03 Jul
Blog

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Review: Move Aside Thin Gaming Laptops

lenovo legion 5 pro rating 01

"The display quality and performance make the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro a fantastic mid-range gaming laptop."

  • Excellent gaming performance

  • Beautiful 1440p display

  • Satisfactory, accurate keyboard

  • Good cooling

  • Inexpensive touchpad

  • Thick and chunky

Gaming laptops are getting thinner and thinner. Still, there's plenty of room in the market for gaming laptops that don't forego unbridled performance on the altar of portability.

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is one such gaming laptop. Its design is nothing spectacular, nor is the strain you will feel as you lug around.

But for a decidedly old-school gaming laptop, the Legion 5 Pro brings the basics together in a way that will make many performance-minded PC gamers very happy. The affordable entry-level price of $ 1,700 will put a smile on your face too.

design

The front of the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with the lid open.

The Legion 5 Pro is not an eye-catcher. The oversized Legion logo on the lid isn't exactly subtle, and the sleepy, storm gray color and keycap font come straight from Lenovo's business laptop designs. Add in the ThinkPad-like keyboard and black vent pieces that seem glued on, and it's a bit of a Frankenstein design.

I have no problem with a stealth gaming laptop that hides its gaming roots – like the Predator Triton 500 SE or even the Razer Blade 15. But the Legion 5 Pro seems torn between the two identities. The name itself seems a bit confusing, as it can be found both in the Legion gaming line and as a "Pro" laptop. It's less of a mix and more of a mishmash.

The design has its strengths. For example, the super thin bezels around the screen look amazing. Even the lower bezel is relatively small, which makes for a modern design that puts the screen in the foreground. This is thanks to the 16:10 aspect ratio, which is a new trend in gaming laptops. Extra vertical screen space may seem unnecessary when gaming, but it's sure to come in handy when you need to get some work done. Again, 16:10 makes a lot of sense because the Legion 5 Pro hits the line.

The back of the lid of the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro.

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro when closed.

The screen is also larger than the average 15-inch gaming laptop that is 16 inches diagonally. That's the same as the Predator Triton 500 SE, but it's still an unusual screen size for gaming laptops. But here, too, thanks to its small bezels, it does not add any additional size to the overall print.

And that's important because the Legion 5 Pro is by no means small. It weighs 5.4 pounds and is 1.1 inches thick – clunkier than your average 15-inch laptop and most high-end gaming laptops out there. As we'll see later, this extra size makes for excellent thermal performance, especially when compared to the Razer Blade 15, MSI GS66 Stealth, or even the Alienware m15 R4.

Ports

The ports are on the back of the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro.

The Legion 5 Pro offers an increasingly popular port placement option: the back of the device. This makes the laptop's footprint even bigger, but it does a good job of keeping messy cables out of the way.

On the back you will find HDMI 2.1, RJ-45 Ethernet, a power jack, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports and a USB-C port that supports both USB 3.2 Gen 2 and DisplayPort 1.4.

This leaves only ports on the sides that you really need to access quickly. On the left you will find a headphone jack and another USB-C. There is a single USB-A port on the right.

In terms of connectivity, the Legion 5 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

display

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with Cyberpunk 2077 is played.

The Legion 5 Pro offers an excellent screen for both gaming and standard work. Native resolution is 2560 x 1600 to support 16:10 aspect ratio and can be scaled down to 1920 x 1200 for lower resolution games.

According to my colorimeter, the Legion 5 Pro has one of the best displays I've ever tested on a gaming laptop. First of all, it's unusually bright, reaching a brightness of 550 nits. That's even brighter than the latest MacBook Pro or Razer Blade 15. It's also a decently color-accurate panel that hits 77% of the AdobeRGB color space.

The Legion 5 Pro has one of the best displays I've ever tested on a gaming laptop.

It's rare to see such a bright, vibrant, and well-calibrated screen on a gaming laptop. Like the Predator Triton 500 SE, the Legion 5 Pro offers that great picture quality alongside a fast refresh rate, although 165Hz isn't as high as the 360Hz panels you can get in 1080p gaming laptops. But let's face it – unless you're a professional esports gamer, you probably wouldn't notice the difference while gaming anyway. The gameplay feels very responsive and fast, especially since you are running most of your games in the native resolution.

The increase in resolution is worth the tradeoff, especially with such a large screen. Pixels are disappearing thanks to the sharpness that matches what you get on the MacBook Pro. And thanks to the power you will use the full range of 165 Hz even with native resolution.

performance

As I mentioned earlier, the Legion 5 Pro is a chunky gaming laptop that offers better cooling. The result is pretty amazing gaming performance.

My configuration came with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Nvidia RTX 3070, 16 GB of RAM and two 1 TB PCIe SSDs. Lenovo also offers an identical configuration with the exception of the RTX 3060. This saves 150 euros, but the RTX 3070 option should offer a noticeable increase in frame rates. It's not currently available, but Lenovo reportedly also has a confusing mid-tier model with just 1TB of storage but 32GB of RAM. Most gamers will choose more memory and less memory.

Laptop 3DMark time spy 3DMark fire strike Assassin's Creed Valhalla (1080p Ultra High) Battlefield V (1080p Ultra) Fortnite (1080p Epic) Civilization VI (1080p Ultra)
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (RTX 3070) 9175 21033 61 fps 73 fps 101 fps 114 fps
Asus ROG Strix G15 (RX 6800M) 10504 26800 77 fps 109 fps 108 fps 150 fps
MSI GS66 Stealth (RTX 3080) 9097 19175 70 fps 117 fps 140 fps 149 fps
Razer Blade 15 (RTX 2080 Super) 7637 16895 58 fps 98 fps 110 fps 134 fps

I included the benchmarks in 1080p in the table above to level the playing field between these different laptops that include both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. The Legion 5 Pro masters all games with over 60 frames per second (fps), including the tough assassin Creed Valhalla. As for the lighter esports tariff, the Legion 5 Pro averaged over 100 fps in Fortnite, with room to use the full 165 Hz range in lower settings.

At native resolution, which is the number of people who will likely be using the Legion 5 Pro, you'll still get over 60 fps in most games. Battlefield V was right on the line at 60 fps, while Fortnite played fantastic at 83 fps. The system slowed to 52 fps at 2560 x 1600 in Valhalla, so you should probably stick to lower resolutions for heavier titles like this one.

The Legion 5 Pro offers an excellent price-performance ratio.

Although the Legion 5 Pro with RTX 3070 consistently beat the MSI GS66 Stealth with RTX 3080 (and 1440p screen) in 3DMark runs, the MSI device was well ahead in every recent game I have tested. Of course, newer configurations of the GS66 Stealth aren't widely available right now – and if so, they'll get quite a bit more expensive. The same goes for the Razer Blade 15, which will easily cost you at least $ 1,000 more.

All of this makes the Legion 5 Pro an excellent price-performance ratio for the performance it offers. The only problem is the Asus ROG Strix G15, which offers a base configuration for a similar $ 1,650. It's a more powerful laptop, no doubt about it. It's a strength of AMD's new Radeon RX 6800M graphics card that beats the RTX 3070 in every way and challenges the RTX 3080 in some. The performance of the ROG Strix G15 is undeniable. I prefer the design and screen of the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, but it's hard to beat the ROG Strix G15 in terms of price.

Cyberpunk 2077 plays on the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro.

During my tests, the Legion 5 Pro turned out to be a well-cooled device. The GPU temperatures never rose above 86 degrees Celsius, while the CPU temperatures were even cooler. The surface temperatures got warm at times, but never quite as hot as on slimmer laptops like the MSI GS66 Stealth or the Razer Blade 15.

All configurations of the Legion 5 Pro feature the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H. It's a powerful 45-watt chip with eight cores and 16 threads. This gives you improved CPU performance over the 35-watt processors found in something like the ROG Zephyrus G14. The Legion 5 Pro had a particularly impressive single-core score of 1430 in Cinebench R23. It also does a lot better than Intel-powered laptops such as the MSI GS66 Stealth.

I also tested the CPU-based video encoding in HandBrake, and the Ryzen 7 was an absolute runabout. In comparison, the GS66 Stealth was 24% slower in the same test. That ensures the Legion 5 Pro is just as good a machine for content creation and heavier CPU-based workloads as it is for gaming.

Still, it's not quite as fast as the Ryzen 9 5900HX that you can find in the ROG Strix G15 or ROG Zephyrus G15.

battery

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro doesn't have great battery life. Other gaming laptops have made strides in this area, like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, but the combination of the RTX 3070 and G-Sync panel is a recipe for frequent use of the charging port. The 80-watt-hour battery isn't quite as big as some of the 99-watt-hour batteries you'll find in premium gaming laptops.

Still, the battery life isn't nearly as bad as a laptop like this one has been for years, probably thanks to the efficient Ryzen processor inside. A little more than seven hours of light surfing on the internet isn't a bad thing. However, the second you boot up the discrete GPU, you'll find that it drops off pretty quickly. On the other hand, you probably shouldn't be playing without being plugged in anyway.

I should also mention the massive 300 watt power brick that comes with this thing. It's a tank and adds some weight to the backpack if you plan on traveling with the Legion 5 Pro.

Keyboard and touchpad

The illuminated keyboard of the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro.

The Legion 5 Pro uses a precise, ThinkPad-style keyboard. It's an odd look for the keycaps on a gaming laptop, but it offers one of the best typing experiences you will find. The key travel of 1.5mm is luxurious and the layout is perfect. The backlight is pretty limited with only four adjustment zones (including the number pad) and a disappointing software experience with Lenovo Vantage. The joy of typing more than makes up for the lack of a stylish backlight.

