26 Nov
Blog

Vizio V-Series 2.1 Soundbar Review: Your TV’s New BFF

Vizio V-Series V21-H8 2.1 Soundbar

Vizio V-series 2.1-channel soundbar

"The V-Series 2.1 is a fun and affordable home theater upgrade for your TV."

  • Attractively priced

  • Comes with everything

  • Lots of EQ adjustments

  • Very good sound quality

  • HDMI ARC

  • No Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, or Chromecast

  • There is no definition in the middle

  • No HDMI input

If you look at our previous Vizio soundbar reviews you will find one common thread: Value. Whether it's a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos model, a 2.1 system, or something in between, Vizio continues to deliver soundbars that are way above their price.

The company's newest 2.1 system, the $ 180 system V-Series 2.1-Channel Soundbar (V21-H8) is no exception.

What can you expect from this extremely affordable TV speaker? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

Vizio V-Series V21-H8 2.1 SoundbarSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Vizio's reputation for value extends beyond the physical capabilities of its products. Literally everything you need to set up the V21 can be found in the box. In addition to the soundbar and the wireless subwoofer, you receive four connection cables: an HDMI cable and an optical cable for digital sound. There is a double analog miniplug cable for connecting a music source based on a headphone jack (or smart speaker), a stereo RCA patch cord for connecting other analog devices and even a set of wall brackets.

A quick start guide, a complete operating manual, a remote control and a paper template for wall mounts complete the picture. You'll need to dispose of the styrofoam bumpers if they can't be recycled locally, but the box shouldn't be a problem.

design

Vizio adorned its soundbars on both ends with silver-colored caps. It added an air of sophistication to the speakers, but it also attracted attention. I think soundbars should be as discreet as possible – unless they're trying to be conversation pieces – and Vizio's cute new, all-matte black design language is a big step in the right direction.

Instead of end caps, the soundbar's fabric grille wraps around the edges, creating seamless front corners that remind me of the Sonos Beam. A set of four discrete physical buttons sit on the textured plastic surface. On the back you will find a variety of connections: HDMI ARC, optical, USB (for hard disk-based music), an additional analog input and a dedicated analog input for smart speakers.

For less than $ 200, the V21 gives any TV a huge improvement in sound quality.

At 36 inches wide and 2.25 inches high, it's perfect for TV screen sizes of 48 inches or larger. It's short enough that it probably doesn't obscure the bottom of the screen unless your TV has very small legs.

One major change is the subwoofer. Vizio used to include a sleek wireless subwoofer that could fit under a couch, but the V21 comes with a more traditional down-firing cube. While not quite as versatile in terms of placement, it's nonetheless one of the smallest subs you can find.

Setup and connections

Vizio V-Series V21-H8 2.1 Soundbar connections "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn8.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/vizio-v-series-v21 -soundbar-00015-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Vizio V-Series V21-H8 2.1 Soundbar connections "class =" m-Karussell - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn9.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/vizio-v-series-v21 -soundbar-00014-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Setting up the V21 is a breeze. Connect the soundbar to your TV using a digital or analog cable, connect the soundbar and sub to the power supply, and you're done. We were surprised that the V21's predecessor, the horribly named SB3621n-G8, didn't come with HDMI ARC as a connection option, but the V21 addresses that loophole.

Not that it's actually needed – HDMI ARC is most useful for sound bars that support advanced audio formats like DTS: X and Dolby Atmos that can't be transmitted over optical connections. The V21 doesn't support them, so there is no advantage in using HDMI from an audio point of view.

HDMI ARC allows your TV to remotely control the volume and mute of the V21. However, this can also be achieved through an optical connection if you train the soundbar to recognize the remote IR signals from your TV.

My advice: use the optical connection. Why ditch a valuable HDMI port on your TV when there's no real benefit to it and the V21 doesn't have an HDMI input to compensate for the port your TV needs?

The V21 has a USB port for playing back songs from a hard drive or a USB memory stick. Only WAV and MP3 files are recognized.

If you want to listen to music from a non-TV source, Bluetooth is your best bet. Pairing your phone with the soundbar is as easy as switching the input to Bluetooth and looking for the V21 in the list of available Bluetooth devices. A Wi-Fi connection offers higher audio quality. However, if you just want to cater to a party with a Spotify playlist, Bluetooth is more than enough.

Unfortunately, Bluetooth stability is a hit and miss. Over the course of several days, I had some sessions that were perfectly solid while others suffered from frequent dropouts. Breaking and then re-establishing the Bluetooth connection was sometimes fixed, but not every time.

user friendliness

Vizio V-Series V21-H8 2.1 soundbar with remote controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Vizio sent us the V21-H8 model for review. The included remote control is well designed, feels comfortable, and has nice, clicking buttons. However, it is not illuminated and there is no built-in screen so you can easily see the various modes and levels displayed.

Oddly enough, the V21-H8R – which Vizio lists on its website for the same price as the H8 – comes with the updated display remote. If you have a choice Get the H8R.

When you get the H8, you'll need to learn to decipher morse code like LED dots on the left side of the soundbar that give you visual feedback after each click. With the exception of the volume level, which is pretty intuitive, many other indicators need a legend to decipher. Some time spent with the manual goes a long way in avoiding frustration, especially with deeper settings like DTS Virtual: X.

To be fair, Vizio has gone out of its way to demystify some of the LED meanings: a helpful voice will indicate which input or EQ mode you've just switched to and let you know when you've successfully enabled Bluetooth pairing to have. It could become a nuisance over time. Fortunately, a long press of the mute button will disable it.

Start your favorite movie and you'll instantly hear what your TV's built-in speakers have kept away from you.

The V21 has a dedicated port for connecting a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo Dot (or you can pair it via Bluetooth). Either way, the V21 will automatically lower the volume of your movie, TV show, or music so you can hear Alexa (or Google Assistant) respond to your voice commands. If the answer is 10 seconds or less, the background audio will be cut off. However, if your assistant continues to speak, the V21 will completely mute the show or movie until the response is finished. Not only is this a handy feature to solve the problem of not being able to hear your assistant, but it's also a super easy way to stream music services to the soundbar without having to use your phone.

Sound quality

Vizio V-Series V21-H8 2.1 SoundbarSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

For its price, the V21 sounds amazing. You get excellent stereo isolation, and that tiny 5-inch wireless subwoofer adds a surprising amount of low-end boom that makes the whole system feel like a movie theater.

Start your favorite Marvel, DC or Star Wars movie and you'll instantly hear what your TV's built-in speakers were keeping away from you.

As you'd expect, it can't possibly compete with more expensive soundbars – there's a definite lack of detail in the mid-range, for example – but for less than $ 200 the V21 will give any TV a huge boost in sound quality, and that's exactly what The point.

Do you like it loud There is more than enough electricity to wake everyone in your house when you roll like this.

The DTS Virtual: X feature doesn't live up to its billing for creating overhead sounds like you get from special high-height speakers, but it does significantly add to the sense of breadth and depth. I recommend leaving it on for any listening where you can sit in front and in the middle.

What I really appreciate about Vizio's approach to the soundbars – even the cheapest ones – is that you have tremendous control over things like bass, treble, and even the subwoofer level. I've tried $ 1,000 worth of soundbars that don't let you tweak the EQ.

Speaking of EQ, the EQ presets (movie, music, dialogue, and game) are great shortcuts for customizing the V21's sound signature. However, you will have to deal again with the deep male voice heralding the mode changes. Dialog mode is particularly impressive as there is no center channel – the usual context for speech enhancement.

Do you like it loud There is more than enough electricity to wake everyone in your house when you roll like this.

Listening to music on the V21 is fun too, but this is where you'll likely notice the limitations of the soundbar. Despite the fact that the left and right front channels do a good job of separating stereo, music still feels cooped up. Vocals and higher frequencies are impressively clear, but there is a vaguely hollow feeling that I attribute to the same mid-range weakness described above.

Don't let that stop you: for better music playback, you'll want to spend more than double the price on a soundbar like the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 that doesn't come with a subwoofer.

Our opinion

Vizio is doing it again. The V-Series V21 Soundbar is a fantastic and affordable sound upgrade for any TV.

Is there a better alternative?

For a 2-channel soundbar with a wireless sub, the V21 is in a class of its own, especially when you consider the price. But I wouldn't be sure if I didn't point out that you can buy this for just $ 70 more Step-up Vizio V-Series V51, which adds a center channel and two surround speakers for a full 5.1 sound system.

How long it will take?

The Vizio V-Series V21 comes with a one year warranty, but I suspect it will have many, many years of use. Loudspeakers are some of the most reliable technology products, and Vizio has a reputation for making products that will last.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The price alone makes the V21 a breeze, but its sound quality and added features will ensure you will make a ton of money.

Editor's recommendations




26 Nov
Blog

Arlo Essential XL Spotlight Camera Review: Plenty of Smarts

Arlo Essential XL headlight camera

Arlo Essential Spotlight XL

"It's ideal when you don't have to constantly micromanage home security."

  • Intelligent recognition functions

  • Colored night vision adds more detail

  • Direct Wi-Fi connection digs the hub

  • Robust weatherproof construction

  • 3 second live feed delay

  • No replaceable battery

Arlo continues to be a leader in security cameras, offering exceptional cameras with premium features that produce great results. They rightly get a premium price tag, but with the launch of the new Essential series of cameras, the company aims to appeal to a wider audience without sacrificing its core philosophies.

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The Arlo Essential XL headlight camera is one of the cameras coming out of this new line. It has a year of battery life, colored night vision and the outstanding quality of the Essential line – a direct Wi-Fi connection that does not require a bridge. Can it live up to expectations?

Annual battery? Not as much

Let's talk about the camera's most intriguing spec, its battery life. Arlo claims it can offer a year of battery life, but a battery-powered camera with a grain of salt is such an exorbitant claim. Although it's an outdoor camera with a weatherproof, sturdy plastic housing, I used the Arlo Essential XL indoors in a high-traffic area – right outside the front door – to capture everything that came and went.

Arlo Essential XL headlight cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Note that the annual rating is based on 4,000 seconds of recording per month, which equates to a little over two minutes per day. Previously, an average of seven minutes per day was recorded. This is way above the expected usage, but it is the realistic number for my particular situation. After charging, the battery life has dropped to 70% after 14 days – a power loss of approx. 2.1% per day. If this trend continues, the battery will be empty after 47 days, which is nowhere near the range of its rating. On the other hand, I admit it is better than average compared to the outdoor cameras I used. In that regard, it's nice that it doesn't need to be charged as often.

