20 May
Blog

Honor 9X Pro Review: A Noble, But Underwhelming Attempt

Honor 9x pro rating backhand

"The Honor 9X Pro is good value for money, but has some major drawbacks, including a confusing software situation."

  • Solid performance

  • Big display

  • Long lasting battery

  • Neat camera with many functions

  • Outdated software

  • Limited availability of the app

  • Slow battery charging

For just $ 300, you can buy the Honor 9X Pro smartphone, which undercuts inexpensive phones like the Google Pixel 3a and the Apple iPhone SE 2020. But is it worth saving some money to buy the Honor 9X Pro instead? Honor is known for trendy designs and specifications that outperform the competition, features that the 9X Pro certainly offers – but unfortunately, the software of the phone lets it down.

design

The Honor 9X Pro is a large smartphone. It's only a few millimeters from the bulk of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, and weighs 20 grams less than the Samsung Monster – 202 grams versus 222 grams – and feels heavier and more voluminous in your hand. The sides are not rounded so neatly and generally feel thicker and wider than the measurements suggest.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While the Honor 9X has a plastic back, the Honor 9X Pro has a glass rear wall with a new X design. The 9X's pixel art look has been replaced with a more mature design that uses a blue-purple gradient effect to showcase the X. It looks great, especially in the sun. Yes, it's striking, but it stands out. You will not confuse the Honor 9X Pro with another phone.

In the upper left corner there is a three-lens camera in a module that is smaller than many competitors. There is a large fingerprint sensor in the power switch on the side of the phone. This is very much appreciated. While not as pioneering as a fingerprint sensor on the display, it is significantly faster and more reliable than the in-display readers available on phones in this price range. I will take the illusion of owning a more expensive device every day.

The fingerprint sensor and the color are clear reasons to take a closer look at the Honor 9X Pro. However, the overall size and weight are off-putting. It will only appeal to people who want a very, very large phone.

Display quality

This brings us to the reason for the phone's large dimensions – it has a 6.59-inch screen. It's a whopper (especially for a budget device), but the resolution is modest at 2340 x 1080 pixels, and it appears to be the same panel used for the regular Honor 9X. It is an LCD screen like the Moto G stylus and not an OLED panel like the Samsung Galaxy A51. Will you notice the difference? Yes. The colors are not so vivid or natural and the viewing angles are not that wide. However, given the low price of the phone, it's still attractive enough.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The screen is flat and has no curved edges to soften the appearance or minimize reflections. I found it quite difficult to find the right viewing angle on the Honor 9X Pro, and it's not that bright even in direct sunlight.

Still, the Honor 9X Pro's screen is good for most everyday purposes – especially text, social media, reading messages, and sending messages with friends. There's also no selfie camera to distract you, as the selfie camera is hidden in a motorized pop-up module on top of the phone.

Unfortunately, the 16-megapixel pop-up camera, like the Honor 9X, is sluggish. It takes a beat or two longer than I would like when it comes out of the body, and then makes an unsettling "click" that you can feel through the body of the phone. I don't expect that from the usually excellent Honor build quality. The slow speed also means that Honor didn't worry about a face unlock option on the 9X Pro.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Honor 9X Pro lacks the most sophisticated screen technology and the smooth curves that make expensive phones look so modern. Still, it's fine for normal everyday use.

Camera quality

The triple lens camera on the back consists of a 48 megapixel 1: 1.8 main camera, a 1: 2 / 4-8 megapixel wide-angle camera and a 2 megapixel depth detection camera. Sounds familiar? It's exactly the same as the Honor 9X's camera, released in mid-2019. It seems that Honor has optimized the software and does not oversaturate every image in the same way, although this is still possible on bright and sunny days.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I have nothing against a vivid, saturated photo and understand that many people like to share this type of picture. But even for me, some of the Honor 9X Pro's footage went overboard. The camera can take wide-angle pictures and with 2x zoom. Without a telephoto lens, however, these recordings are digitally cropped. Nevertheless, the zoomed photos are quite good and show enough details without much loss. This is likely due to Honor's use of Huawei's excellent camera technology for artificial intelligence.

Edge detection and focusing in portrait and aperture modes is much less successful, and the camera does not excel when it approaches subjects and produces blurry photos when you try to blur the background. When using the aperture mode, even the edges of relatively simple shapes were misjudged. Night mode effectively brightens pictures, but the pictures lack life and detail.

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  • 1.
    Non-night mode
  • 2nd
    Night mode

Selfies are acceptable without being outstanding. Honor sets the beauty mode to a medium level by default. Therefore, pay attention to a certain smoothing of the skin, especially in portrait mode. You don't want to do this often anyway, because edge detection is not good. However, I like some of the special modes, including the greeting mode, which removes all but one color, and the excellent photo editing tool in the Gallery app.

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Taking photos with the Honor 9X Pro is very similar to taking photos with the Honor 9X, an older phone that's cheaper to buy and doesn't feel good. These photos are shared and fun, but it's not worth spending more on.

software

In terms of software, the news is not good. My test Honor 9X Pro installed Android 9 with Huawei EMUI 9.1 and the Android security patch from November 2019. This is a step backwards for Honor, as the 9X Pro not only does not have Honor's own MagicUI on Android, but the basic version of Android is completely out of date. The Honor 9X Pro also does not come with Google Mobile Services or the Google Play Store.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Huawei App Gallery and alternative third-party app stores such as the Amazon App Store are your sources for apps. The situation here is the same as that of the Huawei P40 Pro and the Huawei Mate Xs folding smartphone. In a separate article, I explained in detail what it means to not have Google Play installed.

The app gallery is improving and Huawei is confident that it will get much better soon. Although practical new apps like Here WeGo cards have arrived, they are still sparingly available. Migrating from Google is not as challenging as you might fear. However, the problem occurs when you try to install apps that are not available from official sources. For example, banking apps are completely missing. There is also no mobile payment system and, of course, no official Google Apps.