The quality of the touchpad was all the more disappointing. It's the kind of quality you'd find on a $ 400 Chromebook, not a powerful gaming laptop. It's a big touchpad which I appreciate. But the surface isn't very smooth, which means that clicking and dragging, pinch-to-zoom, or other gestures that require close tracking can skip or feel awkward. It's frustrating, especially on a laptop doing so many things right.

There is a 720p webcam above the screen, which Lenovo fortunately included. It's still omitted from Asus' ROG gaming laptops to allow for a thinner top bezel. However, the laptop does not contain any security features, but it lacks both a Windows Hello IR camera and a fingerprint reader. These have become more common lately even on mid-range gaming laptops, so it's a shame to see Lenovo force you to rely on passwords and PINs to log in.

Our opinion

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is the real deal. If you're done with gaming laptops trying to be too thin at the expense of the right cooling and performance, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is what you've been waiting for.

Are there alternatives?

Most gaming laptops at this price point cannot be compared to what the Legion 5 Pro has to offer. The Predator Triton 500 SE corresponds to the screen size, but is limited to an RTX 3060.

The Legion 5 Pro's two biggest competitors come from Asus. The all-AMD ROG Strix G15 is the gaming laptop with the ultimate price-performance ratio, while the ROG Zephyrus G15 corresponds to the Legion 5 Pro in almost all specifications for the same price. It doesn't have such a good screen, but the Zephyrus G15 has a sleeker design and options for up to an RTX 3080.

How long it will take?

The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro should last at least five years. It's a powerful gaming laptop that can handle the latest AAA games for many years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro isn't the most stylish gaming laptop in the world, but its performance and display more than make up for the difference.

Editor's recommendations



02 Jul
Blog

Swann 4K Thermal Sensing Security Camera Review: Needs Work

Swann 4K thermal imaging camera outside in winter.

Swann 4K Ultra HD Dome IP Security Camera with Thermal Sensing NHD-888MSD

"It has excellent monitoring, but the software and user interface could use some tweaking."

  • Incredibly high resolution

  • Clear audio amplification

  • Thermal detection reduces false alarms

  • Face recognition gives you a better idea of ​​who is in your home

  • Installation can be a little tricky

  • No siren

  • Voice assistant support cannot be easily set up

Home surveillance cameras are the first line of defense in a security system, but many act as stand-alone systems. It only takes a few cameras to cover the front and back doors of a house, but a more comprehensive security system requires more than just a few cameras. Swann's new camera kit is the ideal choice for this – the included network video recorder (NVR) stores footage and allows you to view the feeds of all your cameras in a single location, usually a television or external display. Up to eight cameras can be connected at the same time.

Swann sent me an NVR and one of the new 4K Thermal Sensing Security Cameras (PRO-888MSD) to test. The Swann 4K Security Camera with Thermal Imaging is packed with powerful security features, including several that I have never seen in a security camera before.

Installation and setup: just a bit of confusion

Many smart cameras market themselves as "plug and play". Aside from tapping a few icons on your phone, there is not much involved in setting up the cameras. This quick and easy process is very attractive, but the Swann 4K Security Camera with Thermal Imaging Sensor doesn't offer anything. While it wasn't difficult to set up, incomprehensible instructions led to confusion before realizing I should look for a QR code on the NVR rather than the camera itself.

The whole process involved downloading the Swann app, registering an account, and then adding a device. It can be powered independently, but my kit did not include a power cord for the camera; Instead, it works via Power over Ethernet or POE. To do this, I had to power the NVR, connect it to my router via ethernet, and then connect the 4K dome security camera via a secondary ethernet cable that was included. Any ethernet cable will work, but there are advantages to using the included cable – it's one of the longest ethernet cables I've seen.

The NVR contains a mouse, which I found strange. To set up, the NVR must be connected to a monitor or television and set up using an on-screen keyboard. You need to create a password and username before you can sync your device using the mobile app.

Again, not difficult, but the instructions weren't clear so it took longer than expected for the system to work. But when the time came, it started without any problems.

Features: Few false positives

The features of the 4K Dome Security Camera stand out from comparable surveillance cameras.

There are three basic modes: Home, Night, and Away. Everyone has different attitudes that best suit their current needs. For example, Home Mode typically disables indoor cameras and sets outdoor cameras to detect moderate movement. The night mode sets the sensitivity for outside cameras to a higher level and activates inside cameras in unoccupied areas. Away mode arm each camera and set the sensitivity level to a medium to high setting. However, you can also configure any of these modes to best suit your preferences.

You can also activate do not disturb mode in the app. This means that your cameras will continue to register activity, but you will not receive any push notifications. The app also informs you about possible service problems. When I swapped an Ethernet cable for a longer one, the app notified me that a camera had gone offline for two minutes.

Advanced settings include face recognition with personalized alerts based on who the camera sees. You will also get fewer false positives thanks to Swann's True Detect system. The Swann 4K Thermal Security Camera uses thermal imaging cameras to provide more reliable alerts rather than relying solely on motion.

Performance: High quality footage

The Swann 4K surveillance camera with thermal image recognition works excellently both indoors and outdoors. The camera was developed with durability and weather in mind and has a weather protection rating of IP66. It can withstand most outdoor conditions with no problems, while the built-in night vision provides visibility of up to 60 meters as long as the ambient light is present.

The technical details aren't too shabby either. With a 93-degree field of view, a built-in high-gain microphone, and easy mounting options, the 4K dome security camera is a solid addition to any home security system. The quality of the video footage is fantastic too, displaying the footage in near real time with minimal lag. Even when viewing the clips on a 1080p monitor, you will be spoiled with clear details. If there's a reason to buy this camera, it's great video quality.

The sound is also great – it picked up sounds that other cameras wouldn't have. In fact, it could pick up the sound of me typing from 9 meters away.

Software: your basic functions

The Swann app gives you an excellent overview of the activities in your home and the possibility to check the live stream of your camera. You can change the arming mode, check notifications, and play activity alerts throughout the day.

In addition, the functionality is rather sober. Although you can integrate the Swann 4K Thermal Sensing Security Camera with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, you don't do that through the app. Instead, you must first download the Alexa Skill or set up the device in your Google Home app before any of the intelligent assistants will detect the presence of the camera. After that, all you have to do is ask the assistant to stream the feed to your display.

Our opinion

The Swann 4K Thermal Sensing Security Camera is a rugged, powerful surveillance camera, but it leaves out many functions that have become almost standard. For example, there is no siren or the ability to pan or tilt. Both functions would significantly increase the functionality of the camera. The design of the camera almost looks like it should be able to move, but the camera is in a fixed position. The large field of view makes it useful for monitoring large areas at once, but sometimes you need to get creative with the mounting mechanism to get the angle you want.

This camera dropped some bells and whistles in exchange for better performance than many smart cameras. The 4K resolution, high-quality microphone and 60-foot night vision, as well as the NVR and Power-over-Ethernet functionality, are hard to beat. At $ 150, the price isn't bad – but you'll need to combine more than one of these to get the full benefits.

Is there a better alternative?

If you live in a small apartment, you don't need a full NVR and camera setup. An all-in-one camera like the Canary Flex ($ 130) provides you with push notifications, motion alerts, a siren, and more. On the flip side, if you want to go completely high-end with your camera setup, the Arlo Pro 4 has all the features you could need, but at a significantly higher price. For something more affordable, the Eufy Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt is an amazing indoor camera.

How long it will take?

The structure of the camera calls for durability. With proper care and installation, this camera should serve you for many years. Outdoor cameras are more prone to damage just from exposure to the elements, but even then they should be used for several years. In the event that something goes wrong, Swann offers a 12-month guarantee on all of its cameras.

Should you buy it?

Yes, the Swann 4K security camera with thermal sensor is characterized by its main task: monitoring your home. If you live in a larger house and want to connect multiple cameras together and monitor them all in one place, the NVR makes it as easy as plugging the ethernet cables into the appropriate ports. While this might be a little on the expensive side for some users, the Swann's audio and video clarity make it one of the best options out there.

Editor's recommendations



02 Jul
Blog

Mobvoi TicWatch E3 Review: Right Smartwatch, Wrong Time

Mobvoi TicWatch E3 with the front on the wrist.

“At almost any other time, the speedy Mobvoi TicWatch E3 would be a solid buy, provided style isn't high on your requirement list, but the lack of information on an update to the incoming Google / Samsung Wear platform means it's prudent is to wait and see before diving in. "

  • Snapdragon Wear 4100 makes it quick

  • Light and comfortable

  • Comprehensive, accurate health tracking

  • Plastic cover is not stylish

  • No information about a future Wear update

The Mobvoi TicWatch E3 is the second smartwatch to come out with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 chip inside, and that's a big deal. The processor makes Google's Wear OS faster, smoother, easier to live with every day, and improves battery life. It's also the main reason you should consider buying the TicWatch E3, but the shadow of the new Google / Samsung Wear platform hangs over it too.

The situation puts the TicWatch E3 and anyone who thinks about it in a difficult position. Let's take a closer look at this to see if it is wise to wait and see what happens in the world of Android smartwatches over the next few months.

design

The best watches are “a part” of you, that is, something you want to wear every morning and enjoy all day, not just to check the time. The Mobvoi TicWatch E3 is not that type of watch. It's a piece of technology where design comes second after adding the latest processor.

Mobvoi TicWatch E3.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Understanding this and assessing whether you are okay with the compromise is the first step in deciding whether you can live with the TicWatch E3. It's not an ugly or uncomfortable smartwatch, just boring and plastic. Unforgivable when it costs $ 400, but more understandable at $ 200.