I really enjoy how color night vision adds color to the footage.

Unlike Arlo's Pro line, the Essential XL doesn't have removable batteries. This means that it has to be removed from its holder so that you are without any security for a period of time.

Color night vision clarity

The Arlo Essential XL spotlight camera has everything you need to deliver usable footage. There is a 130-degree field of view that captures clips at 1080p resolution which are then stored in the cloud. A trial for Arlo Smart is included, but you'd like to subscribe to the $ 3 monthly plan for continued cloud storage and advanced discovery. The quality is good enough to see some detail, but there are some artifact elements that appear during the shot that affect the quality. These are most evident when there is a lot of movement in the scene. The dynamic range is weak, which can be seen from the fact that the highlights are faded in contrast to the neutral exposure of the scene.

Arlo Essential XL headlight cameraJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

With a pair of dual 850nm LEDs, the night vision range easily covers about 25 feet. Performance is good, but I really enjoy how color night vision adds color to the footage. It's obviously extremely useful for distinguishing colors from traditional black and white photography, but the spotlight is required for this feature to work. The more ambient light there is in the shot, the more colors are shown accurately – and that's why the spotlight is necessary. It would be great if the camera could bypass this, especially if there is some kind of ambient light source already in place, but it's a useful deterrent nonetheless.

Intelligent security without the second guess

One of the most overlooked aspects of Arlo security is the intelligence of Arlo Smart. It helps reduce some of the excessive notifications other cameras are sending due to triggers. With the app you can see what triggered the recordings. You can also choose what to detect. I set it up to recognize people, which will help clear my cats' triggers.

Two-way audio is available when you need to talk to someone in the frame. The speaker is loud enough for people to hear, while the sound on my end is audible enough to detect and send a response. However, there is about a three second delay between what happens and what you see in the app. Therefore, conversations are usually one-sided affairs that require a brief pause.

However, the extended security functions available here cannot be overlooked. It even offers parcel detection for the valuable deliveries left on your doorstep, an e911 feature that lets you get help right through the Arlo app, and a siren good enough to get attention.

Our opinion

The Arlo Essential XL headlight camera is a good camera that offers excellent security for the home and is combined with above-average battery life. While it has some unique features like advanced detection and color night vision, the $ 150 cost might still be a little on the high side given some of the recent options in this space. If you can cough up that amount, you won't regret the smarter security coverage.

How long it will take?

With its weatherproof construction, it is able to withstand a temperature range of 4 to 113 degrees Celsius. It is unlikely that there will be any problems. In this case, however, there is a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in material and workmanship.

Is there a better alternative?

You can keep the same performance while saving money with the $ 130 Arlo Essential Spotlight Camera. It has the same features and performance, but with a shorter battery life of 6 months.

For those looking to make significant savings, the Wyze Cam Outdoor is a phenomenal $ 60 value with its local storage option, sharp footage, and offline mode.

Should you buy it?

Yes, especially if you don't want to be bothered by constant false notifications.

Editor's recommendations




26 Nov
Blog

Google Nest Thermostat (2020) Review: Still the best

Nest thermostat main

“Controlling the temperature of your home should never be a chore. The new Google Nest Thermostat (2020) sets it and forgets it. "

  • Affordable cost

  • Smart functions mean minimal interaction

  • Stylish Apple-like design

  • Easy DIY installation

  • Capacitive controls are only on one side

If Apple were to develop a smart thermostat, it would likely look and function similar to Google's new Nest thermostat (2020). With a slim profile, mirrored face, and simplified controls, this isn't just a pared-down Nest learning thermostat we've seen a few times. Instead, the new Nest thermostat (2020) is a completely redesigned device that offers all the essential functions in one optimized package.

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Smooth design for right-handers

The round shape and the central temperature display of the Nest thermostat tell you the origin of this device at a glance. But take a closer look and the softer, subtle design features will show up. There are no buttons or moving dials. Capacitive touch controls on the right edge of the thermostat allow quick and intuitive navigation through the slimmed-down, yet robust settings. You lose a degree of precision without a mechanical dial. So be ready to pay a little extra attention as you raise the temperature a degree or two.

If Apple developed a smart thermostat, it would likely look and function similar to Google's new Nest thermostat.

In terms of capacitive controls, left-handed people will have problems with Google's approach of only offering them on the right side of the device. For the right winger, this isn't a problem, but it would have been nice if you had the option to choose which side you want for controls – or just have them on both sides. We assume that the decision was made to keep costs as low as possible.

Of course, it will be compared to the Google Nest E thermostat because of the similarities in their designs. While the two may appear fundamentally similar with their circular shapes, the Nest Thermostat (2020) is characterized by a mirrored appearance, which gives it a slightly more polished look.

Full controls for temperature, scheduling and energy monitoring are available through the Google Home app for iOS and Android. It's available in four colors – snow, charcoal, sand, and fog – and it goes with any decor.

DIY installation made easy

Simplicity is the name of the game here. According to Google, the Nest thermostat is compatible with 85% of home heating and cooling systems. Use this compatibility tester before purchasing.

With the device at hand, launch the Google Home app and scan the QR code on the back of the thermostat. and you are set up in no time. The app walks you through each step of the process and is especially helpful for keeping track of the cables you need to connect. The mounting plate has a handy built-in level, and Google was so attentive that it included two sturdy wood / drywall screws. The app can detect and diagnose wiring problems and provide instructions on how to fix them. This is especially useful for anyone who is inconvenient in installing such problems.

When the Nest Thermostat is wall-mounted and plugged in, the app will complete setup when the app will announce your schedule and temperature settings. You can also set up home and away routines to help the nest learn your habits and conserve energy. With the help of a built-in motion sensor and the location of your phone, the Nest detects when nobody is at home and switches to the eco setting.

Sit and forget

The Nest thermostat has lived on my wall for more than a week and I haven't touched it. Other than waking up to show the temperature when someone walks by, it doesn't attract any attention. Most interactions with the Nest Thermostat (2020) will likely involve swiping up or down on the touch capacitive switch to change the temperature setting. Tap the switch and the settings menu will open. From there you can change the heating and cooling mode, hold the temperature and adjust the hardware settings.

In the Google Home app you can access your schedules, manage users and view the energy dashboard to keep track of heating and cooling consumption. If there is a problem with your HVAC system, the Nest Thermostat can detect and notify you through the Home app. This is one of the new features introduced here with the Nest Thermostat (2020) and is helpful in providing users with meaningful data on the overall health of their HVAC system. You can also control the thermostat using the Google Assistant and Alexa.

The Nest Thermostat also lets you create an energy efficient schedule based on your patterns. For example, it might recommend lowering the temperature when you go to bed. If you want to do so, you can accept the suggestion in the Home app. Note that this is not the same level of active learning that is found in the O.G. Nest learning thermostat, but it's effective at reducing your energy bills.

Our opinion

Google's Nest thermostat differs from previous models because of its irresistible price tag. At just $ 130, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) is hard to miss for home maintenance because of its attractive design, automation, and ease of use – both on the go and on the go.

How long it will take?

It is solidly built, and since it stands against your wall, there is little chance that it will be damaged. In the event that something goes wrong internally due to a defect, Google offers a 1-year limited warranty and extended warranties at an additional cost.

Is there a better alternative?

Given the lower price of this year's model, it's really difficult to recommend anything else. Yes, you could spend the extra cash on the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation), but you only get a few more features over this new version.

You should buy it

Certainly. If your system is compatible, the Nest Thermostat is a great choice, especially if you are in the Google ecosystem. Retailing at $ 130, it's one of the most affordable thermostats on the market. Depending on your local utility company's discounts, this price can be as low as $ 30. The flagship Nest Learning Thermostat may have more features, but for most people the new Nest Thermostat is a perfect balance between performance and price.

Editor's recommendations




25 Nov
Blog

Lenovo Yoga 7i Review: Too Many Compromises for Greatness

Lenovo Yoga 7i review featured picture

Lenovo Yoga 7i Review: Too Much Compromise to Be Great

“The Lenovo Yoga 7i performs well for a Core i5 if you are mostly using the CPU. Boot up the GPU and you will be disappointed. "

  • Excellent productivity performance for a Core i5

  • Solid build quality

  • Just good looking

  • Good keyboard and touchpad

  • Below average graphics performance

  • Disappointing battery life

  • The display lacks contrast

Lenovo is in a marketing rush, renaming laptops but keeping them apart except for updated internals. For example, the Lenovo Yoga 9i is a renamed Yoga C940, and the Yoga 7i is a renamed Yoga C740. While the laptops are outwardly identical to their predecessors, the internal upgrades are significant – both received the Tiger Lake platform from Intel. For the Yoga 7i, this promises improved performance while leveraging all of the Yoga C740's other strengths (and weaknesses).

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I was given a midrange configuration of the Yoga 7i for review, a $ 899 model available from Best Buy that has an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, 12GB of RAM, a 512GB PCIe solid -State drive and a 14-inch model is equipped with a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS display. That makes the Yoga 7i a kind of tweener – not a cheap laptop, but not a premium either. You can bring the laptop to over $ 1,100 by upgrading to a Core i7, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. On paper, however, my test configuration would be a good productivity workstation for the money. The Tiger Lake upgrade worked well for the Yoga 9i – will it do the same for the Yoga 7i?

design

Lenovo Yoga 7i designMark Coppock / Digital Trends

As mentioned earlier, the Yoga 7i is just like the Yoga C740 before it. That said, it's a rather conservative design with simple lines and angles and absolutely no jewelry other than the metallic logo in the top left corner of the lid. It has been Lenovo's business for a number of years to design laptops that go unnoticed but are nonetheless attractive in their own simplicity. My test device was the Dark Moss color (the other option is a darker slate gray) which was a bit brown with a hint of copper to my eyes. It's subtle, but I liked it.

In terms of build quality, the Yoga 7i is worth its price – and more. Like all Lenovo mid-range or better laptops (and even the budget devices like the Yoga C640), the Yoga 7i is well built and features an aluminum chassis that for the most part does not bend, twist, or bend. I noticed only the slightest sag when I twisted the display with a lot of force, and the keyboard deck had the least amount of flex. But these are nits – you won't notice that flex in real life. One complaint is that the hinge is pretty firm and requires two hands to open, but stays in place thanks to its four 2-in-1 modes (clamshell, tent, media, and tablet).

