17 Nov
Blog

Xbox Series S review: Not Worth it in the Long Run

Xbox Series S.

"The limitations of the S Series become more apparent the longer you use them."

  • Incredibly portable

  • Good price

  • Great design

  • Not worth the savings

  • Not enough space

The Xbox Series S is an incredible piece of technology in many ways. Next-generation features like instant charging into an incredibly compact and affordable device are undoubtedly helping to fill a niche in the market that the more expensive PlayStation 5 or the heavily underloaded Nintendo Switch can't reach.

Despite the things I like about the Series S, I can't help but feel that the tradeoffs it makes aren't worth the $ 200 savings, especially if you're from an upgrade in the In the middle of the cycle like the Xbox switch to One X or the PlayStation 4 Pro.

The S series is initially a show stopper

I received my S Series in the same shipment as the X Series, and I was honestly more impressed with the former than the latter when I unboxed the two consoles. It brought me back when I moved to America and my original PAL PlayStation 2 wouldn't work here, so I had to get a PlayStation 2 NTSC Slim. I was impressed with how something so small can play all of these incredible games, and while the S Series doesn't shrink to nearly the same size as the slim PS2, it's still impressive to have something more compact than most textbooks.

Xbox Series S review

Then I booted it up and still it was as snappy as the Series X. I was able to download a system update in a flash and manage the entire setup via the much more handy Xbox app. Navigating the menus and downloading games from my library were just as quick, and to my delight, some of the titles were ten gigabytes smaller thanks to the lack of 4K textures.

I was impressed with how something so small could play all of these incredible games.

Then I came across the first catch in the S series. That annoying 512 GB SSD. It's not even 512 GB, but rather 370 GB of usable memory. I had six games installed and already ran out of space, even with the smaller installation files. Luckily I have unlimited gigabit internet in my apartment, but that's an incredible niche thing when you are talking about nearly half of the US population who play video games. Most people don't have the luxury of being able to conveniently delete and re-download games.

There is an option to save more games. However, it's a $ 220 Seagate expansion card that provides an additional 1TB. If you've spent the money on both this and the console, you're actually seeing more expensive value for money than if you just bought a Series X, which comes natively with 1TB of storage, a drive, and much better ones Hardware.

The severely limited memory allocation was more of a problem than I thought, but perhaps the system's performance would be impressive enough to make this a product I could recommend?

The differences in visual quality are palpable

The first game I played in my Series S was Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and at first I thought something was wrong. Not only did it look worse than the Series X, which was to be expected, it also looked worse than on my One X.

Xbox Series X versus S.

The One X was the system I had played the game on for review, so I was well acquainted with it at the time. This last generation system used dynamic resolution while gaming – sometimes it ran at 4K and sometimes closer to 1440p depending on what was happening on the screen. It seems that the game would run at 1740p on average.

However, the S series limits the game resolution to 1440p. I would have hoped Valhalla would then be able to push to 60 frames per second on the console, but it was locked at 30 fps. Switching to the Series X, which runs the game at a constant 4K60 value, was a drastic change, but even when I looked at them side by side on my last-gen One X, I was a little surprised at the limited performance.

The first game I played in my Series S was Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and at first I thought something was wrong. Not only did it look worse than the Series X, which was to be expected, it also looked worse than on my One X.

There is a way to run Valhalla on the S Series at 60 fps, but you'll need to change the system level resolution to 1080p. Not only is this inconvenient, but it's also a huge visual drop, especially since it also turns off the game's HDR.

The other games that I luckily tried didn't have as dramatic a difference as Valhalla. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War may have lacked ray tracing and 120 fps modes, but it still felt visually competent enough that it was an immersive console experience. And I was happy to see that the S series still offers the ability to expand the game's field of vision. This is a huge benefit that was only granted to PC gamers until this new generation.

Xbox Series S horizontal

Gears 5 was the most indistinguishable of all games when compared between the Series S and the Series X. And while Dirt 5 ran at a nice 120 fps on the smaller console, the drop in texture quality was pretty noticeable.

Only a handful of people should pick up the S series

Checking a device like the S series is something I have to change my mind about. I have to think about the wider range of gamers who don't make a living playing video games and may not have high speed internet or 4K OLED TV to enhance their experience.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War may have lacked ray tracing and 120 fps modes, but it still felt visually competent enough that it was an immersive console experience.

With all these factors in mind, I still think most people shouldn't pick up an S series. If you want an Xbox, go for the much more impressive X Series. Here is a list of the types of people who should pick up a Series S:

  • When you have extremely little space
  • If you have to travel a lot with it
  • When you buy it as a second console
  • When you buy it for your kids

I still have arguments for each of these Prople categories as to why they should still apply to Series X. The S series is small, but not so incredibly small compared to the X series that it can travel with you or find space in your home for that, it's much easier for that than the X series.

Buying it as a second console for another TV in the house is also not worth it. The Series X boots up in seconds after a full shutdown, and a feature like Quick Resume, which lets you switch between games at the exact point where you left off, works even if you unplug the system. If you only move your Series X between rooms, there will be only the slightest inconvenience that would otherwise be avoided by an additional Series S.

Xbox Series S top to bottom

The category that I think best fits a Series S needs is the purchase for your children. That's the strongest argument in favor of the console, but for me there is one unanswered question that changes my thoughts about it. Will Xbox roll out more series consoles later or will there be another update during the cycle?

In this case, the S Series is a compelling buy when purchasing a system for your youth. As a teenager, Microsoft may have released an even more powerful console or a more powerful Series S that would turn a smaller investment into a smart move for just a handful of years.

The thing is, I'll be 50/50 if we get this update with this generation of consoles. By the time the original Xbox One and PS4 were released, the transition from 1080p to 4K was already underway, and those systems weren't equipped for it. That's why we have the One X and the PS4 Pro.

This time around, both systems support 8K, which is far from mainstream as 4K back in 2013. While both the Series X and PS5 may not be able to play native 8K games, companies are making advances in machine learning You upscaled 8K files that look as good as the native resolution. They are impressive to the point where this hardware can possibly perfectly meet those technical requirements.

Ultimately, new consoles are not going to be a given for the next few years, and while now, around four years later, your child may be more than happy with an S Series, this is going to be extremely nondescript.

Our opinion

I really like Serie S and if I had never played Serie X I might feel different. But I've played Series X, and I think for the majority of people the additional cost of $ 200 for everything the console can do that its younger siblings can't. If the S Series is $ 199 and additional storage isn't that expensive, we may have another conversation.

Is there a better alternative?

The Xbox Series X is superior in almost every way, even at a steeper price point.

How long it will take?

Years in theory, but over time its limitations will quickly become noticeable.

Should you buy it?

I really think that only parents with young children who are just starting out to play video games should invest in the console.

Editor's recommendations




16 Nov
Blog

Destiny 2: Beyond Light Review: Ice is Nice

Destiny 2 Beyond Light

Destiny 2: Beyond Light Review: Icy expansions bring cool changes

"Beyond Light's weak history leaves much to be desired, but new stasis skills help make the game feel fresh again."

  • Versatile stasis forces

  • There is a lot to discover in Europe

  • Faster loading times

  • Blunt campaign

  • The class feels unbalanced

No matter how good it actually is, it's always tempting to feel a glimmer of hope when a Destiny 2 expansion is as significant as Beyond Light. Any excuse to jump into one of the best shooters again is welcome right now, but it is becoming increasingly necessary to keep long-term expectations in check.

A little over a year ago, we reviewed the game's last major expansion, Shadowkeep. At the time, we said the upgrade was "full of potential" and we were hoping it would turn the game around after a difficult year with no exciting content.

If that sounds like déjà vu to fans, it's because it's exactly the same situation that Beyond Light is in now. Shadowkeep ultimately didn't deliver the intriguing setup, leaving players hoping that Beyond Light would get the ship back on course. After years of re-experiencing the same cycle, it is time to finally accept these expansions for what they really are, and stop using them as a symbolic Rorschach test for the future of the game.

Destiny 2: Beyond Light is a perfect content drop for fans who just want more Destiny. The new location in Europe and the stasis ability give players a lot of leeway, although the new story campaign is one of the weakest in the franchise. For the looter, this is not an illuminating change. It's just a good reason to sign back in … and that's fine.

Welcome to Europe

Beyond Light features one of Destiny 2's most stand-alone stories to date. Instead of moving from planet to planet, almost the entire five-hour campaign is devoted to the game's new location, Europe. The big evil this time is a fallen captain named Eramis, who has equipped her army with the new element of the game, stasis. Guardians are forced to fight fire with fire (or ice with ice, in this case) by using the power of darkness against them.

Nothing about the story is particularly memorable. Eramis ends up being little more than another anti-climactic villain, with the really big evil presumably being saved for the game's upcoming raid. There isn't much to discover in each of the missions either, as the campaign has more or less the same order of objectives that are repeated three times. It feels less like a story, but more like a lengthy tutorial for stasis forces.

Destiny 2 Beyond Light

Despite these flaws, the story has surprising thematic weight. The good are asked whether it is morally right to use the tools of evil to fight evil, which in our current political climate is purposely felt to be right. This question becomes less convincing every time characters have the same existential debate. However, it is always welcome to hear meaningful real-world questions asked throughout the game's infinitely vague story about light and dark.

Europe itself is a mixed bag when it comes to locations. Sometimes the snow-covered planet looks just like the moon with gray craters exchanged for white hills. The lack of suitable landing zones means players have to do the same long hikes every time they have a new destination. The campaign and subsequent post-quests will send players through the same handful of areas over and over, which is getting old quickly.

The best parts of the planet are the rooms that are hidden under the snow. High-tech laboratories create a stark contrast to Europe's bleak surface and give the mixture a certain environmental secret. Of particular note are the lost sectors of Europe which provide some of the most inspired ideas of expansion. In a hidden area, I freed a train of Braytech robots that became my personal army when I defeated a giant hydra.

The story feels less like a story and more like a lengthy tutorial for stasis forces.

Even with these bright spots, the content and location of the new story are overwhelming compared to previous expansions. There's still a lot to enjoy, especially after the campaign ends, but Beyond Light feels less like Taken King's gold standard expansion than it does with the comparatively less ambitious Rise of Iron.

Ice cream to meet you

The campaign's obsession with stasis is ultimately justified. For the first time ever, Beyond Light is adding an entirely new item for players to equip, including new Supers and Abilities. Stasis gives the Guardians ice powers that enable them to keep enemies cold, crush frozen enemies, and build huge walls of ice like Overwatch's Mei.

Stasis is the most exciting feature Destiny has hit in years.