The TicWatch E3 looks different than the TicWatch E2, with short, square tabs that attach a 22mm quick release bracelet to the simple round plastic case. On the side there are two buttons set at the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions that have a nicely muted action. The app menu opens at the top and the bottom button is set to Mobvoi's TicExercise app by default, but can be changed in the settings. The E3 is just under 13 mm thick, the screen measures 1.3 inches and has a solid rim that runs around the edge.

The screen is bright and colorful, but the massive frame is distracting, although the 2.5D glass makes wiping comfortable. It also feels durable and has an IP68 rating so it can be worn while swimming. The bracelet is easy to replace with another, and Mobvoi sells you some more colorful versions.

Mobvoi TicWatch E3 on the wrist, seen from the side.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Ticwatch E3 is neither desirable nor hateful, it is just there on my wrist. I put it on and forgot it until it reminded me of it with a notification. This is both good and bad. The smartwatch is undeniably comfortable and lightweight, but I will never be indifferent to it because of its simple style.

performance

Why should you be interested in the TicWatch E3? The reason is the Snapdragon Wear 4100, a shocking rarity in the world of Wear OS smartwatches that can only be found in the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3. The fast, up-to-date chip has been replacing the ubiquitous Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 for far too long. The TicWatch E3 might not have the looks, but it definitely has the power.

Top of the TicWatch E3.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Snapdragon Wear 4100 eliminates two of those annoying Wear OS problems, namely slow speeds and short battery life. It makes Wear OS dramatically more responsive than any smartwatch with Snapdragon Wear 3100. It flows and glides through tiles, quickly showing notifications as you scroll through the list, and even the tedious setup process is considerably faster than before. Paired with 1GB of RAM makes Wear OS comfortable to use, and that's a big step forward.

The TicWatch E3 might not have the looks, but it definitely has the power.

What about the battery life? Some Snapdragon Wear 3100 smartwatches struggle to make a day before charging and few last well into a second day. If you turn off the Ticwatch E3 overnight, it only takes two working days (with a single GPS-recorded workout) before it needs to be charged. And that with active all-day heart rate monitoring and the always-on screen that constantly shows the time. Not bad at all, and if you don't follow a workout, it takes about 36 hours. A handy essential mode turns on when the battery is almost completely discharged, so you can still see the time. However, charging is slow, taking around two hours to fully charge.

Software and fitness tracking

The Ticwatch E3 runs Wear OS – version 2.26, H MR2, which is installed on my test model – so it works in a familiar way, with swiping and tapping to navigate the menus. There is no rotating crown or bezel here, so the software is only controlled with your finger on the screen. By default, Mobvoi's menu system consists of a 4×4 grid of scrollable icons instead of the standard one-line scrollable list, but can be changed if necessary. I found it a little easier to find what I wanted, but missed the way the Wear OS menu system puts recently used apps at the top of the list.

I had a couple of issues with the reliability of the software. It was once completely blocked and required a hard restart to bring it back to life, and TicExercise refused to quit a workout and then lost the records when it finally gave up later in the day. Changing data, e.g. For example, when the TicPulse app reads your heart rate, it sometimes overwrites what is shown on the screen, making it impossible to read without exiting and reopening the app. None of these issues have been repeated, and a software update could fix these errors in the future.

The bigger problem with the TicWatch E3 is due to another software update. Fortunately, the E3 has the power to make Wear OS largely painless today, and notifications are delivered for the most part, but it's still frustrating when it doesn't or when you find that you need to have a specific Wear OS app installed, to get them. like Outlook. But the future is the problem. The Wear platform developed by Google and Samsung will be out later this year, and there is no news on when or if the E3 will get an update. When Digital Trends asked Mobvoi about its plans, the answer was:

"Mobvoi are a close partner of Google and have even received investments from them, but there is still no official confirmation of Google's update times."

Mobvoi's statement here puts the responsibility on Google, and while the wording suggests that an update is possible, it doesn't say that one will definitely happen or when. Even if your smartwatch won't stop working, the lack of information about an update for Wear today should be taken into account when buying it today, as it will make your new smartwatch feel old pretty quickly if it's not on the update list.

Health and Fitness Tracking

Mobvoi installs a variety of its own health and fitness apps, all of which you need to register with Mobvoi's services in order to get the most out of them. If you do not do this, some data will not be displayed. Most fitness apps replicate the features of Google Fit, and it's annoying that the SPo2 and heart rate monitor apps both require a Mobvoi login first. Other apps include an ambient sound app called TicHearing, a stress and relaxation app called TicZen, and an automatic sleep tracking app called TicSleep.

Heart rate sensor of the TicWatch E3,Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You can use Mobvoi's TicExercise app or Google Fit to track workouts, and both can be activated with a press of the bottom button on the case. They both do the same job, and there is no advantage in using one over the other. Aside from TicZen, there's little reason to even dive into Mobvoi's apps. Why are they here? Mobvoi describes itself as a software company rather than a hardware company, so collecting data is important.

When comparing the TicWatch E3 with the Apple Watch SE, both heart rate sensors delivered the same measured values ​​and the SPo2 sensor agreed with the Apple Watch Series 6. Step count and calorie consumption were also largely the same, which means that the accuracy of the TicWatch E3 is in line with others. Similar products. The smartwatch easily found a GPS signal during a walk and recorded location data.

The TicWatch E3 works very well as a casual fitness tracking wearable, but Mobvoi's own apps are mostly redundant for no apparent reason why you'd use them over Google's fitness apps.

Price and availability

You can purchase the TicWatch E3 today for £ 200 or £ 180 from Mobvoi's online retail store or from Amazon.

Our opinion

There are good arguments in favor of buying the TicWatch E3 now. It's not that expensive, it has the fastest processor inside, it's light and comfortable to wear, and Google's Wear OS software is better here than on almost any other smartwatch. It also does all the health and fitness tracking you could want.

But there are also a few good arguments against it. It doesn't have a lot of style and you won't want to show it off, and the frame around the screen is grossly large. The software has some stability issues, and most importantly, there is no information on whether it will ever receive an update for the brand new Wear platform later this year.

It's a difficult situation. It really is the smartwatch we were looking forward to, just launched at the wrong time. While the TicWatch E3 makes perfect sense if you're looking to buy a Wear OS smartwatch – it's not the most expensive example, so if you have to wait for an update later, it won't feel too bad – but patience will pay off here . There is often a sweet spot for new product purchases, and the arrival of the TicWatch E3 is exactly where it is wise to wait and see what happens to Wear and all of the new smartwatches we see in the second half in 2021.

Is there a better alternative?

All Google Wear OS smartwatches are in the same situation as the TicWatch E3 when it comes to an update to Wear. The new software will hit some existing smartwatches, but likely not all, and exactly when it will happen is completely unknown. If you own an Android smartphone, check out smartwatches without Wear OS, like the Amazfit GTR 2 for $ 180 or the GTR 2e for $ 140, or a wearable like the Fitbit Versa 3 for $ 230, until more is known about Wear and its updates.

If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch SE for $ 270 or the Apple Watch Series 6 for $ 400 should be high on your list. Apple Watch integrates perfectly with iOS, has superior features when connected to an iPhone, and is fun to own and use.

How long it will take?

The plastic housing and the watertightness according to IP68 as well as the easily exchangeable rubber strap make the TicWatch E3 very durable. Google provides regular updates to Wear OS, but few include noteworthy new features. As already explained, there is no information about when or whether an update for Wear will arrive on the TicWatch E3. The TicWatch E3 will last at least two years, but the software threatens to feel very out of date before the end of 2021.

Should you buy it?

No. It is wise to wait and see what the new Wear platform and the new hardware released with it bring before deciding. The TicWatch E3 is a good buy, but we recommend waiting a few months to have all the latest wear information at hand before making a decision.

Editor's recommendations



02 Jul
Blog

Scarlet Nexus Review: A Deep Story With Even Deeper Action

A main character in Scarlet Nexus.

"Scarlet Nexus is an excellent action role-playing game for all fans of the genre."

  • Unique fight

  • A surprising story

  • Funny characters

  • Long running time

  • Stylish look

  • Weak exploration

  • Strong on backtracking

There's no shortage of Japanese action RPGs out there, but Bandai Namco's Scarlet Nexus is a new IP that stood out from the crowd and caught my eye right away. After playing the demo that was released earlier this year, I knew I was having a good time, and I'm overjoyed that my guess was correct.

Scarlet Nexus is a game that takes all expectations and pushes aside from amazing players with new ideas in all directions. This "brainpunk" title takes place in a futuristic world in which people have found a way to use a hidden gene to unlock superpowers in certain people. This premise lends itself perfectly to both the gameplay and the story, which pleasantly surprised me throughout my experience.

While the game starts out a bit slow and took some time to get into, Scarlet Nexus is a rewarding experience and a great addition to any JRPG collection thanks to its bombastic storyline and gameplay.

A shocking story

At the beginning of Scarlet Nexus, I got the impression that the story with boilerplate characters would be based on books. Fortunately, I was completely wrong. While the characters may seem like a tropical tick for anyone who's seen an anime in the past decade, they have so many memorable moments together that they quickly grew on me and I wanted to spend more time with them.

The world of Scarlet Nexus is a futuristic world in which certain members of humanity have awakened to various superpowers thanks to a psionic hormone discovered in the brain. There are also other, wonderfully designed mutants who come from heaven and enjoy human brains. The Other Suppression Force (OSF) was formed to combat the zombie-like threat.

Scarlet Nexus Boss Fight.

Things start with players choosing either Kasane Randall or Yuito Sumeragi, two new recruits to the OSF who have very unique powers and abilities. There is a lot more to this new duo than meets the eye, however, and this is where the story of Scarlet Nexus really shines.

These surprises really make the Scarlet Nexus plot so special – you just have to see them yourself.