You will rely more on the browser. I installed Firefox and synced my Google Chrome data to make it easier to use. From there it is easy to access the web versions of YouTube, mobile banking and services like Uber. However, the experience is not as fluid or reliable as an app.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

EMUI 9.1 may be out of date, but important features like gesture control are still included and work very well on the 9X Pro's large screen. However, I miss features like a constantly active screen and dark mode that are found in many other Honor, Huawei, and competitive phones.

Learning how to get new apps makes switching from a Google Services phone to the Honor 9X Pro a more complex and time-consuming task than we'd like, while the old software and outdated security update will be an unwanted obstacle for buyers.

Power and battery

The Honor 9X Pro has a Kirin 810 octa-core processor with 6 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage space. My review phone also has NFC, although Google Pay is not supported. I ran two benchmark apps for comparison, but they were installed outside of the app gallery, so they may not give accurate results.

3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 2,517 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 580 single core / 1,843 multi core

This is better than the Samsung Galaxy A51 and the Google Pixel 3a, but of course it cannot come close to the OnePlus 8 with its Snapdragon 865 chipset. The Honor 9X Pro always felt fast enough, even when playing. Asphalt 9: Legends is available in the App Gallery and the racing game runs very well on the Honor 9X Pro. I haven't seen any performance issues and really enjoyed playing it. Sound comes from a single, down-facing speaker that's loud enough to irritate people around you while playing or watching movies, but doesn't have a lot of bass or detail.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The battery has a capacity of 4,000 mAh and is very durable. I found that he was kept in moderate operation for two days without any problems. This is a good thing because the phone cannot be charged quickly, which is possible with a 10W USB Type-C charger. You want to charge overnight as it takes at least 2 hours to fully charge from the empty state. Yes, the Honor 9X Pro is an affordable phone, but Honor and Huawei have one of the best quick charging systems available, and it's a shame not to see it here for added value.

Price, guarantee and availability

The Honor 9X Pro is available in the UK through Honor's own online shop for £ 250 or around $ 305 and is also available in various European countries, the Middle East and Asia. Anyone interested in the Honor 9X Pro in the U.S. must buy one through an importer. In the UK, the phone grants a two-year warranty on defects, with the battery and charger covered for six months.

Our opinion

For the price, the Honor 9X Pro offers great value for money with excellent performance, a decent camera, a large screen and a long-lasting battery. Slow charging of the battery, a bulky shape and the availability of apps decrease. Although this is a situation that Honor cannot resolve very quickly, it should really do something about the outdated software.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. If you can expand your budget to $ 400, we recommend buying the iPhone SE 2020, one of our cheapest smartphones. The performance is great, the software is kept up to date for years and the style and build quality are excellent. The $ 400 Google Pixel 3a is also a great phone, but it is getting old and a Pixel 4a is on the horizon. You might also want to check out the Samsung Galaxy A51 for $ 400 and the older Motorola Moto G7. If you don't have an Honor phone, the cheaper Honor 9X is very similar to the 9X Pro.

How long it will take?

The Honor 9X Pro is not a durable phone and has no water resistance. So if you want a long life, you should put it in a protective case for protection. Due to the performance and size of the screen, the phone is suitable for a few years. During this time, Huawei is sure to increase the number of apps in its app gallery.

The outdated software is a warning sign and indicates that you should not expect many updates in the future. This means the phone may be vulnerable to security issues and not benefit from features introduced in future versions of EMUI or Android.

Should you buy it

No. The Honor 9X Pro is a good phone, but the software – both in terms of app availability and updates – is not.

Editor's recommendations




19 May
Blog

Razer Opus Wireless Headphones Review: Valuable Sound

Razer Opus

Razer Opus Wireless Headphones Review: A Budget ANC Champion

"Outstanding sound quality and an effective $ 200 ANC make Razer & # 39; s Opus great value for money."

  • Comfortable design

  • First class appearance

  • Awesome ANC

  • Great sound quality

  • Standard battery life

  • Outdated Bluetooth technology

Razer has become a household name in the gaming world. Headphones and other products complement this experience. However, it has not ventured into the area of ​​lifestyle audio.

This is now changing with the release of the Razer Opus wireless headphones by the company. At $ 200, the Opus offers a surprisingly wide range of features for its price, including active noise cancellation and THX-certified audio quality. To see if the Razer Opus did justice to its technical sheet, I looked over the page and brought these new headphones to the right level.

Out of the box

It may not seem like the most important part of a headphone, but the packaging is your first experience with a new product. In other words, it is important to dress appropriately for the occasion.

Razer Opus headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Razer Opus doesn't wear a three-piece suit, but it's adorned with a sharp shirt with a collar, and that's more than fine for me. Under the lid of the box there is a rounded carrying case with headphones, USB-C charging cable, 3.5 mm analog cable, USB-A to USB-C adapter and airline headphone adapter.

The Razer Opus setup follows the regular pairing protocol. Turn on the headphones and they will respond by automatically switching to Bluetooth pairing mode. Then you have to find the sockets in the Bluetooth settings of your device and establish the connection.

I will anticipate this criticism by saying the following: I have had no specific problems with my connection to the Razer Opus, and the range of these headphones is reasonable. Unfortunately, unlike the more advanced Bluetooth 5 technology, the Opus only supports Bluetooth 4.2. I know that some cost-saving measures may have to be taken to make these headphones what they are, but the latest Bluetooth technology seems to be a priority.

design

The Razer Opus may be positioned closer to the budget side of headphones, but its design exudes a premium presence. They are an elegant midnight blue – a black version will follow later – with Razer logos on each side of the headband and a THX logo on each ear cup. Razer is excited about this THX certification if you haven't noticed it yet.

Razer OpusNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Both the ear cups and the headband are covered with a soft synthetic leather foam, which creates a comfort that I thought would be held fairly well over long listening times. The headphones have a circumaural design, ie the ear cups fit around the ear and weigh 265 grams. They are neither excessively heavy nor incredibly light, but they distribute the weight of the product well.

The opus doesn't have a large selection of buttons, and that's a good thing. There is an on / off switch and a button for operating the active noise reduction functions on the left auricle and volume controls / action buttons on the right auricle. Basically, it has the buttons you need to effectively control your listening experience, not just one button.

