11 Nov
Blog

Apple MacBook Pro (2021) In-Depth Review: Perfect Pro Laptop

The 2021 MacBook Pro with the lid open on a white table.

MacBook Pro (2021)

RRP $ 2,499.00

"It's the best MacBook Pro since 2015. And yes, it has a notch."

advantages

  • Incredible XDR display

  • Fantastic creative achievement

  • Extensive port selection

  • The keyboard and trackpad are perfect

  • Excellent speakers and webcam

  • Endless battery life

"We were wrong."

It's not a phrase you'll ever hear from a company like Apple. Nor will it crawl or ask for forgiveness.

Instead, Apple corrects its mistakes by releasing a product like the 2021 MacBook Pro. Whether it's the thickness of the case, the touch bar, or the ports, the MacBook Pro represents an inversion of almost every major design decision made in the previous generation.

And yet the 2021 MacBook Pro manages to be more than just a referendum on the 2016 MacBook Pro. It's brave in a way that makes it exciting, but familiar in a way that makes it comfortable. You could even call it the best of both worlds – that's exactly what you want from a “Pro” laptop.

One thing is certain: you don't have to apologize for it.

draft

The back of the MacBook Pro with the lid open.

If you take a step back, the 2021 MacBook Pro still looks a lot like a MacBook. It's still made from a unibody aluminum chassis, it's still available in silver or space gray, and there's still an Apple logo on the lid.

But the changes in this generation are not subtle enough to be overlooked. Black has become the dominant accent color and adorns both the Apple logo and the keyboard background. The black keyboard in particular looks like a statement piece when so many laptops have copied the MacBook look. Silver laptops with black keycaps have become ubiquitous in the laptop world, and the change to the MacBook Pro is refreshing.

It also instantly sets these MacBook Pros apart from the otherwise similar-looking MacBook Air (and 13-inch MacBook Pro). Like the Space Gray iMac Pro and its accessories, Apple uses the slightest change in color scheme to create a premium, exclusive feel. For this reason, the box is sure to come with a black Apple sticker. This is an expensive product and Apple would like to welcome you to the cool club. It's not dissimilar to the strategy used in the fashion and design industries.

The other small changes to the design include the removal of the "MacBook Pro" logo from the bottom bezel, new rubber feet on the bottom, and ultra-thin bezels on top. There is a tradeoff to this bezel, of course – although Apple won't hope you see it.

The notch

The notch of the MacBook Pro in which the camera module is located.

I've been wondering the idea of ​​a notch in a laptop since it debuted on the iPhone X in 2017. When companies like Dell pushed forward with wafer-thin bezels in the XPS laptops, Apple stayed on course with thick bezels in the years since then. In the early years of thin-bezel XPS laptops, a notch was even considered, but it never came into play.

And yet, to the surprise of almost everyone, the MacBook Pro 2021 has a large notch that hangs down from above and houses the camera module and a host of other sensors. It's a bigger and more intrusive notch than the iPhone, and it goes for a more boxy shape. And yes, Apple houses a number of important components in the notch that would have been very difficult to assemble without enlarging the frame or reducing the quality of the webcam.

I see the notch as a compromise, not a design flourish.

For the first time in a long time on a MacBook Pro, the notch ensures a frame of the same size in all directions around the screen and even enables Apple to introduce rounded corners. In that sense, it bears a lot of resemblance to the Surface Laptop Studio's screen.

However, the notch is also about branding. It does the same thing for the MacBook Pro as it always did for the iPhone, and creates a trademark. Like it or not, it's Apple's way of standing out in a sea of ​​identical plates and shells.

The MacBook Pro with the default wallpaper that hides the notch.

Do i love the look No i can't say I see it as a compromise, not a design flourish. However, given the options of a chunky top bezel (older MacBooks) or an inferior webcam (Dell XPS 15), this isn't a bad compromise. The notch looks more intrusive in the 14-inch model, which offers less space in the menu bar to accommodate the protrusion.

But in my time with the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it never got in the way. And thanks to the dark mode, default backgrounds, and translucency built into macOS, the notch wasn't as noticeable as I thought it would be. I don't like that your cursor completely disappears behind the notch.

Full screen mode was the only exception. I often use Split View when working and automatically move the top panel over the notch.

For the most part, Apple is finding sensible ways to get around the notch.

Size and dimensions

A side profile of the 2021 MacBook Pro.

Unlike the previous generation, the primary design tenet of the MacBook Pro 2021 wasn't ultra-thin. This is a departure from typical Apple products, but also offers creative professionals exactly what they wanted. Most would happily trade half an inch thick for extra power.

That's exactly what the 2021 MacBook Pro does. The side profile is thicker and rounder. And as some keen Apple historians have noted, it pays homage to an Apple laptop from 20 years ago, the Titanium PowerBook G4.

There are a number of reasons for the thicker chassis, including space for additional ports and better thermals. I have the 16 inch model, and it's now 0.66 inches thick and weighs 4.7 pounds. In both respects, that's significantly larger than the previous generation's 16-inch MacBook Pro. The 14-inch is just 0.05 inches thinner, but significantly lighter at just 3.5 pounds. Importantly, the 16-inch MacBook Pro I tested was larger than the previous generation Intel-powered, which was 0.02 inches thinner but almost half a pound lighter.

It's not often that Apple products grow in size, but then again, Apple's approach here is unorthodox. Many of the biggest features of the MacBook Pro 2021 simply destroy what the previous iteration insisted on. The Touch Bar is the most egregious example, and it's dead and gone on both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.

Ports

It's no secret that the MacBook Pro is doing the opposite with its ports. While it took way too long to get here, Apple made what I think was the best possible port selection possible. You still get three Thunderbolt 4 ports for all of that powerful docking you might need. However, they are no longer your only options.

Initially, charging is mainly done using the MagSafe 3 power adapter on the left. What a wonderful return! Before the 2016 MacBook Pro, the intuitive MagSafe adapter has always been one of the distinctive technologies behind the MacBook Pro. And now it's back.

A side profile view of the MacBook Pro's port selection.

It's also better than ever. It is more powerful and can deliver up to 140 watts of power. That's more than you can charge through Thunderbolt 4. It also feels like it has a stronger magnetic grip and it's naturally thinner. It even has a chic braided cord, which is beautiful. The MagSafe 3 adapter is included, so you probably won't be charging via USB-C too often (unless you're like me and have USB-C chargers plugged into almost every wall outlet in the house). .

In addition to charging, the MacBook Pro has an HDMI port and a full-size SD card slot. Technically, you don't need either. But as a convenience, it's something that the target audience of this laptop will really appreciate. I wish Apple had done us a favor and made this an HDMI 2.1 port for the highest possible bandwidth. On the other hand, that's a lot more useful on a gaming laptop right now than anywhere else.

The SD card slot in particular is a must. So many MacBook Pro buyers will be transferring files from a camera to a laptop. This was something that Dell brought to the XPS 15 and XPS 17 a few years ago, and it's great to see Apple follow suit.

Finally, the MacBook Pro includes the latest connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.

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The MacBook Pro 2021 marks the most significant evolution in the line's display technology since 2012. That shows how far Apple was ahead of the game at the time, but the competition has clearly caught up. It's not uncommon to see Windows laptops with great color accuracy and saturation, high resolutions, and even the use of OLED screens. The MacBook Pro was still among the best, but laptops like the 4K OLED Dell XPS 15 started to score higher in our tests.

The MacBook Pro takes the crown back, but not in a way that you might expect. Let's get down to the basic details first. It's a 16.2-inch screen with a rather strange resolution: 3456 x 2234. That means an increase in pixel density from 220 pixels per inch (ppi) to 250 ppi. That also means that at 15.4:10, it's slightly higher than the 16:10 aspect ratio. This also applies to the 14-inch model, only with a lower resolution of 3024 x 1964, which corresponds to a slightly higher 254 ppi.

The display of the 2021 MacBook Pro 16 inch.

Whichever one you choose, this will be the first Mac to receive the Liquid Retina XDR treatment, which also showed up in the iPad Pro in early 2021. These screens are operated with mini LEDs and not with standard LEDs. Mini-LED does not use individually illuminated pixels like OLED; Instead, they use thousands of local dimming zones that allow for deeper blacks and better contrast than LEDs.

This is exactly what I saw when I tested the screen with my colorimeter. In terms of black levels, the difference to OLED can hardly be distinguished. Both blow conventional LEDs out of the water and offer a much greater depth of quality.

To be clear, this MacBook Pro isn't brighter or more colorful than the previous model. It still achieves 100% sRGB and 90% AdobeRGB and a brightness of 475 nits. That's a lot bright, but you might be scratching your head over the 1,000 nits of sustained brightness Apple claimed in its announcement?

Well, that's for HDR content. And when it comes to supported content, it looks amazing. I went to YouTube first and found some HDR certified videos. If you already know about HDR on TVs, this is no surprise, but the visual difference is breathtaking. Switching back and forth between Apple's XDR preset and the default preset can be done right in the display settings, so the difference is easy to see. Highlights are brighter, the entire video is noticeably brighter, and in terms of fidelity, Apple's XDR implementation really brings the colors to life.

This is the best laptop I've seen for viewing and creating HDR content.

But let's be honest. Very few people buy a laptop to watch HDR movies. Finding HDR content on the web is still pretty annoying, and making sure you see it in HDR is even more frustrating.

Because of me. But the panel itself is commendable, especially since it now includes a 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate. This allows the screen to automatically adjust the refresh rate between 20 Hz and 120 Hz depending on what is happening on the screen.

If you still think that high refresh rates are only noticeable or beneficial to gaming laptops, just try turning off ProMotion and locking the screen at 60Hz. Once you've seen it it's hard to miss. Animations and scrolling feel a lot smoother. Heck, even the reduced ghosting of the cursor improves the overall look of the system.

While 120Hz is the same refresh rate as some other high-end laptops like the Surface Laptop Studio and the MSI Creator Z16, laptops like the Dell XPS 15 and HP Specter x360 16 still lack it.No other OLEDs exist yet – or mini-LED panel that supports 120 Hz, which makes the MacBook Pro's screen a unique proposition right now.

Webcam

Apple updated both the webcam and speakers this time. First off, it's the first MacBook Pro to feature a 1080p FaceTime webcam for a breath of fresh air. There was no way Apple could have got away with releasing another MacBook Pro with a 720p camera. This upgrade is significant and results in a much sharper, smoother feed for your laptop controlled video calls.

Of course, Apple isn't the only one making laptops with 1080p webcams. The Surface Laptop Studio has one, and the 5-megapixel cameras on the HP Elite Dragonfly laptops are impressive too. Webcams have never been more important and laptop manufacturers are finally starting to find out.

As expected, Apple's image processing is top notch. It really puts the 2021 MacBook Pro in a league of its own. Now there were times when I felt that the smoothing effects were a little too strong or the color balance was a little too warm. For example, compared to the 2019 iMac I have at home, it's a brighter and better processed image. It's not a perfect webcam, but it's the best you can find on a laptop – aside from none.

speaker

A top-down view of the MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Pro 2021 maintains its reputation for delivering the best audio experience on any laptop. Apple increased the stakes this time with an improved six-speaker sound system. You still get two tweeters and four woofers, but they've each been upgraded for a more robust and bassier mix. The tweeters are both bigger, and Apple says the woofers now go half an octave lower.

This is quite a difficult thing to test myself out, but I can assure you that the 2021 MacBook Pros are a refined version of the previous generation. The bass booms harder and the stereo separation feels wider than ever. Of course, Apple was so ahead of the game that these little tweaks won't move the needle for anyone.

The spacing between the speakers on the 16-inch MacBook Pro and any laptop cannot be emphasized enough. Laptops like the Surface Laptop Studio and the Dell XPS 17 sound decent on their own, but are pale in comparison. The MacBook Pro actually offers a nice set of speakers for listening to music. You're still the only laptop I can say that about with confidence.

But more than that, chances are these will sound better than your average bluetooth speaker or computer speaker. I'm all for technology that makes another type of technology superfluous.

Keyboard and touchpad

The keyboard and touchpad, like the webcam and speakers, are without a doubt the best you can find on a laptop. No doubt on my mind

The keyboard has nice, springy keys with a comfortable 1.1 mm travel. This is the same Magic Keyboard as it was on the previous 16-inch MacBook Pro. Needless to say, yes, this is the replacement for the infamous butterfly mechanical keyboards of yore. I've loved this keyboard since it first emerged, and it's still one of the most comfortable and accurate laptop keyboards you can type on.

