09 Nov
Blog

OnePlus Nord 10 5G Review: Bringing 5G to the Masses

oneplus nord 10 5g rating 4

  • Solid display

  • Simple software

  • Good battery life

  • Headphone jack

  • 128 GB storage

  • Performance can feel sluggish

  • Camera is a weak point

  • Start on Android 10

OnePlus has long been the bastion of value for money in the Android world, but as the prices of its flagship phones rise, more room has been made for lower-cost devices that still have some great features. The original OnePlus Nord is an example of this, with a solid design and good battery life. OnePlus is now expanding the series – with the new OnePlus Nord N10 5G.

The new device is currently only available in Europe and the UK. However, OnePlus announces that it will soon be brought to North America along with the also new OnePlus Nord N100. At £ 329, it's still not a cheap phone, but it's definitely budget conscious. Should you buy it? We tested the OnePlus Nord N10 5G to find out.

Editor's note: Since the Nord N10 5G is first available in Europe, we have received a European model to test. When tested in the United States, the phone had technical limitations related to 5G bands and other network technologies. The North American model should not encounter any of these problems.

Design and display

Midrange phones have gotten a lot better, and many of the best midrange devices now feature a modern design with an edge-to-edge display. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G is no exception to this rule. The display has nicely rounded corners, there is a (relatively large) hole cutout on the top left of the display for the front-facing camera, etc. The only thing that breaks the illusion is a big chin at the bottom of the display, but it certainly isn't Deal breaker.

The back of the phone looks a lot like other modern OnePlus devices. At the top left of the back of the phone is a circular camera module that houses the quad lens camera. The only difference, at least in looks, is the back-mounted fingerprint sensor, which generally worked fine.

Of course, the look and feel are a little different. The back of the phone looks nice but is made of plastic and you can feel it. It's common on phones in this price range, but I would still love to see mid-range phones made from higher quality materials.

The phone looks great, but it looks and feels different – you know it's made of plastic.

You get all the usual features around the edges: a USB-C port, a volume rocker, and a power button. There's also a strange hole at the bottom. After reading the instructions, I discovered that it was a "headphone jack". Strange.

The Nord N10 5G offers a 6.49-inch display with a resolution of 1080p and looks great. No, it's not a high-end 1440p display, but at least it's a 90Hz, high refresh rate display. It gets bright enough to be used in direct sunlight, has relatively vivid colors, and is more than good enough for most.

Power and battery

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G offers a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 processor as well as 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. It's not a bad set of specs, and in fact, it's really nice that the base model has 128GB of storage. But there are other phones that feel faster in the price range. A perfect example of this is the Google Pixel 4a, which is roughly the same price and has a Snapdragon 730G – and the high-end Pixel 4a 5G, which is admittedly a bit more expensive, has a Snapdragon 765G. While the standard Pixel 4a does not outperform the OnePlus Nord 10 5G in benchmarks, Google's phones react very quickly in real use and are more up-to-date with the software.

The phone performance limitations are sometimes felt. Sometimes the keyboard takes a second or two to load, and sometimes it can skip a beat while typing to actually show the character on the display. Basic operations are relatively smooth most of the time, but there are times when you are not reminded that you have a budget device.

Benchmark results confirm this. The Nord N10 got 5G 281,214 in AnTuTu and 606 single-core, 1,804 multi-core in GeekBench 5. Playing on the phone is a decent experience. Games take a while to load, but the actual gameplay worked well in our testing with games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9.

The phone's battery has a capacity of 4,300 mAh and could easily be used for a full day. Even so, I recommend turning off the phone's constantly on display. The OnePlus Nord 10 5G has an LCD panel. When the display function is activated, the backlight remains on even if the display is switched off. This can take some serious drain on the battery, and with the feature turned on, I found that the battery was so degraded that I had to charge the phone before the end of a day of moderate use.

All-day battery pack isn't an issue, and Warp Charge 30T fast charging is a differentiator at this price point.

Fortunately, the phone supports OnePlus' Warp Charge 30T and comes with a charger. Since the European model of the device was shipped to me, I have not tested the charger here in the US. However, having tested OnePlus' fast charging in the past, chances are the phone can get a majority of its charge back in around 30 minutes. That is a differentiator at this price point.

The Nord 10 5G, as the name suggests, also supports 5G thanks to the new Snapdragon 690 chipset and the Snapdragon X51 modem from Qualcomm. The result is you get Sub-6 5G connectivity, but not the super-fast mmWave that carriers like Verizon have touted. For most, however, this shouldn't be a big deal – mmWave is barely available, and you really shouldn't buy or avoid a phone that relies on mmWave support.

camera

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G offers a four-lens camera system, but it's not necessarily as versatile as you might think. While you might think that there is a telephoto lens among these four lenses, sadly there isn't. Instead, you get a 64-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 5-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. I really wish OnePlus would get rid of the macro lens – it's useless.

The cameras are fine, but not groundbreaking. This is where the Pixel 4a stands out.

Photos are fine, but not groundbreaking. If you want the best photos on a phone in this price range, you'd better go for the Pixel 4a, which has flagship-level image processing.

In general, the phone didn't provide as much detail as I would have liked to see. The colors were also a bit muted and not as vivid as I would normally expect from a 2020 phone. This is especially true for trick shooting situations, for example with a light background and darker foreground. Making sure HDR is enabled will help in these situations, but it won't completely solve the problem.

software

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G comes with the OnePlus OxygenOS 10.5, and it's a little frustrating to see that it doesn't come with the latest OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11. This newer software is already widespread and only frustrates the Nord N10 5G when it comes to longer-term software support. That said, the overall experience with any modern OnePlus phone is still good, and customizing OxygenOS Android is still simple and easy to navigate.

You also get some additional features. For example, the phone has OnePlus Zen mode which allows you to restrict your own access to your phone for a limited time. Other functions are the App Locker, with which you can hide apps behind the fingerprint sensor or a PIN code. Basic theme options make it easy to customize the look of the phone, and OnePlus is especially good at keeping duplicate apps and bloat to a minimum.

Price, guarantee and availability

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G is available in Europe and the UK for 329 pounds sterling, which equates to about $ 430 right away – although I would assume the US price will be under $ 400. At some point the device will be released in the USA, but we don't have a date for it yet.

The device comes with the 12-month standard warranty from OnePlus, which practically only covers manufacturer defects.

Our opinion

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G is a nice phone. It looks and works fine despite the plastic construction, except for a few cases where performance is a little poor. However, the main selling point for the Nord 10 5G compared to the competition seems to be its 5G support. And if you've read anything we've written over the past few years, you know you shouldn't buy a phone as it supports 5G.

If you are a OnePlus fan who wants a phone in this lower price range, this is a great option as it is the same value for money, solid display, simple software, and good battery life.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're ready to ditch 5G support (and that's really not a huge loss), it's worth getting the Google Pixel 4a instead of the OnePlus Nord 10 5G. The Pixel 4a offers a better camera and an even simpler software experience, even though it's at a slightly higher £ 350.

If you really want 5G support and can afford to spend a little more, the Pixel 4a 5G is the way to go, though it may be a full price range higher at £ 499. If you're feeling really adventurous, consider the iPhone SE, which offers better performance than any phone we've mentioned and a solid camera, although the design is a little dated.

If you live in the UK or the OnePlus Nord is available elsewhere, this should be considered before the N10. It's £ 379 in the UK, and it's a much more tech-savvy phone for just a little more.

How long it will take?

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G should last a solid two years, but should really slow down at this point. However, the phone does not have an official water resistance rating. To bring it to two years you have to be careful with it.

Should you buy one?

No. You should spend a little more money on the Google Pixel 4a instead.

Editor's recommendations




09 Nov
Blog

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Review: One of the Good Ones

Assassins Creed Valhalla Review Assassin s

Assassin's Creed Valhalla

"Valhalla combines the best fight on the show with a more organic world."

  • Breathtaking fight

  • Refined metasystems

  • A more thoughtful open world

  • Raiding never gets old

  • The expansion of your settlement is convincing

  • Familiar story

  • Buggy, especially on the PC

  • Stealth and modern content are missing

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is my personal favorite in this new, remastered trilogy of games in the franchise, but the reasons I enjoy it might be shutdowns for others. Improved combat and one-train raid is at the heart of the game, and while it's well executed, it ultimately throws aside the franchise's stealth roots.

This is a step the series needs to take. to break away from what defined these games nearly a decade ago to become the standard bearer for action RPG.

I want to get this out of the way too: if you were going to record this game on PC at startup, don't. Not to say that the console version can't be buggy at times, but the PC version was almost unplayable for me (a problem I also had with Watch Dogs: Legion) and I gave up trying to get it Constantly crashing after an hour Another writer on our team had a problem with a deceased NPC and to progress they had to speak to that NPC. You are now gently prevented from continuing in the game and that is with the patch from day one.

First known, the story goes to some interesting places

Many Assassin's Creed games are campaigned around family, betrayal, and political clash, and Valhalla is no different. Eivor is set in the 9th century and can be avenged at different points in history as a man or woman or as a gender at different points in history. He takes revenge for the death of his parents at the hands of a rival clan leader. In order to get what they want, they make certain decisions that ultimately lead them out of Norway with their brother Sigurd in order to found a new home in Anglo-Saxon England.

From there, the main focus of the game is for this small group of Danes to expand their reach through devastating raids or diplomatic alliances, expanding their Ravensthorpe base camp from a dilapidated village to a thriving community.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is my personal favorite in this new remastered trilogy of games in the franchise.