Things start out as you'd expect from a story like this one. You meet your teammates, train, go on a mission or two, get to know each other, the usual. Then suddenly one surprise after the other begins and leads to a story without brakes and loads of excitement. Before I knew it, I found characters to get excited about, mocked others, and kept wondering where things were going next. As is usually the case with a story like this, players will wonder who and what they can and cannot trust.

I wish I could go into further detail, but that would mean spoiling everything. These surprises really make the Scarlet Nexus storyline so special – you just have to see them for yourself.

Psychokinetic strokes

History isn't the only area that this game excels in as the gameplay has me drawn to my screen as well. Even in the opening tutorial, Scarlet Nexus wants to show players that it's not like any other action RPG. That's because of its unique combat mechanics, which allows for some fun graphics, combos, and strategies.

The game has everything you would expect from a character driven action game / hack and slash title – perfect dodging, weapon attacks and throwers. What makes it stand out is the use of the psychokinesis attacks and assist specials that got me primarily interested in the title.

Scarlet Nexus RPG Battle.

By holding R2, players consume a psychokinesis meter. This allows players to control surrounding objects and throw them at enemies, causing great damage. Attacks can be chained with standard weapons and specials, with the chains getting longer and more elaborate as you level up to make room for some fun combos. As with any game that has a huge focus on combos and free flowing combat, you can already guess what you will see with this system, but it gets even wilder with the SAS mechanics.

Even in the opening tutorial, Scarlet Nexus wants to show players that it's not like any other action RPG. That's because of its unique combat mechanics, which allows for some fun graphics, combos, and strategies.

SAS is a brain-to-brain connection that allows players to temporarily use the different skills of group members and basically grant different assists. These include elemental attack reinforcements, invisibility, time slowdown, a doppelganger who can double attacks, or a partner who steps in with an auxiliary attack.

This mechanic adds a deep strategic element to combat as different SAS attacks have unique stats that are more effective on certain enemies. For example, an enemy can shoot water that splashes over them after a certain number of hits. Using a SAS assistant with electrical properties allows players to do more damage to their soaked opponent. In the beginning, players start with one of these assists and work their way up to four at a time, which opens the door to high combo potential. It just takes a bit of sanding to get there.

Yes, there is also a role play in there

While the focus is on action and story, the game doesn't lack the usual RPG elements.

To unlock all of a character's abilities, players will have to fight their way through the story and revisit previous areas to level up and earn brain points. As with many other RPGs with such a mechanic, players select points on a map to decide which path to take next.

On the other side of the field, party members can be leveled up to unlock more SAS skills. This is achieved by increasing the level of attachment with them, similar to what is done with the Persona series. The bond with a character is increased by talking to characters or giving them gifts, which in turn unlocks more skills. Once a specific interaction requirement is met, players will also unlock a Bond Episode, a special cutscene in which the player character gets closer to the person they have connected with. This also increases overall team loyalty and grants bonuses such as special items and free resuscitations. While it may sound like a chore, it opens up lots of fun moments of dialogue between characters without getting in the way of the core battle loop.

Exploring the overworld of the Scarlet Nexus.

There is also the classic material system that RPG fans are familiar with. In the levels, players will find small digital cubes that they have to pick up. These can be taken to a store and exchanged for various party cosmetic items, health items, and various weapon and stat upgrades.

It feels lively thanks to the abundance of NPCs and the great care that has been put into the look, feel, and sounds of the various maps.

The only downside to RPG gameplay is the exploration of the game. While I really liked the game's bright and detailed city and ruinous environments, it feels like traversing the city. Items are placed in empty and boring hallways and often feel unnecessary. It gets even more annoying when you return to these areas to find more.

Still, I enjoyed exploring the world of Scarlet Nexus. It feels lively thanks to the abundance of NPCs and the great care that has been put into the look, feel, and sounds of the various maps. I just wish hunting for items didn't feel like a drag at times.

Our opinion

Scarlet Nexus is a must have for any fan of Japanese action RPGs and standard JRPGs. If the story doesn't get your attention, the fight will be. It has enough flesh to distract from its tiny blemishes. It's a pleasure to interact with his characters, and seeing them grow together really got me fully invested in all of their story arcs. I left the experience and longed for another title like this one that would take its excellent action even further.

How long it will take?

It should take over 60 hours in total. The unlockable skills are well worth the hunt down as well, as they add plenty of extra playback time for those looking to dive deeper.

Is there an alternative?

There are tons of other action RPGs out there. The Tales series and the acclaimed Final Fantasy 7 Remake are some that I would recommend, but Scarlet Nexus offers such a rich and unique experience that I wouldn't turn it down.

Should you buy it?

If you're hungry for some good action or story, I highly recommend jumping right into this one.

Editor's recommendations



01 Jul
Blog

Realme GT Review: Top-tier Chip in an Average Phone

Realme GT yellow and black back

“The Realme GT is a solid mid-range smartphone with a flagship processor inside and an attractively low price. But don't expect it to compete with most other top of the line phones elsewhere. "

  • Vegan leather model is an eye-catcher

  • The Snapdragon 888 chip works great

  • Compact and light

  • Mediocre camera

  • No watertightness

It's impossible to ignore the yellow and black color scheme of the eye-catching Realme GT, as well as Realmes repeated claims that the phone is a "flagship" because it uses the top Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor. But a phone takes more than a fast processor to impress, and while the phone's other specs are good, they don't stand out. The Realme GT has the show and the run, but is that enough to make it a phone?

design

If Bumblebee used a smartphone, it would be the Racing Yellow Realme GT. The yellow vegan leather is softly structured and feels very comfortable and has so far left no traces from my hands covered with sunscreen and moisturizer or from being tucked into pockets and bags, which would suggest that it is durable. It's adapted to a strip of glass, but could very well be made of plastic that runs along the left side of the back and contains the camera module.

Realme GT yellow and black back close-upAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

At first glance it looks jet black, but on closer inspection it has a very faint V-shaped motif, complete with a slight bluish cast that runs along it. It's actually a little too faint and would look better if it were visible more often. While I think the Realme GT looks beautiful, these two primary design features elevate it well beyond what it actually is – another reworking of the same Realme and Oppo phone design we saw recently.

Paint the Realme GT black and it will look very, very similar to the Realme 8 5G, Oppo A54 5G, and other phones that have been released in the past few months. The lens layout can change a bit within the camera module, but on closer inspection, the crossover in the Oppo and Realme phone design is painfully obvious. Both are part of the BBK Electronics empire along with OnePlus, Vivo and IQOO, but work independently of each other.

Does that make the GT less attractive? Not really. If you want to reuse a drab design, it's best to disguise it in a crazy, eye-catching yellow and black color scheme. The Realme GT is pleasantly light at 186 grams and quite thick for the leather model at 9.1 mm, but overall reasonably proportioned to live with. A version in which the vegan leather back is exchanged for glass is also available.

screen

The GT's 6.43-inch Super AMOLED screen comes as a surprise. The resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, the lack of curves on the sides, and the screen-to-body ratio of around 85% aren't the stuff of mobile dreams, so I wasn't expecting anything special. However, it is very attractive for videos and can even compete with the higher-resolution Fluid AMOLED screen of the OnePlus 9 Pro without HDR10 + and massive brightness.

Realme GT screenAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you look at Carfection's Litchfield Toyota GR Yaris review on YouTube at 1440p, there's nothing different from each other. Compare it to the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, and the Apple phone's more natural tones appeal to the standard coolness of the Realme GT screen, but it really manages to hold its own against these two display heavyweights in some ways.

The flatness doesn't appeal to me. I prefer a screen with a certain shape and I appreciate the way curved glass catches the light and feels in my hand. The GT lacks that, which makes it feel ordinary. Outside of video, the Realme GT's screen lacks vibrancy – even in Vivid mode – and the screen protector is poor quality, attracting fingerprints, and dulling the display when the operating system is in general use. On the positive side, the refresh rate of 120 Hz makes scrolling incredibly smooth.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There's a fast and reliable fingerprint sensor at the bottom of the screen, but it has an annoying habit of not always activating when I pick up the phone or tap the screen to wake it up. However, face unlock with selfie camera usually worked before I became too frustrated. Audio is delivered through stereo speakers and is fine for casual use, plus the phone supports Dolby Atmos, but the phone's sound doesn't have much depth.

camera

Inside the module on the back there are three cameras, a 64-megapixel Sony IMX682 main camera, an 8-MP wide-angle camera and a 2-MP macro camera. There is a 16 MP selfie camera in a hole punch at the top of the screen. Realme calls the GT a flagship phone, but this isn't a flagship camera setup. The IMX682 is used in the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, for example.

Realme GT camera moduleAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera is acceptable but inconsistent and unable to compete with the best cameras available on phones today. On its worst days, the main camera tends to become oversaturated and does not always set the white balance correctly, while it destroys the mood in more complex lighting conditions with dark shadows and missing details. The wide angle camera is where the inconsistency is found mostly in the way it matches the colors.

Realme GT review wide cam path

Realme GT main camera Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Realme GT Review Main Cam Path

Realme GT wide angle camera Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Realme GT rating 2x path

Realme GT 2x digital zoom Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Realme GT rating 5x path

Realme GT 5x digital zoom Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

When the conditions are right, the Realme GT can take well-balanced, detailed photos that I'm happy to share with minimal editing. It seems to favor general photos of people, pets, and food, struggling with scenes that required more nuance and skill to capture effectively. The selfie camera has an activated beauty mode as standard, which significantly smooths the skin.

