28 Oct
Blog

Watch Dogs: Legion Review: The Reasons To Skip It Are Legion

Watch Dogs Legion Review Fly Drone

Watch Dogs: Legion Review: The Reasons To Skip It Is Legion

"As Ubisoft presents its best open world yet, the main gameplay hook falls flat."

  • Fantastic open world

  • Pleasant fight

  • Fun new traversal options

  • Recruitment hook does not work

  • The story is a tonal mess

  • Too easy, even in the most difficult case

  • The PC version crashed frequently

Ubisoft wants its core gameplay hook, the ability to recruit anyone in the open world, which is what makes you want to play Watch Dogs: Legion. Unfortunately, the mechanic's reception is quickly exhausted. The more time I spent with the game, the less impressive it got and the rough edges of the system became clear.

The real reason you stick with Watch Dogs: Legion is because London is incredibly vibrant, one of the best open worlds I've explored in a video game. But buyers watch out. The PC version of the title is littered with issues, so the console is the preferred choice.

That's a story

Watch Dogs: Legion begins attacks on key London landmarks tied to the hacking group DeadSec. This forces the city government to turn control over to a private military company called Albion. As the game progresses, the player will uncover the secret behind Zero Day, the real perpetrators of the bombings and how the vicious factions of London bond with them.

Guard dogs Albion

Watch Dogs has always passed the edges of reality with its surveillance commentary, but Legion delves into the depths by adding a healthy pile of suppressive policing. The final game in the franchise, Watch Dogs 2, was released around the time of the last US presidential election, an event that changed not only my personal politics but the state of the world almost daily. As you know, 2020 was a long year.

I was hoping Legion would find something interesting, but subjects that should be tackled with a scalpel are tackled with a sledgehammer instead. The game has no tact and is never subtle, but insists on getting around hot button issues with the light-hearted nature that made Watch Dogs 2 popular. It doesn't work.

Watch Dogs Legion Mary Kelley

As Bagley, the A.I. Companion who accompanies your employees on missions, jokes, you are forced to take photos of corpses found in the middle of a sports stadium that has been converted into a concentration camp. In one mission, you have to navigate a spider robot through a mansion only to find refugees who are kept as slaves. If anyone asks for release, they will instead be executed in front of the other prisoners.

Yes. It's getting dark. However, the game never acknowledges the dire situations it represents, which has troubled me about the entire state of game history. Legion wants to get serious, but she also wants to be silly and feel relevant. The game cannot solidify these ideas into a reasonable story or even a theme.

A mechanic's recruit misses the mark

Legion lets you go to any London civilian and recruit them as part of DeadSec. The idea initially feels new but cannot justify its existence, and the lack of a main character becomes a problem as the game progresses.

After playing the prologue mission, which starts with a preset agent, there are 15 different randomly generated characters to choose from. They are given their name, profession, a single sentence about their background and the tool or skill they come up with. My choice fell on Marcel, a mechanic with a wrench that dealt additional melee damage.

From the jump you can approach (almost) anyone on the street and recruit them for the cause. I say almost everyone, because around 75% of civilians actually had the “start recruiting” popup over their heads at some point. I'm not sure if this was a bug or if the game only allows you to recruit a certain number of characters at a time. Still, there are enough people that I didn't believe Ubisoft falsely promoted the mechanic.

Watch Dogs Legion recruitment

You can verify recruits by examining the same information that was displayed during the initial recruiting post prologue: name, occupation, background, and skills. Depending on their feelings about DeadSec, you will have to complete a side quest of varying difficulty in order for them to join. As soon as this is the case, you can switch between employees at any time.

The campaign sometimes assigns you to recruit a specific employee for a mission. For example, you need a construction worker to gain undetected access to a construction site. The game also marks the card with recruits who bring more unique skills to the table.

The majority of employees play the same game.

While character swapping is new at first, you'll quickly find that it's too shallow. London's civilians are randomized, but the variety seems limited. I have often met people with the same haircut or beard as the character I played. I even met a recruit who had the same face as Marcel, but with a darker skin tone. The random visual and vocal matches mean characters don't always have meaningful voices.

Worse, the majority of employees play the same game. There are a few exceptions. My spy character had a handful more combat animations than the rest of my crew and the ability to spawn an Aston Martin car with missiles and camouflage. Mostly. However, I could have swapped one of my recruits for another and it wouldn't have made much difference.

My construction worker could call in a cargo drone to climb on top of the city and fly through it, but there were enough of them soaring through the sky as they are. I also gave a belly laugh when a staff member – an elderly woman – performed a flying spin kick to incapacitate a heavily armored Albion guard.

Watch Dogs Legion Team

The more hacking and combat upgrades unlocked for your crew, the smaller the differences between your recruits will become. It's hard to imagine that the game would play any differently if it only had a single protagonist.

I could have swapped any of my recruits for a different one and it wouldn't make any difference.

However, one main character or several protagonists would have served the story much better. We could have connected with them in ways impossible with the casual recruits, and a message beyond "fascism is bad" could have been gleaned from history.

The game tries to anchor you with its supporting characters, including the often amusing A.I. Bagley, however, they're a poor substitute for a consistent main character.

London is the real star

I'm disappointed with Legion's story and the surprisingly thin operational mechanic. Neither is noticeable. However, if all you want to do is jump into a Ubisoft-style sandbox, Watch Dogs: Legion is the company's best accomplishment yet.

Legion's London version is a joy to discover, especially for someone (like me!) Who grew up in England. You can meet other employees you recruited during the exploration and select members of the public will be highlighted if they are in any way related to a recruit. Although by and large I am lukewarm to recruiting someone, I do appreciate that touch.

If you just want to jump into a Ubisoft sandbox, Watch Dogs: Legion is the company's best accomplishment yet.

With ray tracing on, the reflections in puddles or on the side of a double decker bus gave the world a texture I'd never seen in a game. It's dirty, shiny, and cozy at times, depending on which part of the city you are in.

Watch Dogs Legion Multipalyer

The cargo drones that you can use to fly around the city add a new level of verticality to the game and offer new ways to enter a restricted area. This is a welcome addition as entering restricted areas accounts for 90% of Watch Dogs gameplay. That said, using a cargo drone was sometimes like playing the game in easy mode, as the server or other target I needed to access was often on a rooftop.

The game is played by the feeble-minded enemy A.I. The city is littered with Albion drones and guards, and yet I was able to create a lot of chaos without looking out of the fluff. And when they caught me in the act? Ducking around a corner or two quickly turned her awareness display from assault red to confused white, and within 30 seconds the chatter of giving up chase would get through on the radio with little effort on my part.

Hard mode doesn't make them smarter, just more deadly. There's also a permadeath mode in which an employee who dies is gone for good. With all that said, the game never felt challenging.

PC performance is an issue

My ability to enjoy Legion has also been impacted by significant PC performance issues. I tested the game on my new LG CX OLED TV. The game ran in 4K at high settings and activated ray tracing at a desired speed of 60 frames per second (fps). However, it would inevitably crash, be it a few minutes after the game started or half an hour. A Ubisoft representative told me to make sure I had the latest GeForce drivers and check the game's technical requirements.

I actually had the latest drivers installed which I reinstalled for security reasons. While I didn't have the Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card that asked what settings I wanted to run it at, even the most demanding games I played before Watch Dogs: Legion ran without any problems at even higher settings and higher frame rates. Plus, the problem wasn't a bad average frame rate. I would enjoy a steady 60 fps and then the game would crash and force me to restart.

I eventually reduced the resolution to 1800p which seemed to help, but this is not normal behavior for a game. Worst of all, I ran the game with its patch from day one. A console hotfix will be released on October 30th, while a more robust second patch for Squash performance issues will be released on November 9th. Hopefully this will fix the problem.

Our opinion

Watch Dogs: Legion is Ubisoft's most ambitious entry in the series to date, and while it doesn't disappoint like the first Watch Dogs, it feels aimless. Exploring London is a good time, but the game is never challenging and the story makes very little sense.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Watch Dogs 2 is still the best the series has to offer. If you're looking for a newer game, you might be waiting for Assassin's Creed Valhalla to be released about a week after Watch Dogs: Legion launched.

How long it will take?

As with any Ubisoft open world game, you have a lot of side quests to complete. With goals associated with recruiting new members, this is taken one step further. The campaign lasts around 20 hours, but if you stick to the main story.

Should you buy it?

Legion's recruiting hook doesn't produce any results, and performance issues make this a leap for PC gamers.

Editor's recommendations




27 Oct
Blog

Samsung Jetbot Mop Review: Do-Si-Doing the Mopping Routine

Samsung jetbot mop on the floor

Samsung Jetbot Mop Review: Do the Mopping Routine

"Don't be fooled by its strange design, because the Jetbot Mop is easy to clean and doubles as a hand cleaner."

  • Easily removes superficial stains

  • Quiet operation

  • Double as a hand cleaner

  • Inefficient cleaning routine

  • Can be caught by obstacles

Mopping robots are not new. You have your specialty mopper like iRobot's Braava series as well as a growing number of versatile 2-in-1 models that can both vacuum and mop. What Makes the Latest Samsung Robotic Mop So Special? For one, the Samsung Jetbot Mop is an odd looking mopper in terms of design. It also doubles as a useful hand cleaner for walls, tiles, and more. While this kind of dual functionality adds significantly to the sticker price of $ 299, the main question I want to answer at the end of the day is whether it can wipe well at all.

Rotate for good cleaning

The Samsung Jetbot Mop has a compact design that is half the size of most robotic vacuums on the market. Essentially, what you have here is a fully plastic bot with a handle on top and two spinning brushes below. What is interesting, however, is how the Jetbot moves for cleaning. While other robots rely on wheels to navigate, this one uses the rotating motion of its large brush cushions to move forward, from side to side, or in a different pattern that reminds me of a Do-Si-Do dance. Because of this implementation, it is difficult to avoid humps and partitions.

Samsung jetbot mop on the floorJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

In all honesty, it's fascinating to see it in action because it behaves differently than we are used to. I was expecting the pads to spin a little faster as this would likely help remove some stubborn stains on the floor. Instead, the mother yarn pads that I attached to the Jetbot did an excellent job of removing them – although it took a couple of passes. I'm really happy with the cleaning performance as it removes stains better than the push mop systems on other robotic vacuums I have tested. The experience is enhanced because it is shockingly quiet during operation.

Not that smart navigation

Unfortunately, the Samsung Jetbot Mop is an inefficient cleaner as it lacks the space allocation features that many other robotic vacuums offer. Cleaning hardwoods and tiles is largely random as it is straight, diagonal, or a mixture of both, depending on the cleaning mode you choose. For smaller, cramped areas like my kitchen, almost the entire room can be wiped. With rough edges it seems to be trying to navigate in straight lines, but it often runs into something. Due to its random cleaning pattern, I find that it is difficult to adequately cover large rooms – in some cases there were isolated areas that were not touched by the jetbot at all.

It can remove stains better than the push mop systems on other robotic vacuums.

There have also been a few times when it got trapped trying to navigate furniture – like the legs of kitchen chairs. Whenever it comes into contact with an object, it follows the typical tactic of moving back a little and then moving forward at a slight angle to get around it. Of course, everything makes for a painfully long and arduous cleaning process. After all, surfaces can neither be recognized nor restricted areas can be set up. In fact, I found it moving multiple times from the hardwood floors of my living room to a tiny rug at the entrance to my front door.

Samsung Jetbot Mop Water Reservoir PadJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Another important point when cleaning is that surfaces are not disinfected. Rather, only water is poured into the storage container, which then slowly drips onto the attached cleaning pads. This is similar to other robot wipers as the disinfectant solution can affect cleaning performance. Yes, floors are technically mopped, but not disinfected.