The family core of the game, Eivor and her brother Sigurd, is at times strikingly similar to the dynamic of Kassandra and Alexios in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Over time, and as the history of the Raven clan grows across England, Valhalla makes some interesting deviations that set it apart from the newer entries in the series, but I really hope the next game in the franchise breaks off this one Establishment completely.

The narrative, which is directly related to the gameplay of the Raven clan's expansion across England, is the story that I found more compelling but which can get out of whack at times. Eivor and her people are not refugees who have no choice but to flee Norway. You specifically choose to go to reap the rewards of literally greener pastures.

While they initially arrive with the goal of being as peaceful as possible, they very quickly move on to the raid and loot part. The game then creates villains who are so vicious and power hungry that you have no choice but to choose Eivor. Valhalla sometimes tries to come up with a mutually exclusive argument, but it never really works as well as intended.

I ended up taking things at face value very quickly and ultimately enjoying the narrative for what it was. It has never been lost, however, that Ubisoft is a company going through its own internal problems regarding abuse of power. So I've never entirely given up questioning the game's narrative.

The gameplay is the best the series has ever had

There's one phrase people like to use when criticizing video games: Gameplay is king. While I never fully signed this idea, it's hard to argue that in the case of Assassin's Creed Valhalla it isn't true. Something that ultimately pushed me away from Origins and Odyssey is the feeling that the battle system rebuilt was only part of the way to get there. The two year gap in the titles has allowed the development team to refine it and I am so excited with the results.

Valhalla makes some interesting changes that set it apart from the newer entries in the series.

Eivor and her clan are a devastating and relentless force that completely captures the gameplay. Every swing of my ax felt snappy and satisfying, and even after hours of playing I continued to gush out incredulous exclamations about Eivor's ruthlessness.

Most of the time, Eivor is accompanied by a group of Viking warriors to extend the range of Ravensthorpe. It works better than any system implemented in previous Assassin's Creed games. It feels like the Brotherhood should have felt.

This idea of ​​working consistently with NPC allies means there are even fewer cases this time where stealth is required. The game at certain points tries to get you to use it, but it is rarely ever needed or the more desirable tool to help you achieve your goal. While one of the big selling points has been the return of the ability to blend in with the crowd, hacking and cutting through enemies is always the more satisfying and successful solution.

The fact that stealth plays second fiddle after confrontation is an improvement, but it can be a problem for some. Fans of the series who were hoping for a return to form for stealth on a grand scale will likely be disappointed with the increased emphasis on personal combat.

All metasystems also feel more refined than previous entries. Instead of getting tons of marginally better weapons and armor, I'm more likely to find improved upgrades, reducing the need to constantly manage my inventory. Likewise, the skill tree is slowly unfolding as you branch over it, rather than presenting you with the entirety of what it has to offer from the jump. This makes the game's RPG features, which many fans have turned off in recent years, a lot easier to swallow.

A more organic and varied world

Another big problem for me regarding Origins and Odyssey was the sheer size and infinity of the game's map and activities. That's not to say the world of Valhalla isn't huge or lacking in quests, but everything feels far more manageable and achieving goals is less like ticking things off a checklist and more about natural discovery .

England, the largest map in the game, but not the only one, is a single landmass that can be traversed on foot, on horseback, or by boat through the branching rivers that run across the country. At the center is Ravensthorpe, and the game of Eivor returning to his home base often provides more context for the world that just doesn't exist in the nomadic lives that Bayek and Kasandra / Alexios led in their games.

Every swing of my ax felt snappy and satisfying, and even after hours of playing I continued to gush out incredulous exclamations about Eivor's ruthlessness.

Rather than feeling compelled to hide every marker on an island and ultimately not do so, as I did in Odyssey, Valhalla leaves your desire to strengthen the Raven clan to be your guide to traversing, and side activities, on therefore, those you bump feel far more integral.

Gone is the need to rely on your avian partner to track down an area and mark every enemy and resource you see before systematically switching from marker to marker. While you have a raven partner to look for you, it is more about getting a first lay of the land than familiarizing yourself with every nook and cranny.

Odin's Sight, a vibrant ability that highlights POIs and enemies in your immediate area, is far more useful this time around as it allows players to stay more in the immediate action and engage with them organically.

This is, of course, Assassin's Creed, which means that there are also some modern parts with our contemporary protagonist Layla. The game tries to make it more relevant by bringing in characters tied into Desmond's story in the original trilogy and spin-offs, but it feels half-hearted again, both narrative and visually. As with stealth, the modern content is something the series is forced to do, but these games would be stronger without it, and at this point I wouldn't care if they dropped it completely.

Our opinion

Assassin's Creed Valhalla promised to return to the roots of the series after two big strides by them in Origins and Odyssey, but what it tries to rekindle is holding it back and what it does best makes it decidedly very unassassin & # 39; s Creed . Those willing to hug Valhalla for what it is will find a compelling and satisfying action RPG.

Is there a better alternative?

The only other great action RPG around the launch of the Xbox Series X | S and PlayStation 5 is Watch Dogs: Legion, but Assassin's Creed Valhalla is by far the better of the two games.

How long it will take?

Ten hours or more, hundreds of hours if you're a Completor.

Should you buy it?

Yes, especially if you choose a next-generation console that increases the frame rate significantly and eliminates load times.

Editor's recommendations




08 Nov
Blog

Philips Hue Iris Review: Hypnotic Accent Lighting

Philips Hue Iris table lamp blue

"The Philips Hue Iris is rich, vibrant and bright, and an intriguing accent light."

  • Rich and vivid colors

  • Very bright light output

  • Bluetooth connection option

  • Unique looking design

  • It is expensive

  • Colors cannot be traversed alone

When the original Philips Hue Iris hit the market in 2014, smart lighting was still in its infancy and was a relatively new concept for many consumers. Fast forward to the present, and the company is bringing us an updated version of its popular table lamp with Bluetooth connectivity, richer colors, and increased brightness – all for $ 100. I've never had the opportunity to use the original, but I do appreciate the new version of the Philips Hue Iris to add a bit of color to my life.

A different looking table lamp

The Philips Hue Iris has a radiant design with a transparent plastic base and a cord wrapped in fabric. Honestly, I find it hard to classify it as a table lamp as it is unlike any other table lamp I've used. It's not intended as a reading lamp, nor is it designed like a traditional table lamp for a side table in my living room – it would look out of place if I placed it there.

Philips Hue Iris table lamp greenJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

On the other hand, the orblike design is certainly what makes this table lamp unique. At first I struggled to accept its peculiar design style, but that slowly washed away once it came to life.

Hypnotic glow

The lamp is a glowing magic ball that works best on bookshelves, desks, or corner tables. It's meant to act more as an accent light than anything and help add a bit of color to a room. When it's on, the glow from the transparent base is hypnotic and I like that the light coming from it is softened by the diffusion panel that covers its top. This diffusion helps create soft, even lighting that is not too harsh and does not cast too many shadows.

The glow of the transparent base is hypnotic.

If there is any anger I have about smart light solutions, it must be that some of them are just weak, weak and not sufficiently saturated. Fortunately, this is not a problem with the Philips Hue Iris, which can reach up to 570 lumens when using white light. That's enough to read books with no effort.

Philips Hue Iris table lamp pinkJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

The level of saturation that the Philips Hue Iris can achieve is even better. Compared to other smart LED light bulbs I use, the iris can produce deep, rich colors. Blue, green, and red all have sufficient saturation and brightness to grab my attention. Personally, I prefer to put the iris on a counter facing a corner, as the upward direction of light combined with diffusion results in wider coverage. One feature that I like more and more on other lamps is the option to automatically scroll through different colors. Unfortunately, this is not an option here as you can only set one color at a time.

Works without a Philips Hue bridge

Since I've been using the Philips Hue system in my home for a long time, I got the Iris to connect to my Hue bridge for remote access when I'm not at home. However, it should be noted that you do not need a Philips Hue bridge to use the Iris. This is because this updated version has a bluetooth connection for direct access through the Philips Hue app. This is a useful option if you have not already decided on the Philips Hue ecosystem.

Philips Hue Iris table lampJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Connecting the iris to the bridge simply means more controls – like color combinations with other Philips Hue lights and automations. I can use the app to set it to turn on automatically at sunset and turn off at 1 a.m. every night. You can also achieve more complex automations, e.g. For example, it switches on when the door sensor on your front door is triggered – or when you tell the Google Assistant that you are at home. With advanced automation, you can get the most out of the iris.

Our opinion

The Philip Hue Iris complements every room in the house with its hypnotic glow. You have to pay more than $ 100 to pick it up. This isn't cheap, but the cost is worth it when you consider how good it is to use different colors of the rainbow to accentuate rooms and your mood.

How long it will take?

The plastic construction makes it feel on the hollow side. So make sure that the power cord is not in the way of pedestrian traffic. If you are concerned about the LED bulb inside, just know that it is rated to last 25,000 hours. There is also a 2 year limited warranty that covers the iris against defects in material and workmanship.

Is there a better alternative?

When it comes to brightness and saturation, you won't find anything else that matches its performance. However, there are other smart table lamps like that too Xiaomi bedside lampthat's half the cost. It's certainly not as saturated or bright, but it can still act as a complementary accent light.

Should you buy it?

This is an ideal solution if you want to expand the smart lighting in your home beyond traditional smart LED light bulbs. You will fall in love with the hypnotic glow of the iris and how brilliantly it throws accent lights on walls and ceilings.

Editor's recommendations




07 Nov
Blog

Amazfit GTR 2 Review: Great Value Fitbit Challenger

amazfit gtr 2 evaluation bag

"The Amazfit GTR 2 smartwatch is nice and fast, but luckily not very expensive. It has the looks and the ability to take over more expensive activity trackers from the big names."