The included carrying case feels robust and can protect the headphones when not in use. I can't help feeling that they resemble an old (classic?) CD case, although this says more about my age than the design quality of this case.

properties

Most of the main functions of the Razer Opus are geared towards audio. So later in this review, I'll go into things like THX certification and active noise cancellation. But that doesn't mean that we don't have a few things to discuss in the meantime.

Razer OpusNick Woodard / Digital Trends

For example, battery life is an interesting area. A month or two ago, I might have been thrilled with the battery life the Opus offers for its price – up to 25 hours of playback with the ANC on. It's a better battery than the recently released Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 for $ 50 less.

However, the fact is that it is an ever-changing ecosystem of wireless audio products. In terms of battery life, Sony Razer struck with the recent release of the WH-CH710N. These headphones, whose price is almost identical to that of the Opus, offer 35 hours of playback with noise reduction turned on and 45 hours without.

In my experience, Razer's estimated battery performance was as expected. For most people, 25 hours of playback at the same time is more than enough, but there are better values ​​for the price.

The Opus has an auto pause / play feature that pauses and resumes audio when the headphones are removed or replaced. This is always a subtle but appreciated feature. However, if this isn't a preferred feature, you can disable it in the associated Razer Opus app (available for iOS and Android). You can also customize the headphone's auto power off feature and access an equalizer to customize the sound to your liking.

Audio quality

There is a reason why Razer employees are proud of the Opus' THX certification, and this is justified. The Razer design team told me that if they wanted to make lifestyle headphones, they wanted to do it right, which meant doing everything they could to create a comfortable listening experience – and that started with THX.

Razer Opus headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Opus has passed the three-stage THX certification process using 40mm drivers, a frequency range from 20 to 20,000 Hz and support for audio codecs like AAC and aptX. This is all well and good, although specifications are not always translated well. How do these headphones sound?

Strikingly precise in two words. Razer has created a Spotify playlist to test the audio quality of the opus, which consists of a diverse mix of music. Tracy Chapman's Fast Car showed the vocal clarity of the cans, while the opus drivers never missed a beat with a tight bass track like Billie Eilish's Bad Guy. And if you fancy a real adventure for your ears, try Alma Brasileira from Heitor-Villa-Lobos and Yo-Yo Ma. No need to thank me.

For the cost, I think these headphones produce excellent sound quality for most people. You won't beat the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 in the world, but they come impressively close to this upper level.

Active noise cancellation

The Razer Opus have a lot to do when it comes to noise cancellation. First, they offer passive noise isolation with these soft foam ear cups, which commendably even excludes noise.

Razer Opus headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Then there is the Opus' active noise cancellation, which uses a hybrid design that consists of two external and two internal microphones on each ear cup. This is about fighting a wider frequency range of unwanted noise on multiple fronts, with the external microphones picking up external frequencies such as human speech or traffic, and the internal microphones analyzing and optimizing the sound that gets into your ears.

As I found in my last reviews – and probably for my next ones too – testing ANC with public travel was not an option. Razer offers a YouTube video that goes through these types of sounds. However, it does contain instructions on how to play the sounds through a 5.1 system and to switch between the different ANC modes to assess the cancellation.

My review is in and I'm in awe. These aren't the best noise canceling headphones – the Sony WH-1000XM3 is still the best choice in this category. However, the Opus has remarkably effective active noise cancellation at a price that makes it an enticing value.

If I had a complaint with the opus' ANC functions, this is the headphone's ambient awareness function. It is not the actual function that is effective in introducing outside noise, but rather that Razer's method of turning the function on involves pressing and holding the ANC button for the duration of its use. This can be cumbersome the longer you have to hear outside noise.

Our opinion

The Razer Opus are not without shortcomings – but they are minor, and the affordable audio quality and active noise cancellation in these headphones far outweigh these problems.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Sony WH-CH710N is priced at $ 199, better battery life, and more advanced Bluetooth technology. However, I would choose the opus when it comes to sound quality and ANC. The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are another option with great sound and solid ANC, but have a shorter battery life of $ 250.

How long will they last?

With a two-year warranty, Razer appears to be ready to stand by its new product. Bluetooth support is a concern, but expect the headphones to last a long time.

Should you buy it

Yes. Razer has made affordable headphones with great sound and excellent active noise cancellation while limiting its shortcomings. Overall, the wireless Opus headphones are a value that won't disappoint.

Editor's recommendations




18 May
Blog

Chex Quest HD Review: Only 90s Kids Will Understand

Chex Quest HD test: Only children from the 90s will understand it

"Chex Quest HD is a short but pleasant hit from the nostalgia of the 90s."

  • True to the original

  • Simple but fun shooting

  • Wonderfully nostalgic

  • Missing basic user interface

  • Very little repeat value

Let's get something out of the way right away: you already know if you will download Chex Quest HD.

That's because the free remake, which modernizes a 1996 staple from childhood packed with boxes of Chex cereal, is less of a game than a nostalgia journey of the 90s. Your enjoyment of this bizarre first-person shooter directly depends on how much time you spent as a child teasing Flemoide on your parents' PC. And if "zorching flemoids" already sounds like a foreign language, you shouldn't expect to get into the joke now. If you know, you know.

The quality of Chex Quest HD is inextricably linked to the context. For fans who grew up with the original, it is a loyal, if incomplete preservation that makes one of the strangest marketing stunts of games fun again. For everyone else, it's a minimalist doom clone that's about as deep as a bowl of chex.

Chex the right boxes

Chex Quest was originally developed as a trick to make Chex muesli more attractive for modern children. The game used id Software's doom engine to develop a healthy first person shooter that replaced chainsaws and shotguns with spoons and laser remotes. Instead of Doomguy, the players led the Chex Warrior on a mission to teleport snotty aliens back to their home dimension.

While the HD update swaps sprites for smooth 3D textures, the remake is still Doom at its core. In each level, players have to navigate through maze-like levels, find colored key cards and discover secret passages. A quarter of a century later, Chex Quest HD offers a double dose of enjoyable nostalgia: one for the game itself and one for a PC shooter style that dominated the 1990s.

