07 Nov
Blog

Beats Fit Pro Review: The Best Beats (or Apple) Buds So Far

Beats Fit Pro.

Beats Fit Pro Review: The Best Beats (or Apple) Buds So Far

RRP $ 200.00

"They're the AirPods Pro, but more secure, Android-compatible, and lower-priced."

advantages

  • Comfortable, secure fit

  • Excellent ANC

  • Excellent transparency

  • Very good sound quality

  • Funny extras (head tracking)

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • Limited control settings

  • No EQ settings

When looking for a set of true wireless earbuds, you have more choices than ever and many more features to consider. Active noise cancellation (ANC), comfort, secure fit, battery life, sound quality, wireless charging, in-ear sensors and so on. This can be a tough decision even if you're using our guide to the best true wireless earbuds.

Well, your decision has gotten even tougher: the $ 200 Beats Fit Pro, with its unique wing tips and loads of advanced features enabled by Apple's H1 wireless chip, makes a compelling case that you actually do it all can get – without compromise. How good are they? We think they are Beats' best earbuds yet.

These wings

Beats Studio Buds alongside Beats Fit Pro.Beats Studio Buds (left) and Beats Fit Pro. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Probably the most unique aspect of the Beats Fit Pro is the wing tips that protrude from the outer surface of the earbuds and curve inward towards your ear. When the earbuds are properly positioned, the tips should anchor just below the arch of your anthelix – a firm, ridged fold of cartilage. Insertion is pretty easy – just slide the earbuds into your ear canal, then twist them back and forth a little. With a little practice you can do it in one go.

When I first saw photos of the Fit Pro, I was skeptical of how convenient these pointy tips would be. Beats isn't the first company to use this design – you can find similar rubber anchors on the Sony WF-SP800N, Jaybird Vista 2, Bose QuietComfort earbuds, and the JBL Reflect Mini NC – but unlike those other earbuds, the Fit Pros wingtip shows are more dramatic in your ears.

If you need prescription glasses or want to wear sunglasses, then you should. The Fit Pro is not in your way.

I didn't have to worry. They are made of super soft silicone rubber. And while I wouldn't go so far as to say that you won't notice them at all, they are very convenient, even for long periods of time. More importantly, they do what they were designed to do: lock the Fit Pro in place so you don't keep pushing it back whenever you try to remove it while running or doing activities.

But what I like most about the wingtips is that they don't bother the glasses at all – unlike the Powerbeats Pro's over-ear hooks. So if you need prescription glasses or want to wear sunglasses for protection, go to the Fit Pro, out of the way.

The design has only one possible downside. The wingtips are nicely integrated into the plastic of the multifunction buttons – so much so that you can't really see where the rubber ends and the plastic begins. However, this means there is no way to replace them if the wing tips are ever damaged or simply wear out with use. You need to buy new earbuds.

The multifunction buttons are super easy to press – almost too easy. Inserting the buds into your ears without accidentally squeezing them can be tricky. However, they reward you with a tactile click that leaves no doubt that you pressed them correctly. There's no way to customize the controls other than the long press action, which can be set using iOS or the Beats app for Android to trigger either ANC mode changes or volume.

Eliminate the noise

Beats Fit Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Beats Fit Pro use the same ANC and transparency system as the AirPods Pro, with similarly impressive results. External noises like the roar of fans or the rumble of traffic are significantly reduced, leaving you with a nice, quiet bed to play your audio on, whether it's music or podcasts. Hell, you can just turn on ANC and use it for some quiet in a noisy home or coffee shop.

From Chick Corea to Megan Thee Stallion or a Brahms concert, the Fit Pro will make everyone happy.

Oddly, while the Fit Pro's transparency mode is way better than the Studio Buds – and slightly as good as the AirPods Pro – the ANC mode isn't quite as good as the Beats Studio Buds, which is frankly a surprise. I attribute it to Fit Pro's slightly larger pressure equalization openings, a feature that increases the overall comfort of wearing ear canal-sealed headphones. In this case, however, those vents seem to let in just a little more sound than they did on the Studio Buds, and I believe that's what degrades the Fit Pro's ANC performance. To be clear, we are not talking about day and night, or even close to such a difference. It's subtle, and you might not even notice it, but hey, you are paying me big bucks to point out this stuff.

Highest sound …

Man wears Beats Fit Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Fit Pro sound really good – better than the Studio Buds, and I think they're better than the AirPods Pro, too. They have a wide soundstage and a defined stereo image that puts them on par with the excellent Jabra Elite 7 Pro. But the real surprise here is the Fit Pro's sound signature.

Despite its workout-friendly design (which screams to be compared to the Powerbeats Pro), the Fit Pro doesn't place special emphasis on the bass. Not that there isn't a lot of bass response – there is – it's just that Beats tamed the lower end of the Fit Pro to be more proportional to the rest of the frequency bands. While they may not offer the pounding rhythm you want for an intense workout, they are much better suited to playing a wide variety of genres.

Fit Pro includes head tracking sensors that allow you to experience Dolby Atmos in a whole new way.

You can create the world's most eclectic playlist, jumping from a jazz master like Chick Corea to Megan Thee Stallion and then to a Brahms concert, and the Fit Pro will happily render them all, with lots of detail and zero harshness in the high frequencies.

I still wish Beats (and Apple) would give us control of the EQ when a little more boom is needed, but it's really hard to complain considering how great the Fit Pro is right out of the box Box sounds.

… and also spatial audio with head tracking

Beats Fit Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

For Apple – and therefore for Beats – spatial audio is a big deal. The company has done it all with the support of Dolby Atmos Music on the Apple Music streaming service. Any headphone lets you enjoy the 3D aspects of Dolby Atmos, but the Fit Pro includes head tracking sensors that allow you to experience Dolby Atmos in a whole new way. When the feature is on (you can turn it off in the iOS Control Center), Dolby Atmos songs will respond to the orientation of your head. Sounds strange – and takes getting used to. But when you turn your head from side to side it sounds like the song is being played "in front of you," so turning your head to the left balances the chant towards your right ear and vice versa. If you turn your head for more than a few seconds, this position becomes the new front.

It also works with Dolby Atmos, 5.1, and 7.1 movie soundtracks, but in these situations the “front” is always the position of your screen, whether it's an iPhone, iPad, or your TV (Apple TV 4K only ). I'm not sure if head tracking is a big reason to buy the Beats Fit Pro, especially if you're an Android user (only Apple devices currently support head tracking), but it's a fun feature that does Music and movies can do a lot more entertaining.

Call quality

Beats Fit Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

In all but the loudest environments, the Fit Pro delivers very good call quality. Like most true wireless earbuds, you struggle with loud noise, but when it's relatively quiet your callers will be able to hear you without a problem. They're much better suited for calls than the Studio Buds, which sound a little mushy in comparison.

Beats doesn't include a separate sidetone adjustment so you can hear your own voice clearly, but you can switch to transparency mode before or during a call, which boils down to the same thing. And because the Fit Pro's transparency mode is so good, it helps make these earbuds very capable conversationalists. The fact that you can use both earbuds independently for both calls and music is a bonus.

Battery life

Beats Fit Pro charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

After a few years of stagnation, Apple has started to improve the listening time you can get on a single charge of its earbuds. The Beats Fit Pro are designed for six hours with the ANC or transparency mode activated, which makes them the longest-lasting ANC earbuds in the Beats or Apple range (the AirPods Pro are 4.5 hours at the end and the Studio Buds are preserved five hours). . Better still, if you turn those modes off, that number jumps to seven hours – not quite the nine hours you get from the Powerbeats Pro, but pretty decent nonetheless.

The charging case, which disappointingly does not support wireless charging (Qi or MagSafe), can increase these numbers to up to 27 or 30 hours. A quick five minute charge gives you an extra hour of playtime.

Our opinion

Contents of the Beats Fit Pro box.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Beats Fit Pro are essentially Apple's AirPods Pro, but with a more secure fit, Android compatibility, slightly better sound, and a lower price point. That makes them almost perfect in our books.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want everything the Apple ecosystem has to offer (head-tracking spatial audio, Find My Network, quick toggling between Apple devices, and hands-free Siri) then no, there aren't any better alternatives at this price point if it is the truth is about wireless earbuds. If you really want / need wireless charging, get ready to pay $ 49 more for it AirPods Pro.

However, if you are less picky about these features, this is the Jabra Elite 7 Pro deserve your full attention. They're just as good or better for ANC, transparency, and sound quality, and many people will find them more convenient, but almost as certain. They also have wireless charging and an incredible amount of customization for EQ, controls, and more. And they are the same price as the Beats Fit Pro.

How long will they last?

It's good that the Fit Pro has a longer battery life than Apple's other earbuds (except for the Powerbeats Pro) as, in our experience, this is the only area that can greatly reduce the life expectancy of the earbuds. Even if they drop 50%, you still get three hours on ANC, which while not great, is still perfectly usable for most situations.

It's harder to tell how much life you're getting out of the flexible wing tips. If those get shredded or torn, it's the earbuds.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. Despite some missing features like EQ, control adjustments, and wireless charging, that is Beats Fit Pro are an outstanding set of true wireless earbuds.

Editor's recommendations



10 Oct
Blog

Marsback Zephyr Pro Review: A Mouse So Cool It Has a Fan

The front profile of the Marsback Zephyr Pro with green RGB.

Marsback Zephyr Pro

RRP $ 59.00

"The Marsback Zephyr Pro's built-in fan makes it a unique option for players with sweaty hands."

advantages

  • Cooling fan helps

  • Unique design

  • Foamed in RGB

  • Including excellent sensor

  • Great cable quality

disadvantage

  • Not wireless

  • Fan audible in quiet surroundings

  • Ergonomically left missing

There are dozen of great gaming mice out there. but many of them look and function similarly.

That is hardly the case for Marsbacks Zephyr Pro. This is a mouse with a mesh case and a fan inside to keep your palm cool – and if that's not a feature that makes it stand out, I don't know what is.

The fan is the Zephyr Pro's calling card, but it also offers a lightweight wired design with impressive gaming performance.

Design and specifications

The Marsback Zephyr Pro is next to its packaging.

Starting with the basics, the Zephyr Pro takes a simple wired mouse approach with a false ambidextrous design and large primary and navigation buttons only on the left. The case is made of plastic and I would say it's a medium-sized gaming mouse.

Thanks to the open mesh exterior, it also weighs only 69 grams, without taking into account the very light cable.

Basically, the mouse is based on the Pixart 3389 sensor, which offers up to 16,000 DPI tracking that is accurate up to 400 inches per second (IPS), which is impressive – the 3389 is one of the best sensors out there, and it is not found in many mice. This isn't the most energy efficient sensor, but it doesn't have to be because it's a wired mouse.

The sensor of the Marsback Zephyr Pro.Niels Broekhuijsen, Digital Trends

Back to the cable for a moment. I have to step in and say it is a very impressive cable indeed. Wireless mice are all the rage these days, but with a cord that is so pliable yet thick, with a soft braid that isn't ugly, it's hard to get upset about not cutting the cord.

After all, the cable is something to grapple with if you want a fan in your mouse – this type of power draw isn't just portable on battery power.

Fan and cooling

The fan of the Marsback Zephyr Pro, which is visible through the case.Niels Broekhuijsen, Digital Trends

Just under the palm of your hand you can see the fan, believe it or not, it has built-in RGB lighting. Unfortunately, in this case, I'm not someone who sweats a lot in general, which makes testing this feature difficult.

So I set out to do what any sane hardware reviewer does: put yourself in an awkward position for your reading pleasure. My office / playroom is quite small – about 2.70 x 2.70 meters – and on a warm autumn day I closed the door, closed the vents, set a second PC to run heat generating programs, and started Insurgency Sandstorm on my main unit with it it and I can get to work.

My palms felt cold, like the mouse had built in very light air conditioning.

After a few moments it got warm. My cat had long since left my lap, begging to leave the room, and I felt uncomfortable. But without the luxury of walking and with a lot of water in my system, the sweating started.

Lo and behold, my palm was the most comfortable part of me. It felt cold – like the mouse had very light air conditioning built in, but it just seemed that way because it was the only part of my body that got airflow.