  • Nice design

  • Low price

  • Comfortable to wear day and night

  • Solid features for recreational activities and sleep tracking

  • Some software improvements are still needed

  • Battery life suffers when many functions are used

It would be difficult for any smartwatch to remove the top-of-the-line Apple Watch Series 6 from my wrist, but that's exactly what the Amazfit GTR 2 did, and it has stayed there for more than a week. It costs $ 179Half of what a Series 6 will set you back, which looks like great value, but the brand has a spotty history with their software that made me very wary.

My fears were unfounded as it turns out that the Amazfit GTR 2 could be one of the best budget smartwatch purchases of the year.

Design and screen

There are two new Amazfit smartwatches, the GTR 2 and the GTS 2. I wore the round GTR 2, which looks much better than the square, Apple Watch-like GTS 2. I assume that Amazfit has it in its range because it's smaller, the size might fit smaller wrists than the GTR 2, but I think the tiny style hurts both them and the Amazfit range. The GTR 2 is my choice of the couple.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The round, light aluminum housing of the GTR 2 was judged perfectly in terms of design and feel. It's only 10mm thick, the aluminum is attached to a plastic case back, and the glass above the screen has a subtle curve that blends into the case itself, making wiping convenient and quick. It's attached to a quick release silicone strap that is soft and won't get hot and sweaty. There are two buttons, the top of which is decorated with a sporty red stripe, which have a pleasant movement when pressed.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I've worn the GTR 2 day and night and it didn't cause any discomfort. Back to the glass: The shape gives the GTR 2 a certain class, as the curve captures the light in such a way that it appears much more curved than it actually is. Under the glass is a 1.39-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. It's as sharp and colorful as the technical data suggests. It's pretty "deep" under the tempered glass, which means that in certain lighting conditions the bezel will be obvious.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Other than black, I'd like some alternative colors, but the GTR 2 is a brilliant looking, well-made, and comfortable smartwatch.

software

Here Amazfit has made the greatest progress. This is particularly evident when we compare the GTR 2 to the company's previous smartwatches. The rugged Amazfit T Rex and Amazfit GTS were awkward and tedious to set up, the user interface was inconsistent and often not intuitive, and I had issues with notifications and usability. The software has been a huge downside, and when a smartwatch is difficult or frustrating to use it is quickly forgotten.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It looks a lot better with the GTR 2. Amazfit has renamed its companion app, which is now called Zepp. It looks better, is more informative, and more reliable. It's available for iOS and Android, and I've used it on an Android phone. On the watch, things are pretty much the same as before, but with greater speed and ease of use due to some general UI improvements.

A good example of how things have been improved is the way you switch watch faces. These were previously synchronized via the associated app. This process could take a few minutes. Now it immediately runs like an Apple Watch or Wear OS watch, and many of the watch faces have customizable complications. There's a new screen that always appears, and software updates are much faster than before, too. Overall, the watch and app are solid improvements over previous efforts and are easy to live with every day.

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Unfortunately, the notifications haven't improved dramatically. While I've received more regular notifications on the GTR 2 than on the Amazfit T Rex I used earlier this year, you can't interact with any of them, and the text that appears is often jumbled and misaligned. It could be a lot better, but what's there is manageable provided your expectations are low. On the upside, the GTR 2's software is pleasantly responsive and reduces frustration, while the menus and options are clearly laid out and meaningful, making it easy to use on the wrist.

The Amazfit GTR 2 can also receive calls – the speaker is loud enough for callers to be easily heard indoors – and store music. The Amazfit software cannot challenge WatchOS 7 on the Apple Watch and does not look as mature or fluid as the Wear OS. However, it does mate with other portable platforms available such as Huawei and Honor software and Fitbit's platform. What I need from software on a wearable is reliability, clarity and ease of use, and the Amazfit GTR 2 delivers.

Activity tracking

The Amazfit GTR 2 is a relatively simple activity tracker. There are 12 training modes including indoor and outdoor cycling, climbing and swimming. Each provides a lot of data, with cadence measurement on the treadmill as well as train speed and distance when swimming. The watch also has GPS for on the go.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The latest activities are displayed on the watch and also in the Zepp app. There you get the usual data – time, distance and calorie consumption – as well as other information from the heart rate sensor. The breakdown shows the time it takes for fat burning, aerobics, and endurance zones. The watch also uses the Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) metric, which makes it easy to see if you are getting enough exercise.

The Amazfit GTR 2 has a heart rate sensor, a blood oxygen monitor (Sp02) and a stress measurement. The heart rate monitor matched the results from my Apple Watch Series 6, but the Sp02 results were always very different. This is not evidence that one is more accurate than the other, but rather a statement about the usefulness and accuracy of blood oxygen measurements on your wrist in general.

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The Sp02, heart rate and stress measurement (determined with the heart rate sensor) can be carried out automatically if necessary and is also used to track sleep. The GTR 2 is comfortable enough to be worn at night. The sleep data it contains is more comprehensive than that of the Apple Watch and is more closely related to the informative TruSleep system from Huawei.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Problems? Some things from the old model have not yet been fixed. The motion alerts do not pay attention to what you are doing. For example, I was often asked to stand up and move around while driving. And I've noticed that some localization still needs to be done, as scanning the screens occasionally revealed a Chinese language that was still there. I would have preferred a few more training modes instead of using the free yoga training mode, for example.

The workout modes have been made easier to use, with a clear display during the session and a swipe of the screen to exit. However, the live reporting of data is incorrect and significantly delayed compared to an Apple Watch Series 6. It also appears that the GTR 2's display isn't updating as often as it should. For my basic training and activity tracking needs, the GTR 2 worked very well, although it can't compete with hardcore fitness smartwatches like the Suunto 7.

battery

According to Amazfit, the 471 mAh battery usually lasts 14 days between charges, but when the heart rate and SpO2 measurement is automatic and the screen is always on, that value has dropped to just eight days for me. The workouts I tracked did not use GPS. So expect another hit when using this feature.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Charging from 10% to full took about two hours and is done via a magnetic plug attached to the back of the watch. It's pretty safe and shouldn't slip off accidentally.

Price and availability

The Amazfit GTR 2 is priced at $ 179 in the US.. In the UK it costs £ 159. It's available for pre-order now and is expected to be released on November 20th. The model tested here is the sport. A classic version with a stainless steel case and leather strap is also available for $ 199. Amazfit offers a one-year warranty as well as a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Our opinion

The price of the Amazfit GTR 2 at $ 179 is very tempting, and its design and functionality are far better than you can expect for the money. Amazfit has cured many of the software gremlins that made its older wearables unsustainable, giving us a smart, stylish, and well-made alternative to boring fitness bands and ugly smartwatches from Fitbit.

Is there a better alternative?

The price of the Amazfit GTR of $ 179 is very affordable. If the Fitbit name entices you, the Fitbit Versa 3 Watch costs $ 229, while a Fitbit Charge 4 fitness band starts at $ 149 and performs best when you buy Fitbit's premium monthly subscription for 10 Pay US dollars. A simple Garmin Vivomove 3S costs $ 199 and doesn't have a full touchscreen. The GTR 2 is cheaper than these examples.

We recommend spending a little more and getting a better all-round smartwatch experience. Apple is still selling the Apple Watch Series 3, which starts at $ 199, and it holds up admirably against the much more expensive Apple Watch SE. Right now there are some great deals on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, available for $ 179 and up. Both models are older models but the overall software and owner experience is better than the Amazfit GTR 2.

How long it will take?

This is not a sturdy watch, but the tempered glass should keep it safe if handled well. It is waterproof to 50 meters and is suitable for swimming. The 22mm bracelet has quick release pins so it can be easily changed if it breaks or gets dirty in the future.

The duration is mainly influenced by software updates on the watch as well as by the app itself. There is no reason to believe these are drying out, however, and my review watch has already received an update. Another is expected in the near future that will add Amazon Alexa support. Unless you get bored of the design, the GTR 2 should last at least a couple of years.

Should you buy it?

Yes it is way better than the low price and the previous Amazfit smartwatches would have you believe.

Editor's recommendations




06 Nov
Blog

PS5 Review: Meeting Next-Gen Expectations

Playstation 5 controller and PS5

Sony PlayStation 5 review: showing the potential of the next generation

"Sony's PlayStation 5 is the next generation console to buy this holiday season."

  • Fast hardware

  • Excellent loading times

  • Attractive design

  • Several enticing next generation titles

  • New controller with improved feel

  • Limited storage space on all models

  • Console is very big

The expectations of Sony for the coming console cycle are absurdly high. The PlayStation 4 was a tremendous success, and gamers believe the company will open up new, unimagined possibilities with its next-generation system.

The PlayStation 5 not only meets these expectations, but also makes them appear conservative. With lightning-fast loading speeds and innovative (and fascinating) changes to the DualShock controller, the PS5 sets the bar for the next generation of games.

That's impressive every year, but doubles in 2020. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Sony has put together a strong system that backs its hardware with a strong range of starting titles to challenge Microsoft's rival Xbox Series X.

Digital Trends tested the PlayStation 5 within just under two weeks. This review focuses on the larger Blu-ray drive version of the console for $ 499. However, according to Sony, that's the only difference between this model and its $ 399 smaller brother, called the Digital Edition. Both will go on sale on November 12th. Several PS5-optimized games – including Demon & # 39; s Souls, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and top third-party titles – were not made available prior to the review embargo. The PlayStation Plus collection with 20 classic PS4 titles has been made available.

The hardware: it's fast and huge

Sony has said from the start that the PS5 is about speed. But until you experience it, it's hard to convey just how great the speed can be.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales loads in seconds – and once you're in the game you won't see a loading screen even if you take the subway. Do you want tips and tricks for the game? You have to find them elsewhere.