The battery life is 100 minutes, which was more than enough to wipe my little apartment. You should move furniture before using it for cleaning to reduce the chance of it getting stuck trying to get around items.

Hand cleaning convenience

It's not often that a mopper doubles as a hand cleaning tool, but the Samsung Jetbot Mop does just that. Pressing the power button twice while in the air starts this cleaning mode. If you loathe scrubbing walls, windows, or tiled surfaces in the bathroom, this mode comes in handy as it does most of the work for you. All you need is to apply light pressure when driving over surfaces.

It is not often that a mopper doubles as a hand cleaning tool.

Unfortunately, not using cleaning solutions defeats the purpose of this cleaning mode. The water will help the pads remove minor stains or streaks. However, you should use a cleaning solution afterwards to make sure the surfaces are free of germs. For harder surfaces like tiles, consider using the mother thread pads (there is also a microfiber pad that is good for delicate surfaces like windows). The yarn pads effectively wipe off superficial dirt, but don't think for a moment that it is strong enough to remove clinging lime.

Samsung Jetbot Mop handy mode against tilesJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

I really like that the Jetbot Mop can be used as a handheld. However, I would recommend rinsing the pads frequently so you don't just slide around dirty water.

Our opinion

There are many regulations that must be met in order to qualify the Samsung Jetbot Mop as a useful bot for home cleaning. If you can commit to a lot of pre-cleaning jobs and not worry about the random cleaning pattern, the $ 299 Samsung Jetbot Mop is worth considering.

How long it will take?

With its sturdy plastic housing, the Samsung Jetbot Mop seems to be ready for minor touches if it comes into contact with objects while cleaning. Proper cleaning and maintenance will of course extend the service life. However, there is a 1 year limited parts and labor warranty in the event of a defect. There is also a 10-year warranty on the digital inverter motor only.

Is there a better alternative?

The iRobot Braava 300 series is a direct competitor starting at $ 299 and wipes proficiently. It's also far more efficient and precise at cleaning, thanks in part to the advanced navigation system that shows where it's going and what it's already cleaned.

In addition to dedicated mopers, the next logical solution is to invest in a 2-in-1 vacuum and a mopper like the Roborock S6 Max or the Eufy RoboVac L70. On the other hand, you'll have to pay more than $ 500 to catch them as they offer advanced navigation, mapping, and mopping capabilities.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but only if you're willing to accept some of its tradeoffs, because $ 300 for a double-functioning mopper isn't too shabby.

Editor's recommendations




26 Oct
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Review: A Step Above the Competition

iPhone 12 Pro

"The iPhone 12 Pro is the choice for those who want to take their phone experience beyond the ordinary."

  • Exceptional design and workmanship

  • Fantastic photo and video quality

  • High quality display

  • Universal 5G network

  • The MagSafe utility is questionable

  • Limited improvements over iPhone 12

The range of phones from Apple has grown steadily in size and thus in complexity. For the end of 2020 we also have four iPhone 12 models in three sizes and several hundred dollars the iPhone SE, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11 these are still on sale. Apple will sell you a new iPhone that will suit just about every possible need, regardless of size, features, and budget.

However, in the eyes of many people, there is only one choice: the latest Pro model. The iPhone 12 Pro differs less from the “standard” model than the Pro from last year and still has a premium of 200 US dollars. Is it still the one to get? Let's discuss.

Hardware, design and display

After three years of the same rounded design, we have something fresh to put our eyes and hands on. The iPhone 12 series has a wonderfully angular, plate-like appearance. For the 12 Pro, an upgraded stainless steel frame that's not excusingly heavier than the aluminum 12 is beautifully finished with an intense sheen and a flat glass back that maintains the 11 Pro's etched matte texture.

iPhone 12 Pro

The color "Pacific Blue" is not nearly as strong as the candy-like blue of the iPhone 12, but it does match the overall subtle atmosphere of the Pro line. The hyper-glossy sides are undoubtedly luxurious, but they do collect fingerprints at an incredible rate – on top they offer some support to counteract the slippery back. The 12 Pro may not be as ergonomic as the 11 Pro, but the glossy sides and sharp edges provide plenty of grip if you want to use it without a case.

It's refreshing to see a brand new iPhone design, and the Pro interfaces take it to a new level.

As a total object to keep your eyes on, it is as great as you would expect from an Apple product. Lines, tolerances and overall finish are perfect. However, this design suffers from a flaw: a "window" cut in the lower right to make room for a mmWave antenna – something exclusive to the US model that you can never really miss after you noticed it.

Apple kicked it out of the park again. A new OLED has now been increased diagonally to 6.1 inches (from 5.8 inches) and runs at a solid 460 pixels per inch. It's calibrated fantastically, balancing gorgeous colors with accuracy. The subtle True Tone adjustments made to match the ambient lighting conditions are the icing on the cake. The display also has smaller bezels on all sides, which appear even smaller thanks to the sharp vertical sides that have replaced the previous subtle curves. Although the 12 Pro is a bit bigger than the 11 Pro, it really doesn't feel like it. You still have a big notch at the top that my eyes never entirely forget, but Face ID is so amazing I can forgive it.

Apple threw it out of the park again with this new display.

It's noteworthy that the 12 Pro operates at a refresh rate of 60 Hz – every other phone over $ 700 is 90 Hz or 120 Hz. However, IOS is so fluid and well-managed that it's not a massive loss, but your eyes are Definitely notice the drop after using another phone. It's just a quality of life improvement that you know you could have elsewhere. We look at our screens for hours a day, so I think we deserve a high refresh rate.

The screen doesn't get as bright as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but the viewing angles and reflectivity are so great you'll never have trouble seeing the screen outdoors. It shows a brightness of "1,200 nits" for this display, but that's a misnomer. When viewing HDR photos or videos, 1,200 nits can be achieved. That's cool, but not regular. The important number is 800 nits, which corresponds to the typical full screen brightness. That's still very bright and a place where the display beats the cheaper iPhone 12, which beats 600 nits (but interestingly still 1,200 nits for HDR).

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

Aside from the significant changes you can see to the hardware, there is one big change you can't see: new "Ceramic Shield" glass over the display. It looks and feels the same as any other smartphone, but Apple claims it has four times the durability – which, of course, I didn't move out of the way to test it out. Given the number of phones we all use with broken screens and the number of pop-up screen repair shops, this is obviously a necessary improvement.

Notably, the back is still made of the more common ion exchange glass and is still likely to crack at about the same rate as any other glass-backed phone. Nor does Apple claim that Ceramic Shield is any less scratch sensitive than any other glass, which is only part of the deal – there is an inherent trade-off between scratch resistance and crack resistance. This is something we will all have to deal with over time – although there are screen protectors for the paranoid.

Features, software and performance

Apple has cultivated an extraordinary holistic experience of combining hardware and software, the core of which doesn't really change from generation to generation. This is especially true because iOS 14 is available again for the iPhone 6S, so almost anyone upgrading from an old iPhone won't expect any surprises on the 12 Pro. There's no need to go into a complete look at how iOS is a great operating system, especially since so few people are actually switching between Android and iOS right now.

The iPhone 12 Pro simply expands and enhances the iPhone experience you already know. With the A14 Bionic chip that runs the show, the 12 Pro does everything at a breakneck pace – there is nothing you can do to slow it down. Playing games, multitasking, taking photos and videos, and going through every app imaginable is easy and worry-free. It turns out that it also has 6GB of RAM, compared to 4GB in the iPhone 12, which improves performance and makes iOS updates even better for years to come.

iPhone 12 MagSafe accessories

A whole new iPhone experience is MagSafe – an old name with a new purpose. With a magnetic ring on the back of the phone, you can connect standardized accessories that come in almost any shape. Apple has a $ 39 MagSafe charger that delivers 15 watts of power (more than a standard wireless charger) and it's convenient because you know with 100% certainty that it will charge when you plug it in. It's also great for playing with the phone in landscape mode.

MagSafe has promises, but you shouldn't expect it to change your life on Day 1.

However, the true promise of the MagSafe experience has yet to be fulfilled. The first-party covers (read: expensive) from Apple all support MagSafe because they have magnets that are guaranteed to work with other attachments. However, no magnets are required for these cases. Using a thin case eliminates the need for magnets to work with the MagSafe charger. But you can bet the vast majority of iPhone 12 cases will have the magnets anyway.

Any accessory company can make MagSafe products, so there are some amazing ideas out there – from multi-device desktop chargers to vehicle mounts to modular bike and tripod mounting systems. And all of this is especially exciting if you don't normally use a suitcase, as you no longer need to put on a company's suitcase for that company's accessories to work – your phone is fully compatible on its own.

Welcome to the 5G future (and present)

iPhone 12 5G speed tests

It would be almost impossible to know the iPhone 12 and not know it has 5G. Apple and every carrier in the world have emphasized it. But is that really important? Similar to the discussion about MagSafe, 5G is full of potential for the future and unfulfilled promises in the present.

iPhone 12 and 5G: How It Will (Eventually) Make a Difference

First and foremost, your 5G experience depends on your network operator and where you live. (Attention: Nerdy Talk Ahead.) T-Mobile has the largest 5G network footprint as it is based on the far-reaching and easy-to-implement Sub-6 standard that is based on low-band spectrum. AT&T is in a tight second place as it is also mainly based on Sub-6.

Verizon, on the other hand, just turned on its Sub-6 network with a limited amount of spectrum after years of investing money into its high-band mmWave (millimeter wave) 5G network. While mmWave is incredibly fast and leads to absurd potential downloads in excess of 4 Gbps, it is also (currently) incredibly unreliable as it has an absurdly short range. We talk about losing a signal by taking a few steps, turning around, or letting a dense tree blow in the wind. T-Mobile and AT&T also have mmWave networks with a small footprint, but this is not the core of their 5G network.

There is no reason to buy a 5G phone for mmWave. It is only available in tiny parts of a handful of cities nationwide. It's just a bonus if you see it a couple of times.

Sub-6 5G, on the other hand, is basically like charged 4G: widespread coverage, faster speeds, no impact on battery life, and a seamless transition to 4G. With Sub-6 on T-Mobile in New York City, I routinely had download speeds in the 100Mbps to 300Mbps range and uploads in the 25Mbps to 75Mbps range. Not mind-blowing, especially when the ping times (30ms to 50ms) often match 4G, but it's just faster and works just like you're used to.

5G is not yet groundbreaking, but you can see a remarkable and consistent improvement in daily speed.

Knowing that 5G networks are not fully developed, Apple has a number of smart controls in place to reduce the impact of transitions between networks. By default, voice and data are set to “5G Auto”, which prioritizes the best overall network experience. You can set it to “5G On” to stick to 5G as much as possible. You can also set your data mode to “Allow more data on 5G” from “Standard”. This allows the phone to use full 5G cloth for all sorts of things, maximizing video quality when streaming or chatting.

Apple's default settings are the correct ones here, and most users shouldn't touch these settings. Network usage is handled pretty well between the phone and the carrier to give you the best combination of speed and battery usage. I stuck to the default settings and saw 5G almost 100% of the time, barring trips on the subway and some buildings.

Battery life

Whenever Apple introduces its phones, it always cites very ambiguous battery life like "17 hours of video playback over WiFi", which isn't the least bit useful. This time around, however, it was significant that Apple made no claims about longer battery life. And now we know why: the iPhone 12 Pro's battery is actually smaller than the 11 Pro's. However, capacity has never been a major concern for the iPhone as the chipset and operating system work together to get the most out of it.

