28 Jul
Blog

Pokémon Unite Review: Not Quite a Switch Slam Dunk

Cramorant eats Pikachu in Pokemon Unite

Pokémon Unite Review: Not Quite A Slam Dunk For Switch Owners

"While the core gameplay of Pokémon Unite is fun, strange design choices and a complicated microtransaction system make simple MOBA difficult."

advantages

  • Unique point system

  • Satisfying fight

  • Mostly balanced

  • Easy to record and play

disadvantage

  • Limited communication

  • Depressing microtransactions

  • Frame rate and lag issues

  • Lack of game depth

Pokémon is a franchise that focuses on travel. Every time you open a case or download a new title, you know you are on an adventure that will take you to a new place in the ever-expanding world of Pikachu, Charizard, and friends. In my time as a Pokémon trainer, I've traversed the land of turn-based RPGs, navigated the AR landscape, and even traveled into the depths of the roguelike realm, but I never thought I'd find myself at the foot of Mt. would find again. MOBA.

Yes, Pokémon Unite is primarily a multiplayer online battle arena, much like League of Legends and Dota 2. However, it's far more accessible than those notoriously dull games: Unite is a fun, easy-to-learn spin on the usual Pokémon formula that gives players new experiences with their favorite pocket monsters.

Pokémon Unite was released for Nintendo Switch on July 21st. It's coming to mobile sometime in September, though Nintendo and developer TiMi Studio Group (a subsidiary of Tencent) aren't yet to announce an exact date. The game is free to start and features a variety of real money microtransactions. While spin-offs are nothing new to the franchise, Unite is the latest in a long line of Pokémon mobile games aimed at taking the franchise in new directions.

By and large, Pokémon Unite is an approachable, if not exceptional, MOBA. The gameplay is fun and the design choices are original, but it often feels more like a Pokémon-skinned MOBA than a real-life Pokémon game. Focusing on the pick-up and play factor means it lacks the depth of other MOBAs and the Pokémon RPGs. The game's mobile-centric design lends itself to a number of performance issues and a suspicious pay-to-win mechanic. Among all that junk, however, Unite isn't a bad game. Only a few layers need to be shed.

A fight for the ages

Unite takes place on Aeos Island, where Professor Phorus and her assistant Erbie teach players the basics. Unite Battles take place on the island, where Trainers collect points by collecting their Pokémon Aeos Energy and scoring goals in their opponent's target zones. Pokémon teams compete against each other in 5v5 battles, with each trainer controlling one Pokémon. The team that scores the most points before the time runs out wins.

It's a refreshingly easy experience that ensures fights never drag on and losing teams always have a chance to return. It gives players a lot of individual freedom of action as they don't need the help of their teammates to defeat AI-controlled wild Pokémon and drain their Aeos energy. However, to win big teamfights, it definitely requires the support of a teammate.

Zeraora fight in Pokemon Unite.

Despite an interface that was obviously designed for mobile devices, the game on Switch is easy to control. Simple attacks have to be initiated and continued manually, resulting in a significant amount of button spamming during fights. There are only a small selection of Pokémon available to play with at launch, but each has a wide variety of movements and passive skills that are gained as you level up and evolve, which is achieved by defeating opponents and scoring points. You can occasionally choose between two different trains, but you have a limited number of movement slots. So it is up to you to determine which move is more advantageous in your particular battle.

It's a refreshingly easy experience that ensures fights never drag on and losing teams always have a chance to return.

While I like that outside of combat you can use a menu to choose which train to switch to by default, I wish there was a way to see a brief description of each move during combat. If you don't research the moves and skills beforehand, it can feel like you're guessing.

Pokémon are categorized in two different ways. First and foremost, all Pokémon are either melee or ranged Pokémon, which determines the average range of their basic attacks. Below this class, Pokémon can be attackers, defenders, speedsters, supporters or all-rounders. From the selection of Pokémon I've played, each one felt satisfactory and was pretty balanced (except for Lucario, who needs a nerf). Many Pokémon have abilities designed to hunt down fleeing enemies – few things felt more satisfying than jumping on and taking out an enemy who almost escaped. Outside of combat, I wish the movement was faster, especially if you aren't playing a Speedster Pokémon.

There are a few weird omissions in the user interface as well. For example, there is no way to see the actual score of a game. You will get a couple of automated pings over the course of a game telling you if your team is winning or losing, but there is no way to see the actual number. I suspect this should keep people from getting out if their team is trampled on, but that doesn't change the fact that there is no way to closely check how the game is going. I would also like the descriptions of Pokémon movements to include actual numbers and percentages in their descriptions, rather than "X for a short time" and so on.

Grind and wait

While the in-game performance is generally good, the game's frame rate and responsiveness are seriously affected in the game's menus. I experienced a significant menu delay when selecting a Pokémon before a game, navigating the confusing shop interface, and receiving the introductory week free items. It feels like the game has been optimized for mobile devices and simply ported to the Switch. There's no way to predict the game's performance on mobile, but Unite shouldn't be as sluggish on a dedicated game console.

Mobile games are still struggling to shake off the stigma of microtransactions; Unite does nothing to help.

If you can manage to get past the delay, there are a variety of menus available to view that show available Pokémon, items for sale, and the game's Battle Pass. Between ongoing events, the Battle Pass, and the daily gift system, there are way too many menus, all of which look very similar, so it's easy to get lost. The coach cosmetic items are a fun twist, but there aren't that many to buy to start with, and it would be extremely difficult to get without spending real money. The large number of currencies does not make the system any easier.

A congratulations screen for completing the tutorial.

That brings us to the elephant in space: microtransactions. Although the game tells you how to earn free currencies, it is obvious that the fastest way to level up stats increasing items is to buy them with real money. This creates a frustrating pay-to-win experience as those willing and able to pay for item upgrades will receive larger bonuses in battles that will allow them to win more easily. The exorbitant upgrade prices, combined with a weekly cap on the amount of free currency that can be earned, mean that those who try without paying will get upgrades much more slowly than those who pay.

Mobile games are still struggling to shake off the stigma of microtransactions; Unite does nothing to help.

Nintendo is Nintendo

The game has a variety of Nintendo-specific issues. As with previous multiplayer Nintendo games, the communication and ping system is pathetically inadequate, with just a small selection of pre-made phrases that you can use to communicate with others. Voice chat can only be used in games, not in a lobby or menus, and requires a Switch-compatible headset microphone.

As with previous multiplayer Nintendo games, the communication and ping system is woefully inadequate.

The friend system is annoying too, as Nintendo's usual codes are the only way to add friends that you're not yet Switch friends with. I couldn't test the friends lobby system, but if you have nine friends who want to play Unite, you can create custom lobbies together.

Venusaur in a very cute beach outfit.

In my playing time I also had a pretty high number of players who were AFK, both on my team and on other teams. I'm not sure if this is due to users' unstable internet connections or Nintendo's famously unstable servers, but the number seemed high enough that something needs to be done. The game has a fair play system where coaches who play well get access to additional rewards, but hopefully players who boot due to a server failure won't lose any points in this regard.

Our opinion

Pokémon Unite can be a lot of fun, but it's not a must have for multiplayer experiences. Pokémon and MOBA fans will likely miss some of the depth of their respective titles, while the game's extremely confusing menu system, pay-to-win microtransactions, and weird design omissions make it difficult to recommend. There's a good game deep in there, but it's covered in layers of unnecessary material and gas.

How long it will take?

Pokémon Unite is a live multiplayer game, so Nintendo and TiMi will likely plan to support it for at least a while after it launches. However, the game has excellent replayability; No two games feel the same.

Is there an alternative?

If you're looking for a purer Pokémon experience, you'd better wait for this winter's Diamond and Pearl remakes or Pokémon Legends: Arceus. MOBA fans looking for a deeper game that is still easy to play should check out Heroes of the Storm.

Should you buy it?

Considering the game is free to start, it can't hurt to download it and see if you like it. If you enjoy it, it may be worth spending a few dollars on cosmetics.

Editor's recommendations



26 Jul
Blog

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Review: No Objections

A character points a finger in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles – Nintendo Switch

RRP $ 40.00

"The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a must for fans of the series and anyone interested in visual novels."

advantages

  • Great writing

  • Dynamic new characters

  • Excellent new mechanic mechanic

  • Fresh identity

  • Strong writing

disadvantage

  • Some legal proceedings drag on

  • Sometimes too familiar

When it comes to visual novels, Capcom's Ace Attorney range is superior to the rest. The series started with the first entry, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney on the Gameboy Advance. Its popularity has ushered it into a new age, and after being a Japanese exclusive for six years, The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles series has finally made its way west.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles bundles the two titles of the prequel spin-off series. These games take everything that made previous entries so great and mix them up with a new time and place – late 19th century Meiji-era Japan and Victorian Britain. This archaic setting offers new avenues for solving legal proceedings and new barriers for returning fans of the series eager to pass judgment.

While the first game in this duology sometimes felt almost too familiar and others even felt a little unfulfilled (since this is a special Ace Attorney title where the story is not stand-alone and is expanded further in 2), both titles can be played back back solves this problem. The range of packages and great additions to the series make the long wait for The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles worthwhile.

Memorable characters

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles begins on very familiar territory and evolves into a unique story that receives an identity that sets it apart from the modern day stories of the Mainline Ace Attorney series. For certain fans, this breakup can feel like a burden as the first title is almost too similar to the previous episodes. Thankfully, the amazing characters and charming writing keep things interesting. I found myself very invested in where it was going next.

The first entry begins in Japan with Phoenix Wright's ancestor and protagonist Ryunosuke Naruhodo, who died after his alleged murder of university professor Dr. John H. Wilson is on trial. In this first trial, Ryunosuke's best friend, who is a law student, Kazuma Asogi, represents him in court.

The Great Ace Attorney, Herlock Sholmes, holding his hat.

After Ryunosuke's innocence is proven and his judicial awakening, the two travel to the UK, where Asogi will graduate and make his debut in court. This trip ushers in a series of events that push Ryunosuke further into his legal calling with his new partner Susato Mikotoba and the English detective Herlock Sholmes at his side.

These characters and their interactions really make this spin-off so valuable. They all feel unique and can even rival the charms of older characters in the main entries. I fell in love with Asogi straight away, as I expect many will. He and Ryunosuke's dynamic in the courtroom quickly made them my favorite duo on the show.

These characters and their interactions really make this spin-off so valuable.

As with every game in the series, there will be various lawsuits throughout the story and players will uncover more secrets that appear along the way. As far as I can speak of the story. The narrative twists and turns are what make Ace Attorney so special. So the fewer players who know how to get in, the better.

Detect better

As with previous games in the series, gameplay is the typical investigative and experimental formula. However, certain twists have been introduced to better reflect the period, with the tests seeing the most noticeable changes.

The Great Ace Attorney, trigger completion screen.

The new mechanic of the dance of deduction is a remarkable addition. Whenever Herlock Sholmes begins putting the facts and arguments together, it is up to Ryunosuke to point out the contradictions in his quick bursts of logic. To do this, players must carefully look at all of their evidence. This literally means that said evidence is turned upside down to find clues Herlock may have overlooked, which may lead to a different conclusion.

The test segments now differ significantly from the main series. You're a little closer to the witch trials in the crossover title Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Players will still face the series' usual penal system while harassing a witness and producing evidence to find inconsistencies in testimony, but players may have to cross-examine multiple witnesses at the same time this time around. Another mechanism straight out of the Professor Layton crossover is the ability to interrupt a witness's dialogue in order to conduct further investigation and get closer to the desired truth and judgment.

Once the players reach the English court system, another twist is made predominant with the addition of jurors who work with the judge to decide a final verdict. Throughout the trial, these jurors can change their minds based on how they think about the case at hand, each with their own thoughts. Players will reach out to the jury and can even use the testimony of one judge to find a contradiction in someone else's testimony.