Apple MacBook Pro Review 2021 14

Apple MacBook Pro Review 2021 13

The Touch Bar is of course the big change from the keyboard in the 2021 model. It's gone. Broken. And for my part, I couldn't be happier. I'll admit that I loved the idea when it was announced, but after using it for many years I think it was a flawed premise from the start. The Touch Bar never kept its promise or received the support it needed to become something more useful.

So it's gone. And it has been replaced with something less ambitious but far more functional. The function line is back, but somehow improved. Well, Apple did it by increasing the size. They're now full-size keys, rather than the squat keys you'll find on almost every laptop, including older MacBook Pros. The Escape key is even wider and is flanked on the right by Touch ID. I love these changes.

I've always hated the miniature function keys on laptop keyboards – but I never knew I wanted them until I started using them. I've found that I don't type these keys incorrectly or reach for them as often. However, when making these keys bigger, Apple removed a few key function keys, namely the backlight brightness and the Launchpad buttons. There may be a keyboard shortcut that I am not aware of, but for now you can change the brightness of the backlight in the new Control Panel.

On the MacBook Pro, the keyboard brightness can now be found in the control panel.

I would have liked a slightly smaller escape key to make room for the brightness controls for the keyboard backlight, but everyone will have their own opinion on this.

The reason for this, of course, is that the larger the keyboard, the shorter the trackpad. This is certainly not a problem with the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It remains large and extensive and offers plenty of space for long swipes and multi-finger gestures. The Force Touch trackpad continues to stand out, simulating the feeling of a click with just a small motorized haptic feedback engine. We've seen this type of touchpad show up in other laptops like the Surface Laptop Studio, but the extra size of Apple's touchpad still makes it my favorite.

Price and configurations

Despite all the quality of life updates for the MacBook Pro, it really isn't intended for everyone. That's more true than ever for this latest generation of MacBook Pros, especially with the 14-inch model starting at $ 1,999. That price makes the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1) look downright quaint for $ 1,399.

The MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro make the 13-inch MacBook Pro obsolete, especially as it retains the Touch Bar and lackluster port selection. The MacBook Air remains the best choice for college students and anyone else who does not spend most of their time on a heavy-duty application.

The screen of the MacBook Pro 2021.

When you come across the 16-inch model I tested, you'll pay at least $ 2,499. My device came with the M1 Pro, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD storage for a total of $ 3,899.

That sounds like a lot, but the 16-inch MacBook Pro has always been expensive. The starting price hasn't changed, and you can still set it at over $ 6,000 for a device with 64GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. The sweet spot for you depends on what exactly your needs are. Very, very few people are going to need 64GB of RAM, and the $ 2,200 Apple is asking for 8TB of storage is outrageous. Somewhere in between is probably where you want to be, regardless of whether you end up going for the M1 Max or M1 Pro.

It's important to note that there are two versions of the M1 Max, one with a 24-core GPU and one with a 32-core GPU. Essentially, Apple is charging $ 200 for 8 more cores of GPU power. It should also be noted that only an 8-core processor is used in the starting configuration of the 14-inch M1 Pro. This is the same as the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro, although the 14-core GPU should offer a significant improvement in graphics.

The lines get blurry on this lower-priced MacBook Pro, which is sure to be the most popular, but keep in mind that this is primarily a laptop for professional creatives. And for those who actually need a professional laptop, you've just found your ultimate tool.

Thanks to the vastly improved performance of the M1 Pro and M1 Max, these MacBook Pros can actually be used as professional content creators' machines. That means photo editors, color graders, website designers, programmers, video editors, 3D modelers, game designers, music producers, and more. If you're looking to try more than just these creative areas, it will pay off to put the money on one of these new MacBook Pros.

power

As I get my hands on more configurations of these new MacBook Pros, I intend to make more detailed comparisons between the different models, especially between the M1 Pro and the M1 Max. For now, however, my test unit was the 16-inch model with the M1 Pro. That means the 10-core CPU is paired with the 16-core GPU, all of which share 32GB of unified memory.

Both chips have two additional CPU cores (10 total) over the standard M1 (which is included in the 13-inch MacBook Pro and Air), and that helps with multi-core processing. If you look at how it fares in synthetic benchmarks, you can clearly see that a higher core count flexes its muscles.

Its multi-core score in Cinebench R23 was one of the highest laptop scores in our database and was only surpassed by the all-AMD Asus ROG Strix G15, a thick gaming laptop. The 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro also achieved 39% better results than the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro in this benchmark. The 14-inch model will likely end up a bit softer, but that's still more of an increase in CPU performance than I assumed with just two additional cores.

The real benefit is for applications that can take advantage of these enhanced graphics.

Handbrake is another CPU-bound application that I tested the machine on, and it had a similar increase in performance over the M1. The 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro encodes 4K video in H.265 38% faster than the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro. It's certainly a fast laptop, though it's beaten by laptops like the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X. Laptops like the Acer Swift X, Dell XPS 15, and Razer Blade 14 were only five or six seconds slower.

But the real improvement here is in the graphics. The M1 Max, in particular, offers GPU performance that is designed to rival discrete graphics cards found in competing gaming laptops and creative laptops. My device came with the M1 Pro with 16 GPU cores, which doubles the eight found in the M1.

The graphics on the 14-inch model are particularly noteworthy. While I haven't tested this particular model myself, the fact that both sizes use the same graphics configuration is a big deal. After all, the previous 16-inch MacBook Pro already had an 8-core CPU and a discrete GPU. Despite some thermal concerns, it was already a pretty powerful creative laptop. That was never the case with the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The 14-inch model fills that void, offering a really powerful option in a smaller size (and lower price than the 16-inch model).

The MacBook Pro with an Adobe Premiere Pro benchmark.

The real benefit here is in applications that can use these graphics. An obvious example is video editing in an application like Adobe Premiere Pro, which now runs natively on Apple Silicon. PugetBench for Premiere Pro tests everything from timeline playback to exporting to applying GPU effects. Here the M1 Pro also impresses in operation in the emulation. The export score wasn't very impressive, but it was still 29% faster than the M1. An 8-core Intel or AMD processor in combination with a discrete Nvidia graphics ensures a faster export time.

But when it comes to video playback, the MacBook Pro absolutely flies. It easily scores the highest score we've ever got in this test, and even outperforms gaming desktops and workstations. The MacBook Pro was designed for such tasks, and it is certainly one of the best video editing laptops you can buy. If you choose the M1 Max model, you will likely get a higher export score as well.

The MacBook Pro is not alone in this endeavor, however. There is no doubt that 2021 was a year of high-performance 14-inch laptops, be it the Razer Blade 14, Surface Laptop Studio, or Acer Swift X. However, unlike all of these laptops, the implementation of the MacBook Pro is the cleanest . The notebook's surface stays pleasantly cool at all times, and there is practically no fan noise. It's hard to compare this to a laptop like the Razer Blade 14, which is constantly buzzing and making your palms sweat.

Gaming performance

Apple didn't put the graphics at the center of the MacBook Pro for the purpose of gaming. And as Apple's graphics power increases, this point becomes clearer and clearer.

Finding heavy games that can pose a real challenge to the MacBook Pro is a challenge in itself – there just aren't a lot of modern AAA games on the platform. But there are a few, and I've tested Fortnite, Civilization VI, and Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Rise of the Tomb Raider on the 2021 MacBook Pro.

In Fortnite, when comparing the M1 Pro to the M1, you can play at high settings at almost 60 frames per second (fps) instead of being degraded to medium. That's closer to an RTX 3050 or 3050 Ti, which isn't too surprising. This level of graphics can be found in laptops of very similar size, such as the Surface Laptop Studio or the Asus Vivobook Pro 16X. Again, the main difference the MacBook Pro brings is the lack of fan noise. The fans on the MacBook Pro are practically inaudible in almost all situations, even while gaming.

The comparison wasn't so cheap in Civilization VI. The M1 Pro MacBook Pro averaged 64 fps in medium settings and only 49 fps in Ultra. Being 35% slower than the Surface Laptop Studio shows the importance of optimization. Civilization VI has always performed poorly on the Mac platform, and it's no different here.

Gaming is still no reason to buy a Mac, even on the powerful M1 Max MacBook Pro.

Often referred to as one of the few AAA titles designed for Macs, Rise of the Tomb Raider also struggled to hit 60 fps on the MacBook Pro. At the highest settings in 1920 x 1200, an average of only 40 fps was achieved and at medium settings 47 fps. In comparison, the Surface Laptop Studio averages 70 fps at medium settings, which is 33% faster.

Overall, the graphics performance of the M1 Pro is incredible. Aside from the M1 Max, they would be the most powerful graphics ever in an all-in-one system-on-a-chip package. However, they are not remarkable in terms of performance alone, especially not with the 16-inch model. We've seen 16-inch MacBook Pros with discrete graphics, and the 16 GPU cores here don't necessarily blow an equivalent discrete mid-range card out of the water.

Things may look different with the M1 Max, especially the 32-core GPU option. I'll know as soon as I've tested it myself, but with double the GPU cores like the M1 Pro, I expect it will actually improve gaming performance quite a bit.

But that doesn't make it a proper gaming laptop yet. But the games are simply missing. Unless Apple Arcade really takes off, gaming will never be a reason to buy a Mac, even on the powerful M1 Max MacBook Pro.

Battery life

Efficiency has always been the greatest strength of Apple's M-Series chips. Because of this, the M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air were miles ahead of the competition in terms of battery life.

Somehow, the 2021 MacBook Pros go even further. The 16-inch model I tested achieved a new record in our database for battery life when surfing the Internet. Our custom script goes through a number of popular websites until the battery runs out and the 16-inch MacBook Pro lasts for over 18.5 hours. When I say the MacBook Pro is a multi-day laptop, I mean it. Several full working days went by for me without having to recharge it.

The 2021 MacBook Pro, half open.

The only laptops that even come close to this battery life are some of the current AMD Ryzen systems. The Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED lasted 16 hours and 15 minutes, while the AMD-powered Surface Laptop 4 lasted 13.5 hours. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the champion far and wide. It shows how much efficiency Apple can save by not having to build a hot separate GPU into its laptop.

Besonders beeindruckend ist auch die Standby-Zeit. Wenn Sie es eines Tages halb aufgeladen gelassen haben, ist es ein paar Tage später nicht tot. Das verlängert die Lebensdauer des MacBook Pro erheblich. Ich habe nur nicht annähernd so viel nach meinem Ladegerät gegriffen.

Laut Apples Schätzungen wird das 14-Zoll-MacBook Pro drei Stunden weniger Akkulaufzeit haben als das 16-Zoll-Modell, was hauptsächlich auf die unterschiedliche Akkugröße zurückzuführen ist. Der 16-Zöller hat einen 99,6-Wattstunden-Akku, während der 14-Zöller nur einen 70-Wattstunden-Akku hat.

Our opinion

Das MacBook Pro 2021 ist der Pro-Laptop, auf den Mac-Fans fünf Jahre gewartet haben. Es ist eine Rückkehr zum Ruhm für ein Produkt, das sich lange Zeit veraltet und untermotorisiert anfühlte. Es hat die besten Lautsprecher, Webcam, Tastatur, Trackpad, Display, Akkulaufzeit und Portauswahl aller Laptops, die ich je getestet habe. Das ist viel, um in einem Laptop richtig zu stehen. Unterdessen wird die Leistung diejenigen zufriedenstellen, die eine Maschine suchen, die mit ihren Arbeitsabläufen mithalten kann, insbesondere diejenigen, die in anspruchsvollen, kreativen Bereichen arbeiten.

Gibt es Alternativen?

Auf der Windows-Seite gibt es eine Reihe leistungsstarker, aber kompakter Laptops, wie das Dell XPS 15 und XPS 17, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme, MSI Creator Z16, Surface Laptop Studio und viele mehr. Diese Laptops enthalten alle separate Nvidia-Grafiken und die meisten enthalten auch bis zu 8-Kern-CPUs.

Es gibt eine Vielzahl von Gründen, sich für einen dieser Laptops gegenüber dem MacBook Pro zu entscheiden. Einige sind leistungsfähiger, einige haben interessantere Designs und viele sind billiger. Aber keines bietet das Gesamtpaket, das das MacBook Pro bietet.

Wie lange wird es dauern?