PS5 console and remote control

This optimization can also be seen in other titles produced by Sony. It adds tremendously to the immersion factor of games and has a positive effect on the flow of the story in narrative titles. It's just as satisfying to quickly jump into games.

It's interesting to note that this perceived performance difference is more due to software than hardware. Tech-wise, Microsoft's Xbox Series X is the more powerful console, although the PlayStation 5 offers an edge in terms of storage performance. The Xbox lacks a launch title, however, and relatively few last-gen games take full advantage of the new console's capabilities. This gives the PlayStation 5 a huge advantage at startup.

The physical design of the PlayStation 5 can be an issue. It's a honking big piece of hardware, and if you place it horizontally, the stand (which is needed to correct the curved sides of the system) won't snap into place on the back panels. As a result, you have to worry about slippage when adjusting the cables. You also don't want to put anything on it. If you choose to position it vertically, there will be a mini skyscraper near your TV which, depending on the layout of the room, may be disruptive.

Microsoft's Xbox Series X is a smaller squatter console that's not quite as imposing, but its box-like shape still poses problems for the average A / V cabinet. Gamers with limited space for a console can consider the Xbox Series S instead, which is much smaller than the PlayStation 5 or Series X and has a more traditional slate-like shape.

Storage: There is not enough

The PS5's Achilles heel is storage space. Due to the proprietary solid-state drive and the size of the operating system, players only have 667 GB of the 825 GB hard drive available for gaming. That's a paltry amount that will result in the same headache that the PS4 faces. You have to choose which songs to save on your system and which to delete (although in most cases you can download them again).

The latest PlayStation 4 owners have no doubt bought the PS4 Pro, which came with 1TB of storage. Taking into account the storage reserved by the system, a PS4 Pro 1 TB offered around 862 GB of available storage. The PlayStation 5 is way behind despite the ever-growing size of AAA games.

Owners can expand this amount by purchasing and installing an NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. The console has an open SSD slot for this purpose. However, Sony has yet to confirm which off-the-shelf NVMe SSDs will work with PS5. These are the only hard drives that allow you to take advantage of the PS5's loading speeds. A typical NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD costs around $ 200, which isn't cheap. On the plus side, it's a little less than the $ 220 memory cards used by Microsoft's Xbox Series X and S consoles.

You can also connect an external hard drive or SSD, but you won't see the system's speed advantages with any game stored there. PS5 games saved there cannot be played until you transfer them to the internal drive. Therefore, external drives are only useful for older games.

The controller: It's a win

If load times are the PS5's main weapon, the new DualSense controller is the secondary weapon. And it's impressive.

Slightly larger than the DualShock 4, it refines the haptic feedback by incorporating a precise sense of touch into the video game experience that force feedback has never given before. This could become hokey (and in fairness for years to come), but right now it adds another layer to the games and increases player immersion.

Having trouble opening a heavy door or pulling an arch? The manual releases can convey this tension. Did you have a rough landing while driving over a hill or a slog through a muddy area? You will know This new haptic feedback is a subtle thing that, like the lack of loading screens, you'll soon take for granted. You won't realize how quickly you get used to it until it's not there.

Playstation 5 controller ps5Digital trends graphic

A new built-in microphone is less useful in most games, but it does allow you to have a quick chat with friends without a headset.

The cost of this new functionality is the battery life. The DualSense has a rechargeable battery (compared to AA series X batteries). However, we have found that this cargo drains quickly. Charging through the PS5's USB port rarely resulted in a full charge, whether in standby mode or at full power. A separate Sony charging stand has fully charged the controller.

PlayStation 4 controllers work with the PlayStation 5, but only with PS4 games that are played through backward compatibility. Microsoft offers controller cross compatibility that will allow old Xbox One controllers to work with the new Xbox.

Games and software: the star of the show

Microsoft has found it difficult to come up with a new console without a first-party launch title, but Sony is in an enviable position.

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is great fun that shows off many if not all of the features of the PS5. The story is on the short side, but there are plenty of side missions to add to things. The included Astro Playground is a platform gamer's hidden gem, loaded with Easter eggs reminiscent of a stripped-down Super Mario Bros., yet acting as a gateway through the new features of the PS5 controller.

Demon’s Souls and Sackboy: A Big Adventure were not made available for early review, nor were BugSnax, which PlayStation Plus members receive for free when the system starts up. However, the games we played from the PlayStation Plus collection loaded smoothly and quickly using the PS5's Game Boost feature.

Long term

The PS5 may be the system to beat at the launch of this new generation of consoles, but while previous cycles have had a clear path forward, this one is much cloudier. Cloud gaming in particular is a delivery method that is gaining traction among publishers, just like digital delivery in the early 2010s.

Microsoft has already defined a path for this delivery method. Sony has PlayStation Now, but despite buying two innovators in the market (OnLive and Gaikai) long ago, the company hasn't done much to strengthen its base and build that business. This opened the door to Google's Stadia, xCloud, and Amazon Luna.

Will cloud gaming make console performance less relevant in the years to come? It's difficult to say. Gamers are skeptical of the technology and fear delays, but the proliferation of 5G and high-speed internet could remove those concerns. And if cloud gaming really does become a major delivery method, Sony could be behind the pack.

However, that is the future. For now, Sony has delivered a great next generation console that includes at least one must-play game that the system sells. It has succeeded in building on the PS4's momentum, innovating without going too far, and giving players a glimmer of hope in a year when this has been blotchy at best.

Our opinion

The PlayStation 5 is everything gamers wanted – and more. While storage space is a real concern and Sony's long-term view of industry shifts is questionable, there is no denying that this is a real next-gen machine. It makes existing games more fun and has several strong starting titles.

Is there a better alternative?

No. At least for the 2020 vacation, the PS5 clearly beats the competition and makes the PS4 appear almost archaic.

How long it will take?

Expect a long service life from this system. The biggest hurdle is moving to cloud-based gaming. If this happens faster than industry insiders anticipate, Sony may have a hard time keeping up.

Should you buy one?

Yes absolutely. The PlayStation 5 is a gaming system that lives up to the next generation label.

Editor's recommendations




05 Nov
Blog

Xbox Series X Review: Phenomenal Power, But No Launch Game

Xbox Series X Stylized Graphics

"The Xbox Series X is an extremely powerful console, but the lack of next-gen titles has stalled its launch."

  • Potential

  • More memory than PS5

  • Library accessible through Game Pass

  • Good value

  • Missing an outstanding starting game

  • Difficult to assemble in most A / V cabinets

  • The potential of the next generation is untapped

Timing is everything.

When a console starts up, this is critical. Every component of a new system – from hardware to software – must come together to meet the expectations of an eager and often over-critical fan base. But COVID-19 has ditched even the most laborious of schedules, much to Microsoft's frustration.

Xbox Series X is like an athlete who trained for the big game all year only to find the rest of the team wasn't there. It's a powerhouse that corrects many of the mistakes made in the early days of Xbox One. It undoubtedly has a bright future. However, due to important software delays, this system does not need to be purchased immediately or anytime in the coming months.

There is no discussion of the Series X without acknowledging the Halo Infinite lag. Microsoft pinned the game's launch to its new consoles around 17 months ago. Master Chief was the other superstar to be on the starting line alongside Series X.

It doesn't matter whether Halo's delay was due to the pandemic or quality issues. Without them, there would be no system sales game to support the X series this holiday season. And while Microsoft's Game Pass means that many games can be played on the system thanks to backward compatibility and tweaks to some third-party titles, the company urges players to spend $ 500 on a new console – if the same games are already on the system work old.

Digital Trends reviewed the Xbox Series X over the course of a week. (This review focuses solely on the X-Series, not the $ 300-S Series.) And in all frankness, realizing a consumer-level experience was challenging, as optimizations were only available for a handful of titles. For example, EA just says it will be detailing its tweaks for Madden NFL 21 "soon," and SquareEnix has no plans to tweak Marvel's Avengers until 2021.

Setup: Hurry up and download it

Players are expecting a patch for day one, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. The initial download was less than 1GB, but Microsoft has not specified how large the final patch will be on launch day. (This is independent of the game updates required.) The controller also needs a patch.

The result is a setup process that will likely take 10 minutes to an hour of your time, depending on the speed of your internet connection. Obviously getting a patch is better than not, but the conflict between having major updates on launch day and wanting to load a game the moment you turn on the console is an issue that the brand new solid-state drive doesn't can fix.

Otherwise, setting up the console is a breeze. Microsoft is pushing to use the Xbox app. It's really a time saver as you can quickly copy your settings, GamerTag, Wi-Fi password (assuming you don't have a hardline internet connection for your console) and other information, which makes setup drastically easier.

Performance: A lot of performance in a big box

Microsoft has been shouting about its superior hardware on an almost deafening level since the first series X test (then called Project Scarlett). By now you probably know the technical data and keywords: 120 frames per second (fps), HDR, 12 teraflops of computing power, etc.

Despite its performance, the X Series is surprisingly quiet. The system's cooling structure is so efficient that you sometimes wonder if the console is actually turned on. The Xbox One is like a jet engine in comparison.

However, the X Series doesn't simply fit into most home entertainment centers. Microsoft (like Sony) designed its next generation system as a showcase. The X Series is smaller than the PlayStation 5, but still doesn't easily fit into the average living room A / V cabinet. This is due to its width, the result of a shape more like a box than a slate. It might be annoying for some owners.