Stasis is literally changing the way the game is played, and fans are already taking full advantage of it. The game's Crucible PVP mode is currently in a state of glorious mayhem as Guardians use their skills to do things that have never been possible in Destiny before. Some build ice walls to block the entrances to checkpoints and capture them safely. Others throw the ability at their feet and shoot them dozens of feet in the air.

The Destiny series has rarely done this type of experiment, even with new subclasses and supers added. It was always clear what the three types of damage were doing, no matter how they were packaged. Stasis feels completely alien and adds excitement to the activities that players have been weeding out for years.

Destiny 2 Beyond Light

The way the stasis subclass works is fundamentally different from the old trio. Players can upgrade each ability with fragments that completely change the way they work. When the ice wall grenade wasn't clicking with my play style, I switched to one that shot out a creeping line of icicles that could be chained to enemies. The way players can customize the subclass is so deep that it is really worth looking for more options.

However, it feels like Bungie needs to make some adjustments. Stasis is absurdly powerful in a way that doesn't feel sustainable in the long run. Not only does ice freeze enemies (it can even turn off Supers), it also harms them when they break out. This is a blast in PVE activity where players can shatter a fair amount of debris, but it feels out of whack in competitive mode. Freezing feels like a death sentence no matter the circumstances, and stasis feels like an unbalanced option in its current state.

Even if there is still much to be done, stasis is the most exciting feature that Destiny has hit in years. It opens the door to new styles of play and lets old experiences work again. It's exactly the kind of update the game has been looking for in a long time.

Less is okay

The big story with Beyond Light is less about what's added and more about what's removed. The update significantly reduces Destiny 2 and removes entire planets and their corresponding activities. Places like Mercury are gone, freeing fans of boring content like the Infinite Forest.

Destiny 2 Beyond Light

What is surprising is that none of it feels missing so far. I didn't feel crazy for not being able to patrol Titan or miss a run of the escalation log. The mass expulsion shows how voracious Destiny 2 had gotten over the past few years as it accumulated filler that didn't add anything.

Not much is added in their place, but that has its merits. Destiny 2's file size has been cut almost in half, resulting in a more compact game that already feels a lot smoother. The loading times are faster and I have fewer problems with the loading zone during strikes.

Beyond Light is about taking the game back down to the basics so that Bungie and players can find out what is actually fun about the game.

The added stability feels like a fair trade, although the long-term implications are unclear. With much of Beyond Light's content in Europe, I'm not sure how little things will feel when I've got my chores done. Many of these questions should be answered in the upcoming season of the hunt, but ever-skeptical fans wouldn't be wrong in preparing for another slow year.

That's why it's so important this time to recalibrate expectations. Beyond Light is not about starting a bright chapter for the series. It's about taking the game back to the basics so Bungie and the players can find out what is actually fun about the game. It's entirely possible that Beyond Light only piqued gamers' interest for a few weeks, but maybe it's time to accept that Destiny 2 is less effective as a long-tailed service game and a rock-solid shooter that's well worth it is to be visited again, less fun times a year.

Our opinion

Destiny 2: Beyond Light is a leaner proposition than fans hoped for thanks to its disappointing campaign, but there is still enough intrigue beneath Europe's surface to warrant a return to orbit. The new stasis subclasses refresh years of experience and ensure that parts of the game feel new again, even if the honeymoon feeling disappears in a few weeks.

Is there a better alternative?

The answer is still no, although the competition is getting tougher. Warframe is creeping up on the throne in particular, but Destiny 2's shooting is still unmatched.

How long it will take?

The campaign itself only lasts about five hours, but there are still many tasks and activities that need to be completed before the new season begins.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you are already sold on Destiny 2 there is no reason not to continue the adventure. Moving to the next generation is an added reason for new console owners to jump back in.

Editor's recommendations




14 Nov
Blog

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Review: Best ANC Buds

Bose quiet comfort earbuds

Bose QuietComfort ear buds

"The best noise-canceling buds we tested with remarkable sound quality."

  • Best noise canceling buds

  • Excellent call quality

  • Exciting audio quality

  • Solid battery life

  • Secure fit

  • No multipoint connection

  • A bit bulky

I kind of doubt Dr. Amar Bose could have foreseen that the active noise-canceling technology he developed in the 1970s would one day be found in what was then considered magical, glorified earplugs. But here we are. The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are here, and they're muscular, a bit bulky, and fashionable late for the party. Besides, I really like her.

Competitors have been releasing ANC earphones since 2018, and over the past year, companies like Sony, Jabra, Sennheiser, 1More, and many others have offered some excellent options. I suppose the reason we had to wait so long to see Bose's answer is because the real Bose way it wasn't going to hit the market with real wireless ANC buds until it was convinced that they were the best.

The good news is that the $ 280 Bose QuietComfort earbuds are excellent in many ways. The bad news is: they are not for everyone. Read on to find out if Bose Buds are a good fit for you.

What's in the box

The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are integrated into the charging case along with a short USB-C charging cable, small and large pairs of earbuds and product literature. Easy.

Bose quiet comfort earbuds in your handsRiley Young / Digital Trends

Structure and battery life

The charging case is large, bulky and not easy to put in the pocket. One would hope the larger case would result in more charging capacity, but the case only offers 12 hours of extra charge as opposed to, for example, the 18 hours that the AirPods Pro case offers. The battery life of the case is indicated by five LEDs on the front of the case. I should also point out that the case also supports Qi wireless charging.

As is the case, the buds are also quite large. Bose claims they'll work for an average of 6 hours, but I've found that I usually get 7 hours or just a little more per charge, which isn't bad considering the buds' ANC is at its highest level and at a reasonably loud volume is for playing music and movies. I love it when products exceed their specifications.

The build quality of both the case and the buds is top notch, if a bit bulky. Besides being bulky, I found it a little difficult to open. The case has a rectangular button that's placed flush enough that a simple press of your thumb won't open it for me. Instead, I have to use my fingernail to push it in enough to open.

Connection and range

After opening, the case reveals a Bluetooth pairing button between the individual buds. If the earphones are not yet paired with a device, they are removed from the case in pairing mode. If the buds have previously been paired with a device, pressing the button will put them into pairing mode. The QC earbuds always try to connect to the last paired device first.

Bose quiet comfort earbuds in handRiley Young / Digital Trends

This would be a good time to mention that the QuietComfort earbuds don't support multipoint connection. That means you can't connect to two devices at the same time and seamlessly switch between them. Although the Buds store up to seven devices in their device list, you must unpair one device in order to pair it with another.

In terms of connection stability and range, I've found the QC earbuds to work very well. With a clear line of sight outdoors, I was approximately 60 feet from a Samsung Galaxy S9 + before it was disconnected. Inside I was about 25 feet away and had started turning a corner before the signal went off. I have never had a signal dropout problem while my phone was put in my pants or jacket pocket.

Fit and comfort

While fit and comfort are subject to the user's ear, I can confidently say that given their size, these buds take a bit of getting used to. When compared to the Jabra Elite 85T or even the Jabra Elite 75T, you'll notice the Bose's larger bud size, although my sensitivity has decreased over time and I think the same applies to others who have medium to large ears.

The QC earbuds not only feel big on the outside, the tips on the inside also make their presence known. Even the medium-sized tips, which almost always work just right for me, felt a little big. Again, over time I got used to the feeling, but that initial feeling can be worrying. Part of this is due to the wide, oval shape of the earbud, and part of that is due to the safety fin attached to the tip and not removable.

Bose quiet comfort earbuds earplugs in handRiley Young / Digital Trends

The non-removable fin may seem strange at first, but when I think back to how clunky optional safety fins have been to me in the past, I think I prefer it, even if it is a more complicated process to put the earbuds in yours Ears in.

I also appreciate that the earbuds are so balanced that I've never had pain or fatigue in the ear canal. I can't say that about most true wireless earbuds.

Overall and with the advantage of extended use at this point, I would rate the Bose QuietComfort earbuds with 8 out of 10 points on the comfort scale. Bulky, safe, but convenient in the long run. It fits what I'm about. I was lucky, but I'm not sure if these buds are suitable for everyone, especially those with dainty ears where aesthetics can also be an issue.

Touch controls and app

I won't dig deep into this section as I honestly almost never use the app and my use of touch controls is limited. All I need to do is adjust the noise canceling levels, play / pause music and take calls. With the touch sensors on each earbud, I can do all of that.

Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds ApplicationEvil

You can customize the touch controls to some extent using the Bose Connect app, which also lets you rename the buds and check the battery level at a glance. That's about all you need the app to do.

Noise canceling quality

Simply put, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds offer the best noise cancellation I've experienced from a true wireless earbud. I haven't made any meaningful comparison of the bud noise cancellation to the Bose NC 700 headphones, but the tests I was able to run showed that the buds block out a wide variety of sounds just as effectively as the flagship noise canceling on Bose rifles . The earplug's solid seal is of great help, but the ANC processing is second to none.

The best noise cancellation I've experienced with a real wireless earbud.

Compared to the AirPods Pro, which have no problem in the noise canceling department themselves, they can't stand up to the Bose QC earbuds. The Bose blocks far more high-frequency noise, which means that it is more effective at blocking road noises such as cars passing by, the hum of air conditioning, and even children screeching. When music is playing, you only hear the music.

I don't know when I'll get on a plane again, but when I do I look forward to putting Bose's Buds on the ultimate noise-canceling test.

Audio quality

I'm not going to get around the bush here: I love the way the Bose QuietComfort earbuds sound. Not because they have an absolutely accurate sound signature, but because they have a fun and engaging sound profile.

Make no mistake, the QC earphones offer a generous dose of detail, lightning-fast transient response and a punchy bass that can be started and stopped in a jiffy – all hallmarks of high-quality headphones and the stuff that audiophiles stumble upon. But Bose designed the sound in the QC earbuds to provide a deep, punchy, and rich bass that's just pushed up enough in the mix to be more than accurate, but only to the extent that it is satisfies those who like a little more deep down.

Bose quiet comfort earbudsRiley Young / Digital Trends

Mid-frequencies stay transparent even with a slight bass boost, while the top end delivers just enough sheen and shine for the highs to sing.

I may have spent too much time listening to both sets of Cory Wong's The Syncopate & Motivate Tour and enjoying every minute of every hour. The interaction between the kick drum of the drummer and the syncopated rhythms of the bassist was a punchy and melodic pleasure for the ears. Wong's insanely tight articulation paired with the iconic guitar tone came through as clear as a bell, with just the right amount of room noise to give an impression of the venue. Meanwhile, the band's horn section was reproduced with remarkably accurate overtones, giving the band all the zeal that a professional trumpeter (that's me) can expect from a live recording.