This conservation is important because the time for the original game was not good. After finishing my pleasant hours of playing through the remake, I tried to revisit the 1996 version to see how much had really changed. I was surprised (well, maybe not too surprised) that it wasn't as fun as I remembered. The movement felt awkward and I couldn't put my head around the game's awkward keyboard.

Chex Quest HD offers a double dose of enjoyable nostalgia: one for the game itself and one for a PC shooter style that dominated the 90s.

In comparison, Chex Quest HD feels much closer to what I remember. This can be seen most clearly in the shooting (um, zorchen), which is easier to read thanks to revised animations. Zorchers feel more like radiation cannons and less like unwieldy TV remote controls. The improvements make a major contribution to making the game playable again without losing its goofball charm.

Mixed bag

While protecting my childhood memories, Chex Quest HD doesn't do much to overcome its nostalgic act. This is not because of not trying.

The big innovation is a multiplayer mode that can only be played with four friends on site or via Steam. This limitation suggests how it works best: sit down with a few close friends to laugh at the absurdity of a Chex Mix-themed death match. Separated from this context, it is little more than a novelty within a novelty.

Chex Quest HD

Along with the new mode, the game features several characters that can be unlocked by finding passwords on social media or in pockets with Chex Mix. It's a smart marketing trick, but the characters don't add much to the experience. They all play the same thing, with the main difference that they come with their own hackneyed language lines. Each character has their own alternate campaign end, but I'm not sure if someone is so confused by the Chex lore that they want to go through story mode six times.

The remake adds a few new features, but none of them transform the game into anything other than a short walk through the past.

Chex Quest HD also lacks some features of the original. The remake removes the five difficulty levels of the original and removes the main source for the replay value of the game. And strangely, there's no way to display a map or display the game's controls.

Perhaps it is not particularly easy to scold a game with Chex Mix branding on almost every door because of its interface deficiencies. But considering that the remake is about a generation that doesn't take the joke, it's not too difficult to convert new followers. Chex Quest became a cult because the idea of ​​a free video game for kids from the 90s was stunning. This idea just doesn't have the same effect in the Fortnite era.

Our opinion

Chex Quest HD is a no-brainer for anyone who wants to spend an afternoon in the 90s. Smoother recordings and optimized animations make for a more readable experience that matches the 1996 game, but the minimal package is unlikely to convince players who are not so enthusiastic about a "free" label in 2020. Missing user interface and flat extras make this strange oddity the embodiment of the meme "Only children from the 90s will understand it".

Is there a better alternative?

Dusk is a better balance between nostalgia and quality for those looking for a 90s-style shooter, but Chex Quest HD is the only Doom clone with a snack theme on the market.

How long it will take?

The five levels last about an hour, though secrets, unlockable characters, and local multiplayer are available to those who want to get an extra game session out of it.

Should you buy it

Yes. It's short, free, and just weird enough to deserve a curious look.

Editor's recommendations




16 May
Blog

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI Review: Features Over Cleaning

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI

"This robotic vacuum cleaner has almost all the functions you can imagine on its small body."

  • Has security camera function

  • Allocates rooms quickly

  • Avoids objects well

  • Doesn't wipe well

  • Carpet cannot be wiped and vacuumed at the same time

  • Missing spots and corners

  • App breakdowns out

The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI is an innovative robot vacuum cleaner that not only sucks in dust and fluff, but also wipes it. It also uses Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to map multiple rooms, avoid obstacles, and ensure better cleaning. It is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. Even more interesting is that the camera can even be used as a surveillance camera. At first glance, the T8 has a lot to offer. I found the following when I tried it.

DEEBOT T8 AIVI in a bedroomEcovacs

To install

After connecting the app to the bot, you need to let the bot map your entire house. TrueMapping technology is designed to map your home with a 2x range and 4x accuracy compared to the company's previous models. If you have a house with a second floor, the T8 can also create a separate map for each floor.

However, reaching the end of the mapping process can be difficult. If it gets caught on something and you move it, it has to start over. If the juice runs out before mapping, it has to start over. If it fails, it has to start over. Fortunately, I haven't encountered these problems more than once.

DEEBOT T8 AIVI tiresAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

In addition to using A.I. To avoid objects, the T8 has large wheels. You can drive over obstacles up to 20mm high, which means they won't get caught on door sills or small items and speed up the mapping process. Other robotic vacuum cleaners tend to get caught in these obstacles. So it's wonderful that their powerful wheels handle them like a champion – I didn't have to run to prevent them from getting stuck while mapping!

It was also mapped incredibly quickly. Within a minute it had two whole rooms and then some on the app. The catch is that it has to clean the entire house and scan the rooms and then return to its charging station, otherwise the mapping will not be saved. This is a problem I had when I tried the Deebot 960. So it seems that Ecovacs still hasn't found a solution to this problem.

DEEBOT T8 AIVI App

You can use the app to name different rooms. Then you can touch the card and the T8 will drive into the area to start cleaning. This is a super smart feature that gives you more control than other vacuum cleaner systems. However, the problem is that you have to switch the app to advanced mode and then reassign it. I'm not sure why the map I've already created cannot be used, but the reallocation is impractical.

Sweeping and wiping

According to Ecovacs, the improved AIVI technology (Artificial Intelligence and Visual Interpretation) of the T8 offers a 200% faster detection speed for objects and obstacles in the area, as well as a 60% reduction in the entanglement rate compared to other robot vacuum cleaners with LDS navigation technology. This basically means that it runs less often on and over objects. I found that true. It did a good job of avoiding objects and got stuck only once.

It also detects when your floors need more suction to get better cleaning and adjusts accordingly. Although it maps quickly and avoids most objects, I am not impressed with how well it vacuums. It seems to overlook many spots, runs in random patterns and doesn't get any edges or furniture very clean. It also does not notify you when the container is full. It runs around thinking about its cleaning, but it really isn't.

DEEBOT T8 AIVI container and power switchAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

After cleaning, the app shows where the bot has not cleaned because it has encountered obstacles. The app suggests that you move the objects so the T8 can go back and clean the area. This is great, but some of the objects that should be moved were furniture. That gave me a big Facepalm moment.

The T8 kills 99.26% of the bacteria on your floors.