The Yoga 7i isn't quite in the same league as some newer 2-in-1 models like the HP Specter x360 13 and the Asus ZenBook Flip S to follow the trend towards tiny bezels. It has smaller bezels on the side, but the top bezel is a bit thick and the chin is chunky by the latest standards. That makes the Yoga 7i less modern and a bit bigger than it might have been. It's not the thinnest laptop at 0.61 to 0.69 inches and a little heavy at 3.09 pounds. The Asus ZenBook 14 UX425 clamshell is much thinner at 0.54 inches and weighs just 2.58 pounds, while the Specter x360 13 is 0.67 inches thick and weighs 2.88 pounds. The Yoga 7i is comfortable in use in all modes, except in tablet mode, where it is a bit unwieldy.

Connectivity is a bit poor for a 14-inch convertible. On the left side there are two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, on the right side a 3.5 mm audio jack and on the right side a USB-A 3.2 port. Unfortunately, there is no SD card reader, which will be a disappointment for creatives. Wireless connectivity is cutting edge with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

performance

Lenovo Yoga 7i performanceMark Coppock / Digital Trends

My review Yoga 7i is the first one I've tested with the Tiger Lake Core i5-1135G7 CPU, and I looked forward to seeing how it compares to the Core i7s I tested. Suffice it to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

In Geekbench 5, 1,357 points in single-core mode and 4,246 points in multi-core mode were initially achieved. This is in line with my expectations for a laptop like the Dell XPS 13 9310 with its Core i7-1165G7. This laptop scored a more impressive 1,540 and 5432, while the even faster Acer Swift 5 scored 1,580 and 5,836.

The Yoga 7i, which encoded a 420 MB video as H.265 with Handbrake, took just under 3.5 minutes. The XPS 13 was only 6 seconds faster in normal performance mode. Even in performance mode, the XPS 13 only beat the Yoga 7i by 20 seconds. The Swift 5 was 17 seconds faster. I think that's a win for the Core i5 equipped Yoga 7i.

The results were similar in Cinebench 20. The Yoga 7i achieved 513 points in single-core mode and 1,853 points in multi-core mode, compared to the XPS 13 at 518 and 1,921 (525 and 1,988 in performance mode). The Swift 5 was a bit faster at 542 and 2,091, but the rendering of the Yoga 7i was still impressive. It actually beat the Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA with its Core i7, which only managed 497 and 1,746. And it was much faster than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 with a 10th Gen Core i5-1035G1 that only managed 355 and 924.

In terms of CPU, the Yoga 7i beats its weight class and is a great option for anyone looking for a laptop with solid productivity and slightly better energy efficiency. You probably won't notice the difference in real life from an 11th gen Core i7 laptop.

Play

Lenovo Yoga 7i GamingMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The graphics performance of the Yoga 7i wasn't particularly impressive, however. I was pretty surprised at how much slower the Yoga 7i was than other Intel Iris Xe laptops (admittedly, all with Core i7 CPUs). Note that the Core i5 has 80 execution units in its Intel Iris Xe graphics compared to the 96 execution units in the Core i7-1165G7, which explains a good part of the performance difference. Still, I was disappointed.

First, the Yoga 7i wasn't impressive in the 3DMark synthetic benchmark. Time Spy only got 913 points, compared to the XPS 13 at 1,647 and the Acer Swift 5 at 1,686. That's faster than an Intel Iris Plus laptop like the 10th generation Acer Swift 5 with 743 points, but not by much.

This feat led to real games. I ran Civilization VI on the Yoga 7i and it only managed 28 frames per second (fps) at 1080p and medium graphics. That is significantly slower than the Acer Swift 5 with 53 fps and even the Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA with 36 fps, which I considered slower. Only the Asus ZenBook Flip S, which was dramatically underclocked, did almost as badly with 31 fps. I also ran Fortnite and the results were just as impressive. The Yoga 7i only achieved 20 fps at 1080p and high graphics, with the XPS 13 reaching 29 fps and the Swift 5 reaching 31 fps. In epic graphics, the Yoga 7i only achieved 12 fps, 10 fps less than the other comparison laptops.

I'm not sure if this level of performance is unique to the Yoga 7i or what can be expected from the Core i5-1035G7 in general. If it's the latter then you should keep this in mind when choosing your next laptop. While the graphics of the Core i7 is similar to an entry-level GPU like the Nvidia GeForce MX350, the Core i5 in the Yoga 7i is closer to the integrated graphics of Iris Plus from Intel.

display

Lenovo Yoga 7i displayMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Yoga 7i uses a 14-inch Full HD IPS panel for its display, which in my opinion is the absolute limit for Full HD resolution. I hate pixelated text, and in fact, I prefer 4K displays even on 13.3-inch laptops – which I know will put me in the minority. From this perspective, I found the display of the Yoga 7i hardly acceptable.

I also found my colorimeter to be average in most areas. By that I mean the average for premium or near-premium laptops, which makes for a pretty nice display. For example, the brightness at 281 nits was just slightly below our preferred 300 nits, and the color width was 97% of sRGB and 75% of AdobeRGB with a DeltaE of 1.65 (accuracy of 1.0 or less) in the correct range for these The display class cannot be distinguished by the human eye and is regarded as excellent). The brightness was a bit low compared to the laptops I recently tested, most of which exceeded 300 nits (like the Acer Swift 5 with 327 nits and the XPS 13 9310 with an excellent 458 nits), but the colors were very similar.

As with the Yoga 9i, the Yoga 7i's display stayed below average in terms of contrast, scoring only 690: 1, which is a lower score for a premium laptop today, most of which approach the 1000: 1 ratio we wanted . The Swift 5 scored 950: 1 and the XPS 13 scored 1350: 1. Such low contrast can make the display look washed out, especially when showing black text on a white background (not very convenient for a writer).

Overall, I found the display to be usable with good colors, but I noticed the lack of contrast. I wouldn't recommend this ad to anyone who really wants their text to appear. Of course, it is also not a laptop for creative people, as it lacks the desired color width and accuracy.

The audio was impressive for a thin and light laptop, with lots of volume from upward facing speakers and no distortion. Mids and highs came through clearly, but as always the bass was missing. The Yoga 7i can't compete with the Yoga 9i's soundbar built into the hinge, but it's good enough for solo Netflix sessions. Music makes you want headphones. If you're sharing your screen, a pair of bluetooth speakers won't hurt.

Keyboard and touchpad

Lenovo Yoga 7i keyboard and touchpadMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Yoga 7i shares the same keyboard as most yogas. Personally, I find it a little flat and the mechanism is a little mushy compared to more precise switches on laptops like the HP Specter x360 13, Dell XPS 13, and the Magic Keyboard on the latest MacBooks. The Yoga 9i has a new set of switches that gives every key press a high level of precision – and that's missing here. The keys are big and nicely shaped, with good spacing.

The touchpad is a good size considering the available storage space and is a Microsoft Precision touchpad with a responsive and precise feel. Windows 10 multi-touch gestures are well supported, but I found the click a little too loud. The touch display is responsive and accurate, giving you flexibility in controlling the cursor, tapping buttons, and scrolling through long web pages. While the display supports the Lenovo Active Pen for $ 100, these accessories are not included.

Windows 10 Hello support is provided by a fingerprint reader that is accurate and responsive. I had no problem logging in without a password.

Battery life

Lenovo Yoga 7i battery lifeMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Intel's Evo certification requires a laptop to have more than nine hours of battery life while in real-world use. I'm not sure if the Yoga 7i gets this certification, even with a battery capacity of 71 watt hours (a good amount for a 14-inch laptop), at least from my tests.

As with all of the Tiger Lake systems I have tested, I was unable to get the Yoga 7i to complete the Basemark web benchmark battery test. We use it to test the longevity under load. So instead, I used the PCMark 10 gaming test to at least compare it to other Tiger Lake systems. In this test, the Yoga 7i lasted 2.45 hours. That's significantly less than the XPS 13 9310, which lasted nearly four hours, but an improvement over the Swift 5 that couldn't quite make it to two hours.

In our web browser test, which best mimics productivity battery life, the Yoga 7i lasted a little over eight hours. This is an average score and less than the nine hours it takes to be Evo certification. It's also like I've seen other Tiger Lake systems like the Acer Swift 5 running on a more power hungry Core i7. I was hoping for more from the Core i5 in the Yoga 7i.

In our video test, in which a Full HD Avengers trailer is repeated until the laptop is idle, the Yoga 7i lasted 12.5 hours. That's a bit better than the XPS 13 and an hour longer than the Swift 5, but I was still hoping for more.

Whether you work a full day with the Yoga 7i depends entirely on your workflow. If you are putting heavy stress on the CPU or GPU at all, it is unlikely that you will make it. And I'm not sure what nine hours it takes to get Evo certification – no Tiger Lake system I've tested so far can do that.

Our opinion

The Lenovo Yoga 7i shows the CPU performance of the Tiger Lake Core i5 well, but also shows its graphical weakness. It's a well-built laptop with good input options, a colorful display without contrast and a long-lasting battery.

Ultimately, the Yoga 7i has too many compromises, even at its $ 899 price point. You can do better.

Are there alternatives?

The HP Specter x360 13 is a strong alternative to the Yoga 7i despite the smaller display. It looks more noticeable, is much smaller and lighter, and has a much better keyboard. However, we'll have to wait to get a Tiger Lake version to see how it works.

The Dell XPS 13 9310 is another strong competitor, albeit with a smaller display. However, it is slightly smaller due to its 13.4-inch dimensions and 16:10 aspect ratio. The XPS 13 is just as well built, has a much better display, and doesn't surprisingly cost you more money.

How long it will take?

The Lenovo Yoga 7i is as well built as you can find in this price range, and it should give you years of service. The components are modern and should keep you updated as well. Remember to buy an extended warranty if the standard 1 year warranty doesn't limit it.

Should you buy it?

No, there are better options for the same or just a little more money.

Editor's recommendations




25 Nov
Blog

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro Review: Big in Size and Specs, Not Appeal

xiaomi me 10t per review mi

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro Review: Big in size, specs and camera, but not attractive

"The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro has a lot of power and capabilities, but the large, heavy housing and LCD screen mean that the outside doesn't feel as up-to-date as other phones."