Die Hoffnung bei einem so teuren Laptop besteht darin, dass er mindestens über fünf Jahre hält. Das MacBook Pro soll deutlich einfacher zu reparieren sein als in früheren Generationen. Während Arbeitsspeicher und Massenspeicher noch angelötet sind, scheinen Komponenten wie der Akku oder die Anschlüsse austauschbar zu sein, was die Lebensdauer des MacBook Pro um Jahre verlängern könnte.

Wie immer bietet Apple auch mit AppleCare+ erstklassigen Kundensupport. Es ist teuer, aber es verlängert die Standardgarantie von einem Jahr erheblich.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Es ist das beste MacBook Pro seit über einem halben Jahrzehnt und der beste Laptop für Entwickler, den Sie kaufen können.

Editor's recommendations



07 Sep
Blog

Withings ScanWatch Review: In-Depth Health Tracking

Withings Scanwatch Evaluation Close face

"The Withings ScanWatch is a comprehensive health and wellness tracker that is also a classy, ​​high-quality watch that you will be proud of."

  • Clinically approved ECG and SpO2 monitoring

  • High quality materials and workmanship

  • Easy to use, informative app

  • Long battery life

  • No sleep apnea monitoring yet

  • Clock hands often obscure the screen

You will see a lot of hype about the Withings ScanWatch's health monitoring credentials which are undeniably impressive, but don't let Tit fool you into thinking they are only for those with health issues. The classic design and high-quality materials avoid any stigma of "medical devices" and make the ScanWatch an excellent everyday watch for anyone interested in tracking and improving their general wellbeing.

design

The Withings ScanWatch is one of the best looking hybrid smartwatches you can buy today. Not sure what makes it a hybrid? Hybrid is used to describe when a traditional watch meets a smartwatch. The ScanWatch has a conventional analog dial with a small secondary screen showing relevant data. It's not a touchscreen, the watch doesn't have an operating system like Google's WearOS and doesn't need to be charged every day.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The ScanWatch made of stainless steel with domed sapphire crystal above the dial is effortlessly elegant, minimalist and yet visually interesting and extremely high quality. I wear the 42mm model, but a 38mm model with redesigned lugs and a less chunky bezel is also available for smaller wrists. You can also choose one with a black watch face instead of the white watch face shown here, which will make the display look less obvious.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

At 83 grams and 13.7 mm thick, you'll find that the ScanWatch is on your wrist first and then quickly gets used to it. I was able to wear the watch 24 hours a day without any discomfort. The bracelet is made of fluoroelastomer and is very long. It's almost too long on my 6.5-inch wrists, but the generous number of holes makes it suitable for all wrist sizes.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While fluoroelastomer is recognized to be less likely to cause skin irritation than some other materials, it can cause a reaction in some. I wore the watch day and night to test all of its properties, and by the end of the first week I had developed a rash with the bracelet sitting on my wrist. This is not something I personally experience normally, but an online search shows that this is not uncommon and almost certainly related to the heat, sweat and other environmental factors associated with wearing a watch all the time. If you have sensitive skin, it may be worthwhile to change the strap. Fortunately, it's easy as the 20mm strap attaches with quick release pins.

Apart from that, the design of the ScanWatch is well made and attractive. It goes with everything, looks pleasantly expensive, is made of high quality materials and if the strap is not for you, it is easy to change.

Screen and controls

When you examine the face, you'll see a simple complication that shows your steps as well as the little PMOLED screen above it. This is activated via the digital crown button on the side of the case. Press to wake up the screen and rotate to navigate through menu options. Then press again to select it. It's simple, accurate, and there's a tiny haptic tap to confirm your actions.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's bright enough to be displayed in all situations, aided by the monochrome tone and automatic brightness adjustment. However, it's unfortunate that the watch's hands don't get out of the way when the screen is activated. This means that data is often obscured. There is a lift-to-wake function, but it only shows the time that is not really needed. It would have been more useful if a configurable data item or prior notification had been displayed immediately.

ScanWatch requires the Withings Health Mate app to be installed on your phone. Although I used it connected to iOS, it is also available for Android. The connection is easy and only takes a few moments. It has also remained stable. Data syncs when you open the app and is quick and seamless with no input required.

The hands do not move out of the way to better view the ScanWatch's screen. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You can choose to have ScanWatch display notifications. These are displayed with an icon for the app as well as a brief preview of the message and a subtle haptic warning. In the Health Mate app, you can choose which apps you want to receive notifications from, or you can just turn the feature off completely. I found it useful, but with no way to remember one if you miss it, it can't keep up with the notification system on an Apple Watch or WearOS smartwatch.

The ScanWatch quietly tracks your health and fitness. Unlike many smartwatches, it is not required. There are no activity notifications letting you know it is time to move or wash your hands. You can turn off notifications or customize them to your liking, and there is no battery fear either. If you want a health-conscious smartwatch to wear and forget, you will really love the Withings ScanWatch.

Health monitoring tools

The ScanWatch has an impressive array of sensors that provide comprehensive tracking of critical health data. The heart rate sensor on the back of the watch connects to two electrodes and a third on the front of the watch to record an electrocardiogram (EKG) to detect atrial fibrillation. It's the first hybrid smartwatch to be clinically approved to detect both these and breathing problems that can occur overnight. The ScanWatch also measures the SpO2 oxygen saturation level, and other sensors detect altitude and movement. GPS is also on board.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

All of this means that the ScanWatch monitors heart rate and respiration and provides warnings in the event of heart rate irregularities and breathing disorders. It also reports blood oxygen levels, steps, distance traveled, altitude, and pace while running and swimming. All sensors work at night so sleep problems can be detected. A future update will enable sleep apnea alerts, but this vacation will not be available at startup. The heart rate, your ECG value and the SpO2 values ​​are displayed on the watch screen. However, for more detailed data, you need to open the Health Mate app.

The heart rate monitor is easy to use. It takes regular measurements without prompting you to do so and sends alerts when the heart rate is too high or too low, or when it detects irregularities. At this point the use of the EKG is suggested. An EKG measurement takes 30 seconds, is performed on the watch and just involves touching the side of the case. Upon completion, you will receive a message indicating whether further action should be taken. Fortunately, mine just kept saying "normal" which I take as good news and proof that the sensor is doing its job.

withings scanwatch review spo2 app "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/withings-scanwatch-spo2-app-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

withings scanwatch review ecg app "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/withings-scanwatch-ecg-app-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

withings scanwatch check daily data app "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/withings-scanwatch-daily-data-app-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You take an SpO2 reading in a similar way, but your hand is either more difficult to position or the system is more volatile than with an EKG. It is common to get “inconclusive” results and the results can vary widely. Blood oxygen levels have recently attracted attention as an indicator of the severity of a COVID-19 infection. Is the ScanWatch an indispensable tool in 2020?

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) Council instructs patients with COVID-19 who have been advised to monitor blood oxygen levels to take measurements three times a day to see changes more clearly. The use of a medical-grade pulse oximeter is also recommended. Although Withings says the meter on the ScanWatch is medical grade, my many inconclusive and disparate results show how complex the process is and the importance of proper positioning to get accurate data. A recent Wired report also warns against relying on consumer technology as an early warning system for severe COVID-19 infection.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

What does it do if it is not really suitable for it? A wrist-worn SpO2 sensor is better suited for checking blood oxygen levels at altitude, e.g. B. when hiking in the mountains or while sleeping. Understanding blood oxygen levels in sleep is a key component in identifying health problems. The ScanWatch's Respiratory Scan mode detects blood oxygen levels, heart rate and breathing during the night for a complete picture of your rest. Sleep tracking is one of my favorite features in ScanWatch as it breaks down all of the data it collects in a clear manner and provides a simple sleep score for your night. This makes it easy to see where improvements can be made and to keep you informed of ongoing issues.

Fitness tracking and app

Fitness tracking on this watch is relatively straightforward outside of a welcome VO2 Max indicator to better gauge the effectiveness of your workout. It's not as comprehensive or hardcore as the Suunto 7 or Garmin's single-sport watches, but more like a Fitbit. Activating workouts on the watch is easy, and the Withings made good sense of adding long presses to start and stop workouts so that this doesn't happen accidentally.

The data collected for an activity such as walking is limited to duration, distance and calories burned. Don't expect data like cadence while running or stroke length while swimming. While it has automatic detection for training, it is not very accurate. During a few hours of cleaning an apartment, the ScanWatch thought I swim and ride my bike and I assure you I haven't done either.

withings scanwatch review custom app "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/withings-scanwatch-custom-app-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

withings scanwatch review activity app "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/withings-scanwatch-activity-app-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

withings scanwatch scan notifications app "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/withings-scanwatch-notifications-app-640x640.jpg "srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Health Mate app is a great way to present all of your data. Even when it comes to helping you understand improvements, don't expect the guide to come right away. Getting insights and advice takes time and effort and is possibly the most user-intensive aspect of ownership. The app has a virtual assistant that initiates a conversation about your goals and lifestyle. Through these daily interactions, the app gives advice. Not enough information was gathered in my first week to give me anything substantial. As with all lifestyle changes, it will take time to take full advantage of wearing the ScanWatch.

The ScanWatch is not a fitness-oriented smartwatch, but measures the most important aspects of a workout and daily exercise in order to get a clearer picture of your general health and your lifestyle, which complements the detailed data collected by the sensors. This makes it less relevant to the marathon runner or Iron Man trainee, but more relevant to the health conscious person interested in understanding and improving overall wellbeing.

Battery life and charging

Withings claims a battery life of 30 days between charges, depending on the features you use. I haven't tested the ScanWatch that long, but it should be reachable. After seven days of use with day and night tracking, the battery is 63% discharged. It's worth noting that the expanded use of the SpO2 and EKG functions drains the battery much faster, as does the Respiratory Scan function used at night. Charging takes two hours and is done by placing the watch on the included magnetic wireless charging disc.

Price and availability

The Withings ScanWatch is available now in the UK for £ 280 if you opt for the 42mm model or £ 250 for the 38mm model. The ScanWatch will be released in the US later this year once the Food and Drug Administration approval process is completed. It costs $ 299 for the 42mm model and $ 279 for the 38mm ScanWatch and is sold through Withings' own online store, Amazon and Best Buy.

Our opinion

The Withings ScanWatch is a comprehensive health and wellness tracker as well as an elegant, high-quality wristwatch. Despite the medical nature of multiple functions, it never feels inaccessible or like it was only designed for people with conditions that require constant monitoring. The ease of use and continuous tracking of day and night, clinical approval that inspires confidence, and a reliable and informative app make the ScanWatch a helpful part of anyone's efforts to improve their health or change their lifestyle.

Is there a better alternative?

The Withings ScanWatch is a comprehensive health tracker with general smartwatch functions. The alternative is to change those aspects and go for the $ 400 Apple Watch, the best smartwatch you can buy with very powerful everyday fitness tracking capabilities, including an EKG. If you don't own an iPhone, the $ 270 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a great choice for Android phone owners.

If you want SpO2 monitoring for exercise purposes, the $ 300 Garmin Forerunner 245 is a good choice, or if you prefer the EKG feature, the $ 130 Withings Move EKG is a cheaper alternative with a similar one Style like the ScanWatch.

How long it will take?

The Withings ScanWatch is waterproof to 30 meters and can be worn while swimming. The stainless steel case and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal should keep it looking good for a while.

When ScanWatch starts, sleep apnea detection is not activated. This is a feature that Withings was promoting when the watch was unveiled at CES 2020. The company announces that it will arrive in Europe and the US later this year once the feature has been approved for use. No timeframe was given.

The watch's battery and the support of the Withings app are the main factors that limit the life of the ScanWatch. However, it is unlikely that any of these factors will soon become a factor. You can wear and use the ScanWatch with confidence that it will last for years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Withings ScanWatch is a desirable mix of stylish, classic design that goes with everything, as well as extensive, user-friendly and clinically recognized features for health and wellbeing.

Editor's recommendations




19 Aug
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra In-Depth Review: The Conqueror

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review Camera Module Pen

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

"The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the largest, most feature-rich Android phone ever made."

  • Massive 120 Hz screen looks great

  • S Pen is unique and handy

  • Versatile camera

  • Future-proof hardware and software

  • All-day battery even with heavy use

  • Big and heavy

  • Security functions are difficult

  • Palm rejection issues

Go big or go home. That has always been Samsung's motto with the Galaxy Note series, and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the biggest effort yet. The screen is even bigger than last year's Galaxy Note 10 Plus, and there's more power, more features, and more technology – all with the goal of improving productivity and improving media capabilities.