That’s the case again. The A14 Bionic is clearly an exceptional piece of silicon and works perfectly hand in hand with iOS 14. With the 12 Pro, as I did with my 11 Pro months ago, battery life was generally great. In a full day of casual use with email, social apps, messages, photos, maps, maps, and numerous pocket casts, I would use 3 to 4 hours of screen time and still have 20% to 30% of my battery life at the end of the day leave.

The battery still dramatically outperforms its capacity, although it doesn't offer the same confidence as the 11 Pro.

The only limitation is that you hit the phone hard, especially when networking. It turns out that you use a 5G connection that is over 200Mbps a lot! When you stream videos, they are of the highest quality. If you can download and upload large files in a moment, do so now instead of waiting to get home. And when you're running your hot spot, you can use your laptop as if it had great WiFi at home – and that takes a lot of battery power.

With 20% to 30% leeway, those tough days put me in low power mode to get through the evening – but I made it anyway. I certainly feel that the 12 Pro's battery has less headroom than my 11 Pro's, but that doesn't matter.

The only limitation is that you are regularly using an mmWave 5G network, which is currently consuming more and more power as your phone is almost constantly switching to and from the network for data transfers, constantly looking for new towers. This is primarily an issue for Verizon customers and less so for AT&T and T-Mobile, but there is something to be aware of. It's also a problem that is a problem "right now" as mmWave is still struggling to build a sizeable footprint.

I also have to praise Apple for their battery-saving charger, which by default slows down the charge rate after 80% charge to minimize the time the phone spends at 100%. Spending a lot of time on 0% or 100% on a charger is bad for batteries, and tons of smartphones implement these protections to help extend battery life. The Apple version is seamless.

Cameras

The iPhone 12 Pro takes a well-known 12 megapixel sensor and combines it with a new lens with a larger f / 1.6 aperture, resulting in a 27% improvement in low-light performance. The physics is well known: a larger aperture lets more light into the sensor and requires faster shutter speeds and lower ISO values. That means sharper and smoother photos in all lighting conditions.

I'll focus on photos in low light for now as there's an improvement this year that is clearly visible. Low-light photos on the 12 Pro are consistently smoother, less grainy, and yet sharper than before. Apple's multi-frame and "Deep Fusion" processing, which relies on the A14 Bionic's "Neural Engine", superimposes frames to create incredible shots with good detail, correct colors and white balance. You can now also use the night mode for the ultrawide camera, which provides far weaker results compared to the main camera, but is dramatically better than last year without it.

Night photos show the greatest improvement and the results are incredible.

I'm not going to say outright that the 12 Pro's Night Mode shots are better than the Google Pixel 5's Night Vision, but it's neck to neck in most situations, and an extra point goes to Apple's camera app for a smooth transition between the modes. You don't have to switch to night mode like with Night Sight – it just happens automatically.

Photos with good lighting are more like the same. Apple takes an incredibly consistent, solid, and relatively neutral approach to camera processing. Colors pop, but not too much. The exposure is nailed to perfection throughout. Highlights and lowlights are rarely blown out, but you don't get an overworked faux HDR look. All in all, the iPhone 12 Pro is difficult to take a bad photo – and it's easy to take a great photo.

The 12 Pro's LiDAR camera, which is mainly used for auto focus in low light conditions, also allows for better depth imaging for effects in portrait orientation. Portrait mode continues to be a love-hate relationship to me because when the camera pegs it it's mind-blowing, but when it's missing it ruins a photo. There are still cases where Portrait Mode can make your subject look like a cardboard cutout against a background, and in many cases there are fun mix-ups where an ear, arm, or item of clothing is defocused. Portrait mode still works best for an actual portrait – also known as shoulder-on – where there are far fewer potential sources of error.

The lidar camera also allows recordings in night portrait mode, so the function is only available for 12 Pro and Pro Max. As long as you can bring your subject to a standstill, the results are surprisingly good. There are actually fewer ways to handle foul ups as the shot will be softer and smoother overall, although it is far less likely to come out sharp where it matters – that just comes with the territory.

Daylight shots are consistently great, and the portrait mode approaches perfection.

I'll save you from seeing a gallery of selfies, but Apple hasn't upgraded the 11 Pro's front camera hardware. There's better processing, including Deep Fusion and "Smart HDR 3", as well as night mode. I found the photos to be the same – aka very good – as before. Night mode added little to the experience as it was far too difficult to stay still and keep your arm still enough to get a sharp shot.

Aside from the improvements in the stills, Dolby Vision HDR video recording is Apple's other massive marketing push alongside 5G. Dolby Vision is really cool as it makes your video look just amazing – better highlights and lowlights, better peak brightness, everything. Unfortunately, you can only view Dolby Vision on a latest generation iPhone, MacBook, or Apple TV connected to a compatible TV. Otherwise, everywhere you export your video, you will get converted SDR video.

Dolby Vision can be displayed in many more locations in the future. For this reason, I would recommend just leaving it enabled in the settings. But otherwise, just expect the standard iPhone video experience: it's great looking video that is incredibly stable even on handhelds and while walking, and even if you stick to the standard 1080p resolution (see above). Increase the image size up to 4K 30 frames per second for even better results, although the file size triples in the process. Fortunately, the iPhone 12 Pro has a base of 128 GB of storage.

Dolby Vision is an amazing tech demo, but it has a lot of limitations. Thankfully, SDR video is still great.

The only real downside is knowing that despite the fact that it is a "Pro" model, it is not the best camera Apple makes. This is the case with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which has a larger main sensor with a new optical image stabilization system (OIS) as well as a different telephoto lens with a longer focal length. The 12 Pro also has only minor advantages over the Base 12, with a (honestly weak) telephoto camera and a lidar sensor – the core camera experience is otherwise identical. Taken together, knowing it's not that different from the 12 Pro takes some shine from the "Pro" feel of the 12 Pro, and the 12 Pro Max has the real Pro camera.

Our opinion

The iPhone 12 Pro has a smaller addressable market this year as it is under pressure from multiple angles. It's a relatively small year-over-year upgrade of the 11 Pro, is only marginally more interesting than the base iPhone 12, which costs $ 200 less, and doesn't have the same “Pro” camera as the larger iPhone 12 Pro Max .

There's no need to talk about how much value 5G, MagSafe, Dolby Vision, and general camera improvements add to this experience as they can all be found on the base iPhone 12. For most people, the iPhone 12 Pro is over the top – it's more marginal utility money. But it's better, and sometimes that's all you need to know to go pro.

There's still reason to want the iPhone 12 Pro. The stainless steel frame gives you a reassuring weight and sense of quality, and the finish and colors are arguably nicer than the base 12's. The telephoto camera and lidar sensor are just the icing on the cake overall represents an extraordinary camera experience. The battery life is good, the screen is fantastic, and the A14 Bionic, coupled with plenty of storage and 128GB of base storage, gives you years of care to keep this phone for a long time to come.

I recommend most undecided iPhone buyers choose the iPhone 12 instead, as it is so similar and costs less. However, if you know from the start that you are a Pro user, there is no need to convince you: the iPhone 12 Pro is the phone for you.

Are there any better alternatives?

The clear alternative to the iPhone 12 Pro is the base iPhone 12. It costs $ 200 less and still offers a nearly identical everyday experience. They're exactly the same size, run the same software, have the same battery, and offer the same core functionality. The 12 Pro simply offers more memory, more basic memory as well as a telephoto camera and a lidar sensor and looks significantly different with new colors and a steel frame. Most users should start their iPhone searches with the 12 and only choose the 12 Pro if they know they need the advanced features.

On the Android side, there's a big argument in favor of saving money as well Get the Pixel 5 for just $ 700. It follows the simple "less is more" mood of the iPhone taking the best of any Android device and having a comparable camera. There is also the OnePlus 8Tthat offers a similar experience for the same price, but with a little more flair. At the upper end a Galaxy S20 + can be found for about the same price as the iPhone 12 Pro and judging by hardware quality and features. It also comes from the only brand that Apple is really asking for credit.

How long it will take?

IPhones are known to have an incredibly long lifespan thanks to support for software updates that lasts for several years. With the A14 Bionic chip, 5G network, and a top-end display, you'll have no problem getting three years out of the iPhone 12 Pro before you feel like you're a little behind the times. The only questions will be how the Ceramic Shield display glass will hold up and whether the battery will degrade properly over time.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The iPhone 12 Pro is the perfect embodiment of Apple's great smartphone experience that doesn't cut corners or skip specifications for cost savings.

Editor's recommendations




24 Oct
Blog

Google Pixel 5 Review: Google’s Best in a Compact Package

Google Pixel 5 review up front

Google Pixel 5 Review: Google's Best Technology Grouped for Simplicity

"The Pixel 5 is the best of Google's software and hardware capabilities. It is packaged in a compact, lightweight, but slightly dull-looking body."

  • Compact and light

  • Detailed 90Hz screen

  • High performance camera

  • Two days of battery life

  • Boring design

  • I miss that weird Google feature

I'm all for getting rid of gimmicks on smartphones, firstly to lower the price, and secondly because not everyone uses these "functions" very often. So I was pretty excited about that Pixel 5which focuses on the camera, battery life, software, and most importantly this year, price.

I've been using the Pixel 5 for a while and the frustrating thing is that Google has gone a little too far in their normalization efforts. Gone are the quirks that made old Pixels warm, and while the camera is still a winner, it hasn't advanced the game as much as Pixel 4. I'm a bit ahead here, so let's get into the details.

Hardware and design

Google has never been one to give the Pixel a wild design, but it's very good at making a reasonably sized phone and the Pixel 5 is spot on. The metal body is welcome as it is warm to the touch, not covered with fingerprints, and should also be durable. The nicely rounded sides make it easy to grab and hold, and the 8mm overall size and thickness – similar to other well-proportioned phones like the iPhone 11 Pro – is spot on. At just 151 grams, it's also surprisingly light.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

All of this makes it very easy to live with, and the Pixel 5 will appeal to anyone who thinks many recently released phones are too big. Most competing Android phones are much larger, and only the iPhone 11 Pro comes close to the Pixel 5's perfectly judged dimensions. By removing some of the quirky features from previous Pixel phones, Google decided on a phone that was sized just right. And with a slightly larger screen than the Pixel 4, you'll never feel overwhelmed while watching videos or playing games.

However, it's impossible to be delighted with the way the Pixel 5 looks, especially when you buy the black one. It's an understatement to the point of invisibility and doesn't really have the all-important premium air. The fingerprint sensor is a good example of this. It's on the back rather than under the screen, so it works very well, but it also ages the design of the device. It's annoying that it isn't backed up with a secure face-unlocking system like the Pixel 4 did. There's actually no face unlock at all.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The side buttons are made of metal but feel just as clicky as the plastic buttons on the Pixel 4a, which is almost half the price. That's great for the Pixel 4a, but not so good for the Pixel 5. There really isn't much else to say about the design. This is an important indication that Google's simplification efforts have gone too far. Without a fun experimental Google feature on board, like the Pixel 4's squeezable sides, the Pixel 5 is a bit bland on the surface. Your best bet is to look for the Sorta Sage color (also known as green) which gives the phone some character.

Screen and audio

The 6-inch OLED screen has a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 2340 x 1080, is covered with Gorilla Glass 6 and supports HDR10 +. It's bigger than the Pixel 4 and 4a screens, but not as big as the Pixel 4 XL or 4a 5G. Google's decision to remove the sensors required for Soli gesture controls and infrared face unlocking means that the large bezels of Pixel 4 have disappeared, resulting in minimal bezels of a uniform size for Pixel 5. The selfie camera is located in a hole cutout.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you've never used a 90Hz refresh rate phone, it's time to pamper yourself. It's definitely more easy on the eyes than a phone with a 60Hz screen, which leads to less fatigue. Combined with the slickness of Android 11, it makes scrolling through Twitter, Chrome, and other apps very enjoyable.