It's fair to say I really, really enjoy the sound quality of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.

Are there any better sounding buds? I have an affinity with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 and they sound really great. But I have to say between the two, I'd probably buy the Bose for anything they do better than the Momentum 2.

Yes, I think it's fair to say I really, really enjoy the sound quality of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.

Call quality

With such great sound quality, is call quality so important? I would argue these days. I can see these buds being used to get through days at the end of work from home, switching between listening to music, talking on the phone, and zooming in on meetings. Good news folks: you can enjoy all three without ever removing your earbuds.

The call quality of the QC earbuds is excellent. Your voice will always come through clear and with little digital robotic sound created by the compression of audio signals. In addition, noise in the vicinity of callers is suppressed remarkably well, including wind noise.

But perhaps the most important aspect of solid call quality is that you can hear yourself speak without hearing outside noise. Again, Bose manages this trick better than any other competing earphone or headphone I've tested so far.

Our opinion

As bulky as the Bose QuietComfort earbuds are, they are top notch true wireless earbuds. Their noise cancellation is the best among the earbuds we tested, the audio quality is exciting and deeply satisfying, and the call quality is the best we've had outside of Bose's own full-sized headphones. If you can put up with the slightly larger buds and plump case, the QC earphones will reward you well.

Is there a better alternative?

You won't find better noise cancellation anywhere else, but I'll say the Jabra Elite 85T are extremely competitive headphones at a lower price, with effective noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, good call quality, and solid battery performance. The Elite 85T are also smaller. So when it comes to bud size and budget, they are a great alternative.

How long do they take?

My experience with Bose headphone products makes me believe the QC earbuds will continue to exist in the future. I think the only limiting factor here is the battery, which ultimately dies and makes the buds unusable, but this goes for almost every true wireless earbud out there.

Should you buy it?

Yes. With the best of noise-canceling technology, great call quality and extremely entertaining sound, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds are both a joy and practical.

Editor's recommendations




13 Nov
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Review: Amazing Camera, Massive Size

iPhone 12 Pro max

"This is the iPhone with amazing battery life and an exceptional camera experience, but it comes at a price that is too big for most people to manage."

  • Big and beautiful display

  • Excellent hardware quality

  • First class camera experience

  • Long battery life

  • Unbelievably big

  • Very difficult

It was frustrating for them in a way iPhone 12 Pro max a month later than the iPhone 12 Pro because we couldn't immediately compare them side by side. However, working in these conditions bought me a lot of time with the iPhone 12 Pro. Now that I finally have a 12 Pro Max in hand, I can take advantage of this considerable experience with the platform.

This way I can evaluate the three big aspects (emphasis on big ones) that make the iPhone 12 Pro Max stand out: the size of the phone, the subsequently larger battery and the improved camera system.

The basics: hardware, specifications and software

The "Max" iPhones have a short history but have gained an extremely enthusiastic following. Some people realized the value of a giant iPhone and never looked back. For these people, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is wonderful – it's another giant iPhone that was introduced into the modern era of Apple hardware design and features.

iPhone 12 Pro maxAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

If you like the design of the new iPhones, like me, you'll love that you simply get more of them in the 12 Pro Max. The proportions of everything at this size are a bit strange when you really look at it, but I'm not looking – this phone is beautiful. The stainless steel frame and matte glass back feel amazing and look like a super expensive phone.

If you like the look of the new iPhones, you'll love that you can easily get more of them with the 12 Pro Max.

The whole matter is taken to a new level in this gold color that I have referred to as the "Kardashian Special". The hyper-shiny golden pages are just … a lot. They are so reflective that you regularly see strong reflections of light on tables and walls around you which is just amazing. Thank God. The back made of matt glass has a subtle mother-of-pearl color and dampens the overall effect. But I really enjoyed the phone in its absurdly expensive but excellent form Apple leather case. However, those golden shimmering sides still protrude a little bit from the edge of the case!

Everywhere else, you get the same specs and features as the Standard 12 Pro, without a single drawback. The same A14 Bionic processor, 6GB (supposedly) of RAM, 128/256/512GB storage options, 5G connectivity, Ceramic Shield glass, speakers, and a lot more on the list. Face recognition continues to be great (despite our current situation with wearing masks), as is the tactile feel of the buttons, mute, and haptic feedback – these are the little things Apple is so good at. This is just an enlarged iPhone 12 Pro – and that's a good thing most of the time.

If you haven't read all about the iPhone 12 Pro, I highly recommend that you read my full review of the 12 Pro first and find out the details about the 12 Pro Max here.

A really big phone

The iPhone 12 Pro Max's main selling point is the same as ever: you get a huge display. It's now up to 6.7 inches tall, and the effect of this year's smaller frames is enhanced by their size in proportion to the screen area. The OLED panel is absolutely great – incredibly bright, clear and colorful. It is perfectly visible in any lighting, including outdoors, even if the brightness is not increased when viewing HDR content.

iPhone 12 Pro maxAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

I can't find a bug … other than not having a 90Hz (or higher) refresh rate like the Android competition. Even so, Apple does things with software that makes 60Hz still look good. These are all the same assessments I had of the iPhone 12 Pro's display mind you, but once again I appreciate it in this larger size.

It's not the largest phone display, but it's close.

Of course, it's not the largest phone display, but it's close. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is larger and combines its display with even smaller bezels, but is also a bit larger. Really, you wouldn't notice a usable difference between this 6.7-inch screen and any other large Android device. It is important that you have significantly more additional screen with the 12 Pro Max than with most cell phones in the lower 6-inch range.

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

However, since the "normal" iPhones have gotten bigger and now have up to 6.1-inch displays, they don't feel as tight, making the iPhone 12 Pro Max feel less necessary. And iOS 14 looks and works exactly the same on this 6.7-inch display as it does on the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 Mini.

iPhone 12 modelsAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

You can't multitask any other than any other iPhone, and viewing picture-in-picture video isn't much more useful either. Although you can now place widgets on the home screen, you don't have any extra space to place them. They still have the same grid size of 4 × 6. Apps can mostly only be adapted to the screen instead of keeping the elements the same size and displaying more content. For example, in Gmail, another email appears in the inbox. On Twitter, you might see an extra half of a tweet.

You can use the "zoom" feature to zoom in on anything on the screen, but you can't go the other way and zoom out, which is what a lot of people want. You can reduce the text size, which I did (by one notch) and that will at least help you get a little better use of the screen.

iPhone 12 modelsAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

This bigger screen is still appreciated when watching videos, playing games, taking and editing photos and videos, browsing non-mobile websites, and typing with two hands. The media experience is only enhanced by this bigger screen, and some people really spend hours a day watching videos on their phones – the 12 Pro Max is a great experience there. There are also people who don't have great vision and appreciate a phone that just makes everything huge.

It seems like a missed opportunity not to give the Max a little more functionality in the software to take advantage of that screen size, especially now that we've been dealing with these Max phones for a few generations, and with developments in the same area on iPadOS .

The media and gaming experience is improved by the larger screen, otherwise nothing changes.

This is especially true because that bigger screen comes at a cost: a bigger phone overall. The 12 Pro Max is about 9% larger, 9% wider and 20% heavier than the 12 Pro. These are serious leaps, especially in terms of weight – at 228 grams, it is one of the heaviest smartphones currently available. This stainless steel frame adds up.

iPhone 12 Pro maxAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

It's big enough to be awkward in a pocket, especially for weighing down gym shorts and stuffing jeans pockets. And it certainly doesn't fit in most women's pockets – it takes up space in a pocket instead. It hardly fits in my running beltand just without a case. Since it's so hard, I prefer to leave it at home for long runs.

The phone is extremely massive and difficult to use. Only you know if it is worth looking into.

It's downright awkward to do anything other than scroll through feeds or hold the phone to read with one hand. Even with my big hands, reaching across the screen or sliding my finger over the picture is a hassle. Fortunately, you can use the “reachability” gesture (swipe down in the lower center of the screen) to get to the “top” edge of the screen without fumbling with the phone. Most tasks are considerably easier with a second hand, some tasks require it. If you come to terms with this fact and stop even trying to use it with one hand, the overall experience improves.

Battery life

With the first Max iPhone, it seemed like most people bought it just for the battery life. A larger phone offers more space for the battery. If everything else stays the same, this should translate into significantly longer battery life. As usual, Apple does not offer battery capacities or realistic battery benchmarks for its phones. That's why I'm here.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a battery champion thanks to a very simple equation: It has a 30% larger (supposedly 3687 mAh) battery than the 12 Pro. If you need a phone that will work all day every day, regardless of battery saving, then this is it. On my usual day with messaging, listening to podcasts via Bluetooth, countless emails and using social media apps, mainly via WiFi, I ended the day after more than three hours of on with 40% battery.

The 12 Pro Max is a battery champion – you don't have to think about it.

The closest thing to low power mode, which triggers at 20%, was a day of three hours of hotspotting on my laptop, including streaming the Apple “One More Thing” event. Even so, I had a little over 20% when I went to bed. I've experienced solid battery life on the smaller 12 Pro, but found that it can get a little tricky if you squeeze it hard. This is just not the case with the 12 Pro Max – it will never lead to battery fear.

iPhone 12 Pro Max with MagSafe chargerAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

We got used to the fast charging times offered by the iPhone's small battery, but that's not the case with the 12 Pro Max. If you ever run out of battery or miss a night charge, you need to consider how long it will take to charge.

You can go from dead to 50% in just over 30 minutes, which is good enough, but it takes over an hour to get to 95%. And that's if you buy a 20W charger (remember, there isn't one in the box). There are many good options from companies like anchor and Aukeyand it's basically a requirement for the 12 Pro Max. Charging with less is a real pain. The MagSafe charger is approximately 30% slower than a 20W wired charger. Plugging in an older plug under 10W will take several hours to complete – and worse with a generic wireless charger.

Cameras

Apple bifurcated the Pro line with an all-new main camera sensor on the Pro Max, and that's a big change. The 12-megapixel sensor is 47% larger, which means every pixel is dramatically larger for the same resolution. Larger pixels let in more light, which is always good – light is the currency you use to buy sharp photos. The sensor itself is also physically stabilized, much like the way dedicated cameras provide stabilization that is different from the OIS on most other phones (including the 12 Pro) that have the lens stabilized.

The advantages are immediately apparent when taking photos in poor lighting conditions. With larger pixels, the camera doesn't have to rely on long night mode exposures as often, which means you'll have less softness and blurring from handshakes or moving objects in your scene. This means that photos of people and pets are more likely to be crisp, even in difficult lighting conditions. But that's more of a side effect: the real impact is that every single photo you take with low or mixed flash is brighter, sharper, and more colorful.