Your wallet should also be bigger, as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra starts at $ 1,299. Samsung's approach to outperforming the competition is simple: beat them into the submission by offering everything a phone buyer could want in a phone that will last for years.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable in terms of device size and price, and even outperforms the Galaxy Note 10 Plus – a phone we've named the best Android phone of 2019.

design

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If the design of the Galaxy Note 10 Plus was a bit ordinary, the Note 20 Ultra is anything but. This is particularly evident in the new Mystic Bronze color of the devices in the photos. The camera module is massive, protrudes several millimeters and dominates the back of the phone. It differs greatly from the dainty module of the Note 10 Plus and is even clearer than the module of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The glass cover has a strong, bright shine in different lighting conditions.

The mystical bronze itself lies somewhere between gold and pink and is more noble than gaudy. The matte finish has a lot of grip and resists fingerprints, but the glass above the camera module does not. A good wipe was often required before taking photos. Take away the monster camera module, and the Note 20 Ultra has the same basic shape as the Note 10 Plus, where the curved sides taper to a point and are comfortable to grip at the same time.

Samsung has swapped the buttons on the right side of the phone. For me, as a right-hander, this is far more natural than with the Note 10 Plus, which had the buttons on the left. In the new layout, the S Pen pen is on the left side of the phone, the top and bottom of the phone are flat, and there is a single selfie camera with a hole punch on the screen.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I have average sized hands, and the Note 20 Ultra is almost 77.2 mm (3.04 in) wide, 8.1 mm (0.32 in) thick, and 208 grams (0.46 pounds) too big and too heavy. It's well balanced, but can feel top heavy if you use it while lying down. It's also frustrating to juggle with one hand when all you want to do is check a notification or take a selfie.

It is these quick tasks that can make using the massive Note 20 Ultra a chore, and sometimes I long for a smaller, more manageable device. With the 196 gram, 7.9 mm thick Note 10 Plus, I felt less.

Be prepared for an adjustment period once you get used to the size.

The Note 20 Ultra is a hit with a phone and requires a commitment to wear and use it every day. The reward is well worth the effort. However, if you graduate to a smaller phone (which is just about every other phone available), you should expect some adjustment period as you get used to it.

This also applies if you come from the Note 10 Plus, which feels surprisingly sleek and user-friendly compared to the Note 20 Ultra. I always appreciate an extremely large screen, but the massive chassis that it takes to get it can feel like a step too far.

Screen and audio

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

A dynamic 6.9-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1,440 x 3,088 pixels, a variable refresh rate of 120 Hz and even HDR10 + support will grab your attention. The Note 20 Ultra is the first Samsung phone to use Samsung Display's variable refresh rate technology, which adapts to your phone's activities. For example, 120 Hz is used when playing games that support it, or it is switched to 60 Hz for movies or even to 10 Hz for still images. The aim is to be more energy efficient.

The screen is nice to look at, just like most Samsung phones.

This adaptive refresh rate is set by default, but it is possible to force a refresh rate of 60 Hz to be used all the time. The default resolution is also 2,316 x 1,080 and must be changed manually to 3,088 x 1,440. However, to enjoy this you need to use a refresh rate of 60Hz. It's nice to look at, just like most Samsung phones. I've used it on the default setting most of the time and haven't had any complaints about the quality or sharpness.

Scrolling through some apps is not as smooth as expected. I've noticed some stuttering on Twitter and parts of Chrome that may have more to do with Android than the screen. At the top and bottom of the display there are minimal bezels that curve gently down the sides to create a large viewing area. Even the hole punch for the selfie camera is tiny.

Woyshnis Media's YouTube video with the Lamborghini Huracán Perfomante and Mercedes Benz AMG GTS is a great demonstration of how amazing the screen is and how a display optimization called Video Enhancer works. The green Lamborghini appears off the screen when the mode is active, while the darker AMG stays muted until you approach, and the brightly colored flakes in the paint become noticeable. This good balance isn't common in display enhancement modes and meant I didn't mind leaving the video enhancer on most of the time.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I put the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra next to the equally impressive Sony Xperia 1 II to test videos and the results are surprising. The Note 20 Ultra does not play a 4K YouTube video like the Sony cell phone, but hardly shows the Porsche Taycan test from Carfection. The screen of the Note 20 Ultra is colorful and yet delivers crisp white tones. The large size really offers a nice viewing experience.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has stereo speakers, one on top of the screen for calls and one on the bottom of the phone. The sound is full, with lots of mids and clear highs. As you'd expect, there is little low-end bass. While it is loud, and while the sound gets pretty bright, there is no distortion at maximum volume. The Note 20 Ultra also supports Dolby Atmos.

The screen and media experience on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is great, but is hurt by the problematic rejection of palms and fingers on the edges of the screen. I'm using a Prerelease phone so a software update can fix this before it goes on sale. But the way it is now, it's a pain. Because of this, various apps are accidentally opened while others are closed. I accidentally sent voice messages on WhatsApp and many buttons on the sides of the screen don't work until you adjust your grip. It's very frustrating, but I hope an update is available to fix the problem.

camera

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera is one of the key improvements that the Note 20 Ultra offers over the Note 10 Plus. The 108-megapixel 1 / 1.33-inch sensor from Samsung is on board and comes from the Galaxy S20 Ultra. In addition, there is a 12 megapixel periscope zoom with 5x optical and 10x hybrid zoom, the maximum room zoom level of which, however, is reduced to 50 times instead of 100 times.

Finally, there is a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, a new laser autofocus system and optical image stabilization for the main and periscope lenses. It can also record video with a resolution of up to 8K at 24 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second, with optical and electronic stabilization, as well as HDR10 + support.

Although the specs clearly represent an improvement over the Note 10 Plus, the two main cameras take very similar photos, with the Note 20 Ultra being only slightly more detailed. That changes, however, when you switch to 5x and 10x zoom, with the Note 20 Ultra outperforming the Note 10 Plus' ability to take clear, detailed photos.

However, the Note 10 Plus has a better 2X optical zoom mode, which makes it more user-friendly in some cases, as 5X will actually get you very close to a subject.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Note 20 Ultra's camera is easy to love. The photos you take are full of colors and appear pleasantly off the screen without looking too artificial or over-saturated. At night, the low-light performance is also great as the camera creates a real atmosphere after dark. If you zoom in at 5x and 10x, the footage still has a lot of detail, but 50x is the same pointless endeavor as 100x on the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

The phone has the great single take mode with some minor changes. In this mode, you capture a short video instead of a single still image and the camera does several different edits, including still images, filtered shots, GIFs, and more. You will never regret taking a photo instead of a video.

The new mode lets you choose the length of time you record video – anywhere from five to 15 seconds – and it returns more options than before, even with the most basic of recordings. Not all are gold, but I'd rather have too many choices than not enough.

The 108 megapixel mode and the 8K video mode are gimmicks. The 8K video looks great if you own an 8K TV. If you don't, the footage will just take up a ton of space on your phone.

Take a 108 megapixel still image and you will have difficulty selecting it in the gallery. Once you find it, you can crop it without losing a lot of detail. However, this is a niche feature, especially since you can also use one of the Note 20 Ultra's very powerful zoom settings. These modes work as intended, and 8K video may be more helpful in the future. However, for now they are not a reason to buy this phone.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review 5x Zoom "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/note-20-ultra-5x-zoom - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAGalaxy Note 20 Ultra 5x zoom Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

How about some selfies? Some may consider them washed out – and they're definitely on the bright side when compared to the iPhone 11 Pro – but I liked the results.

Also worth mentioning is the editing suite in the gallery app as it has all the features and is very easy to use. The auto-enhancement setting is usually useful for making the colors stand out in selfies. Samsung added a Pro mode to the video, and while I like the way you can manually zoom in and out for a cinematic look, Pro modes are complicated and require a certain amount of expert knowledge. I suspect most people will only use Auto mode, but if you are a competent photographer this is very welcome.

The main camera functions of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – main sensor, periscope zoom, wide angle, night mode, and selfies – are all excellent, and you can snap photos that can be shared instantly in just about any setting or location. Explore more and the Note 20 Ultra's camera really stands out.

S pen

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The S Pen is now on the bottom left of the phone and is the same size and shape as the last one. However, it is easier to remove and replace than the Note 10 Plus. Samsung played a huge role in reducing the latency to 9 milliseconds. So is this noticeable? Not really, no, and maybe it's because I'm used to the Note 10 Plus, but I found my scribbled notes to be a lot neater on this phone. I think the sensitivity needs to be adjusted and the palm rejection issues don't help here either.

The new convert to text feature is very accurate. When converting, an easy-to-edit field will appear on the screen. Although I didn't have to change any words, the formatting was always turned off and needed improvement. The S Pen's air gestures work well. For example, a reverse swipe goes back one step and a Scribble action opens a window for writing on the screen. The button continues to function as a remote release for the camera.

Yes, the S Pen is one reason to buy the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Unless you have a reason other than a pen, you don't have many other options.

Living with the Note 10 Plus on various occasions over the past year has shown me that it can be useful, but you really need to have a use in mind for it. While there are special features, they aren't convincing enough to trick you into using them if you don't already have plans to take notes or draw. The Note 20 Ultra's palm rejection really needs improvement, however, as it affects the pen's response on the screen, in my opinion.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Despite the size and weight of the phone, it's a great slot machine, mostly because the screen is so big and the S Pen is an interesting alternative to using your finger. I played DariusBurst SP, one of my favorite cell phone games, and I was much more precise when dodging bullets with the S Pen instead of my finger in the more difficult later levels.

Playing 1945 and other marksmen worked just as well. The S Pen's new low latency almost certainly helps, although I wouldn't say Scribble Racer 2 felt more precise than before.

Performance and software

Buy the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra in the US and it comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus processor. However, buy the same phone in the UK or elsewhere in Europe and it comes with Samsung's very own Exynos 990 processor. This is the model tested here with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. There is a microSD card slot to enhance this if you need more space. Regardless of where you buy the phone, it has 5G connectivity. Here are the benchmark results:

Geekbench 5: 919 single core / 2708 multi core

3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 5179 (volcano)

These scores are significantly lower than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 in the OnePlus 8 Pro and the Snapdragon 865 Plus in the Asus ROG Phone 3. I didn't experience any performance issues and the benchmark results don't always reflect actual speed, but it's the difference between that Samsung Exynos 990 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus in these benchmark results can hardly be ignored.

Use the Exynos powered Galaxy Note 20 Ultra pretty hard and it gets a little hot – never to the point where it's uncomfortable to hold it, but you definitely get a sweaty palm. I noticed this is playing Asphalt 9 Legends, but not Hill Climb Racer. So if you never play high-end games or make long calls, you might not even notice.

Android 10 with the OneUI 2.5 from Samsung is installed together with the Android security patch from July 2020 and works just like the software of the Galaxy S20 series devices. It's bold and colorful, with tons of options to customize the look, all the way to an effective dark mode and a helpful screen that is always on. It's fast and reliable, and gesture controls are fluid. I had no problems with the software at all.

Battery and security

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Note 20 Ultra's 4,500 mAh battery has a lot to do. So don't expect it to last more than a day if your screen time is five hours or more. Use it moderately for less time and it will almost crawl through a second day of work. During my time on the phone, it didn't last two full days on a single charge, and with an average screen time of three to four hours per day, it's around 30% by midnight.

Given the technology that the battery has to power the battery, I don't think that's a bad thing, and the phone didn't worry me. I need an emergency charge to get through the day. However, it won't please the hardcore power users that Samsung wants to attract with the Note series. When you use 5G, expect even more battery drain. I don't have 5G near me so I haven't tested this feature. The 4G LTE signals are good and Wi-Fi calling on supported networks is helpful, although I've found the Wi-Fi range to be a bit short. The 25 watt wired charger brings the battery to 50% in 30 minutes, and you can also use wireless charging.

A built-in fingerprint sensor secures the Note 20 Ultra and is unfortunately just as fussy as that of the Note 10 Plus and the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Recognizing your printout isn't as quick as it is with the OnePlus 8 Pro or unlocking the phone. There is a face unlock system, but it is similarly cumbersome and offers an awkward way of activation. As a result, I accidentally turned the screen off and on again while waiting for it to work. Unlocking Samsung phones is generally frustrating compared to almost all the other phones I've used.