Of course, most people don't have to go this far to test this feature. If it has helped me in these conditions then it is certain that if you are someone who tends to sweat, it will help you under much normal circumstances. There's a reason companies like Cooler Master make the MM711.

The front profile of the Marsback Zephyr Pro with green RGB.Niels Broekhuijsen, Digital Trends

I switched to my all-time favorite mouse, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight, and the sweating got a lot more uncomfortable. To chuckle, I also grabbed the MX Master 3, an office mouse with a very comfortable, but sweat-resistant finish, and the results were, as expected, sweaty.

The fan can be heard, but only if you hold your breath and try to hear it.

But is the Zephyr Pro quiet? After all, we build our PCs as quietly as possible, so it wouldn't help if our mouse hums. In this regard, I can report that the Zephyr Pro is sufficiently quiet. Put it next to a water-cooled PC that is idle in a quiet room at night and you will hear it. Quite well, actually.

But under most normal daytime circumstances, ambient noise will easily drown it out. Plus, you'll likely be wearing a headset anyway. During the day you have to hold the mouse to your ear to hear the fan humming.

Gaming performance

The side profile of the Marsback Zephyr Pro with RGB.Niels Broekhuijsen, Digital Trends

In order to test the actual gaming performance of the mouse, I decided against doing this in the now hot and sweaty room. After I'd cooled everything down by opening a window, it was time for a few more rounds of Insurgency Sandstorm. Playing as a realistic shooter and on a team with me against the maximum number of bots is a great test – and the Zephyr Pro did a good job. It responded quickly and accurately to my inputs and, thanks to the Pixart 3389 sensor, could easily keep up with my fast movements. I play with a relatively low DPI of only 650, so yes, this mouse can track very well at high speeds – at least in this subjective test.

The only catch with my all-time favorite, the G Pro X Superlight, was that it wasn't wireless and the cable dragged a bit – but in fairness that's easy to fix with a cable bungee and time to get used to it Pointer. Otherwise, this mouse weighs and performs roughly the same while having a fan and RGB and costing a lot less.

Our opinion

the Marsback Zephyr Pro approaches the mouse with holes a little differently by including a palm cooling fan and lathering the case in RGB. If your hands are sweaty during intense gaming sessions and trypophobia doesn't bother you, the Zephyr Pro is certainly a mouse to consider for your setup. It doesn't have the most ergonomic shape, but as long as you don't play for hours it should offer great thermal comfort.

Are there alternatives?

As for mice with built-in fans, there aren't many. However, there are many alternatives with “holey” designs, including the Glorious Model O, Cooler Master MM711, and the SteelSeries Aerox 3.

How long it will take?

With good care, the Marsback Zephyr Pro should last about years, depending largely on the number of tantrums you experience it. The fan can also wear out if used frequently, and cleaning the inside will be a challenge.

Should I buy it?

Yes, but only if you are prone to sweaty palms that lose your grip on the mouse. Otherwise there are better alternatives. But at the current price of $ 59, it's hard to go wrong with this mouse, even if you just leave the fan off most of the time.

Editor's recommendations



09 Oct
Blog

Vivo X70 Pro+ Review: Lives Up to The Spec Sheet’s Promise

The Vivo X70 Pro + is taken out of the pocket.

Vivo X70 Pro + Review: Keeps Promise, But Just Try To Find It

RRP $ 1,060.00

“The impressive Vivo X70 Pro + delivers what its monster data sheet promises with a unique gimbal video camera and a beautiful screen. It's a shame you can't find it in your local store. "

advantages

  • Nice 120Hz AMOLED screen

  • Impressive gimbal stabilization for videos

  • Versatile camera zoom functions

  • Fastest processor available

disadvantage

  • Big and heavy

  • Software has yet to be polished

  • You have to work to find one

If you're a spec lover and happiest when you compare your smartphone to your friends', this is the Vivo X70 Pro + will be a phone that you will absolutely love. From monster camera specs to notable brand partnerships and even bespoke chips, the X70 Pro + seems to define what most consider a flagship smartphone.

However, it is not a good idea to buy a phone based on what it says on the spec sheet. Does everything Vivo advertise on the X70 Pro + actually make it a good smartphone?

draft

The back of the X70 Pro + is made of glass with, according to Vivo, a fluorite treatment. This means that it doesn't feel like glass at all, but takes on a nice matte finish with a pleasant, subtle texture that increases its grip. It doesn't get covered in fingerprints or smudges, but my phone has collected a few scratch marks after just a week of use, suggesting that it may not wear out very well over time.

The Vivo X70 Pro +.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This is a huge phone in your hand. With a thickness of just under 9 mm and 213 grams, it is not for everyone who wants to use their mobile phone with one hand very often or who wants to slip it into their pocket without being noticed. The tapered sides aren't too sharp so holding it for long periods isn't tiring, but you will notice the weight. In terms of size and proportions, it is right at the top with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

The rear camera module is a large rectangle, just without the design flair of the S21 Ultra's similarly huge module, and it sits next to a reflective section that I assume will help the rear camera take selfies. It's more funhouse mirror than anything else, however, and Vivo has pounded its branding right in the middle for maximum distraction. Don't expect to use it for anything other than the basic intake composition.

The Vivo X70 Pro + held in the hand.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's not a conventionally pretty phone – there are too many rectangles on the back for that – but the matte glass surface gives it a stealthy style, and everything feels incredibly valuable and well made. It's a shame there is no other color than black, and the overall size and weight can put some people off.

screen

Let's do the numbers first. The AMOLED screen is 6.78 inches tall with a maximum resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and a switchable refresh rate of either 60 Hz or 120 Hz. This gives it a pixel density of 517 ppi, plus a peak brightness of 1500 nits and HDR10 + support and is able to display a billion colors.

The screen of the Vivo X70 Pro +.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You'll have to manually enable the full resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, but once you do that and set the brightness to maximum, the X70 Pro + 's screen is stunning. The menus just slide by as you scroll through them and the video looks amazing. The yellow of the Porsche 718 Cayman in this Carfection video at 2160p simply pops off the screen, paired with deep blacks and wonderful details.

The same qualities are shown in the bright, colorful music video for Jo Yuris Glassy, ​​which also brings out the excellent stereo speakers of the X70 Pro +. There is tons of volume and it has a nice tone and balance. The bass isn't strong, but that's to be expected given the size of the speakers.

Video playback on the Vivo X70 Pro +.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I had no problem viewing in sunlight due to the high brightness, but the curved sides caused a few problems when wiping. Swiping words that start with the letter P requires precise finger placement as it is too easy to turn on the back gesture or select the letter O instead. This type of inaccuracy isn't unique to the X70 Pro +, but it's more noticeable here than other curved screens, suggesting the software needs tweaking. I certainly won't let that bother me when the rest of the screen and audio on the X70 Pro + is so wonderful.

camera

Ready spec fans? The main camera of the X70 Pro + has 50 megapixels, optical image stabilization (OIS) and an aperture of f / 1.6 and is supported by a 48 MP ultrawide camera with gimbal-controlled OIS, a 12 MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom and a 5x optical 8 MP zoom complements the periscope camera. The latter two also have OIS. The cameras are covered with glass and partner Zeiss provided a special coating to minimize lens flair and create more natural colors. It's all controlled by Vivo's own V1 imaging chip, which is separate from Qualcomm's main processor.

Taking photos with the Vivo X70 Pro +.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

That is the hardware that is covered, but there are also more software modes than you will realistically ever need. There are four bokeh modes developed by Zeiss, the night mode, a pro mode, A.I. Scene optimization, an automatic macro mode, a color optimization setting developed by Zeiss, a super moon mode, 8K video recording, an eerie horizontal stabilization setting, filters, a comprehensive editing suite and much more.

The unusual gimbal really works and cannot be compared to any other smartphone

All of this makes the X70 Pro + lots of creative fun, but many of the features are relatively niche. Few people have an 8K TV to enjoy, for example, 8K videos recorded on the phone, but not everything falls into this category. The unusual gimbal really works and cannot be compared to any other smartphone. It stabilizes the video to the point where you wonder if it is actually playing. The only downside might be that you're limited to 1080p, but it doesn't matter if the results are this impressive.

Take a look at the Vivo X70 Pro Plus camera gimbal when it is used for video 🎥

It's pretty amazing stuff!

Complete my review this week. # vivoX70Series # vivoX70Pro # vivoX70proplus pic.twitter.com/QL1J85bsLh

– Andy Boxall (@AndyBoxall) October 7, 2021

Taking pictures with the X70 Pro + shows that it is extremely capable. The two optical zoom cameras give it incredible versatility, the massive main sensor – a Samsung ISOCELL GN1 – adds lots of natural bokeh, and the HDR is very effective. Negative? Because of the large sensor, it is not a fan of focusing on nearby objects when macro mode is not active, and in some situations it oversaturates the color levels. It's also a little inconsistent, and will generally benefit from Vivo tweaking the software further, since photos aren't always very natural or representative of what you see on screen or in real life.

Vivo did a big deal with Zeiss' bokeh modes, so how are they? You are dramatic. There are four in total, each of which gives a different look to the background blur based on Zeiss camera lenses. Brighter and noticeably more blurred (in a positive sense) than standard portrait shots, the photos still suffer from edge detection problems, which are often more noticeable in the artificially improved images from Zeiss. But if you play around long enough, you can take some very nice selfies using the mirrored area on the back of the phone.

The X70 Pro + 's camera is impressive. It keeps the promise that the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra couldn't quite deliver on, and the sheer range of features and modes makes it a strong alternative to the excellent Galaxy S21 Ultra, although the final images still need some tweaking before the results are correct can use the S21-Ultra.

Software and performance

Android 11 is installed with FunTouchOS 12 from Vivo. It's similar to Oppos ColorOS in that it looks very different on a Pixel phone than Android, with more customized icons and menus and lots of apps preinstalled. and his own way of doing things. It's been reliable, it's fast, and once you've spent time getting the look and style right, it's pretty too.

The game is played on the Vivo X70 Pro +.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It still has its frustrations, however. The always-on screen is a good example. You turn it on, but by default the always-on display is only shown for a short time before it fades out. In order for it to actually stay as you asked, you need to delve further into the settings. Even then, you find that not all display options show notifications. It's inevitably a battery-saving thing, but it's very annoying. It's something that you can find everywhere, e.g. B. the screen resolution, which is set to a lower number of pixels by default.

All of my usual apps are installed for some reason with the exception of the Amazon Shopping app, and notifications can be interacted with on the lock screen, but I've found Google Discover crashing and sometimes throwing me back to the home screen. FunTouchOS 12 adds attractive and very useful widgets. I especially like the weather widget with its scrollable daily forecast and the Apple Music widget. First released on the X70 range, I felt more at home with FunTouchOS 12 than any version before it, which is great news.

It seems like I haven't mentioned some numbers in a while, so let's change that. Inside there is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ processor with a 5G modem and either 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB or 512 GB of storage space. There's Bluetooth 5.2 with AptX Adaptive for audio and NFC for Google Pay. The fingerprint sensor under the screen is very fast, but is usually beaten by the even faster face unlock system.

Given the processor inside, it's no surprise that the X70 Pro Plus doesn't have any performance issues. I've played Genshin Impact and Asphalt 9: Legends and it both shrugged, even with the settings all enabled in the phone's game mode.

battery

I used the X70 Pro + for a week with the default settings, which means a resolution of 2400 x 1080 and the refresh rate that changes automatically. It lasted two full days on a single charge without any problems. Enable full resolution and increase the refresh rate to 120Hz, then add an hour of games and other general uses and the battery was around 20% by the end of the day.

The bottom of the Vivo X70 Pro +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The top of the Vivo X70 Pro +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera module of the Vivo X70 Pro +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Charging takes place via a wired 55 watt charger, which is included, as well as wireless charging with up to 50 W. In 20 minutes, the 4,500 mAh battery was charged by about 60% and in about 50 minutes it reached a capacity of 100%.

Price and availability

Don't look for the Vivo X70 Pro + in any US store as it will likely never get an official release. However, you can import one. It will be available in China, India, Taiwan, and several other regions beginning October 12, before arriving later in the Middle East and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. We hope that there will also be an introduction in Europe and the UK.