Lowlight shots have great detail, texture, and sharpness, and for the most part, do without a fake, over-edited look. In some cases where night mode is used for a 3 to 4 second exposure, the contrast and saturation are a little over the top, to the point where it actually looks better to revert to a 1 second exposure. Other times, I just turn off night mode for a natural shot and the sensor easily pulls in enough light to keep things from getting loud or grainy. I think Apple could actually tweak more to really take advantage of the big sensor and rely even less on the night mode.

As the lighting improves, the 12 Pro Max's camera benefit diminishes. Most of the footage is indistinguishable from what you get with the 12 Pro's camera. But that's not a bad thing. The 12 Pro takes great photos. In the edge cases where you have shadows or mixed lighting, you will notice that the large sensor is working again – not to brighten these areas, but to get them right and without noise.

You'll see the big sensor in play again with close-ups of macros and portraits. Because the sensor is so large and has a f / 1.6 lens, you can get incredible natural bokeh (background blur) if you know your way around your goal of focusing. If you are strategically focused on a good focus, background defocusing is great. The effect is so far that I really didn't bother with portrait mode, which still has quirks and problems far too often. Natural bokeh is always better than fake, and this camera does it incredibly well.

The ultrawide camera is identical to the other iPhone 12 models – really good for ultrawide conditions and ideal for confusing the perspective of your recordings. The telephoto camera has a 25% longer focal length than the 12 Pro, but I still wouldn't call it "telephoto" with only 2.5x zoom over the main lens. Even so, any improvement is good, as the whole point of a telephoto camera is to get the specific look of a narrower field of view. It gives you that change of perspective and you can use it to get great zoom shots.

The Dolby Vision HDR video, which Apple is making a big deal of this year, remains unchanged on the 12 Pro Max as well. Recording with a larger viewfinder could be a bonus to your budding film career, but HDR video really shouldn't be a determining factor in your buying decision – and of course, it's available on all iPhone 12 models. Yes even the $ 699 mini.

The selfie camera is the same too; If you have good lighting, it will take great shots but will stall in darker scenes and rely heavily on the on-screen flash. The selfie camera's night mode is a hit-or-miss mode considering that you really can't get over how small a sensor and lens you're working with – and it's harder to keep your hand steady hold when arm is extended.

Our opinion

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is characterized by three things: its enormous size, its long battery life and its more powerful camera. If you buy it, it should be because of the first feature, not the latter two. I really believe that only those who want A big phone with a big screen and extra space to work and play should buy one. Anyone who buys the iPhone 12 Pro Max because they expect longer battery life and camera improvements even though it is bigger than they can be will be disappointed.

Yes, the battery life is exceptional, especially better than the iPhone 12 Pro. And the camera is more powerful at night, even by the high standards that Apple set with the iPhone 12. However, the phone is just too big for most people to comfortably use in one hand, and it's big enough to prevent your person from walking. This is not a situation to put yourself in if you don't immediately see a benefit in the size of the screen. No battery or camera improvement is worth constantly being upset that your phone is too big.

If the big phone is your thing, the starting price of $ 1,099 is reasonable. You pay just $ 100 more than the iPhone 12 Pro and get a lot more phone.

Are there any better alternatives?

There are few phones in this size class to compete with each other. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the obvious choice, with a huge display and great features that can go head to toe with the 12 Pro Max. It also has a built-in pen which is a real differentiator. However, most people don't regularly switch between iPhones and Androids, so it may not be an option.

The other obvious choice is to step up a notch to the iPhone 12 Pro. It is a “normal” size phone that is easy to use with one hand and never feels like an administrative burden, but has all of the core features of the 12 Pro Max. It's really a question of whether you can handle the weaker battery life (which is still fine by average phone standards) and a smaller display and come to terms with not having the best camera Apple makes. The size is a personal preference, but we're talking about minor improvements on the front of the camera. The 12 Pro's main camera is great too.

How long it will take?

Apple has had an excellent track record of supporting and updating its phones for several years. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has the hardware to run the next four (or more) versions of iOS without errors. The hardware with a stainless steel frame and IP68 water resistance should also hold up.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you have two qualifications. The first is that you want or can manage such a big phone. Second, you expect to push the limits of the camera system. If you're not here for both things, you're better off with that one Base iPhone 12 Pro.

Editor's recommendations




13 Nov
Blog

Nokia 8 V 5G UW Review: Phone Is Just Too Expensive

Nokia 8 V UW

"The Nokia 8 V UW is a solid proposition but is beaten by tough competition for the same price or less."

  • Great camera

  • Long lasting battery

  • Solid display

  • Retired Software

  • Too expensive

  • No water resistance

  • 60Hz display

Right now, 5G is all the rage. With networks claiming "nationwide" coverage and phone companies putting "5G" in the name of every new phone, it makes sense that you think this is a big deal. One day it will be, but for now, you face a decision: should you get a 5G compatible phone now, although it won't be really revolutionary for you, or should you wait until 5G really matters?

Nokia thinks you should do the former. The company recently unveiled the Nokia 8.3 5G, its first 5G-enabled version. With the new Nokia 8 V 5G UW, this device goes one step further. (Yes, it's a mouthful.)

The new device is the first carrier-focused phone from HMD Global, whose name "Ver" stands for Verizon. The rest of the name is pretty standard – aside from the fact that the UW stands for "Ultra-Broadband". Right, this phone supports Verizon's 5G mmWave network.

Other than that, however, the phone is no different from the original Nokia 8.3. It even costs the same at $ 699. Here are my thoughts after a few days on the phone. Note: As the phone is so similar to the standard Nokia 8.3, we are not doing a full review. You can read our full review of the Nokia 8.3 here.

The good

The Nokia 8.3 V 5G UW is a relatively large phone with a 6.81-inch display and 1080p resolution. It's not the highest resolution, but it supports HDR always on, gets nice and bright, and is definitely sharp enough for most uses.

There are relatively thin bezels all around the display, although the chin at the bottom is quite large for a 2020 device.

The rest of the design is modern but doesn't stand out as much aside from the big old round camera on the back. There's a fingerprint reader to the side, which is fast and responsive, and there's a headphone jack at the bottom that's easy to see. There is a hole punch cutout in the top left of the display.

Nokia 8v 5g uw rating 7

nokia 8 v 5g uw review 1

The phone comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, plus 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It's powerful enough for most tasks, and while it's not quite as nimble as an 8-series processor, the vast majority of users won't notice a difference.

The power is supplied by a 4,500 mAh battery, with which you can easily work for a whole day. Many people can work for two days. The phone comes with Android 10 and gets Android 11. Unfortunately, updates beyond Android 11 are not displayed, which is a major disadvantage compared to the competition.

The overall software experience is pretty low-key, but the Verizon-ness undo this a bit. Immediately after setting up your phone, there will be four Verizon apps on the home screen that you need to deal with. You cannot delete them either. So the most you can do is do it in your app drawer.

The camera is a four lens camera and is great. There are four sensors on the back, including a 64-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The photos are vivid and bright, with lots of detail most of the time, especially in low light. I would have loved to see a telephoto lens instead of a macro sensor, and the macro sensor isn't great, but those are really the only complaints that need to be made about the camera.

The bad

I've really only focused on the good things about this phone so far, but there are some bad things too – and those bad things essentially mean that you should avoid the phone entirely.

Let's talk about 5G very quickly. There are two types to watch out for: Sub-6, which can travel long distances but doesn't necessarily get that fast, and mmWave, which is very fast but can't travel distances or penetrate obstacles. This phone supports both, especially on Verizon. But you really shouldn't care – Verizon's mmWave is pretty much irrelevant right now, and while you can get widespread Sub-6 connectivity, it's not that fast yet and won't change much in how you use a phone. In my area, Verizon's Sub-6 5G is available and relatively fast, but not much faster than a good LTE connection.

Then there's the price – and it's the real killer. At $ 700, the phone is a little tough to sell. Sure, there are good things and the camera is great, but you could buy a Google Pixel 4a 5G instead, which is significantly $ 200 less than this device and has better software support, a camera that is at least as good as no better , the same processor and more. MmWave isn't supported, but that shouldn't matter – and if you're really into mmWave, you can get the Verizon variant of the Pixel 4a 5G, which is $ 600. That's still $ 100 less than the Nokia 8 V UW.

Our opinion

The Nokia 8 V 5G UW is by no means a bad phone. It's relatively powerful, with a nice big screen, great camera, and pared-back software experience. But the price is just not right. Nokia and Verizon are charging a premium for 5G, and it's not worth it to venture into just yet.

The only way this phone makes sense is when (or more likely when) Verizon decides to give it a huge discount as part of the latest vacation or add-a-line promotion. It wouldn't be surprising if the Nokia 8 V UW was available for around $ 450 in a few months if added to a financing plan, and at that point it's dramatically more enticing.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. If you're looking to save some cash, you'll get a better experience with the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which costs $ 200 less for the unlocked model or $ 100 less for the Verizon mmWave model. However, buy the unlocked model – you won't have to worry about mmWave for a few more years and it will still work flawlessly with Verizon.

If you don't mind spending $ 700 and are simply looking for the best phone you can get, then go for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, which has a better processor, great camera, and price. Or you can get the new iPhone 12 Mini, which is more powerful than any Android phone currently on the market and comes in a nice pocket size.

How long it will take?

The Nokia 8 V 5G UW should be updated for two years, so only one major software update is guaranteed. It's also not waterproof, so do your best to keep it out of water.

Should you buy one?

No, you should look into that Galaxy S20 FE, Pixel 4a 5G, or iPhone 12 Mini instead.

Editor's recommendations




12 Nov
Blog

Amazon Fire TV Stick/Lite Review: Best Budget Streamers

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)

"Tiny, cheap, powerful: these sticks set new standards for budget streaming devices."

  • Affordable

  • Voice-based remote control

  • HDR and Dolby Atmos

  • Can be placed behind the TV

  • Quirky interface

  • Dolby Atmos support for apps inconsistent

For some people, nothing less than the best is enough. In the world of streaming devices, this means that an Apple TV 4K, a Roku Ultraor a Nvidia Shield TV. These set-top boxes cost between $ 100 and $ 200 and are equipped with the latest technology to help you get the most out of your 4K HDR television and home theater sound system.

But what if you're just looking for an affordable way to add streaming capabilities to your older TV, or what if you want a device for a second TV in your home?

Does this drive to save some money mean foregoing all of the cool features of the more expensive devices?

In the past, the answer was yes, but Amazon's $ 40 Fire TV Stick and $ 30 Fire TV Stick Lite redefined what we can expect from a budget streamer. Do they deliver the goods or should you look to more expensive equipment?