  • Long battery life

  • Great camera

  • Good performance and audio for gaming

  • Big and heavy

  • No wireless charging

It's difficult to get massive phones right, as the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro proves. It's a whopper and fits the overall size of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, but the large Samsung phone is much more comfortable and natural to hold than the Mi 10T Pro. The reason for this lies in some ergonomic choices that make it more unwieldy than we'd like. However, there is no denying that the phone is capable or offers a competitive price. I've used it and so it is.

Related Black Friday sales

Design and screen

How much do we talk here? The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro weighs 218 grams, is 9.3 mm thick and 76.4 mm wide. Since it has a flat screen rather than a curved screen, it feels every bit that size and a bit more. The handling of the Galaxy S20 Ultra proves that the Xiaomi's dimensions are misleading as the Samsung phone is wider and a little heavier, but the curved screen and thinner frame hide these things more effectively. Don't buy the Mi 10T Pro if you have small hands.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The fingerprint sensor is hidden in the side of the power switch. While it's quick and accurate, the way you have to grab the phone to use it helps make it feel uncomfortable. The back of the phone – the model shown here is in the color Lunar Silver – is a matte finish made of Gorilla Glass 5 that gets quite smeared with use, but looks very pretty in the right light. The camera module adds a few millimeters to the phone's thickness, but at least the unusual design is eye-catching.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I like the modern look of the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, and its firmness in your hand gives it a reassuringly powerful feel and highlights the great build quality, but I found it a strain to use. It's mainly the fault of the flat panel display and thick case, and I've often been delighted to pick up my iPhone 12 Pro and use it instead. If a phone the size of the Galaxy S20 Ultra appeals, but the price doesn't, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro is worth considering.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Mi 10T Pro from Xiaomi can keep up with the S20 Ultra in size, but not in terms of screen technology. Xiaomi has chosen an LCD screen for the phone. While it has the right specs – 144 Hz refresh rate, HDR10 +, and 6.67-inch size – you'll miss the contrast, colors, and gloss of an OLED screen. Not only that, the lack of OLED means the phone doesn't have an always-on mode, which I always miss.

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About that 144Hz refresh rate – it just doesn't look as effective as I've seen other phones do. Scrolling through Twitter, for example, is smoother and less blurry on the 120 Hz Galaxy S20 Ultra and probably also on the 60 Hz iPhone 12 Pro. Flipping through the general operating system is easy on the eyes, but adding the high refresh rate to an LCD seems like half a step as the OnePlus Nord N10 5G made a similar impression.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Overall, the design and screen of the Mi 10T Pro are quite acceptable, but it feels a bit aged compared to other big screen phones that were available last year.

Performance and software

This is a top of the line smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chip and 8 GB of RAM. This is reflected in the phone's performance. It's really fast whether you're watching movies, playing games, or just browsing the software. Xiaomi's MIUI 12 is installed over Android 10.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The most annoying part of MIUI on the Mi 10T Pro is the decision to separate the swipe menu from the home screen. A swipe with the right hand brings up the quick access panel and a swipe with the left hand shows notifications. I would almost always cross the quick access controls down. Due to the size of the phone and a frustrating design choice in the software, it is difficult to get across the screen with one hand.

MIUI is endlessly customizable. So if you want to change the look of your phone's software, it has a lot of potential. You can select an app drawer or distribute app icons across multiple home screens. This feature is a good example of where MIUI frustrates even when its intentions are good. Applying the app drawer option will keep all of your app icons on multiple home screens so you get a cleanup job.

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xiaomi me 10t pro review mi links "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/xiaomi-mi-10t-pro-shortcuts- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAAAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

I've played Asphalt 9 Legends for my reporting period and the game is immensely fast and fluid, but there is a bit of heat from behind for the phone when gaming. However, this is not uncommon for phones with the Snapdragon 865 inside. The size and weight of the phone help here as it is comfortable to hold in landscape orientation, although the large camera module can reach into your fingers. This makes gaming one of the Mi 10T Pro's greatest strengths, right down to the great audio from the two speakers.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Xiaomi's MIUI takes some getting used to, just like Huawei's EMUI, but once you've set it up it's manageable and usable on a daily basis. I didn't have any reliability issues. However, when deciding between Samsung OneUI, Google's Pixel software, or Apple's iOS, it comes down to the last time due to the confused design – for example, icons rarely have the same shape – and some usage issues.

camera

The camera module contains a 108-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 5-megapixel macro camera. The 108MP camera is the Samsung HMX 1 / 1.33 inch sensor that was developed with Xiaomi and can record 8K videos. There's no optical or hybrid zoom, but it can zoom up to 30x digitally.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera app is a bit busy and not always very logical. There are plenty of features here to play with, including a long exposure mode, the ability to record video with the front and rear cameras at the same time, and a dedicated 108MP photo mode. However, it doesn't always make sense to find these features. For example, to enable macro mode, it's not under the "More" option, but rather in the drop-down menu at the top of the screen.

The large sensor doesn't work as well when getting close to subjects, but I didn't have any focus issues. The 5-megapixel macro lens is easier to use than the useless 2-megapixel cameras found on some cheaper phones, and even the digital zoom can produce some good photos, provided you're not too picky about it.

Selfies taken with the 20-megapixel front camera are sharp and detailed, although the various lighting modes aren't as effective as Apple's modes. Portrait mode is available front and back. The use of the rear camera's edge detection isn't great when compared to phones like the Pixel 5, but the app has plenty of customization and editing options. It's better if it can see a face, as can the selfie camera. Night mode is decent at dusk and adds atmosphere without making shots look like daylight.

The Mi 10T Pro's camera is fun and versatile. It delivers photos with a lot of atmosphere and captures wonderful colors with just the right contrast and a comfortable dynamic range, even in difficult, cloudy conditions. Some of the additional features can be fun, but there is a lot to try, and not all of them are successful.

Battery and connectivity

It's a massive 5,000 mAh battery in the Mi 10T Pro that lasted two days with average use. Squeeze the phone with games and big videos – streaming or calls – and you won't make it through day two. However, you have no single day concerns. There is 33W wired fast charging, but no wireless charging.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The phone has a 5G modem, but I don't have coverage in my area so couldn't try it. I got a decent 4G LTE signal, but the call quality isn't as clear and reliable as some other phones I've used recently, including the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Price and availability

Where the Mi 10T Pro wins points is in the price. It costs £ 599 or about $ 800 via Xiaomi's own store and various UK networks. It is not officially available in the US but can be imported. Importers sell it for around $ 800. It is worth noting, however, that it is not an official US phone. Although it operates on GSM networks such as T-Mobile and AT&T, the phone may not always receive the best signal due to band compatibility.

Our opinion

The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro is a competent, albeit unexciting smartphone that offers top-notch specs at a reasonable price. The overall size and weight haven't been managed as well as other larger phones, so it feels a bit awkward, but there's no question that it's very capable in terms of both performance and camera.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. The Google Pixel 5 ($ 699 / £ 599) costs the same, with better software, guaranteed updates, and a great camera – all in a smaller, more convenient package. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (£ 699/599) and OnePlus 8T (£ 749/549) are also excellent buys if the design and small size of the pixel are not appealing. If you're not set to Android, the Apple iPhone 12 ($ 799/799 British Pounds) is also a better alternative.

How long it will take?

The Mi 10T Pro is not waterproof, but it has an attractive transparent silicone case in the box. The specs are great and it has 5G so on a technical level the phone will easily last for several years. Xiaomi updates its own software frequently, but there is no guarantee that an update to other major versions of Android will be available. There is no official release date for Android 11 with MIUI 12 on the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro.

Should you buy it?

No. The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro has enough power and capabilities, but because of the large, heavy body and LCD screen, it doesn't feel as up-to-date on the outside as other phones that are available for the same price.

Editor's recommendations




23 Nov
Blog

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Review: Spinoff Gold

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Bad luck

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Review: The New Gold Standard for Spinoffs

"Age of Calamity offers a first-class Zelda story with surprisingly varied hack-and-slash battles."

  • Excellent storytelling

  • Varied fight

  • Unique character skills

  • Tons of content

  • Repeated goals

  • Technical problems

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is the first Zelda game that is actually about Zelda. Despite the fact that the series is named after her, the princess has played second fiddle after the legendary Link for almost 35 years. Nintendo's newest game finally gives her the limelight she deserves and shows fans why she truly is a legend.

It's ironic that crucial character development takes place in a side game that doesn't even bear their name, but Age of Calamity is a lot more than your average spin-off. Building on the dedication of the first Hyrule Warriors to larger-than-life battles à la Dynasty Warriors, the action game is treated with the same care and thought as a Zelda main title. It's billed as a proper prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – and it's clear Nintendo didn't take that pitch lightly.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity is the new gold standard for video game spin-offs. It more specifically uses full-scale combat to weave a high-stakes Zelda story, one of the most compelling stories to come out of a Nintendo mansion.

A connection to the past

Age of Calamity tells the story of the great war that plunged Hyrule into darkness 100 years before Breath of the Wild began. With the help of a time-traveling droid, Princess Zelda assembles a Crackerjack team of Hyrule's finest warriors to prevent the inevitable rise of Calamity Gannon. The genre fits this setup perfectly, so the war actually feels as great as it was described.

Link may be the first character on the character selection screen, but Zelda herself is the real star. The story mainly focuses on her insecurity as a leader during a crisis at the end of the kingdom. Even her move is clumsy compared to other characters, as she randomly dumps bombs and blocks of ice while Link confidently cuts through the crowd. Her Arc of Salvation is more emotionally impactful than anything the Zelda series has offered in the past, which makes it a standout Nintendo narrative.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Bad luck

The story is largely told through fantastic cutscenes that feel as polished and detailed as an animated film. Characters are brought to life in ways that even Breath of the Wild hasn't, and the cinematic clashes are truly exhilarating. I never thought Zelda could work as a TV show or movie, but Age of Calamity is the most compelling case the series has ever released.

One reason it works is because of the raw material. Breath of the Wild is perhaps best known for its creative focus on open-world design, but it's easy to miss how charming the worldbuilding and characters are. Age of Calamity reinforces all of these strengths and retrospectively brings more depth, story and commitment into the game.

I never thought Zelda could work as a TV show or movie, but Age of Calamity is the most compelling case the series has ever released.