Calculate about $ 1,060 for the 12GB / 256GB version. If you are planning to import it is advisable to ensure that the phone is the “global” version as the Chinese version runs the OriginOS software available only for China and not FunTouchOS.

Our opinion

The Vivo X70 Pro + is the best Vivo phone I've used so far. It's well made and durable, and it has a beautiful screen, feature-rich camera, performance, and for the first time ever software that I can live with on a daily basis without being annoyed or frustrated. It's not perfect, but FunTouchOS 12 can now hold its own alongside Oppos ColorOS and Realme’s RealmeOS.

The gimbal camera remains unique and the stabilization works very well which gives the phone a real edge. The other features sometimes border on the gimmicky, but the two optical zoom levels don't, which makes the X70 Pro Plus's camera very versatile and fun, while its overall ability to really keep up with the pace is a few software updates away from the best camera phones out there.

Is it more than a mega data sheet? Yes, the specs make for a great phone and camera experience, but there is still room for improvement in the photos and software. At this point, I'd normally be ready to recommend the phone, but I can't do this as the X70 Pro + hasn't gotten a wider version yet, so you really need to work on getting one in the US It's a shame there it has the potential to be a game changer for Vivo in regions where the brand is not well known.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes sir. The Vivo X70 Pro + is an immensely capable smartphone, but it's hard to come by in the US or UK, so we recommend the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Apple iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max instead, assuming you want a big screen and a great one Camera. Both deliver this and have a lot of power and ability.

How long it will take?

Made of metal and glass, the Vivo X70 Pro + is quite heavy, so we recommend putting it in a case for protection, and a surprisingly beautiful one comes with it. The phone also has an IP68 water resistance rating, so it can last up to 30 minutes underwater to a depth of about 1.5 meters.

Vivo’s software update policy applies to the X70 Pro + for three years, including major system releases and security patches. The spec of the phone is high and the Snapdragon 888+ processor is the fastest available right now. It lasts three years with no problems.

Should you buy it?

No. It's good, but if you live in the US, the Vivo X70 Pro + is a hassle to import, so your best bet is to buy a flagship phone that is available locally. However, the phone is very impressive and it is certainly the best Vivo phone I've used. So if you are happy to import or buy one where you live you won't be disappointed.

Editor's recommendations



07 Oct
Blog

Wyze Light Strip Pro Review: Bang-for-the-Buck Light Shows

Wyze Light Strip Pro in pink.

Wyze light bar Pro

RRP $ 32.00

advantages

  • Cheap price

  • No bridge required; connects to WiFi

  • Can be cut to any length

disadvantage

  • Color saturation could be better

If there is one thing I love about smart lighting spaces, it has to be that they are more affordable than ever. There has been a sudden shift with many more players offering ultra-affordable smart lights that cover the full range. One of them is Wyze, who released its Wyze Bulb Color earlier this year, which I have called the most worthy cheap smart light bulb.

Well, the company hasn't missed a beat with the upcoming release of two new lighting offerings – the Wyze Light Strip and Light Strip Pro. Affordable pricing is the focus here again, starting at $ 27 and $ 32 respectively, but with so much competition in the room, they really need something special to stand out at this point. I will mainly focus on the Wyze Light Strip Pro for this test, as it can deliver up to 16 colors per strip – while the standard Wyze Light Strip can only produce one color at a time.

Installation and setup

Setting up the Wyze LED light strips was pretty straightforward, especially when the underside of the strips is covered with a tacky adhesive that makes it easy to attach to surfaces. In the end, I sketched my headboard and parts of my bed frame. Both the Wyze Light Strip and Light Strip Pro come in 16.4- and 32.8-foot options, but the Wyze Light Strip Pro is epoxy-coated – while the standard Wyze Light Strip is not and is not exposed. While I don't plan on using them outdoors, the Wyze Light Strip Pro seems to hold up better in the long run.

Exposed LED on the Wyze Light Strip Pro.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Depending on the project, you can adjust the length of the Wyze Light Strip Pro to any length you want for that custom fit. There are marks on the strip where to cut to make it easier to trim, but I've never been a fan of cutting strips of light. Before removing the cover for the adhesive, you should check beforehand that the entire strip is maximized.

Wyze Light Strip Pro in blue.John Velasco / Digital Trends

For harder surfaces where the adhesive on the underside is not enough to hold the weight of the entire strip, such as However, I would have liked screws for additional hold. That's because, in my experience, the glue on these clips tends to wear off. After all, it connects directly to Wi-Fi so I'm glad there aren't any additional bridges to connect with this setup.

Software and control

To interact with the LED light strips, you need to access the Wyze app – available for Android and iOS. It's largely divided into three main sections: design, scenes, and music. When designing, colors can be manually selected from the color wheel, scenes are preset color options, and music provides decent lighting effects that are controlled by music.

Speaking of lighting effects: A microphone is built into the controller on the light bar, which forms the bridge between the power supply unit and the actual light bars. To get the right response in music mode, I set the controller sensitivity to high – so that the effect matches the music properly. Setting it low doesn't do much good.

In addition to remote access to the intelligent LED light strips via the app, they support Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. I sometimes find it easier to just speak the command on my smart speaker or display.

power

Between the two, the Wyze Light Strip Pro offers more lighting effects, as it can display up to 16 colors at the same time. If you really want to spice up the decor in your home, go for the Pro for its advanced effects. You get some really nice color combinations painting rooms in rainbow colors, but I crave lights that are a little more saturated in tone. The saturation is decent but doesn't produce the same deep reds and blues that I get from other LED light strips.

I long for lights that are a little more saturated in tone.

Even so, the Wyze Light Strip Pro's brightness output isn't overly shoddy. It's powerful enough to be used for reading when the strip is exposed, as opposed to a discreet installation as an accent light. Even if the light strip with music mode shines in an explosion of colors, I wish that these special light effects could be switched on at any time – without having to play music. Honestly, a preset for these effects would be ideal, but it annoys me why it isn't offered because it's an easy addition.

Multi-color effect with Wyze Light Strip Pro.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Plus, it has the basic features I expect from smart lights – like the option to set sleep routines, timers, and scenes. It goes one step further with the vacation mode, which automatically turns the lights on and off, and Sun Match, which mimics natural sunlight all day long.

Our opinion

Wyze takes everything it's known for in space and delivers a decent set of smart LED light strips that aren't too expensive. Between the two models, I'd recommend the Wyze Light Strip Pro for the simple fact that it offers more color effects. Whichever you choose, they are both affordable for all budgets and a reasonable length for the price.

Is there a better alternative?

One of the most interactive smart LED light strips I've used, the Twinkly Line offers users custom lighting effects and superior color saturation. However, you pay almost double the cost with a shorter length to play around with.

For a simple smart LED light bar, Govees options are easier on the wallet – often in the $ 20 range for 16.4 feet in length.

How long it will take?

Between the two, the epoxy coating over the Wyze Light Strip Pro gives me confidence that it will withstand wear and tear better, as dirt and debris wouldn't interfere with the components. In any case, there is a 1-year guarantee for both LED light strips, which covers defects.

Should you buy it?

You bet. Wyze's intelligent LED light strips may not only excel in one area, but they are inexpensive and offer enough standard features to accentuate any room in the house.

Editor's recommendations



05 Oct
Blog

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review: The iPad Pro’s Worthy Rival

The Surface Pro 8 with the stand extended.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

RRP $ 1,600.00

"The Surface Pro 8 is by far the best Windows 2-in-1 you can buy."

advantages

  • Gorgeous 120 Hz screen

  • Impressive performance

  • Has two powerful Thunderbolt 4 ports

  • SSD is easily accessible

  • The Surface Slim Pen 2 is exceptional

disadvantage

  • More expensive

  • There is still a lack of mobile apps

For the past 6 years, every version of the Surface Pro has looked almost identical. And while Microsoft is taking its time with its product changes, an update is long overdue, especially for the Surface Pro.

That's exactly what the Surface Pro 8 is – and it couldn't have come at a better time. Pre-installed with the brand new Windows 11, the Surface Pro 8 feels like a device that can rival the iPad Pro. The price hike aside, the Surface Pro 8 is a near-perfect 2-in-1 that is finally a product category that is starting to realize its potential.

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The back of the Surface Pro 8.

If you haven't set up the Surface Pro 8 next to the previous year's model, you may not see the difference at first. It shares the same iconic stand, overall shape, and connects to the Type Cover keyboard in the same way.

However, the Surface Pro 8 is slightly larger and heavier than the Surface Pro 7. It's 0.04 inches thicker by 0.37 inches and 0.22 pounds heavier. This is never good when it comes to a tablet that is meant to be held with one hand.

But there are two legitimate reasons for the larger dimensions. First, the Surface Pro 8 is made from recycled aluminum instead of magnesium. According to Microsoft, this is a more sustainable method and gives the device a higher quality finish. The Surface Pro has always been a rigid device, but I'm sure switching to aluminum will help in that regard too.

The second reason for the bigger size? Well, it has a significantly larger screen. The Surface Pro 8 now has a 13-inch screen, compared to 12.3 inches on the previous model. By trimming the edges of the screen, Microsoft is pushing so much extra screen space into the device without adding too much to the overall dimensions.

On the Surface Pro 8, the keyboard is inclined upwards.

Compared to the iPad Pro, however, the additional size makes the Surface Pro 8 more difficult to use as a tablet. I'm not saying it's a chore to use the Surface Pro 8 as a tablet – far from it. But the 1.5-pound iPad Pro feels more portable in comparison and doesn't put as much strain on your wrist when you hold it with one hand.

The Type Cover, which is still available separately, has also been updated. The biggest change is that the new Surface Slim Pen 2 fits perfectly into the slot above the keyboard. It charges up here and can even be hidden if you lift the keyboard. It's nice to have a permanent place for the pen so as not to (hopefully) lose so much.

Many of these changes were first made in the original Surface Pro X, which launched back in 2018. Inch iPad Pro.

Ports

The two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft doesn't have the best history with ports, but the Surface Pro 8 makes amends. The Surface Pro 8 finally has Thunderbolt 4, which is a first for the Surface Pro line. Thunderbolt 4 means the fastest transfers, the best docking experience, and the ability to connect to powerful external devices. Thunderbolt 4 can also charge and power the device.

The Surface Pro 8 includes two of these ports, along with the Surface Dock magnetic port and a headphone jack.

Unfortunately, all of these ports are on the same side, so you don't have a power port at all on the left. Like all newer Surface Pros, the Surface Pro 8 offers quick access to storage. There is a small panel under the stand that can be accessed via a SIM card eject pin. Accessing your storage doesn't get much easier.

Surface Slim Pen 2 and Type Cover

The original Surface Pen was round and heavy to simulate the feeling of using a real pen. But the Surface Slim Pen, first introduced with the Surface Pro X, is a fantastic alternative. The flat design sits comfortably in the hand and the lighter feel makes it less intimidating. The fact that it has a storage space is the icing on the cake.

But the Surface Slim Pen 2 brings an important update to the mix: haptic feedback. You have to feel something like this yourself to understand it, but the smallest haptic feedback is built into the pen to simulate the feeling of writing on paper. Slide the pen lightly over the glass and you won't notice. But if you press a little harder, you will feel the sensation of artificial friction.

The Type Cover and the Surface Slim Pen 2 are attached to the Surface Pro 8.

It's extremely subtle, but it adds a bit of realism to writing and illustrating. What's more, it's a brilliant idea that gets carried out well.

The new Type Cover looks and feels exactly like the previous model, except with a charging slot for the Surface Slim Pen 2. The keyboard and touchpad remain unchanged, which is good. The full-size keyboard is comfortable and tactile, and features the standard Surface keyboard layout.

The touchpad, on the other hand, feels precise and smooth. I always wish it was a little bigger, but considering it's a keyboard topper, it's surprisingly good.

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The display of the Surface Pro 8.

The display of the Surface Pro 8 is not only bigger, but also faster. The 13-inch panel now comes with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, even though it ships at 60 Hz. But trust me, once you're into the 120hz screen you won't want to go back. While the Surface Pro 8 isn't a gaming device, the faster screen is a quality of life improvement across the board. Animations are smoother, scrolling feels smoother and it even reduces the latency when drawing with the Surface Pen. All new animations in Windows 11 look buttery smooth. It's what the device needs to be competitive with the iPad Pro, but I hope more Windows devices follow suit.