Here is our full report.

What's in the box?

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Your first reminder that the Fire TV Stick and Stick Lite are budget devices is the plain orange box they come in. It's thin and little more than a cover to protect the components inside. As such, it is one of the most sustainable packages in the streaming world – easily recyclable and with just a few small plastic sheets to dispose of.

The stick design makes a lot of sense. It's tiny, portable, and completely disappears behind your TV.

Inside you will find everything you need: the stick, a remote control, two AAA batteries (fortunately not shrunk), a MicroUSB cable for the power supply, a USB power supply unit and an HDMI extender dongle for televisions with cramped spaces HDMI connections.

design

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The stick design makes a lot of sense. It's tiny, portable, and completely disappears behind your TV.

For a completely wireless installation, you can try plugging the MicroUSB power cord into an available USB port on your TV. However, since Amazon includes a power adapter, I recommend using it. This way, you are guaranteed to get the best performance and faster start-up as it gets consistent performance.

Both the Fire TV Stick and Stick Lite come with Bluetooth remote controls. In this way, you can not only communicate with the sticks without line of sight, but also have advanced functions such as voice access to Alexa.

The remotes look similar, but there are a few differences. The Fire TV Stick comes with a standard voice remote that includes a power button to control the stick, as well as the TV and all other HDMI-connected devices, as well as volume buttons.

The Stick Lite remote control lacks these two functions, but it has a dedicated guide button. Pressing it will bring up the live TV guide – but only if you subscribe to a live TV streaming service like Sling TV or YouTube TV. Otherwise, it just takes you to the live screen, which you may or may not find particularly useful.

To install

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)Amazon Fire TV Stick Remote Control (above) and Fire TV Stick Lite Remote Control Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Setting up both sticks is very easy. Once you plug it in and plug it into your TV, the on-screen instructions guide you through pairing the remote, accessing your WiFi, and signing in to your Amazon account.

Yes, an Amazon account is required to use a Fire TV device. So, if you don't already have an account, you might want to set up an account on another device, such as a laptop, before beginning the setup process.

You can choose from a few recommended apps to install – these vary by region – but don't worry if your favorite apps aren't among them. These are simply the apps Amazon is promoting, not the full list of apps available. After the setup is complete, you can install additional apps.

The Fire TV Stick has one extra step that the Lite doesn't: it walks you through a quick process of identifying your TV and / or soundbar or A / V receiver so that the power buttons and the Volume buttons are working properly.

There is one aspect of setting up these devices that could be improved a lot. Now whenever you download and launch apps like Netflix that require you to sign in, you'll need to use the on-screen keyboard to browse and search your credentials. It's a tedious process that Apple and Roku have made a little more bearable thanks to the ability to use your smartphone as a text entry tool. Although Amazon has the Alexa app – the de facto way to interact with a Fire TV device from a phone – there is no way to use it for text entry.

interface

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Amazon's Fire TV interface, which is the same for all Fire TV devices, has a heavy focus on curating content for you to watch.

That curation feels more like a persistent advertisement for Amazon's Prime Video content, however. It's also very repetitive. The same movies, shows and functions are shown over and over again in each of the main categories: Home, Your Videos, Live, Movies, TV Shows and Apps.

In theory, the UI is supposed to show results from a variety of services, but I've only seen a bunch of Netflix suggestions and none from Disney +, despite being signed into both apps.

Unfortunately, the workarounds for this presentation are not very satisfactory. A search function is available, but difficult to reach and global: a search for "Formula 1" returns results from all available content sources as well as from apps. There's no way to filter these results, and you can't access a tab-specific search for movies or TV shows.

There are some major streaming services that cannot be added to the Fire TV.

If you want to jump straight into one of your installed apps, the Apps tab isn't intuitively the way to go. Instead, it requires a long press of the Home button, which reveals the four main shortcuts: Apps, Sleep, Mirroring, and Settings. Selecting apps will take you to the full list of installed apps.

Speaking of apps, there are some key streaming services that can't be added to the Fire TV – HBO Max and Peacock are the biggest omissions. There's a workaround: Virtually any Android TV app can be loaded onto these devices, but it's a multi-step process that is probably best left to those with real tech skills.

A highlight, especially for cable cutters, is the Live tab. If you subscribe to YouTube TV, Sling TV, Philo, or Hulu + Live TV, you can use the Live tab to get content recommendations from these services and see the available channels on the guide screen.

performance

The Fire TV Stick and Stick Lite are identical from a hardware point of view. So you should rightly expect a similar, if not identical, level of performance, but I haven't found it to be.

The normal Fire TV Stick is significantly faster. Not so much in terms of response time – each model responded very quickly to keystrokes – but how quickly each new screen is filled with content.

For example, if you switch from the home screen to the live screen and then back again, the Fire TV Stick quickly populates the new page with thumbnails. The Stick Lite is slower and often takes twice as long to complete the same task.

It's not a deal-breaker – we're only talking about a few seconds here or there – but if you're impatient, the regular Fire TV Stick is probably a better choice.

The only notable lag time was when I started a new stream. However, this has occurred with almost every streaming device I have used. This is mostly related to the streaming service and / or your internet connection, not the hardware.

The conversation with Alexa was quick on both sticks, and reaction times were usually one to two seconds.

Both come with 8 GB of onboard storage, which should be enough for a serious collection of installed apps. There is a catch, however: you only get access to just over 5GB of that storage.

My 20 apps installed have used half that amount, which suggests that as a power user, you may have some tough decisions to make.

Audio and video quality

The audio quality is very good on both devices that support the two main streaming audio formats: Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus. Dolby Atmos fans should be careful: Despite the fact that both Fire TV Sticks support Dolby Atmos over passthrough over HDMI, streaming app support for Atmos has been a hit and miss. It worked on both devices when Atmos titles were streamed on Amazon Prime Video (as expected), but Netflix only delivered Atmos to the Fire TV Stick and Disney + didn't deliver Atmos to both devices.

Possibly this problem is specific to my particular setup. I reached out to both Disney + and Amazon about this issue, but neither company was able to reproduce it.

Offering HDR without the higher price tag of a 4K device is a game changer.

For most people, the big advantage of these affordable streamers is that they can stream in HDR. In general, only streamers that support 4K resolution will offer HDR – this applies to both Apple TV and Roku devices.

As great as 4K is, HDR makes a much bigger difference in terms of perceived image quality because of its improved brightness, color, and contrast. Also, why would you want to stream 4K video with more bandwidth (potentially reaching your data cap faster) to take advantage of HDR?

The Fire TV Stick and Stick Lite are now the first streamers to bring you HDR without asking the higher price (and bandwidth) of a 4K device, and it's a game changer.

Granted, HDR10, HDR10 +, and HLG (the three HDR flavors these devices support) aren't quite as spectacular as Dolby Vision, but it's still a huge step up from what you'd get from devices in this price range a year ago could.

I tried HDR footage from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney + and it all looked great. David Attenborough's Netflix film A Life On Our Planet is rich in color and detail.

If you're a fan of Plex and want to use these sticks to stream HDR content from your Plex media server, keep in mind that Plex will transcode that resolution to 1080p to stay in sync with it when your HDR footage is in 4K is the video capabilities of the Fire TV Stick. However, if you do this it will remove the HDR metadata, leaving you with just the old SDR.

Casting and screen mirroring

Casting (using your smartphone, tablet, or PC to send streaming content to a streaming device) and screen mirroring (the ability to see everything on your smartphone's screen in real time on a TV) are handled by both the Fire TV Stick and the Fire TV Stick supports Stick Lite with restrictions.

The casting on the sticks is determined app by app. For example, Netflix allows you to broadcast to the Fire TV Stick but not the Fire TV Stick Lite. YouTube supports casting on both devices, but you need to install the YouTube app first. Disney + does not support broadcasting to any device other than Nvidia Shield TV or Shield TV Pro (2019).

Given that the sticks contain native apps for virtually all popular streaming services, this shouldn't be a deal breaker. However, if casting is really important to you, make sure your favorite service supports it on the Fire TV Stick / Lite.

Screen mirroring mode is available on both sticks, but only works with Android smartphones and tablets.

Finally, iPhone users who want to take advantage of this feature will need an AirPlay 2 compatible device such as select 4K Roku players, Apple TV, or several smart TV models from LG, Samsung and Sony.

Our opinion

Though the user interface is heavily geared towards Amazon's Prime Video service, the Fire TV Stick and Stick Lite are the only devices to offer voice-based remote control and 1080p / HDR support for just $ 30. If your budget is tight but you want great picture quality from your streaming video services, these Fire TV sticks are hard to beat.

Is there a better alternative?

No at these prices. The $ 30 Roku Express has a better interface and user experience, and supports more streaming services. However, it cannot perform HDR functions, has no voice-based remote control and cannot be tucked behind your TV.

To get significantly more than what the Fire TV Stick Lite does for $ 30, you'll need to spend $ 50 on a Roku Streaming Stick +, Google Chromecast with Google TV, or Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K.

How long will they last?

Amazon has updated its Fire TV devices very well over the years, and I don't expect this to change. That should keep these two Fire TV Sticks going for many years to come.

Should you buy it?

Yes. As long as you don't mind Amazon's tendency to use the Fire TV surface as a billboard for their own content and its (currently) lack of support for HBO Max and Peacock, these Amazon streaming devices will set a new benchmark for functionality in a sub – $ 50 device.

Editor's recommendations




12 Nov
Blog

Natra Intense Hydrating Gel Gloves Review

My experience:

I suffer from extremely dry skin on my hands, winter makes things worse. That's why I was so excited when I received this product. In all honesty, I've never been so excited to write about a product in 2020. When NatraCure gloves arrived, I asked my mom to test it and she loved it so much that I had to ask her to return them to me for review.

When I tested these gloves, I immediately fell in love. NatraCure Moisturizing Gloves moisturize and soften the underlying tissue to promote healing. This one-size-fits-most-glove design is suitable for both women and men. I got relief from dry, cracked skin on my hands and fingers that I had complained about for so long. You can use these gloves with your favorite lotion, hand cream, or skin moisturizer. Especially in winter, they keep your hands warm at night and at the same time provide the moisture your skin needs. I recommend using it after scrubbing for extra softness. These gloves are odorless and latex-free, which makes them ideal for sensitive skin.

The medicinal mineral oil ensures a deep supply of moisture to dry hands and cuticles. I like to wear them when I want to relax or watch Netflix at night. The gel lining feels so smooth and cool, but when warmed to the temperature of your hands it steadily releases essential oils that soak your skin with nourishing, therapeutic moisture. For me, this is a must have in your winter skin care routine.