A great new feature in the courtroom is the summation check. The new mechanic shows up whenever the jury agrees on a guilty verdict. If it happens, players can ask for a summation and try to dissuade the jury from their guilty vote.

These fresh gimmicks have made these two spin-offs my favorites on the series.

The jurors of the Great Ace Attorney.

All of this appeal makes it clear that this court system is nothing like what veterans of Ace Attorney have ever played. As in Professor Layton's crossover, the court is much more archaic. Players will not use technology or surefire evidence to reach a desired judgment, but will have to come up with logical explanations while finding flaws in those of others in order to succeed.

These fresh gimmicks have made these two spin-offs my favorites on the series. They make the games so unique and more dynamic than ever. Trust me when I say your first moment with Sholmes ‘Conclusions will change your life. These new mechanics are brilliant and I hope they return in some form or another with the next main series entry.

A little too familiar

While the games offer a lot of new ideas, the first game has some familiarity issues. This first half of the Chronicles story feels a lot like the plot of the original Phoenix Wright trilogy, which sometimes left me disinterested other than how the characters interact and grow. It quickly became clear that this first entry was mostly just a setup to lead into the more unique sequel.

The slow pace of this first half was further fueled by a series of legal proceedings that felt they were taking too long. Although I enjoyed it, starting with the first case, I thought, “Wow, are we going with this case?” I feel like this is a by-product of the environment the title is placed in, and this one Spin-off was originally very experimental.

A character points a finger in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles.

The environment itself is another weak point in the first entry. The Great Ace Attorney doesn't really take advantage of the setting and its limits. There were points at which I felt the same things could have been accomplished with another modern day ace attorney instead of going the 19th century path.

It quickly became clear that this first entry was mostly just a setup to lead into the more unique sequel.

Certain highlights, new mechanics and the superior sequel complete the package. The second game improves on the first in almost every way, including the use of the settings – although some of the game's modern technology tools feel like a cheat.

I found The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles more than worthy of the long running series, with both games quickly becoming two of my favorite posts. It can be a bit of a chore at first, but this spin-off quickly finds its own unique voice and takes full advantage of its individuality.

Our opinion

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is a must have for fans of the Ace Attorney franchise and the visual novel genre at large. It's a perfect entry point for anyone interested in the genre or series. Although it has some slow points, strong writing and charming characters are enough to make up for its weaknesses. Thanks to those strengths and the very fun new mechanic, I wanted more.

How long it will take?

Since both titles run for around 30 hours each, the entire package should take around 60 hours. However, due to the nature of visual novels, there isn't much replayability.

Is there an alternative?

Some players who want a darker and more active gaming experience can enjoy the popular Danganronpa range. It's one that I would highly recommend investing your time in after you've enjoyed your time with an Ace attorney, and vice versa.

Should you buy it?

Yes. This double pack is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a good visual novel to empathize with.

Editor's recommendations



24 Jul
Blog

Twinkly Line Review: Dazzling Light Show, Short On Length

Twinkly Line Review Smart LED Light Bar 3 of 10

"The special effects from Twinkly are abundant and give every room the perfect ambience."

advantages

  • Lots of preset lighting effects

  • Easy assembly with adhesive strips

  • Custom effects can easily be set up

disadvantage

  • Very short length to work with

After setting up the Twinkly Flex a few weeks ago, I didn't think there would be other smart lights that could achieve nearly the same level of excitement that I had with the Flex's dazzling light show. Well, unless it's something Twinkly. The company's move to year-round smart lights has so far impressed me with the performance of the Flex rather than just relying on its bread and butter Christmas lights.

With the Twinkly Line, however, it is entering a room that is already saturated with other intelligent LED light strips from the competition. Don't be fooled if you think this is your ordinary LED light strip because the magic lies not just in its brightness intensity or different colors it can produce, but rather in the special effects you can create for a custom, unique one Can use light show.

installation

Unlike the Twinkly Flex, which required more labor because it had to be attached to the wall with screws, the Twinkly Line is much easier to install. However, I had to be meticulous with the placement as this is meant to serve as an accent light – so you really don't want it to be outdoors. I ended up placing it under the windowsill in my living room, which is a bit hidden apart from the fact that the power cord snakes around one side.

Twinkly Line individual LED lighting in different colors.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The 5 foot length of the Twinkly Line proved a little tricky as I wanted to install it in one of the cabinets in my entertainment center first. However, it just wasn't long enough to cover what I needed. You can technically lengthen the length by purchasing additional 5-foot extensions that sell for about $ 37, but the cost to meet the need will add up quickly – the initial cost of the Twinkly Line is about $ 67. Dollar.

Attaching the Twinkly Line to a surface is quite easy because the underside is covered with an adhesive. Some pressure is required to ensure it stays in place while the three-prong connector is attached to one end of the conduit to complete the installation. There are clips that are included, but I found the adhesive wasn't strong enough to stay firmly in place overnight – it instead dangled from the wall the next day.

software

Basically, the Twinkly Line works like almost any other smart LED light bar on the market. You can choose different colors through the app, but what makes it unique are the different special effects that Twinkly offers. From different colors in a rainbow pattern to a neat effect that mixes two colors that start at either end of the strip, it's the customization and special effects that make it unique.

While there are several different presets to choose from in the app, you can better customize the effect due to the ability to assign the lights with your smartphone's camera. That way, the effects will be exactly the same as what you see in the app, but this becomes more noticeable when you group different Twinkly lights – resulting in elaborate pattern effects that can go from side to side. The Twinkly app is straightforward to use and the ability to easily adjust the light pattern makes it special.

perfomance

I think it's great that Twinkly has entered the category of smart LED light strips with the Line. The colors are punchy and moderately bright compared to some other comparable light strips. It's certainly not as powerful as the Twinkly Flex, but the Line still emits enough light to complement the most important lights in the house. It's not intrusive what I like about an accent light.

Some of the special effects are pretty mind-blowing.

Some of the special effects are pretty mind-boggling, which I've seen with all of the Twinkly Smart Lights I've come across. The only real limitation here is just the length, which at 5 feet forces you to really think about placement. In particular, it's not quite as flexible as other LED light strips I've used, so it's almost impossible to bend it into a 90-degree angle – although the plastic cover over the strip certainly gives the durability to potentially help it hold up potentially long term.

Rainbow colors emitted by the Twinkly Line.

Regardless, the Twinkly Line's performance is exceptional in every season. The experience is also enhanced as it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for quick and easy voice control. I managed to make it part of my living room lighting so that it can turn all the lights in the room on and off when I ask the Google Assistant.

Our opinion

The only disadvantage here is that the price of the Twinkly Line is higher than other intelligent LED light strips. You'll have to spend roughly $ 67 for the 5 foot base strip, and then an additional $ 37 for each 5 foot extension. This undoubtedly adds up quickly when your budget is tight.

Still, it's a perfect match if you already have Smart Lights from Twinkly as the grouping feature I could add makes for a dazzling presentation when you have multiple lights with the same effect.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want to save money, you get a lot more Govee Smart LED light bar. For $ 34, you get 32.8-foot lighting to work with, which is more than enough to cover larger spaces and corners.

Philips Hue offers its own intelligent LED light strip that is priced a little higher than what the Twinkly Line currently offers. Technically, you have 6 feet of lighting to work with, but it's an easy decision to buy if you've already invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem.

How long it will take?

The robust outer housing of the Twinkly Line feels super robust. While bending it at an angle is out of the question, the LED lights are encased to prevent moisture from messing up or possibly ruining the light. In the event of a defect, there is a one-year limited warranty that comes with the product.

Should you buy it?

If the cost isn't too high for you, the Twinkly Line has a unique light show that will make your neighbors jealous when they see the show from the outside.

Editor's recommendations



23 Jul
Blog

Sennheiser CX True Wireless Review: Budget Audiophile Buds

Sennheiser CX True Wireless Earphones.

Sennheiser CX True Wireless

RRP $ 130.00

"They offer the best sound you can find in an affordable set of earbuds."

advantages

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Customizable EQ

  • Precise and customizable controls

  • Sidetone for telephone calls

  • Good battery life

disadvantage

  • No in-ear sensors

  • No transparency mode

  • Could be difficult to get a secure fit

True wireless earbuds have always been a dilemma. Unlike their wired cousins, wireless earbuds require a variety of components such as batteries, charging cases, bluetooth radios, amplifiers, etc. All of these drive up costs and make it difficult to deliver high quality sound at affordable prices. Sennheiser – a brand with an enviable reputation for great sound – is experimenting with the line between quality and affordability.

Its first recording was the $ 200 CX 400BT it launched in 2020, a set of true wireless earbuds that did deliver sound but missed a lot of the features we'd expect at this price point. Sennheiser's second act is the $ 130 CX True Wireless. Are these buds achieving that magical balance between price and performance? We put them to the test to find out.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sennheiser is one of a growing list of companies that have made their packaging highly recyclable. The box of the CX True Wireless consists of plain printed cardboard and even the small packaging that protects the included earplugs is paper-based. You won't find a hint of plastic or foam anywhere. Inside you will find the earphones, their charging case, earbuds in four sizes, a short USB-A to USB-C charging cable and some paper documentation.

design

Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones next to the Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless earphones.Sennheiser CX 400BT (left) and CX True Wireless Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Visually, the CX True Wireless can hardly be distinguished from the CX 400BT. Both the charging case and the earphones have identical proportions. On closer inspection, there are small differences: the CX True Wireless have a more subtle branding that some will no doubt prefer, and their charging case has removed the dedicated pairing button from the case of the CX 400BT. The touch controls now use a matte plastic surface instead of a glossy surface.

If you pull one off this review, here it is: The CX True Wireless are a sound bargain.

The earbuds stay a bit bulky and won't win any awards for style. But the rounded box shape makes it easier than many other earbuds to insert into your ears without accidentally triggering a control path – it also makes it easy to remove and reinsert in their charging case.

One thing that has changed from the CX 400BT is the addition of an IPX4 rating for water resistance. This means that the CX True Wireless is on par with other earphones such as the AirPods Pro. They won't survive a swim in the pool, but now you can at least take them to the gym, on the track, or wherever you sweat without worrying about your earplugs.

Comfort, controls and connections

Unfortunately, since the CX True Wireless inherited its size and shape from the CX 400BT, they also inherited the fit of these earbuds, meaning they may not be comfortable. In order to get a really comfortable and secure fit, I have set myself a set Comply foam earplugs – the same ones I ended up using on the CX 400BT to deal with the same situation.

Sennheiser is still one of the few companies that really understands what is important when it comes to touch control.

To be fair, the silicone earbuds that Sennheiser included with the CX True Wireless are likely to work for a lot of people and I would never say they are uncomfortable. But they definitely don't fit as securely as foam, nor do they seal your ear canals as effectively. If you run into the same thing, just buy some comply tips from Amazon for a few dollars – you'll thank me for that.

The touch controls on the CX are excellent. Sennheiser is still one of the few companies that really understands what is important when it comes to touch control. The control surfaces are large and clear – it's effortless to get consistently accurate taps. As a bonus, a subtle tone confirms that you typed correctly.

You can adjust these controls with the Sennheiser Smart Control app. Single, double and triple taps can all be assigned to the function you want, and you can choose a different function for each earbud – handy when you want to use the earbuds independently (which you can do for both music and calls). You get everything you need: play / pause, skip tracks forwards / backwards, trigger your voice assistant and increase / decrease the volume. The only feature that can't be changed is the volume, which the long tap gesture requires when you want to use it.

Pairing with iPhones or Android devices is easy, even if the CX doesn't come with Google's Fast Pair – a few taps and you're done. If you're on an iPhone, you're limited to the good but lossy AAC codec, while Android users can enjoy the slightly higher quality aptX codec. But regardless of your source device, you can't hike very far. The CX has one of the shortest wireless signals I've ever tested – they started to dissipate when I placed just 6 meters between me and my phone. If you have your phone with you, this shouldn't be a problem. But if you want to leave your phone in a pocket or locker, be ready to stay around.