The moping function is simply to attach a mop pad to the bottom of the bot and fill the reservoir with water. Yes, only water according to the instructions. Can you use cleaning solutions? Probably, but the manual doesn't say you can. Even so, a study by the Hygiene and Microbiology Research Center in Japan claims that the T8 kills 99.26% of the bacteria in your floors. How can this be possible? I'm not a scientist, so I guess I have to take your word for it.

DEEBOT T8 AIVI water tankAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The T8 does not absorb a lot of water from its reservoir while wiping. However, it does not leave much moisture and the floors dry quickly with medium water flow. You can adjust the water setting with the app, but the higher setting didn't seem to leave much more water on the floor.

Overall, the moping function didn't do much on my floors. My kitchen floor was still dirty when the bot pointed it out to me, even after I tried again and increased the water flow to ultra high.

The T8 "sucks and wipes in one pass." I thought that was wrong.

The T8 can recognize carpets to avoid them and stick to surfaces such as linoleum and tiles. The T8 ran up to my carpet, but never let it touch the wiping pad.

The cleaning function that I was most happy about was that T8 AIVI can vacuum and wipe at the same time. According to the Ecovac website, the T8 sucks and wipes simultaneously in one pass. I somehow thought that was wrong. You have to remove the wiping pad so that the bot can suck according to the manual. It does sweep the floor before the mopping pad moves over the surface. However, since it doesn't approach the carpets while the mop pad is installed, you shouldn't expect it to vacuum up carpets or rugs.

Camera shots

DEEBOT T8 AIVI camera on security

In addition to vacuuming and wiping, you can use the T8's camera to take photos, record videos, talk to people in other rooms, and conduct a security patrol of your home. It has a remote control function that allows you to drive it around your home like a toy robot. That was actually pretty cool. I could drive it into my daughter's room and tell her to do her chores without leaving my home office. It is a lazy person's dream.

As a surveillance camera? It is not awesome. For starters, the view is like that of a toddler crawling on the floor, and the video isn't very clear. It can tell you if someone was in your house just because you could see their feet walking around. You can see faces as long as they are the perfect distance from the camera.

There is a patrol mode that you can either turn on manually or schedule when the T8 will patrol your home. If your T8 is not in patrol mode, you can control it with the remote control on the video manager screen of the app in your house. When not in active use, the camera is turned towards the charging station so that it cannot see anything unless you rotate it using the app or by hand.

This feature can be useful in so many ways other than just security. For example, you can use it to check your pets at work or to spy on your children while the babysitter is watching them to make sure they are not behaving.

Keys

The T8 is cleaning a carpet.Ecovacs

I don't like that this robotic vacuum cleaner has only one power switch on top. Sometimes you don't want to open your phone and search for an app. Pressing a button on the vacuum is simply easier. For example, the Eufy RoboVac G30 has a return button, an on / off switch and a stain removal button. I found it super helpful when I was doing other tasks. I could just tap a button and then do my other tasks.

App

The Ecovacs app is not great. It tends to be flawed. It also has a habit of disconnecting from the bot, which is particularly annoying as there is no button on the top to send back to the charger. So you either have to pick up the bot and carry it to the charger or try to reconnect the bot to the app. Restarting the app seemed to fix most of the problems, but it's an inconvenience.

Battery life

DEEBOT T8 AIVI on the chargerAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Ecovacs claims that the T8 AIVI with its 5,200 mAh battery can clean more than 3 hours or up to 200 minutes on one charge. I found that this was not very accurate. It ran for about 119 minutes on one charge. Even though it missed the mark, it's still a much longer life than many Vac-Bots on the market. Of course, cleaning conditions can vary how long a bot can clean. When the battery is almost empty, it automatically returns to the charging station, but is not yet finished. Once charged, it continues and completes its cleaning routine exactly where it left off.

Our opinion

Partly spy, part mop, part vacuum – the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI is innovative, but in many areas it lacks tracking. I wish it was vacuumed better and the mop would inspire me a little more. The price of just under $ 800 would probably be worth it if these features were better, since the camera capabilities are fantastic.

Is there a better alternative?

There aren't many robotic vacuum cleaners that can wipe and have the surveillance camera, so probably not. The European Mayan robotic vacuum cleaner has similar features, a nicer app, and a longer warranty, but is not widely available.

The only other thing that fits exactly is the Roborock S6 MaxV, which is equipped with two cameras to avoid obstacles, vacuum cleaners and pugs at the same time. It offers better cleaning performance and costs a little less ($ 750). However, if you need a great mop, I recommend the iRobot Braava Jet 240 or the iRobot Braava Jet m6.

Will it take?

The T8 is well built and looks very robust. The metal door that covers the container is a good choice to protect the bot from falling objects. There is also a one year limited warranty.

Should you buy it

No. This is a difficult question as I would almost say that it is worth buying the T8 only for the security patrol and other camera skills. However, it's a lot of money for a cleaning bot that doesn't clean as well as it could. I have to say "passed".

Editor's recommendations




16 May
Blog

Amazon Echo Show Review | New (2nd Gen) 2018 Model

Amazon Echo Show 2 review

Echo Show (2nd generation)

"With a bigger screen and a stronger sound, the new Amazon Echo Show is better in every way."

  • Impressive sound quality

  • Crystal clear display

  • Larger screen than the previous model

  • Built-in smart home hub

  • Expensive

  • No Z-Wave integration

We felt that the Amazon Echo Show was up for an update. Given the competition from Google Assistant over the beautiful Smart Display from Lenovo and the Link View from JBL, both of which offer better sound and display quality, Amazon had to catch up.

The company delivered the Amazon Echo Show (2nd generation), an Alexa speaker with a screen, when it was released in October 2018 for $ 229. We had some time with the new device and Amazon definitely delivered.

Alexa, show me film times

Like the previous Echo show, the new show looks a bit like a supported tablet. But the new show has a bigger, crystal-clear 10-inch display (the old one was seven inches tall). It serves as a smart hub, meaning it can use the ZigBee protocol to connect to smart home devices.

Another difference between old and new devices is the shape. The older version was similar to an old school blocky TV, while the new one is more streamlined and has a sandstone or charcoal back. It's ideal for a kitchen environment where you can ask Alexa to show you tutorials on how to make lasagna, for example.