A key example of this are the divine beasts, the massive robotic animals that play a central role in both games. Breath of the Wild shows how powerful they are, but mostly uses them as elaborate puzzle dungeons. Age of Calamity pays off that lip service by letting players control the beasts and mow down literally thousands of enemies in seconds. The game is full of "Show, Don & # 39; t Tell" moments that make the world of Breath of the Wild better without trampling on its mystique.

Nintendo's own Zelda team worked much more closely with Koei Tecmo on the game to create its story elements – and the practical approaches show this. While the game requires a working knowledge of Breath of the Wild to truly appreciate its strengths, Age of Calamity offers a dramatic weight that is rare in Nintendo games.

High stakes fight

It's important to set the right expectations for Age of Calamity's gameplay – it's still primarily a Musou game that is similar to Dynasty Warriors. That comes with all the good and bad that the genre has to offer. The fight is incredibly satisfying, but the repetition is burned into its core. Players will knock down tens of thousands of enemies, repeating objectives over and over, and crushing the same two buttons until their fingers get sore. If you haven't decided on this type of game yet, you probably won't find a revelation here.

Every time I got tired of the fighting, I unlocked a different character who instantly sparked my interest.

Age of Calamity is doing an exemplary job of keeping the fight fresh until the end of its 20-hour campaign. The main secret of success lies in the concentration on the character. There are a total of 18 playable heroes that are continuously unlocked as the game progresses. Every time I got tired of the fighting, I unlocked someone who instantly revived my interest.

The game takes an almost Super Smash Bros. approach to character creation. While the basic attacks and buttons are the same for every hero, each one has their own quirks that make them feel special. Impa can create clones of itself to crush more enemies at once, while Revali can throw itself in the air and rain arrows down from above. Such differences add a level of experimentation to the game every time players unlock a new character, and turn repetitive targets into a fun battleground.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Bad luck

Runic skills play a huge role in combat. This is the main change in the game from the first Hyrule warriors. Each character can throw bombs, freeze enemies, grab metal objects, and create walls of ice to counter enemies, adding surprising variety to the standard battle loop for light and heavy attacks. Additionally, the way the skills work changes from character to character, giving players another compelling reason to change things up on each mission and see what kind of damage they can do.

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the length the developers have taken to keep changing the battle. Different weapons can completely change movement sets, each character has a special ability on the right trigger that is completely unique, and new combos are continuously unlocked through the story. There are an amazing number of options that you can play around with to successfully prove that there is more than one way to skin a Hinox.

Pushed to the limit

At first glance, Age of Calamity looks slimmer compared to the original Hyrule Warriors. The Wii U version featured a menu full of game modes that took over 200 hours to complete, while the new game has a core story mode. The light veneer turns out to be an illusion as the game is actually full of content.

The game uses the Breath of the Wild map as its overworld screen, displaying all of the available missions, subquests, and unlockable items. The map fills with symbols throughout the adventure, which becomes downright daunting in the end. Having each target in one place is a huge improvement over the comparatively disorganized Hyrule Warriors. There's still a lot to be done, though most of it revolves around more slashes, but it's a less excessive offering that's easier to navigate.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Bad luck

With all of this content, Age of Calamity is really pushing the Switch to its limits. It's a huge game that is not without its technical flaws. Crazy combos can cause the frame rate to temporarily drop to the speed of a slideshow. Even stranger, sometimes the game inexplicably doubles in speed and looks like a movie that's fast-forwarding.

The multiplayer mode in particular bears the brunt of the technical pain. The game has a split screen for two players that dramatically lowers the performance of the game in a comedic way. That's a shame because it offers a really fun couch-co-op experience that rewards friends who can coordinate and execute a battle plan.

Crazy combos can cause the frame rate to temporarily drop to the speed of a slideshow.

To his credit, the game never crashed on me, even if it felt like my Switch was about to explode. It has always made it out of a stutter unscathed and flawlessly. In some ways, the stutters almost feel like a badge of honor letting the players know that they carried out a seriously devastating attack. It's not ideal, but at least it's not groundbreaking.

Like Zelda herself, the game can sometimes feel like it's gone over your head in the battle against technology. That's part of the fun of the genre, however. Musou games require large swings to make players feel like an unstoppable force of nature. For all its stutters, Age of Calamity successfully brings Hyrule's great war to life and lets the champions live up to their title.

Our opinion

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity sets the bar for both Nintendo spin-offs with A + stories that enhance the breath of the wild and enable deceptively diverse, character-based battles. It's still a Dynasty Warriors game, good or bad, but the game makes that less of a limitation than a fresh start for a polarizing genre.

Is there a better alternative?

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still king, but Age of Calamity is perhaps the best and most accessible musou game out there.

How long it will take?

The campaign with a healthy dose of side missions lasts north of 20 hours, but it will take twice as long to hit 100%.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you loved Breath of the Wild, it's an excellent accompaniment that adds retrospectively to the experience.

Editor's recommendations




20 Nov
Blog

Kwikset Halo Touch Review: Spy Fantasies Come to Life

Kwikset Halo Touch bars in action.

“With the Kwikset Halo Touch, you can open your door with your fingerprint. It is all of your spy movie fantasies come to life! "

  • easy installation

  • Works every time

  • Stores up to 100 fingerprints / 50 users

  • Permanent

  • Limited notifications

  • Might be a little too security conscious

You have likely seen your favorite actor walk through the halls of a high security complex, approach a door, and then put his fingerprint on a scanner to access the inner sanctuary of a secret project. Perhaps you wish you could do that too. It turned out that Kwikset wanted the same thing – and then made it a reality.

The Kwikset Halo Touch is a bar with a built-in capacitive fingerprint sensor. It does exactly what Kwikset says it does. Touch the fingerprint sensor with an enrolled fingerprint and the latch will open. Another touch with a finger closes it. An LED light strip shows the current action, regardless of whether this opens, closes or signals an unrecognized fingerprint. The bolt package also contains a resealable tumbler lock and two keys as a backup.

installation

Setting up the Halo Touch is easy!

Kwikset gets things right right away. Setup and installation are very easy. The lock comes with boxes numbered 1 to 5, similar to a Lego set. Start with box number one and so on. I ran into a little problem because my front door only had a 1 "hole and the lock required a 2" hole. Keep this in mind if you plan to pick one up. I should also point out that the Halo Touch will replace your existing latch instead of working with it, which some people may find uncomfortable.

Once the latch is installed, simply launch the app. The lock first connects to your phone via Bluetooth and then connects to Wi-Fi from there. The Wi-Fi connection enables app notifications and remote control of the lock. Bluetooth is required to add users and change settings, for example. That can be a blessing and a curse. While it is far safer to limit interactions to Bluetooth, it would be far more convenient to be able to do more over Wi-Fi. Given that the main purpose of a latch is security, I can definitely understand the Kwikset mindset.

Familiar app setup

Once you've set up the app, all you have to do is take fingerprints for you and anyone else who wants to use the door. This in turn requires Bluetooth proximity. So keep that in mind. When a babysitter or house sitter comes by, you need to be there to see them take their fingerprints. Again, this is a flaw on the security side, so we cannot judge it too harshly.

The fingerprint registration process follows the same pattern as registering phone fingerprints. You touch the sensor, lift up, touch again, lift up, and so on. The app guides you through the process and saves up to 100 fingerprints for up to 50 different users. Registered fingerprints can be provided with additional security measures, e.g. B. if they are allowed to open the door. You can also disable the fingerprint reader for individual users if necessary.

The lock just does what it's supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less.

Once everything is set up, the lock does what it is supposed to. Touch the sensor and the lock will open. Touch it again, it locks. The sensor is non-reflective so you won't see your fingerprint on the pad after touching it. That's a nice security feature. You can also set the lock to automatic lock after a certain period of time. The Kwikset Halo Touch also works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The lock suffers from typical problems with the fingerprint sensor. If your finger or the lock itself is wet, the sensor will not work. The lock is weatherproof so you don't have to worry about the elements outside of your home. However, if you come home in a rainstorm, having your keys on hand is probably a good idea. I wish there was another alternative here, like an automatic unlock that uses bluetooth and your location, or NFC so you can open the lock when the conditions are wrong for a fingerprint sensor. You can open the app and open the lock that way, but that's a bit of a hassle when you come home and just want to go in and take a load off. Lockly does that very well.

Finally, I want Kwikset to offer some notification options. I don't necessarily need a notification every time it gets locked or unlocked, but I want notifications when the reader has failed. A little more adjustment in this regard would be great to clean up the clutter.

Kwikset Halo Touch from the side

Overall, I can't judge a product based on what I wanted. I'll judge it by what it does, and in this case, it does it perfectly. I had no problems with the lock during my test phase and I am pleased that fingerprint sensors on doors are becoming more and more common. In addition, Kwikset included everything you could want in a door lock built for the future.

Our opinion

If you want a fingerprint sensor for a latch, this is a great choice. From simple setup (aside from having to remove your old latch) to simple app setup, this lock meets or exceeds expectations. There are a few issues, but these are common to all fingerprint sensors, not just this one. Also, there are two different styles and two different finishes to match your home.

Is there a better alternative?

As with any product, there are usually alternatives that are better suited to your tastes. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is much easier to install as it slides over your existing latch. The Lockly Vision adds a camera and an encoded entry. However, if you need a fingerprint reading latch that isn't complicated, this is a really good choice.

How long it will take?

Kwikset has been in the door lock game for a long time and knows a thing or two about durability. This philosophy is also implemented in the smart home products. Kwikset has an entire website devoted to the durability tests it does. The lock I tested is made of solid metal and I suspect it will last for years.

Should I buy it?

Yes. This is a very solid product from a company with a history in the field. The lock just does what it's supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less. There are no hiccups. Some smart home products try to push their limits and do too much. This lock stays with what it can do.

Editor's recommendations




19 Nov
Blog

Dell XPS 13 9310 Review: Tiger Lake Perfects Perfection

Dell XPS 13 9310 Featured Image

Dell XPS 13 9310 review: Tiger Lake perfects perfection

"The XPS 13 9310 with Tiger Lake isn't so much faster than the Ivy Lake version that you'll be forced to upgrade, but it solidifies the XPS 13 as the best there is."

