about what is best for you.

Most people prefer to go to the gym because they believe that fitness equipment costs a lot of money. The truth is you can build a home gym on a frugal budget. And it won't take up too much space either.

Here is a guide to buying fitness equipment for the home:

Foldable treadmill

A treadmill is an essential part of your home gym. Although it's a bit pricey, you may be able to find one under $ 300. Try using a foldable treadmill with enough running surface (approximately 50 "by 16") and cushioned deck technology to protect your joints from impact damage.

Folding_Treadmill_Gym_Equipment

The speed of the treadmill can be anywhere from 0.5 to 10 miles per hour, although most of these machines come with two to three manual incline settings. Most devices also have an LCD that shows the speed, time, distance and calorie consumption of a session.

Today's treadmills have sensors built into the handlebars to monitor your heart rate. Did you know that 20 minutes of walking every day is a great physical activity that has numerous health benefits?

Folding exercise bike

Next on your list of priorities for your exercise bike is a collapsible (space-saving) exercise bike. Many people prefer an exercise bike because it is light and easy to store, which is inexpensive, and helps burn more calories. Exercise bikes are the best way to get your daily constitution up by cardio. Depending on your purchasing power, you can opt for simple cyclists or expensive, multi-function machines.

Folding_Exercise_Bike_GYM_EQUIPMENT

A standard exercise bike can support a weight of up to 300 pounds and is suitable for people between 5 feet 3 and 6 feet 1. With many adjustments to the level of difficulty, an exercise bike can be adapted to individual needs. These motorcycles have an LCD with a display of the distance covered, the calorie consumption, the time and the speed. Hand sensors embedded in the handlebars monitor your heart rate.

Rowing machine

Rowing machines offer the best cardio and muscle building. However, cardiac patients need to consult a doctor before rowing as it is a strenuous exercise. It is suitable for normal people who want brisk cardio workouts every day.

Rowing_Machine_Gym_Equipment

Additionally, exercising on a rowing machine can help build muscle over time. These devices are great for full body training and work on arms, legs and back. In addition, rowing has less of an impact than walking or running on a treadmill. therefore it is easy on the legs and ankles.

A standard rowing machine has a 350 pound load capacity and many resistance levels (depending on the model). The seats are padded and the handles are designed to be non-slip to ensure a firm hold. The LCD shows the time, number of lines and calories burned.

In summary

During this COVID pandemic that has driven most of us indoors, setting up a home gym is one of the best ideas. The equipment does not take up too much space and is suitable for workouts at any time of the day. Most devices require little maintenance other than regular dusting.

20 Nov
Blog

A Guide to Buy Scented Hand Sanitizer

Maintaining good hygiene is a reliable way to ensure that you stay away from dangerous insects when exposed to contaminated surfaces. Without knowing it, you can touch your eyes, nose or mouth after coming into contact with invisible germs. Your hands become carriers of infectious viruses. In order not to fall victim to the latter, disinfect your palms consistently.

If you cannot find easy access to washing your hands with soap and water, especially when traveling, a scented hand sanitizer becomes your safety shield. In general, hand sanitizers are classified as:

  • Alcohol-based with an alcohol content of approx. 70% balances the microbes present

Alcohol-free while destroying the harmful microorganisms and preventing your skin from drying out

Because an alcohol-based disinfectant is effective, it removes germs more effectively than its alcohol-based counterparts. The best way to apply disinfectant is to put a few drops on your hand and rub them until your skin absorbs them. Make sure you coat the back of your palms and also massage between your fingers so that the disinfectant does its job.

Renowned manufacturers sell high quality hand sanitizer in compact containers with greater portability. These are either available as:

  • Gels in strawberry and aloe vera fragrances that make it easier to control the amount of disinfectant dispensed.
  • Sprays that deliver disinfectant in liquid form so you can squirt twice or three times for better coverage.

Here is a guide to help you find the most effective source scented hand sanitizer::

On the way to reliable brands

Brands that focus on not harming the end user's skin health while using their products have their principles in the right place. You can rest assured that the quality product you are sourcing is cruelty free and made using natural formulas to ensure the cleanest results. Online reviews give you valuable insight into the advantages and disadvantages of brand name disinfectants. Scan such feedback to spot alarming side effects like skin irritation, residue, etc.

Examine the ingredients used

If you read the product label, you will get a notice of the ingredients. Buying an alcohol-based disinfectant that also has antiviral and antibacterial properties is a smart move.

If you have sensitive skin, you need a hand sanitizer that won't cause inflammation or allergic reactions. Using excellent quality ingredients with a pure formulation is a safe choice for disinfectants.

Check the expiration date

The alcohol content in the disinfectant gradually evaporates the longer you keep it. It is beneficial to confirm that the product you have purchased is within the expiry date or it will be ineffective at fighting bacteria.