So much more

I've been using the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra as my main phone for almost two weeks. There are still many features to discover that I haven't used in a while. This is unusual and shows how much effort Samsung went into making the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra its most powerful, feature-rich smartphone on the market.

One example is the new Wireless DeX system. Samsung DeX takes your phone display onto a monitor or television and turns the software into a desktop system where you can run apps, view photos, watch videos and even play games. DeX used to require an HDMI cable or special dock to function, but the Note 20 Ultra has wireless support. The feature probably works best with Samsung TVs, but has refused to connect to screen mirroring on my Sony Android TV.

The list goes on. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a power sharing mode for wireless charging of the Galaxy Watch 3, the Galaxy Buds Plus or the Galaxy Buds Live. It provides access to Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass to stream console games to your phone and the software update will allow you to run your phone apps on a Windows 10 PC. Samsung Notes is currently syncing with OneNote. There's really a lot to discover on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and that adds to its longevity.

Price and availability

The 128GB Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is priced at $ 1,299 or $ 1,449 for the 512GB model. In the UK, the 128GB phone costs £ 1,179 and the 512GB phone costs £ 1,279. It is sold through Samsung's own online shop and under contract with the vast majority of network operators. It's available for pre-order now and will be released on August 21st.

Our opinion

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the biggest, baddest, and hardcore flagship smartphone you can buy today. It has everything you could want in a phone today – and pretty much everything tomorrow, including 5G. With that, it's a safe buy for someone looking for a phone that will last for years. However, Samsung needs to fix the palm rejection and edge detection issues as this is an otherwise excellent continuation of the excellent Galaxy Note 10 Plus. With that in mind, the phone will get a new score if Samsung fixes this issue.

A word about the price. It's expensive, but considering how powerful and capable it is, and how many features it has, the Note 20 Ultra is more durable than many other flagship phones that cost a few hundred dollars less. Samsung says it designed it that way, and it shows. If you do buy it, you might even consider changing your phone for a few years.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want the best specs, a pen, and a brilliant camera, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra stands on its own. If you're not worried about the S Pen pen, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is a decent alternative, although I prefer the Note 20 Ultra's design and camera. At this price point, you should also check out the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, which has a standout camera and screen.

If you don't want to spend that much money and don't want to worry about the pen, the OnePlus 8 Pro is a great buy with its lovely design, decent camera, and stunning screen. If you really enjoy gaming, the Asus ROG Phone 3 is another highly specialized, focused phone that is worth considering.

Should you upgrade if you own the Galaxy Note 10 Plus? I do not believe that. The camera is definitely an upgrade, but with it comes added bulk and less sophisticated software right now – there aren't any such palm rejection issues on the Note 10 Plus. If you want a Note phone but not at the price of the Note 20 Ultra, buying a Note 10 Plus is a wise decision.

How long it will take?

Age and age. The performance and ability of the Note 20 Ultra means it should still feel fresh two years from now. It's IP68 waterproof, but it's not tough, so you'll want to put it in a pocket anyway. There's 5G for the future too, and you can record 8K video if you buy an 8K TV.

Samsung promises three generations of software updates for its latest smartphones. This means the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra should receive Android updates beyond a two-year contract, which extends its useful life further than most expect. However, Samsung has not committed itself to timeframes. Although Android 11 and above will be available on the phone, you may need to be patient.

Should you buy it?

Yes. You will be spending a lot of money, but you will get a phone that you won't have to think about replacing for years.

Editor's recommendations




24 Apr
Blog

Apple iPhone SE (2020) In-Depth Review: Buy This iPhone

iPhone SE

"The new iPhone SE is the fastest phone you can buy for $ 400."

  • Light, compact design

  • Class leading performance

  • Loud, pleasant audio

  • Great camera

  • iOS is excellent

  • Not a great display for $ 400

  • The battery life is ok

Apple develops devices for a long service life and not just because they like them. Apple can also refurbish an old device with new specifications and sell it as a new one. The iPhone SE is the latest example, but hardly the first. Apple took a similar approach to the iPhone 8 and continues to sell a MacBook Pro 13 with a touch bar that is essentially the same as the 2015 model.

It's a polarizing strategy, and the new iPhone SE has created a schism for the usual reasons the moment it was announced. Some see the wise reuse of a great design that still makes sense. Others see a rotten rebranding of an outdated phone. People in both camps tend to have their opinions ready before they ever put their hands on the phone in question.

Whatever your thoughts may be, one fact is undeniable: the iPhone SE ($ 400) is the cheapest iPhone, and that makes it important regardless of design or hardware. Many people will buy it because it is the new standard selection.

But is it a good phone?

design

I'll get an uncomfortable shot out of the way. As a technical appraiser, you can expect me to update my equipment every year. Not me. My everyday phone is an iPhone 7 Plus, which despite the lack of knockout functions on modern devices is still a nice phone.

The only thing I don't like is a disadvantage that it shares with the iPhone SE: chunky frames around the display. They are massive compared to other modern phones. Every Android competitor in this area offers slim frames with maximum screen size for a certain space requirement.

Can you live with them Certainly. I have been for years. However, this is certainly the biggest problem with the design of the iPhone SE. You get jealous when a friend pulls out a Google Pixel 3a or Moto G stylus. While the iPhone SE replaces the iPhone 8, its design is based on the iPhone 6 – a phone that came out in 2014. It's not unfair to say that the new iPhone SE looks like a six-year-old phone.

Fortunately, the bad news ends here.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

Despite its frame, the iPhone SE remains a slim, slim device with pockets. It's 5.45 inches tall, 2.65 inches wide, 0.29 inches thick, and weighs only 5.22 ounces. It is the lightest of the current iPhones. The Google Pixel 3a, which is one of the smaller mainstream Android phones, is still half an inch larger, more than a tenth of an inch wider, and a tenth of an inch thicker – although it has the same weight.

If you compare the iPhone SE with a powerful Android phone like the Moto G Stylus, you will notice a bigger difference. The phone with a 6.4-inch display is three quarters of an inch larger, a quarter of an inch wider, and much thicker. It's also about 30 percent heavier. That's a difference you'll notice easily, and I complained that the G stylus felt too heavy and too thick in my test.

As a small phone, the iPhone SE answers the prayers of those who preach the path of using one-handed smartphones. I am 6 feet, 1 inch tall and never needed two hands to use it. In fact, it feels a bit silly to put two hands on it.

Owners under 5 feet, 4 inches can find a way to reach the top edge, but the maneuver is still possible with a slight flicker. In this sense, the new iPhone SE lags behind the highest one-handed use of its 4-inch predecessor. Still, it's small enough that I don't think most people find this a problem.

Here you will find all the usual buttons: power supply, volume up and down and a physical switch for switching vibrations on and off. Like the chassis, they are all made of aluminum and feel good.

The Touch ID sensor, which enables error-free registration via fingerprint, continues to serve as a home button. This is a subtle but significant design decision. Since the iPhone SE has a home button, it does not use the new gesture navigation system of other new iPhones. I like that. Gesture control is clearly the new normal, but I like the button that I think is more intuitive.

As for the ports, you get a Lightning connector – a proprietary dead horse that I don't have to dig up and whip. You just need to know that you need either wireless audio or a Lightning to 3.5mm audio adapter that is not included.

display

The iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch IPS multi-touch display with a resolution of 1,334 x 750 (or 326 pixels per inch). It is a true tone screen (ie it adapts to the light in your environment) with a wide color support, haptic touch and a maximum brightness of 625 nits per Apple.

Is a 4.7-inch screen too small for a smartphone sold in 2020? No … but it's close.

This is an undeniably small screen next to what you might find elsewhere. Many Android competitors offer 6.2-inch to 6.5-inch screens at the same price, and some may even be OLEDs. I'm not going to say that these displays look "more realistic", but they'll please your eye in a way that the iPhone SE's 4.7-inch IPS screen can't. They are of course larger and often look more powerful and lively.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

Let me put it differently. The screen of the new iPhone SE is about 23 percent smaller than that of a Google Pixel 3a and 40 percent smaller than that of a Moto G stylus or Samsung Galaxy A51. It's also 33 percent smaller than Apple's iPhone 11. It is much smaller than other phones that you will see in this price range.

I had no problem using it every day. In fact, the smaller size feels more comfortable in normal everyday use.

The new iPhone SE is a great device to create a quick text response, take a few photos, or go to Yelp to see what foods are nearby. It's small, nimble, easy to get to, and shows just enough information to get the job done.

The longer I used the device, the more I felt restricted. This starts on the home screen, where apps are icons that are much closer together than on most iPhones. Text can be more difficult to read because it is smaller and you need to scroll more when navigating websites.

Then there is a video. Mobile video consumption is a big deal for many people, and here the iPhone SE has to make a sacrifice. Viewing a video on the 4.7-inch display is nowhere near as comfortable as on a larger 6.4-inch or 6.5-inch screen. Even the 5.5-inch display of my iPhone 7 Plus belongs to a different league.

Audio

While the display of the iPhone SE impressed me just as I expected, the audio quality was a surprise. This little phone can rock.

The iPhone SE offers stereo playback with enough volume to fill a living room with sound. There's even a hint of bass that opens the sound stage and reduces distortion on complex tracks.

While listening to lo-fi hip hop beats, I noticed a depth of sound that I don't often hear on a midrange smartphone. It sounds like an older Oontz speaker that I use a lot, although the maximum volume of the iPhone SE is much lower.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

The clear middle section also helps in films. Large explosions and deep bass soundtracks usually destroy the smartphone speakers, with smaller and cheaper phones suffering the most. The iPhone SE isn't free of subdued dialogues, especially in action scenes where explosions and dialogues often occur simultaneously, but it's better than most of the others.

And yes, it's a huge upgrade for anyone still stuck on the original iPhone SE.

As already mentioned, there is no 3.5 mm audio jack here. To use external audio devices, you need wireless audio or a Lightning-to-3.5 mm audio adapter.

camera

Take a look at the specs and the iPhone SE's camera doesn't look impressive. It is a single lens system with a 12MP shooter. It has optical image stabilization, portrait mode, panorama mode and Smart HDR among other things, but none of it is really remarkable.

Apple claims the secret sauce is its image pipeline, powered by the powerful A13 Bionic Neural Engine. And you know what? It's a good sauce. This is the entire camera I will ever need for a phone.

Outdoor picture quality

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iPhone SE outdoors "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_outdoors-3-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

iPhone SE outdoors "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_outdoors-2-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / /www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

The new SE takes appealing photos outdoors. I wouldn't call it neutral, but the iPhone SE is less prone to dramatic, vivid shots than most Android phones. This can make the iPhone SE look flat, but the iPhone largely avoids excessive color saturation. Photos look realistic and balanced.

I have to praise the new SE's ability to handle bright light. This is a place where Android phones in the middle range are often neglected. It's not perfect, but the blue sky is less likely to overwhelm a photo's background, and the new SE usually sets the right white balance without the need for tricky adjustments.

Indoor picture quality

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iPhone SE inside "class =" m carousel - picture dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se-indoors-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: / / www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

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The interior quality of the new SE didn't inspire me so much. The phone is still setting the correct white balance. However, due to the tendency towards neutral, realistic shots, some photos may look flat.

This is a different problem than the noisy, grainy images you see on a below-average smartphone camera. I think the photos look very sharp. You just lack the wow factor that you can see from a flagship smartphone.

However, I still think that the new SE does well in its category and you can take great indoor shots. I don't like taking test photos and I haven't done anything to improve the lighting. Simply turning on a lamp will significantly improve your results.

Image quality in low light conditions

iPhone SE in low light conditions "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn8.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_poor_lighting-3-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: //www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

iPhone SE in low light conditions "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn1.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/iphone_se_poor_lighting-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https: // www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

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I can't fault the performance of the iPhone SE in low light. Color saturation and contrast are missing, but I'm a little surprised at how clear and sharp these photos have become. You can see grain in the photo, but it's not that bad that the photo looks ugly – which is certainly the case with some medium-range phones.

However, please note that the iPhone SE does not have a night mode (or similar). If you try to take a photo outdoors at night, you won't see a lot of anything.

Enlarge image quality

Matthew Smith / Digital Trends

As a single-lens shooter, the iPhone SE lacks a zoom lens that can be used to take distant subjects. It only supports digital zoom up to 5x. However, I'm not sure if this is a big disadvantage.