The camera app annoys me. Although the Realme GT doesn't have an optical zoom feature, Realme adds a 2x and a 5x option that you can use in the camera app. Unsurprisingly, the photos aren't very good. The 2x digital zoom can be passable, but the 5x is bad, and by making it an option, Realme confuses people about the actual capabilities of the camera, causing people to ruin photos they are too Rightly expected them to get better.

A "flagship" camera must encourage you to take pictures by producing stunning photos that will increase your creativity and fun. The Realme GT's camera lacks the general capability or hardware to do this, which is unfortunate given the imaging capability of the Snapdragon 888, but is fine for general everyday use.

Performance and battery

The Realme GT's flagship references come almost entirely from using a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor. The Snapdragon 888 chip is tremendously powerful and I had no issues playing Asphalt 9: Legends and Genshin Impact. Realme speaks of a 360Hz adaptive touch sampling rate, but I didn't notice any difference when gaming on the GT compared to other phones.

Realme GT viewed from aboveAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Realme UI 2.0 software, which is based on Android 11, is almost identical to Oppo's Color OS V11 software, to the point where you can choose the same icon shape and size, as well as the same font, to do just that to achieve the same look, all from identical settings pages. Both brands are part of the BBK Electronics empire so this is no surprise, but don't buy a Realme phone if you've used an Oppo phone and didn't like the software.

The Snapdragon 888 chip is tremendously powerful /

Is it below average? No, it's fine and has plenty of customization options to make it your own if the look is awkward. I've found it to be reliable and fast, the settings menu is logical enough, and notifications have been delivered for the most part without any problems, although some apps don't always notify you of a new message until you unlock the phone. I find that the keyboard is set very low on the screen, which has resulted in more typos than usual.

Inside is a 4,500mAh battery that has enough power to last for almost two days, but only under normal conditions of use. Make a video call and play a few games and the battery will run out by the middle of the second day. It is charged with the 65-watt SuperDart Charge from Realme, which fully charges the battery in about 35 minutes, but has no wireless charging.

Price and availability

The Realme GT is available now in Europe and is coming soon in the UK, but the only official prices are currently available in euros. The phone costs 449 euros, which is around $ 550 for the 8GB / 128GB version or 599 euros / $ 725 for the 12GB / 256GB model. It's not currently available directly through Realme's UK online store, but it can be found through Amazon in Europe and as an import from sellers on AliExpress, where it starts at $ 480. If you choose to import the phone, make sure it is the Global model or you will not have Google Play or Google Services installed.

Our opinion

I've been using the Realme GT every day for a couple of weeks now and have had no real problems with it at all. People have commented on the striking yellow and black color scheme, and the battery has kept up with my activities, but I haven't really settled down with the phone. The problem is, outside of the vegan leather and yellow paintwork, it's not very exciting.

The camera and screen are satisfactory but do not encourage me to use them and certainly do not offer anything above the competition. The existence of the Realme GT is based solely on the Snapdragon 888 processor and the performance it delivers.

While it's a solid everyday phone, the rest of the specs don't take full advantage of the Snapdragon 888's capabilities or what we expect to go with it, which is unfortunate. It also lacks many other features that we would expect from a top-of-the-line phone, including wireless charging, a great feature-rich camera, and water resistance. It certainly has a lot of guts and gaming is great. So if all you're looking for is performance, the GT delivers it for a reasonable price. But the rest of the phone doesn't keep that monster processor's promise.

Is there a better alternative?

The unclear pricing of the Realme GT in the UK and the lack of an official US release make it difficult to compare directly, but we'll compare it to phones that cost less than $ 500. The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G doesn't have the Snapdragon 888, but it does have a better camera and screen, plus long battery life and a pretty design. The software is great too, and it's our recommended Android smartphone for this price point. Similarly, the Google Pixel 4a beats the Realme GT's camera and software, but it can't keep up with its processing power.

Less obvious competitors include the Asus Zenfone 8 and Xiaomi Mi 11, both of which cost about the same as the Realme GT and offer similar specs, but also have disadvantages.

How long it will take?

The Realme GT has 5G so it can be connected to the fastest mobile data service at any time, which gives it a good start in terms of longevity. The phone isn't waterproof, and other than the leather back being likely to be moderately more durable than the glass version, it's not a particularly rugged phone either. It is advisable to put it in a case.

Realme offers software updates for two years, but doesn't go into timing. Due to the custom user interface via Android, it takes longer for major Android version updates to arrive than for example on a Google Pixel phone. However, the Snapdragon 888 processor will help ensure that the phone lasts for at least two years.

Should you buy it?

No, unless your only requirement is to have the fastest Qualcomm processor at the cheapest price. There are better all-rounders for a similar price.

Editor's recommendations



01 Jul
Blog

Xbox Fusion Pro 2 Review: A Controller With Compromises

The Xbox Fusion 2 controller next to an Xbox Series X.

"PowerA's Fusion Pro 2 is great value at $ 90, but you get what you pay for with this third-party controller."

  • Great value

  • Feature-rich package

  • Practical volume control

  • Easy to customize

  • Loud rumbling

  • D-pad is a step down

  • Uncomfortable back paddles

Let's get something straight: the Xbox Elite Series 2 is the best video game controller on the market today. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most expensive. The third-party provider PowerA may have recognized an opportunity and, with the Fusion Pro 2, has risen with a direct competitor to Microsoft's own gamepad.

This wired controller is specially designed for the Xbox Series X | S and offers many of the same extras as the Elite Series 2 at a significantly lower price. It's a sturdy package with back paddles, trigger locks, volume controls and a lot more. At $ 90, it seems like an important value versus the $ 180 Elite Series 2 at first glance.

The Fusion Pro 2 is indeed a solid third-party option for those looking for an Xbox controller with some bells and whistles. Just prepare a classic "you get what you pay for" case here because it lacks the sleek design and cut of a proper Microsoft product.

An important value

It's hard to deny what a strong offering the overall package is. For $ 90, Xbox gamers get a ton of features here that aren't on a standard Xbox controller. For starters, it comes with a paddle pack that adds four back buttons to the controller. That alone is one of the main selling points of the Elite Series 2.

The Xbox Fusion 2 controller and its additional parts.

In addition, the controller has trigger locks that allow players to adjust the voltage on each trigger. There are three different settings each, each of which allows for some very specific controller settings. There is also a volume control at the bottom of the pad that allows players to easily turn the voice chat up and down. Pressing the rotary dial will also mute the chat, which is incredibly handy to have a click of your thumb away.

Those are the greatest features, but there's a lot more where that comes from. The package comes with removable front panels, anti-friction handles, additional joysticks and a carrying case to store everything. It doesn't have all of the interchangeable parts that come with an Elite Series 2, but it makes up for that with the bonus features.

It's hard to deny what a strong offering the overall package is.

The price point goes really far here. In comparison, PowerA's Nintendo Switch Fusion controller costs $ 100 and has far fewer extras. While $ 90 may seem expensive for someone who just needs a standard game controller, it's a real steal when you consider that a similar product costs twice as much.

to make compromises

While it's certainly more cost effective than an Elite Series 2, that doesn't mean it's inherently better. There are many tradeoffs players will make if they choose this route. Most notable is the fact that it is a wired controller, which in itself is a big catch in itself. The package comes with nice mesh wire, but it still means you have to stay tied to your Xbox to play.

There are many tradeoffs players will make if they choose this route.

These compromises also crop up in more subtle ways. The controller uses a regular four-way D-pad, which is a questionable step down from the Xbox Series X's more multi-directional pad. This part is also not interchangeable, so it cannot be replaced across the board.

The most noticeable difference comes from the rumble. The controller's dual rumble motors aren't subtle; This is one of the loudest controllers I've ever heard. Leave this on a coffee table and it will sound like it's piercing. The technology just feels a little cheap compared to the more precise rumble found in video game controllers today. It must be noted that the fact that it is rumbling at all is an improvement over the Switch's Fusion controller, which lacks overall feedback.

The Xbox Fusion 2 controller next to an Xbox Series X.

These quirks aside, the key layout itself is perfectly serviceable. There are a few differences in depth, but this feels like a regular Xbox controller. It's just these little details that bring the third-party character to the fore.

Just next to it

The biggest feature here is the paddle pack, which adds four back buttons to the controller. There's a lot to like about them. It's easy to assign buttons to them, the paddles feel responsive, and the backpack itself can be pulled out at any time.

It's still incredible value, but expect to feel the difference.

The positioning feels a bit off. although. For my hands, the backpack sits a little lower than I would like. That means I had to keep my back fingers higher, which made it difficult to find a comfortable position. After playing a few rounds of Knockout City, I felt like I wanted to throw the pack out entirely.

The back paddles of the Xbox Fusion 2 controller.

That's a shame, because the Fusion 2 has a lot to offer in terms of comfort. The rubber grips are especially nice compared to the cold suppleness of a standard Xbox controller. The trigger locks and interchangeable joysticks are also a welcome bonus that allows players to really customize the feel of the controller.

Of course, comfort is ultimately a question of subjectivity. The paddle package may be just right for some players while others may feel like it's just a bull's eye. No controller is a one-size-fits-all solution, but it's an area where Microsoft's expertise really becomes apparent. The company has spent decades creating the perfect Xbox controller, and that becomes evident when you switch to a third-party option that lacks those subtle tweaks. It's still incredible value, but expect to feel the difference.

Our opinion

The PowerA Xbox Fusion 2 is a great budget option for anyone who wants the extras of an Elite Series 2 without breaking the bank. It's a loaded package with an impressive array of features. Just be prepared for the third party nature. Loud rumble motors, awkward positioning of the back button and the wired condition make this controller a controller that accepts many compromises. If value is the primary concern, it is a strong option. It's just not the best available.

Is there a better alternative?

Microsoft's Elite Series 2 is the better piece of hardware, although it is available for twice the price.