You'd think there was more to be said about the performance, but that's not there, and that's due (again) to the lack of starting titles. This is the part of the review where amazingly beautiful new open world titles could be discussed. Unfortunately, this game is not available for Serie X at the start. No question about it, this is a powerful console – numerically it is (slightly) faster than the PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, the hardware is currently underutilized.

Storage: 1 TB is no longer what it used to be

The X series offers acceptable, if not optimal, storage space. The 1 TB hard drive (compared to 512 GB of the S series) is the same as the Xbox One X. However, after subtracting the amount used by the system's operating system, only 802 GB is available. That should be fine at first, but as this generation progresses and games require more space, this could be problematic.

Increasing the system memory to 2TB could have future-proofed the console, although that would certainly have affected the price of the X Series. The Xbox Series X console launches on November 10 for $ 499 (a major selling point for Microsoft).

However, Sony's PlayStation 5 is at a disadvantage. It comes with 825 GB of internal storage and, like the Xbox Series X, not everything is available for game installation. According to prelaunch reports, around 667 GB is available for games. This means that there is 135 GB less storage available on the PlayStation 5 than on the Xbox Series X.

Microsoft

If 1TB isn't enough, you can expand the X-series storage. Players can connect an external hard drive to the system. Tests by Digital Foundry showed that, at least for backwards compatible titles, an external solid-state drive was almost as fast as the storage on the device.

The console also has a memory expansion card slot that can double the memory size. However, at $ 220, this is not inexpensive. The PlayStation 5 can be upgraded with a wider range of third-party PCIe 4.0 SSDs, which can be purchased for just $ 200 (for 1TB of storage).

The controller: if it's not broken, don't fix it

Controllers are our connection to the games we play and they have become increasingly important over the past generations. Microsoft has kept almost the same design for the past two generations, and this time around there are no significant changes.

The X series controller sits comfortably in your hands and has been ergonomically optimized to make it a little more comfortable. It's a bit more social than previous Xbox controllers, as the record and share button has been added that allows players to take screenshots and video clips and quickly post them online.

It continues to use AA batteries instead of internal rechargeable batteries, but it's far from a power hog. We didn't even have to change the batteries during the testing process. The PlayStation 5 controller comes with an internal battery. Xbox Series X owners must pay for this upgrade as an add-on.

Games and software: the lack of launch titles

Given the lack of games designed for the Series X and the few that were tweaked during the review window, evaluating the game potential is – frustratingly – the most TBD part of the Xbox Series X experience.

Yes, the games currently available look fantastic. Gears 5 runs incredibly smoothly at 120 FPS, which raises hopes for future titles. The visual fidelity is only part of the gaming experience, of course, but it's a catch that draws players in. However, Gears 5 at 120 FPS is nowhere near enough to sell a new console as a next-gen. A new console needs a launch title to really show off, and with Halo Infinite being postponed until next year, Series X doesn't have one.

Gears 5 advantages

The promise of faster loading times also remains unproven. Loading from game start to gameplay in Gears 5 (for a new campaign) still takes well over a minute. Guard Dogs: Legion, while not optimized, took a little less time. These are better results than an Xbox One X, but not the suggested immediate availability. Hopefully games that are designed for the next generation will offer loading times that feel like the next generation.

Quick Resume, the touted feature that pauses games similar to pausing an app on your smartphone, seems to work flawlessly, although it's difficult (again) with a few optimized titles to put them through their paces. In general, games you navigate away from will reopen more quickly after a brief splash screen.

The Smart Delivery feature, which ensures players get the best version for their system, is a nice touch that saves frustration, but the fact that it isn't available every game is annoying. It's not even available for every Xbox Game Studios game, which is very confusing.

The promise

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's bet on the future. It's an insanely powerful system that could excite the gaming world once the company's internal teams begin to demonstrate its capabilities.

Microsoft believes that there is something that proves this generation of consoles. The Xbox One stumbled out of the gate and never fully recovered. This is not the case this time. While the lack of software is disruptive, the company is difficult to fault completely as the pandemic has weighed on everyone in the gaming world.

It's an insanely powerful system that could excite the gaming world once the company's internal teams begin to demonstrate its capabilities.

Microsoft makes a compelling case for the Series X value proposition with Game Pass. There's a reason the huge library of backward compatible games and the Smart Delivery option are being touted. No, you don't have a new Forza, Halo, or Gears to play with your Series X this year. And you can't for some time. However, Microsoft believes this is a perfect opportunity to play games that you've never seen or are currently enjoying (as well as the numerous third-party games coming out this vacation) in an expanded environment.

It's by no means a bad argument, but it's more reasonable and practical than emotional. Console launches were once an opportunity to reveal new gaming experiences that were simply not possible before. Currently, the Xbox Series X is insufficient in this department.

Our opinion

The Xbox Series X is a powerful system that has nothing yet to really demonstrate its capabilities. With sharp graphics, a familiar user interface, and fast load times, it is a strong competitor to this generation of consoles. However, a lack of showcase games means you don't have to rush to buy anything.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. The Sony PlayStation 5, unlike the Xbox Series X, has launch titles that are worth your attention. Astro & # 39; s Playroom and Demon & # 39; s Souls are the standout features. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is also eagerly awaited, but can also be purchased for PlayStation 4.

How long it will take?

The Xbox Series X should prove to be a solid investment, eliminating unforeseen problems (which have historically impacted first-generation console models). Despite the lack of starting titles, the X series is a very powerful system that should remain relevant for at least five years.

Should you buy one?

No not yet. The X Series is a solid console, but it lacks a launch title that requires immediate purchase of the console.

Editor's recommendations




05 Nov
Blog

DJI Mini 2 Review: Same Compact Size, More Confidence Flying

"Don't be fooled by its small size, the DJI Mini 2 is safe to fly and offers 4K video recording."

  • Proper 4K video recording

  • Manages windy conditions

  • Stable connection with OcuSync 2.0

  • Ridiculously compact size

  • An obstacle avoidance sensor is missing

  • Terrible performance in low light

I thought DJI was through with the announcements for the year. After the launch of the DJI Mavic Air 2 and Pocket 2, it seemed unlikely that we would hear anything else from the drone maker in 2020, but it turns out that there is one final exciting product for consumers before the holidays. And yes, it's another drone!

Drones are usually not updated annually, so the announcement of the DJI Mini 2 is surprising. The lightweight drone continues to fly under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar due to its weight of 249 grams, making it ideal for beginners as no registration is required. More importantly, however, it fixes some of the shortcomings of the predecessor right away.

More freedom of movement with 4K video

At a time when 4K video recording is standard on smartphones and cameras, it was a disappointment that the Mavic Mini peaked last year at 2.7K resolution. Well, this is the first item on the Mini 2's list that has proper 4K video recording. While the frame rate at 4K is 30 frames per second (FPS), DJI has increased the bit rate from 40 Mbit / s on the Mavic Mini to 100 Mbit / s on the Mini 2.

DJI Mini 2 camera close-upJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

What is that supposed to mean? I'm particularly happy with the extra resolution as it gives me extra wiggle room in the post – for example, cropping and cropping a scene when I export it in 1080p. For those watching videos and clips on 4K screens, the 4K resolution means there is no need to upscale this time around.

Details are plentiful and clear as expected, but best results are achieved during the day and afternoon when there is ample light. Colors have an even, neutral tone – never too saturated to work in the post. However, performance crumbles as the sun goes down and often appears cloudy, dark, and unusable unless the scene contains strong light sources. This is partly because nothing changes on the sensor, a 12-megapixel 1 / 2.3-inch sensor that sits on a 3-axis gimbal.

DJI Mini 2 in the air

Dynamic range performance isn't up to the level I've got with the Mavic Air 2, but some tweaks in the post can highlight details that are otherwise lost in the shadows. Photographers will appreciate the Mini 2's performance for still image capture, but just like video, it has problems with low light and low dynamics.

OcuSync 2.0 offers security

If you've ever piloted the Mavic Mini, you know how prone to interference video transmission can be. It's annoying for sure, but also scary if it takes longer. Fortunately, the DJI Mini 2 alleviates concerns thanks to DJI's OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology. The controller is an exact facsimile of the Mavic Air 2. It's bigger, but I like the way my smartphone is held on top of the controller – as opposed to the floor on the Mavic Mini's controller.

The connectivity between the drone and the controller offers more reliability.

With OcuSync 2.0, the connectivity between drone and controller becomes more reliable. In fact, live video rarely stuttered during my flights. And even though I managed to increase the distance from my location to over 1,000 feet, DJI says it is capable of a range of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). There's nothing worse than latency issues when piloting a drone. This ensures that OcuSync 2.0 gives me more responsive controls on the Mini 2.

DJI Mini 2 OcySync 2.0 controllerJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

One of my biggest concerns about flying the Mavic Mini is reducing its range further as it may interfere with video transmission. There is none of this in the Mini 2.

Fly against the wind

Flying in windy conditions is always risky, but it's deeper when you're dealing with a lightweight drone like the Mavic Mini. I can't tell you how many times I stopped flying due to windy conditions. There are also several videos online of owners reacting to this and floating away from their location due to high winds. Although I'm still cautious, the DJI Mini 2 can handle the wind a lot better.

On the first day of the Mini 2's flight, winds were blowing at 17 miles per hour on the Jersey Shore. Fortunately, DJI upgraded the engines in the Mini 2 to better withstand wind speeds of up to 40 km / h. I have always canceled flights with the Mavic Mini in the past when the wind hit 12 mph. In the air, it's clear that the Mini 2 worked hard to maintain stability, and while it looked like it was rattling around, the video footage stayed buttery smooth.