The screen also has a slightly higher resolution of 2880 x 1920. However, it's still 3: 2 and still 267 pixels per inch. The Surface Pro devices have always had sharp screens, and this one is no different.

With a maximum of 409 cd / m², the screen of the Surface Pro 8 is brighter than the previous model. In the new “Vivid” color mode, the device offers better color saturation with 99% sRGB and 79% AdobeRGB. That's not quite as good as the Surface Laptop Studio, but it's fine for the type of device the Surface Pro 8 is intended for.

Across the board, the display feels like the main improvement on the Surface Pro 8 – and since it's a tablet, that's a big deal.

Windows 11 and software

The Start menu appears on Surface Pro 8.

The Surface Pro always had a big hitch: Windows 10. The lack of optimization for touch made the Surface Pro (and all Windows tablets) difficult.

Windows 11 goes a long way towards solving this problem. For the first time, the Surface Pro 8 feels like a usable tablet on its own. While almost everyone should still buy the corresponding Type Cover, I can only use it as a tablet and enjoy the experience. The small, gesture-based keyboard is great for one-finger typing, while grabbing and dragging windows is much easier.

It's still not an operating system designed primarily for the touch, like iPadOS, but Windows 11 has gone a long way in enhancing the tablet experience.

The only missing feature is Android apps which still haven't popped up. That leaves a void in the app ecosystem for mobile apps in which the iPad Pro excels. Even then, the inclusion of Android apps cannot magically fix the app situation for Windows tablets. Until then, the iPad Pro will always be the better tablet, even if the Surface Pro 8 has made significant strides.

Cameras and speakers

The Surface Pro has always had a great video conferencing experience thanks to its great webcam and speakers. Tablets tend to have much better webcams than laptops, and that stays here. The 5 megapixel front camera produces sharp images and smooth videos. Microsoft says it has made some tuning tweaks to keep your face in focus.

But overall, the camera does a fantastic job of smoothing out skin tones and not blurring the background. Your coworkers will thank you for switching from a laptop camera to the Surface Pro 8. Seriously, it's already happened to me.

Though you'll likely never use it, the Surface Pro 8 also includes a 10-megapixel camera on the back that can record 4K video. But again please not.

The Surface Pro 8 combines these cameras with a fantastic set of speakers. Again, tablets tend to excel in audio when compared to laptops, and the Surface Pro 8 continues to demonstrate that trend. It's the same two-watt speakers as in previous models, but now they're physically bigger. I couldn't make a head-to-head comparison, but I can say that watching videos and listening to music on Surface Pro 8 is actually fun. I can't say that about almost every laptop that isn't a MacBook Pro.

Microsoft also highlighted its "volume-dependent EQ" function, which ensures that the sound still has plenty of bass even at lower volumes. The audio has a clarity and fullness that I want laptops to have. But hey, that's just another benefit of a 2-in-1.

power

Despite the name, the Surface Pro 8 is not a real “Pro” device. It doesn't have a separate GPU and the Intel quad-core processor is standard. My configuration came with a Core i7-1185G7, the same chip you use in all sorts of 13-inch laptops and tablets. Still, Microsoft has managed to make some significant changes that will result in improved performance.

The Surface Pro 8 has a new thermal, a system that Microsoft calls "active cooling". With carbon composite heat spreaders and fans, the Surface Pro 8 remains a fairly quiet yet powerful 2-in-1. The fanless configurations are gone, however, which means that all versions of the Surface Pro 8 have the same cooling system.

The result? Well, the multi-core performance and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics performance were both highlights, with the Surface Pro 8 taking the lead among other convertible 2-in-1 and 13-inch laptops.

This resulted in solid real-world performance in an application like Handbrake, where the Surface Pro 8 is again among the fastest of its size. Calling it the most powerful Windows tablet or 2-in-1 feels right.

Underdog Bench 5
(Single / multiple)		 Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Surface Pro 8(Core i7-1185G7) 1296/5041 1287/5431 185 4169 1828
ThinkPad X12 detachable (Core i5-1130G7) 1352/4796 1125/3663 188 4443 926
Dell Latitude 7320 detachable (Core i7-1180G7) 1532/5031 1246/3339 247 4410 1443
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1185G7) 1549/5431 1449/4267 204 3859 1589
MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo (Core i7-1185G7) 1352/4891 1360/4392 203 4872 1751

Don't expect to be able to enjoy 4K video editing on the Surface Pro 8, however. The lack of discrete graphics is a problem there. This is where the more powerful Surface Laptop Studio comes in. The performance of the M1 on the iPad Pro also shines here. The graphics performance blows the tiny integrated graphics of the Surface Pro 8 out of the water.

This applies to games as well as to the creation of content. While the Surface Pro 8's discrete graphics are more admirable for what they are, it isn't capable of playing many modern games at high enough frame rates.

Battery life

The status of the battery life of the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft says the Surface Pro 8 can now last up to 16 hours on a single charge thanks to a larger battery. That is quite a claim. Our lightest battery life test, which repeated a local 1080p video clip until the system crashes, hit 10 hours and 48 minutes. There are many laptops and tablets that lasted longer in this review, despite being the same as the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable.

I also tested the Surface Pro 8 browsing the web and going through a series of heavy websites until the battery ran out. The Surface Pro 8 lasted for 8.5 hours here. However, if your workflow involves multiple applications, tabs, and media streaming, you can expect the battery to drain by an hour or two, depending on your tasks. That means the Surface Pro 8 is unlikely to last the entire work day without charging.

It also doesn't have the incredible standby longevity that the iPad Pro does.

Still, the Surface Pro 8 is a couple of hours better than the previous configuration. It's an area I'd like to see improvements in, but it's not a big hook for me anymore.

Configurations and price

The Surface Pro 8 isn't just a major change in the design of the line – it changes the pricing scheme too. The Surface Pro 7 started at $ 750 for a basic Core i3 configuration. This wasn't the most powerful option, but it was a cheap way to get premium hardware.

The Core i3 model is gone, and the Core i5 model now starts at $ 1,100. That's $ 200 more expensive than the previous generation and is the equivalent of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, like the iPad Pro, this base model still only contains 128 GB of storage.

Microsoft tends to be among the most expensive manufacturers when it comes to adding storage and RAM. With the Surface Pro 8, Microsoft is priced exactly the same as the iPad Pro's storage options, charging $ 100 for an upgrade to 256 GB or $ 300 for an increase to 512 GB.

The Surface Pro 8 with the Type Cover closed at the top.

From then on, things get wildly expensive and unnecessary. I can't think of any reason why you'd buy the $ 2,600 model with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage – the Surface Pro 8 just isn't the type of device for this type of configuration. The $ 1,600 model I tested feels overpriced for the amount of storage you get, but the $ 1,200 or $ 1,400 configurations both seem like good options, depending on Your requirements.

And of course the Surface Pro 8 does not come with the Type Cover or the Surface Slim Pen 2. Adding these two accessories will cost you an additional $ 410.

Our opinion

The Surface Pro 8 is by far the best Surface Pro ever made. Its screen is bigger, faster and brighter, its performance is stronger than ever and even the battery life has improved. That alone will move Surface fans to upgrade.

But it's Windows 11 that really makes the Surface Pro 8 a compelling 2-in-1 device – in ways that have never been seen before. All of these changes taken together could eventually lead form factor skeptics to give it a try.

Are there alternatives?

The main competitor, the iPad Pro, is hard to beat. The Surface Pro 8 has the upper hand of running normal x86 Pro applications, but the iPad Pro is a much larger tablet app ecosystem.

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable uses a similar form factor for a cheaper price. If you really want to go cheap, the new Surface Go 3 is the real budget option.

How long it will take?

The Surface Pro 8 should last at least four or five years. Its build quality is exceptional while the features and components are all top notch. Since this is a Windows 11 product (and especially a Surface PC), it ensures that you will continue to receive timely updates in the future. The ability to simply swap out more memory is the icing on the cake.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. It's the most sensible update to the Surface Pro in a long time, and it finally feels like a worthy opponent of the iPad Pro.

Editor's recommendations



01 Oct
Blog

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Review: The Best of the Best

Upright functional image of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

RRP $ 999.00

"The iPhone 13 Pro offers a lot of performance under the hood with a 120 Hz display, excellent camera functions, lots of storage space and endless battery life."

advantages

  • Packs a lot of power into the size

  • Incredible camera and video performance

  • Very long-lasting battery

  • Smooth and responsive 120Hz screen

  • Comes with 1 TB storage option

disadvantage

  • No USB-C

  • Not all third-party apps are optimized for higher screen refresh

I say it in advance; the iPhone 13 Pro is the new iPhone model that you should buy if you can afford it. Unlike last year's iPhone 12 Pro, it has the same features as the larger Pro Max model. You will recall that last year the 12 Pro Max had bigger camera sensors, which gave it better low-light performance and a 3x optical zoom instead of 2x.

Not so this year. The iPhone 13 Pro has all the guts of the 13 Pro Max (apart from the battery capacity and screen size, of course) without breaking your hand or wallet. Add the powerful A15 Bionic processor, 120Hz ProMotion display, almost two days of battery life, and great camera performance, and you have the best iPhone 13 model in the entire lineup.

iPhone 13 Pro upright again.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

iPhone 13 Pro right side.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

iPhone 13 Pro left side.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

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The iPhone 13 Pro I tested came in gold which is not my pick, but you will work with what you have. Both the front and the back are protected by ceramic glass and an angular stainless steel strip runs along the sides, which differs in quality from the cheaper aluminum of the iPhone 13.

All the standard buttons are there, including the bell / mute and volume buttons on the left and the side button on the right to activate Siri and turn the screen on and off. There are also downward-facing speakers on either side of the Lightning port. As I've found with other iPhone 13 models I've tested, it's a disappointment that Apple continues to stick with Lightning, especially when most people have USB-C devices for the most part. But my hope is that Apple will make the change for next year's model.

Shot in the style of the iPhone 13 Pro.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The iPhone 13 Pro measures 5.78 x 2.81 x 0.3 inches and weighs 7.2 ounces. That's more or less the same dimensions as the iPhone 12 Pro (5.78 x 2.82 x 0.29 inches), but it's almost an ounce heavier (6, 66 ounces). welcome additions that are worth the extra weight. In terms of usability, I found it to be just as easy to use as the iPhone 13 – you can navigate and grasp the screen with one hand. Only with the Pro Max do you reach the limits of one-handed operation.

iPhone 13 Pro in hand.

apple iphone 13 pro test dan baker 10

Like all other iPhone models, iPhone 13 supports IP68 dust and water resistance. I'll admit that this came into play more times than I expected because the phone spilled a couple of times in the park while I was juggling devices during the test. So it also picked up a dent on the screen, even though the ceramic glass protects the front. It's usually not visible unless the light is reflected exactly that way and it doesn't affect usability. And if you're more careful than me and don't do a circus act in the park (or use a case or screen protector), you probably won't suffer from this problem.

In terms of the physical differences between the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro, there aren't too many. The TrueDepth sensor has a 20% smaller notch on the screen, according to Apple, which is true, but it's also a little deeper and, as far as I could tell, doesn't add a meaningful amount of usable screen real estate. As always, there's Face ID, which I generally found hit-or-miss with wearing a face mask. You can do some alternate face scans to make it work better, but it's not that safe either, so I decided not to give it a try.

iPhone 13 Pro-Notch.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

On the back, the sensor array is pretty similar to last year. There's a vaguely square camera body and three cameras. The only notable difference is that each camera sensor is larger and the camera hump protrudes a little more. In my opinion, this is a fair compromise for improved camera performance.

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There are many selling points for the iPhone 13 Pro, but one of the biggest is the screen, and we're not just referring to the size. Like the iPhone 13, it is a 6.1-inch super retina OLED screen with high color accuracy, a resolution of 2532 x 1170 and 460 pixels per inch. Its sharp, bright viewing angles are great, it can reach 1,000 nits of brightness and up to 1,200 nits for HDR content. Outdoor visibility is excellent even in direct sunlight and the screen also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

This is all fantastic, but what really sets it apart is the 120Hz ProMotion display. ProMotion is a technology first introduced in the iPad Pro series in 2017 that enables Apple to increase the refresh rate from the standard 60 Hz to 120 Hz for different types of content. This has become the standard on Android flagship phones, but it's a technology Apple has been slow to adopt outside of the iPad pros, so it's great to have it on both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max to see.

iPhone 13 Pro home screen.