It's like bringing spa into your home, just play your favorite song, light your favorite candle, put on those gloves and you are instantly in relaxed mode. NatraCure Intense Hydrating Gel Gloves soothe and soften not only dry, rough hands, but also the cuticles. When the inner gel liner comes in contact with your skin, it warms to body temperature and releases seven soothing essential oils as well as shea butter. For me, every time I say this, experience calls out to me luxury. The moisturizing effects of jojoba oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil taken together are incredible.

I just put them on and sleep, in the morning my hands are so softer and smoother. I will definitely order more :]

characteristics

Cosmetic ingredients embedded in the garment.

Moisturizes the skin and makes it feel softer and more comfortable.

Can be worn day and night

Softens hard, dry, rough hands, fingers and cuticles. Use after washing your hands.

Locks in moisture with non-breathable gel lining that puts your hands in nourishing goodness.

For small to medium-sized female and male hands. Should be snug for better skin contact.

HOW TO USE: Wear at least 2-3 times a week. Use daily for better results. Lavender scent.

Main Ingredients: Olive oil, avocado oil, aloe vera.

12 Nov
Blog

Sony Xperia 5 II Review: A Compact Flagship Phone for 2020

Sony Xperia 5 II review shutter

"The Sony Xperia 5 II is just the right size and specification, but the best of features are yet to be exploited and some frustrating omissions make it difficult to recommend."

  • Compact, lightweight design

  • Nice OLED screen

  • Powerful processor

  • Long battery life

  • No wireless charging

  • No. 5G in the US

  • Camera quirks are frustrating

The Sony Xperia 5 II is the compact flagship smartphone that many yearn for. However, to get the most out of this desirable combination of high quality and small packages, you have to work hard and pay a significant price. I've been living with the phone for a few weeks now and it really is.

design

Shiny, glassy and slippery like a well-oiled fish. This is the best way to describe the Xperia 5 II outside of its modest dimensions and light weight. Because of the 8mm thickness and the larger, not wider shape that the 21: 9 aspect ratio screen allows, it's really compact. It weighs only 163 grams and thanks to its slim design, people with small hands can reach the other side of the screen with their thumbs. It slips easily into pockets and pouches, and unfortunately almost any surface it touches.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Xperia 5 II is made of glass with an aluminum frame and glides around with its own mind on anything that is not a perfectly flat surface. For this reason, you also need to hold on because the body does not offer much support. This brings me to the one thing I really don't like about the phone's design – a mass of buttons on the right side.

From top to bottom there's a small volume rocker, then the on / off switch with a built-in fingerprint sensor, then a Google Assistant button and finally a physical camera shutter button. Pick up the Xperia 5 II and it is almost certain that you will press a button. Usually it is the useless Google Assistant that cannot be remapped or simply disabled. A frustrating design decision that gets worse when I don't have the option to use the feature or not.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, but located a little too centrally on the side in my opinion, and I like the physical camera trigger that is placed on the bottom of the frame so as not to intrude. Finding a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top of the frame is great, despite the phone's slimness. I like the pull-out SIM card tray that doesn't require a SIM removal tool, but it doesn't compromise the phone's IP68 waterproof rating.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Sony Xperia 5 II is easy to use, compact enough for everyone, made of high quality materials and is almost the perfect size for a smartphone. You just have to deal with all of the smoothness.

screen

The 21: 9 aspect ratio is great for watching super widescreen movies and contributes to the phone's small size. While there are 21: 9 movies, the reality is that they're a little rarer than 16: 9 videos. This means you are still watching the most with black bars on either side, although there are plenty of games that take advantage of the super widescreen view, including Minecraft, Asphalt 9, and Fortnite.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However, this is the specification we want for 2020. The OLED screen offers a resolution of 2520 x 1080, a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 10-bit HDR support. It's not the 4K monster adapted for the Xperia 1 II, but under normal circumstances you won't really notice the lower number of pixels. Plus, it has the same creator mode and image enhancement technology as the more expensive phone. I like the look of it and I doubt many would wish they could get the Xperia 1 II instead.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The display is very nice. Dreamy indeed. Carfection's Audi e-Tron Sportback review is sharp and colorful, while Mnet's live version of WJSN Chocomes Hmph! pops off the screen with its electrified, ultra-vibrant colors. Music videos are great on the Xperia 5 II because of its stereo speakers that have loads of volume and a sweet, controlled sound. Sony's dynamic vibration feature adds vibration that matches what is displayed on the screen. It works well because you can adjust the intensity. Keep it low and it's a pleasing added effect.

And if you use the phone vertically, as you do most of the time, that extra screen real estate gives you more content in feeds and messaging apps without scrolling.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

No, the Xperia 5 II doesn't quite match the Xperia 1 II in terms of sheer, astounding visual appeal of a mobile device, but it's arguably all that anyone needs.

camera

There are three 12-megapixel cameras on the back of the Xperia 5 II: a f / 1.7 standard camera, a f / 2.4 telephoto camera, and a f / 2.2 ultrawide camera. Sony worked with Zeiss Optics on the lenses. Features include optical and electronic image stabilization, HDR, 4K video recording, eye tracking, 3x optical zoom and dual-pixel autofocus. It's almost the same setup as the back of the Xperia 1 II, but with a few changes.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Because it's so similar to the Xperia 1 II, it has the same problems. The photos it takes are often beautiful, with excellent balance and dynamics, but it finds it difficult to focus up close and the results can be inconsistent. There is no night mode for super bright night pictures, so pictures in low light are not as noticeable as some other phones, but there is a lot of realism and detail. The 8-megapixel selfie camera washes out skin tone to death in the default settings. So it is advisable to turn off any enhancements before starting there.

Overall, I edit my pictures a lot. It uses the Google Photos editing suite to make them look just right. It's worth it because the Sony camera captures a lot of delicious detail. I didn't get a chance to play with the Xperia 5 II's eye tracking feature due to the lack of living things (thank you 2020) but I've used it in the past and was very impressed. Proper focus of the eye is critical to accurately capturing portraits. Only a few other telephones have this feature.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Sony sells the Xperia cameras because of their Photo Pro and Cinema Pro apps, which have been tweaked by Sony's experienced camera and cinema teams and are essentially pimped-up manual modes. If you regularly use manual mode for your smartphone's camera, you will appreciate the depth and versatility of each one, and be able to use it to create stunning stills and videos. However, if you've never touched manual mode and are unfamiliar with the principles of shutter speed, white balance, ISO, and manual focus, the learning curve is very steep.

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  • 1.
    The Cinema Pro app from Sony
  • 2.
    Sony's Photo Pro app

It sounds like I'm on the Xperia 5 II's camera, but I'm not really. It's just frustrating. Some wonderfully atmospheric photos with beautiful colors can be taken. I like the combination of ultrawide and telephoto, and the physical camera shutter is a great tactile, ergonomic addition. But it's inconsistent, sometimes outperformed by other cameras on phones that cost less, and places too much emphasis on features beyond many potential owners.

The Sony camera of the Xperia 5 II and Xperia 1 II has everything you need to take wonderful photos. Unlike the Pixel 5 or iPhone 12 Pro, however, this doesn't just happen by pressing the shutter button. If this sounds like something you like and you want to learn more about the mechanics of photography, you will appreciate the Sony phone more.

Software and performance

No performance issues were found when using the Xperia 5 II as a daily phone. It's as fast as you'd expect from a phone with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Asphalt 9 Legends plays great and also makes use of the screen with an aspect ratio of 21: 9. The lightness of the phone makes it great for long games and movie sessions.

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Sony's user interface with Android 10 is unobtrusive and the software is fast and reliable. Various non-Sony apps are preinstalled, including LinkedIn, which annoy you with annoying notifications and make manual uninstallation difficult. The large screen takes a bit of getting used to once you've viewed a screen with a wider aspect ratio. Icons can appear tightly grouped, and scrolling apps like Twitter and Instagram feel limited at first, but the ergonomic benefits that the shape brings will soon be felt.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I experienced some problems with the WiFi range and cellular connection. The Xperia 5 II dropped its signal more often than other phones I tested, and it lacks the Wi-Fi range of other models, including the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12 Pro. Calls are good, but it's easy to cover the microphone on the bottom of the phone with your finger, and the front camera retains the faded look that can be seen in their selfies on video calls.

The phone supports 5G in the UK but not in the US. While 5G isn't a reason to buy a phone right now, it does matter later and should be considered when purchasing an expensive device. It is also unfortunate that the phone still has Android 10 instead of Android 11 and there is also no confirmed date for the software update.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The 4,000 mAh battery has proven to be very powerful and easily lasts me a full day, with average screen time per day being between two and four hours. The battery performance of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE that I had used before was very similar. Long days ended up about 30%. Without video calls, the battery should last two days without any problems.

Unfortunately, there is no wireless charging, and while it supports fast wired charging at 21 watts, you get an 18 W charger in the box. If you already have the higher powered charger, it will be reduced to 50% in 30 minutes. If not, allow at least 45 minutes. However, I like the adaptive charge mode that manages overnight charge cycles to help extend battery life.

Price and availability

The The Sony Xperia 5 II can be pre-ordered in the US. before a December 3 release for $ 949 (it's already discounted to $ 900). It is available now in the UK for £ 799.

Our opinion

If you like Sony's 21: 9 aspect ratio and design, and really should, the Xperia 5 II is the model to buy compared to the Xperia 1 II. It does almost everything for $ 250 less. The screen, battery life, build, and compact size are impressive, although you will have to put some effort into making the most of the camera's talents.

I like the quirky Xperia 5 II, but realize that there are better purchases for the same price or less. It's definitely part of an extinct breed: a really high quality flagship compact phone.

Are there any better alternatives?

Yes. At $ 949, the Xperia 5 II has a lot of competition despite its high specification. The $ 900 OnePlus 8 Pro is our pick of Android alternatives because of the great software and screen, while the $ 1,000 iPhone 12 Pro is a great alternative and has great software, camera, and design. The Galaxy S20 Plus is now available for roughly the same price. If you're happy with the plastic back, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is great value for money at $ 699.

All of these phones are bigger than the Xperia 5 II, however. If you're looking for a brilliant point-and-shoot camera in a compact smartphone, the $ 699 Google Pixel 5 is our pick.

How long it will take?

The technology ensures that the Xperia 5 II has at least a two-year contract or financing plan on before it can possibly feel old. The lack of 5G can lead you to update around this time anyway. The phone is made of glass, but has an IP68 rating and should therefore prove to be relatively durable in a housing.