DJI Mini 2 in the airJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

To really test its performance, I decided to see how it handles flying against the wind. Terrifyingly, it went like a champion – even in normal mode. Switching to sport mode increases performance, making it easy to break through the wind. Its top speed still reaches a top speed of 22 km / h, but accelerating from a floating position shows that the engines are more powerful.

Are you concerned that these upgraded engines will give you a shorter flight time? You don't need to worry as the battery life has been increased to 31 minutes, which is a minute better than its predecessor. Unfortunately the Mini 2 uses a different type of battery so you cannot use existing packs of the Mavic Mini.

Some things that could be better

I must confess that the Mavic Air 2 spoiled me, especially the improved HDR recording, 4K 60 FPS recording, 8K Hyperlapse and Asteroid Quickshot mode. To be fair, the Mini 2 offers some nice footage that controls the drone autonomously for me – like drone, boomerang, and circle quickshot modes. The only area that is still severely lacking in the Mini 2 is avoiding obstacles. The Mavic Air 2 has various sensors on its body to detect obstacles so it can stop in mid-flight and try to avoid them. You don't get any of this with the Mini 2, which means I need to know my surroundings at all times – plus the line of sight distance required.

It's the ideal starter drone.

There is also no automatic tracking mode that would allow the Mini 2 to follow me. As a result, manual piloting with the controller is still the main method for capturing footage. It's not a terrible thing, but if you were pampered by the Mavic Air 2's Active Track 3.0 system, I wouldn't mind following me while cycling around a lake without the fear of it colliding with something.

There have also been a couple of times the DJI Fly app crashed on me while flying the drone. I suspect this is because it isn't the final software, but luckily I restarted it and got back to where I left off.

DJI Mini 2 Fly More ComboJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Our opinion

There are many reasons to choose the DJI Mini 2, especially if you are a first-time drone pilot or an enthusiast. At $ 449, this is an easy recommendation over the $ 400 Mavic Mini. I would recommend buying the $ 599 Fly More Combo instead as it has some extras that make it a sound package.

Not only does it come with three batteries, a charging station, and extra propellers, but I prefer it over the Fly More Combo that included last year's Mavic Mini as it comes with a suitable carry case (including a shoulder strap) and propeller protection wraps around the drone.

Is the Mini 2 perfect? Not exactly, but it's still an amazing tiny drone that doesn't require FAA registration due to its weight of 249 grams. The addition of 4K footage makes it a competent gamer in space, but what really makes this offering superior to its predecessor is the confidence in flying – thanks to OcuSync 2.0 and the improved motors. Flying with confidence is always a good thing and the Mini 2 reassures me of this with its responsiveness.

How long it will take?

The same all-plastic construction can still be seen here, which certainly makes it feel a bit fragile. I don't expect it to handle crashes that well, so flying carefully is essential. You should also pack it extra carefully as it will feel fragile.

You can buy a DJI Care Refresh with the Mini 2 from a cos. Due to water damage and collisions, up to two replacement devices will be made available within a year.

Is there a better alternative?

For this price? Not really. However, when you're ready to spend more, you can get the DJI Mavic Air 2 is the all-round drone for all levels thanks to its safety functions, excellent photo / video performance and advanced tracking system. But at $ 799, you pay almost double to pick it up.

Should you buy it?

Yes. It's an absolute steal considering how easy it is to pilot, plus the 4K video recording, the cinematic quick-shoot options, and the compact size. In contrast to before, I have more confidence when flying thanks to OcuSync 2.0 and its improved motors. It is the ideal starter drone for those who want to improve their game beyond flying for fun.

Editor's recommendations




05 Nov
Blog

Apple iPad Air (2020) Review: The iPad Pro for Everyone Else

iPad Air 4

“The iPad Air 4 is the iPad Pro for the masses. It's perfectly located to deliver an exceptional tablet experience without stepping into the territory of high-end laptop prices. "

  • Excellent hardware design

  • Strong battery life and USB-C

  • Wonderful display

  • Pro-level performance

  • Magic keyboard support

  • Fast fingerprint sensor

  • Base 64 GB memory

  • Expensive upsell to 256 GB

At first glance, the new iPad Air (4th generation) looks like a perfect Goldilocks iPad. Compared to the basic iPad, it offers dramatically better specifications, a completely new design, a much better display and twice as much basic memory. At the same time, it's $ 200 cheaper than the 11-inch iPad Pro, but it looks and feels almost identical. For all practical purposes, it delivers the same core experience, including support for Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard.

Is the new $ 599 iPad Air the tablet? In fact, it is perhaps the best value you can get in an iPad today.

Hardware, design and display

Apple has done an exceptional job with the design of the latest iPad pros, so I'm not the least bit annoyed that the iPad Air is a copy. The metal case is perfectly flat on the back – apart from the unevenness of the camera – and bumps up against flat sides. It just feels fresh and modern compared to the old curvy style – especially now that it matches the design of the iPhone 12. It's also available in a wider range of colors that are far more playful than any previous iPad. While most people prefer a dull color like my Space Gray model, you can go bright if you want to express your personality a little. (The iPad Pro is initially in gray and silver.)

iPad Air 4Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

It is reasonable to think that design is difficult for you, but it is not. The transitions from back to side are nice and smooth, and the corners have a large radius. So it's very convenient whether you support it with just one hand or hold it in landscape orientation with two. And with its extremely light 1 pound weight evenly distributed, it definitely deserves its nickname "Air".

Since face recognition is missing in the Pro, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor is integrated in the power switch. It's well positioned to use with your right index finger when holding it vertically and your left index finger when holding it horizontally. And the initial setup process makes it clear that you need to teach it both ways. After this quick tutorial, the sensor was quick and accurate. While it might not be as seamless as Face ID, it is a perfectly usable method of authentication – and it no longer requires a large screen bezel embedded in the home button.

iPad Air 4Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

The 10.9 inch display is just wonderful. There's just enough bezel for easy thumb grabbing when needed, but it's not so big that it feels chunky. It's not the same display as the iPad Pro, but to most people it looks like it could be. It has the same pixel density, extremely low reflectivity, wide color gamut, and True Tone color matching. It's not that bright technically, but I've never had any problems seeing the screen indoors or outdoors. The fact that it is a laminated display and has incredibly low reflectivity means that you can easily use it even in direct sunlight.

The hardware is perfect and the display is just wonderful.

The only flaw, if you could call it that, that I found is a bit of a white-pink color shift when viewing the screen a little off-axis, which really only comes into play when someone sitting next to you does too tablet looks at the screen. You can also point out that this display only has a refresh rate of 60Hz, not the dynamic 120Hz pro motion of the iPad Pro. If you're used to an iPad Pro, you'll find that if you're used to a different iPad, you'll never complain because iPadOS is so fluid that it really helps make up the difference.

Another pro-level feature of the Air is its speakers. You get an equal-sized pair of speakers that are split on the sides (in landscape mode) for balanced sound that can get incredibly loud. The placement makes it nearly impossible to block out all of the sound, and the 50/50 split makes it much more immersive for video watching.

Whether it was just an easy way out or a stroke of genius, making the iPad Air compatible with existing iPad Pro keyboard accessories is a huge benefit. That means the existing $ 179 keyboard folio (which, by the way, is nicer than the one for the basic iPad) and the absurdly expensive, but absolutely amazing $ 299 Magic Keyboard work with the air. If the Air had a specific design, it would likely just get stuck with a folio and not get its own version of the Magic keyboard.

The iPad Air almost requires a keyboard – and that will get you at least $ 170.

I picked a regular folio with my Air because I think it's absurd to spend $ 300 on a keyboard for a $ 600 iPad. But I can easily make the argument that you can justify this high price tag by saving $ 200 if you can't get the iPad Pro. And if you want to use iPad Air for a semblance of work or computer-like tasks, you absolutely need a keyboard. The keyboard folio definitely does the job and I can type on it very quickly, but I wish one of the two angles was shallower. It also has the same problem as all keyboard iPads (without the Magic Keyboard) in that it can be a bit shaky when you actually use it on your lap. This is just part of trying to turn an iPad into a laptop-level productivity machine.

Another slightly cumbersome part of this horizontal first-time use is the front-facing camera, which is on the left side when docked to the keyboard. The 7 mega-pixel sensor is fine and does the job for video calling at 1080p resolution. However, if you put it on the left so it looks like you're not paying attention, it always feels weird compared to a laptop.

Software, features and battery life

We all know the details of iPadOS 14 at this point. Coming from another iPad will make you feel at home in the air. With that big screen and added power, you'll want to refresh your knowledge of the myriad of multitasking gestures on iPadOS. Without knowing how to open split view and pan around to manage multiple windows, or use the gestures to quickly switch apps and pull up the dock without going home, you're missing out on the power of this computer. While iPadOS continues to struggle with convergence, there is no real benefit to learning all of its features. Once you do, you'll be amazed at how much you can do.

iPad Air 4Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends Andrew Martonik / Digital Trends

You can certainly achieve a lot in the air thanks to the A14 Bionic chip shared with the iPhone 12. It is technically faster for single-core performance than the A12Z in the iPad Pro, but also technically a bit behind for multi-core performance. Regardless, you wouldn't know the difference – the iPad Air flies through any task. You really only run into a limitation when using an intense graphical app and scrolling through Slide Over apps – but that's just a subtle delay. This is likely because the Air only has 4GB of RAM (storage) and the 6GB of the iPad Pro.

Apple is playing a big game with the multi-camera array and LiDAR sensor on the iPad Pro, but for most people, the simple 12-megapixel single camera in the air is more than enough for the occasional snapshot. Despite the hope that the high-end cameras and depth sensing would make the iPad Pro a revolutionary AR device for gaming and interior design, it just isn't. The vast majority of people will be happy that the Air has a smaller camera curvature and the price is lower.