  • Optimized design

  • Tiny bezels all around

  • 16:10 display increases productivity

  • The keyboard and touchpad are larger and excellent

  • Solid productivity performance

  • Connectivity is limited

  • The battery life has been downgraded

I've checked many laptops for digital trends over the past few years and it has been great. There was a loophole in my experience though – I'd never had the chance to review a Dell XPS laptop, which was pretty disappointing. So imagine my excitement when I was assigned the Tiger Lake upgrade of the Dell XPS 13 for review.

I got a fairly high-quality configuration of the XPS 13 9310 for $ 1,550 – the base price is $ 1,150 – with an 11th generation quad-core Core i7-1165G7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB PCIe -Solid-state drive (SSD) and a 13.4-inch full HD display in the new 16:10 aspect ratio from Dell. I know that my editor Luke Larsen loves the XPS 13 and has consistently rated it as the best notebook on the market. I asked myself: would I feel the same way?

design

Dell XPS 13 9310 designMark Coppock / Digital Trends

OK, after spending some time with the new XPS 13, I get it. The latest versions are really well designed laptops. I say this because I haven't had a chance to spend much time with one until my test unit arrived, and while I trust Luke to do a thorough and accurate review, it's the rare laptop I believe will earned the perfect score he assigned the last version.

From a design point of view, it's perfectly proportioned and just enough aesthetic elements are mixed in to enhance the otherwise simple design. Compared to the HP Specter x360 13 (in my opinion the strongest competitor of the XPS 13) with its gem-carved design and outstanding color schemes, the XPS 13 looks serious. While I love the HP and actually consider it one of my favorites, I can appreciate what Dell has done with the XPS 13 as well. There is no unnecessary line or angle on the case of the laptop – it just looks right. My test device is the arctic white model with a woven fiberglass palm rest that is not only comfortable but also looks good. The new aluminum strips on the sides add a little flair, and the tiny bezels that wrap around the display thanks to the 16:10 aspect ratio are as modern as possible.

And yes, the build quality is excellent. The laptop feels just like a premium laptop – although it's made from different materials like glass, metal, and fiberglass, it's all somehow fused into one cohesive whole. There's nowhere to bend, twist, or bend. Other laptops, like the Specter x360 13 and competitive Asus laptops, can boast the same thing, but there's no doubt that the XPS 13 is firmly anchored among the best of the group. That includes you, MacBook Pro.

Dell has also gone to some extra effort to ensure durability, such as: B. by double dipping the aluminum on the side during anodizing so that you don't scratch the surface every time you connect a peripheral device. The hinge can be easily opened with one hand and then tightened at the right moment to hold the display firmly in place.

Compared to the previous XPS 13 (not the last version, but the previous one), the laptop is 0.58 "thinner than 0.62", which is significantly thinner than the 0.67 "of the Specter x360 13. It comes with 2.8 pounds versus 2.7 pounds the smallest bit heavier than the previous generation, and the Specter x360 13 outperforms both at 2.88 pounds. To be honest, these are tiny differences. If you hold the XPS 13 next to the Specter x360 13, you'll find that it's only the smallest bit deeper and the smallest bit less wide. In practice, they are essentially the same in how small they feel when you carry them around and use them on your lap.

I'm going to criticize the XPS 13 a bit for its connectivity, which only includes two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support (in the Tiger Lake manifestation) and a microSD card reader. The Specter x360 13 also offers you two Thunderbolt 4 ports (in the latest version) and a USB-A 3.1 port for your older devices. Make sure you carry around the included USB-C to USB-A dongle, which Dell throws in the box. Of course, there is also Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 to make sure your wireless connection is as up-to-date as possible.

performance

Dell XPS 13 9310 performanceMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Will Tiger Lake Make the XPS 13 a Faster Laptop? The answer is of course yes. How much faster? That is the more important question.

Starting with Geekbench 5, the XPS 13 equipped with a Core i7-1165G7 achieved 1,540 points in the single-core test and 5,432 points in the multi-core test. This is comparable to the Ivy Lake Core i7-1065G7 version with 1,329 and 4,862. So this is a significant leap. The Specter x360 13 with its Core i7-1065G7 only managed 1,164 and 3,981 and was therefore significantly slower. Note that you can use the HP Command Center utility to enable performance mode. This affects the performance of the Specter x360 13. HP has been a bit conservative in tuning the thermals to ensure the 2-in-1 stays cool and quiet.

It took the Tiger Lake XPS 13 a little over three minutes to complete the test with the older version of the handbrake that we used to test the Ivy Lake XPS 13, which only required one test another eight seconds. Switch to Dell's performance mode and you'll save 10 seconds less than Tiger Lake. The Specter x360 13 took a full 5.86 minutes in normal mode and 3.9 minutes in performance mode. If we examine the results of the Tiger Lake XPS 13 on the newer version of Handbrake, it's faster than 10th generation CPUs.

While the XPS 13 in this version took 3.35 minutes to complete the process in this version, the Surface Book 3 13 with the Core i7-1065G7 took almost four minutes. The XPS 13 also beat some other Tiger Lake laptops, like the Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA, which took four minutes longer in normal mode and 30 seconds longer in performance mode than the XPS 13 in performance mode, which took a little over three minutes to complete. The Acer Swift 5 was only three seconds slower in normal mode than the XPS 13 in performance mode (the Acer utility's performance mode actually made things slower). In summary: The Tiger Lake XPS 13 was fast in our handbrake test, but not the fastest and not much faster than the Ivy Lake version.

I also ran Cinebench 20 on the Tiger Lake XPS 13, which we didn't run in the previous version. Here it scored 518 in single-core mode and 1,921 in multi-core mode (the increase was marginal in performance mode). This is a bit behind the Acer Swift 5, which manages 542 and 2,091, and just behind the faster Intel reference laptop we tested with the higher-clocked Core i7-1185G7. However, the XPS 13 was much faster than the ZenBook 14 UX425EA, which reached 498 and 1766 in performance mode – despite the ZenBook's thicker case and theoretically better thermals.

In short, the Tiger Lake XPS 13 is an absolute performance upgrade, if not enough to upgrade if you are happy with the performance of your Ivy Lake XPS 13. If you choose among the current Tiger Lake laptops, however, the XPS 13's performance is so good that you don't have to sacrifice speed just to get the fantastic design of the laptop.

display

Dell XPS 13 9310 displayMark Coppock / Digital Trends

One of the biggest changes to this iteration of the XPS 13, both the Ivy Lake and Tiger Lake versions, was the transition to a 16:10 aspect ratio from the usual 16: 9. The value of such movement is triple. First, you get a bigger display that shows more information with less scrolling, albeit with the trade-off between a little bit of letterboxing in the video. Second, you can fill an entire ad with actual screen real estate, leaving little or no chin under. Third, if you get it right, you can increase the amount of palm rest, which is always good.

In the case of the XPS 13, all of these things are true. The way I used it, I liked the larger display just as much as I did when I used Microsoft's Surface devices with an even larger 3: 2 aspect ratio. Is it a deal breaker for me? Not really – the difference isn't that big. The XPS 13 certainly has the smallest bezels you'll find, and that includes the chin, which is just as small as the other three sides. Third, the XPS 13 has larger palm rests and a slightly larger touchpad, both of which are very welcome changes.

My test device was equipped with a Full HD + display (1,920 x 1,200), which was a bit of a disappointment for me given my preference for high resolutions. I've also found that most Full HD displays (or something like that) are of significantly lower quality than the 4K displays that companies like Dell build into their laptops. So I wasn't expecting the best news from my colorimeter.

As it turned out, I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, the display is very bright at 458 nits and approaches the display's 500 nits rating. The contrast ratio is also high at 1350: 1. That's a lot better than most of the Full HD displays you'll find, like the Acer Swift 5's 14-inch, 327-nit, 950: 1 contrast ratio, Full HD display. I won't go with that Compare the Specter x360 13, because the version we tested used an OLED display that blows the Dell display out of the water.

The color support was average for a premium Full HD display. The panel covered 98% of sRGB and 75% of AdobeRGB. Both are great results, but don't come close to any of the better 4K displays you can buy. For example, choose the XPS 13 4K display and you will likely get a little north of 90% AdobeRGB, which makes creatives happy. The color accuracy was good with a DeltaE of 1.36 – less than 1.0 cannot be differentiated with the human eye and is the standard for professional displays.

In real use, the display was a pleasure. The brightness and contrast made black text pop off the page, which is incredibly important to me as a writer. I found the colors natural and more than vivid enough, but then again, I don't edit photos and videos. If you do, the 4K display will make you happier. Finally, watching Netflix was a great experience thanks to the support of Dolby Vision which continues to provide the best HDR experience in a laptop.

Audio was a nice surprise too, with lots of volume coming from the down-facing speakers and no distortion. The mids and highs were fine, and there was even a hint of bass. You won't be using the internal speakers to share Netflix with friends, but that's enough for solo sessions.

Keyboard and touchpad

Dell XPS 13 9310 keyboard and touchpadMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Dell has integrated a keyboard with larger keycaps and better spacing between the keys in the new XPS 13 and has retained the same travel as the older keyboard. For these reasons alone, I liked it better. But I also liked the switches, which provided a snappy feel and comfortable floor movement. Finally, another Windows 10 keyboard catches up with the HP Specter keyboard as my favorite – it's a virtual connection. Only Apple's Magic Keyboard on the latest MacBooks is better.

The touchpad is also slightly larger and has a convenient glass cover. The buttons click quieter than before and, like all Microsoft Precision touchpads, are responsive and precise. There's also a touch display, which like all touch panels today, works well and made me happy (I hate non-touch displays after getting used to tapping and swiping over the display).

Windows 10 Hello support is provided in two ways. First, a fingerprint reader is built into the (strangely unlabeled) power button on the top right of the keyboard. It was quick and responsive, and I prefer fingerprint readers built into the power button. Second, a very slim infrared camera is built into the tiny bezel above the display, which detects my face with absolute reliability.

Battery life

Dell XPS 13 9310 battery lifeMark Coppock / Digital Trends

There is one area where the Tiger Lake XPS 13 lags behind its Ivy Lake predecessor: battery life. I can't explain why – I didn't conclude that Tiger Lake had poor battery life, but then again, our database of 11th generation machines remains quite small. Although the XPS 13 9310 has the same battery capacity as the 9300, namely 52 watt hours, the 9310 fell significantly behind in the tests we were able to run.