Sony has been frustratingly dull about its Android software update schedule. It told Digital Trends that it committed to providing regular and timely updates when we asked about Android 11 on the Xperia 1 II, but without providing any specific dates. It's similarly unclear for the Xperia 5 II. Then expect an update, but just be patient.

Should you buy it?

No, there are better phones with a generally accessible camera for the same price. And the lack of 5G in the US hurts its longevity. However, in the UK this is a better option due to the slightly better price and 5G support.

Editor's recommendations




11 Nov
Blog

Godfall Review: Repetitive Gameplay Hurts Next-Gen Spectacle

Godfall

Godfall Review: Repetitive Gameplay Harms Next Generation Spectacle

"Godfall's dazzling graphics and promising combat are held back by repeated crawling in the dungeon."

  • Impactful struggle

  • Useful skills and upgrades

  • Impressive graphics

  • Sparse dungeon creeps

  • Repeated missions

  • Flat booty

  • Limited world design

If there's one thing Godfall gets right, it's a spectacle. The PlayStation 5 launch title is filled with the kind of visual dazzling you'd expect from a next-gen game. There are a number of hyper-focused graphics options that are designed to push the new hardware to its limits.

The early buzz around new consoles usually focuses on performance, putting games like Godfall in the spotlight on day one when they might otherwise go completely under the radar. Return to every console launch, and it's easy to find a long-forgotten title for launch day that maximized performance but otherwise didn't leave a lasting impression.

Godfall takes advantage of the next-generation leap in power with its dazzling graphics, but relocates its promising combat system into a repetitive loot game where rewards rarely feel rewarding.

Less Fate 2, more Diablo

When Godfall was first announced, comparisons with Destiny 2 were immediately drawn. Part of this was due to the game's marketing spurt that branded the game as the first “looter slasher” and focused on flashy armor that didn't look out of place in Bungie's space epic.

Perhaps the most surprising discovery about Godfall is that it is not a live service game at all. Instead, it's more like a dungeon crawler like Diablo. Most of the game is spent on missions from the game's small hub. Players knock down masses of enemies, collect new loot and discover resources hidden around the world.

Godfall

It's a repetitive flush experience that prompts players to complete a limited number of tasks (most of which involve hacking enemies) while circling the same areas over and over. For example, players often have to survive a wave of enemies for 60 seconds or kill 16 enemies slowly emerging from statues. Big boss fights remove the boredom, but they are only unlocked by earning seals that you get as you progress through more missions like this one.

Like any dungeon crawler, loot is the real catch. Missions are full of rewards, from weapons to equipment, each with their own perks. The constant flow of goodies makes it so that players can quickly start customizing a build. However, after a few missions, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of treasure I collected. Even saving resources felt like a monotonous time commitment.

It's a repetitive flush experience that prompts players to complete a limited number of tasks while drawing circles around the same areas over and over.

Exciting loot is only half the battle for a game like this. There is constant in-game power accumulation, but few compelling reasons to demonstrate it outside of some high-level post-game activity. Godfall has a lot to play with, but not a lot to play with.

Great battles

The weak gameplay loop is a shame because the combat has real potential. As with many modern action games, the battle revolves around light and heavy attacks. The main difference is that players use oversized weapons like hammers and spears. Every weapon has real weight, so every hit feels slower and more powerful than a normal sword swing. The downside is that players need to think more strategically about each hit, as too much engagement can lead to disaster. Every push of a button is important, which is rare in a hack-and-slash game.

There is also a heavy defensive component with a shield that plays an important role in combat. This can be used to block attacks, fend off enemies, or perform ranged attacks. Like primary weapons, the tool feels devastating and adds a real sense of power to combat. Throwing the piece of metal like Captain America's shield, knocking an enemy off their feet and opening it up for a brutal takedown is very satisfying.

Every push of a button is important, which is rare in a hack-and-slash game.

This strong foundation will evolve as the game progresses thanks to a number of upgrade systems. There is a skill tree that adds more combinations and colors to the experience and equipment upgrades that give certain perks. In addition, the game offers 12 unlockable “Valorplates”, which are various sets of armor that the players can equip. Each has their own special perk, like shock damage or poison, which offers countless ways to create character builds.

Godfall

Everything is successful up to a point. I found myself using almost every single tool in combat, spending a lot of time enchanting equipment, and changing my valorplate at every opportunity. But I still loaded on missions that felt indistinguishable from each other and mowed down the same types of enemies ad nauseum. I was all dressed and had nothing to do.

All strategies and nuances go out the window as the enemies get more numerous and the bosses' health bars get bigger. It is becoming increasingly tempting to just equip a faster weapon class and light spam attacks to take advantage of it. The weighty battle could probably be a thrill in a focused, set-piece action game on a large budget, but it's a disproportionate for a humble dungeon crawler based on loops.

Hide them

The game's design decisions seem to take a back seat to technical skills. It's a visual spectacle that feels like the video game at a Great Gatsby party. Valorplates are intricately detailed, particles fly in all directions and golden light shines on every surface to bring the wow factor home.

Godfall

It's instantly impressive, even when it's on a flat plain. As someone who is not that easily impressed by the visual flair, I was still amazed by the tiny details like gentle motion blur, as if I were a seasoned tech geek.

That surface sheen never really goes away, but the excitement is short-lived due to the game's lackluster world design. Godfall mainly offers three cards, each with its own elemental flavor. Despite thematic differences and motifs, the areas are structurally so similar that they rarely feel like radically different environments. That doesn't negate the impressive eye candy, but it does limit its tricks at times.

The underlying design decisions undermine the spectacle and bring the game of next-gen Cloud 9 to a standstill.

Console launch games will always be in a tough spot because, at least on a technical level, they are the most heavily studied games of a generation. Godfall is doing everything in his power to cause a stir, but it's a short-term fix. The underlying design decisions undermine the spectacle and bring the game of next-gen Cloud 9 to a standstill. Once the color fades, players are left with a surprisingly easy looter that doesn't feel much more complex than Minecraft Dungeons.

Our opinion

Godfall holds great promise with its stunning graphics and combat, but those high points are lost in a sparse dungeon crawler that briefly sells its strengths. It's very different from what Destiny 2 clone fans expected, but this live-service style may better suit its dedication to grinding loot.

Is there a better alternative?

Warframe is more effective than "Scavenger Slasher" and Destiny 2 offers the same next-generation grind with greater rewards.

How long it will take?

The main campaign lasts up to 8-10 hours, but dedicated gamers can spend more time hunting for rewards and completing a small handful of post-game activities.

Should you buy it?

No. There are plenty of better next-gen games out there right now, even if you're just looking for a multiplayer game to try out on launch.

Editor's recommendations




09 Nov
Blog

Acer Swift 5 2020 Review: Tiger Lake Comes Into Its Own

Acer Swift 5 in late 2020

Acer Swift 5 Intel EVO Thin & Light Laptop

"The Swift 5 is light and fast, making it a comfortable 14-inch workhorse to take with you."

  • A performance that fulfills Tiger Lake's promise

  • Very thin and light

  • Solid build quality

  • Good keyboard and touchpad

  • Below average battery life

  • A bit expensive

I haven't evaluated many Intel Tiger Lake systems, but I've seen enough to know that there are kinks that need fixing. So far, there hasn't been a Tiger Lake laptop (officially reviewed or just benchmarked) that performed as I expected. Now Acer has released its latest Swift 5 based on the Tiger Lake platform – this isn't the only update to this premium microlight – and there is one more example that needs to be evaluated.

Acer sent me a well-configured machine with an 11th generation quad-core Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16 GB of RAM, a 1 TB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD) and a Full HD 14 Inch IPS display. This Swift 5 configuration costs $ 1,300 on Amazon and includes some features that stand out from the crowd of premium laptops. My biggest question, however, is: has a Tiger Lake laptop finally got the performance of the chipset?

performance

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 ventMark Coppock / Digital Trends

Don't waste time answering this question: so far, the Acer Swift 5 is the fastest Tiger Lake system I have personally reviewed or rated, and in Digital Trends' experience, it only gets (hardly) from the Tiger Lake reference machine surpassed that Intel sent us to see (which uses the faster Core i7-1185G7).

Geekbench 5 tells part of the story. The Swift 5 achieved 1,580 points in the single-core test and 5,836 points in the multi-core test. The higher-clocked reference laptop scored 1,563 and 5,995 points, which means the Swift 5 could more than keep up. Compared to the Asus ZenBook Flip S, which managed 1535 and 4913, the Swift 5 was significantly faster in the multi-core test. In some contexts, consider that the Microsoft Surface Book 3 13 with a 10th generation Core i7-1065G7 only scored 1,316 and 4,825 points.

However, in our more realistic tests, the Swift 5 performed well. First off, in our handbrake test, which encodes a 420MB video as H.265, the Swift 5 took a little over three minutes to complete. The Intel reference machine was only 17 seconds faster. The Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA with the Core i7-1165G7 lasted four minutes in normal mode and 27 seconds longer than the Swift 5 in performance mode. The ZenBook Flip S also lasted almost exactly four minutes. The Microsoft Surface Book 3 13 also took four minutes, which shows that Tiger Lake is not yet consistently impressive in the performance department.

Next, I tested the Swift 5 in Cinebench 20. He scored 2,091 in multi-core and 542 in single-core mode. The ZenBook 14 was slower in both normal (1,746 and 497) and performance modes (1,766 and 498), and the ZenBook Flip S fell behind at 1,264 and 482, respectively. The Surface Book 3 13 managed 1433 and 429, which means that only one of these other Tiger Lake laptops was slightly faster than the Ivy Lake Surface Book 3, the Swift 5 was a lot faster. Then consider that the Intel reference laptop scored 2092 and 570 in Cinebench 20, which means the Swift 5 managed to stay close to the higher-clocked Tiger Lake machine again.

It's also educational to compare the Swift 5 to AMD Ryzen 4000 laptops. In Handbrake, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 with the Ryzen 7 4800U finished the test in about two minutes, a full minute faster than the Swift 5. The Cinebench scores were 3,255 and 482, much faster in multi-core mode than in the Swift 5 managed to improve it in single core mode. While Tiger Lake has the potential to beat its 10th generation predecessors, it can't compete with AMD's latest Ryzen chips on many tasks.

However, there is one area where Tiger Lake competes well with AMD's chips – Adobe applications. I ran our Premiere Pro test encoding a two minute 4K video on the Swift 5 and it took 11 minutes and 52 seconds. That's not fast compared to Intel's 45-watt parts, which can get the job done in under three minutes in some cases, but it's a lot faster than the Ryzen 7 CPU in the IdeaPad Slim 7, which is more than one Hour needed. The Intel Tiger Lake reference system lasted 11 minutes and 13 seconds, so the Swift 5 was competitive again. If you're an Adobe user, don't assume that an AMD system will better meet your performance needs.