The only spec that actually holds the iPad Air back is its storage, which is a meager 64GB in the base model. And there's only one upgrade option: 256GB for an additional $ 150. An upsell to more storage that is 25% off the base price is really tough, especially when you look at the easy storage upgrade for something like the iPhone 12, which is only $ 50 from 64GB to 128GB.

That being said, after two weeks I'm only using 22GB of my 64GB model, but maybe I'm not the heaviest iPad user as it is a secondary device to my MacBook Pro. However, if you want to use an iPad Air like most professionals would, loading huge "Pro" apps and loads of media content, that storage can quickly go away. Alternatively, you could really lean into iCloud – that $ 150 upsell fee could cover a 200GB storage plan for more than four years.

There's more than enough power here, and battery life continues to be a strong part of the iPad.

The main advantage of using an iPad over a similarly priced laptop is the battery. IPad Air can easily handle the heaviest workday, with more than 6 hours of on time and no battery degradation measures, and there's still plenty of battery left over. Simple tasks like streaming videos or surfing barely touch the battery, and iPadOS continues to be fantastic at using very little power when not in active use. Given that very few users use the Air as their sole computing device, there is no doubt that it can be part of your device usage every day and is chargeable for several days.

And gosh – I'm way too excited about this, but I don't care – the iPad Air now charges via USB-C! Yes, now I can charge my Air with the exact same cable and charger that I use with my MacBook and Android phones. Yes, I have an iPhone, so there are Lightning cables, but my apartment is littered with USB-C cables of all lengths and types, and charging my iPad is a breeze. It also has the nudge effect of being able to charge phones from the iPad, which is really nice in a pinch.

For your high price of $ 599, you also get a 20-watt USB-C charging brick in the box, as well as a nice (albeit short) USB-C cable. But I doubt I'll ever touch her.

Our opinion

The basic iPad is a tablet that you buy as a device – something you need, but you're not excited about. The new iPad Air is a tablet that you buy as a desirable tool – you want it and will strive to get the most of its features when it arrives. And it has to chop to deal with a whole lot of what you're going to throw at it.

The hardware is superb, as is the display, and nothing about the design or the feel in your hands makes you think for a second that you saved $ 200 on an iPad Pro. Apple has perfectly tailored the parts of the iPad Pro that most people don't care about and kept everything else that makes it great, including support for Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Pair it with a keyboard and learn about the quirks of iPadOS, and you can even turn it into a pretty powerful laptop replacement – as long as you know the limitations in the software, well beyond the ultra-capacitive specs.

The only downside for the air is the pricing if you don't need a keyboard and want to push the limits of the A14 Bionic. If this is just a tablet for media consumption and the casual browsing, then $ 599 is a steep price and you will lose the extra features of this hardware for you. But just knowing that you can do a lot more could be enough to spend the money and get this best all-around iPad model.

Are there any better alternatives?

There are only two alternatives to the iPad Air, and only one is a reasonable comparison. You can spend $ 429 on an 8th generation iPad with 128GB of storage, but honestly it's not a real competitor. The base iPad is a fine tablet for a lot of uses, but it's not in the same league in terms of performance or display quality and by no means exudes the feeling of being high-end in the manner of the iPad Air and doing Pro. It's also not compatible with Apple Pencil 2 or Magic Keyboard.

The real decision here is between the iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro starting at $ 799. For this money you get 128 GB of storage space as well as Face ID, a 120 Hz ProMotion display and additional cameras. Otherwise, the experience isn't that much different at the core functions and basics of what most people use the iPad for. Just like buying an iPhone 12 Pro or MacBook Pro, you're spending quite a bit more to get that last bit of extra power, performance, and features over the base model.

How long it will take?

One of the great advantages of purchasing an iPad of any tier is the great long term software support it provides. Expect iPad Air to get five more versions of iPadOS if you want to hang on to it that long. And even better, the iPad Air's incredibly powerful A14 chipset will keep these future iPadOS versions running smoothly.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you've got your eye on an iPad Pro but don't want to spend that much money, the iPad Air is a great place to land. You'll get the most of your experience with an 11-inch iPad Pro, but you'll save a considerable amount of money.

Editor's recommendations




04 Nov
Blog

Blue by ADT Outdoor Camera Review: Major Connectivity Issues

Blue from ADT mounted upside down

"Blue from ADT Outdoor Camera"

"The Blue by ADT wireless outdoor camera has its advantages, but connection problems make the camera border unusable."

  • Crystal clear optics and audio

  • Easy to install

  • Expandability of the SD card

  • Common connection problems

  • Boring box-shaped design

  • Bad battery life

  • Bad app experience

If you are interested in improving the security of your home, ADT is happy to send technicians to your home and install sensors, cameras, and all sorts of other security devices in your home. An invoice will then also be sent. However, smart home technology has advanced to the point where we can set up much of our security at home ourselves without the need for skilled workers. Not to mention, ADT founded Blue by ADT, the DIY branch of the company's Home Security Tree.

We've already looked at Blue by ADT's video doorbell solution. Now we have the outside camera in our sights. Blue by ADT offers a versatile, battery operated outdoor camera that follows the video doorbell in the hot look department. The device I tested is the pearl gray version – a darker graphite version is also available. The camera is generally large and box-shaped, with a large camera sensor on top and the diagonal slash in the corner. The device is IP-65 weatherproof and quite easy to install. But what comes after the installation is not that easy. We'll get to that.

installation

The battery can be removed for charging.

The base plate of the camera can be easily detached wherever you want. I found it difficult to take the plate off at first. Once it's turned off, simply lock it in place with the three included screws and turn the camera back on. The camera is fully adjustable – 360 degrees rotation in one axis and 90 degrees rotation in the other, so you can basically point it at anything you want.

Connecting the camera to the app is as easy as opening the app and adding a new device. Just follow the steps to pair the camera with your WiFi and you're ready to compete in the races (or, as I mentioned earlier, you should at least be). The app allows you to adjust the video settings, including mirroring the video if you've mounted the camera upside down. Personally, I think this should happen automatically, but it's easy enough to find the option.

Low battery

Screenshot of the camera view in the app

You can customize a number of other aspects of the video feed, such as: B. Detection zones, notification settings and video quality (720p or 1080p). The camera has a wide 130-degree field of view and a full night mode, just like the Nest Outdoor IQ camera. The camera comes with a removable battery that can be used to power the camera for two to three months. In my tests, the battery life was just under a month. I've seen a pretty constant drop of 4% per day over the three weeks I've tested, so in math you can't get the two to three months promised by ADT, compared to the 365 promised by the EufyCam2 Days is still minimal is professional.

When I put the camera in the front yard, I made the mistake of placing the camera within sight of our Halloween decorations, which were blowing in the wind and setting off motion alarms. I forgot to set the notification settings to people only, so it may also have a negative impact on battery life. I'll get the hit for it.

Just like the video doorbell, the camera is very sharp here and has excellent resolution even at night. Plus, the two-way voice function is loud and clear. ADT's Blue knows exactly what it's doing in terms of optics and audio, which is really great. What's not great is the connectivity department.

Can you hear me now

So now we come to that. Simply put, keeping this camera connected to Wi-Fi was a nightmare. I placed the camera in three different places in and around my house. I added a doorbell extender provided by Blue by ADT. I reconfigured my mesh network base stations to keep this camera connected and in the end it was just a hit or miss.

I'll be the first to admit that my networking skills are not great. I may not have the optimal setup for my mesh network here in my house. But at the height of the connectivity problem, I had the camera placed less than 30 feet from one of my network nodes. I put the camera on my porch, which was just a window away from the network. The camera's habit of disconnecting frequently was insane.

A camera can only be reassured when it is doing its job, and this one is not.

I worked with a Blue by ADT product manager to resolve the connectivity issues. In the end, it helped a lot to put the camera on the porch, but even that wasn't a bulletproof solution. While I admit that Wi-Fi is rarely as good as people think, I just can't imagine being the only consumer Blue by ADT will ever encounter with a setup like mine.

Our opinion

Simply put, the connectivity issues the camera suffers from make this a non-starter. A surveillance camera is so named because it gives the user a sense of security. This camera doesn't. Even if the camera itself was inside where every other device of mine is plugged in and staying connected, that camera still failed. It honestly confuses the mind.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Despite the camera's good performance, which includes ease of installation, the connectivity issues plaguing this device make it impossible to recommend it over alternatives. With other models such as the Wyze Cam Outdoor you get everything that the Blue Outdoor camera offers. For better connectivity, you can use a cable camera like the Vivint outdoor camera.

How long it will take?

The camera is built very robustly. I don't expect any problems with the construction of the device. The camera is also weatherproof according to IP-65. ADT's Blue recommends installing the camera under an awning. If you follow these instructions, the camera should last for a while. A one-year guarantee applies to all Blue by ADT devices.

Should I buy it?

No. As long as the connectivity issues persist, there are many better options. With a camera, you can only have peace of mind when it is doing its job, and it is not. The app also needs to be revised. If you want a professionally installed system, ADT is a great choice. But if you want to do it yourself, stay away.

Editor's recommendations




04 Nov
Blog

Asus ROG Swift 360Hz Review: Only Skill Will Hold You Back

asus rog 360hz pg259qnr review dsc02115

Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QNR

"The Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QNR is a great, competitive gaming monitor."

  • Unmatched clarity of movement

  • Very low entry delay

  • Buttery, fluid gameplay

  • Excellent stable stand

  • Including desk clamp

  • 1080p only

  • Limited mainstream appeal

When buying a new gaming monitor, you need to find the perfect balance between price, picture quality, gaming performance, and features. Finding the best monitor for all of your needs can be difficult. But what if all you care about is absolute gaming performance and nothing else?