As with every other Tiger Lake laptop I've tested, the XPS 13 wouldn't complete the Basemark web benchmark test, which is our biggest claim. Instead, I ran PCMark 10's gaming battery test, which put a strain on the CPU and GPU, and found it lasted almost four hours. The Acer Swift 5, the other Tiger Lake machine I tested with PCMark, lasted just under two hours. The XPS 13 beats at least one Tiger Lake rival when stressed.

The Tiger Lake XPS 13 lasted 8.5 hours and has now moved on to our web benchmark, which serves as the best estimate of battery life productivity. This corresponds to Intel's Evo certification requirement of nine hours of battery life in practice. With the right mix of tasks, you might be in the right place. The Ivy Lake XPS 13 lasted 11.5 hours and the Acer Swift 5 fell 35 minutes behind the XPS 13 9310.

Next, I ran the XPS 13 through our video loop test, which played a Full HD Avengers trailer until the battery ran out. It took 12 hours, well behind the 14.3 hours of the Ivy Lake XPS 13 and ahead of the 11.5 hours of the Swift 5. I won't bother including the Specter x360 13 in this comparison – the OLED display is incredible hungry for performance and cannot keep up with these Full HD laptops.

Ultimately, the XPS 13 9310 will likely get you through a full day of work and it is close to meeting Intel's nine-hour Evo certification requirements. As always, when you squeeze the CPU and / or GPU you get less, but for general productivity tasks, I rate the battery life as good, not great.

Our opinion

The Dell XPS 13 9310 with Tiger Lake remains the best laptop you can buy, despite the shorter battery life. It's just as good as its predecessor in terms of design, input options, and general usability, while also being a bit faster.

It's not the cheapest laptop, and as we found in the XPS 13 9300 review, you can find some great alternatives if you're on less than $ 1,000. However, if you are looking for a 13-inch clamshell laptop, the XPS 13 9310 is your best bet.

Are there alternatives?

The HP Specter x360 13 remains a strong competitor to the XPS 13 and is now available in the same tiny and eye-catching package with Tiger Lake. You'll also save hundreds of dollars over the equivalent XPS 13. You can also consider the Specter x360 14, which uses an even more productivity-friendly 3: 2 aspect ratio for its display and outfits Tiger Lake components for roughly the same price as the one XPS 13.

We recommended the MacBook Air as an alternative, but that's now made more difficult by Apple's migration to its own Apple Silicon M1 CPU, which completely changes the game. We'll check that out soon. So hold on to see if it's a viable alternative to the XPS 13.

Finally, Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3 is a laptop to consider because of its similar price, weight, and thickness. It uses the 3: 2 aspect ratio, making it more productive. And it's a great looking laptop to boot into.

How long it will take?

The XPS 13 9310 has an impressive build quality that inspires confidence in years of reliable service. The components are up to date and should be able to keep up the hum. The one-year warranty is industry standard and, as usual, is disappointing. However, you can always purchase an extended warranty if you are concerned about long term coverage.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The XPS 13 9310 is still the best laptop out there.

Editor's recommendations




18 Nov
Blog

Apple HomePod Mini Review: The Smart Speaker Apple Needs

Apple HomePod mini on the table

"The HomePod mini is exactly what Apple needs to be a relevant player in the world of smart speakers."

  • Computerized audio optimizes the experience

  • Clean sounding highs and mids

  • The compact size makes it discreet

  • It's the cheapest HomeKit hub

  • Siri lacks the advanced intelligence of her colleagues

  • Short power cord

Apple rarely has flaws in its products, especially in the dominant era that began with the release of the iPhone. The Cupertino, California-based company has been kicking it out of the stadium time and again, setting the bar for every product category it enters. Products like the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and AirPods have shown phenomenal appeal with consumers, but that doesn't mean Apple is infallible.

The HomePod is an example of one of those missed opportunities, and its failure has hampered Apple's ambitious smart home efforts. Pricing was partly the problem – a premium price of $ 349 out of the gates made it a tough sell for the masses. Now, however, there appears to be a redemption with the HomePod mini. While it looks like Apple has gotten smaller with this iteration, don't let its size fool you, as this decision has bigger implications that make it a great player in the smart home.

Smaller is better

Gone is the cylindrical, bulky design of the original HomePod, which has been replaced with a more subtle appearance thanks to its spherical shape. It's adorned with the same fabric as its predecessor – something I wasn't too excited about because my cats viewed it as a scratching post. However, thanks to its smaller size, it fits better in tighter, smaller spaces and out of the reach of cats. Eventually I decided to place it in my entertainment center in the living room where it won't overwhelm the rest of the material there.

Apple HomePod Mini Smart Speaker Size ComparisonJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

The HomePod mini has a backlit touch-sensitive lid. The animation of Siri listening and reacting gives it a sleek look, but it still can't lift my eyes from the echo LED ring of light. On the back is the power cord that ends with a USB-C connection. Surprisingly, the cable itself doesn't seem detachable. Since the original HomePod's cable could be removed with a bit of tug, I figured this would be the case here, too – but it doesn't seem to be. In addition, the length of the cord is quite short, which means it has to be placed near an electrical outlet.

Don't buy just one, buy two because this year's HomePod mini won't empty your wallet.

Apple's decision to go small is an interesting one. You'd think its size rivals the Nest Mini and Echo Dot, but it's actually meant to hold its own in the mid-range.

Computer audio at its finest

If you're all into raw audio, the original HomePod is the natural choice for you. You should stop now if this is your only priority. This is because the HomePod mini is nowhere near the performance of the original. HomePod mini really comes to life because compelling computer audio is able to analyze and optimize whatever is playing.

Apple HomePod Mini Touch controlsJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

From a technical specs perspective, the full-range driver of the HomePod mini and the two passive radiators don't let audiophiles drool too much. In fact, it's the combination of Apple's S5 chip and computer audio that provides an enticing and compelling audio experience. The HomePod mini doesn't disappoint with its size and produces plenty of mids and highs that are not drowned out by the bass. In fact, the focus on the mids and highs becomes even clearer as the volume is increased – it never loses contact with them and the bass never sounds tight.

If I have one criticism of audio quality, it is that the HomePod mini controls audio tuning. There is no way to customize or customize my special preferences. It's not a deal breaker, but I would still appreciate some degree of control over things like highs and lows.

John Velasco / Digital Trends

Back to my point about computer audio. This is most noticeable when I've paired the HomePod mini with my Apple TV 4K to watch videos. Unlike my soundbar, which seems to prefer the sound effects and scores over the dialogue, the computerized audio attenuates the scores and sound effects appropriately with each dialogue so that I can actually understand what people are saying. This kind of smart setting is also useful when playing commercials as my soundbar has a tendency to turn up the volume while playing. With the HomePod mini, however, the volume remains constant. When it comes to computer audio, I'm all-in.

Catching up with the competition

First and foremost, the HomePod mini is the cheapest home hub for Apple HomeKit devices at home. You need it so that your HomeKit devices can communicate with your needs when you are not on your home network. Previously, the only other alternatives were the more expensive Apple TV HD ($ 149), Apple TV 4K ($ 179), and HomePod ($ 299). You can also use an iPad, but I don't usually recommend doing this because you want your home hub to remain stationary at home. Therefore, the iPad is the least qualified candidate in my opinion.

Siri still has a lot of catching up to do, which is reflected in the fact that she is missing the performance of her colleagues. Google Assistant always surprises me for its intelligence, while Amazon Alexa can be exchanged for a celebrity voice like Samuel L. Jackson. Siri isn't as smart or as funny as the other two virtual assistants, but I really hope she catches up. For example, it annoys me that Siri doesn't want to reveal my appointments for that day when I ask about it. Instead, it tells me to check my phone, which is inconvenient. It's probably a setting somewhere that prevents her from announcing it, but it's annoying nonetheless.

Apple HomePod Mini Smart Speaker Size ComparisonJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Even so, there are other features that I found useful. Use the intercom function, with which I can play an audio message on all connected HomePod speakers in my apartment. It's great when you don't want to shout from the kitchen to someone else in another room that dinner is ready. There's also Proximity Control, which lets me relay something I'm hearing on my iPhone to my HomePod mini – all by placing my iPhone over the HomePod mini’s touch-sensitive surface. The seamless functionality that allows different devices to communicate with each other in this way is what Apple is known for, and the proximity control is proof of that.

It's also about app support. Right now, music listeners only have a handful of options to choose from when it comes to streaming from an iPhone to a HomePod mini. Apple Music and Pandora work like a charm comfortably, but many other third-party apps like YouTube Music are missing.

The HomePod mini is the speaker Apple should bring out first.

Over the past year we've seen more and more HomeKit-compatible smart home devices, from smart locks to cameras. The lack of compatible devices undoubtedly reduced the consumer appeal of making Siri the virtual assistant of choice at home, but things have gotten better. While Apple still lags behind Google and Amazon in terms of overall devices supported, using HomeKit devices offers a higher level of security and privacy.

Apple HomePod mini in handJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

This is the untold story you won't hear too much about in the smart home wars. Apple doesn't require its users to install a new app or sign up for an account in order to use these smart home devices. All you have to do is set it up from the Home app and you're done.

Our opinion

The HomePod mini is the speaker Apple should bring out first. If so, the company would be in a far better position in the smart home market. Regardless, the $ 100 cost makes it an attractive proposition that is better positioned to bring Siri home. Sure, it's not as smart or powerful as some of the other smart speakers, but it doesn't have to be, as it's a logical choice for many more Apple due to its computerized audio, subtle design, and HomeKit home hub functionality. User is this time.

How long it will take?

Like all Apple devices, the HomePod mini is solidly built. The mesh should hold up if left undisturbed, but the cloth-like material is prone to staining if something is easily spilled on it.

Apple offers a one-year limited warranty that covers defects. However, you can also purchase them AppleCare + for the HomePod mini, which effectively extends coverage for two years and covers two instances of accidental damage.

Is there a better alternative?

You bet. For the same cost, Google Nest Audio is very present in the audio department. Audiophiles will appreciate its punchy and more powerful audio performance, while the Amazon Echo (4th generation) strikes a balance between design, performance and compatibility with other smart home devices.

Should you buy it?

Don't buy just one, buy two because this year's HomePod mini won't empty your wallet. Plus, if you are a home theater fan, you will be amazed at the computer audio you can get.