If you're expecting enhanced gaming from the Swift 5 thanks to Tiger Lake and Intel's Iris Xe graphics, you're in luck. You get better performance than Intel's previous Iris Plus graphics and almost as fast performance as a discrete GPU like the Nvidia GeForce MX350. I saw 53 frames per second in Civilization VI at 1080p and medium graphics and 27 fps on ultra graphics. This exceeds the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 (Intel version) with the MX350 with medium graphics by 2 fps. In Fortnite, the only other game I tested, the Swift 5 managed 31 fps at 1080p and high graphics that dropped to 22 fps for epic graphics. The IdeaPad Slim 7 achieved 37 fps with high graphics and 24 fps with epic graphics. The bottom line is that you can play some modern titles at 1080p if you keep the graphical details in check – a serious improvement over the previous generation from Intel.

In short, the Swift 5 shows what Tiger Lake can do, at least when compared to the previous version of Intel CPUs. It's very quick in practice and I certainly didn't notice any slowdowns no matter what I threw at it during my review. As more Tiger Lake systems continue to be released and the inevitable initial issues with the chipset are fixed, this will be a significant upgrade for Intel users. And the Swift 5 will be hunting right there.

design

Acer Swift 5 in late 2020Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Swift 5 was updated with 10th generation CPUs in early 2020, but was otherwise identical to the 2019 version. The latest model of the Swift 5 brings more changes than just an update for Tiger Lake.

First, it's a little heavier at 2.31 pounds compared to last time versus 2.18 pounds. That said, it's still a remarkably light 14-inch laptop, just not quite as much as the last version. However, it's still 0.59 inches thick, which makes it a very thin laptop too. That's comparable to the ZenBook 14 at 2.58 pounds and 0.54 inches. In the thin-and-light category, 14-inch laptops have clearly proven their worth. The latest Swift 5 also benefits from smaller bezels all around (the chin is only slightly larger than some laptops with tiny bezels, but not by much), resulting in a 90% screen-to-body ratio. This is competitive with the latest Dell XPS 13, which weighs 2.65 pounds and is 0.58 inches thick, and is better than the 84.5% of the previous Swift 5.

The low weight of the Swift 5 is due to its construction from magnesium-lithium and magnesium-aluminum alloys. According to Acer, these materials are two to four times stronger than aluminum, but weigh 20-35% less. Certainly the Swift 5 feels sturdy, with a lid that won't bend if you don't apply too much pressure, a keyboard deck that is as stiff as any other, and a lower case that is just as stiff as any Has compliance. So the Swift 5 feels light, but it doesn't feel cheap. This is what you get when you use plastic to cut the pounds. I would love to see the hinge redesigned so that it can be opened with one hand, but it stays nicely in place.

The laptop's durability extends to the case surface, where Acer used a micro-arc oxidation process to create a finish that is hard as ceramic and resists scratching and corrosion. That's a good thing, because my test device has the optional mist green color (gold is the other option), which is quite subtle and elegant and deserves protection. The case itself is relatively simple in the gem-cut design compared to extremes like HP's Specter x360 line, but the color – including the yellow accents and keyboard lettering – and angles make the laptop look good overall.

The surface of the housing is not only more durable, but also more resistant to microbes. Acer created the first complete antimicrobial laptop solution that includes two main features that I have never seen on any other computer. First, there is a silver ion antimicrobial agent in a coating on the surface of the case, keyboard, hinge, fingerprint reader, and even the labels attached to the laptop. Even the rubber feet are made from an antimicrobial silver ion material. Second, the screen uses Corning's Gorilla Antimicrobial Glass, the world's first to bake silver ions for antimicrobial properties.

I won't go into all the details here – you can visit this page to learn more – but the overall solution promises a reduction rate of greater than 99.9% that involves a "broad spectrum of bacteria". Note that this does not say anything about viruses, so to my knowledge the solution does not protect against the coronavirus that is causing COVID-19. Even so, Acer is the first to take you seriously if you want your laptop to be bacteria-free.

Note that the Swift 5 is Intel Evo certified. That promises a few things, including an 11th generation CPU (Natch), Thunderbolt 4 support, constant battery responsiveness, waking up from hibernation in less than a second, nine or more hours of battery life, and four hours with just 30 Minutes charging time. As we'll see later, I'm not sure if the laptop lives up to the promise of actual battery life, but it does seem to meet the rest of the Evo certification requirements.

Finally, connectivity with the thin and light Swift 5 is a strong point. On the left is a proprietary power port (but the laptop charges via USB-C), a full-size HDMI 2.0 port with HDCP support, a USB-A 3.2 port, and a USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4 -Support. On the right side there is a Kensington lock port, a USB-A 3.2 port and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Unfortunately, there is no SD card reader, which is disappointing.

display

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 adMark Coppock / Digital Trends

We have reached a point where most premium laptops (and many budget computers) have very good displays that fall within a relatively narrow range on most objective criteria. According to my colorimeter, this is almost exactly where the Swift 5 is rated – it's "average," but today's average makes a nice display for everyone but creatives who need the widest, most accurate colors.

First, the Swift 5's 14-inch touch-enabled display exceeded our preferred brightness threshold of 300 nits at 327 nits, and its contrast ratio barely missed our preferred 1000: 1 brightness at 950: 1. This is a great indicator for productivity work unless you are working outdoors in direct sunlight. An example of a similar laptop with a slightly better display in these metrics is the Asus ZenBook 14 UX425 with its 352 nits and a contrast ratio of 1060: 1. The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga is an example of that with just 274 nits and 720: 1 Opposite.

Next, the Swift 5's colors are good, but not great, just like most premium laptops. The coverage of the sRGB color gamut is 96% and 73% of the AdobeRGB color gamut. Most premium laptops are similar to the ZenBook 14 with 94% sRGB and 72% AdobeRGB. You have to jump to something like the Dell XPS 15's 4K display, with 100% coverage of both color gamuts, to get a display that creatives crave. The Swift 5 achieved a spot color accuracy of DeltaE of 1.27, with anything below 1.0 indistinguishable to the human eye and considered excellent. Note that the Dell XPS display had a DeltaE of just 0.73%, while the ZenBook 14 was slightly higher than the Swift 5 at 1.42%.

In real use, the Swift 5's display was a pleasure, with lots of brightness for my needs and black text that jumped off the side thanks to the (almost) excellent contrast ratio. Binging Netflix was pleasant enough thanks to a perfect gamma of 2.2 that nothing was too light or too dark. I have no complaints about the display.

The audio quality wasn't quite up to standard. First, the two speakers couldn't produce much volume even though they were 100% undistorted. The mids and highs were fine, but (as usual) the bass was missing. The audio system works well for occasional viewing of YouTube videos. However, if you want to watch TV shows, movies, or listen to music, consider using headphones or external speakers.

Keyboard and touchpad

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 keyboard and touchpadMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The standard island keyboard is well spaced and has keycaps that were a little too small for my taste. The mechanism had a nice click but was a little loose, so I didn't find it quite as precise as my favorite keyboards, HP's Specter keyboard and the Magic keyboard on Apple's latest MacBooks. As a writer, I'm particularly sensitive to this aspect of laptop design, and while I wasn't thrilled with the Swift 5, it will likely make most users happy.

I like the color scheme with pale yellow letters and backlighting (only on and off unfortunately) that works in both light and dark environments. This is an improvement over some keyboards, like that of the latest Dell XPS 13, which has a backlight that makes it almost impossible to read the letters when they are on and with ambient lighting.

The touchpad is medium in size and uses Microsoft's Precision touchpad drivers. As such, it was able to swipe and use Windows 10's multi-touch gestures – something that can be said about most touchpads lately. The touch display was accurate, responsive, and very welcome.

Windows 10 Hello support was provided by a fingerprint reader on the top right of the touchpad. It was quick and accurate during my tests.

Battery life

Acer Swift 5 late 2020 side viewMark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Swift 5 packs 56 watt hours of battery capacity into its thin frame, an average amount for a laptop with a 14-inch full HD display. We don't have that much experience with Tiger Lake efficiency so I wasn't sure what to expect.

We usually use the Basemark web benchmark to test a laptop's battery life when the CPU and GPU are under stress. So far, however, every Tiger Lake laptop I've tested, including the Swift 5, won't complete this review. So I can't tell how long the laptop will last if you work hard.

In our web benchmark, which runs through a number of complex websites and is the best indicator of battery life in our tests, the Swift 5 lasted just under eight hours. This is an average score topped by the Dell XPS 13 with its 10th Gen Core i7 that lasted over 11 hours and the Tiger Lake Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA that lasted almost 10 hours. It is debatable whether the Swift 5 meets the Evo requirement of nine hours of productivity life – that depends entirely on your workflow.

Finally, the Swift 5 lasted 11.5 hours in our video test grinding a Full HD Avengers trailer. The XPS 13 lasted 14.5 hours and the ZenBook 14 12.25 hours, which means the Swift 5 also fell behind in this test.

Ultimately, the battery life was a little disappointing, but not terrible. If you don't put that heavy load on the CPU and GPU, you might be able to do it for a full day. However, if your tasks are demanding, you need to keep your power adapter with you.

Our opinion

The Swift 5 is better than the previous generation in everything but weight and isn't exactly heavy. It makes extensive use of Intel's Tiger Lake platform and uses some innovative techniques to make the case surface more robust and resistant to microbes.

It's also a nice looking laptop and has some weaknesses. When it comes to 14-inch laptops, the Swift 5 is one of the best on the market today.

Are there alternatives?

The Asus ZenBook 14 UX425EA is an obvious competitor to the Swift 5. It's almost as fast if you hold it in Performance mode, but then the fans spin louder and more frequently than the Swift 5. It's just as well built and looks just as good and also offers excellent input options.

If you want the flexibility of a 2-in-1 device, the HP Specter x360 13 is a great alternative. It uses Intel's latest generation of chips, so it's not as fast, but it has a more eye-catching appearance, stunning OLED display, and the morphing nature of a 2-in-1 device.

Finally, you can consider the Dell XPS 13, one of the best laptops out there. It was recently updated to Tiger Lake and features one of the best laptop designs out there. It's a bit more expensive and has a slightly smaller screen, but those may be tradeoffs worth making.

How long it will take?

The Swift 5 is well built and robust, with modern components that will meet your productivity needs for years to come. The one-year warranty is disappointing on a premium laptop, but it is industry standard.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Swift 5 is thin, light and powerful. It is the first Tiger Lake notebook we tested that lives up to the chip's performance promise.

Editor's recommendations




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