It's a beauty too. It's bright and detailed, but cooler than the Galaxy S20 FE and with less saturation. Carfection's Aston Martin Vantage Roadster test highlights these differences: The silver car looks significantly more silver on the Pixel than on the Samsung phone, while the blue sky is more pronounced on the Galaxy phone. It's similar with the OnePlus 8T, but contrast the Pixel 5 with the cheaper Pixel 4a and the performance is barely distinguishable.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The speakers are decent, but they lack a bit in both volume and bass, and they can't compete with the rounded, deeper sound of the OnePlus 8T and Galaxy S20 FE. Most importantly, the Pixel 5's screen, while attractive, is no better than the competition. Since the speakers are a bit weak, the OnePlus 8T and Galaxy S20 FE offer a better video experience.

Cameras

The main camera on the Pixel 5 is the same 12.2-megapixel, f / 1.7-aperture, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), and optical image stabilization (OIS) camera found on the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4. One second, the wide-angle camera with an aperture of 16 MP f / 2.2 connects it to the Pixel 5, and it can also be found with the Pixel 4a 5G, but the Pixel 5 doesn't have the telephoto camera of the Pixel 4 – one Switch that Pixel fans asked for last year.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The physical cameras are only part of the story, and Google's computer photography is the star. According to Google, the software for the new phone has been seriously updated so that it can use the same sensor as before. There are a few new features, including Night Sight portraits and new portrait editing features.

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google pixel 5 review edited portrait "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-edited-portrait-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Pixel 5 color edited portrait image

google pixel 5 review blur portrait edit "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-blur-edit-portrait- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAAPixel 5 portrait image that has been blurred

Let's talk about this first as this is a good demonstration of Google's software capabilities. Portraits can be edited extensively. You can adjust the background blur, remove the background color, and convert the entire image to black and white. This is done with the push of a button, and you can also fine-tune the blur, depth, and color. All of this works whether you're taking portraits with the rear or front camera. There is a special mode to adjust the light source with portrait selfies. See above for examples of what is possible. It's really fun, very effective, and quite easy to use.

That generally sums up the Pixel 5's camera very well. It's really a great point-and-shoot process as you can be sure that no matter the setting or conditions, a great photo will be captured. That simplicity and ability is addicting and fun to snap a lot of pictures just to see what you can get. The wide angle offers versatility and opportunity for dramatic shots, but some will miss the telephoto lens. Unfortunately, Google is not ready to please everyone by including both.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Pixel 5's camera is brilliant, but it's not a huge generation leap over the Pixel 4, and not only does the much cheaper Pixel 4a take basically the same great photos, but the competition has caught up with Google on the software side. Samsung's cameras are consistent these days, but it's the camera on the Apple iPhone 12 and 12 Mini that Google should be most concerned about, as the hardware surrounding the camera is more desirable than the Pixel 5's – and the prices are similar are.

Performance and software

On paper, the Pixel 5 isn't a "flagship" as it uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor rather than the Snapdragon 865 or 865 Plus. This is another way to bring the price down. Unless you're obsessed with a spec sheet, it's not a massive deal. I consider myself a normal user, using the camera, using social apps, making video and voice calls, playing a few games, watching videos, and keeping up with work items.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It does all of these tasks without interruption – and without the feeling of being under-challenged. Play Asphalt 9 Legends and it's every bit as impressive and fluid on the Pixel 5 as it is on the OnePlus 8T. If anything, there are times when the Pixel 5 runs smoother than some more powerful phones, such as B. when the screen in YouTube is rotated from portrait to landscape and vice versa. Much of this is due to Android 11, the latest version of Google's software. This is an advantage that Pixel 5 has over the competition.

Android 11 on the Pixel 5 (and the Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 4a 5G) could be called boring, as might the design, but the dullness is its strong point. There is no garnish or additional branded apps, just fast, smooth, and simple software. However, I have encountered a few issues with my phone that have proven frustrating.

The first problem was an intermittent bug with the microphone where it would not activate, preventing callers from hearing me and my voice messages being mute. The problem is resolved by turning the phone off and then on again. However, you won't know when the problem occurs until it's too late. My Pixel 5 cleared my WiFi signal more than other phones and consistently has one less reception bar for both WiFi and cellular connections. Maybe this has to do with the metal body.

The front desk issue isn't a deal breaker, but something to consider if you already live in an area with poor reception. It should be noted that the Pixel 5 naturally has 5G, which also opens up new network possibilities. The microphone problem might only be a problem with my phone. After notifying Google before it posted here, I'm expecting a replacement checking model to see if the problem persists. This issue has not yet affected the phone's score.

battery

Battery life is one of the biggest improvements over the Pixel 4. My phone lasted a day with normal use without any problems, and if I turn it off overnight it will last most of the second day as well. After the sad Pixel 4, this is very welcome. It's also conservative on the power supply: with light use on a busy day where I ignored my phone, the battery was still over 80% at 4:00 p.m.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The phone comes with an 18 watt wired charger and supports wireless charging. This is a clever trick considering that the body of the phone is made of metal. Google cut a hole in the back and filled it with a resin that is visually indistinguishable from the rest of the body. Place another device on the back of the Pixel 5 and the battery will wirelessly charge with its own power. This worked with my iPhone 11 Pro, but unfortunately not with my Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones. These reverse wireless charging systems can all be a bit fussy.

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 5 is priced at $ 699 or £ 599. It is available in a version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space and is available now Google, Amazon and other retailers. It supports 5G, provided you are in an area with network coverage and have the correct carrier plan. Pixel 5 in the US also has mmWave 5G support for the Verizon network (and increasingly for T-Mobile and AT&T).

Our opinion

When you buy the Pixel 5, you get a well-proportioned phone with a beautiful screen, great camera, fast performance, and easy-to-use software. What else do you need? Not much, technically, but it would be nice to look at the Pixel 5 and feel something, rather than just ambivalence.

Is there a better alternative?

There are several great alternatives to the Pixel 5. The main challengers are the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the OnePlus 8T. Both use the Snapdragon 865 processor and high quality designs, and while the cameras aren't quite as good as the Pixel's, most people will find them perfectly decent.

The Apple iPhone 12 is emerging as a definite challenger, and the upcoming iPhone 12 Mini can take over the Pixel 5 too. Perhaps the best alternative, however, is the Pixel 4a 5G, which can do almost everything the Pixel 5 can, but for $ 200 less at $ 499. If you're not worried about the wide-angle camera or 5G, the $ 349 Pixel 4a is excellent too.

How long it will take?

The Pixel 5 is an excellent long term smartphone purchase. The conservative look means it will never look more dated than it does now. It offers 5G for the future as well as a two-year guarantee for important Android software updates. It is IP68 waterproof and the metal case is more sturdy than a glass phone. Google also has some attractive cases to complement the Pixel 5. There's no reason the phone won't serve you well for two to three years.

Should you buy one?

Yes, the Pixel 5 is Google's top smartphone of 2020 and while it doesn't look all that exciting, it has the best of Google's software and hardware capabilities at an affordable price.

Editor's recommendations




24 Oct
Blog

iPhone XR Review: The ‘Budget’ XR is the iPhone to Buy

"The iPhone XR is a great choice if you want what iPhones do without the flagship price."

  • Beautiful, colorful design

  • One day battery life

  • Good performance

  • Strong camera

  • Easy to use software

  • The screen resolution could be higher

  • Portrait mode restricted to people

publisher's Note: Apple released the iPhone 12 which is now available for purchase. The iPhone 12 is the successor to the iPhone 11, which is itself the successor to the iPhone XR. It improves the quality and performance of the camera, but comes with a slightly higher MSRP of $ 799. We recommend stopping buying the iPhone XR. Instead, if you want to save money, consider buying one iPhone 11or the $ 400 iPhone SE. Here is our list of the best iPhones to buy.

The iPhone XR is the best iPhone of the year. Yes, the iPhone XS and XS Max have better screens and more versatile cameras, but none of them look as good as the XR in yellow, blue, or coral. The iPhone XR (pronounced "Ten-R") is also significantly cheaper and offers many of the best features of the flagship products. It is hands down great value at $ 750.

Colorful design, solid screen

We can't stop holding the iPhone XR the wrong way round. Sure, the screen is a window to our apps and notifications, but it's the glowing, bright yellow paint on the back that makes us smile every time we pull this phone out of our pockets. We feel like Gollum and we constantly admire the beauty of the one ring. It's perfection.

When you buy the iPhone XR – and you should – we can't envision the idea of ​​going black or white. For the first time since the iPhone 5C, you get a rich, colorful selection of Apple – red, blue, yellow, and coral in addition to black and white. This is a phone that you want to flaunt. We strongly recommend choosing the colors yellow, blue or coral. The product color (red) looks nice too, but we've seen it many times so it doesn't feel that special. The colors also mask any fingerprints that build up on the glass bottom.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

The edges around the phone are aluminum – a step up from the stainless steel of the iPhone XS and XS Max – but the color here is more metallic and offers a nice, complementary two-tone look. The buttons click as usual.

The iPhone XR looks a lot like the iPhone 8 from the back with its single camera lens, but flip it over and you get the full iPhone X treatment. There's a notch, no home button, and an edge-to-edge screen for the most modern iOS experience you can get at this price. The differences between the XS can be felt here as the black frames around the screen are thicker. However, the bezels are not so big that they clutter the device.

We feel like Gollum and admire the beauty of the one ring. It's perfection.

That's a good thing, because the XR has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1,792 x 828. Apple calls it the Liquid Retina Display, and while the screen resolution may sound a little low, it looks like the The distance you normally hold your phone at. If you take a closer look, pixels become visible. We think Apple could have added at least a 1080p screen here – there are hardly any Android phones with such a low-resolution screen in this price range. Even the OnePlus 6 for $ 530 has a resolution of 2,280 x 1,080.

Even so, it's difficult to find anything else wrong with the display. The black levels aren't as deep as the OLEDs on the XS and XS Max, but they're close to each other. The screen is colorful and bright enough to be used outdoors. We believe the screen is good enough for most people, but it's one of the XR's few shortcomings.

The iPhone XR has the advantage of being the perfect size for people who find the XS too small and the XS Max too big. At 6.1 inches, it is right between the flagships (slightly smaller than the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus). It's not as easy to use one hand as the 5.8-inch iPhone XS, but we can still reach most parts of the screen. And it's not as cumbersome as the 6.5-inch XS Max, which is undoubtedly a two-handed phone.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Face recognition is the primary method of unlocking your phone and it works just as quickly as it does on the iPhone XS. With a price range of $ 750, it's one of the few facial recognition tools you can use to log into secure apps. There's not a lot of competition here on the Android side, but that could gradually change.

The iPhone XR's stereo speakers are loud and sound good, although the sound isn't as dynamic or robust as the sound coming from the Razer Phone 2's speakers. You will be satisfied if you are in a quiet room, but you will fight outside when it is noisy. There's no headphone jack, and Apple has also decided not to include the 3.5mm headphone jack adapter in the box. You can opt for the included Lightning EarPods, which don't sound too good, or you can opt for wireless earbuds or headphones.

Great performance and iOS 12 is fluid

The iPhone XR is powered by the same chipset as its more expensive sibling, the A12 Bionic, although it offers less RAM (3GB instead of 4GB). We don't have any performance issues yet. The processor makes iOS 12 run smoothly and had no problem switching quickly through multiple apps. Games like Altos Odyssey and Tekken, and ARKit 2.0 games like AR Robot, run just fine.