Editor's recommendations




18 Nov
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Mini Review: Tiny Yet Mighty Phone

iPhone 12 Mini

"The iPhone 12 Mini is exactly what small phone fans have been waiting for: a full-featured iPhone in a tiny size."

  • Incredibly compact size

  • Great camera quality

  • First class performance

  • Any iPhone 12 function

  • Weak battery life

  • The screen can actually feel tight

The iPhone has not been "small" since the iPhone 8. Although Apple has kept its main models compact compared to major Android competition, your only choice for a really small phone from Apple was to buy or keep an iPhone SE with an older model. Either way, you had to choose between the latest features and capabilities and a phone the size you prefer.

That is no longer the case. Now we have it iPhone 12 Mini.

I'm so excited that Apple chose the $ 700 iPhone 12 Mini because there's no reason why people who want a small phone should be treated like second-class citizens. You should be able to get a fully functional modern iPhone in a size that won't challenge your hand. And with a few caveats expected, we have just that.

The basics: hardware, specifications and functions

Apple's consistency between iPhone models isn't exactly exciting, but when you think about it, it's exactly what you want to see. Considering the iPhone 12 Mini is smaller and cheaper than the base iPhone 12, there has been ample opportunity for Apple to sacrifice – just look at the iPhone SE. But that was not the case. Aside from the fact that the battery and screen shrink, which are obvious changes, the iPhone 12 Mini is identical to the iPhone 12.

iPhone 12 Mini

iPhone 12 Mini

It starts with the design, which translates very well when scaled down to that size. The lack of curves and the focus on sharp edges suits a small phone that tries to be as efficient as possible with space, and Apple's hardware finish is exquisite again. The lineup's bright color options also go well with the playful size – though I loved the completely incognito look of my black phone that was spiced up with a red leather case.

Apple had ample opportunity to sacrifice in the 12 Mini, and it didn't.

It's not typical for a phone of this size (and price) to match the rest of the top-end specs of the iPhone 12 Mini. The A14 Bionic chip in the controller is equally powerful when compared to the other iPhone 12 models, so the performance of the 12 Mini is excellent. You get good speakers, the latest in Ceramic Shield screen glass, IP68 water resistance, top-notch feel, face recognition, and more on the list. Apple will also remind you that this is the smallest phone that doesn't yet have a full 5G implementation with Sub-6 and mmWave, as well as global network band support.

I went through all of the specifics of this platform's features in my full iPhone 12 review. I recommend reading them for a complete picture of what the iPhone 12 series offerings are. After that, you can see here what makes the iPhone 12 Mini special.

A lovely little phone

Unlike modern mini cars, the iPhone 12 Mini is actually small. And it's not just "small" because it's smaller than the iPhone 12, which has now grown to a 6.1-inch screen – it's really small. It's shorter, narrower, and lighter than the iPhone 8 (and the latest iPhone SE) and one of the smallest fully featured modern smartphones.

iPhone 12 MiniAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

You can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia when you get to the iPhone 12 Mini from another phone. Think back to a time when you could have a phone that was compact and yet was considered state of the art. But after a day with the 12 Mini, I didn't think of its size as something new – I just used it and enjoyed hell.

The iPhone 12 Mini doesn't expect anything from you. It's so light and your hand folds lightly around the sides for a secure grip. It actually makes sense to use your thumb to reach across the screen or up. And gosh, it doesn't just fit in a pocket, it doesn't even stretch the fabric. On several occasions, I kept the iPhone 12 Mini in my coat pocket and forgot it was there. Half an hour later, I caused a moment of panic when I feared I had left it somewhere.

The iPhone 12 Mini doesn't expect anything from you. Still, it's an incredibly powerful phone.

It's very liberating to have a small phone that doesn't feel like a burden to carry and use, but is more than capable of doing everything you need in the day.

iPhone 12 Mini

iPhone 12 Mini

With a 5.4-inch display, the 12 Mini has just enough screen space not to feel cramped. And iOS 14 is identical to a bigger screen on this smaller screen – you get the same icon grid and buttons, but things are just a little bit smaller. Every app works perfectly, and I never felt the need to go into settings and increase the font size or the screen zoom. Basically, when you view your inbox, you're just missing an extra email or reading an article in the browser, missing a few extra lines. Everything is just as lightning fast as it was on the iPhone 12 as I was able to run apps and multitask with no issues. To my surprise, I didn't have any thumb collisions with two-handed typing, but because it's so tight I really enjoyed typing with my finger.

Size comparison: iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Mini vs. iPhone 12 Pro max

iPhone 12 modelsAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

I admit that the 12 Mini doesn't provide an immersive video viewing experience, nor does the screen give you an expansive viewfinder for taking photos. But it's perfectly functional on both accounts. If you plan on using your phone for a lot of media operations, you probably won't even consider the 12 Mini in the first place.

I know the screen is the same as the iPhone 12, but I swear it won't get quite as bright as the larger phone's screen. There have been a few situations with the 12 Mini out in the sun where I've pulled the Control Center down to increase the screen brightness only to see that it was already set at 100%. Other than these cases, the screen is fantastic: great colors, good viewing angles, low reflectivity, and crisp text.

Battery life

When the rubber hits the road, the only place the iPhone 12 Mini falls short is in the fuel area. On a weekend trip to beautiful Mystic, Connecticut, I spent a lot of time outdoors with 100% screen brightness, taking tons of photos, and leaning on Google Maps while keeping up with my usual messaging and social media apps. And the results … weren't great.

Battery life is the only annoying part about using such a small phone.

On Saturday I took the phone off the charger at 8 a.m. and was discharged to 10% battery by 9 p.m. as we enjoyed a nightcap under a patio heat lamp. That's four hours of screen on, which is respectable, but when the battery is very low it's not to be trusted. Sunday brought more of this with it when the phone went off the charger at 8 a.m. After more than three hours of on-time, the battery was charged with a worrying 40% battery by 1:00 p.m. when I plugged in to use CarPlay to drive home.

iPhone 12 MiniAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

Apple's cited estimates for video playback paint a rosier picture than reality. It is clear that if I use the iPhone 12 Mini the same way as the 12 or 12 Pro, I am going to exceed the limits of the battery life by the end of the day. On lighter days, with time inside and via WiFi, I got through the day by 20% to 30% – but that's still not a good sign for late evenings or days when I need a hot spot or have to spend a lot Navigate time in Google Maps.

If you get stuck to your phone all the time, this is not the phone for you. However, I don't think this will be a problem for so many people as the philosophy of many who want a small phone is also consistent with the expectation that there is no need to have a phone in hand all the time. Know what you are getting into and be ready to charge it up a little in some situations and you will be fine.

If you want to live connected to your phone, this is not the phone for you.

The advantage of a tiny battery is that it charges very quickly. With a 20 W charger, it accelerates from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes. And because the capacity is so small, it even charges a little quickly from a computer, a charger with a smaller wall thickness, or the MagSafe charger. Even my car's low-power USB port easily drained enough power to add a significant charge when running CarPlay.

Cameras

Perhaps the best thing about the iPhone 12 Mini is that Apple didn't skimp on its cameras in this small case. This was something you had to keep in mind when considering an iPhone SE as a small phone option. The 12-megapixel main camera and 12-megapixel ultrawide camera make a great pair – that's what the $ 999 iPhone 12 Pro does, and all the more so at the price.

Few people expect a camera to be this good on a $ 700 cell phone, but it delivers.

In daylight, you get bright and colorful photos with just enough pop and added warmth to make them feel a little more alive. The sharpness and level of detail are excellent, even with mixed lighting photos that require additional processing. In low light, photos are just as good as long as you can keep your hand steady. The camera relies on long exposures in night mode, but the results are excellent. And if you keep the lights on, the selfie camera is good too.

I'm so familiar with this camera setup that I often forget how impressively it relates to the competition. Anyone who picks up this phone will be amazed at the photos that come out of it. Same goes for video, where you can get crisp 4K 60fps footage with great colors and stabilization. You may choose not to shoot in Dolby Vision HDR due to limited playback compatibility. You can also skip it to save space. My friend Michael Fisher made maximum use of his 128GB Mini the first afternoon after installing apps, recording videos, and syncing iCloud Photos to the phone. You should spend at least an additional $ 50 on the 128GB model as the 64GB base feels very tight.

You won't be missing out on the camera features of the $ 300 iPhone 12 Pro anymore.

On rare occasions, I'd miss the 12 Pro's 2X zoom camera, but otherwise this is a camera setup that is perfectly on par with this phone. Anyone who buys the 12 Mini won't be missing out on the subtle improvements to this third camera and the promise to take RAW photos with a future software update.

Our opinion

The $ 700 iPhone 12 Mini plays in a category of its own: a really small phone with an otherwise first-class experience. It's small enough to be manageable in everyone's hands and pockets, but it has full iPhone 12 features, from the great hardware, to the processing speed, to the camera quality and software experience.

If the annoying decision of choosing between a phone with high-end features or a handgrip phone put you off, this is it iPhone 12 Mini should be your next purchase. But not everyone has such a strong sense of size, and if so, they should look out for the slower battery life and a screen size that after years of getting used to 6-inch displays may feel restrictive.

I absolutely like the size of the iPhone 12 Mini, but I don't think I can make it my main phone. I need more confidence in battery life and that means moving back to the iPhone 12. And as much as I love the size of the 12 Mini, I can handle the Standard 12 without feeling weighed down by its size – that makes it an easy choice to get the medium sized phone.

Are there any better alternatives?

In this size and price range, you really have no other choice. You can get one for literally half the price Google Pixel 4a It's the same size but not a competitor outside of the camera.

Then there are phones that are larger but still handy and comparable in price and options. You can buy these for a $ 100 premium iPhone 12This is a logical choice if you can handle more screen and want longer battery life. The Google Pixel 5 is still relatively compact and costs the same as the 12 Mini – it also has a great camera and streamlined software experience that iPhone owners will be familiar with.

How long it will take?

Because the 12 Mini was built on the same platform as the iPhone 12, it should have a long lifespan. There will be several iOS updates in the future, and the A14 Bionic chip is very powerful to run them. It also has strong water resistance should it take a splash or a dunk. The iPhone 12 Mini will easily last two years, or up to four years if you are tight on your budget.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you feel disenfranchised by the ever-growing size of smartphones and are longing for a compact model that doesn’t save on functions.

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