Sound quality

Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones next to the charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

With the included silicone earbuds, I found the CX True Wireless a bit anemic for the bass, but that was a purely fit function. After I swapped them for the foam tips, the sound improved dramatically. If you pull one off this review, here it is: The CX True Wireless are a sound bargain. They deliver impressively detailed and precise performance that comes incredibly close to earbuds from Sony, Bose, JBL, and Master & Dynamic, which can cost anywhere from $ 250 to $ 350.

The soundstage is wide and deep, and purists will like that Sennheiser's factory EQ settings give you a flat / neutral signature. But I usually find neutral EQ sounds boring at my preferred volume levels, so I love that the Smart Control app gives you two ways to visualize and change the emphasis of lows, mids, and highs, and create presets when You can find a setting that you like. You can clearly energize the lows and highs without losing details in the mids.

I've spent quite a bit of time switching from one genre to another, and whether it was jazz, pop, metal or hip-hop, the CX True Wireless did them wonderfully. If you've never really listened to decent earbuds, the CX will also bring you one of my favorite experiences: hearing a detail on one of your favorite tracks that you've never heard before, or rendering it to make a smile on your face.

When conditions are relatively calm, your voice will be nice and clear, with very little compression or wobble.

One track that certainly did this for me is Melanie Martinez ’High School Sweethearts. After a minute, Martinez goes from her breathy and F-bomb-laden intro to the main part of the track, and at this point you can hear someone writing on a blackboard. The CX places this unmistakable scratchy sound behind Martinez's voice so precisely, as if you could look over her shoulder and see the person writing. It gave me goosebumps.

Battery life

Sennheiser CX True Wireless earphones next to the charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The CX 400BT promised seven hours of battery life per charge, with a total of 20 hours including the charging case – acceptable, but hardly worth mentioning, especially for earphones without Active Noise Canceling (ANC). But the CX True Wireless are a step up, with nine hours on a full charge and a total of 27 hours on the case.

With a quick charge of 15 minutes you get an extra hour of playtime. This puts the CX True Wireless on par with some of the best earbuds in terms of endurance – a welcome improvement.

Call quality

Making calls with the CX True Wireless is about average for True Wireless earbuds. When the outside conditions are relatively calm and there is no wind, your voice will be nice and clear, with very little compression or wobble. This must be the “voice-optimized sound” that Sennheiser refers to in its description of the earphones.

However, this does not apply to times when wind or loud noises are nearby. At these times, the microphones struggle to keep your voice consistently clear. Since so few earbuds do this excellently, I can hardly blame Sennheiser for anything, but remember: These are earbuds for making phone calls at the desk or when waiting for the flight – not for jogging, cycling or walking near heavy traffic.

These were also my observations when testing the CX 400BT, but here the CX True Wireless improves its more expensive predecessor once again: The CX True Wireless has an adjustable sidetone, which means that you can hear your own voice much more clearly when making calls. It works really well, but I found it difficult to adjust the amount of sidetone during a call.

Something missing?

The CX True Wireless really hit a sweet spot in terms of price and sound performance, and even managed to deliver really good battery life, but there are still some features you may be missing. There is no listening mode (transparency), which is surprising given the eavesdropping feature – these two often go hand in hand.

There are no in-ear sensors that can automatically pause your music when you pull out an earbud. Given the lack of transparency mode, this is what you will often do when you want to talk to someone in real life.

The charging case lacks wireless charging – maybe a minor annoyance, but it's becoming standard on many earbuds that cost less than the CX.

ANC does not exist either, but that is a feature that Sennheiser will do without at this price.

Our opinion

For people who love high-end sound quality but don't have the money to indulge in the best of true wireless earbuds, the CX True Wireless are a great buy. As long as you can forego a few features like the transparency mode and are willing to buy third-party earbuds if the sound or fit doesn't work for you, I think you'll be really happy.

Is there a better alternative?

There are tons of great True Wireless earbuds available anywhere between $ 100 and $ 130 that can outperform the CX True Wireless in terms of features. The Second generation Amazon Echo Buds come to mind as well as that Soundcore Life P3, and the Jabra Elite 75t. But none of these can beat the CX in terms of sheer sound quality.

Ironically, Sennheiser now apparently has that CX 400BT to just $ 100 – it just might be the best alternative. Same great sound, but with a shorter battery life, no water protection and no audible tone for calls. If you're willing to give these up for a $ 30 savings, you're cheating!

How long will they last?

While hard to predict, the CX True Wireless looks better than many other True Wireless earbuds. The fit and workmanship are excellent and Sennheiser supports them with a two-year guarantee, which speaks volumes for the company's confidence in its product. The industry standard is only one year. With IPX4 protection and a good starter battery capacity, they should last you for years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. The CX True Wireless solves the problem of getting great sound on a budget.

Editor's recommendations



22 Jul
Blog

Framework Laptop Review: Let the Laptop Disruption Begin

Framework laptop test 7

Frame laptop

RRP $ 999.00

"The Framework Laptop is more than just a worthwhile experiment in terms of modularity, it's also a great laptop."

advantages

  • Unbeatable upgradeability

  • Bright, high resolution screen

  • 1080p webcam

  • Lots of key trips

  • Easily interchangeable ports

disadvantage

  • Runs hot

  • Mediocre battery life

Even the very best laptops are only supposed to last four or five years. Warranties expire, components become obsolete, damage occurs, and not much of it is repairable.

Here the framework laptop disrupts the norm. A screwdriver is included, and adjustments, updates, and repairs of all kinds are highly recommended. A piece of technology that won't run out of steam even in a few product cycles? Now there is a new idea.

For a starting price of $ 999, you can get a premium Windows laptop that looks and works like any other. But the framework philosophy is really what you pay for – and that makes the framework laptop unlike any I've ever used.

design

The Framework laptop from behind, showing the logo on the lid.

On the surface, the Framework Laptop is an ordinary laptop. It's a simple silver laptop that resembles a cheaper version of a MacBook – no unlike countless Windows laptops and Chromebooks.

That's not exactly a compliment, but maybe it's part of the point to fit in. The idea that the Framework laptop looks and works like any other laptop feels important – especially when trying to demonstrate how easy it would be for other laptops to take a similar approach to modularity. Of course, that doesn't mean that I didn't want a more original design.

Most laptop manufacturers claim that reduced upgradeability is a necessary compromise for portability, build quality, and system integrity. It doesn't matter whether it's Apple with its MacBooks or Dell with its XPS 13.

But for the most part, the framework laptop turns out to be mere excuses. It's 0.62 inches thick and 2.9 pounds – not a clunky laptop at all. No, it's not as small as the XPS 13 or Surface Laptop 4, but it is very close to the size of the MacBook Pro 13-inch. Laptops like the Razer Blade Stealth 13 or the Asus ROG Flex X13 have pushed the performance limits of 13-inch laptops and crammed separate graphics cards into similar physical dimensions.

The Framework laptop opens and shows the 3: 2 display.

Build quality is the only major area the Framework laptop has to sacrifice. It's not that it's badly built, but it's certainly not made from a single block of machined aluminum either. Since the key cover, bezels, and connectors can all be removed, they each introduce additional bezels that can potentially weaken the overall integrity of the structure. The lid has a bend, as well as the keyboard deck and the hinge. I've also noticed a clicking sound that sometimes occurs when the laptop is quickly opened and closed to a full 180 degrees.

But again, these aren't things that are unknown to a laptop at this price point. It's a flaw in many midrange or premium laptops that don't seem to get perfect. Framework Laptop also fits into this category, except for some legitimate reasons for its slightly inferior build quality.

Do I wish I could do without these plastic bezels? Necessarily. With a glossy screen like this, the option for the glass frames only would have been great.

Connections and expandability

Ports are the easiest way that the modularity of the framework benefits laptops. When you pull the Framework laptop out of the box, it looks a bit strange with its four exposed Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, two on each side of the laptop.

Framework then allows you to select the ports you want. You'll need at least one USB-C port to charge, but from there it's up to you. You might want HDMI or even full DisplayPort for your monitor connections. You might want three USB-A ports for all of your accessories and peripherals. Or maybe you just want to put all of these expansion cards in a pocket and use them as adapters when needed.

The ports of the framework laptop with two inserted expansion cards.

An expansion card separate from the framework laptop.

It's the kind of thing that gadget heads are going to love. But it's more than just a novelty. It also makes for a pretty versatile setup that no other laptop can replicate without the use of dongles, adapters, or hubs. However, changing expansion cards requires the system to be turned off, where carrying a set of dongles may be more convenient.

I was disappointed to see that it didn't include a full size SD card slot as an expansion card. Framework went with a micro SD slot instead, which is far less useful.

But ports are only the first step. The whole system is based on the idea of ​​easy access to the internal components. Most laptops provide access through a removable bottom cover, but the Framework laptop provides top access directly through the keyboard. Using the screwdriver provided, simply loosen the five fastenings on the underside and pull off the magnetic input cover.

The removable internals of the Framework laptop.

From there you can see the internal layout, all of which are neatly labeled and removable. Framework even went so far as to include scannable QR codes that tell you exactly what parts are included and how to install them. It's a real breath of fresh air. Laptop manufacturers tend to downplay the specific memory, storage, and connectivity they use – and would rather not tinker. That is not to say that it is completely unknown today. Many gaming laptops still allow you to add memory or storage. But it's becoming increasingly rare in thin and light laptops of this size.

Removing components on the Framework laptop couldn't be easier. Adding via the M.2 slot only requires loosening the latch while RAM snaps into place with no problem. The WLAN module is a bit trickier, where you have to connect the antenna cables correctly. I love that all of the screws are just fasteners to make sure you never lose an important screw. Framework has thought through to the last detail and everything contributes to a pleasant upgrade experience for both newbies and PC veterans.

Adding memory or RAM is a great way to extend the life of a laptop, but ultimately the processor and graphics will hold you up. That makes the Framework Laptop even more special.

The mainboard of the Framework laptop, which can be removed and replaced.

It should be noted that while the memory and RAM work well with third party parts that you buy and install yourself, the framework must provide the CPU and motherboard. That is, for the time being. The CPU and the mainboard (or the mainboard, as the framework calls it) are proprietary designs that are not so easy to separate on their own.

Framework also sells a discounted DIY edition that requires you to install these modules yourself. For most people interested in the modularity of the Framework laptop, the DIY edition is a cheaper way to get the exact same laptop experience.

Keyboard and touchpad

The Framework laptop keyboard with 1.5 mm key travel.

When I got into this review, I was concerned about the keyboard touchpad. These are the details that can easily be overlooked in a laptop that is more user upgradeable. I was pleasantly surprised at how good these entrances are.

The keyboard has a travel of 1.5 mm, which felt heavenly under my fingers. When you're fed up with the direction of flatter laptop keyboards, the Framework Laptop gives your tired fingers rest. This is one of the most comfortable laptop keyboards I've ever used. The layout is familiar and there is nothing that requires a learning curve.

This is one of the most comfortable laptop keyboards I've ever used.

The backlight is bright and even, with three levels of brightness. This has become the standard for brightness control, but laptops like the Razer Blade or MacBook Pro offer more granular controls.

The touchpad isn't quite as good as the keyboard, but it comes close. It's big and responsive, the tracking feels precise, and the click isn't too loud. Palm suppression is decent too, though the cursor skipped or moved a few times as you typed.

The framework laptop's fingerprint reader, which is integrated into the power button.

Framework also includes a fingerprint reader on top of the keyboard deck that is built into the power button. It looks a little out of place and unbranded, but the fingerprint reader worked fine for Windows Hello authentication.