  • Geekbench 4 CPU: 4,703 single core; 11,065 multi-core

In Geekbench 4, the iPhone XR rightly scores just below the iPhone XS and XS Max, but is faster than any Android smartphone tested so far. This phone can tackle just about anything you throw at it.

This is a phone that you want to flaunt.

We took a closer look at iOS 12, but the iPhone XR marks the first time Apple has brought several new features introduced on the iPhone X at a lower price. For example, thanks to the TrueDepth camera, you can create animojis or memojis in iMessage. Since there is no home button, it takes some getting used to the gesture navigation system, which is among the best on a phone.

The XR doesn't have 3D Touch, but Apple has replicated that with a feature called Haptic Touch. With 3D Touch on the iPhone XS, you can use the pressure-sensitive display to press and hold certain parts of the interface to see more actions. For example, if you press and hold an email notification, you can mark it as Done. Haptic touch is more limited. This only works in selected areas, e.g. For example, in the Control Center when you want to expand a tile, or on the lock screen when you want to turn the flashlight on or off quickly. How often you miss 3D Touch depends entirely on how often you use it. We suspect most people don't use it often.

Our iOS 12 guide will tell you all about the new features introduced in the latest version.

Strong camera

The iPhone XR has the same main camera on the back of the iPhone XS – a 12-megapixel lens with an aperture of f / 1.8 and optical image stabilization. It can record 4K video at 60 frames per second, record stereo sound, package Smart HDR and use portrait mode for the first time without the need for a secondary lens.

We tested the improvements in the iPhone XS main camera over the iPhone X. While not radical, groundbreaking changes, Smart HDR gives the new camera the edge. This function helps with high-contrast scenarios, minimizes hidden lights or sky and brightens the foreground in order to make it visible. It works as advertised on the iPhone XR and delivers great photos in extreme lighting, although it doesn't quite match the quality of HDR + on the Google Pixel 3.

Like the more expensive iPhones or flagship Android devices, the camera app has almost no shutter lag. This allows you to capture detailed, well-exposed photos that keep strong color. It can hold its own even in poor lighting conditions. However, you need to make sure you stay calm to avoid a blurry photo.

  • 1.
    Portrait mode selfie.
  • 2.
    Portrait mode.
  • 3.
    Portrait mode.
  • 4th
    Portrait mode selfie.

We miss the telephoto lens on the iPhone XS and XS Max. The 2x optical zoom lets you take shots that don't look as good when the iPhone XR is digitally enlarged. When we go back to a camera with a lens, we need to change the way we take some photos and physically move closer to the subject instead of standing some distance away. The lack of the secondary lens also affects Portrait mode, which allows you to take photos of a subject with a blurred effect that mimics a DSLR. We're really excited to see Portrait mode available on the XR, as Apple first incorporated it into a camera phone with a lens. Portrait lighting is also available, but there are only three options as opposed to the five options on the XS – Natural, Studio, and Contour.

The iPhone XR doesn't zoom in to take portrait mode photos like the XS, so you have more space to work. It's not as accurate as XS and XS Max, but we've been impressed so far. In low light conditions, the photos weren't as grainy as the iPhone XS.

Above: iPhone XR portrait mode, below: iPhone XS portrait mode

Portrait mode only works on people, however, and that's disappointing. On the iPhone XS, portrait mode can be used on food, people, objects, pets, and almost anything. The XR camera uses this mode, however, partly with the help of artificial intelligence and neural networks. It is trained to identify a face, and this is why it can outline people so accurately. When you try to take a portrait photo of a dog or object, the camera says "No Person Detected" and doesn't even try. Google's Pixel 3 smartphone has a single-lens camera and is great for using portrait mode on a variety of subjects. We hope Apple can expand Portrait Mode on the XR to get a bit more versatile with software over time.

The front-facing camera is the same TrueDepth camera system as the iPhone XS, so you can take great selfies in portrait mode here. It even worked with our dog. This 7 megapixel camera takes great shots even in standard mode.

While the iPhone XR's camera isn't as versatile as the iPhone XS or XS Max's, it's still top-notch and the photos it takes are excellent.

Don't worry about the battery

You don't have to worry about the battery of the iPhone XR. It's a 2,942 mAh unit, and we often ended a work day at around 50 or 45 percent by 6.45 p.m. It is taken from the charger around 7 a.m. and used to surf the Internet, take pictures, stream music and play games with the phone. On lighter days we reached 35 percent at 9.42 p.m. With this phone, you can easily get through a full day and have a few hours the next day if you forget to charge it.

The battery life of the iPhone XR doesn't worry you.

This day-long battery life is comparable to other phones on the market like the Galaxy S9 Plus and even outperforms the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS. It lasts slightly longer than Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL, which struggle to get through a day of moderate to heavy use.

It supports fast charging, but unfortunately the corresponding cable is not included. You can also charge this iPhone wirelessly, just like the XS series and last year's iPhone devices.

Price, availability and warranty information

The iPhone XR starts at $ 750 and is available now. The best deals and prices can be found in our buying guide.

Apple offers a one-year limited warranty that protects the device from manufacturing defects. You can purchase AppleCare for additional protection.

Our opinion

Undeniably outstanding value – this is the iPhone XR. Some features may be missing, but this is the iPhone that makes others yellow, blue, or coral with envy. The colors are stunning, the battery life is great, Face ID is still industry leading technology, iOS gestures are intuitive, the camera is superb, and the performance is fantastic. This is the iPhone to buy.

Is there a better alternative?

publisher's Note: Apple released the iPhone 12 which is now available for purchase. The iPhone 12 is the successor to the iPhone 11, which is itself the successor to the iPhone XR. It improves the quality and performance of the camera, but comes with a slightly higher MSRP of $ 799. We recommend stop buying the iPhone XR. Instead, if you want to save money, consider buying one iPhone 11or the $ 400 iPhone SE. Here is our list of the best iPhones to buy.

Yes. If you want all the bells and whistles, buy the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max. They're more expensive, but you get better build quality, a nicer and sharper screen, and a more versatile camera. If $ 750 is too high, Apple is still selling the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 at discounted prices. They are excellent phones, if not that futuristic.

On the Android side, you are spoiled for choice. Our pick, however, is the Google Pixel 3. It costs $ 50 more, but you get a slightly better camera, great software with quick updates, and a high-resolution screen.

How long it will take?

Apple's iPhones typically last four to five years, if not longer. The iPhone XR has an IP67 rating instead of IP68. That means you can get it up to 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes and nothing more. While Apple says it's the most durable glass on the front and back, it is wise to buy a case to protect the phone. Apple sells a clear case for the iPhone XR in case you don't want to hide the gorgeous, colored body.

Expect software updates for the next four to five years. The iPhone 5S, released in 2013, is the oldest iPhone that can run iOS 12, so your device will last a long time.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. Buy it in yellow. You will not be disappointed.

Editor's recommendations




23 Oct
Blog

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Review: Setting the Benchmark

Amazon Echo Dot (4th generation) on the table

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) Review: Growing Up To Set The Standard

"It's still compact, but the new Echo Dot (4th Generation) offers a decent punch for $ 50."

  • Charming new design

  • Excellent audio quality for its size

  • Alexa Guard protection

  • Affordable cost

  • LED clock should be standard

The fourth generation of the Echo Dot does without the puck-shaped design of its predecessors and wants to make a statement with its revised design. You could say it's a game of chance, because the spherical shape of the new design is very different from anything else. The bigger problem, however, is where this latest model competes against the multitude of other smart speakers that are seeking attention.

Big surprises come in small packages

While Amazon is the entry-level model, it has never neglected the audio punch of the Echo Dot – and that is evident in the fourth-generation Echo Dot. For its size, it's actually pretty impressive how good it sounds. Sure, it's in no way intended to compete with the premium audio experiences of something like the Echo Studio, but given its size, I'm convinced it's the best sounding speaker in the $ 50 price range.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th generation) on the tableJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Beneath the 100% recycled post-consumer mesh that wraps the entire speaker is a 1.6-inch front speaker that delivers crisp highs that are offset by rich-sounding bass. If you are the casual music listener, you will appreciate how the Echo Dot (4th Generation) can fill smaller rooms with its audio very well. You can certainly improve the output by pairing it with other speakers for that room-filling sound. However, it can still stand on its own.

I am convinced that it is the best sounding speaker in the $ 50 price range.

It handles higher volumes well without ever sounding screeching or high-pitched. There's also a little wiggle room when it comes to tweaking the tone, as controls for adjusting bass, mids, and treble are available through the Alexa app. Don't let its small size fool you – the Echo Dot can let some larger speakers rival for its performance.

One design for everyone

Just like its bigger sibling, the Echo (4th generation), the Echo Dot (4th generation) has a spherical shape. The height has increased over the third generation Echo Dot, while the physical buttons for volume, mute, and action continue to lead the way.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th generation) on the tableJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

I was skeptical of this decision, especially when the puck-shaped design has become an icon. Change can be a good thing, however – and that's the case with the new Echo Dot (4th generation). Whether on my desk or on a kitchen shelf – the design fits almost any style and decor.

Amazon also announced the variants of the speaker during its September 2020 event:

Amazon Echo Dot (4th generation) with clock

If you need a bedside companion, this is it Amazon Echo Dot (4th generation) with clock is the logical choice. It shows the time – along with the outside temperature, timers and alarms. I honestly wish the LED clock was a standard feature on the Echo Dot rather than an entirely separate model.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th generation) with clock LED lightJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Apart from the clock functions, nothing differs from the standard model. However, there is a $ 10 premium on this version, which equates to a $ 60 premium. It's worth buying because I can't tell you how convenient it is to find the time without turning to my smartphone.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) Kids Edition

More and more people are relying on smart speakers when working from home, but those who have kids will want to consider the fun and sweetness Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) Kids Edition.

Echo Dot Kids Edition IntroducedAmazon

There are currently two design options available – a panda or a tiger. The Kids Edition has the same features as the standard Echo Dot, but Amazon has a range of kid-friendly content, including a year of Amazon Kids +. Children can ask Alexa to tell them stories, call approved friends, and use some educational skills. Just like the watch, the Kids Edition costs $ 60.

Alexa to the rescue

Alexa, the digital assistant, is growing and developing. Although Alexa is better at providing relevant answers and answers to questions / commands, I find the Google Assistant still does a better job. That said, there are a lot more Alexa-compatible devices to control and control – from everyday things like smart LED lightbulbs to some obscure devices like garage openers.

It's little things like Alexa Guard that create more incentive value.

Thanks to the various Alexa skills that you can acquire, the functionality of Alexa continues to grow. I love that you can change Alexa's voice to Samuel L. Jackson, especially when it comes to the explicit and funny comment.

There is one area that caught my attention more than anything – security features that Alexa can use to watch over my home. With Alexa Guard, the Echo Dot (4th generation) listens for certain noises such as broken glass or a smoke detector. The Google Assistant does a similar thing, but you need to subscribe to the Nest Aware service. It's a free service for Alexa Guard, so I appreciate it rolling out at no additional cost. Would you like a more comprehensive service? Launching soon for $ 5 per month, Amazon Guard Plus has an emergency line that you can call for help by asking Alexa.

Most people expect smart speakers to do the typical things like play music and control other smart home devices, but it's little things like Alexa Guard that make the Echo Dot (4th Generation) more excited at home.

Our opinion

The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) makes some bold changes, but it offers a punchy package that makes it the smart speaker that can be beat in the $ 50 price range. The spherical design is a refreshing change that doesn't stop it from being a capable speaker for music. The only criticism I have is that the LED clock should be standard on all models rather than having a dedicated model.

How long it will take?