Amazon increased the sound quality with two two-inch premium drivers, a passive bass heater and Dolby processing. In addition, you can adjust the treble and bass from anywhere in the room with just your voice. You can also use the show to set up Alexa's multi-room audio feature.

You can adjust the treble and bass from all over the room with just your voice.

The show offers better integration with ring security products (owned by Amazon), especially the video doorbells. When your doorbell rings, you can see who’s on the front door on the Show screen. With a Hulu subscription, you can also watch live TV on your device and make Skype calls soon.

In addition, the show does everything a normal echo speaker can do, e.g. B. Add items to your shopping list, set the timer or enter the square root of 52,000 (answer: 228.03508502). For those of you who can sneak into your home from devices with a screen, there is a way to turn off both the camera and speaker for privacy reasons.

Alexa, play Cardi B.

We had the opportunity to work on the new show and were impressed by the improved sound quality. We mean significantly improved. We placed the new Echo Show next to the old one to do sound tests side by side and were thrilled. It is clear that Amazon has moved the sound from the "good enough" category to the "good enough to play during a party" category.

We asked Alexa to play Cardi B's I Like It, which has a decent amount of bass. While our old Echo Show sounds a bit muffled with songs with fat bass, the new show has mastered the task well and offers an adult, clear, bold, space-filling version of the song. We had a similar experience when we asked Alexa to go one step further with The Beatles & # 39; Let it Be. The instrumentals and lyrics mixed well. And if you want more power, you can optionally pair the show with the new Echo Sub and other Echo speakers to double the sound.

We let both devices play uptown funk and found that the new show projected a bold, fuller sound across the room, creating a multi-dimensional version of the song that wasn't there before.

Amazon Echo Show 2 reviewRich Shibley / Digital Trends

The improvements are also great for the display. We watched a few minutes of an episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and again the improvement in clarity of the display was strong. Sharp, clear images appeared on the screen, and the device can definitely be used as a television if you wish. While it doesn't quite match the clarity of Lenovo's smart display with Google Assistant, it was a huge improvement over the previous Echo Show.

Obviously, it would be a little difficult to gather around the device like a television, since it is supported at an angle. However, if you want to follow the game while cooking dinner, you will get a detailed overview of current events.

Alexa, turn on the lamp below

We were able to get the show up and running in our smart home without any problems. After connecting, we were asked for our Amazon Prime account information and our WiFi password and we were ready to go. We should note that we have already installed the Alexa app on our phone and connected the device to an existing network of Echo devices. If this is your first echo, you need to do other tasks in the front end, e.g. For example, setting up your preferred language, connecting music streaming services to your account, and adding smart home devices that you want your Echo to control. The Alexa app and show screen will walk you through the steps for a painless setup.

We connected the show to our Nest camera and watched footage of it in no time. The larger screen and clearer display of the new show made a big difference: we could see whether our son's eyes were open or closed in bed – something we couldn't do before. We also connected our Noon and Philips Hue lights and smart plugs and were able to easily switch any device on and off with just the sound of our voice.

Otherwise, the Alexa voice assistant is the same that you'll find in any Alexa device – it can solve math problems for you, tell you what your favorite superhero is, set multiple timers, make calls, and more. The advantage of a screen comes into play when you need to view video, play movies or cook videos, make video calls, or even use your voice to answer the ring of your ringtone. We test this new feature when we get a ringtone doorbell installed.

A couple of things: While we’re excited about integrating Zigbee, we’d like Amazon to add Z-Wave functionality to make the show compatible with a wider range of smart home devices. Many hubs, like Samsung's SmartThings Wi-Fi, offer both. If you want to use one of the more than 2,400 devices that use Z-Wave, you may have to invest in one.

The fabric back is definitely an improvement.

We also hoped for a price cut. While Amazon has invested in major upgrades for this 2.0 model, $ 230 is still a bit expensive, especially considering that the 8-inch Lenovo smart display costs $ 200 (although we should note that the 10-inch version of Lenovo actually costs more than the show at $ 250).

Overall, however, we were impressed with the improvements Amazon made to the Echo overhaul.

Warranty information

The Echo Show comes with a one-year warranty and service. You can purchase an extended one, two, or three year warranty separately.

Try these new features

Thanks to frequent updates that expand their toolkit, Alexa is getting smarter. While there are some basic features you should definitely know, there are new tricks available every month. You can try the following with the Amazon Echo Dot with watch.

Find out more about COVID-19

The pandemic has changed many things for us. Alexa is here to help you with updates and what to do if you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19. Just say, "Alexa, what do I do if I think I have COVID-19?" She will ask you a number of questions, including your itinerary, to give you the correct CDC guide.

Get the latest weather alerts

Storms and other bad weather can occur immediately, which is useful for the latest warnings. The Echo Dot with clock can keep you up to date by saying, "Alexa, tell me if there's a storm alert."

Election updates

There will be a lot of news when the presidential elections are in full swing. So it is a good idea to know what is going on in politics. You can use the Echo Dot with clock to get the latest voting information, debate reviews, and more. All you have to do is say, "Alexa, what is my election update" or "Alexa, what happened in the last debate?"

Our opinion

Overall, the new Echo Show is better than the old one in every way. With powerful sound, a crystal-clear 10-inch display, an additional Smart Hub and an optimized, softer appearance, we are impressed that Amazon has taken so many steps to significantly improve the product.

Is there a better alternative?

Smart displays are still very competitive, and Google Assistant devices are the most competitive. The Google Nest Hub Max ($ 200) is an ultimate smart display that adds a key element that you won't find on our devices. It also serves as a surveillance camera. The Lenovo Smart Display 7 with Google Assistant is a device with a compact design and an affordable price ($ 100).

If you don't need the screen on Echo devices, you can get an intelligent speaker with built-in Alexa voice assistant with an Echo ($ 70) or Echo Dot ($ 30). However, you will miss the functionality of the ZigBee Smart Hub, and without the screen it would be more difficult to get a tutorial on how to bake cookies.

How long it will take?