Unfortunately, the Framework laptop doesn't include an IR camera for facial recognition, so you'll have to rely on the fingerprint reader for passwordless logins.

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The Framework laptop display has a thick underside.

It would have been easy to use an older, less trend-setting display option on the Framework laptop. Instead, it's another aspect of the device that doesn't just meet the basics to get through. It has a resolution of 2560 x 1403 with an aspect ratio of 3: 2, an increasingly popular alternative to 16: 9. This means more vertical screen real estate and more space to get work done and view web pages.

It's very similar in shape and size to the Surface Laptop 4, which also has a 3: 2 13.5-inch screen. There is no touchscreen in either configuration, but I love this size of the laptop. It strikes the balance between portability and screen size, giving you a comfortable place to work without having to lug around a larger 15-inch laptop. The increased resolution and size are to die for if you come from a 16: 9 1080p laptop.

It's a very bright screen with a maximum of 463 nits.

The image quality of the display isn't the best I've seen, but it excels in a few key areas. First, it's a very bright screen. It reaches a maximum brightness of 463 nits, an abundance of brightness that makes it a versatile laptop for working outdoors, near windows, or under bright fluorescent lights. It's also a high contrast screen with a maximum of 1090: 1 at 100% screen brightness. The result is crisp text when reading or typing and dynamic lighting in videos and movies.

The colors are the weakest aspect of the screen. 76% of the AdobeRGB color space is by no means bad, but it lags a bit behind some of the leaders in the field like the MacBook Pro, Samsung Galaxy Book Pro, and Razer Blade 14.

The color accuracy is also a bit off. My Spyder5 colorimeter gave some inconsistent results when it reported an average color error, despite doing a lot of testing. Framework says it uses the standard calibration made by the panel maker, and when used anecdotally, colors felt pretty lifelike and natural. However, it may not be the best option for a professional color grader unless you plan on calibrating it yourself.

Webcam and speakers

The Framework laptop's 1080p webcam built into the top bezel of the screen.

The webcam is located in the top frame above the screen and is impressive in itself. It's a 1080p camera with 60 frames per second (fps) video, which is a huge upgrade over most laptops that are still sold with 720p webcams. The increased resolution makes a huge difference in video calls by sharpening your face and smoothing movements. It's another example of how the Framework Laptop is a disruptive force in the laptop market today.

The speakers are located on the lower edge of the laptop and face down. The 3: 2 aspect ratio of the screen doesn't allow for as much width next to the keyboard for upwardly radiating speakers as I would prefer. These aren't bad speakers considering the placement. Compared to the MacBook Pro 13 inch they are of course pathetic, but the stereo separation sounds full and the speakers do not crackle at high volume.

perfomance

The Framework Laptop is broken down into three simple configurations that scale processor performance, memory, and storage. It's an easy way to sell a laptop, but it's a bit of a misnomer, and the lack of configurations makes buying the Framework laptop a bit limited just off the page. On the other hand, unlike most other laptops of this type, it wouldn't be difficult to buy the basic configuration and add storage or RAM as needed. That's the beauty of user-upgradeability.

My test device was the middle option, which comes with an Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. While the base configuration is pretty affordable at $ 999, the Framework charges a lot for additional memory and storage space. Dell is charging just $ 100 to upgrade the XPS 13 from 8GB to 16GB, while Apple is charging $ 200 for the same upgrade on the MacBook Pro. Microsoft is a notorious culprit in this regard, charging $ 1,700 for an identical configuration to my $ 1,399 trial configuration of the Framework laptop. So you will surely save some money by upgrading yourself, although $ 1,399 isn't a terrible price to pay for what the Framework laptop offers.

In addition, the Framework Laptop scores admirably. I tested it on our benchmark suite including Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10, and 3DMark Time Spy.

Geekbench 5 (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Frame laptop
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1432/4725 176 1444/5373 5054 1641
Dell XPS 13 (Core i7-1165G7) 1540/5432 201 1399/4585 3859 1589
HP Specter x360 14 (Core i7-1165G7) 1214/4117 236 1389/3941 4728 1457
Samsung Galaxy Pro 360
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1554/5603 N / A 1308/4062 5159 1800
Razer Book 13 (Core i7-1165G7) 1548/5374 210 1508/4519 4878 1776

The Framework laptop trades punches with some of the more powerful 13-inch Windows laptops you can buy, including the Razer Book 13 and the Dell XPS 13. The strong multi-core performance in Cinebench R23 was remarkable and beat all of them other competitors listed above. This great multi-core performance also translates well into fast video encoding times in Handbrake.

However, the Iris Xe graphics didn't blow my socks off in the Time Spy benchmark, nor in any of the games I tested. It's not a laptop that will be of great use for AAA PC gaming.

The thermals also worried me a few. The CPU reached peaks of 100 degrees Celsius several times in PCMark 10 runs and maintained the temperatures throughout the entire PCMark Spreadsheets test in the very high 90s. For example, the Ryzen CPU in the Asus ROG Flow X13 stayed around 10 degrees cooler during the same benchmark, which is still running pretty hot. Thats not cool. When you're doing something particularly demanding, both the surface and interior temperatures can get uncomfortably hot.

It handles video conferencing well, but the fans never turn loud enough to disturb the built-in microphones and speakers. The other good news is that the CPU was still humming at around 4.4 GHz even at high temperatures.

Both the surface and the interior temperature can get uncomfortably hot under heavy loads.

So what's the explanation for these types of temperatures? Open and accessible components can certainly be one of the culprits. Multiple fans, more heat pipes, large heat sinks, extra case vents, and other types of heat spreader are additional techniques that laptops use to cool these components. The Framework laptop is limited to just a single large fan, a couple of heat pipes, and a few small openings along the bottom of the laptop for airflow. This is certainly the weakest aspect of the Framework laptop and one that could wear out its internal components over time.

Upon inquiry, Framework confirmed that the system was designed to operate at the maximum boost frequency while remaining within safe temperature limits. 100 degrees Celsius is technically the maximum temperature the processor can reach, but you typically don't want your system to run at temperatures that high. It's not uncommon on competing laptops like the XPS 13, but it's never a good thing to see.

Battery life

The framework laptop opened on a white table.

The Framework Laptop contains a 55 watt hour battery, which is a decent building block for a laptop of this size. However, higher resolution screens like this one drain batteries faster, and the result is mediocre battery life.

The Framework laptop lasted 7 hours and 11 minutes in a light web browsing test that cycles through some heavier websites until the battery runs out. Most laptops in this price range and category last longer in this test. The Dell XPS 13 lasted almost 8.5 hours, while battery life champions like the Surface Laptop 4 lasted up to 13.5 hours. Even the Razer Book 13, which I praised for its mediocre battery life, lasted a full hour longer than the Framework laptop.

I also tested the laptop's battery on local video playback, which repeated a 1080p video clip until the battery ran out. The Framework laptop died after 7 hours and 20 minutes. This is also a long way behind the competition.

The Framework laptop won't get you through a full day of work on a single charge, especially if your typical workload includes some tasking applications, a lot of streaming, or heavier multitasking.

Our opinion

The Framework Laptop has a gimmick. Its modularity and upgradeability are certainly its main selling points, and if that's not important to you, look elsewhere. But unlike a lot of other experimental tech products, the Framework Laptop is a great laptop too. It's not perfect, but the Framework laptop doesn't let you sacrifice much to enjoy its unique design.

Are there alternatives?

In terms of upgradeability, Framework Laptop doesn't have a lot of competitors. There are some larger laptops out there that you can still upgrade the memory yourself, but not many in this size.

In terms of price, the Framework laptop ends up among premium laptops such as the Dell XPS 13, MacBook Pro 13 and HP Specter x360 14. However, the option of the DIY edition really helps to make the Framework laptop more affordable. Any number of other flagship laptops have strengths over the Framework laptop, but none offer this level of upgradeability.

How long it will take?

As long as you want in theory. Since almost all internal components are replaceable, a dead battery or an outdated CPU does not mean that the entire laptop has to be disposed of. I say in theory just because framework has to hold its end of the deal for it to really work.

In order for this laptop to last 10 or 15 years, Framework has to release new "motherboards" with updated processors, which is planned. The company has great ambitions to even open a third-party marketplace that aftermarket manufacturers can participate in. However, none of this has started yet. The interest in a shop for everything to do with the Framework Laptop will likely depend heavily on the success and acceptance of the first rounds of product releases.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. If the idea of ​​a long-lasting, user-upgradeable laptop sounds remotely appealing, the Framework Laptop is a dream come true.

Editor's recommendations



22 Jul
Blog

OnePlus Nord 2 5G Review: Just Call It the OnePlus 9 Lite

OnePlus Nord 2 from behind, held in the hand.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G Review: Just Call It OnePlus 9 Lite

“The OnePlus Nord 2 offers everything we like about OnePlus phones, from fast charging and a great screen to a practical alert slider at an affordable price. It also looks stunning in the Blue Haze color. "

advantages

  • Compact design with nice color

  • Very attractive screen

  • Reliable software with guaranteed updates

The OnePlus Nord 2 is a particularly important new smartphone as it was the first time that OnePlus released a phone without a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip inside. The Nord 2 uses a modified version of MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 1200 chip and is arguably the company's best-known partnership to date, at least outside of Asia. While OnePlus is obviously looking for success, MediaTek will also be looking closely.

Plus, it's a big moment for the Nord series. The original Nord managed to bring OnePlus back to its value-based roots, but lacked identity. OnePlus gave the Nord 2 identity, but oddly enough, by doing so it accidentally created another OnePlus 9 phone, which makes me question what the Nord range is about.

So there is a lot to drive on the Nord 2 so how is it? I spent four days on the phone, enough time for a detailed pre-evaluation but not quite enough for a final, in-depth review. I will be returning to this review after a long time with the Nord 2 and so the score given at this point may change depending on how the phone continues to work.

design

Let's come to the color of our test model. It's called Blue Haze and it's absolutely stunning. OnePlus usually gets its colors right, but this may be for the best. The aquamarine hue has a glossy finish but does not attract fingerprints, and the Gorilla Glass 5 panel is very effective in hiding stains. It stays clean and sharp.

The OnePlus Nord 2 held in the hand, seen from the rear.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera module uses the same hue, but reflects the light differently because it is not made of glass, and gives the back of the Nord 2 a lot of character. The glass even manages to hide the ugly legal text that has to be stamped on the back. I think the Nord 2 looks amazing and I like how it blends in with the design of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro so that it feels like part of the family.

Another important family feature is the Alert Slider on the side of the Nord 2, which allows you to quickly switch between Silent, Vibrate and Ring modes. It's quick and convenient, and it's a feature that sets OnePlus apart from other brands. The presence of the slider and pretty design make it look and work like a real OnePlus phone, which I think wasn't the case with the OnePlus Nord CE.

The screen of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The construction – a fiberglass frame with a “metallized” surface – and the size are essentially the same as the first OnePlus Nord, with a width of 73 mm and a thickness of 8.2 mm, which makes the phone easy to use and one-handed is to use. It feels solid and solid, and the modest weight of 189 grams ensures that it fits in your pocket without disturbing.

There's no water resistance rating, but I vouch for the Nord 2's durability. It's quite slippery, and the first day the phone slipped out of my pocket and crashed on the cobblestones. It survived with only the slightest mark in the upper right corner of the chassis. The glass back and the screen are fine. I may have been lucky so a case is advisable if you're prone to dropping slippery phones.

The OnePlus Nord 2 and the OnePlus 9 Pro.OnePlus 9 Pro (left) and OnePlus Nord 2 (right) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I found the first Nord a little faceless, but OnePlus changed that for the Nord 2 and effectively turned it into a OnePlus 9 Lite. That's not a bad thing, and really, it's the name that would go better with the Nord 2. Leaving the Nord name on cheaper models like the Nord CE that lacks vital OnePlus elements could be a better strategy.