How long it will take?

Since it's wired, you don't have to worry about battery life. The controller itself feels sturdy enough, but it's always difficult to say how a third-party product will hold up over time. However, expect it to be in use for a few years.

Should you buy it?

No. Anyone who really needs the extras is probably better off paying extra for the Elite Series 2. Otherwise, the standard Xbox Series X controller is perfectly designed for casual gamers.

Editor's recommendations



01 Jul
Blog

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 Review: Elegant Style, Big Bass Sound

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds in their charging case.

"The PI5 is sleek and stylish and offers an alternative to white plastic earphones."

  • Simple, elegant design

  • Comfortable

  • Wireless charging

  • Effective ANC

  • Wear sensors

  • Full, rich sound

  • Cumbersome transparency controls

  • No EQ settings

  • No adjustment of the control

  • Some bluetooth connection problems

It took Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) longer than expected to launch its first true wireless earbuds, but they're finally here: the $ 400 flagship PI7 and the downward model PI5, which costs $ 250. The sleek looking earbuds came out at a crucial time when most brands are already working on their second, third, or even fourth generation products after years of learning and making improvements. Can B&W get in with a first-gen product at a great price and compete with established companies like Sony, Bose, Jabra and JBL?

I put the B&W PI5 through its paces.

What's in the box?

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones and Accessories.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Not only is B&W a little late for the real wireless party, but it also seems to have missed the memo on sustainable packaging. Although the box is relatively small, it has embedded magnets, foam pads, and fully coated surfaces that make recycling difficult, if not impossible.

Inside you will find the PI5 already in its charging case, two additional sizes of earplugs, some paper documents and a generously long USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Unfortunately, B&W failed to add a USB-A to USB-C adapter for those of us who don't have a readily available USB-C port or charger.

The earbuds manage to look smaller in your ear than other earbuds thanks to their terraced shape.

design

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds in their charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

B&W has a flair for sophisticated designs. Whether it's the company's PX7 full-size headphones or the Formation wireless speakers, it's all about sleek elegance. The PI5 shares this design language with smooth lines and subtle accents such as the spiral texture on the outer touch control surface and an aluminum ring with the B&W brand.

Thanks to their terraced shape, the earbuds look smaller in your ear than on the Sony WF-1000XM4, Jabra Elite 85t and JBL Tour Pro +.

They can be easily removed from their wireless charging case and the case's magnets are just the right strength to hold the earphones precisely in place – don't worry about incorrectly aligned charging contacts.

The lid of the case can be opened and closed easily and easily and the large LED display on the front allows you to quickly check the charging status as well as the status of the buds when docked.

The case is just small enough to put in your pocket. The only catch with the otherwise beautiful design is the plastic selection chosen by B&W for the case: Even after unpacking the case, the case was covered with fingerprints and the factory condition could not be restored even by careful polishing with a soft cloth.

They don't look like that, but the PI5 are IP54 certified for good dust resistance and moderate water resistance. However, the case is not protected against dust or water, so you should clean the earbuds before replacing them.

Comfort, controls and connections

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5's sleek lines don't suggest a lot of comfort, but I found them very comfortable. The inner part of the earplugs is gently curved, while the outer part sits in the concha, where it, together with the silicone earplugs, holds the earplugs in position.

You want to move quickly from hearing nothing to hearing as much as possible. But there is simply no way to do that.

They may not be entirely safe for high energy workouts, but I think most people will find them suitable for their daily treadmill or treadmill routine.

As with most touch controls, there are times when typing on the PI5 has not been registered, but B&W includes a feedback tone so you know when you typed correctly. There's no way to change the gestures – you get play / pause, answer / end call, skip forward / back tracks, and access to the voice assistant. The volume control needs to be done on the phone (or you can ask Siri / Google Assistant to do it).

There's also the option to toggle active noise cancellation with a tap-and-hold gesture on the left earbud, but I'm not crazy about it. In my opinion, the opposite of ANC on is not ANC off, but transparency mode on. You want to move quickly from not hearing the outside world to hearing as much as possible. But there is simply no way to do that. To switch from ANC (on or off) to transparency you need to use a control buried in the B&W Headphones app.

Bowers & Wilkins headphone app with ANC control.

Bowers & Wilkins headphone app with advanced settings.

Oddly enough, it is possible to have both ANC and Transparency mode enabled at the same time, which makes no sense at all. This is a major oversight that the company will hopefully fix with a firmware update as soon as possible.

The PI5 are equipped with wear sensors (which can be disabled in the app) and they are very accurate, pausing and resuming the music almost immediately when you remove or replace an earbud.

When testing the B&W PI7, we noticed some pretty flaky Bluetooth connections, but the PI5 were mostly reliable. Your wireless range is perfectly acceptable when you have your phone with you: 35 feet outside and 6 feet or so inside, but if you need to roam more, you're likely to experience dropouts.

I had a couple of glitches getting the PI5 to reconnect after putting it back in its case. It often took a few moments for the earbuds to turn on and then another five to 10 seconds to reconnect to my phone.

Once the earphones switched off the microphone part of the connection without warning. About halfway through a recording, they just stopped working and I had no idea until I played the recording.

On some tracks, the lower mid-range may sound a little distorted.

On the plus side, the PI5 can remember the last four paired devices, and the app lets you choose which of them to try first when you pull the earbuds out of their cases (or you can choose "last paired" as the default). You can also use each earbud independently.

Sound quality

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds are worn.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5 has a very forward-looking sound signature that gives the music a warm, rich, and full reproduction. That bass really lets you feel the dark sounds of a track like Hans Zimmer's Time, but it lacks the subtlety of Sony's WF-1000XM4 that can better bring out the little nuances.

The challenge here is that B&W does not offer any EQ adjustments within the app. On some tracks, like Dominique Fils-Aimés Home, where deep acoustic bass and drums are accompanied by sultry vocals, the lower mids can sound a bit distorted. This becomes more noticeable as you turn up the volume. It's not a deal breaker, and despite the lack of low-end precision, there is excellent clarity in the upper mids and highs, which makes the vocal performance really enjoyable.

The PI5 are equipped with Qualcomm's aptX Bluetooth codec, which is said to offer slightly better performance than AAC, but I couldn't make out any difference when switching back and forth between an iPhone 11 (AAC) and a Google Pixel 5 (aptX). .

For less expensive earbuds, I'd probably overlook this, but at $ 250, the PI5 stands up against great audio performers like the $ 200 Sennheiser CX 400BT, $ 230 Jabra Elite 85t, and $ 230 KEF MU3, the all have excellent frequency separation.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5's active noise cancellation is very good. It was able to completely block the noise from my loud bathroom fan from six feet away, and it also adapted well to traffic and construction site noise as I walked through my neighborhood. It's actually a remarkable feat considering the earbuds only have two microphones. Most of the ANC earbuds that do this good require three microphones.

When melodies are not playing you can only make out a tiny hiss, but it's insignificant and easily ignored.

The transparency mode, which you can fine-tune to let in more or less sound, is very good too, but doesn't quite match the AirPods Pro's creepy ability to make it seem like you're not wearing any earbuds at all.

As I said above, the big problem is not being able to switch between ANC and transparency quickly and easily.

Battery life

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earbud Charging Case.

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earbud Charging Case.

B&W states a battery life of 4.5 hours per charge for the earphones with the ANC switched on, which can be extended by another 20 hours with the charging case for about 24.5 hours of use before a cord or wireless charger is required. The PI5 is on par with the AirPods Pro, but is still at the lower end of the range of current true wireless earbuds.

In testing, I found these numbers a bit optimistic. With the ANC switched on and the volume set to 50%, I only have a little more than four hours of playing time.

However, there is a quick charge function that could help with range anxiety: 15 minutes in the sockets gives two hours of additional gaming time.

Call quality

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds are worn.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I found the PI5 did a good job of canceling out background noise during a call. Some wind noise wasn't a problem either. But B&W may need to increase the gain on the microphones – my voice sometimes sounded a bit far away.

You can switch to transparency mode (from within the app) during a call, which really helps you hear your own voice more clearly.

I'm just not sure what to make of the microphone dropout issue mentioned above. If that happened all the time during phone calls, it would become a major nuisance.

Extras

In the B&W Headphones app you will find a number of six “soundscapes” such as waves or forest noises, all of which can be set with a timer to help you fall asleep. These might be helpful for getting 40 winks while flying, but I doubt most people will want to wear these earbuds to bed.

Our opinion

The PI5 brings B & W's famous elegance and sophistication to the true world of wireless earbuds, but a few weaknesses keep them from usurping the ruling brands at this price point.

Is there a better alternative?

At the same price as the PI5, Apple's AirPods Pro provide a better overall experience for everything but sound quality. They are smaller, more comfortable, and have better ANC and transparency modes.

For a non-Apple alternative, that's $ 230 Jabra Elite 85t are superb, with better sound quality, better battery life, lots of customization options, and more useful and effective ANC and transparency modes.

For even more savings, try the $ 199 JBL Tour Pro + – their bass isn't as powerful, but just as good or better than the PI5 in every other way.

How long will they last?

B&W backs the PI5 with a two-year warranty that's twice the average for true wireless earbuds. They look very well made and with their IP54 protection class should withstand most activities unscathed. My only concern is the battery. All batteries lose capacity over time, so it's not ideal for your earbuds to last for 4.5 hours or less – this can easily drop to just two hours after a year or two of regular use.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you can overcome your cumbersome ANC / transparency controls, the B&W PI5 offers a very stylish and sonorous alternative to the current noise-canceling true wireless earbuds.

Editor's recommendations



30 Jun
Blog

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen 2021) Review: Nothing to See

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen 2021) on the table.