Real hand sanitisers expire about three years after their date of manufacture. Medical experts recommend an alcohol concentration between 60% and 95%, as this effectively keeps your hands free of germs. If the alcohol content falls below 60%, the disinfectant is not harmful, but almost 90% less effective.

Since alcohol is highly flammable, keep your disinfectant in a cool place and out of the reach of young children. Find the right balance between a quality product and its price.

Specialized manufacturers of hand disinfectants source their ingredients in an ethical manner and adhere to the highest international standards during production. Make an informed choice and you will not have any complaints whatsoever.

16 Nov
Blog

Lenovo Yoga 9i 15: Maybe the Fastest 2-in-1 You Can Buy

Lenovo Yoga 9i Featured Image

Yoga 9i (15 & # 39;) 2-in-1 laptop

"The Yoga 9i is very fast for a 2-in-1, and with the right display it could work well for creative people."

  • Excellent performance

  • Solid build quality

  • Very good keyboard and touchpad

  • Excellent audio performance

  • Attractive aesthetics

  • The battery life suffers from a small battery

  • The display has poor contrast

Lenovo recently renamed its Yoga line, for example changing the Yoga C940 15-inch 2-in-1 to the Yoga 9i. This is a purely marketing move – the Yoga 9i is the same as the C940 with updated components inside. Some other new yogas are a little more innovative, like the leather-covered Yoga 9i 14-inch, but Lenovo has chosen to play it safe with its largest, most powerful convertible laptop.

I received a $ 2,000 Yoga 9i review unit that came with a sixth generation Intel Core i7-10750H with six cores, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB PCIe solid state drive (SSD), and a 15.6-inch Full HD display (1920 x 1080) and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q GPU. The Yoga C940 was already a fast laptop with a mediocre display and poor battery life that put it off a higher rating. Does the Yoga 9i fix the laptop problem and make it a more competitive proposition?

performance

Lenovo Yoga 9i performanceMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Since the updated CPU is the main difference between the Yoga C940 and the Yoga 9i, we'll start there. And it's a good place to start as the Yoga 9i gets the most out of its components.

In Geekbench 5, the Yoga 9i achieved 1,285 points in single-core mode and 5,551 points in multi-core mode. That is moderately faster than the 1,106 and 5,117 points of the Yoga C940 and beats the closest competition at 1237 and 5013, the HP Specter x360 15. The Dell XPS 15, a logical clamshell competitor, managed 1,314 and 7,549 with a much faster core i7-10875H with eight cores.

In Handbrake, our test that encodes a 420MB video as H.265, it took the Yoga 9i 2.4 minutes to complete the test. Like many newer laptops, the Yoga 9i has a utility for adjusting performance by changing the fan behavior, and the Yoga 9i only dipped for eight seconds in high-performance mode – not particularly impressive. The Specter x360 15 took 16 seconds longer than the Yoga, and the XPS 15 was done in just over two minutes. I'll also mention the HP Envy 15 with its Core i7-10750H, which beat the XPS 15 by two seconds in HP Command Center Performance mode and five seconds faster than the Yoga 9i in normal mode – the HP utility did more The Envy 15 was the fastest in the handbrake test in this group.

In Cinebench 20, the Yoga i9 achieved 2625 points in multi-core mode and 481 points in single-core mode. This is comparable to the Specter x360 15 (2523 and 469), the XPS 15 (3582 and 488), and the Envy 15 (2593 and 436). All of these functions were in the laptop's normal performance mode. The Yoga 9i and Envy 15 showed a slight increase in their respective performance modes, but not enough to catch up with the XPS 15 with its additional two cores and four threads.

Finally, I ran our Premiere Pro test encoding a two minute 4K video and this is where the Yoga 9i surprised. It took four minutes and 51 seconds (oddly enough in both normal and performance modes), which defeated the more powerful XPS 15, which lasted a little over five minutes. The Specter x360 15 lagged behind here and took 7.5 minutes to complete the test. The Envy 15 was the performance leader in performance mode, finishing in just three minutes and 53 seconds. It matched the XPS 15 in normal mode.

That's a lot of data that has to be digested. So let's simplify things. The Yoga 9i is the fastest 15-inch 2-in-1 we've tested, and we suspect it's the fastest you can buy. It can also be upgraded to a Core i9-10980H. If you're looking to spend the money, this 2-in-1 can get you even more performance. From this perspective, the Yoga 9i isn't just a laptop with high productivity and the flexibility of a 2-in-1 device. It's also a candidate for creatives who need quick photo and video editing. Whether the Yoga 9i really lives up to this standard depends on its display, which we'll cover next.

display

Lenovo Yoga 9i displayMark Coppock / Digital Trends

My test device was equipped with the 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display from Lenovo with a nominal output of 500 nits and supports Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR). Lenovo also offers a 4K IPS display, which is also rated at 500 nits.