Aside from the confusing branding, the Nord 2 is well proportioned, well made and – if you can get one in Blue Haze – an absolute beauty too.

Screen and software

It's a 6.43 inch, 20: 9 aspect ratio, liquid AMOLED screen on the Nord 2, complete with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 2400 x 1080. It doesn't seem to have HDR10 + certification like the Nord, however it has two artificial intelligence (AI) modes called AI Color Boost and AI Resolution Boost. However, these only work with certain apps. Both cooperate with YouTube, but otherwise AI Color Boost only works with MX Player Pro and VLC, while AI Resolution Boost works with Snapchat and Instagram.

The Nord 2's screen is beautiful and its resemblance to the 9 Pro makes the phone very desirable.

The screen is brighter and more vibrant than the Nord CE's screen, and there is surprisingly little to split between it and the OnePlus 9 Pro when watching video. The AI ​​Color Boost increases the saturation and thus goes beyond the 9 Pro. Turn it off, and it's not quite as noticeable. The AI ​​Resolution Boost is less noticeable since so much YouTube content is already available over 1080p.

When I'm not watching video, the Nord 2's screen isn't as bright as I'd like it to be, but it is still legible outdoors in sunlight. Other than that, the Nord 2's screen is beautiful and its resemblance to the 9 Pro makes the phone very desirable. The sound comes from stereo speakers that are amazingly loud but not very sophisticated. I had no desire and actually no need to take it over about 40% volume.

OnePlus' Oxygen OS user interface version 11.3 is installed and based on Android 11. It is largely the same as the OnePlus 9 Pro, but there are some strange differences in the settings. For example, on the OnePlus 9 Pro you can change the environment display, icons and font in the customization menu, while on the Nord 2 you can do this in the customization menu. Performance is great so far, with smooth scrolling through apps and menus.

My test phone received a software update since I started using it, and I'm still in the process of evaluating the software and its day-to-day reliability.

camera

The Nord CE's camera was inconsistent and the first Nord's camera suffered from poor performance. The Nord 2's camera improves the specification with both a 50 megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an 8 MP wide-angle camera with electronic image stabilization (EIS). A 2-megapixel monochrome camera completes the rear setup, along with a 32-megapixel selfie camera, also with EIS.

The camera module of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

So far I have only taken about 100 photos with the Nord 2, so we have yet to get deeper insights. However, at this point it is obvious that the Nord 2 is an improvement over the Nord and Nord CE, but since OnePlus always takes a while to really improve the performance of its cameras, there are still a few issues but updates are likely to arrive to speak to you.

The focus, color management and dynamic range of the Nord 2 are usually very good. Shooting outdoors on sunny days can result in a slight oversaturation, while edge enhancement and processing can be harsh and noticeable. There are differences in exposure between the main and wide-angle cameras, but it's not drastic. OnePlus annoyingly adds quick access in the camera app to 2x and 5x zoom, but these are digital zoom modes and the quality really suffers. It is worth mentioning the selfie camera which has a nice natural tone with lots of detail.

So far, the Nord's camera has taken some great shots that are very easy to share without editing, but it has also disappointed with its aggressive processing. The camera performance has not yet been included in the evaluation. It's also worth noting that unlike the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, the camera was not edited by Hasselblad.

The focus, color management and dynamic range of the Nord 2 are usually very good.

Performance and battery life

The MediaTek Dimensity 1200 that OnePlus uses for the Nord 2 is the first to emerge from MediaTek's Dimensity Open Resource Architecture (adorably known as DORA) initiative, which allows the phone maker to tweak the chip to do better with the hardware to work. You have the choice between 6 GB, 8 GB or 12 GB RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB storage space. My test phone is the 12GB / 256GB version.

The alarm slider of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

During the time I've been using the Nord 2, a software update has improved the phone's performance and reliability, which was a bit shaky at first. Nothing bad – notification support was a hit-or-miss and some apps were slow – but the issues seem to be resolved now. I've played Asphalt 9: Legends and haven't noticed any slowdowns or issues affecting gameplay. However, it gets a little warm after about an hour.

I have not yet put the Dimensity 1200 through its paces, but it has not yet made itself known for everyday use. This may sound like a disadvantage, but it isn't. Good processors just do their job and we shouldn't even notice them. You can quickly find out if a phone has a badly configured chip. For the Dimensity 1200 it currently looks positive.

However, it gets a little warm after about an hour.

Battery life so far suggests two days of moderate use is possible, but if you're playing a game, watching videos, and making video calls, it will likely drop to 30% by the end of the first day. The super-fast Warp Charge 65T charger from OnePlus brings the 4,500 mAh cell from flat to 100% in less than half an hour. This is the same system used on the OnePlus 9 Pro and an evolution of the Warp Charge 30T used on the Nord CE.

The alarm slider of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I haven't tested the 5G connection yet, but it's good to see that both slots in the dual SIM tray support it. The under-screen fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, but not as lightning-fast as the sensor on the OnePlus 9 Pro. There's Face Unlock too, and it's very quick to respond.

Price and availability

The OnePlus Nord 2 will hit the UK, Europe and India on July 29th. There are currently no indications of a US launch. It will cost £ 399 and will be sold through OnePlus' own online store, Amazon, John Lewis retail stores, and the Three and O2 networks.

Our opinion

The OnePlus Nord 2 is either at the top of the Nord range or at the end of the OnePlus 9 range, which isn't a bad position. It takes a lot of what I like about the OnePlus 9 models – nice design, great screen, good performance and software, very fast charging and the alert slider – then it charges less for it.

It's a great start. I have to use the camera even more, assess the battery life, try the MediaTek powered 5G connection, and use the phone longer before I can make a final judgment, but for now the Nord 2 has impressed. However, I can't help but think that OnePlus would sell more if it were called the OnePlus 9 Lite.

Is there a better alternative?

For a smartphone priced at $ 500 or £ 400, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. It has a few advantages over the Nord 2 with water resistance, two day battery life, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It's similarly powerful and has a great screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

Alternatively, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) and Google Pixel 4a both cost roughly the same price and offer something different. The iPhone SE is much smaller but still offers a great iOS experience, while the Pixel 4a has an excellent camera.

How long it will take?

OnePlus promises two years of version updates for the Nord 2 plus four years of security updates. For comparison: Samsung also offers four years of security updates plus three years of Android version updates for the Galaxy A52 5G. The phone is not waterproof and is made of glass but has proven to be quite durable in my anecdotal experience. It has 5G so you can connect to the newest and fastest network and quickly charge the battery. It should easily survive the version updates that are guaranteed for two years.

Should you buy it?

At the moment, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G can't quite beat the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, but that may change if I've been using the phone for a longer period of time. The number of points received by the phone at the moment is not final and is subject to change. Look out for a review update very soon.

Editor's recommendations



22 Jul
Blog

Casio G-Shock GBD-200 Review: Perfectly Balanced

Casio G-Shock GBD-200 on the wrist, with hand in a pocket.

Casio G-Shock GBD-200 in the test: A perfectly balanced hybrid smartwatch

RRP $ 149.00

“The GBD-200 is a real hybrid smartwatch that protects the technology and goes overboard with a long service life. In combination with a slim case, a comfortable bracelet and without a battery for charging, it is ideal for all-day everyday life. "

advantages

  • All day comfort

  • Reliable, informative notifications

  • Very durable

disadvantage

  • Basic fitness tracking only

Casio has been making connected G-Shock watches with basic fitness tracking under the sporting nickname G-Squad for a while, and has been experimenting with smarter versions over the past year, complete with a permanent phone connection to enable notification assistance, and more recently, too a full Wear OS smartwatch. The new GBD-200 combines fitness tracking and permanent Bluetooth connection into a fully digital G-Shock hybrid smartwatch.

It's not the first G-Shock with this functionality, but it's the first to pack it all into a modest square case. It's a critical change and has been expertly combined with just the right amount of technology. We think this is how hybrid smartwatches should be, and here's why it works.

design

Casio has already added fitness tracking and full Bluetooth connectivity to several watches. Both the older GBD-100 and newer GBD-H1000 G Shock watches incorporate the functionality, but the design of both means they're not ideal for all-day everyday life. That's a problem because smartwatches, whether hybrid or full-touchscreen, offer the most benefits when you wear them all day.

The Casio G-Shock GBD-200 display.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The GBD-200 really is the first connected G-Shock you'll wear all day regardless of your wrist size. It is 58 grams and 15 mm thick, and for comparison: The 44 mm Apple Watch Series 6 weighs 36 grams without the strap and is 10.7 mm thick. It's modest in size for a G-Shock, won't stick to the cuff, can be worn snugly with no discomfort, and looks great in most situations. It's not too sporty and the different time slot options allow for a degree of personalization.

The square case is made of resin and is attached to a very soft and flexible urethane strap, complete with wrist guards attached to the eyelets to keep the watch centered on the wrist. The combination of all of these aspects makes the GBD-200 very portable indeed. I've been wearing it every day for over a week now and never once felt the need to take it off because it was annoying or too hot.

The case back of the Casio G-Shock GBD-200.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Casio is known for its square watch models, but the GBD-200 has adopted a design all of its own. The resin case has a central slot that runs around the side to highlight the color of the inner resin section, the start button is identified by its red stripe, and the light button has a light texture. Of course, it is shockproof and has a water resistance of 200 meters. Durability like this is important. The watch took some bumps and got pretty grubby while doing gardening so I washed it under the tap and now it looks like new.

I washed it off under running water and now it looks like new

I have a 6.5 inch wrist and the GBD-200 sits perfectly on it, at least to my eyes. It's not clumsy or weirdly large, and the square case means it fits a lot more wrist sizes than the GBA-900 or H1000 watches. People with narrower wrists might not appreciate the chunky look of the black GBD-200, but if you're used to large watches and can get past the design (alternative colors are available) then it's by far G-Shocks' best option current range of fitness watches and the bracelet is highly adjustable.

Casio G-Shock GBD-200 on the wrist.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The stealth black version seen here is complemented by a bright yellow model in the US, while a cool blue model is available in some other regions.

Screen and software

The GBD-200 does not have a touchscreen and you only interact with it using the buttons on the housing. There are a total of five, with the side buttons controlling the software and the front button for activating the backlight. All of them are easy to find but require a bit of force to push. However, this means that you don't accidentally do it.

As with most G-Shock watches, it takes a while to get used to using the watch as it doesn't always feel natural, especially if you are used to touch screens or no watch at all. The mode button scrolls through the menu and displays the interval training screen, stopwatch, activity data, and the notification window. A long press on the Adjust button opens a diverse settings menu, while a short press changes the layout of the main time display.

Casio G-Shock GBD-200 buttons.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The screen has a "negative" appearance, which means that it has a black background and gray color for text and numbers. It's small compared to smartwatches and there is no brightness adjustment. The size means it's not always easy to see notification details at a glance, especially if your eyesight isn't absolutely perfect like me. However, it's clear and legible even in sunlight, and if you're still having problems with the size, one of the alternative time layouts has very large numbers, making it easier to see.

I tested the watch connected to an iPhone 12 Pro which requires G-Shock's Move app to be installed. Notifications were very reliable, but don't expect them to be as eye-catching or actionable as they are on a touchscreen smartwatch. A notification consists of two stages. You will get a little warning showing the app and a few words of the message, which is enough to get an idea of ​​whether or not it requires your attention. To see more you will need to navigate through the menu to the notification page and then select the message you want to view in more detail.

It takes a lot of keystrokes to get to this point, and even more so to scroll through a single message, due to the screen's ability to display text alone, but you can see almost all of the information. You can't reply to or interact with messages on the watch, but it warns you of text messages and calls along with app messages. By default, the watch beeps when a message comes in, but it's pretty loud and irritating. It can be switched off in the menu or replaced by a vibration strong enough to be noticeable on the wrist.