Asus' new ROG Swift PG259QNR may fit your bill just right. Be warned, however, that thanks to its ultra-fast 360Hz 1080p display, this monitor is a one-trick pony intended only for the most competitive gamers.

design

As a monitor designed for competitive gameplay, two things stand out. First and foremost, it is not very large at just 24.5 inches diagonally. More importantly, the stand is set up like a tank.

You might not think it matters, and while I'd normally agree with you, competitive gameplay is quite a physical activity. From quick mouse movements to quick slamming of the keyboard, your movements can jolt your desk, and the vast majority of monitors jiggle like fresh jelly.

But not the PG259QNR. The stand Asus built for this display absolutely plants it on your desk and won't let it move no matter how aggressive you get with your gameplay.

For those who don't like a large stand, the display also comes with a desk clamp that replaces the funky stand, as most monitor arms again allow too much wobble. So we can't help it that VESA mounts are not supported.

Regardless of your choice, the stand offers a range of settings including height, tilt, rotate to portrait, and swivel. This is impressive when you consider the stability of the monitor. Rotating it to portrait is of course not required, but it helps if you connect the cables after you have run them through the stand.

The ROG Swift 360Hz isn't afraid to take a stand.

This display has no curve, and its 24.5-inch size may seem small to some gamers. For competitive people, however, this means that they can see the entire game without moving their heads. If you've ever wondered why 24-inch monitors are popular in tournaments, now you know.

All in all, this is one of the most aggressive displays I've seen, with tons of accents and a huge RGB LIT Asus ROG logo on the back that engulfs a quarter of the property.

Connections and controls

There isn't much connectivity to be found on the PG259QNR, but it doesn't have to be. You want to use the DisplayPort 1.4a interface to get the most out of this monitor, as the HDMI 2.0 connection limits the maximum refresh rate to "only" 240 Hz instead of the full 360 Hz. DisplayPort also enables G-Sync at 1 Hz to 360 Hz. This is the largest range I've seen on a monitor.

Next to these two inputs there is a power connection socket that is fed by a small external 90 watt power module. There is also a headphone jack and a two-port USB hub with an upstream connection to your PC.

Asus' on-screen display (OSD) is not particularly attractive, but it is functional and extremely easy to navigate. The monitor has a main direction switch that will bring up the main menu when it is interacted with in any way. This menu contains segments for activating Nvidia Reflex Analyzer, a game menu with game-related settings like FPS counter, fraudulent crosshair, dark gain, overdrive settings and more.

Of course, there are also settings to adjust brightness, contrast and color, as well as options for shortcuts, lighting effects and general monitor settings.

picture quality

When it comes to image quality, you may be wondering why the display doesn't come as a QHD monitor. After all, 1080p isn't very sharp, and today's GPUs should be powerful enough to run popular esports titles at high frame rates at QHD.

There's a simple reason: bandwidth. DisplayPort 1.4a offers just enough bandwidth to transmit 1080p at 360 Hz to the monitor. Until we get a new interface or a manufacturer implements DSC (Display Stream Compression), 1080p is the upper limit if you want a 360 Hz monitor. Since the panel is not very large, the picture still looks quite sharp.

Asus has equipped the PG259QNR with an IPS panel, which means that the viewing angles are excellent. Slight bleeding and IPS glow are minimal on our sample and much better than curved ultrawide monitors. The PG259QNR produces a very consistent, even and clean image.

But where IPS normally produces star colors, it seems that some sacrifice had to be made with this panel. It's by no means terrible, but with coverage of 98% of the sRGB space and 73% of the AdobeRGB and DCI-P3 space as tested on our Spyder X Elite, you won't be blown away with vibrancy. saturated colors.

We also tested the color accuracy, which resulted in a Delta-E (Difference from Real) of 2.12 in the standard “Racing” mode, with the sRGB profile achieving a better result of 1.68. Note that sRGB mode disables brightness control and instead uses the built-in light sensor to determine the brightness.

Oddly enough, both values ​​are worse than the calibration report provided by Asus, which stated a Delta-E of 0.53. However, this may be due to different devices and test conditions. Either way, the PG259QNR produces accurate colors so you can use it for non-professional color grading if necessary.

The Asus PG259QNR delivers too much in terms of brightness and contrast performance.

The display is characterized by brightness and contrast. Asus claims a brightness of 400 cd / m2, but our sample exceeded 415 cd / m2. The panel also exceeded the stated contrast ratio with a contrast of 1200: 1, which is an impressive performance for an IPS panel. The white point was exactly at 6500K, which is great.

We calibrated the monitor to see if we could improve its performance but made few gains. Only the color accuracy has been improved to 1.35 so calibrating the PG259QNR can produce some gains.

But let's face it, you're not buying this monitor anyway because it can reproduce colors, and its color rendering is more than enough for competitive gameplay. Given this monitor's focus on the raw refresh rate, Asus could have cut the color accuracy and contrast – but thankfully, it didn't.

Gaming performance

It's time to get down to the brass nails and talk about what really matters – gaming performance. In that regard, the PG259QNR is at home with a mind-boggling 360Hz refresh rate. You are probably wondering why you need 360 Hz and if you can tell the difference.

At 360 Hz it's not about fluidity and smoothness. It's about reducing latency

If you are not a competitive gamer this monitor is not for you. The jump from 144 Hz to 360 Hz takes a trained eye to see, but at 360 Hz it's not really about increasing fluidity and smoothness. Rather, the point of this insanely high refresh rate is to reduce latency so you can see the enemy before they can see you. The difference is only milliseconds (we're talking less than 10 milliseconds compared to a 144Hz display) but that's a lot in the competitive world.

Now, I'm not a competitive gamer (I just don't have the time or the skills) but I asked a veteran friend to try this monitor out in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and you should have seen the grin on his face. He landed shot after shot, shot after shot, and definitely felt like a better player compared to his 144Hz panel. The PG259QNR is for when you want to know that the only thing holding you back is your skills.

This monitor is so fast that all you can do is hold back your skills.

There is one thing to keep in mind when viewing this ad. We tested it on a PC with an AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super graphics card. When we launched Destiny 2, the highest frame rate this system managed was around 170 FPS with the graphics at the lowest settings. Even in CS: GO, we only occasionally jumped over 300 FPS.

If you are going to buy this display, make sure your system has a processor with a very powerful single core performance.

So I checked out the Task Manager to see what happened and this confirmed my suspicions. The CPU had a bottleneck in the system, as only a few cores worked almost 100% and the graphics card was used to around 70 or 80 percent, often even less. I picked the 3900X for its multi-core performance, but it's not as powerful as Intel's alternatives on single-core, and games rely on that to get really high frame rates at low resolutions like these.

When buying this display make sure you have a processor like Intel Core i9-9900K, Core i9-10900K, or wait for AMD's Ryzen 5000 CPUs as these are expected to deliver amazing single-core performance.

Of course, even if you don't, you will still benefit from this advertisement. You don't have to hit 360 FPS to take advantage of it as you will benefit from reduced latency and become a more competitive gamer even at lower frame rates.

Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer

As I said, the PG259QNR is all about latency, which is why Nvidia's Reflex Analyzer technology is packaged in. This is essentially an extension of the G-Sync module that allows you to measure the time from click to display. When combined with the right hardware, you can numerically display the benefits of faster viewing. We tested the function with Destiny 2 and the ROG Chakram Core mouse from Asus. (You should note that not many games are currently supported.)

You use it by connecting the monitor with DisplayPort and the USB hub to your PC, and then connecting the compatible mouse to the red USB port on the monitor. This allows the monitor to recognize when you click. Then activate the Reflex Analyzer via the OSD of the monitor, which displays a detection rectangle that you place over the trigger, the nozzle or the part of your weapon that reacts first so that the monitor can recognize when your click is visible on the screen Changes.

With the Nvidia Reflex Analyzer, you can be sure that you will see your actions as soon as possible.

With this option in Destiny 2 with the minimum settings, we achieved a response time of approx. 14 milliseconds. Increasing the settings to the highest value increased this number to about 21 ms. This isn't a huge difference, but it can be the difference between landing a shot or landing a shot. We couldn't run these tests in CS: GO because the game is incompatible.

However, if you are not using an RTX 2080 Super but a GTX 16 series card, the latency will be longer. The same goes for other factors like graphics settings or background tasks that can decrease your frame rate. Ultimately, it's just a tool that lets you see the real latency benefits of upgrading your system or changing game settings, rather than estimating latency based on your frame rate.

Our opinion

Asus' ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QNR is an extremely fast gaming monitor that shows the entire view in a relatively small area so you can see everything at once. With a response time of 360 Hz and 1 ms it ensures that you see the enemy and shoot them before they see you. This can help you get a head start on competitive online games.

However, at $ 699, the PG259QNR isn't affordable. So you have to wonder if you need a monitor as fast as this or if you prefer something more immersive like an ultrawide display.

Are there alternatives?

Yes. MSI is expected to launch its Oculux NXG253R monitor with similar specs for $ 799 in November. Acer built the Predator X25, which also has a 360 Hz panel. If you don't mind dropping to 240 Hz to save real cash, Dell's Alienware 25 is a great half-price option.

How long it will take?

The Asus PG259QNR should last as long as any monitor – at least five years. However, if you're using it for competitive gameplay, don't be surprised if something even faster pops up in esports.

Should I buy it?

Yes. It's not for everyone, but the Asus ROG Swift 360Hz PG259QNR absolutely raises the bar for competitive gaming monitors while avoiding any major issues that could affect the fun.

Editor's recommendations




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