Adding an optical zoom lens felt like a big deal the first time you spoke on the phone, but reception of the idea has cooled off over time, especially when the lens is only a 2, 3, or 5x zoom . I found it difficult to use and largely ignored it when I wasn't testing its quality.

I think the zoom performance of the new SE is fine for a midrange phone, even solid. If you zoom in all the way, you will see a drop in quality, but the photo is still sharp enough to use. This is better than some inexpensive phones that I have tried.

Image quality of the front-facing camera

The iPhone SE has a 7 megapixel front camera and did not impress me. It fights indoors and often delivers grainy, flat photos. Take it outdoors and it struggles with white balance and contrast. It is a functional shooter that can take good photos in ideal situations, but is not well suited for quick selfies. The salvation is the fact that all phones in this price range have similar problems.

Image quality of the portrait

Apple iPhone Se Review 2020 portrait mode 1

iPhone SE portrait mode

iPhone SE Portrait Mode "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-19-2486446

  • 3rd
    Portrait mode on the front-facing camera

The portrait mode remains breathtaking.

Suddenly, photos from the front-facing camera are raised from disappointing to not bad. The main camera, meanwhile, can take fantastic portrait photos. Remember, I am not staging the associated photos. I don't use special lighting or turn on lights in a room to take photos better. Nevertheless, I would like to share the photos I took in portrait format with friends.

It is not perfect. Portrait mode is handled entirely in software and can cause errors. Take a close look at my curly locks and you will see that sometimes they are out of focus when they shouldn't be. This is a common problem on phones with a lens that try a depth of field.

On the positive side, you can edit the pictures after taking them in different ways. You can change lighting and aperture, or omit the background entirely. It all happens with surprising speed and is a lot of fun to play with.

Photo quality: iPhone SE vs. Google Pixel 3a

The Google Pixel 3a, like the iPhone SE, costs $ 400 and is often considered the master of mid-range cell phone photography. Fortunately, I have a Google Pixel 3a XL so I can compare it directly.

iPhone SE (left) and Google Pixel 3a XL (right)

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  • 1.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 2nd
    Google Pixel 3a XL
  • 3rd
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 4th
    Google Pixel 3a XL
  • 5.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 6.
    Google Pixel 3a XL
  • 7.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 8th.
    Google Pixel 3a XL

I prefer the new SE, but it's not a blowout. I think Apple's phone does a better job with white balance. This can be seen most clearly in the photo of the pizza logo against a partly cloudy sky. The iPhone delivers an accurate photo much better, while the color temperature of the Pixel 3a XL becomes too cool.

The new SE also takes the lead in portrait format. I think the image quality is comparable – but have a look at mine! The Pixel 3a XL's algorithm is significantly less aggressive. While the iPhone blurs some unpredictable locks, the Pixel 3a gives me a strange halo.

However, Apple doesn't win every photo. I prefer the photo of the Pixel 3a XL from the lush garden sidewalk. It is more alive and still looks natural. You can almost smell the fresh spring air. The photo of the iPhone SE is too flat and cannot capture my memory of the scene.

Photo quality: New iPhone SE compared to the original iPhone SE

You may be wondering what 4 years of progress you will bring. What is the answer after versions 2016 and 2020 of iPhone SE are pitted against each other? A lot of.

iPhone SE 2nd generation (left) and iPhone SE 1st generation (right)

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  • 1.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 2nd
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 3rd
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 4th
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 5.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 6.
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 7.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 8th.
    iPhone SE (2016)
  • 9.
    iPhone SE (2020)
  • 10th
    iPhone SE (2016)

The most striking thing is the enormous improvement in the white balance and color temperature of the new SE. The original iPhone SE suffers in many outdoor situations. It can't even deal with a cloudy sky. This results in excessively bright images that lack color, contrast, depth, and other features that you would associate with a good photo.

The inside photo of a hearty piece of coffee cake shows less difference in lighting and color, and you can briefly confuse the photos of each SE. However, if you take a closer look, the photo of the new iPhone SE is obviously much sharper.

Portrait mode isn't available on the original iPhone SE, of course, and that makes a big difference. Portraits of the new iPhone SE look sharper, with better contrast and far better focus on the subject.

IPhone SE camera quality summary

The new iPhone SE has a great smartphone camera. I think it outperforms the Google Pixel 3a, which is generally considered the benchmark in this category. It works well in most situations and can deliver some really great shots.

I miss something the lack of an additional camera, such as. B. an Ultrawide to improve versatility. You can find that on some competing phones. However, these phones cannot keep up with the main camera of the iPhone SE.

What the new SE lacks in versatility makes up for it by making solid recordings with little preparation.

Video quality

You can record 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second on iPhone SE or videos with extended dynamic range at up to 30 frames per second. Optical image stabilization ensures even shots, and the digital zoom works up to three times. The phone also supports slow motion 1080p videos up to 240 fps.

I don't shoot videos on cellphones often – or not at all – so I admit that I'm not the best quality assessor. I think it looks great, especially at 4K. I can imagine that most casual users will do the same. Professionals and enthusiasts can have a different opinion.

What struck the most was not quality, but speed. The new SE is a snappy performer, even when shooting 4K 60 fps. There is no delay to start recording and no delay during recording. This definitely does not apply to medium-range phones, some of which cannot record 4K at 60 fps.

performance

Apple's decision, P.A. The half-year 2008 is easily one of the most important in the company's history. Outstanding performance is a key feature of Apple phones and tablets in all price ranges.

The iPhone SE is proof of that. Although it starts at $ 400 and is significantly smaller than other newer iPhones, the SE has the same A13 Bionic processor that you find in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. This is paired with 3 GB of RAM.

  • Geekbench 5 single core: 1,324
  • Geekbench 5 multi-core: 3,192
  • Antutu: 484.479
  • 3DMark Sling Shot: 4,024

The iPhone SE is a mid-range phone, but its performance corresponds to a flagship. The new SE's single-core Geekbench 5 score of 1,324 is almost four times faster than that of a Google Pixel 3a, and the multi-core score is almost two and a half times better. The CPU of the iPhone SE easily defeats the more expensive Google Pixel 4 XL. With the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and the OnePlus 8 Pro it goes from head to toe, wins in single-core and almost in multi-core.

All of this performance is achieved on a 4.7-inch screen with a resolution well below 1080p. The iPhone SE doesn't just fly. It screeches through apps and games like a supersonic jet. The performance is almost perfect as I have never seen it before. It's not just great. It sets new standards for mid-range phones, which I doubt Android competitors will be affected by in the next few years.

The iPhone SE doesn't just fly. It screeches through apps and games like a supersonic jet.

This is the part where I would normally try digging deeper and highlighting a few nitpicks that affect the experience. Not here. I have nothing to add. It's perfect.

warehouse

The iPhone SE for $ 400 has 64 GB of storage space. You can upgrade to 128 GB for $ 450 or choose 256 GB of storage for $ 550. You have to choose the right amount from the start, because like with other iPhones, you won't be able to add more storage later.

In contrast to some earlier entry-level iPhones, the basic storage of the new SE is sufficient. My iPhone 7 Plus has 256 GB of storage, but I only use half of it, and more than half of my use is old podcast episodes and unnecessary photos. I think a lot of people can get by with the 64GB model.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

Still, it's not a bad idea to spend an additional $ 50 on the 128GB model. Memory is something you don't really care about until you run out, but doing so can be annoying. The 128GB model lets you create podcasts, photos, and apps without constantly deleting old files.

I do not recommend the 256 GB model. Anyone who uses so much storage space is a serious smartphone enthusiast, and the iPhone SE's small screen doesn't take this into account for most heavy users. I know there are a handful of die-hard small phone lovers who want the 256GB model, but for most, it's overkill.

Wireless connection

The iPhone SE is not a 5G phone. Apple has been slow to adopt 5G, and the technology hasn't yet been filtered down to that price. This makes little difference for me and most buyers as 5G availability is limited. As far as I know, I would have to travel more than 250 miles to get a 5G signal.

This is a dual SIM device that can be useful for travelers and is somewhat surprising given the price of the phone. The iPhone SE supports Bluetooth 5.0 and the Wi-Fi 6 standard.

Battery life

A 1,821 mAH battery supplies the iPhone SE with power. Apple claims a battery life of up to 8 hours when streaming videos or 13 hours when playing videos from the phone's local storage. The phone supports fast charging with an 18-watt adapter (unfortunately not included in the scope of delivery) and wireless charging via Qi chargers.

Like all iPhones, the new SE draws very little juice in standby mode. I suspect it could take a week, though I didn't have it long enough to test it.

At heart, I'm not a heavy smartphone user. My personal iPhone tells me that I switched on the display between one hour and one and a half hours every day. It's been years since I last tested a phone that can't hold all day, and many can hold two. The iPhone SE is no exception.

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digital Trends

I suspect heavy users would have more problems. A half-hour benchmarking of the phone, for example, cost 12 percent of the full charge. If you want to play demanding 3D games or use the phone to watch streaming movies, it may be necessary to charge a lunchtime fee.

As already mentioned, the iPhone SE is not aimed at these owners, since the small screen size is not suitable for games or films. If you want this, buy a bigger phone.

But let's face it: Android phones can affect the battery life of the iPhone SE, just as the iPhone SE can affect the performance of Android. The Moto G Power that I recently tested has a 5,000 mAh battery. In my hands it could take two to three days. The iPhone SE can certainly not keep up.

However, battery life is not a problem for me. The iPhone SE can hold in my hands all day, and I can't get anything from a phone that lasts longer.

software

On the iPhone SE, of course, runs iOS 13. It is the killer function of the phone. Since I bought my first "real" smartphone, the HTC Thunderbolt, in 2011, I've been switching back and forth between iOS and Android phones. I always found iOS to be preferable.

Apple's iOS is faster, safer and more attractive. I despise the bloatware and the flood of senseless notifications that attack most Android phones. Yes, it is possible to configure Android to (mostly) fix the problem, but I prefer not to.

I'm not going to cover every aspect of iOS 13 here, but there are a few key features to keep in mind.

On the iPhone SE, of course, runs iOS 13. It is the killer function of the phone.

Switching from another iPhone is a breeze. Place the new and old phones side by side and use the new phone to take a photo of a pattern that appears on the screen of the old phone. This will start the transfer. This can take minutes if an iCloud backup is available. Your apps and files are making the leap, and although you'll need to sign in to some accounts again, this isn't always the case. I had the iPhone SE ready for use in 20 minutes with all my previous data.

Since the face ID is missing and the home button is present, the new SE does not use the new touch gesture navigation of the iPhone X and newer models. Wenn Sie ein alterndes iPhone wie mich besitzen, wird es Ihnen nichts ausmachen. Wenn Sie ein neues Modell besitzen und verkleinern möchten, seien Sie jedoch vorsichtig. Sie müssen alles verlernen, was Sie über das Navigieren in neuen iPhone-Modellen gelernt haben. Das könnte eine frustrierende Erfahrung sein.

Dem iPhone SE fehlt auch die Gesichtserkennung. Ich mag Gesichtsanmeldungen, wenn sie schnell und sicher sind, wie es auf dem iPhone der Fall ist, aber es ist purer Luxus. Touch ID ist schnell, flüssig und sicher. Auch hier richtet sich das iPhone SE an Personen, die ältere Telefone besitzen. Wenn Sie Face ID noch nie verwendet haben, werden Sie es nicht verpassen.

Garantie

Apple liefert das iPhone SE mit einer einjährigen Garantie. Das ist der Industriestandard.

Sie können zusätzlichen Schutz über AppleCare + erwerben, wodurch die Garantie verlängert und einige Unfälle abgedeckt werden. AppleCare + kostet 80 US-Dollar für eine Versicherungsdauer von 24 Monaten, oder Sie können von Monat zu Monat 4 US-Dollar bezahlen. AppleCare + mit Diebstahlschutz kostet 150 US-Dollar oder 8 US-Dollar monatlich.

Ich empfehle AppleCare für dieses Telefon nicht. Dies ist ein kostengünstiges Telefon und ein kleines Telefon, das (theoretisch) weniger wahrscheinlich fallen gelassen wird. Schlagen Sie einfach einen Fall darauf und nennen Sie es gut. Das Brechen eines Telefons ist zum Kotzen, aber in diesem Fall ist es nicht wahrscheinlich, sodass Sie wahrscheinlich keinen AppleCare-Dienst benötigen.