It was really great to wear a G-Shock watch that shows notifications as well

The GBD-200 doesn't offer the same level of interaction or smartphone syncing as an Apple Watch or other full touchscreen smartwatch, but it is enough to be helpful. It was really great to wear a G-Shock watch that also shows notifications as it is exactly what you get from a fitness band, including a phone finder, without compromising on style.

Fitness tracking

While notifications and smartphone support come close to that of a simple fitness band, fitness tracking focuses on walking and running, and there are no options to track specific workouts or activities like golf, swimming, or yoga. Starting a run is as simple as pressing the Start button and the display will then show the elapsed time, distance and pace. Press the same button again to stop tracking.

That's it, apart from interval workout tracking. This requires some settings, but only needs to be done once. It can save up to 20 different intervals for a single workout and the time can be set individually for each phase. It's a shame that this can't be set up in the G-Shock Move app as it's lengthy on the watch. It's also easy to make a mistake, and since the operating system isn't very fast, the trial-and-error aspect can be frustrating.

The main screen of the G-Shock Move app.

Main screen of the G-Shock Move app Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

casio g shock gbd 200 Review Move App Log

G-Shock Move app activity log Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Activity screen of the Casio G-Shock GBD-200.

Activity screen Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The data is synced in the app when you open it. The Move app is highly customizable, right down to the order information is displayed on the screen. The number of steps can be viewed on the watch face or in the app, where you also get a breakdown of your workout with calories burned and distance. I really like the watch face, which shows the progress towards your goal for each day of the week, which helps you better understand your daily activities. The watch has neither a heart rate monitor nor its own GPS, but it can take data from your phone or another device. It's also linked to Apple Health, Google Fit, and Strava.

Combined with a smartwatch or a fitness band, fitness tracking on the GBD-200 is simple and not very informative. The accuracy is good and the watch matches the step count and distance tracked by other wearables. Whether the functionality is sufficient depends on your own needs. If you want a daily step count and a way to track a walk or run just to monitor your personal level of activity, this is perfectly acceptable. However, if you want deeper analysis, including data from a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, or multiple exercise modes, this is not the watch for you.

Battery and charging

This will be a short section, as befits any hybrid smartwatch. The GBD-200 uses a single internal battery, which Casio says should last about a year before needing to be replaced if you use the Bluetooth connection all the time and record an hour of activity every day. Use it less and the lifespan can be up to two years.

The Casio G-Shock GBD-200 red and gray buttons.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Casio G-Shock GBD-200 gray keys.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The strap of the Casio G-Shock GBD-200.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Not having to charge the battery is a huge benefit. The need for regular charging has become commonplace even with hybrid smartwatches as they become more technically complex. Casio balances just enough fitness tracking and smartwatch functionality with really long battery life. Yes, it would have been great to see solar charge on the GBD-200, but that would affect the price.

Price and availability

The GBD-200 is priced at $ 149, or £ 139. It will be available in both the US and the UK through G-Shock's online store and boutique retail stores.

Our opinion

The G-Shock GBD-200 is exactly what a hybrid smartwatch should be. It looks just like a regular watch – in this case a distinctive and desirable square G-Shock – and since it was made by a skilled watchmaker with decades of experience, the convenience is spot on. It has basic smartwatch connectivity, but manages to fit in reliable and informative notifications, as well as decent fitness tracking, assuming you don't want anything too in-depth. It does all of this without the need to charge the battery, so it wears out completely.

You pay less for it than most full-touchscreen smartwatches, and the price is similar to its closest competitor, the Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR. I find it better looking, however, and it's certainly more watch-like than the Jorn, which leans more towards a full smartwatch. This is where Casio actually succeeds. Many companies have gone beyond the traditional hybrid smartwatch and got carried away with adding technology with limited utility. The GBD-200 doesn't do that, and that's all the better.

Instead, the GBD-200 remembers that it is a G-Shock watch, so it's very sturdy and has a long-lasting battery, and sensibly avoids the size-related drawbacks of its other newer hybrid models, and doesn't try much on the either technical side. It is enough for anyone who is not an athlete or a hardcore fitness fan and does not want a touchscreen watch to be charged every day. It creates the right balance between design and technology and makes it a real hybrid smartwatch.

Is there a better alternative?

There isn't necessarily a better alternative, but what if you want more tech and fitness tracking capabilities? In that case, you have the option of Casio's hybrid connected G-Shock, the more expensive 400-GBD-H1000 with solar power and a bigger screen, plus a heart rate monitor and GPS. However, it is a much larger and heavier watch and needs to be charged externally if you use the GPS regularly.

The $ 195 Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR, along with Fossil's other Hybrid HR watch models, also features a heart rate monitor, as well as a clever e-ink screen for showing notifications and other information. They're a step up from the GBD-200 in terms of fitness tracking, but battery life is around a week. What if you want a full touchscreen smartwatch or a fitness band with more activity tracking without spending more than $ 150? The Amazfit GTR 2e is our recommendation, or you can spend around $ 60 or less and get the Honor Band 6, Xiaomi Mi Band 6, or Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 fitness band.

How long it will take?

The GBD-200 meets the usual G-Shock hardness standards, so it is shock and vibration resistant and waterproof up to 200 meters. The resin body is very durable and the urethane tape is very securely attached to the case, besides, it is strong and flexible. The battery can either be replaced yourself if you have the tools and knowledge to ensure its water resistance, or by taking the watch to a professional. The G-Shock GBD-200 will last for years without any problems, even if you don't treat it very well.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's a very durable, very distinctive designed Hybrid G-Shock watch with just the right amount of activity tracking and smartwatch functionality.

Editor's recommendations



22 Jul
Blog

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Review: The Business Tablet

Dell Latitude 7320 detachable 2

Dell Latitude 7320 detachable

RRP $ 2,189.00

"The Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable is the best Windows tablet for business users."

advantages

  • Solid build quality

  • Very good presentation

  • Competent productivity performance

  • Thin and light

  • Good range of business features

disadvantage

  • Expensive

  • The keyboard and pen are expensive add-ons

  • Below average battery life

Windows tablets are making a comeback in the business world. Microsoft released its Surface Pro 7+ for business users, and Lenovo released the ThinkPad X12 Detachable. The Lenovo is an especially strong competitor that makes it onto our list of the best 2-in-1s. Now Dell has jumped into the race with the Latitude 7320 Detachable, another business-centric laptop that aims to meet the needs of corporate users.

Dell sent me a $ 2,189 (retail price) $ 3,127 configuration with an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1180G7 CPU with vPro support, 16 GB of RAM, a 256 GB PCIe Solid State Drive (SSD) , a 13-inch IPS FHD + (1920.). x 1280) 3: 2 display and the optional keyboard and pen. The detachable tablet has a very special shape developed by the Surface Pro, and the Latitude 7320 Detachable follows that format exactly. Is it enough to stand out in an increasingly dense field?

design

Dell Latitude 7320 detachableMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Latitude 7320 Detachable and Surface Pro 7+ don't look exactly the same. They are similar, but Dell's aluminum case is more rounded at the edges than Microsoft's magnesium case. It's a darker gray color compared to Microsoft's lighter silver, and the bezels are smaller on the sides – a big plus. There is more resemblance to the Surface Pro X, which is also more rounded and has smaller margins. The Latitude 7320 Detachable is an attractive device, albeit a rather conservative design, with few decorations other than the Dell and Latitude logos on the back of the case.

The tablets from Dell and Microsoft have the same type of stand that opens along the back and expands to similar angles, and their detachable keyboards are almost identical (more on that later). I would like to note here that the stand of the Latitude 7320 Detachable opens further down and is not as stable as the Surface Pro 7+ the more upright you position the tablet. Lenovo's ThinkPad X12 Detachable also has a similar design, although it uses the iconic ThinkPad look and feel, with a soft-touch finish compared to the cold metal of the other two and an all-black aesthetic. Interestingly, the Lenovo is more similar to the Surface Pro 7+ on the sides, and its stand is also better positioned for a more solid feel.

Each of the tablets are remarkably similar in size, with the Latitude 7320 Detachable being 0.33 inches thick and 1.7 pounds (tablet only) compared to the Surface Pro 7+ at 0.33 inches and 1.7 pounds and the ThinkPad X12 Detachable at 0.34 inches and 1.67 pounds. Thanks to the slightly larger 13-inch 3: 2 display (compared to the 12.3-inch 3: 2 displays on Microsoft and Lenovo tablets), the Latitude 7320 Detachable is slightly taller. However, these are all very light and good-sized tablets, so none of them have an advantage here.

In terms of durability, the Latitude 7320 Detachable feels almost as sturdy as its competition, which says a lot. Both the Surface Pro 7+ and the ThinkPad X12 Detachable are rock-solid devices, and the Dell is following suit – for the most part. The only difference is in the stand. Again, the Dell version is inferior to the other two. It just doesn't feel as good as the others, and as we mentioned earlier, the tablet doesn't feel as stable at a certain vertical point.

A profile picture of the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable with a charging port and power switches. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Connectivity is limited to a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 support on each side of the tablet and a 3.5mm audio jack on the top left. If you opt for the optional WWAN LTE 4 support, you will also find a micro-SIM slot on the right-hand side. Wireless connectivity is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

performance

Dell equipped the Latitude 7320 Detachable with low-power versions of Intel's 11th generation Core processors, and my test device was configured with the Core i7-1180G7 with vPro. This is the first laptop we tested with this specific CPU, despite testing slower versions. I expected the same performance from the Latitude 7320 Detachable; H. solid productivity performance, but not enough performance for CPU-intensive creative apps.

Unsurprisingly, that's exactly what I experienced. In Geekbench 5, for example, Dell performed a little slower than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano with a Core i7-1160G7, but faster than the ThinkPad X12 Detachable with a Core i5-1130G7. The HP Specter x360 14 was slower, but I am reporting its performance in "Optimal" mode rather than "Performance" mode as set in the HP Command Center utility. This laptop is much faster in performance mode. Speaking of thermal and power management utilities, the Latitude 7320 Detachable uses the Dell Power Manager utility, but it made little difference in our benchmarks.

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Screen 2Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB video as H.265, the Latitude 7320 Detachable came last in our comparison group. Four minutes is pretty long for modern CPUs in this test, and while the Specter x360 14 was also slow, it was significantly faster in performance mode. Next up is Cinebench R23, where Dell again came last. It's clear the tablet has to throttle the CPU to keep things cool in such a thin case. Note that I only added the Asus ZenBook 13 OLED to show how these slower Intel Core machines compare to AMD's contemporary Ryzen chips.

Finally, I ran the PCMark 10 Complete test which, as you can imagine, lagged the Latitude 7320 Detachable. These results were transferred to the Essentials, Productivity and Content Creation areas of the benchmark, with the latter being particularly slow. Interestingly, the Dell Power Manager utility made a bigger difference in this review than any other utility I've used. The difference wasn't significant, but the Latitude 7320 Detachable was faster than the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and ThinkPad X1 Nano in performance mode.

Overall, as I suspected, the Latitude 7320 Detachable is really quick for productivity tasks, which we can say for every modern laptop we've tested. You won't notice any slowdowns or delays while running your web browser, Office apps, and the like, but try to do anything that is CPU intensive and you will be disappointed. The tablet stayed cool even to the touch, with quiet and inconspicuous fans that revved up during hard work. We tested the Surface Pro 7 long before we switched our benchmark tests, so I can't make a direct comparison. The Surface Pro 7+ uses 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs at full speed and is therefore likely faster than the Dell.