Since it is unlikely to be moved from place to place, there is little or no concern that something unfortunate will happen to the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation). Construction is solid, but if something goes wrong internally, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty that covers deficiencies. If you need more, Amazon offers paid accident protection.

Is there a better alternative?

You won't find anything better that combines the exceptional audio performance of the Echo Dot, extensive features, and evolving capabilities of Alexa at around $ 50. If you're craving for better audio performance, the Amazon Echo Studio remains the best Alexa speaker – while the Amazon Echo (4th Generation) bridges the void as an all-round performer at $ 100.

The Google Nest Mini is the natural choice if your budget is around $ 50 and you rely heavily on Google's services.

Should you buy it?

Even if you have the previous version, the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) is a great buy whether you're just starting out or planning an addition.

Editor's recommendations




23 Oct
Blog

Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Review: New Look, Outstanding Results

Amazon Echo 4th Generation Rating 9 out of 14

Amazon Echo (4th generation) review: New look, same excellent results

"A charming new design paired with Alexa's intelligence makes the Echo (4th generation) an outstanding competitor."

  • Charming new spherical design

  • Blinding LED light ring

  • Serves as an Amazon Sidewalk Bridge

  • Great sounding tone

  • Bass trunks at the highest volume

It's hard to imagine that the original Amazon Echo smart speaker was released in 2014 and has become one of the most popular smart speakers around. For many people, it was their introduction to the future of the home – where voice control for hiring a digital assistant to complete tasks was of paramount importance. Now we have the newest member in the established line with the fourth generation Amazon Echo.

While I was relying on a variant of last year's third generation model, Amazon (like many others) surprised me with the introduction of a suitable successor. What is interesting, however, is the radical change in design, which deviates from the traditional cylindrical shape of the pre-speakers. With the new contest offerings already announced, namely Google Nest Audio and Apple HomePod mini, the Amazon Echo (4th generation) clearly has a battle ahead of it to become the standout winner this season.

Charming spherical design

When Amazon presented the Echo (4th generation) during its virtual press event in September 2020, I was skeptical of the new design. It was a radical change from what we've seen so far, so I wasn't particularly impressed. But as soon as I unpacked it, put it on my desk and turned it on, I was thrilled. Seriously beaten, mostly because I didn't expect it to look this good just sitting there.

When we think of speakers, a rectangular shape comes to mind. Therefore, it is a daring step by Amazon to change this (and break from tradition). The spherical shape is not over-inflated as I originally thought. On the contrary, it measures 5.7 inches at the base and 5.2 inches in height. With this two-tone look made from 100% post-consumer recycled fabric that covers most of the speaker, it's a comfortable and charming design that will accentuate any decor.

As usual, there are physical buttons on top of the speaker for volume control, action and microphone mute. Who knows if it's intentional, but the LED light ring around the base of the echo (4th generation) was a brilliant move. Not only does it glow in a pervasive color when I get Alexa, but it fades and pulses in different colors to emphasize Alexa's listening and reactions. The dynamic effect of the LED light ring is even more pronounced when it is placed on reflective surfaces.

A refreshing change that will last a long time.

Amazon put the design on the line and it pays off as a refreshing change that has long been in development. The only complaint I have is that I wish Amazon could just put in an LED display similar to the Echo Dot with a clock, just because it would be nice to be able to tell the time quickly at a glance – instead of asking Alexa .

Adaptive audio for every room

One of the main reasons people buy smart speakers is listening to music, whether leisurely or during a big party. The Amazon Echo (4th generation) does not disappoint in this area. In fact, the Echo line has been known to deliver solid audio by and large. Though, after the Echo Studio last year, Amazon clearly etched a distinctive line that is more of a mid-range offering in terms of audio performance. It's still incredibly capable of calming audiophiles, especially when it uses the same room-resizing technology as the Echo Studio by capturing the acoustics of the room to improve its performance.

Equipped with a 3-inch neodymium woofer and two 0.8-inch tweeters, the audio in the high range is clear and clear thanks to Dolby processing – with a rich bass that compliments it. You can adjust some settings through the Alexa app, e.g. B. Bass, mids, and treble, but I find that they can still sound tense at higher volumes. The lows seem to be affected the most, which puts a little strain on the bass.

The Echo (4th gen) seems just a tiny bit behind the overall performance of the Nest Audio on its own, but it's worth noting that you can pair it with other Echo devices (including smart displays) to enjoy music playback for sync the entire house.

Same old Alexa smart

The Echo wouldn't be what it is today without Alexa, the intelligent assistant that powers the company's many smart home devices. I'll be honest, I don't use Alexa as much as I should as my favorite smart assistant is the Google Assistant. That's because I rely so much on Google's services. That is the logical choice.

After getting to know Alexa again over the past few months with the Amazon Echo Show (2nd generation) and then with the Echo (4th generation), I have a new appreciation for how useful it is as an assistant. First and foremost, it can be seamlessly integrated into Amazon's numerous services. For example, I recently made a purchase on Amazon for these Listerine Pocketmist Sprays. On the day of delivery, I noticed that the LED ring of light on the echo was glowing amber. I didn't know what it meant, however, so I asked Alexa. She told me my order had just delivered before I had a chance to check the notification on my phone.

This is just one of the many examples that show how deeply Alexa is intertwined with Amazon's services. When it comes to controlling the smart home, it can do the same job as the Google Assistant. This, of course, is one of the biggest advantages Alexa has over Google Assistant – as there are far more Alexa-compatible devices than Google Assistant or Siri. While I believe that, in my experience, the Google Assistant is better at responding to questions and requests based on contextual cues, I can't tell you how amused I am to hear Samuel L. Jackson's voice echoing. He's by far the most amusing celebrity voice.

To be honest, Alexa's ability doesn't change with the Echo (4th generation). If you own an older Echo, you won't find anything new here in terms of their capabilities. Downloading more skills will of course expand their functionality, but it's no different from other Alexa-enabled smart speakers and displays.

Help move the sidewalk to more places

It might seem an afterthought to most people, but the Echo (4th generation) is notable for Amazon Sidewalk. This is an addition to the fact that it is also a smart home hub that supports Bluetooth LE and ZigBee. If you have door and window sensors that use these standards, you can set up some of them right from the echo and send commands to them.

The Echo (4th generation) still has a heavy blow to itself and offers wonderful all-round performance.

More importantly, however, it can be used as a sidewalk bridge that helps compatible devices connect. This new low-energy signal has a greater impact on the communication between devices as Amazon Sidewalk becomes more common. Given that bandwidth is a constant problem at home as more and more devices are connected to the Wi-Fi network, Amazon Sidewalk aims to alleviate this congestion and connectivity battle.

What does it all mean? Quite simply, it effectively provides more coverage for compatible devices. The upcoming tile tracker is a perfect example of the reach of Amazon Sidewalk. You can usually find one in close proximity via Bluetooth LE, which is usually no more than several hundred meters away. If you happen to leave it with a friend who happens to have an Echo (4th generation), the tile tracker can still be found when you travel home. This is because the Echo acts as a sidewalk bridge and compatible devices can communicate with it.

This is all new and interesting, but this addition will make Internet of Things devices much easier to communicate with. Even so, the Echo (4th generation) remains a fantastic home hub to control and access all existing smart home devices.

Our opinion

Amazon's gamble to create a new version with its latest Echo smart speaker pays off primarily because the refreshing design is charming, offers an extraordinary audio experience and all the smarts that accompany Alexa. Google's Nest Audio may have the edge when it comes to audio performance, but the Echo (4th generation) still takes a strong punch in its own right and offers great all-round performance. It's priced at $ 100, so it's an important consideration as your next smart speaker. This is especially true if you are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem.

How long it will take?

Amazon prides itself on the construction of the Echo, which is 50% recycled post-consumer plastics, 100% recycled post-consumer fabrics, and 100% recycled die-cast aluminum. It feels solid and isn't overly heavy either, especially when compared to Google Nest Audio.

There is little concern that something will break, mainly because it will remain stationary. However, a 1 year limited warranty is provided to cover any defects. However, Amazon also offers accident protection against costs.

Is there a better alternative?

Music lovers will prefer Nest Audio's performance for better audio quality. On the other hand, the Amazon Echo Studio is the speaker who decides if you are an audiophile but you pay a heavy cost to pick it up.

It also begs the question of whether smart speakers are a valuable choice when smart displays go into the equation. For the cost of $ 100, the Amazon Echo (4th generation) is hard to miss as it offers a well-rounded package. On the other hand, it lacks some of the added conveniences that smart displays offer. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a compelling option at a price that more or less depends on whether it's for sale.

Should you buy it?

You bet! Whether you want to upgrade a pre-speaker or expand your existing collection, the Amazon Echo (4th generation) is great value for money – and it looks oh so good with its new spherical design!

Editor's recommendations




22 Oct
Blog

TicWatch 3 Pro Review: Fast Performance, Long Battery Life

mobvoi ticwatch 3 pro review star face bag

"The latest Qualcomm processor and a clever second display system give the TicWatch 3 Pro good performance and long battery life, which fixes two common problems with the Wear operating system."

  • Three days of battery life

  • Latest Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor

  • Fast performance

  • The screen that is always on is now backlit

  • Wear OS is still frustrating

  • No color or strap selection

The most exciting thing about the Mobvoi TicWatch 3 Pro is what's inside. It is the first smartwatch available with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor. Many hope to be the savior of Wear OS with its higher performance and efficiency, and an incredible battery for serious endurance.

Yes, the Snapdragon Wear 4100 is a massive improvement over the geriatric Snapdragon Wear 3100 and really makes Wear OS more user-friendly than ever. However, it's not the magic bullet that helps kill the Apple Watch or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.

design

Mobvoi seems to have an aversion to changing the design of the Pro series. The TicWatch 3 Pro is a significant improvement over the first TicWatch Pro, but it's a shame that the knurled bezel and buttons from the Pro 4G / LTE model haven't been carried over. However, it's leaner and certainly not ugly. It's just a little bland with the single black color scheme. I'll be wearing this every day and the best wearables are an extension of your other fashion choices so I really would want more of a choice.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The watch is relatively compact with a 47mm case that weighs 41.9 grams, but there is no question that it is a male form. I cannot see the watch for women or those with smaller wrists. The case and caseback are made of plastic and don't feel particularly expensive, while the bezel is made of stainless steel and the strap is made of silicone with an orange tinge. It's soft and comfortable, and it hasn't got sweaty either.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There are two buttons on the housing, the upper one opening the menu and the lower one being assigned to the TicExercise app immediately. However, it can be changed in the app of your choice. The top button on my test watch is very stiff and has not come loose over time, making it awkward and uncomfortable to press. The bottom button is far better, which makes me a little concerned about the overall build quality. Nevertheless, the watch was otherwise reliable.

screen

The design is a bit damp, but the screens are masterpieces. That's right, screens. The TicWatch Pro 3 has a bright and colorful 1.4-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels for Wear OS and a second FSTN LCD screen that acts as the permanent screen of the watch. You'd never know there are two screens, it doesn't add any extra size or weight, but it does reduce power consumption and is much more readable in different lighting conditions.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's the defining feature of the TicWatch Pro series, and Mobvoi redesigned the screen layout for the TicWatch 3 Pro to make it more consistent. Backlighting has also been added to ensure clarity in low light conditions. It makes a big difference.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The FTSN LCD shows the time, date, battery level and step count and is all you need from a screen that is always on. I can see it in daylight and in the dark and it doesn't seem to be affecting battery life at all.

battery

Amazingly, the TicWatch Pro 3's 595 mAh battery lasts three days before it needs to be charged. At first I didn't quite believe this and took special care to check the settings, monitor usage, and count the days it worked on my wrist. Not only did I get three days of life from it repeatedly, including an hour of exercise tracking on two of them, but with less use it was still on the fourth day. The battery life of many other Wear OS smartwatches rarely whistles beyond a full day. So having three days is something to celebrate.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This is hardly known in earlier TicWatch Pro models and the Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30, which also uses the hardware approach for the second screen to ensure an always active view. It's sad that we don't see the dual-screen hardware setup for more smartwatches as it's clearly effective. The Snapdragon 4100 also plays a big role. Qualcomm claims to have reduced electricity consumption by 25%. Both Mobvoi and Qualcomm have really teamed up and improved the smartwatch's battery life significantly.