Digital trends

Surf the iPhone 13 Pro.

Digital trends

iPhone 13 Pro DT website.

Digital trends

The special thing about Apple's implementation of ProMotion is that the iPhone 13 Pro uses a low-temperature panel made of polycrystalline oxide (LTPO), d 120 Hz for demanding tasks such as fast scrolling or gaming. This type of implementation was first developed for the Apple Watch's always-on screen to save battery life, and has the same effect on the iPhone 13 Pro, but I'll go into that more in the Battery section.

In actual use, the ProMotion OLED screen is sleek and fantastic to use. As someone who used the 120Hz-capable Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 before picking up the iPhone 13 Pro, the transition in terms of ease of use and smoothness was seamless despite the change in display size. And don't let anyone tell you that you won't notice the difference.

The screen of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Main home screen on iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The lock screen of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The power button of the iPhone 13 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

After getting used to 120Hz it's impossible to go back, which brings me to the one implementation downside – not all apps run at 120Hz. Most of the games I've tested at 60 frames per second (fps) or less, and at the time of testing, many third-party app animations weren't enabled for 120 Hz, which means animations looked choppy when scrolling. All of this will no doubt change over time as more app developers allow support for ProMotion, but it's something to be aware of.

I usually don't comment on speaker quality as there is only so much you can do with a phone speaker, but the iPhone 13 Pro has remarkably rugged stereo speakers. Even at higher volumes, they do not suffer from great distortion and offer a good range.

Performance, battery life and connectivity

In some ways, it feels a little pointless to talk about the performance of the latest iPhone model. It's the iPhone 13 Pro; It has the latest and greatest A15 Bionic processor with 6GB of RAM so of course it will be an improvement over its predecessor. You get a variety of large storage options including 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, which is what the model I tested had. That's a sizeable amount of storage space that allows you to download tons of apps and games and take lots of photos and videos. I didn't get anywhere near filling it during my test.

I know I said benchmarks were pointless on the latest iPhone, but I ran them anyway and the results 9) below confirmed the phone's powerful capabilities. I was able to launch a lot of apps and play challenging games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt 9. The iPhone 13 Pro will handle whatever you can throw at it and more.

AnTuTu: 823.553
Read / write memory: 1635.3 / 1768.6 MB / s
RAM read / write: 205.8 / 83.2 MB / s
3Dmark Wild Life Extreme: 56.4 fps

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro.iPhone 12 Pro (left) and iPhone 13 Pro (right) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The iPhone 13 Pro is a king of batteries. Not quite as much as the Pro Max, but it still lasted well over a day. If I really wanted to, I could go almost two days before I had to recharge. Much of this is due to the optimized power consumption through the combination of the larger A15 Bionic processor and the LTPO screen with its variable refresh rate. At 3,095 mAh, the cell is also larger than the 2,815 mAh battery that came with the iPhone 12 Pro. The result is hours more runtime with average usage, even as a power user.

The iPhone 13 Pro is a king of batteries.

Like all other iPhone 13 models, the Pro is MagSafe compatible, supporting 20 watt fast charging via cable, 15 W MagSafe charging and 7.5 W Qi wireless charging.

Connectivity is as good as you'd expect, with support for 5G, Ultra Wideband, sub-6 GHz, and mmWave. I tested on T-Mobile in the greater NYC area, and while it didn't match the 5G speeds I expected, connectivity was pretty stable overall. The phone also supports dual band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

Cameras and videos

The iPhone 13 Pro, along with its bigger brother, has the best camera array in the product range. You get three 12-megapixel sensors: a 12-MP wide-angle, a 12-MP telephoto, and a 12-MP ultrawide sensor that can take 120-degree snapshots. This camera array leads to incredible photo results. When starting the camera app, you can set your preferred filter. For this review (and personal preference), all photos were taken in the standard mode, which is the most lifelike.

All of the outdoor shots in bright sunlight were excellent. Both the standard and ultrawide cameras captured a lot of detail and accurate colors. The deep blue of the sky, the fluffy white clouds, the green grass, the reflections and waves of the pond and even the fine details of individual branches came into their own.

It is also remarkable how well the phone handles recordings in direct sunlight. Shining sun is a major challenge for phones, even flagships. The iPhone 13 Pro handled it like a – dare I say – professional. Even if the sun was a glowing ball in the sky, it didn't completely wash out the photo or cast everything in the shade. The image had some darkness and some colors, especially the treetops, but Apple's software processing is clearly at play here, and it's impressive to see.

The attention to detail of the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses is also commendable.

The attention to detail of the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses is also commendable. While I sometimes noticed a slight edge distortion with telephoto shots, on the whole it came off with excellent clarity and detail. It's also a champion at focusing on what is most relevant in the photo, a fact we noted in our deep dive comparisons with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, where the iPhone 13 Pro generally focuses on most of the time has the edge. At the same time, the Ultra impressed with its pure 10x optical zoom.

In addition to the 3x telephoto zoom, macro photography is the other great feature of the iPhone 13 Pro. Usually when focusing on an object, the phone will lose focus and it will become blurred. It just can't handle the focal length. The iPhone 13 Pro, on the other hand, can switch to the zoom lens to focus objects very closely. This kicks in automatically, and while the result doesn't always work, the results look great, with lots of detail, like sewing in a crochet piece or the individual veins in a sheet.

The only downside is that you cannot manually force the phone into macro mode as it is completely automatic of macro mode.

Last but not least, when it comes to photography, lowlight photos are. The iPhone 13 Pro has a night mode that is activated automatically when the lighting conditions are not ideal. It works mainly by increasing the auto exposure so that a photo that might have been taken immediately takes five to seven seconds instead to let in more light for a picture with better clarity. The result is photos that are taken at night and are much clearer in dark rooms than you would normally get, with better color accuracy. There is some loss of detail and blurring, but it's still an impressive result in most of the shots I've taken.

Cinematic mode is supported by both the rear and front cameras. It's a nice effect that adds a film-like blur to the background. It works best when you focus on faces, but it tends to hit and miss on objects. You also get Portrait Mode which adds the bokeh effect to both front and rear shots. It's neat, and I ended up taking several shots outdoors and playing around with the background.

Solid # iPhone13Pro pic.twitter.com/mkTRl8xXDB

– AJ (┛ಠ_ಠ) ┛ 彡 ┻━┻ (@Ajay_H_Kumar) September 26, 2021

In addition to the already impressive features, there are the video recording capabilities of the iPhone 13 Pro. It can handle 4K at 24/30/60 fps and 1080p at 30/60 fps. I recorded a smooth and stable 4K video of an airplane flying overhead with almost no shake or loss of focus that I could notice. It is rare that such a level of stabilization is achieved on a phone without the help of a gimbal.

Software and functions

The iPhone 13 Pro is updated to iOS 15 by default. We've taken a closer look at individual features introduced with the operating system, but the most notable are improved notification summaries, support for scanning text in the camera app, tabs for Safari, and future support for storing vaccination logs and other data.

iPhone 13 Pro home screen.Dan Baker / Digital Trends

This rating is not a rating of iOS compared to Android. We have lots of these types of parts if you're interested, and by now you probably already know which ecosystem you prefer. However, I'll note that this version of iOS had more bugs at startup than I've usually seen. Aside from the app optimization for the 120Hz screen and hit-or-miss Face ID, I also had an issue with the phone not unlocking with my Apple Watch Series 6. However, Apple has confirmed this problem and should be addressed in the next update.

Price and availability

The iPhone 13 Pro is currently available on sale starting at $ 999 in blue, silver, gold, and graphite color options. It also has 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage size options and works with all major US carriers. The only thing to keep in mind when choosing the memory size besides your requirements is that ProRes recording at 4K 30 fps is only supported with a minimum of 256 GB of memory.

Our opinion

The iPhone 13 Pro is the best iPhone you can get. With the iPhone 13's form factor, a 120Hz screen, great camera performance, tons of battery life, and ridiculous storage options, it's really a phone for power users. My daily driver has been a pleasure to use and you won't be disappointed if you pay for it.

Is there a better alternative?

In terms of hardware, the iPhone 13 Pro is the best model in the lineup, but if you want a longer-lasting battery and a bigger screen, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has it all in the Pro, only bigger. The iPhone 13 is cheaper, but it's pared down with no 120Hz screen, telephoto lens, or macro photo support> It doesn't have a 1TB storage option either. The iPhone 13 Mini is an even smaller version with the same hardware, which makes it a great choice if you love small phones. If you own an iPhone 12 Pro, our camera review didn't show that much of a difference between the two devices and it's probably not worth upgrading.

When you're ready to switch to Android, the Samsung Galaxy S21, OnePlus 9 Pro, and the upcoming Google Pixel 6 can all offer the same or better camera performance, just as much power, and lots of unique features. Android manufacturers also tend to be more innovative by introducing new technologies like folding screens that give you options like the Z Flip 3 and the Fold 3.

How long it will take?

The standard warranty for the iPhone 13 Pro is one year, but you can get Apple Care + to extend it for 2-3 years and cover two accidental damage claims every 12 months. The phone is also waterproof and dustproof according to IP68, so it can withstand complete immersion and rinsing in the sink. Personally, I suffered a superficial dent from dropping the phone on rocky ground without its case, but this is rare and easy to avoid. Apple is also great at software and security updates, so your iPhone 13 Pro should feel like new for three years or more.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. There is no question that the iPhone 13 Pro is the best model in the entire lineup, with the same capabilities as the Pro Max without the bulk or the bigger hit for your wallet.

Editor's recommendations



20 Sep
Blog

Edifier NeoBuds Pro Review: Impressive, Affordable Audio

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.

Edifier NeoBuds Pro reviewed: A new standard for affordable audio

RRP $ 129.00

"You won't find better sound quality, ANC, or transparency for less than $ 250."

advantages

  • Great sound

  • Comfortable fit

  • Very effective noise cancellation

  • Excellent transparency mode

  • Good call quality

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • No in-ear detection

  • Few phones offer LHDC support

The best true wireless earbuds have a lot in common: great sound, great noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and lots of ways to customize your experience through a smartphone app. But they also usually cost between $ 200 and $ 350. So if a set of true wireless earbuds had all of these features but at a much lower price, say $ 129, they'd be a game changer, right? Edifier certainly hopes so – its $ 129 NeoBuds Pro has everything it needs on paper, at least, to challenge Apple, Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser. Deliver? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

Contents of the Edifier NeoBuds Pro pack.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier went over the top when it comes to the presentation experience for the NeoBuds Pro. The box, with its large dimensions, magnetic closures, and tons of protective foam, screams high-end luxury, but that leads to a recycling nightmare. I'd love to see the company take a page out of Sony's playbook – the $ 280 WF-1000XM4 comes in a tiny, fully recyclable box.

In the box you will find the NeoBuds Pro, its charging case, a USB-A-to-USB-C charging cable, a nylon carrying case, some printed material and a huge selection of antibacterial silicone earbuds in seven sizes (one set is pre-installed ).

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Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The NeoBuds Pro belong to the same family of earphones as the Edifier NB2, NB2 Pro and Earfun Air Pro (Edifier helped design it). They look a lot like these other earbuds, with the same AirPods Pro-style ergonomic shape and tiny silver stems. However, the NeoBuds are more compact than their older siblings and have rounded contours on the stems that give them a more sophisticated look and feel. You may not agree, but I think they look great.

Thanks to their flat position, getting in and out is a breeze, although the charging case is slightly larger than models like the AirPods Pro.

The combination of matte black plastic and a brushed aluminum accent panel on the top of the lid continues the high-end vibe of the charging case, and the lid flips open easily and stays open until you fold it shut.

A huge selection of earplugs should enable a comfortable and secure fit.

But the coolest part of the NeoBuds Pro is the red LED charge indicator strip that sits right in the front groove of the case. It pulsates and animates from side to side, like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica or maybe Kitt from Knight Rider if you like your tech friendly rather than threatening.