Geekbench (single / multiple) Handbrake (seconds) Cinebench R23 (single / multiple) PCMark 10 3DMark time spy
Dell Latitude 7320 detachable
(Core i7-1180G7)		 1532/5031 247 1246/3339 4410 1443
Lenovo ThinkPad X12 detachable (Core i5-1130G7) 1352/4796 185 1125/3663 4443 926
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
(Core i7-1160G7)		 1466/5139 180 1377/4550 4600 1549
HP Specter x360 14
(Core i7-1165G7)		 1214/4117 236 1389/3941 4728 1457
Asus ZenBook 13 OLED
(AMD-Ryzen7 5800U)		 1423/6758 124 1171/7824 6034 1342

I ran Fortnite on the Latitude 7320 Detachable to see how well the tablet can play, and in short, it can't. It only managed 14 frames per second (fps) with 1080p and high graphics and 8 fps with epic graphics. This is similar to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and is to be expected for a tablet that is thermally limited and runs a GPU with low power consumption.

Display and audio

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable ScreenMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Like the Surface Pro X, the Latitude 7320 Detachable has a 13-inch 3: 2 display that's slightly larger than the 12.3-inch displays on the Surface Pro 7+ and the ThinkPad X12 ThinkPad. It runs at 1920 x 1280 (like the ThinkPad), which is a lower resolution than the Surface Pro X'2 at 2880 x 1920 and the Surface Pro 7+ at 2736 x 1824. If you're a pixel peeper you might notice the difference, but I imagine most people will be happy with the resolution.

Fortunately, according to my colorimeter, Dell chose a nice panel for the Latitude 7320 Detachable. First, it's very bright at 397 nits, well above our threshold of 300 nits, which is compared to the ThinkPad with 364 nits and the Surface Pro 7 with 377 nits – we haven't tested the Surface Pro 7+ yet, but we can assume that it is that the ads are the same. The Dell beat our preferred contrast ratio of 1000: 1 by 1040: 1, while the ThinkPad missed by 940: 1 and the Surface Pro 7 came in at 1140: 1.

In terms of color, the Latitude 7320 Detachable has a slightly above average 77% AdobeRGB and 99% sRGB (most premium laptops are 75% and 95% respectively) compared to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable with 72% and 97% and the Surface Pro 7 at 70% and 93%. In terms of color accuracy, Dell also led the way with a Delta E of 1.17 (1.0 or less than excellent), the ThinkPad with 1.59 and the Surface Pro 7 with a disappointing 3.51.

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable is used as a stylus tablet.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

I enjoyed the display during my testing and found that it showed vivid colors that weren't oversaturated and offered crisp black text and a comfortable media streaming experience. Creative types who want bold color might not like it, but everyone else is happy to use it.

Two side-firing speakers provide audio, and I found it extremely quiet even at maximum volume. The quality was fine, with balanced mids and highs (but no bass) and no distortion. The speakers are just too quiet. You'll need headphones or a bluetooth speaker if you want to do more than just listen to system sounds and occasionally watch YouTube videos.

Keyboard, touchpad and webcam

A close up of the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable's pen and keyboard.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

In contrast to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and just like the Surface Pro 7+ and X, the Latitude 7320 Detachable does not come with a keyboard and pen. While the slim active pen (more on that in a moment) costs a reasonable $ 70, the keyboard costs $ 200. Part of this cost is justified by the design, which includes a docking bay for the stylus that is hidden when the keyboard is set up. Otherwise, the detachable keyboard on the Lenovo is very similar to the Microsoft version. Aside from being a bit larger to accommodate the larger display, it's hard to tell them apart just by looking at them.

You'll notice a bigger difference once you start typing. The keyboard of the Latitude 7320 Detachable has a metal plate inside, which provides a certain rigidity. It's not as bouncy as the Surface Pro 7+ keyboard, but it's also not as solid as the ThinkPad X12 Detachable's keyboard. The typing feel is very similar to the Microsoft keyboard too, with plenty of travel and a mechanism that offers a nice click, but I found its bottom-through action weak and the overall experience less precise than the best of the best keyboards. You'll enjoy the HP Specter and Apple Magic Keyboard a lot more than this one, and you won't feel the keyboard wobble as you type. I would rate the typing experience as good, but not great, and a bit behind Lenovo's detachable keyboard.

The active pen is a slim version that fits into the keyboard docking station for magnetic storage and charging. According to Dell, the pen charges 100% in just 30 seconds and then offers 90 minutes of continuous use. This sounds good in theory, but 90 minutes may not be long enough in practice and other pens will last longer. For example, Microsoft estimates that the slim pen on the Surface Pro X will last 15 hours. The pen uses Wacom AES technology and supports Windows Ink (of course), and while I couldn't figure out the pen specifications like resolution, I found that it offers a smooth and responsive ink experience. As usual, the display is of course touch-enabled and responsive.

The case of the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable.Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

A prominent component of the Latitude 7320 Detachable is the webcam. Dell has taken note of the increasing use of video conferencing thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and has installed a 5 megapixel (MP) webcam that enables full HD videos (1,920 x 1,080) at 30 fps. This is significantly better than the usual 720p laptop webcam and puts the Latitude in a different category as a video conferencing device. There is also an 8 MP outward-facing camera on the back that can capture 1080p video at 30 fps.

Administration, security and data protection

The Latitude 7320 Detachable is available with the optional vPro support that came with my test device. This increases manageability and security when connected to a corporate environment. Dell has also built in some of its optimization features, including ExpressConnect to automatically join the strongest network, Express Response to prioritize the most important apps, and ExpressSign-In. The latter uses an Intel Connect Sensing proximity sensor that can detect when a user is in front of the tablet and automatically wake it up and lock the tablet when the user leaves.

It's a nice feature that works well, although it can disrupt long processes – I had to turn it off to complete our longer benchmarks and run battery tests. There's also ExpressCharge for a 35 percent charge in 20 minutes or an 80 percent charge in an hour, and Intelligent Audio, which improves audio quality and reduces background noise.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by both an infrared camera and facial recognition and a fingerprint reader located on the back of the case near the power button. If both work reliably and quickly, and you enable facial recognition, the Latitude 7320 Detachable can automatically recognize you when you return to work and log you directly into Windows.

What is missing is a way to turn off or cover up the webcam. This is common with modern laptops and tablets and is missing here.

Battery life

A profile picture of the charging port on the Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable. Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The battery capacity of the Latitude 7320 Detachable is 40 watt hours, close to the 42 watt hours of the ThinkPad X12 Detachable and further behind the 50 watt hours of the Surface Pro 7+. With the lower resolution display and the power-saving CPU, I expected a similar battery life to that of these two devices.

We didn't test the Surface Pro 7+, so I can't make this comparison. But the Dell outlasted the Lenovo in our tests, starting with the web browser test, in which the Latitude 7320 Detachable lasted a little over seven hours compared to the ThinkPad X12 Detachable, which shut down 12 minutes earlier. That's not a very strong score, with most modern laptops getting closer to 10 hours on this test. In our video test, which repeats a local Full HD Avengers trailer, the Dell lasted a stronger 13.5 hours, while the Lenovo only exceeded 11 hours.

In the PCMark 10 gaming test, which stresses the CPU, the Latitude 7320 Detachable was at the lower end of our database with 2.5 hours, where the ThinkPad X12 Detachable only managed 18 minutes more. In the PCMark 10 Applications test, which provides the best indication of the likely battery life, the Dell achieved an average of 10.75 hours, while the Lenovo lasted about 30 minutes less.

Overall, these aren't the best results. You might make a day of work if you keep your chores light but put a strain on the CPU and you'll be looking for the charger. This is common with Windows 10 tablets, however, and while the Latitude 7320 Detachable can't compete with larger convertible 2-in-1s and clamshell laptops, it's fine for a Windows 10 tablet.

Our opinion

The Latitude 7320 Detachable is a good Windows 10 tablet with features that will appeal to business users. It doesn't exactly stand out in terms of its performance or battery life, but it's just as well built as the competition (except for the stand) and offers a good typing and ink experience. It doesn't beat the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable, but it is a stronger competitor to the Surface Pro 7+.

Really, any of these tablets are good choices. The Dell should be on your shortlist if you like its feature set and you probably will.

Are there alternatives?

The ThinkPad X12 Detachable is the strongest competitor. It's cheaper than the Dell and doesn't offer quite as many business features. But it's just as fast and has similar battery life, and the detachable keyboard is more solid.

The Surface Pro 7+ is another alternative tablet and a great choice if you're a Surface fanatic. It's likely a bit faster than the Latitude 7320 Detachable and may offer slightly longer battery life. It's also quite expensive and won't save you any money.

If you'd rather look at a convertible 2-in-1 and don't care too much about business features, then the HP Specter x360 14 is a solid contender. It's cheaper and better-looking, with a spectacular OLED 4K display and a larger 13.5-inch 3: 2 panel. It's bigger, heavier, and doesn't work as well as a tablet, but it's a better laptop.

The iPad Pro deserves a mention as it continues to add features that make it a stronger competitor to Windows 10 tablets. If you've shopped into the Apple ecosystem, the iPad Pro should be heavily considered.

How long it will take?

The Latitude 7320 Detachable is a rugged laptop with modern components that should stay with you for years. The one-year warranty is disappointing for a business-class device, but Dell offers several service upgrades.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Latitude 7320 Detachable has enough features to make it a solid choice for business people.

Editor's recommendations



21 Jul
Blog

Liteboxer Review: Stimulating Workout, Difficult Design

A man using a liteboxer jumps while exercising.

"Its design may be challenging for some, but the Liteboxer offers immersive training at home."

advantages

  • Bulletproof design

  • Intuitive app

  • Excellent coaching courses

  • Invigorating training

disadvantage

  • On the expensive side

  • No speakers

In recent years, the typical workout in the gym has evolved into fitness programs that we create and follow at home. Companies like Peloton have long offered an option for high-volume cardio training at home, but specific muscle group machines are a little harder to find and harder to sell.

While we've tried multiple home fitness packages that hit the mark or missed the mark in one way or another, the one question we never wanted to ask ourselves is how exactly do we stack ourselves in the boxing ring? would? We didn't have to ask technically. Liteboxer did that for us.

Launched in 2020, Liteboxer is a home boxing workout device that combines music, LED light pulses, and educational content to provide a rapid-fire experience where you stab and cross your path to a high score. Is it a big upgrade over a basement-dwelling punching bag? Let's be the judge.

Built to be taken seriously, especially when it comes to size

Home fitness equipment usually strives for a compact design, even if the end product is relatively close to the stature of something you would find at your local gym. The liteboxer relies on the concept of a boxing experience at home and requires a lot of space. When fully assembled, it will measure 37.5 "by 55.5".

My demo unit was assembled in the living room of my apartment, and while it wasn't entirely unwieldy, the machine was sometimes difficult to use. Ideally, you want to make sure you have dedicated storage space to use the Liteboxer. Home gyms, garages, and open basements would be my suggestion.

At the end of every Liteboxer round, my party guests were sore, sweaty and short of breath.

In terms of the actual hardware, you can expect to receive your $ 1,595 Liteboxer kit in two separate boxes. Assembly is required unless you choose to use the company's white glove installation. Parts include the main punching shield, a height-adjustable base with a tablet mount, and the platform you stand on (two parts). If you want a little more exercise space, you can purchase a third platform section that gives you an additional 20 inches of boxing space. You also get boxing gloves, hand wraps, Allen keys, and general mounting hardware.

Rhythm gaming meets boxing basics

The Liteboxer's Smart Shield is your heavy-duty opponent, complete with six individual target zones with force sensors. As you box, runway lights emit from the center of the shield and head for one of the six hit zones. Your goal is to hit the target as soon as the runway LED hits the center. Direct hits will glow green, while Bad Lands will flash red.

Punching the liteboxer.

I had initial doubts as to how much a glorified punch pad could withstand, but was immediately proven otherwise. I hosted a family reunion and invited everyone to pound the liteboxer. Man, it can take a beating. Even the toughest slams from those more muscular than me (everyone at the party) left the Smart Shield in place and the liteboxer platform firmly entrenched.