Qualcomm and Mobvoi really came together and significantly improved battery life.

If you want even more, there's Essential Mode, which turns off the OLED screen and leans on the LCD for the time, but continues to count steps and monitor sleep. Mobvoi claims this offers an excellent 45 days of usage versus 30 days claimed by other smartwatch manufacturers. You can really take the TicWatch 3 Pro with you for a long weekend without the hassle of grabbing the charger and still using both screens, or disappearing into the wild for a month and still having time on your wrist in the end.

The only downside is the charging, which is slow compared to some other Wear OS watches, taking around an hour and 40 minutes to go from 5% to full. That being said, the TicWatch 3 Pro's battery life really impresses with the hardware and improved Essential mode, and is a real reason to buy this smartwatch over many others.

Performance and software

Everything works quickly. If that sounds obvious with modern technology, you've never used a Wear OS watch with 512MB of RAM. The combination of the Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 1GB of RAM means everything works when you want it to. Apps open quickly, you can scroll through Google Maps and switch faces in no time. It's a world apart from the worst Snapdragon 3100 watches and a really good omen for the future of Wear OS.

The increase in performance should mean an all round better experience, right? I thought so, but the TicWatch 3 Pro needs to be optimized. With no rotating crown or bezel, the menus need to be wiped, and there's something pretty muddy about the TicWatch software. It doesn't flow like it should and usually requires a lot more wiping than I'd like. Sometimes taps and swipes are also misinterpreted, which leads me to options that I haven't selected and then slows down because it's confused.

You'll also have to play around with the settings a little to make them more user-friendly. Tilt-to-wake is not active by default and is essential. Otherwise, when notifications come in, you'll have to physically tap the screen to switch from the constantly on second screen. Mobvoi has created its own Wear OS launcher standard. While this is fine, I prefer the look of the default Google launcher, and you'll need to check the settings to change it.

The software still needs to be optimized – there are usability problems.

Then there are the many Mobvoi apps that are installed. There's Ticbreathe, TicExercise, TicHealth, TicHearing, TicOxygen, and TicKitchenSink (maybe). All of them require you to create a Mobvoi account. The general accounts only offer Google Fit. However, you need the TicOxygen app to measure the blood oxygen content (Sp02). It's attractive and fast, although the accuracy and usefulness of this metric continues to be in question for most people.

The notifications from Wear OS are terrible too, perhaps even worse on the TicWatch than on others I test. I received a small percentage of notifications when connected to the LG Wing and the OnePlus 8T. It's such a hit or miss too. Without the Outlook app installed on the watch, I won't get any Outlook notifications, but even if it's installed I still don't get all of them. Incredibly frustrating. I wore the TicWatch Pro 3 right after checking out the Apple Watch Series 6 which came in with 100% notifications, so the silence from Wear OS just got worse.

Health tracking

Most of Mobvoi's apps are related to health and activity tracking, and many replicate the capabilities of Google Fit. However, there are some advantages to using it. TicHealth has more data on your wrist than Fit without having to visit the app on your phone. I like the overall design of TicBreathe and TicZen, although the stress test takes a long time to run. There's a sleep tracking app too, but I didn't find the watch comfortable enough to wear all night.

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The TicWatch 3 Pro has a heart rate sensor, an integrated GPS, IP68 waterproofness for use in the pool and Sp02 blood oxygen measurement. Google Fit works with all of these sensors and is attractive and easy to use. The data collected is logically arranged in the Fit app on your phone, but isn't detailed enough for the really dedicated fitness fan, and Mobvoi's own collection of apps doesn't change that.

Overall, the TicWatch 3 Pro does a good job as an casual fitness tracking system, and I really like the way you can focus your daily goals on heart points rather than steps that seem like a better way to measure your effectiveness assess daily activities.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

What the TicWatch 3 Pro doesn't offer is much more than any other smartwatch when it comes to activity tracking or additional sensors. It's knowledgeable and perfectly acceptable to someone like me who wants quick digestible data and quick-to-activate workout tracking, but not someone who wants comprehensive hardcore sports training data.

Price and availability

The TicWatch 3 Pro is priced at $ 299 or £ 289 is now available from Amazon.

Our opinion

The TicWatch 3 Pro shows that Wear OS hardware is a lifetime, but it also reminds us that Google's software holds back even the most powerful watch. Mobvoi's smartwatch isn't the prettiest you can buy, but it does a lot of things right, from the second always-on screen to using the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100. This means more convenience, longer battery life and faster apps for you.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want the Snapdragon Wear 4100, the TicWatch 3 Pro is your only choice. That situation means it stands on its own right now and just an aversion to the design should make you consider another Wear OS smartwatch.

However, Wear OS is still frustrating and you can buy better smartwatches that don't use Google software. We recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 for owners of Android phones and the Apple Watch SE or Series 6 for iPhone owners.

How long it will take?

With the Snapdragon Wear 4100, Qualcomm's latest smartwatch platform, you get the only smartwatch currently available. Hence, in terms of performance, it is the best choice in terms of longevity. The watch is IP68 waterproof and the reinforced nylon case should prove to be very robust. The quick release strap is easy to change if you don't like it or if it breaks.

The only question mark is above the software. Google provides updates for Wear OS regularly, but rarely includes important new features. However, due to the large amount of Mobvoi software on board, the watch needs ongoing support from both companies in order to stay up to date. Regardless, you can buy the TicWatch 3 Pro with the confidence that it will last two years or more.

Should you buy one?

Yes, the Snapdragon Wear 4100's perks, the superb screen that always shows up, and the long battery life outweigh the software frustrations.

Editor's recommendations




21 Oct
Blog

Acer Spin 3 2020 Hands-On Review

acer spin 3 2020 hands on review p1012411

Acer Spin 3 2020 Practical Review: More for the Money

  • Solid build quality

  • Nice 16:10 QHD + display

  • Thin and relatively light

  • Docked rechargeable pen included

  • Tiger Lake promises good performance

  • Keyboard keycaps were a little slick

  • Large top and bottom bezels look old-fashioned

Acer & # 39; s Spin 3 marks the company's entry into the 360-degree convertible 2-in-1 market. The previous iteration was well received as a 2-in-1 version with some interesting features, such as: B. a pen that charged while docked in a convenient slot on the side, plus solid performance and build quality.

However, this wasn't good enough for Acer as it announced an updated version that changes the design of the laptop while promising to keep the best of the previous version. I used a hands-on pre-release device of the Acer Spin 3. Here are my first impressions.

design

The most important update for the Spin 3 is the switch to a display with an aspect ratio of 16:10 instead of the usual 16: 9. This makes the display larger, offers more information and has to scroll less. A 16: 9 aspect ratio is becoming more common as laptops like the Dell XPS 13 have led the charge, but Acer's approach is different.

While Dell used nearly the same size display case and just filled everything with a 16:10 panel, leaving behind some tiny bezels and a screen-to-body ratio of 90%, the Spin 3 has a big bezel and a surprising one big chin on the floor. The screen-to-body ratio is only 79%, which means the Spin not only looks less modern than the XPS 13, but it also looks bigger than it could be. One benefit of Acer's approach is that the palm rest remains large and comfortable, unlike some laptops with tiny bezels that run out of space.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Spin 3 feels far more solid than its price suggests. The lid is twist-proof, the keyboard deck has no bend and the underside of the case does not move when handled roughly. This time it's an all aluminum design where the previous version had some plastic parts in it and I can tell. I like the way the Spin 3 feels.

Speaking of how it feels, the Spin 3 weighs about 3.08 pounds and is 0.62 inches thin. That makes it heavy, but also thin compared to the HP Specter x360 13 at 0.67 inches and 2.88 pounds. Even so, I found the Spin 3 comfortable to wear and use in all of its different modes. Tablet mode was a bit clunky, but that goes for all non-tablet 2-in-1 devices (including the Specter x360 13).

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The Spin 3 is an attractive, if not surprising, 2-in-1. My device was available in the usual semi-gloss silver found on so many laptops and had few chrome parts, including the Acer logo on the lid and hinge.

The hinge is well tuned so that the lid can be opened with one hand while holding the display in place in all four modes – clamshell, tent, media, and laptop. This is an attribute usually found on more expensive machines.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Connectivity is another strength. On the left are two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 ports, a full-size HDMI port, a USB-A 3.2 port, and a miniSD card reader. On the right side you will find another USB-A 3.2 port, a 3.5 mm audio jack and a Kensington lock port. The wireless connection is provided via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

performance

The Spin 3 looks great on paper. It offers up to a quad-core Intel Core i7-1165G7 of the 11th generation with Intel Iris Xe graphics, up to 16 GB LPDDR4X RAM and two PCIe SSDs with 512 GB or 1 TB. For example, the computer I'm looking at has a Core i5-1135G7, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

We haven't tested enough Tiger Lake machines to draw definitive conclusions, but what we've seen from the Intel reference machine gives us hope of solid performance. At the very least, Tiger Lake should help reduce the distance with AMD's Ryzen 4000 series, which so far has proven to be considerably faster than Intel's 15-watt CPUs.

display

The Spin 3's display is a beauty. The 16:10 display is available in either FHD + (1920 x 1200) or QHD + (2560 x 1600), and my device included the latter.

I found it to be very sharp (although I prefer 4K displays) with a lot of contrast. The colors were natural and bright, and I found the display to do a wonderful job of whatever the job I did.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The 16:10 aspect ratio is great too. It offers more vertical space, which is useful as documents and web pages are designed to scroll vertically. You can easily see more on a 16:10 display than you can on a 16: 9 display.

The sound was competent and, thanks to the upward facing speakers, offered a lot of volume without distortion. Highs and mids were prominent and as usual the bass was minimal. I can use the speakers for the occasional YouTube video and solo Netflix shows, but for music and action movies I would recommend headphones.

Keyboard and touchpad

The Spin 3 uses the usual island keyboard with black keycaps and white letters. I don't know if the keyboard is backlit. I couldn't find a button to turn it on. I found the keycaps themselves a bit small and that affected the spacing, and they were a bit slippery too. The mechanism was comfortable, however, with a light touch and a soft ground movement that isn't as sharp as I like, but still allowed me to type at almost full speed.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The touchpad was moderately large and coated with plastic. It's a Microsoft Precision touchpad that is quick to respond when swiping and using multi-touch gestures. The display is of course touch-sensitive and the included Wacom AES 1.0 pen works well with Windows inks.

Interestingly, my device didn't have Windows 10 Hello support, neither a fingerprint reader nor an infrared camera for facial recognition. I understand that while this will be the case with the base model, updated machines will come with a fingerprint reader.

Battery life

I was unable to do our usual battery tests and so cannot report on the longevity. The Spin 3 has a 56 watt hour battery, which is average for a machine with this screen size. I envision that the Core i5 and FHD + versions will have very good battery life, while the Core i7 and QHD + will suffer thanks to the extra performance and higher resolution.

Prices and availability

The Acer Spin 3 starts at $ 850 for an 11th generation Intel Core i5, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB solid-state drive (SSD). Further prices and availabilities will be announced shortly.