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2021)

"Since there are hardly any major upgrades, don't be surprised if you can't find a reason to buy this Alexa Smart Display."

  • Compact size helps to fit in tighter spaces

  • Hardly any new upgrades

  • Sounds shrill at high volumes

  • Performance may be delayed

It's been a couple of years since the original Amazon Echo Show 5 was released, so it deserves a refresh. After seeing the Echo Show 10 (3rd Generation) grabbing attention due to some of its unique aspects, including rotating the display to follow you during video calls, we all figured it out for the next iteration of the Echo Show 5 is brewing something big.

However, this did not appear to be the case when Amazon announced it. On paper, it just seemed like another recycled successor – with the exception of a new 2-megapixel camera that replaced the 1-megapixel camera of its predecessor. Let's find out if there is more than this one notable upgrade.

Design: a new color

Even if I've never owned the original, the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen 2021) spec sheet indicates that we're dealing with a very similar smart display. Its overall dimensions, weight and aesthetics are no different, which technically still makes it the most compact smart display in the Amazon portfolio. This means it is better equipped for tight spaces like bedside tables, bedside tables, and even a cramped desk. I definitely appreciate its good size, but it would have been nice to see it maybe a bit stripped down – either in terms of its overall size or maybe the bezels around the display.

John Velasco / Digital Trends

The only new feature is the additional Deep Sea Blue color option, which complements the existing Charcoal and Glacier White options. It's not as neutral as the other two colors, but it can certainly help add some contrast. Honestly, I was hoping for a lot more than just a new color with the design, but I can't fail to mention that this is common practice – just take a look at the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) for an example.

Display: Nothing special, but does the job

While not a show stopper, the 5.5-inch 960 x 480 pixel display succeeds in not being an overwhelming distraction. This becomes particularly clear on my desk, which is already dominated by several other displays. It's sharp enough to be able to tell the time and outside temperature, as well as some of the messages and notifications that appear. I am not particularly convinced that it is the ideal replacement for a picture frame, not only because of its size, but also because of the fact that there is noticeable distortion when viewed from a slight angle.

Sound performance: do not use the maximum volume

Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Generation 2021) rear view.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Smaller smart displays don't have the best reputation when it comes to audio performance, and the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen. 2021) isn't breaking new ground in this area. It is powered by a 1.65 inch speaker driver suitable for small, cramped spaces. The audio power is enough to distract in the background while I work, but you really don't want to go beyond half the volume because it sounds high-pitched to the ear.

Interface: a bit of a delay

For some reason, there is a performance lag while navigating the user interface. It's very small and doesn't detract from the overall experience, but it's hard to determine if it's just a less-than-responsive touchscreen or a lack of momentum from the MediaTek MT 8163 processor that powers it. Regardless, I find that actions while a song is playing tend to show some lag.

The camera does not contribute significantly to the overall experience,

Fortunately, speech recognition doesn't seem to be affected at all, as evidenced by how the Echo Show 5 (2nd generation 2021) is able to trigger voice actions in noisy conditions.

Of course, the entire experience revolves around the Amazon ecosystem. Functionally, it is no different from other Alexa-powered smart displays, which are all connected to services such as Prime Music, Prime Video and many more.

Sure, the touchscreen makes it convenient to access various functions, such as: For example, viewing a live stream from my security camera or turning on my Philips Hue lights, but I relied a lot more on voice actions with Alexa.

Camera: A new camera that doesn't add a lot

I mentioned above that this new model has a slightly improved 2 mega-pixel camera. It is the only meaningful upgrade on paper to an otherwise familiar model. Unfortunately, it doesn't really add to the overall experience. There's a bit more detail, but the difference is negligible when looking at the live feed from my smartphone.

Close-up of the camera on the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd generation 2021).John Velasco / Digital Trends

Needless to say, it does the job related to video calling or using the drop-in feature to check things out while I'm on the go. It doesn't get the same pan-and-zoom treatment that its sibling got on the Echo Show 8 (2nd generation 2021), so video calls are best experienced right in front of or near the smart display. If you're worried about snoopers, there's a switch that covers the camera lens, but if you want to mute Alexa too, you'll have to press the appropriate button.

Our opinion

Amazon's decision to release a successor is puzzling to say the least. The only bonus I find on the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen 2021) is that at $ 85, it's a bit cheaper than the original $ 90 price of its predecessor. But that's not enough, because we get practically the same model as before with just a slightly improved camera. The camera doesn't add much to the overall experience and is very similar to its predecessor.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're craving something with more substance, this is that Echo Show 8 (2nd generation 2021) and Echo Show 10 (3rd generation) are good options as they contain significant upgrades from their predecessors.

How long it will take?

Made from plastic, it feels sturdy enough to last over the long term. In the event a part breaks, there is a one-year limited warranty that covers any defects.

Should you buy it?

No, mainly because you can buy the previous model for $ 15 less than this – and still have all of the core features available.

Editor's recommendations



30 Jun
Blog

Roborock H7 Cordless Vacuum Review: It Packs a Punch

roborock h7 both vacuum cleaner and mop wireless lifestyle 3 of 4

Roborock H7 cordless vacuum cleaner

"Dyson is more careful because the Roborock H7 is an easy competitor with a heavy blow"

  • Improved loading times

  • Strong suction power

  • Effective air filtration

  • Easy assembly and storage

  • Limited cleaning time, especially in higher power modes

The new Roborock H7 cordless vacuum cleaner follows another recent release from the company – the Roborock H6 Adapt. While the H6 Adapt is an impressive vacuum cleaner that easily handles any challenge I have given it, the H7 is just as impressive and brings several upgrades to the table, including a dust bag.

The dust bag enables the Roborock H7 to pick up dirt and dust without it escaping into the air. It also ensures tidier disposal and easier cleaning of the vacuum cleaner. Below are our impressions after spending some time with the Roborock H7 cordless vacuum cleaner.

Accessories: a happy bunch

Like the Roborock H6 Adapt, the H7 comes with a full range of accessories and cleaning tools to help you reach every nook and cranny of your home. The H7 includes a baton, crevice nozzle, dust brush, flexible hose, motorized mini brush, multi-faceted brush and dust bag holder.

Almost all of these tools fit neatly in the docking station, allowing compact and space-saving storage of the vacuum cleaner when not in use. The dock charges the H7 when it is assembled, so you can pick it up and use it whenever you want. As an added bonus, almost all accessories are also magnetized. You can attach them to the side of the refrigerator or washing machine just as easily as attaching the dock.

With all of these accessories, it was easy to move the H7 from vacuuming a flour stain in the kitchen to cleaning the stairs. With the grout tool I was able to suck dirt out of the corners under the cabinets where my robot mop wouldn't get clean.

On its own, the Roborock H7 is a powerful vacuum cleaner, but with these accessories it's easy to use in almost any context – even when cleaning the car.

Performance: Strong suction meets easy handling

Like the H6 Adapt, the Roborock H7 also has several cleaning modes that are powered by a powerful motor. The 480 watt motor generates enormous suction power. There are three basic modes: Eco, Standard or Max. The LED display on the handle shows you which mode you are in and how much battery life is left.

The eco mode is the most energy efficient, but also the weakest of the three cleaning modes and ideal for most daily vacuuming work.

Standard mode is more powerful, but at the expense of the battery. Max mode is the most powerful option, but by far the loudest. Its suction power is almost enough to pull paint out of a car, but when dirt and dust are ground deep into your carpet, MAX mode will pull it out.

You don't have to hold down the shutter button either. A small button on the side of the handle activates sustain mode, which means that the vacuum continues to work even without pulling the trigger. This will save your hand a little bit of stress during those long cleaning sessions. Just press the Sustain button again to turn it off.

The Roborock H7 offers around 90 minutes of cleaning time on a single charge in eco mode. If you're still not done, don't worry – it only takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge, a significant improvement over the four hours it takes the H6 Adapt.

The air quality is in the foreground of the design

Roborock has gone to great lengths to improve air quality with their vacuum designs, and the H7 is no exception. A HEPA filter removes particles from the air during cleaning and stores them in a leak-proof trash can. The filter is designed to catch particles up to 0.3 microns in size.

The design of the vacuum means that no particles will escape through cracks in the vacuum and get into the air around you. However, if you want to take an extra step to improve your air quality, the Roborock H7 includes easy-to-follow instructions on how to install the dust bag.

My cat is losing a lot, but the Roborock H7 has taken in significantly more animal hair than the H6 Adapt.

This bag catches particles and enables easy disposal. Just remove the bag and throw it in the trash. The Roborock H7 includes two disposable dust bags, but replacement bags can be purchased.

After a few cycles, you may notice dust build-up in the front and rear filters, in the cyclone itself and in the trash can. All of these parts are removable and washable in normal water. Just run them underwater until completely clean, then let them dry completely for 24 hours before reassembling them.

Our opinion

The Roborock H7 brings small but necessary improvements to the Roborock range of stick vacuum cleaners. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, the faster load time, optional dust bag accessories, and improved suction make it a solid buy for anyone.

Where the H7 really shines, at least in my experience, was cleaning pet hair. My cat is losing a lot, but the Roborock H7 has taken in significantly more animal hair than the H6 Adapt. While the price has risen to $ 500, the shorter charge time reduces the need for a spare battery for longer vacuuming jobs, which makes the added cost worthwhile.

How long it will take?

With proper care, the Roborock H7 will last for many years. Hard plastic gives it a lighter weight than the competition, but that doesn't mean it's prone to damage. Just keep it out of direct sunlight and the vacuum should hold for years. Should something go wrong, Roborock offers a one-year guarantee.

Is there a better alternative?