According to my colorimeter, Lenovo's demands on brightness are a bit exaggerated. I saw 351 nits, which is way above our preferred threshold of 300 nits, but not nearly 500 nits of course. The colors for premium displays today were average at 97% of sRGB and 75% of AdobeRGB, and the DeltaE 1.42 color accuracy was good but not great (less than 1.0 is indistinguishable to the human eye and is considered excellent viewed). And Gamma was perfect at 2.2, which means photos and videos aren't too light or too dark. You will find that most Full HD displays these days are similar and you will have to switch to high quality 4K IPS and OLED displays to get better. For example, the 4K OLED display on the Specter x360 15 had 426 nits, 100% sRGB and 98% AdobeRGB, and a DeltaE or 1.21. The XPS 15's 4K IPS display was even stronger at 442 nits, 100% of sRGB and AdobeRGB, and a DeltaE of 0.65.

Where the display of the Yoga 9i fell behind was in its contrast, where it only managed 670: 1. This is a bad score for a premium laptop today, many of which meet or exceed our preferred threshold of 1000: 1. The Specter x360 16's OLED display was the typical ridiculous 426,180: 1, and the XPS 15 was great for a 1480: 1 IPS display. Such low contrast sometimes left the Yoga 9i's display a little washed out compared to its main competition appear, especially with black text on a white background.

Still, for the most part, I enjoyed using the display. I'll admit that I like high-resolution, high-contrast displays for the sharpest possible text, which is why I would have preferred a 4K panel – as a writer, the Yoga 9i's display would never make me happy. If you don't mind Full HD in a larger display, you'll find that it gets you through your productivity work with ease. I'll find that Dolby Vision HDR support means that Netflix HDR content is superior to most other Full HD displays – very bright and with dark scenes showing more detail than most other displays.

We haven't tested the Yoga 9i's 4K display yet, but they typically have wider, more accurate colors and better contrast. Whether the 9i is a true creative workstation depends on whether the 4K display meets your color requirements. Unfortunately, this is not a question that we can currently answer.

Audio

Lenovo Yoga 9i AudioMark Coppock / Digital Trends

I normally set the audio performance in the display area, but the Yoga 9i's audio system deserves special attention. Instead of banging a speaker or two somewhere in the case, Lenovo built a soundbar into the 360-degree hinge that houses custom tweeters with vibration buffers to reduce distortion and a pair of darting woofers under the case. When you put the soundbar into the hinge, you'll benefit from Dolby Atmos speakers in all orientations, including the media mode that is most likely to benefit you. And it's excellent audio with tremendous volume that never gets distorted, clear mids and highs, and even a hint of bass. You can use the Yoga 9i to play Netflix all by yourself without the need for headphones or external speakers, even if you share it with a friend. This is unusual for a Windows 10 laptop. The Yoga 9i can't quite compete with the latest MacBooks for the best laptop audio, but it's damn close.

design

Lenovo Yoga 9i designMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The design of the Yoga 9i is unchanged from that of the Yoga C940. First, and perhaps best, this means that the case is very solid with no bending, bending, or twisting of the lid, keyboard deck, or case base. It is made of machined aluminum and enjoys an excellent fit and finish. Small touches like a hinge that can be easily opened with one hand while staying in place during use are abundant and give a very high quality overall feel. The Dell XPS 15 and HP Specter x360 15 have nothing to do with the build quality of the Yoga 9i.

Aesthetically, the Yoga 9i fits Lenovo's very conservative overall picture. The angles are overall clean, and the back of the case and the bottom of the lid have matching rounded surfaces that work well with the rest of the machine. It's a solid dark gray, with the exception of the Dolby Atmos rotating soundbar, which is built into the hinge area and has a coppery hue. The Specter x360 15 is a much more eye-catching laptop with its gem-carved design and copper accents. However, if you prefer a cleaner and simpler look, then you'll love the Yoga 9i.

Like the Specter x360 15, the Yoga 9i has small bezels, while the Yoga uses an inverted notch to give something to grip when opening the lid and to make room for the webcam. The Yoga 9i ranges in thickness from 0.69 to 0.78 inches with a slight taper and weighs 4.41 pounds. That's comparable to the Specter x360 15 at 0.79 inches and 4.24 pounds. The Yoga is slightly wider and deeper than the HP, which ultimately offers a bit more size to take with you and more keyboard deck for working and a larger touchpad. This is a compromise that you will either love or hate. Both 2-in-1s are larger than you would like to use as a tablet, unless you've propped them up on a surface.