Amazon Echo devices and Alexa are both here to stay. Alexa is getting better with firmware updates and additional skills. The Echo Show hardware feels robust enough to last for at least a few years, and support for the device should continue for a long time.

Should you buy it

If you're looking for an Alexa-based smart speaker with a screen, you should buy it. If you're not married to Alexa, check out the Google Nest Hub Max. In any case, you will get a great device.

Editor's recommendations




15 May
Blog

World War Z Review: The Next Best Thing to Left 4 Dead

A look back at the Second World War: the closest we come to is Left 4 Dead 3

"While it stands on the shoulders of giants, World War II does it proudly and with many merits of its own."

  • Exciting, global campaigns

  • Adds depth with character classes and upgrades

  • Zombie swarms create impressive action scenes

  • Sound design is not educational

  • PvP is a total afterthought

  • Introduces only one enemy type that is not seen in such games

Games have portrayed hordes of zombies and the survivors who may kill them more than any other scenario in the history of the medium, and while many have failed to attract attention, others have done well to keep a high bar or even reset it. World War II didn't raise the bar, but given the connections outside the left field to a dormant franchise, it's surprising how close it gets.

Just the term "zombie game" can instantly give some players a strong feeling of fatigue when you consider how common they are. But that's not the case with me, especially since it is exactly this type of zombie game that wants to revive a close co-op experience for four players in the face of massive hordes like Left 4 Dead that were delivered so brilliantly about a game Decade. World War II, now a year after the launch and release of the Game of the Year, is closer than ever to repeating its obvious inspiration from Valve as it borrowed from, and somewhat built on, predecessors.

Cross-global campaigns

The WWZ regularly brings up to four players to capitals and major cities on multiple continents, and no two campaigns look the same. The run through downtown Manhattan has nothing to do with a winter trip to Moscow, including pushing to the edge of Tokyo or the latest campaign in sun-drenched Marseille, France.

This diversity of settings compensates for what the game lacks in mission diversity. The tasks are familiar to fans of co-op shooters, since the goals include tropics, e.g. For example, hold out for a certain amount of time or look for certain items that are requested by NPCs. Each chapter pushes players from a safe room to a safe room, with swarms of common undead and special infected standing in the way. The level of play with these hordes is exciting at every level. But with the right team, it is best if the level of difficulty is greater than the standard. Success depends on how well your team works together. Some of the game's specially infected games are boldly pulled straight from other zombie games, e.g. For example, one that pounces on you and demands that a teammate come to your rescue, or one that grabs you and repeatedly bangs you on the floor.

There are half a dozen specially infected classes, but only one of them – a zombie that infects players and slowly affects health – has never been seen in this genre. Though the levels are linear, a rewarding sense of replayability remains thanks to non-scripted encounters, which means when and where you encounter hordes and special infected that change with each session. You will explore the same locations, but never survive the same attack twice.

While it stands on the shoulders of giants like Left 4 Dead and more recently the Warhammer: Vermintide series, World War Z does it proudly and with many of its own advantages. In front and in the middle is the swarm technology, with which hordes of unprecedented size and speed can descend on the players. These swarms pour out randomly over the rooftops and pile up into slimy meat pyramids, often in multiple locations at the same time, forcing players into a hectic struggle to maintain a sense of control over a desperate situation. Countless zombie games try to create excitement in the fight against overwhelming chances, but I haven't found any that provide the adrenaline rush of World War II highlights.

In Marseille, new targets require more teamwork, like a rocket launch sequence that requires all four players use the weapon to survive. This type of collaboration can be annoying when you play online with random players who may not be careful beyond the game's point-and-shoot elements. However, as long as you have competent allies, the new campaign is now the best part of the game. It adds an extra layer to the usual tariff of staying upright longer than the wave of monsters coming at you.

Count characters

There is also a depth of weapon and character classes that are not often found in the genre. Characters may have personality, but they run, shoot, heal, and everything else with the same skills. Who they are is at best a cosmetic detail. During World War II, players built their heroes from scratch with a deep skill tree and a regular stream of unlocked weapons and mods. There are different classes, such as healers, destroyers, tanks and more, and a coherent team can play the strengths and weaknesses of each other.

Skill trees are not new to games, but they feel fresh and do it in this genre. Therefore, future attempts to advance style must use these functions as a foundation. They feel like the missing ingredient for games that were before that rarely offered anything, and the few examples that did – I think of Vermintide – didn't do it that profoundly. I have spent countless hours in World War II and have not yet exhausted all of the classwork trees.

While it stands on the shoulders of the giants, World War II does so proudly and with many merits of its own.

Mediocre modes

There are Challenge and Horde modes, both of which have been added as post-launch additions. The challenge mode goes through gameplay modifiers such as scarce ammunition or demanding players who go to solo levels of high difficulty. These are a hit or miss, as the modifiers can remove some of the game's best features, such as: B. the cooperative game. Horde mode is a relentless wave defense mode. However, this one-note thrill is exacerbated without valleys making up for its constant climax. These are fleetingly entertaining options that don't have the staying power of the campaigns.

Still, the game's PvP mode suite is by far the most misguided addition. If you've played PvP on small teams in the past decade, you've already experienced most of what World War II offers in PvP gameplay. The only interesting fold that is not unique, but at least rare, is how A.I. Zombies roam the multiplayer maps as two human-controlled teams fight round by round.

It's an admirable try for the developer, deathmatch and other popular modes with the added element of undead A.I. Roam the cards. Still, World War II simply doesn't have the community or the staying power to earn time in PvP. Modes like Deathmatch and Free-for-All are ubiquitous and better designed in most other games that include them. During World War II, PvP maps never seem to be that detailed. and instead feel like parts of the campaign were quickly annexed and called PvP.

The best thing I can say about these modes is that they feel so out of date that they can be nostalgic for some players who yearn for the games of a decade played in PvP. It is a strange recording in 2020 and not one that I will revisit even though I will play the game for a long time. It feels like an afterthought to start playing the game at all, so it's easy to treat it as one.