Es sei daran erinnert, dass Apple im Gegensatz zu den meisten Marken über ein großes Netzwerk von physischen Geschäften verfügt, die Service anbieten können. Ich hatte mehr Glück beim Lösen von Problemen bei einem Besuch in einem Apple Store als beim telefonischen Support anderer Marken.

Unsere Stellungnahme

iPhone SEMatthew Smith / Digitale Trends

Das iPhone SE ist ein gutes Telefon und einen Wert von 400 US-Dollar. Es ist nicht jedermanns Sache, aber für viele großartig, und ich würde es ernsthaft in Betracht ziehen, wenn ich jetzt ein neues Telefon kaufen müsste.

Gibt es eine bessere Alternative?

Googles Pixel 3a ist der klare Konkurrent. Es ist ein großartiges Android-Handy zu einem niedrigen Preis. Das iPhone SE ist schneller und hat eine bessere Kamera, aber das Pixel 3a hat ein größeres Display, und Sie können sich für das Pixel 3a XL für ein etwas größeres entscheiden. Derzeit kostet das Pixel 3a XL bei Amazon nur 420 US-Dollar. Ich bevorzuge iOS, daher würde ich das iPhone SE kaufen, aber Sie könnten sich für das Pixel 3a entscheiden, wenn Sie ein Fan von Android sind.

Der Platzhalter ist Googles Pixel 4a, der erwartet, aber noch nicht angekündigt wird. Dies wird wahrscheinlich zu Verbesserungen der Kamera und einer noch besseren Anzeige führen. Die Leistung wird jedoch immer noch zurückbleiben, da derzeit niemandes Silizium den A13 Bionic von Apple übertreffen kann.

Sie könnten auch das Samsung Galaxy A51 oder den Moto G Stylus in Betracht ziehen. Diese Android-Handys der Mittelklasse bieten Ihnen mehr Funktionen, von denen einige sehr schön sind. Das Galaxy A51 hat ein schönes OLED-Display und der Moto G Stylus hat einen Stylus. Es handelt sich um größere Telefone mit großen Bildschirmen, die trotz günstiger Preise für starke Benutzer geeignet sind. Sie sind solide Telefone, aber das iPhone SE bietet ein zusammenhängenderes, intuitiveres Gerät mit einem Prozessor, der beide umkreist.

Einige Käufer werden das iPhone 11 in Betracht ziehen. Es ist deutlich teurer, hat aber einen viel größeren Bildschirm und eine Ultrawide-Kamera. Machen Sie keinen Fehler, das iPhone 11 ist ein besseres Telefon. Die 300-Dollar-Lücke zwischen dem iPhone SE und dem iPhone 11 ist jedoch beträchtlich, und nicht jeder wird feststellen, dass die Vorteile des größeren Telefons den Preisanstieg wert sind.

Wie lange wird es dauern?

Das iPhone SE ist ein Fünfjahres-Telefon. Die Leistung ist ausgezeichnet und Apple liefert im Gegensatz zu den meisten Android-Marken jahrelang Betriebssystem-Updates, nachdem ein Telefon veröffentlicht wurde. Das einzige zu beachtende Problem ist die Akkulaufzeit. Es ist nur in Ordnung und nach fünf Jahren Abnutzung müssen Sie sich wahrscheinlich mit dem Aufladen am Mittag befassen.

Solltest du es kaufen?

Yes. Das iPhone SE ist ein solides iPhone für Einsteiger. Sie können ein besseres Gerät kaufen, benötigen jedoch kein besseres Gerät. Wenn Sie, wie ich, ein Smartphone als eines von vielen Geräten betrachten, für die Sie Geld ausgeben könnten, kann die Entscheidung für die 400-Dollar-SE sehr sinnvoll sein.

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05 Mar
Blog

Nvidia GeForce Now Review (In-Depth): Cloud Gaming For Less

nvidia geforce is now reviewing Assassin's Creed Odyssey 1080p 2

Nvidia GeForce Now Review (detailed): Great cloud gaming on a budget

"It's not perfect, but Nvidia's GeForce Now is a great cloud gaming platform that is both affordable and accessible."

  • Affordable prices

  • Simple software

  • Great game selection

  • Low input latency

  • So-so picture quality

  • Requires an excellent bandwidth

  • No iOS app

Updated 02/23/2020: Added information about Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda that are withdrawing from GeForce Now.

What do you do with a thick stack of high-end GPUs and data center hardware expertise? If you are Nvidia, create a cloud gaming platform.

I was surprised when I first heard about GeForce Now in early 2018. After further consideration, however, this makes sense. Nvidia has dominated consumer graphics for the past decade, but has also expanded its presence in data centers. The company's revenue from this market increased tenfold between 2015 and the end of 2019.

This is a stroke of luck for Nvidia. However, there is no question that gaming remains central to the company. High-performance PC hardware is the entire brand of the green team. GeForce Now brings the company's new strength to home in data centers, while larger competitors such as Google and Microsoft are entering cloud gaming.

This is how GeForce Now works

Nvidia's GeForce Now calls itself a "cloud-based game streaming service", but it differs from most of its competitors. Unlike Google Stadia and PlayStation Now, GeForce Now is not a digital storefront. The company does not sell games to you. It only sells the service. You bring your own collection from other digital storefronts.

Nvidia is compatible with hundreds of titles across a variety of storefronts, including Steam, The Epic Store, and Ubisoft (Activision-Blizzard discontinued its games soon after launch, as did Bethesda, unfortunately). You buy the games in other stores as if you wanted to play them on a home PC.

This means that game ownership and the GeForce Now service are completely separate. You can buy a Steam game with the intention of playing on GeForce Now, but the two are never connected or interdependent. If you log out, you will still have the game on Steam and can play it on any PC.

Eight of the ten most played titles on Steam can be played on GeForce Now

This approach may feel counterintuitive, but bypasses the library problem that has stalled Stadia's launch by Google. GeForce Now is already compatible with many games and there is a good chance that you have at least some.

Personally, I got into GeForce Now with over 50 compatible games. And since I've already paid for them, they're all games I'm interested in. The library has gaps: Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda have disappeared and you won't find anything from Electronic Arts.

However, many popular games are compatible. Fortnite, Warframe, Civilization VI, Metro Exodus, Assassins Creed Odyssey, Destiny 2 and ARK: Survival Evolved are available, among others. At the time of this writing, eight of the ten most played titles are playable on Steam on GeForce Now.

Availability: Windows, MacOS and Android (not iOS)

Like Stadia, Shadow, and most cloud gaming services, GeForce Now relies on a local application to stream games to your device. Nvidia supports Windows, MacOS, most Android smartphones and tablets and Nvidia's Shield.

IOS support is the gap in this lineup, and it doesn't appear that Nvidia will appear there anytime soon. When asked, Nvidia's Jordan Blade said reporters should "talk to Apple about it."

As an iPhone fan, this is a problem. I have access to an Android device for testing purposes, but it is not my daily driver. Due to the lack of iOS support, GeForce Now is a no-go for portable games. I hope Nvidia and Apple can fix their gap and bring an app for iOS soon.

Software, registration and setup: simple, with some problems

Joining GeForce Now could be easier. Some loops have to be skipped to download the client, although this is not serious. Click "Join Today", sign in, and download it. Nevertheless, these obstacles seem strange given the simplicity of the service and Nvidia's free service level. Nvidia should offer a download link directly from the GeForce Now homepage and ask users to sign in only after downloading the client.

Once installed, the GeForce Now client is quickly available. I've tried numerous PCs, from high-end desktops to a five-year-old laptop. No system stumbled for a moment.

Nvidia GeForce Now interfaceNvidia GeForce Now PC client

Navigating in the PC client like on the website could be easier. GeForce Now cannot automatically scan Steam, Epic and GOG to find compatible titles that you already own. Instead, you need to search for titles. There is also no way in GeForce Now to check if you own a game before launching. So you can add a game to your library that you don't own. I think some users will find this confusing. For most apps (games or otherwise), you cannot add a title to your library before checking ownership.

Starting a game opens a bandwidth test, which, if all goes well, will soon be followed by the game stream. It gets uncomfortable here.

As mentioned earlier, GeForce Now is exclusively a game streaming service. The games you play are the same ones that you would play on a regular PC and you start them through the respective services. This means that you have to sign up twice to play a game, once for Nvidia Now and again after launching Steam, Epic or any other service on which the game is located.

My display settings and other configuration details were not always saved.

GeForce Now typically stores your digital storefront credentials, but not always. I only had to sign in to Ubisoft's Uplay once, but Steam asked me to sign in every time. I also noticed that my display settings and other configuration details were rarely transferred between sessions.

The GeForce Now software client might be better, but it benefits from the simplicity of the Nvidia service. Since Nvidia does not sell games, neither a shop front nor the luggage provided is required. There is no shopping cart, no refund, no reviews. There are only three things you can do in the client: view your account settings, add games to your library, and start games. This makes GeForce Now easy to understand, despite its shortcomings in the user interface.

Latency and responsiveness: cloud gaming at lightning speed

Nvidia's official review documentation does not provide specific information about the latency of GeForce Now. The same applies to the company's website. Aside from a bizarre statement about negative latency, Google Stadia also avoids certain promises about latency.

There is a competitor that does it better: Shadow. The dark horse of cloud gaming offers a robust real-time monitoring tool with a real-time latency monitor. Shadow doesn't make promises either, but at least it makes latency a breeze.

GeForce Now has an advanced network analysis tool that is available with a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + F6). However, it is clearly intended for debugging. The information contained therein is difficult to understand without a cheat sheet.

In most cases, GeForce Now's latency is not high enough to cause a serious problem. Nvidia's network analysis tool reported a latency of 25 to 35 milliseconds over WiFi and 20 to 30 milliseconds over Ethernet.

As a reference, every frame of a game that runs at perfectly smooth 60 frames per second remains 16.667 (of course repeated) milliseconds on the screen. GeForce Now latency is equivalent to a delay of one to two frames at 60 frames per second. This is noticeable and can spoil the fun in some games.

However, I spent most of my time in Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Age of Wonders: Planetfall. In these games, I found no reason to complain. I also spent some time in Destiny 2 and Civilization VI. Again, latency was rarely an issue.

Nvidia's network analysis tool reported a latency of 25 to 35 milliseconds over WiFi and 20 to 30 milliseconds over Ethernet.

Latency is usually not a problem for Google Stadia, but it can become a problem if connections are not optimal. Shadow is now on par with GeForce Now and reports between 20 and 30 milliseconds over an Ethernet connection and a few milliseconds over it via WLAN.

Overall, GeForce Now is a smooth and clear experience, even with connections that don't meet Nvidia's ideal recommendations. It is clear that Nvidia makes responsive gameplay a priority.

Graphics quality: 1080p is fast, but not attractive

In contrast to Google Stadia or Shadow, Nvidia GeForce Now only promises a resolution of 1080p at up to 60 frames per second. This decision is not intuitive. Nvidia, a leading provider of PC graphics, is closely associated with visual fidelity and high frame rates. However, Nvidia's competitors have the upper hand and offer support for higher resolutions and frame rates.

I understand Nvidia's motivation. The company points out that the vast majority of PC gamers are playing at 1080p resolution and they're right. According to Steam's hardware survey, around 64% of players play at 1080p and most of the remaining players play at a lower, not higher, resolution. Less than 6% of gamers play at 1440p and less than 2% play on a 4K display.

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Despite its resolution limitation, Nvidia throws a lot of hardware on GeForce Now, and it shows. I launched Assassins Creed: Odyssey, a notoriously challenging game that even high-end gaming desktops can hardly handle. After five test runs on three different systems, the Odyssey benchmark averaged 62 frames per second.

This corresponds to Nvidia's RTX 2060 Super, which averaged 64 frames per second when we tested it at the end of last year. GeForce Now can't quite keep up with the best graphics cards from Nvidia. The RTX 2080 Super achieves an average of 78 frames per second in Assassins Creed: Odyssey with 1080p and ultra-high details. Even the RTX 2070 Super is faster and reaches 70 frames per second.

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However, the comparison is not that easy. A cloud gaming service like GeForce Now is theoretically updated over time at no additional cost to you, while buying a new graphics card is a significant hassle. A full year of GeForce Now costs $ 60. The GeForce RTX 2060 Super costs $ 400. The sale price of this card could apply to GeForce Now for more than six years.

And remember, GeForce Now only promises 60 FPS. This means that anything over 60 frames is wasted. These additional frames are lost because regardless of how fast the hardware works on the server side, you are bound to the 1080p 60FPS stream that is transferred to your device.