As you complete a round, your boxing statistics are recorded in the Liteboxer app (available for iOS and Android devices). The app tracks the total score for a single round as well as the accuracy and power of the hit (sensitivity can be adjusted in the app). Elements like these push the liteboxer into a more gaming domain, in contrast to the full-bodied boxing device that it is marketed as. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. Exercising can be a challenge, but gamifying fitness is an inspiring and engaging way to get more people into some form of physical activity – and Liteboxer will definitely get your heart racing.

At the end of every liteboxer round, my party guests were sore, sweaty and short of breath. Our homemade sangria was very much appreciated (there was also water).

Jab with a trainer, train to music, or master freestyle punches

Similar to Peloton bikes and other leading fitness hardware, there is an intuitive app that runs the show for the liteboxer. And like the competition, there are a number of features that are locked behind a monthly membership payment gate. After the first three months of free premium features, the courses and much of the music catalog charge $ 29 / month. Subscriptions are more natural nowadays when it comes to innovative workouts for at home, but with your Liteboxer membership you get a lot.

Images of the Liteboxer app screens.

To get started, there is an impressive range of training courses with real-time instruction. Trainers build their courses around multiple songs with classes broken down by music genre, length, and training style. On the “Build + Restore” tab you will find instructional videos for everything from 20-minute full-body workouts to targeted muscle group training.

When you step away from the instructors, there is a tab in the app called "Quickplay". Here you will find three categories: Punch Tracks, Freestyle and Thumboxer, the latter being more of a mobile "bonus" mini-game that recreates the Liteboxer experience on your phone screen. In Punch Tracks you will find the entire Liteboxer library with streamable songs that you can filter by genre and premium or non-premium levels. While there is a decent selection of non-membership titles, you should pay the $ 29 monthly fee to unlock the rest of the archive.

The idea of ​​Freestyle mode is that you box to the beats of your own music. As soon as the app is connected to your liteboxer, start a track and work on your strokes, combos and overall endurance.

Impressive bones, but a little lacking in technology

When you enter the Liteboxer platform, you will not see an interactive touchscreen of any kind. While the company is more than transparent that you need a cellphone or tablet to use the Liteboxer properly, that doesn't mean that some sort of built-in display isn't overlooked. I always appreciate being able to give up my devices in favor of my peloton's display. It gives me a break from flipping through my phone, prevents my device from being caked in sweat or damaged, and pushes out all the necessary functions and settings in a sleek and easy-to-reach user interface.

I wasn't that crazy about the Liteboxer's actual tablet mount either. Yes, the device is designed more for an audio-driven training experience, but the instructor-led courses are video lessons that you will want to watch during your class. The only way to watch this is by lowering your head and neck to pick up your tablet, which makes it difficult to aim properly and land your hits on the punch pad.

I wouldn't exactly say that these are deterrent deterrents to me, but they might be to some. For the price of $ 1,595, it would certainly be nice to at least have speakers on the Liteboxer. Sure, headphones are one of the most popular fitness tools in use, but if I plug my ears while I work out it gets annoying after a while, and not everyone has an external bluetooth speaker (or one that's loud enough to to hear about the sound of). Your fists hit the punch pad).

Our opinion

Photo of starting and pairing the Liteboxer.

If you ask me I think nailing down fitness equipment for the home is difficult. When a company works too hard on entertainment technology, the hardware can become a supreme gaming system rather than something that tightens our bodies. On the other hand, you need that element of fun to attract those who may not be so ready to hop on a stationary bike or weight trainer.

I actually think Liteboxer does a good job of landing comfortably in the middle. It's fun to use and it feels like you're getting a good workout. Is it a fully realized boxing simulator? I'm not a pro, but my guess isn't complete, especially considering how little you actually move around on the platform and that your opponent is stationary too.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, but it mostly depends on what type of workout you want. Liteboxer specializes in boxing, of course, but another boxing alternative is FightCamp. It's a bit more traditional with its upright punching bag and offers some kickboxing workouts as well.

For more general workouts, you've hooked up fitness mirrors like Mirror and Tempo, both of which also offer their own boxing workouts with the help of instructors. Plus, there's a bit more tech behind it, as they use heart rate sensors, fancy displays to help you out, and built-in speakers for lots of music for your workout.

How long it will take?

The liteboxer is built like a tank and proper cleaning will help reduce wear and tear over time. In the event of a defect, there is a one-year limited warranty included with your purchase.

Should you buy it?

If you have to spend more than $ 1,000 (along with the membership cost of $ 29 / month) and want a cool centerpiece for your basement studio and party indulgence, the Liteboxer might be a great choice for you and yours. Now add in some onboard speakers, a screen, a few design tweaks and keep the price the same, and I think we'd see as many liteboxer setups as Pelotons. Here one hopes for a Liteboxer 2.0.

Editor's recommendations



20 Jul
Blog

Death’s Door Review: Bringing Life to a Dark, Dead World

Deaths Door Review laugh at the Reaper xbox game1

Death & # 39; s Door Review: Bringing Life to a Dark, Dead World

"Death's Door is a must-have Metroidvania game that combines intense combat with bright, hilarious characters."

advantages

  • Hilarious cast of characters

  • Exciting boss fights

  • Simple but complex fight

  • A world that wants to be explored

disadvantage

  • Repetitive enemies

  • Some unforgiving checkpoints

Dark, riddled with wit and adrenaline – Death’s Door is the Metroidvania that has finally got me hooked.

Metroidvanias has long escaped me as a genre. I've never been able to bother with the backtracking aspect of them; their maps have never fascinated me enough and their stories have always lost me. That all changed when the little crow from Death’s Door took control. Where other large, expansive maps had disinterested me, this one had my full attention. Where other stories have lost me, I was completely absorbed here.

Death & # 39; s Door presents players with an endlessly interlocking fantastic world full of secrets, exciting boss fights and a dark story that managed to get more than just a few laughs out of me. In between there is a simple but exciting combat system that proves once again that the right developer can achieve a lot with a few simple tools.

At its base, Death & # 39; s Door isn't complicated. It's not an emotional show of strength; It's not a blockbuster title with massive hype behind it. But it's a rarity, an indie title that surpasses its AAA counterparts in almost every way.

To reap laughter

The premise of Death & # 39; s Door is macabre. They fill the … claws, I suppose, of a reaper who's not a grim skeleton but a feathered crow. In the game world, death is a red tape and if you can't finish your job, you're out of luck. The Reaper is on a mission to find a stolen soul and sends it on a goose hunt through a meaninglessly hopeless world to harvest even more souls just to get to yours.

As I said, it's not exactly sunshine and lollipops.

But through its grim haze, light shines through the door of death. Despite all of the monster kills that leave blood and corpses behind to finish the job, the game gives players endless reasons to smile.

Pothead from the door of death.

Every character in Death & # 39; s Door has a certain charm, from bosses to friendly NPCs. While the underlying story is undoubtedly obscure, there is a warmth to every character, even if tragic themselves. Take, for example, my favorite character in the game, Pothead. Its head was turned into a pot by the magic of the urn witch, hence the name. But if you ask him, he doesn't see it as a disadvantage. Instead, he uses his pot head to store soup that he gives to passers-by.

No matter what I did, whether it was fighting my way through enemies or chatting with NPCs, Death & # 39; s Door always left a smile on my face.

Most of the characters have that kind of depth, even the NPCs that don't seem that important. They all have their own lives, interests, and passions. No matter what I did, whether it was fighting my way through enemies or chatting with NPCs, Death & # 39; s Door always left a smile on my face.

The remains of a world

While Death & # 39; s Door's funniest moments result from talking to NPCs, its most exciting moments are found in combat and exploration. None of these functions are overly complicated. In fact, both are extremely simple. Once you've explored the game's first area and defeated its first boss, you've pretty much seen what to expect in the rest of the game.

Death door urn witch house room.

However, it's the little tweaks in Death's Door that make everything more useful. Enemies are largely the same throughout the game, but there are a new villain or two in each area. Likewise, the exploration is pretty much the same everywhere until you unlock the game's four power-ups that can be used outside of combat to uncover new areas. Death & # 39; s Door starts with basic forms of these ideas and slowly builds on them, integrating every facet of its gameplay into one another.

Death & # 39; s Door starts with basic forms of these ideas and slowly builds on them, integrating every facet of its gameplay into one another.

Of course, the exploration isn't always positive. Each death sets you back, of course, and some of the game's shortcuts aren't that far apart. I just walked through some areas that I found too difficult, trying to get to the nearest ladder to lower or the path to uncover.

The more times I've played Death & # 39; s Door, the more the design choices, especially the structure of the world, reminded me of entries in the Zelda franchise. While Death & # 39; s Door encourages more backtracking, it shares some DNA with the earliest Legend of Zelda games. Players slowly unlock new power-ups and access new parts of the map from areas they've already been to. Even the top-down perspective of the game is reminiscent of Nintendo's classic franchise. The game's dark world is even offset by bright characters, a constant in most Legend of Zelda titles. Death & # 39; s Door has some distinct influences, but it uses them to create something completely original.

Growing struggle

Death & # 39; s Door's worldbuilding is best when it comes to a boss fight. Each boss is first given context by the area you go through to get them there. Maybe you speak to an NPC who says the boss killed her wife, or in the case of the urn witch, you're traveling through a mansion that was clearly a happy family home at one point or another.

The approach to each boss follows the same structure: explore an area, gain a new power, and then take on a boss. While this pattern repeats itself three times and eventually becomes predictable, the context for each keeps it fresh. Functionally, you do the same thing every time you build yourself into a boss fight. But each experience feels different because of the landscape, the enemies, and the boss's own interjections as you explore.

The game's boss fights are some of the most exciting I've ever fought thanks to the emphasis on evolution. Like the rest of the game, bosses build on themselves with different phases and become more difficult as the damage increases. Also, they don't know exactly how much damage you've done because Death & # 39; s Door thoughtfully left health bars out of the equation. Instead, enemies will be damaged and their skin will tear when you howl at them.

I didn't jump after beating a lot of bosses before. Sure, there might be a punch here or there, but actually cheering after I've won? Before facing the urn witch in Death & # 39; s Door, the last time was against Ornstein & Smough in Dark Souls.

Of course, normal enemies aren't nearly as addicting, and provide the same experience as punching bags, once you get used to the combat of the game. Even the game's mini-bosses aren't much of a challenge, especially if you face the same one multiple times. Enemies have simple attack patterns, and once you've learned how to move and weave between them, defeating an enemy is less an art than a science.

The game's boss fights are some of the most exciting I've ever fought thanks to the emphasis on evolution.

That being said, Death & # 39; s Door allows players to approach the battle in a wonderfully open manner. The game has multiple weapons, each with their own unique movesets and bonuses. The game's standard sword does solid damage, but you can swap it out for a pair of knives or a massive hammer. Simply switching your weapon will even affect how much you can use your skills, as you can use four charges that can only be replenished by hitting enemies. Once again, not a single part of Death & # 39; s Door is isolated; they all interlock.

Our opinion

With a world that practically begs you to explore every nook and cranny, and a cast of characters that will make you grin from the beginning to the end of the story, Death & # 39; s Door is one of those rare games to play with I struggled to find faults. It's addicting from start to finish (a journey that took about 10 hours) and lets players explore even more content after the story is complete. Death & # 39; s Door is beyond extraordinary and has solidified itself on my list of games of the year.

Is there a better alternative?

If you don't want to wait for Metroid Dread, there probably isn't a better Metroidvania right now.

How long it will take?

Death & # 39; s Door takes anywhere from 10-14 hours, depending on how much additional game content you want to complete. It also has a significant amount of post-game content that can add three or four hours to the total playing time.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Death’s Door is one of the best games released this year and is sure to be a nominee for Game of the Year by the end of 2021.

Editor's recommendations



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