Connectivity is mediocre, with a proprietary power port, two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, a 3.5mm audio jack on the left, and a single USB-A 3.2 port on the right. Surprisingly, there is no SD card reader, which is a real disappointment, especially for creative people. The Specter x360 15 has a full-size HDMI 2.0 port and can be connected to additional displays without a dock. The wireless connection is via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

Keyboard and touchpad

Lenovo Yoga 9i keyboard and touchpadMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Yoga 9i's keyboard looks just like the one you'll find on any other yoga. It has big, shaped keys with a lot of space between them and less travel than I like to see. In this model, however, Lenovo has adopted “TrueStrike” technology from its Legion gaming laptops, which use a “soft landing” switch to provide faster ground action. I will admit that I liked this version better than the others that I tried. They were never my favorite and found them more precise and responsive. The Yoga 9i's keyboard still doesn't match my favorites, the HP Specter line keyboard on the Windows 10 side, and Apple's Magic keyboard on the latest MacBooks. However, most of the people will love this keyboard and they will be typing at full speed in no time.

The touchpad is a good size, not as big as the Dell XPS 15, but still bigger (or at least bigger) than the touchpad on the Specter x360 15. It has a glass cover that makes wiping extremely comfortable. Thanks to the Microsoft Precision touchpad drivers, it is responsive and supports all multi-touch gestures from Windows 10.

The touch display reacts like pretty much all touch displays today. And it supports Lenovo's active stylus docked on the right side of the case to charge it and make sure you don't lose it. The disadvantage: it is smaller than a "real" pen and therefore takes some getting used to. The pen supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and this version has an elastomer tip that is supposed to better mimic the feel of a pen on paper.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by a fingerprint reader that was fast and accurate. The Yoga 9i has the usual Lenovo privacy shutter for the webcam – slide it over it and it physically blocks the camera from potential spies.

Battery life

Lenovo Yoga 9i battery lifeMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The biggest problem with the Yoga 9i's battery life is that it could be a lot better if only Lenovo had added more battery. It only takes 69 watt hours to power a 15.6-inch display and some powerful components. As we'll see, this results in battery life that isn't terrible but could be a lot better.

First, the Yoga 9i lasted almost 3.5 hours in our demanding Basemark web benchmark test, which is average for laptops with 45 watt CPUs. However, the Dell XPS 15 with its faster CPU and 4K display lasted two minutes less, which means that Dell's inclusion of 86 watt hours of battery capacity pays off here. The Specter x360 15 with its power-hungry OLED display lasted 44 minutes less than the Yoga 9i with its Full HD display (not that the display played such a big role in the Basemark test).

In our web browser test, which best mimics productivity performance, the Yoga 9i lasted a little over 7.5 hours, 40 minutes longer than the XPS 15, and nearly 90 minutes longer than the Specter x360. And in our video loop test, in which a Full HD Avengers trailer is played until the battery is empty, the Yoga 9i lasted a little over 12 hours – a good score that benefited from the Full HD display. The XPS 15 lasted less than 7.5 hours and the Specter x360 15 6.5 hours.

All in all, this is decent battery life for a powerful 2-in-1 with a 15.6-inch display, and the Yoga 9i will last longer than its predecessor. It is possible to spend a full day using the laptop if you save the CPU and GPU. However, if you want to perform demanding jobs, you should carry the power adapter with you. I still can't help but wish Lenovo had a bigger battery because then battery life could be a real strength.

Our opinion

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is even faster than the Yoga C940, which is already one of the fastest 2-in-1s you can buy. Lenovo did some magic with the thermal to get every ounce of power out of it, and it shows. The 2-in-1 is well built, attractive and offers great sound.

The biggest downside is the display, which had poor contrast that spoiled the overall experience. Creatives should check out the 4K display option, which has an impact on battery life but is likely to offer wider and more accurate colors. And I could repeat myself here, but I wish there was a bigger battery in there.

Are there alternatives?

The Dell XPS 15 is a direct competitor of the Yoga 9i in the 15-inch clamshell market and a strong competitor. It has a better display, at least as far as we've tested, making it a better option for discerning creative professionals. The XPS 15 is also cheaper than the Yoga 9i and currently costs almost $ 200 less for an equivalent configuration.

A direct alternative is the HP Specter x360 15, which offers the same configuration as the 9i for $ 300 less (on sale). Aesthetically, the Specter x360 15 is a much more eye-catching 2-in-1 device and offers slightly better connectivity. But the Yoga 9i is faster and can be upgraded to a Core i9 to really blow the HP out of the water.

Finally, you might consider the HP Envy 15, which costs a whopping $ 650 less than the configured Yoga 9i. And for $ 250 less, you get a spectacular OLED display and Nvidia RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU, making the Envy 15 a much more powerful and enjoyable laptop.

How long it will take?

The Yoga 9i is built like a tank and will last forever. Okay, maybe not forever, but as long as you need it. The one-year warranty is industry standard and, as always, is too short.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Yoga 9i is the fastest 2-in-1 device we know. It has great audio quality and a great design. However, consider the 4K display if you plan to use it for photo or video editing.

Editor's recommendations




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