The only thing missing is wireless charging. Edifier doesn't seem to like wireless charging as none of their true wireless earbuds offer it.

With an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, the earbuds are cheap compared to most high-end alternatives.

Comfort, controls and connections

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Smooth, rounded contours and the huge selection of earplugs should make it easy to get a comfortable and secure fit with the NeoBuds. I found the standard tips ideal for my ears and was able to wear them for several hours without discomfort. Stem-style earbuds can sometimes feel a bit unsafe as the stems can prevent you from pushing the earbuds deep enough into your ear canals, but that wasn't a problem with the NeoBuds. While it's not quite as safe as models with ear hooks or ear fins, switching to one of the larger earbud sets should provide plenty of support while running or exercising at the gym.

The NeoBuds use touch-sensitive surfaces at the very top of the stems for control. They offer good sensitivity out of the box, but Edifier cleverly added the ability to adjust that sensitivity within the Edifier Connect app. You can also customize the function of the controls on each earbud, but there's a catch: despite supporting a wide range of functions, from volume to ANC mode, there are only two actions per earbud – double-tap and triple-tap. That means you can choose from a wide variety of commands, but only four of them can be accessed through the earbuds.

Do you want to turn your phone into a private cinema? Dynamic mode will do it like a boss.

Why Edifier chose not to support additional gestures like single-tap or tap-and-hold (which would give you a total of eight commands) is a mystery and hopefully will be changed with a future firmware update. The control options are also a bit bizarre – the volume control is available, but the volume is always reduced with the right earbud, while the volume must always be done with the left.

But perhaps the biggest oversight is the lack of an automatic pause when you remove the earbuds. In contrast to its sibling, the NB2 Pro, the NeoBuds Pro lack in-ear sensors.

Each earbud can be used independently, but you should make sure that the earbud you choose has the commands it needs. Thankfully, answering / ending calls is available on both headphones by default.

The NeoBuds Pro are very easy to pair – just open the lid and search for the device in your Bluetooth settings. The connection is rock solid and surprisingly strong. Edifier claims a working distance of only 32 feet, but I was able to move 50 feet from my iPhone 11, even through two walls.

Sound quality

Edifier NeoBuds Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier has positioned the NeoBuds as the first true wireless earbuds with "Hi-Res wireless audio" thanks to their ability to reproduce sounds between 20 Hz and 40 kHz and their support for the LHDC Bluetooth codec. But unless you happen to own one of the few smartphones that comes with LHDC, you probably won't experience these buds to the fullest. In fact, the only phone listed on the LHDC website is the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro, a model that is not sold in the US.

Hi-res chops aside, the NeoBuds Pro sound fantastic. They use a hybrid driver design that couples a dynamic low-frequency driver with a Knowles balanced armature driver that delivers the highs. It's an unusual setup for true wireless earbuds, and the result is big, bombastic sound that is also well-detailed. The sound is not quite as nuanced as with the Sennheiser or Master & Dynamic earphones, but it is still exciting and very haunting.

With very good stereo imaging, your soundstage is wide and detailed, so you can follow individual instruments and vocals as you enter and exit the mix.

The NeoBuds Pro's ANC is impressive – by far the best you'll find in a set of earbuds at this price point.

You can choose from two preset EQ modes in the Edifier app: Classic, which offers a relatively neutral signature, and Dynamic, which drives both the lows and highs for an almost overwhelming performance, with bass levels that make your fills rattle bring. Do you want to turn your phone into a private cinema? Dynamic mode will do it like a boss. You can also enable a special low latency gaming mode if you find there is a delay between your screen and the audio, but I found the regular mode perfectly adequate.

By default, the NeoBuds Pro seem best for bass- and beat-heavy genres like rap and hip-hop, but there's plenty of leeway to tweak the signature for other genres via the custom EQ mode that lets you create your own and can save presets. Unfortunately, it's a confusing user interface with items like “Q-Factor” and frequencies that can be adjusted in 1 Hz increments. However, it is possible to make various settings. If the bass is too strong or the mids are too weak for you, you can change them.

Noise cancellation and transparency

The NeoBuds Pro's ANC is impressive – by far the best you'll find in a set of earbuds at this price point. And frankly, they come very close to the performance you get from the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds or the Apple AirPods Pro. You get two ANC modes: Low and High. Low reduces background noise while high mode does its best to eliminate it completely. Strolling through a busy downtown neighborhood to listen to a podcast is a perfect test of ANC, as spoken word content tends to suffer much more than music when it has to compete with other sounds. With High mode enabled, I could hear my podcasts with ease. It also does a great job of booming noises like bathroom fans – a good barometer of how those buds deal with the constant white noise of a jet engine on board an airplane.

The transparency mode (which Edifier calls Ambient mode) is just as good, letting in a lot of external noise, including your own voice, which makes it feel like you're not wearing any earbuds at all. This is something that less transparent systems can hardly achieve. It's also adjustable in the app, so you can choose to let a little less noise enter your ears or just amplify those sounds a little.

The best part is that toggling between ANC and transparency with the tap controls is quick and doesn't force you to go through "standard" mode. The standard mode turns off ANC and transparency, which can save some battery life, and you can activate it from the app at any time if necessary.

Battery life

Edifier NeoBuds Pro charging case ..Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Edifier claims that you get five hours per charge in the earbuds and 20 hours of total listening time in the charging case when using ANC, and that those numbers increase to six and 24 hours, respectively, when you run without the ANC. After playing a music stream at 50% volume with the ANC on, I had exactly five hours of life before the earbuds were turned off.

A quick 10 minute charge gives you an extra hour of playtime, and both the earbuds and charging case can be fully charged in an hour.

Those stats aren't exactly the best – in fact, they're on the low end of what we can expect these days – but you should still use them for a full day without finding a charger.

Call quality

Get decent calls with the NeoBuds Pro. Background noises are kept in check, and I only noticed a little compression when those noises were particularly loud. Your voice won't always sound full and detailed, but it will remain clear and audible, which is the most important thing.

Unfortunately, Edifier does not support sidetone (the ability to hear your own voice clearly during a call). When you make or answer a call, the earbuds automatically turn off ANC and transparency, and there is no way to turn them back on via the tap controls or the app until the call is over. In fact, there is no way to use the app while on a call – it thinks the headphones are disconnected during the call.

Edifier Connect app

Speaking of the app, I think Edifier still has a lot to do. The home screen offers a great overview of the NeoBuds Pro's battery level – including the case the buds sit in – as well as quick access to ANC / transparency modes. And if you're an iOS user, you can add a widget to your Today home screen. However, access to features like EQ and customizing the controls is not intuitive as they are buried in secondary screens or menus.

But I really don't like the Mall and Discover tabs, which are simply windows into Edifier's website to buy more of the company's products. They have nothing to do with how the earbuds work and make it difficult to navigate an already confusing user interface.

Our opinion

The Edifier NeoBuds Pro set a new standard for sound quality, ANC and transparency at an affordable price. They're missing some features, and I wish they had more control options, but they're still a great set of true wireless earbuds.

Is there a better alternative?

I'm confident you won't find better sound quality, ANC, or transparency at this price point, but if other features are more important, consider these options:

  • Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro, $ 100: Great Sound, Wireless Charging, In-Ear Detection. They also have more control than the NeoBuds, but their ANC and transparency are not that good.
  • Amazon Echo Buds (Gen 2)$ 120 ($ 140 with wireless charging): Great sound, in-ear detection, and great call quality, plus the ability to use hands-free voice commands with Alexa. But the battery life is poor and their ANC isn't as good as the NeoBuds. If you want, you can charge wirelessly.

How long will they last?

The NeoBuds Pro seem to be very well made and offer good protection with their IP54 rating. I suspect they will last for many years if you take care of them. Edifier supports them with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. the NeoBuds Pro may not have all of the competition's features, but for sound, ANC, and transparency – arguably the most important features – they kill it.

Editor's recommendations



16 Sep
Blog

Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Wireless Review: Competitive Mouse

Corsair Saber Pro Wireless on a black background.

Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless Review: Competitive Mouse, Competitive Price

RRP $ 110.00

"The Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless offers all the functions of the best wireless eSport mice, only for less money."

advantages

  • 2,000 Hz polling rate

  • Flexible iCue software

  • Comfortable design with palm grip

  • Only 79 grams

  • Two wireless modes

disadvantage

  • Limited extra buttons

  • One RGB zone only

In the world of esports mice, it's usually hard to get excited about another barebone mouse – especially if it's an update to an existing model. This is the Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless. It's almost identical to the $ 60 Saber RGB Pro, just no cables and at almost twice the price.

Even so, it's cheaper than the competition and comes with specs to look forward to.

You can buy a great wireless gaming mouse like the Logitech G305 for less than half the price, yes. But with an updated sensor, two wireless modes, and software that goes beyond RGB lighting, the Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless is a great gaming mouse that beats the competition.

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Corsair Saber Pro Wireless on a black background.

The Saber Pro Wireless is part of Corsair's Champion Series, a line of products designed in collaboration with eSports athletes for optimal performance. In terms of dimensions, it is identical to the available Saber Pro, only with the wire cut off. However, the wireless model is only a hair heavier – 79 grams versus 74 grams.

It's not ambidextrous like the Logitech G Pro, which is the direct competitor of the Saber Pro Wireless. Instead, the top shell is offset to the left for a right-handed design and protrudes about 10mm further out at the front. A high center gives you a lot of support in relation to the palm grip. The claw grip works too, although I prefer something smaller like the Razer Viper Ultimate because I don't have the biggest hands.

The Saber Pro Wireless doesn't need looks given its price.

Because of its looks, the Saber Pro Wireless is not going to win any awards. It's a black mouse with an RGB Corsair logo on the back (which you can customize via iCue). It's even less noticeable than the wired Saber Pro. The wireless model lacks lighting around the scroll wheel and does not display the DPI scale on the side of the mouse.

Still, given its price, the Saber Pro Wireless doesn't need any looks. It's $ 20 cheaper than the Logitech Pro and $ 50 cheaper than the Razer Viper Ultimate. There are cheaper wireless mice like the Steelseries Rival 3, but nothing with specs that rival the Saber Pro Wireless.

Sensor and buttons

The Saber Pro Wireless features Corsair's Marksman 26K DPI sensor, which you can adjust in iCue in 1 DPI increments. According to Corsair, the mouse has a tracking resolution of 650 IPS and you can set a query rate of up to 2,000 Hz. This rate corresponds to a response time of 0.5 ms in wired mode, and Corsair claims "wireless transmission under 1 ms" with its slipstream technology.

Corsair Saber Pro Wireless with the scroll wheel.

Compared to the wired Saber Pro, the polling rate appears to be a downgrade. The wired model supports a polling rate of up to 8000 Hz. However, each step above 1000 Hz divides a millisecond. So the higher you go, the less return you will get. And 2,000 Hz is fast enough, so this spec is less of a downgrade than it might seem.

No one should reasonably be using a 26K DPI mouse, but the Saber Pro Wireless allows you to. Wireless gaming mice like the Razer Orochi V2 score with 18K DPI. For higher demands, you'll need to turn to Logitech's flagship options with its 25K Hero sensor like the Logitech Pro X Superlight.

I used the Saber Pro Wireless as my only mouse for about a week – and I still use it. As someone who spends at least a couple of hours every night in Destiny 2, the Saber Pro Wireless could keep up. I switched to my Razer Viper Ultimate and an older Corsair M65 with no noticeable difference out of shape.

Corsair says the Saber Pro Wireless has seven programmable buttons, even though I only counted six (and six only show up in iCue). In addition to left, right and middle mouse clicks, you have a DPI setting button in the middle and thumb buttons for forward and backward on the left. You can reassign any of the buttons in iCue, as well as assign macros or functions to them.

No one should reasonably be using a 26K DPI mouse, but the Saber Pro Wireless allows you to.

The left and right click buttons use Omron switches that are rated for 50 million clicks. They're also Corsair's Quickstrike buttons, which means there is no gap between the switch and the button. Honestly, I can't tell any difference from other high-end gaming mice, so this seems to be mostly marketing fluff. Omron switches, however, are nice to have and to be expected for a mouse of this class.