Editor's recommendations




21 Oct
Blog

LG 34GN850-B Review: The Best Ultrawide For Big Budgets

lg 34gn850 b monitor rating dsc02043

"The LG 34GN850-B is an excellent ultrawide monitor for work and play."

  • Excellent picture quality

  • Excellent clarity of movement

  • Intuitive, sharp and responsive OSD

  • Classy look if you skip the booth

  • Smooth and smooth curve

  • Easy access to IO

  • The stand is large and inconspicuous

  • Bad contrast ratio

It is a good time to buy a monitor. While getting the perfect monitor is still not possible, LG ticked a lot of the right boxes on the spec sheet with its 34GN850-B including a 160Hz refresh rate on its ultrawide nano IPS panel with 98% DCI-P3 coverage, 1 ms response times, Adaptive-Sync, HDR400 and more.

These are impressive specs. It's not every day that a monitor lands those numbers for color performance coupled with gaming prestige. But there is a catch. The LG 34GN850 costs twice as much as budget ultrawides that use VA panels and is the same size, resolution, and almost the same refresh rate. Where is the money going?

design

When you unpack the LG 34GN850, you will find that most of your money is used for the panel and its performance. The back of the monitor is made of smooth, brittle plastic with a red ring around the brackets and I / O.

It's not overdeveloped as is the case with a lot of gaming hardware these days, but it's convenient and serves the purpose of enclosing the monitor, which is what matters. Our retail sample had the UltraGear logo on the back, although your device may have the standard, less garish LG badge on it.

Flip to the front of the display and we're excited to announce that LG is improving the finish where it matters. While cheap curved monitors often have unsightly gaps between the panel and the lower bezel due to manufacturing cost savings, LG glues the lower bezel flush across its width to the panel, which, along with the glossy casing on top, bottom, and sides is paired of the display makes the 34GN850 look clean and classy from the front.

The display's 1900R curve is also more consistent than cheaper displays, which often have a clear bend or two to match their curve. Instead, the LG 34GN850 has a very smooth and even curve across its width, which makes the monitor look more expensive and of higher quality.

If you put the 34GN850 on a simple monitor arm with table clamp, you get a classy looking ultrawide.

You can use the supplied stand with the monitor, but there are some issues. The stand itself is among the largest monitor stands I have come across to the point where it's awkward. This brings the monitor too far forward on a desk for comfortable use.

This makes the monitor look bigger and more impressive (which is probably why manufacturers do this). However, for productivity work, competitive gameplay, and eye comfort, you should have the display a little further back.

Combine that with the sticky look of the stand, the wobbly design, and the ineffective attempt at cable management and you'll find that spending an extra $ 60 on a simple desk clamp monitor arm isn't a crazy thought. This is disappointing given the price of this monitor.

If you choose to use the stand, you can expect the monitor to sit about 30 cm from the back of the stand. It comes with height and tilt adjustments, but does not pan or rotate to portrait orientation.

Ports & controls

Now that we've covered the drawbacks of the 34GN850, it's time to move on to the good things. It starts with the controls on the screen. As with previous LG monitors, the controls are impressive.

It's all controlled with a single direction switch at the bottom of the monitor and it's extremely easy to use. Push it forward or backward to jump directly into the brightness controls, or left and right for volume. Pressing it will trigger the menu selection tool which will take you to the main OSD of the display. This menu is crisp, crisp, and responsive, which is what we can't say about many monitors.

As someone who changes brightness a lot, I particularly appreciate the instant one-click access to brightness controls.

Inside, you'll find five sub-menus: Game Mode with a handful of image presets, Game Customization where you can choose the overclocking setting (On for 160 Hz, Off for 144 Hz), Adaptive Sync, Black Stabilizer, and a crosshair.

In the image adjustment submenu you will find controls for brightness, contrast, sharpness, gamma, color temperature and fine-tuning for the colors. Finally, the Input and General submenus give you general system settings.

You want to turn off the auto standby feature because it is set to 4 hours by default. I wasn't happy that the monitor tried to turn itself off three times a day.

Unlike most of its competitors, LG places the rear I / O horizontally rather than down. This is a good move if you ask me. I have never used a rear I / O monitor that was so easily accessible.

Granted, having the cables sticking straight out from the back isn't the most stylish look, but the vast majority of users still place the back of their monitors towards the walls.

You'll want to use the single DisplayPort 1.4a connector to unlock the 144 Hz refresh rate and 10-bit color depth, as using either of the two HDMI inputs limits your maximum refresh rate to 85 Hz for 10-bit colors.

You can overclock the display in the OSD to unlock the full 160 Hz. However, you have to either sacrifice 10-bit color for 8-bit or use YUV422 chroma subsampling while keeping 10-bit color. This results in visible margins around the text. Therefore, the 8-bit color option is preferable.

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If you do a lot of graphics and only play games occasionally, it is best to keep the display at 144 Hz with 10-bit color. However, if gaming performance is your preference, you won't lose much by switching to 8-bit color to get the 160Hz refresh rate. Games may be technically inferior, but they still look good on an 8-bit panel.

Finally, the 34GN850 has a USB 3.0 hub with two ports and a headphone jack. Power is supplied via a modest external component.

performance

If you are buying an ultrawide and are looking for image quality, you've come to the right place.

The LG 34GN850 has a nano IPS panel (LG's Spin on Quantum Dots) with a resolution of 3440 x 1440. LG promises a DCI-P3 color space coverage of 98%. The wide gamut of colors creates a rich image that is really satisfactory, but be warned. Your old displays will look pretty flat once you get used to this wide area.

The color rendering, paired with a 160 Hz refresh rate, shows how far IPS technology has advanced.

The static contrast ratio is limited to just 1000: 1 for IPS, as always, and our tests show some glow in the corners (see the blue glow in the image below). This is where IPS is gradually showing its age, especially when compared to modern technologies like OLED screens and VA panels, although these have their own drawbacks.

We tested the monitor with our Datacolor Spyder X Elite and found that our retail sample can cover 88% of AdobeRGB space and 94% of DCI-P3 space, with colors reproduced in a Delta-E (different from the original) . of 1.68. The peak brightness achieved was measured at 390 nits with a contrast ratio of 900: 1. The best possible contrast value of 920: 1 was achieved with 75% brightness.

Those numbers are a hair below the factory spec, so this panel is a little below average when compared to its performance, but the difference is small. The gamma output, on the other hand, was immediately ready for use.

In our test environment, the monitor's peak brightness of almost 400 nits was too high for normal use and we would expect this to be the case for most users. We would choose to use the monitor in a room with lots of ambient light with a brightness of 50 to 75 percent and at night 40 or less.

By calibrating the monitor, we were able to cover 2% more AdobeRGB color space, but lower the peak brightness by 5 nits and reduce the maximum contrast to 840: 1. The color accuracy was much better at 0.68 so it's safe to say that you can benefit from calibrating the monitor if your use calls for it. However, if you're just playing and don't need better color accuracy, you won't be missing the monitor running on the default settings.

Aside from the numbers, this is an excellent monitor that can be used immediately after calibration. The only weakness is the low contrast ratio, a problem that all IPS panels have in common. You will find this annoying when working or playing in a dark room. Otherwise, the LG 34GN850 delivers a sharp picture with beautiful, yet realistic colors. You can only get better picture quality with the best 4K and 5K monitors, which are often even more expensive.

Gaming performance

The ultra-wide resolution of 3440 x 1440 is nothing new, but it's great for gaming. Think of it like a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) monitor that is wide-spread.

Combine this with the fact that this ultra-wide resolution is still nowhere near the pixel count of 4K displays and represents a good compromise between extreme sharpness and achievable performance. The new RTX 3080 from Nvidia can easily power this display. In most games, an older high-end GPU like the GTX 1080 Ti or the Radeon VII is sufficient. A mid-sized, last-generation GPU like the AMD Radeon 5700XT or the Nvidia GTX 2070 Super would also work.

We tested the monitor with an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super graphics card and the results were impressive. The in-game settings for Horizon Zero Dawn on Ultra were around 65 to 70 FPS, depending on whether the graphics card was overclocked or not, and while that doesn't come close to the high refresh rate of 160 Hz, it's Adaptive-Sync (this display is also G certified) sync compatible), the gameplay kept fluid.

This game makes optimal use of the monitor's wide range of colors. You know the moment shortly before sunset, which is often referred to as the golden hour, when the light turns into a beautifully diffuse shade of red? The 34GN850 handled these intense colors with ease in Horizon Zero Dawn. I've never seen anything like this from a PC.

It was amazing how fast, smooth and clear the picture was at 160 Hz.

Switch to a fast-paced title like Insurgency Sandstorm or the popular Destiny 2 and the fast refresh rate comes into play. For these games, I set the graphics settings to the lowest possible value in order to get the most out of the 160 Hz refresh rate. The clarity of movement was impressive, mostly removing the ghostly trail that often follows and obscuring a fast-moving object.

Samsung's G7 series is the only monitor I've tested that outperforms this LG. In general, you can expect better performance from 240 Hz or 360 Hz displays. However, most of these displays are 24-inch or 27-inch 16: 9 monitors.

Coupled with a 1000 Hz gaming mouse and a fast keyboard, I ended up shots that I normally never landed. I'm not a hardcore gamer – the real world often keeps me too busy to play – but I felt more adept playing on this ultrawide.

HDR performance

The 34GN850 is VESA DisplayHDR400 certified. This is the lowest level HDR monitor available. That already tells you that you shouldn't expect much.

This monitor does not have dimming zones but increases and decreases the backlighting of the entire monitor depending on what needs to be displayed on the screen. If one point needs to be very bright, the entire monitor becomes brighter. That is not optimal.

As a result, the visual difference is not big enough to warrant the frames you have to jump through to make it work. So apart from testing, I left it turned off.

Our opinion

The LG 34GN850 isn't perfect, but it's very good. The build quality is certainly a few notches above the more budget-friendly displays, the picture quality is superb, and the clarity of movement in fast-paced games with the overclocked refresh rate of 160 Hz or even the standard refresh rate of 144 Hz is superb.

The 34GN850 is great not only for competitive gaming, but also for productivity. It's large, has a wide gamut, accurate colors, and provides a consistent, even, and sharp image. If you can live with the IPS drawbacks like low contrast and visible glow in dark scenes, you will fall in love with the LG 34GN850.

Is there a better alternative?

If you are looking for a monitor that is only suitable for gaming and whose absolute (color) performance is not that important, the AOC CU34G2X with its VA panel offers you the greatest contribution to the LG experience. However, the build quality is lower, the color accuracy isn't that impressive right away, and the clarity of movement is significantly poorer.

LG's 34CB99 offers a nano IPS panel and format with excellent colors for editing at two-thirds the price, but it lacks the playing strength of the 34GN850 with a high refresh rate. It's a good choice if gaming isn't important to you or if you just play slow games (like Civilization VI or Microsoft Flight Simulator).

The only monitor with similar performance in terms of gaming and productivity is the Alienware AW3420DW, which has a nicer chassis and stand, but does not match the LG in terms of performance and is significantly higher in price.

How long it will take?

The monitor itself should last as long as any monitor: at least 5 years, although LG only covers it with a warranty for the first year.

It is possible that the monitor's IPS panel will be out of date soon as OLED is much better. On the other hand, OLED has been around for a while, and monitors still haven't adopted it due to issues with price, availability, and image storage. IPS technology may remain relevant in the years to come.

Should I buy it?

Yes. Right now there is no better alternative if you want an ultrawide that is suitable for both work and leisure. Just note that LG can't seem to keep up with demand. As such, getting your hands on the LG 34GN850 may be more challenging than you think and you may have to pay up to $ 100 above MSRP.

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