The $ 500 price tag might be a little prohibitive for someone on a budget. If you want to save costs, Shark Wand Vac is a great alternative that is both a cordless vacuum cleaner and a portable all-in-one. On the other hand, if you're looking for a top of the line vacuum and the cost isn't a deterrent, this is it Dyson V11 torque drive is a great option for a thorough cleaning of your floors.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Roborock has proven its commitment to constant improvement and quality, and the Roborock H7 is the best cordless vacuum the company currently has.

Editor's recommendations



30 Jun
Blog

Beats Studio Buds Review: These Are The AirPods Pro Lite

Beats Studio Buds

"With the Studio Buds, Beats has found a perfect balance between functionality and price."

  • Inexpensive

  • Good sound quality

  • Good ANC

  • Good transparency

  • Very convenient

  • No wireless charging

  • No wear sensors

  • No EQ or control adjustment

With the exception of the Powerbeats Pro, which are primarily aimed at athletes, Beats by Dre has never made true wireless earbuds for everyday use. That surprising omission was finally addressed with the new $ 150 Beats Studio Buds, a set of ultra-compact Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) earphones that offer most of the benefits of the AirPods Pro at a much lower price. Are these the real wireless earbuds you've been waiting for? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Following a growing trend across the industry that we're excited about is the Studio buds come in a tiny cardboard box that has less structural rigidity than a packet of Rice Krispies. That means much less material to dispose of and it is fully recyclable.

Once embedded in your ears, the earbuds will only stick out a little.

Inside you will find the Studio Buds already in their charging case, two additional sets of silicone earplugs (media are installed as standard), some paper documentation and a very short USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Given that there are still a lot of people out there who don't have a USB-C port on their laptop or tablet or a USB-C charger, I think Beats a USB-A to USB-C adapter should have enclosed. Keep this in mind if you are one of the crowd without USB-C.

design

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The tiny Studio Buds use the same eartips as the AirPods Pro. Instead of the AirPods' iconic white stems, an unusual mohawk-like fin shape makes them a little easier to grip with your fingers. At the tip of the fin is a single physical control button. The intent is that when you take the Studio Buds out of their cases and angle them in your ears, you don't accidentally tap a touch control.

Once embedded in your ears, the earbuds stick out just a tiny bit – just enough to grab the fin or push the button.

Unlike the AirPods and AirPods Pro, the Studio Buds don't have optical sensors, so they can't automatically pause your music when you remove an earbud or resume playback when you put them back in.

The Studio Buds also lack Apple's H1 or W1 wireless chips, but even so, they're still considered a Class 1 Bluetooth device, and more importantly for Apple fans, they give you hands-free access to Siri (or Pushbutton access on google). Assistant on Android devices).

In keeping with Beats' reputation for sport-friendly headphones, the Studio Buds have an IPX4 rating, which should offer more than enough protection for a sweaty workout.

The Studio Buds are some of the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried.

The charging case isn't quite as compact as the AirPods or AirPods Pro and doesn't offer wireless charging, but its fully rounded contours make it comfortable to hold and still light and small enough to fit in your pocket.

A single LED on the front shows the charging status of the case, but to know how much charge the earbuds have, you need to consult your phone.

Comfort, controls and connections

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Studio Buds are some of the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried. Their tiny shape and ventilated design reduce much of the "full-ear" feel that other in-ear headphones can create. I had no problem with the standard medium-sized earbuds, but with only two other sizes to choose from, it's hard to tell if everyone will be that lucky.

As with most physical buttons, the controls are precise and easy to use.

The rounded shape of the earphone body makes a lot of skin contact with the outer ear. In combination with a properly fitting earplug, the Studio Buds offer a more secure fit than the AirPods Pro. You may not get the confident understanding of an ear hook design like the Powerbeats Pro, but I doubt those buds will accidentally come off.

As with most physical buttons, the controls are precise and easy to use. One click handles play / pause / call acceptance / call end, two clicks jump forward and three clicks jump back. Unfortunately there is no way to change this and control the volume. Click and hold to toggle your ANC mode or activate your voice assistant, depending on which earbuds you're using.

I'd prefer some customization options here, but the downside is that you can use each earbud independently and the controls remain the same.

Pairing the Studio Buds is quick and easy on both iOS and Android. Simply opening the case lid while it's near your phone is usually enough to trigger a pairing notification with a tap of your finger, and that's all.

They don't support Bluetooth multipoint for pairing with two devices at the same time (but this is a very rare feature in wireless earbuds). The Bluetooth range is excellent: I was able to get around 25 meters outside and there were no problems roaming inside. The connection stayed rock solid the entire time, which we couldn't say about the Powerbeats Pro.

Sound quality

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Beats Studio Buds won't disappoint Beats fans: they have the same bass-forward sound signature that the brand is known for. As with all in-ear earphones, the fit determines how powerful this low-end gets. While I found both medium and large sized earbuds comfortable, the large earbuds provided more bass response.

The bass isn't quite as snappy as on more expensive earphones like the Jabra Elite 85t or the Sony WF-1000XM4, but it's decent enough for the price and actually better balanced than the similarly priced Jabra Elite 75t.

Fortunately, this deep bass is balanced out by the rest of the frequencies and only occasionally creeps into the lower mids, where it can seem slightly muddy. As with other Beats products, hip-hop, EDM, and rap music sound fantastic, but there is enough detail in the mids and highs to enjoy many other genres as well.

The Studio Buds have very good noise canceling.

Beats and Apple headphones never offered EQ adjustments, which never made sense to me. Earbuds come with different sized earbuds because each ear is different. For me, an EQ adjustment fixes the same kind of problem – not everyone will like the way the earbuds are tuned at the factory.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I know ANC is getting more affordable – heck, you can now get real ANC wireless earbuds for well under $ 100 – but I'm still impressed that Beats are adding it to Studio Buds and priced at $ 150 Could hold dollars.

See, not all ANCs are created equal. Bad ANC is just pointless and often introduces as much new noise in the form of hissing as it tries to suppress. The Studio Buds have very good noise canceling. It's not as good as what you get from the AirPods Pro, Jabra Elite 85t, or Sony WF-1000XM4, but they are solid performers and shave both low and high frequency sounds.

What's more impressive is that despite their ventilated design, they achieve this ANC level. Vents let a small amount of air into the ear to help make up for the clogged feeling closed earbuds can create, but this can make noise cancellation less effective. If I hadn't known the Studio Buds were ventilated, I wouldn't have known because of their ANC performance.

Transparency mode falls into a similar area – it's not exactly the "felt like I'm not wearing earbuds" effect of the AirPods Pro, but it's more than enough for having conversations or just being aware of potential hazards like traffic to be.

At startup, the earbuds will force you to toggle between ANC, Transparency, and Off mode, but Beats tells me that if you click and hold, you will only be able to use two of these in a future firmware update.

It would be nice to be able to fine-tune both ANC and transparency, but just like the EQ situation, this is simply not possible for the Studio Buds.

Call quality

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Despite the total of six microphones, the Studio Buds did not convince me with their call quality. Background noises weren't too annoying, but they were definitely audible. Some noises, such as cars driving by, were greatly reduced, while others – such as birdsong – did not seem to be affected at all.

Because the noise-canceling microphones process this noise, it is difficult for them to keep your voice perfectly clear. There's a lot of jiggling and sometimes it feels like you're far from the mic.

Things improve a lot when they are inside where they work well.

Find my buds

Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds

Apple's Find My platform is the ultimate lost item tracking service, with millions of iOS devices around the world constantly searching for compatible products such as AirTags or Apple Watches. The Studio Buds also belong on this list. They also work with Google's Find My feature when you pair them with an Android device.

The only minor downside is that the earbuds can only be forced to emit a sound when they are not in their case.

Android too

The Studio Buds stand out for being the first Beats product that plays (almost) well with Android devices like iPhones. There's a Beats app you can download from the Google Play Store to get software updates and check battery life, but right now it doesn't give you access to ANC modes or click-and-hold options like on iOS.

Battery life

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Beats claims eight hours per charge for the earbuds with ANC and transparency turned off. If you enclose the two full charges in the charging case, you will get a total playing time of about 24 hours. Turn on ANC and those numbers will drop quite a bit, to five and 15 respectively.

At 50% volume, these claims are very accurate. In fact, I was able to last nine hours with ANC and transparency turned off.

There is also a quick charge option: five minutes of plug time gives you an extra hour of life.

Let's put that into perspective: the Powerbeats Pro get nine hours / 24 hours, but that's because they don't have an ANC. The AirPods Pro get 4.5 hours per charge (ANC on) or five hours (ANC off) and a total of around 24 hours with their case. While the Studio Buds may not win the overall award for Best Endurance, they are equal to or better than other Apple / Beats true wireless models.

Our opinion

With a tiny size, comfy fit, great sound quality, and ANC that gets the job done, the $ 150 Beats Studio Buds are by far the best value for money of the entire Beats / AirPods line of wireless headphones.

Is there a better alternative?

I think there's no better alternative to the Studio Buds given their $ 150 price point, but as long as the hands-free Siri isn't high on your wish list, this is the Jabra Elite 75t deserve serious consideration. They sound great (though maybe not as clear as the Studio Buds), and they have very good ANC and transparency, as well as slightly better battery life and loads of features like EQ and controls. Thanks to the great Jabra Sound + app, there is also a Find My Earbuds option.

How long will they last?

With an IPX4 rating and seemingly decent build quality, the Studio Buds should perform well for many years to come. Battery life is always an issue with these type of headphones, and you will likely find that the charge they can hold drops over time. They come with a one-year warranty from Apple.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Even if you are not an iPhone user, the Studio Buds are an excellent and affordable companion for music and movies.

Editor's recommendations



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