Connectivity and battery life

According to Corsair's pricing, wireless is worth about $ 50 more on the Saber Pro Wireless. And it is. The slipstream wireless tech held up perfectly in a nervous shooter like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, as well as a slower action game like Resident Evil Village. When switching between wired and wireless, I could never tell the difference.

Slipstream isn't all you have access to, however. The Saber Pro Wireless also works with Bluetooth 4.2, and you can switch between the two with a toggle on the mouse button. As someone who likes to use PC peripherals on my Nvidia Shield, the Saber Pro is a perfect match for the Bluetooth-enabled Logitech G915 TKL keyboard.

Corsair says the Saber Pro can last up to 90 hours on one charge, which is a lot longer than it sounds like. I immediately started using the Saber Pro without charging it. Even then, the mouse lasted a full week before it needed to be charged, and it warned me via a little red LED on top before it ran out.

The wireless dongle for the Corsair Saber Pro Wireless.

The battery life is 90 hours in Bluetooth mode without lighting. If you want to use slipstream, that drops to 60 hours. Even so, I never had battery life issues even when using Slipstream with the lights on. By default, the mouse goes to sleep after 15 minutes, so you can save some juice while you're away.

Once the battery is empty, you can connect the included USB-C cable for charging while you continue to use the mouse. I've got used to this on my Razer Viper Ultimate, so I'm glad Corsair added a wired mode as well. The charging port is sunk slightly to handle the bulk of the cable, although I would have liked Corsair to have moved it a little further back. The included cable protrudes about half an inch in wired mode.

software

Bundled software is usually an afterthought, but iCue, on the other hand, is a reason to get the Saber Pro Wireless. Corsair has kept adding to this software and is now better than ever. Lighting is the least interesting part of the software, at least for the Saber Pro Wireless.

As mentioned earlier, you can rebind any of the six buttons. In addition to keystrokes, mouse functions and special language keys, you can also use macros. I used the built-in macro recorder to create a 591 step macro and it worked. The recorder even records delays so that you can execute complex input strings at the push of a button.

The macro recorder in Corsair's iCue software.

There are a variety of options in iCue. Switching between languages ​​on the keyboard, starting apps with one key and programming complex macros are all possible – and they are also easy to set up in iCue.

You can divide the DPI in iCue into five profiles that are saved on the mouse. Once you've set these, you can use the mouse on all computers without iCue installed. Along with the DPI settings, you can organize lighting and button mappings into three built-in profiles that travel with the mouse.

There is also a lot going on in the settings. You can turn off DPI adjustment, which is useful for avoiding gaming mishaps, and you can adjust the time after the mouse falls asleep. As is typical for iCue, you can also calibrate the sensor to your surface and pair the mouse again if it gets disconnected. Out of the box, the mouse worked for me straight away, even without iCue installed.

Corsair has gone deep instead of far with iCue. Logitech's G-Hub is useful, if not nearly as deep as iCue, and Razer has several apps that focus on overall PC performance, not customizing peripherals. Simply put, iCue is packed with functionality for peripheral devices while maintaining accessibility.

Our opinion

The Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless is not for everyone. You can save a lot of money on mice like the Rival 3 that have lower specs but still hold up for the average gamer.

However, if you are a serious esports gamer, you will love the Corsair Saber RGB Pro Wireless. With an insanely high DPI sensor, long battery life, and a price that beats other top peripheral brands, it's a simple mouse for competitive gamers.

Are there alternatives?

Yes sir. The Razer Viper Ultimate and Logitech Pro are both excellent ambidextrous mice, but they're a bit more expensive.

The Steelseries Rival 3 is a much cheaper alternative, although it doesn't have such a nice sensor.

How long it will take?

The Omron switches on the Corsair Saber Pro Wireless are rated for 50 million clicks. If you clicked 10,000 a day – which is unlikely – it would last just under 14 years. Realistically, you can use Saber Pro Wireless for over 15 years.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you're looking for a high quality wireless mouse that covers the basics. However, it depends on the type of games you are playing. Something like the Razer Naga is better suited for MMOs with its extra buttons, while the Corsair M65 has a blunt design that is easier to use in shooters.

Editor's recommendations



15 Sep
Blog

Xiaomi 11T Pro Review: Not Worthy of its Pro Name

Xiaomi 11T Pro.

Xiaomi 11T Pro Review: Not worthy of its Pro name

"The Xiaomi 11T Pro is not an upgrade of the Mi 11, but at best a sideways step, and although it offers the required performance, it is difficult to justify its Pro name everywhere."

advantages

  • Very fast wired charging

  • Great performance for games

  • Camera with many functions

disadvantage

  • No watertightness

  • No wireless charging

This review is definitely not about Mi as Xiaomi removed the name "Mi" from its phones, with the update to the six-month-old Xiaomi Mi 11 being simply referred to as the Xiaomi 11T. There are three models in the new range – the 11T, 11T Lite, and 11T Pro – and I used the top model, the 11T Pro.

You can't call the 11T Pro a sequel because it's not that drastically different from the Mi 11. Worse still, there isn't anything that makes it a pro phone here either, and that makes me wonder why it exists. Let's see if there's a hidden reason.

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The Xiaomi 11T Pro weighs 204 grams, is 8.8 mm thick and has a flat screen and a back that looks like glass that covers metal, but feels and sounds more like plastic. The addition of the "T" to the name indicates that this is not a full sequel to the Mi 11, but a refresh, as OnePlus once did with its own T models. However, this Pro version doesn't look as modern as the basic, older Mi 11.

Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The curved glass above the Mi 11's screen didn't have a functional element, but it did give it some character, as did the multi-level camera module on the back. With the 11T Pro, that's all gone. The back has a glossy finish and an attractive brushed metal look, but it gets smeared and sounds pretty hollow. It offers enough support to hold it securely in your hands. although. It can be seen here in the color Meteorite Gray, but there are also white and blue versions.

What does it say about the rest of the phone's design if it's the power button that I like the most?

My favorite design element is the power key because it is very easy to use. It stands proudly on the chassis on the right, but still contains the fingerprint sensor. Since the last phone I used was the Nokia XR20 with its practically hidden fingerprint sensor, it's nice that the 11T Pro's sensor is easy to find and extremely responsive. I've never had to resort to any other unlock method while using the 11T Pro.

Top of the Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However, what does it say about the rest of the phone's design if it's the power button that I like the most? It says it's a bit boring and forgetful. There is nothing wrong with the look of the 11T Pro, but nothing particularly stylish either. The 20: 9 aspect ratio of the screen, the chunky housing and the weight of more than 200 grams make it not particularly pocket-friendly or feel very modern. There is also no IP rating, which leaves it behind most of its competitors and puts it at a higher risk of harm.

screen

Covered with Gorilla Glass Victus, the 11T Pro's screen is a 6.67-inch AMOLED with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a peak brightness of 1000 nits, a touch sampling rate of 480 Hz, HDR10 + certification and a resolution of 2400x 1080 pixels. This is a downgrade to the Mi 11's higher resolution screen and it really shows. It's less vibrant, has a cooler tone, poorer contrast levels, and is generally less visually exciting to look at. It might look a little more natural at best, but if you look at it side by side, your eyes will fall on the Mi 11 by default.

Xiaomi 11T Pro screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The screen does not have an adaptive refresh rate, so it is set to either 60 Hz or 120 Hz. While the smoothness of 120 Hz is always visible when it's active, it tends to slow down scrolling in some apps and in the menu. On Twitter, for example, scrolling is much slower and the app feels slightly squishy. This is also evident in areas of the operating system. Switch back to 60Hz and it will go away. I also found the automatic brightness a bit overly sensitive and dimmed the screen when I didn't want it.

While not terrible, there isn't much on the screen that makes me think of the 11T Pro as a "Pro" phone, a trend that has continued throughout my review.

camera

The main camera has 108 megapixels and is supplemented by an 8MP wide-angle and a 5MP tele macro camera. The Mi 11 had a higher megapixel wide-angle camera. How did that affect the photo experience? It's pretty similar to the Mi 11. It takes some great photos and then some bad ones with strangely muted colors or poor white balance.

The camera module of the Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The 2x digital zoom shows good detail as it doesn't get too close, and the main camera can take balanced photos that emphasize natural tones, but because the camera is inconsistent, I've often taken two or three photos from slightly different angles, in hoping one would come out well. The differences between them can be huge at times – see the photos of the roof structure in the examples below for evidence – and I don't trust the camera very much.

The 5 MP super macro mode is more useful than most because of an auto focus feature, and photos are more attractive and easier to take than phones with a simple 2 MP macro fixed focus camera. The phone records 8K video at 30 frames per second (fps) and it's all the same AI. Video modes from Mi 11 too. These offer cinematic looks like a super zoom-in-style shot, a lowlight tracking mode and a "time freeze" in which one object is frozen while everything else continues to move. In practice, all of these require very specific situations to shine, and most work best with another person in the shot.

Xiaomi's addition of an optical zoom is welcome, but its presence isn't enough to really elevate the 11T Pro's camera over the Mi 11, and the name "Pro" was definitely not added to highlight camera improvements.

battery

The Xiaomi 11T Pro is the fastest charging phone I've tested. The 5000 mAh two-cell battery gets its power from an included wired 120 watt charging block that Xiaomi claims will reach 100% in 17 minutes. I couldn't believe the phone fully charged so quickly the first time I tried it, as the battery was full in around 20 minutes.

Xiaomi 11T Pro seen from below.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Strangely enough, it doesn't always go that fast. Most days the total charge time was 20 minutes, but other days it went up to 30 minutes. Still fast, but the variation doesn't instill confidence in the system, which is important. I am using a European charging block with an adapter for use in the UK, which may affect the charging speed.

I didn't charge the 11T Pro overnight at all because the battery life is enough for about two working days or a day and a half of continuous use. This means that by using the 120W wired fast charge, I can fully charge the battery first thing when I'm doing something else, like showering or having breakfast. There's no wireless charging, and while I don't really see this as a major downside, it's a standard feature on many competing phones, and it was also the case on the Mi 11.

Side view of the Xiaomi 11T Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Fast charging is very practical, saves energy and should also contribute to the longevity of the battery. The battery life is better than the Mi 11, due to a slightly larger battery capacity and improved efficiency of Xiaomi's MIUI 12.5 software. It's really the only vaguely pro aspect of the phone, and even then, it's a bit of a chore.

Performance and software

A Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and either 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM fuel the 11T Pro. It has dual SIM 5G connectivity, NFC for Google Pay, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. Android 11 with Xiaomi's software MIUI Global 12.5 is installed.

First the good things. There's an app bar, a really pretty and highly customizable always-on screen, and new super wallpapers that look amazing – they're fully animated, very fluid and dynamic as they change their appearance with the time of day. The phone was reliable, I was able to uninstall most of the pre-installed apps, and I could also see some efficiency improvements from battery life.

On the other hand, there are various frustrations that ruin the experience. You select an app drawer during setup, but it still pops up all of the apps on multiple home screens for you to clean up. The always-on screens look great, but don't show app-specific notification icons on all wallpapers, just an unhelpful blanket icon for "You have notifications". The new version of the notification shade uses both sides of the screen – left for notifications, right for quick access controls – which isn't ergonomically good, but luckily you can switch to the traditional side. Dark mode is also problematic and doesn't always let apps display properly.

The Snapdragon 888 is a great performer, and the phone hasn't missed a beat, with more than enough power to handle video, games, photography, and other apps while multitasking without the slowdown. I played Asphalt 9: Legends without any problems and also Genshin Impact. As with all Snapdragon 888 powered phones, you won't have to worry about ditching the latest games or having enough power for almost any task.

Price and availability

The 11T Pro is unlikely to ever be officially available in the US, but you will likely be able to import it. In the UK, the 11T Pro will be released on October 1st with pre-orders starting September 24th, with the price set at £ 599 or € 650 for the 8GB / 128GB version or around $ 770. Two other versions will also be available, an 8GB / 256GB phone for £ 650 / € 699 or $ 830, and a 12GB / 256GB phone for £ 749 and $ 885 in select markets.