A full year of GeForce Now costs $ 60. The GeForce RTX 2060 Super costs $ 400.

While the gameplay is smooth and correct with a stable connection, the image quality is not as robust as I hoped. At first I thought my complaints were due to poor connection quality. However, when I tested on more systems, I had to accept the limitations of GeForce Now.

The most important thing seems to be the resolution. GeForce Now claims up to 1080p, but I haven't seen that in many situations, even with connections that are superior to those specified by Nvidia. Image quality was often muddy compared to 1080p rendered on a local GPU, suggesting my stream was below target resolution. An insight into the extended diagnosis (accessible via the key combination Ctrl-Alt-F6) resulted in a stream that was often 720p and not 1080p.

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nvidia geforce now checks civilization 6 1080p 3 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn9.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/civilization-6-geforce-now-1080p -3-640x640.png "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEACivilization 6 at 1080p / Ultra

nvidia geforce now checks civilization 6 1080p 4 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn1.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/civilization-6-geforce-now-1080p -4-640x640.png "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEACivilization 6 at 1080p / Ultra

Macroblocking, a result of video compression, was more visible than I would prefer. This was most striking in high-contrast scenes with considerable movement. Any game that uses light shafts or blooms liberally will likely bring this problem to the fore. But sometimes I noticed it when I scrolled the map in Age of Wonders: Planetfall.

I admit that GeForce Now is undoubtedly an upgrade of what the PCs I've played with can usually offer. Compared to Stadia or Shadow, however, GeForce Now felt a step back. Compression artifacts were more common and obvious, and resolution output was below 1080p more often than expected. GeForce Now is fluid, but the graphics didn't impress me.

Graphics quality: 1440p and higher

Unfortunately, the problems I had with 1080p games were just the tip of the iceberg.

Most of my devices are not connected to a 1080p screen. My home desktop display is 1440p. My office display is ultra wide at 3,440 x 1,440. Most GPU tests in the Digital Trends office are performed on a 4K monitor in the Digital Trends laboratory. If you limit the resolution to 1080p, the devices I play games with will not match the maximum resolution of GeForce Now.

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The problem is compounded by GeForce Now's disappointing image scaling. The image quality on my 1440p monitor was poor and the output was blurry, blocky, and confused. In comparison, 1080p YouTube videos look like a dream. I had the same experience on a 4K monitor.

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Even stranger, the quality of a 1440p monitor or a 4K monitor has improved (if only slightly) when the resolution of this display has been manually set to 1080p. I am not the only one to notice this. Users on the Nvidia forums and GeForce Now Reddit have seen the same result. For me, this suggests that something is wrong with the way GeForce Now handles resolution beyond 1080p.

The image quality on my 1440p monitor was poor. The output was blurry, blocky, and confused.

This puts GeForce Now at a huge disadvantage for some players. Stadia may have difficulty maintaining 4K resolution, but still looks pretty sharp. Shadow has no problem with 1440p. In fact, I've used it extensively with a 1440p display, and sometimes I was really amazed at how sharp it looks. The current version of GeForce Now cannot overshadow these alternatives if you intend to achieve a resolution above 1080p.

Ray tracing feels like a controversial point for now

GeForce Now subscribers get access to RTX ray tracing. It's an appealing feature on paper, but it remains a niche. The selection of games that support RTX ray tracing remains small, and the visual impact of the feature isn't as important as you might think.

Over time, ray tracing may become more important as more games support it. On the other hand, there is no reason why Stadia, Shadow or Microsoft xCloud could not take over the function in the future.

Connection reliability: stick to Ethernet for the best experience

GeForce Now, like all cloud gaming services, is a data eater. The Nvidia documentation recommends a connection of at least 15 Mbit / s for 720p60 or 30 Mbit / s for 1080p60. A low-latency 50Mbps connection is recommended for the best experience.

Remember that this is the actual connection speed. Therefore, an Internet service at home that announces 50 Mbit / s can be neglected. You also need a strong, reliable Wi-Fi network. The WiFi router provided by your Internet service provider only cuts it off if you play in the same room as it.

These restrictions limit GeForce Now to strong internet connections in clear home networks. The office for digital trends easily meets the requirements of GeForce Now on paper and lands on average between 100 and 200 Mbit / s per second. However, the office network serves hundreds of devices, which GeForce Now holds back. The service endeavored to maintain a constant image quality and occasionally suffered dropouts that could last for several seconds.

I admire the tenacity of GeForce Now. GeForce Now doesn't issue dropouts, but doesn't give up. I can't remember a single interruption throughout my testing period. The client warns of a bad connection before real problems occur and aggressively lowers the resolution to maintain a stable session. So if you don't get up and take an insane blow against your router's direction, I doubt you'll be booted by a game.

GeForce Now did better at home, where I'm lucky enough to have gigabit internet. This is as fast a connection as most people in the US can hope for, and GeForce Now appreciates the extra bandwidth.

On the Gigabit Internet via GeForce Now, GeForce Now delivers a smooth and reliable stream. Dropouts are rare and occur only a few times during my tests for this connection. Even then, the drops only lasted milliseconds and then turned out to be more than a minor annoyance.

I can't remember a single interruption throughout my testing period.

The connection quality was poor, but still good over WiFi. The connection was usually reliable, but occasional dropouts and interruptions occurred. Sometimes my connection problems were obviously a limitation of Wi-Fi. I have found that the quality of GeForce Now deteriorates significantly when someone walks down a hallway that happens to be directly between the router and my HTPC.

However, Google Stadia and Shadow have similar problems with Wi-Fi. You need an Ethernet connection or an extremely fast and extensive mesh Wi-Fi network to get the best experience with any cloud gaming service.

Data usage: It's a lot, but less than some competitors

GeForce Now warns that up to 10 gigabytes of data can be used per hour. In my tests, GeForce Now transmitted an average of 6.6 gigabytes of data per hour over a Gigabit Ethernet connection. This is in line with my analysis of the GeForce Now beta in January 2018.

This is less than Google Stadia, which I tested at up to 10 gigabytes per hour (other publications have claimed that data usage is 20 gigabytes per hour). The advantage of GeForce Now is not a big surprise given the 1080p limitation. The resolution has a huge impact on the bandwidth.

Nevertheless, there is a lot of data. A player with an average of two hours a day would consume a hair of almost 400 gigabytes each month. Most ISP service plans allow this, but that adds to other streaming (like Netflix or Hulu) and game downloads.

However, if you're lucky enough to have an unrestricted gigabit connection, data usage is not a problem. The connection quality over a gigabit connection was smooth and consistent – as long as I was within reasonable range of my router. I didn't notice any performance issues when other home devices streamed movies or downloaded large files.

Whether data uses a problem simply depends on your internet connection and the data limits of your internet service provider. It's hard to predict how well it will work without trying first. It's good that basic access to GeForce Now is free and you can try it out before you pay cash.

GeForce Now on Mobile: As good as Stadia

I didn't focus on the GeForce Now mobile app during my review. As already mentioned, there is no app for iOS available for Nvidia. But I broke out an Android device to try mobile games. In short, I used the exact same setup that Google sent for my Stadia review – a Google Pixel 3a connected to the Google Stadia controller.

Yes that's right. The Google Stadia controller worked. Most USB and Bluetooth controllers should do this because Android's gamepad support is extensive. Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controllers should work wired or wireless with minimal setup.

As with Stadia, Mobile is an excellent place to experience GeForce Now. It's as easy and simple to use as it is on a PC, and I didn't find the login process confusing. Games also look better because the display of a smartphone is smaller. A 720p stream looks great on a 5-inch or 6-inch smartphone display. The same 720p stream doesn't look particularly good on a 24-inch 1080p monitor.

Not every game is playable on the go. They are largely limited to games with controller support, since games based on mouse input are largely or completely unplayable. This leaves most strategy games off the table. I would like to play Stellaris on Android via GeForce Now, but that is not yet feasible.

GeForce Now on Mac: The best cloud gaming option

I haven't spent much time using GeForce Now on Mac either, but I wanted to give it a try. I broke out the lab workhorse Mac, a MacBook Air around 2015, and installed GeForce Now. The judgment? It is solid.

The app itself looks identical to the PC version. I'm sure there's a difference somewhere, but I can't find it under any circumstances. It doesn't look like modern Mac apps, but it works without problems.

GeForce Now on Mac

The gameplay was impressive and underlined the unique ability of cloud games to eliminate platform differences. With GeForce Now, I was able to access dozens of games that I usually can't play on a Mac. They all looked and played the same way as with GeForce Now on a Windows laptop.

In short, GeForce Now shares all the strengths and weaknesses of the service on Windows. However, since MacOS does not offer extensive game support, GeForce Now provides access to a completely new game world.

Pricing

GeForce Now memberships

You can use Nvidia's GeForce Now for free with some restrictions. Free players do not have priority access to servers, so login queues may occur at peak times. They also have a session duration of one hour. Then you have to log in again. After all, free players cannot activate RTX graphics.

You can use Nvidia's GeForce Now for free.

The free tier limits mean you probably won't be using it as your main gaming platform, but Nvidia isn't stingy. Denken Sie daran, dass GeForce Now kein Geschäft ist und dass Spiele, die Sie im Service spielen, nicht gekürzt werden. Ich bin überrascht, dass es überhaupt eine kostenlose Stufe gibt.

Die Gründerstufe ist die einzige kostenpflichtige Abonnementoption. Derzeit sind es 4,99 US-Dollar pro Monat, und die Preise werden irgendwann in der Zukunft steigen. Nvidia hat nicht gesagt, wo der Preis landen wird, aber ich denke, es ist sicher zu spekulieren, dass Nvidia jeden Monat zwischen 7,99 und 9,99 US-Dollar berechnet. Gründer haben vorrangige Anmeldezeiten, eine nahezu unbegrenzte Sitzungsdauer (laut Nvidia sechs Stunden) und können RTX-Raytracing in Spielen aktivieren, die diese Funktion unterstützen.

Umweltschutz & Nachhaltigkeit

Wie alle Cloud-Gaming-Dienste ist auch die GeForce Now von Nvidia auf riesige Rechenzentren angewiesen, die viel Strom und in einigen Fällen auch andere Ressourcen wie Wasser verbrauchen. Dies führt zu Umweltproblemen. In einigen Fällen kann ein Cloud-Gaming-Dienst die CO2-Auswirkungen von Spielen insgesamt erhöhen.

Googles Rechenzentrum in The Dalles, OregonGoogles Rechenzentrum in The Dalles, Oregon Daven Mathies / Digitale Trends

Im Gegensatz zu Google oder Microsoft hat sich Nvidia nicht dazu verpflichtet, klimaneutral zu werden. Es werden auch keine Energieeffizienzkennzahlen für seine Rechenzentren oder Rechenzentren veröffentlicht, mit denen es zusammenarbeitet. Obwohl Nvidia erklärt hat, dass das Unternehmen in Zukunft klimaneutral sein will, gibt es keinen spezifischen Zeitplan.

Diese Mängel ändern nichts an der Qualität des Dienstes, aber Sie sollten dies berücksichtigen, wenn Sie vom Klimawandel betroffen sind. Nvidia könnte (und sollte) es besser machen.

Our opinion

GeForce Now ist eine kostengünstige Alternative zu Google Stadia mit mehr Spielen und einer kostenlosen Stufe, die das Ausprobieren erleichtert. Die Bildqualität ist jedoch nur mittelmäßig und das Gameplay ist nur über eine extrem schnelle und zuverlässige Verbindung stabil.

Is there a better alternative?

Google Stadia ist teurer und verfügt über eine kleinere Spielbibliothek, bietet jedoch meiner Erfahrung nach eine bessere Bildqualität. Es unterstützt auch Funktionen wie 4K-Auflösung und HDR. Shadow ist insgesamt zuverlässiger und funktionaler.

Stadien und Schatten sind jedoch teurer, und das ist für beide ein Problem. GeForce Now unterbietet den Preis und liefert dennoch eine solide Spielbibliothek. GeForce hat jetzt auch eine kostenlose Stufe, sodass Sie es ausprobieren können, bevor Sie einen Cent bezahlen.

Solltest du es kaufen?

Yes. GeForce Now ist noch lange nicht perfekt, aber mit einer kostenlosen Stufe für alle und einer niedrigen Abonnementgebühr von 4,99 US-Dollar ist GeForce Now der intuitivste und zugänglichste Cloud-Gaming-Service, den es je gab.

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