Our opinion

The question I have asked myself most about the Xiaomi 11T Pro is: “Why does it exist?” It has the same chip as the Mi 11, an almost identical camera and a lower screen, but a slightly larger battery and one faster charging. I find it doesn't look as good as the Mi 11, and when you hold the two at the same time, the Mi 11 feels like the superior, more expensive device. The last puzzle comes with the name because not only does it not beat the standard Mi 11 to deserve its Pro title, but I couldn't find anything that technically made it "Pro" at all.

Obviously, if you own the Mi 11, there is no need to upgrade. The bad news (for Xiaomi) is that since it's not a sensible upgrade over the Mi 11, which only launched in February, there are some strong alternatives from the competition. The Snapdragon 888 may make the 11T Pro seem like a flagship, but unfortunately it's surrounded by midrange technology that isn't always very well optimized and doesn't do justice to the chip or the Pro name.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes sir. We recommend the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G for a great mix of affordable price, powerful camera, great screen, and useful feature enhancements like water resistance and 5G connectivity. Alternatively, take a look at the OnePlus Nord 2, the Google Pixel 5a or the Realme GT. If you have to spend more, the OnePlus 9 Pro is still a good buy.

How long it will take?

They will be used for two years without any problems, but by then it may be ripe for a replacement. There's no water resistance here so you need to be careful with the phone, but a clear TPU case is included to keep it secure. There is 5G to keep the phone updated on connectivity for a while, and because of the top of the range processor, there are no performance concerns. Xiaomi sends out software updates on a regular basis, but these mainly apply to MIUI, and while the phone receives Android updates for three years, you have to wait longer on Android 12 than you would with a phone like the Google Pixel 5a.

Should you buy one?

No. It is not an upgrade compared to the Mi 11 and cannot compete with many other budget smartphones.

Editor's recommendations



06 Sep
Blog

Motorola Moto Edge 20 Pro Review: Very Good at Being Average

Moto Edge 20 Pro on a desk.

Motorola Moto Edge 20 Pro review: a phone that is very good on average

RRP $ 900.00

"The Motorola Moto Edge 20 Pro does not make the most of its specification, so it is clearly average, and without a flashy design, the reliable software and good battery life are simply not enough to get it past this point."

advantages

  • Easy to use, reliable software

  • Good battery life

  • High refresh rate screen

  • Periscope zoom on the camera

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • Inconsistent camera

  • Mono speakers

I remember checking out the Moto Edge in mid-2020 and really liked the design and screen, which excited me to try out the new Moto Edge 20 Pro. However, it seems that Motorola has decided to move away from almost everything that made the previous model a winner and hit the average street instead. It then set the price for a good measure. In other words, there is a lot to be done to impress.

Before we get into too much detail, it's worth talking about Motorola's naming and marketing of the latest Moto Edge series. In the US, you can only buy the Moto Edge (2021), which is known everywhere else as the Moto Edge 20. The Moto Edge 20 Pro we are reviewing here is a higher-end version of this phone that is currently available in the UK

With that resolved, let's talk about the Moto Edge 20 Pro.

draft

The Motorola Moto Edge 20 Pro may be the highest spec model in the new Edge range, but don't think that it will automatically turn heads when it comes to design. It shares the same working-day, functional, but uninspired ethos seen on the company's affordable phones without you falling for the phone in any way. I feel nothing for the Moto Edge 20 Pro when I look at it, which won't be a problem for some, but for others it will push them into the waiting arms of OnePlus, Realme or Samsung.

Moto Edge 20 Pro hand-held, viewed from behind.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Its chassis is made of an aluminum alloy and Gorilla Glass 5 covers the screen and back so it has the correct references, but the flat panel display makes it look old and the platter sides make it uncomfortable to grip. Worse, they give the Moto Edge 20 Pro an impressive trick that feels thicker than the 8mm case suggests. It's also not nice to put a square camera lens over two round ones.

There are a couple of weird design choices too. The fast fingerprint sensor is housed in the power button rather than under the display, which will likely lower the overall cost, but it's placed quite high on the body and may not naturally fall under your thumb if you have small hands. On the opposite side, but at the very top of the case, is a Google Assistant button. That said, I didn't accidentally push it, but since I never pushed it on purpose either, I wonder why it's there in the first place.

Fingerprint sensor of the Moto Edge 20 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

On the positive side, the Moto Edge 20 Pro is light at 185 grams, and in addition to the Midnight Blue version seen in our photos, a vegan leather model is available, which may give the phone more personality. Otherwise, there isn't much here that inspires me to grab the Moto Edge 20 Pro, especially when beauties like the OnePlus Nord 2 and the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G exist.

Screen and audio

Motorola has spared nothing when it comes to the specification of the screen. It's a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, a refresh rate of 144 Hz and HDR10 + support. The 19.5: 9 aspect ratio makes it wider than the 20: 9 aspect ratio of the 6.7-inch OnePlus 9 Pro. It spends most of the time at maximum brightness, but I could still easily see it outside on bright days.

Moto Edge 20 Pro screen.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

When watching videos on the phone, it turned out that the sound is too quiet for my personal taste. It's not as vivid or as full of life and color as the OnePlus Nord 2's screen, and observing the cloudy and wet weather conditions in Carfection's Ferrari Roma test highlights its slightly dull quality. There is no setting to change the performance of the screen other than a normal or saturated color mode.

Google Assistant button on Moto Edge 20 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's certainly not bad, and the warmer tone benefits the skin, for example, but it's just not as flashy a performer as some of the competition. It will be more disappointed with a mono speaker that, while powerful, does not deliver the sound, bass, or enjoyment that a good stereo setup does, as is common with other similarly priced smartphones. The screen responsiveness is also a bit strange as the screen sometimes senses swiping up and down as a left to right swipe, which is annoying when using the phone with one hand. The 144 Hz refresh rate is very welcome, but I don't see any difference from a 120 Hz screen.

camera

All of the Motorola Moto Edge phones launched this year – the Edge (2021) / Edge 20, Edge 20 Lite, and Edge 20 Pro – have 108-megapixel main cameras, but here on the Pro it is supported by a 16- MP wide-angle camera and an 8MP periscope telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom. This makes the Edge 20 Pro quite unusual, as periscope zoom cameras are rarely used outside of very high-end phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

The camera module of the Moto Edge 20 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The photos taken are inconsistent, and every few good photos will result in pretty bad photos, especially in low light. There is a significant difference in color balance and dynamic range between the main and wide-angle cameras. Pictures taken with 5x zoom use optical image stabilization, and the results are better than with 5x digital zoom in that it shows more details and better dynamic range, but it doesn't come close to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Motorola is promoting a 50x super zoom mode, but it really shouldn't have because there is no stabilization at all and the image in the viewfinder is constantly moving. When you take a photo, you get a nice, pixelated approach to the subject.

Low light is surprisingly bad, as even in early morning shady conditions the 108MP camera with an aperture of f / 1.9 caused blurring that most other cameras would have no problem with. There's a fixed focus macro mode that can make it difficult to take a decent photo, 8K video recording at 24 frames per second, and a dual capture mode that uses both the front and rear cameras to capture video at the same time . The 32-megapixel selfie camera takes pleasant photos with natural skin tones even when the beauty mode is switched on.

The camera of the Moto Edge 20 Pro is typically Motorola. It has many features and some desirable technologies, but the execution isn't good enough to get the most out of them.

Software and performance

The Moto Edge 20 Pro uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, which is a warmed-up version of the older Snapdragon 865 processor and is more efficient. The Snapdragon 870 might not be the best Snapdragon 888, but you probably won't notice a huge difference from day to day. I've played Asphalt 9: Legends with no issues, it's very fluid and fast, and I've multitasked as always, which undoubtedly helped by the 12GB of RAM inside.

Asphalt 9: Legends played on the Moto Edge 20 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Android 11 is installed and like most of their phones, Motorola doesn't add too much, which means that it is similar to Android on a Google Pixel phone. There are some gesture controls like shaking the phone to activate the flashlight. Peek Display replaces the usual and preferred always-on screen with a tap-to-wake system. I like the way you can see more details from notifications by tapping and holding icons, but I would prefer that the basic information be shown all the time. Apps worked without errors, notifications are delivered as expected, and the phone has worked normally for all of my time.

Motorola is also pushing its desktop mode, which it calls Ready For, on the Moto Edge 20 Pro to include the required USB Type-C to HDMI cable to use it in the box. It's a nice touch. Ready For also works wirelessly if you have a compatible screen. It works similarly to Samsung DeX in that it displays a Windows-like start screen that is designed to increase productivity. Also, like DeX, it may not work with all smart TVs (it didn't connect to my Sony Android TV, for example) and to take full advantage you will need a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, as well as a controller if you want to play games to play.

The standby mode of the Moto Edge 20 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Moto app options of the Moto Edge 20 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Browser displayed on Moto Edge 20 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apps screen on the Moto Edge 20 Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Calls on the Moto Edge 20 Pro are decent, but I didn't find the speaker very good. The voices weren't as clear as I expected, and background noise on the caller's side seemed more disturbing than normal. This is a 5G phone if you have coverage near you, with two 5G SIM slots plus Wi-Fi 6 on board and NFC for Google Pay. Small things aside, the Moto Edge 20 Pro gives you everything you could want in a high-end phone – cleanly designed, reliable software, and lots of power – with features like Ready For that may be helpful to some.

battery

The 4,500 mAh battery is a bit smaller than we've come to expect from smartphones lately, but if you don't squeeze the phone very hard, it just gulps power. On a few days with very little use, it stretched to three days for me, which very few other phones do. Play games and watch videos and this becomes two days of usage that are still good.

Charging port on the Moto Edge 20 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Motorola's 30W TurboPower charger is included, and while a 10-minute zack apparently provides nine hours of operation, according to Motorola, it doesn't get 100% as fast as the quick chargers that came with the OnePlus Nord 2 or that Realme GT. The Moto Edge 20 Pro doesn't have wireless charging, which is unfortunate.

Price and availability

The Motorola Moto Edge 20 Pro is priced at £ 650, or around $ 900. It is available now in the UK through Motorola's online store. You'd have to import one to own it in the US and there doesn't seem to be any immediate plans for Motorola to officially launch it.

Our opinion

There's nothing wrong with being clearly average, which is a good thing because that's what sets the Moto Edge 20 Pro apart. It has a design that won't hurt your eyes or arouse your senses, a decent camera that takes photos that you'll never say wow, and a pretty screen that just can't quite keep up with the competition. Good battery life and reliable software aren't enough to go beyond that.

I haven't had any major issues with the phone at all, but the little annoyances add up without much to make worth the effort. Why Motorola abandoned the cool design and cascading screen of the Moto Edge (2020) is a mystery. This may be Motorola's top smartphone released so far this year, but it hasn't really been covered on the red carpet, and this is an issue as Motorola hasn't price-tagged it in the average range. Phones that don't seem average at all are yours for a little less than it costs to pick up the Moto Edge 20 Pro. At a time when competition is incredibly fierce in all areas of the phone world, the average is quickly forgotten.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, and for less money. If you're in the UK, the OnePlus Nord costs £ 2,400, or around $ 550, has a visually nicer screen, more attractive design, powerful camera and quick charge. You're missing out on the periscope zoom, but it's not worth the significant extra cost you pay for it. The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is priced at $ 500 and is officially available in the US and the UK and is similarly excellent.

Alternatively, the Realme GT is worth a look at £ 450 or around $ 620 and has a Snapdragon 888 chip, fast charging, and a decent screen and camera. The $ 450 Google Pixel 5a has its perks too, with a good camera, IP67 rating, and great software. It misses the high refresh rate screen but is much cheaper.

The OnePlus 9 Pro costs a little more, $ 969 or £ 829, and if you can afford it, it's a better buy. The Hasselblad camera has received software updates since its inception which have greatly improved it, it has the latest Qualcomm processor, great software with extended support and a well-engineered design.

How long it will take?

Motorola intends to provide two major Android software updates and bimonthly security updates for the Moto Edge 20 Pro for two years. The phone has a splash rating of IP52, which means it's fine in the rain, but not so much if you drop it in the bathtub. It comes with a basic translucent TPU case in the box for extra drop protection. You can safely buy the Moto Edge 20 Pro and expect it to last two years.

Should you buy one?

No. It can't quite deliver on the promise of its specification, and there are better alternatives for less money.

Editor's recommendations



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