Every atmospheric level uses environmental storytelling, such as the former military checkpoint, which is crowded with bodies, or a shopping mall littered with the undead like a Romero film. All of this is supported by a level of fidelity that I wasn't expecting, as licensed games aren't that sophisticated. The world and its characters look great, although the texture pop-in sometimes interferes with an otherwise fascinating view.

Hearing overload

Sound design in this genre is said to be educational, but World War II often shouts about its own attempts to do so. Specific infected arrivals are caused by their characteristic groans and chimes, but the game is usually too loud of hordes and its admittedly gripping soundtrack to be effective. This hampers every element of the strategy and does so in a way that implies that the developers at Saber Interactive understood the meaning but could still drown out their own intentions. Missed brushstrokes like this prevent World War II from becoming a masterpiece.

The past year has been good for the game as developers regularly add new modes, characters, cosmetics, and weapons. There's an entire PvP suite that can be ignored, and the game borrows generously from predecessors, but it also manages to build on some genre tropes. Trying to capture the essence of his idols, World War II unveiled a roadmap that followers can fall back on when trying to deliver a memorable co-op zombie apocalypse.

Our opinion

Is there a better alternative?

Left 4 Dead 2 is still the greatest the genre has ever given us, but as far as co-op zombie shooters are concerned, World War Z is the best attempt to modernize this classic. If you want a fantasy take, I recommend Warhammer: Vermintide 2, while Payday gives the formula a bank robbery. The youngest Zombie Army 4 is decent too, but World War II is better. In a way, it lags behind its role models, but in other cases it is innovative.

How long it will take?

Due to the nature of the highly repeatable multiplayer modes, World War II lasts as long as you want. I would recommend focusing your time on campaigns rather than PvP, but the depth of the upgrades to unlock makes it a tempting long-term game.

Should you buy it

You should, especially if you are a fan of the genre. While the game stumbles in a way, namely in an unforgettable PvP suite and an audio mix that comes up against itself, the list of aesthetically diverse and intense campaigns during World War II makes it a great game to play with friends . Given the way it is revived and sometimes even reinvented, what a co-op shooter like this can be, it's worth buying World War II.

Editor's recommendations




15 May
Blog

Asus ZenBook Duo Review: A Dual-Screen Laptop You Can Afford

Asus Zenbook Duo review 01

"The second screen of the Asus ZenBook Duo is a great addition."

  • Solid productivity performance

  • Good battery life

  • Secondary screen is useful

  • Attractive design

  • Tight keyboard and touchpad

  • The chassis is a bit chunky

Microsoft is on its way to a future with two screens. Asus started experimenting with its own dual-screen laptops in 2019. Regardless of whether the touchpad is replaced by a second screen or a second 4K screen is installed directly on the keyboard deck, Asus is a leader in the innovation of dual screens that you can buy today.

The ZenBook Duo is the latest attempt to make this technology accessible to the masses. It is a more portable and affordable version of the ZenBook Pro Duo with a 14-inch 1080p screen and a quad-core processor. However, a premium is required at $ 1,500.

Is the second screen a must? Let's take a look.

ScreenPad 2.0

The standout feature of the ZenBook Duo is clearly its second screen, a 12.6-inch IPS panel that is as wide as the primary display and about a third as high. That is what makes the ZenBook Duo so special.

The so-called ScreenPad 2.0 can be touched and touched. You can drag apps and app windows – such as the control panel for a photo editing app – onto the ScreenPad and treat them like any "external" display.

It's handy if you watch Netflix at work (as I've done more than once) or open a second browser instance for multitasking. I opened a Firefox tab with the specifications of this laptop on the ScreenPad 2.0 and made checking facts and figures child's play.

Asus has numerous proprietary utilities and features that make the ScreenPad more useful. You can launch a numeric keypad to make data entry easier, and you can use the launcher to access various apps on the ScreenPad. You can also expand your main display to the ScreenPad, giving you (strangely angled) access to more information in a productivity app.

The ScreenPad is far more useful than the touch bar on the MacBook.

The ScreenPad supports the active Asus pen and offers the same responsiveness and accuracy as the main display. It's a blessing to be able to tap and ink on both displays and switch seamlessly from one to the other depending on how it fits your creative workflow. There's even a working handwriting app that reads my sketches pretty closely. A second display for writing was an advantage.

Overall, I was impressed with the ScreenPad. It's an unusual feature outside of the ZenBook Pro Duo and far more useful than Apple's Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro, for example. The additional screen size makes the ScreenPad a really useful addition to the ZenBook Duo and is of particular interest to anyone who can benefit from access to controls or additional apps while working. If you are a creative professional or do multiple tasks regularly, the ScreenPad is probably a real asset. It is much more than just a party trick.

design

The aesthetics of the laptop is obviously Asus, for better and for worse. It's a refinement of ZenBook design that's both recognizable and striking in the line. You'll enjoy the ZenBook's usual concentric swirls on the lid, which is perhaps the most iconic Asus design feature. Here the eddies are not centered, but asymmetrical, a noticeable change. There is also a new Celestial Blue color that offers a touch of elegance.

Overall, the ZenBook Duo is an attractive laptop that manages to cross the line between fancy and conservative, but I wouldn't say it stands out.

Connectivity is acceptable, with one USB-C 3.1 port, two USB-A 3.1 ports (one Gen 1 and one Gen 2), a full-size HDMI port, and a microSD card reader. Unfortunately Asus skipped Thunderbolt 3 support again, just like with other current ZenBooks. To be honest, that's unforgivable for a $ 1,500 laptop. Thunderbolt 3 offers the best connectivity performance, including the ability to connect to an external GPU chassis. This would be a blessing for the creative types who might be interested in the ZenBook Duo.

Keyboard and touchpad

The most noticeable victim forced by the second ad is right below. While the keyboard has snappy keys with a fixed mechanism and a lot of travel, I found it too small for comfortable typing. The keys are small and the keyboard layout felt tight, which made typing a challenge. It cannot be compared to the excellent keyboards of the latest Apple MacBooks and the HP Specter x360 13. There's also no wrist, so your palms hover just behind it. It is a recipe for fatigue.

This Asus has an ErgoLift hinge with which the props are attached at an angle to the back of the laptop. This helps in the absence of a palm rest and improves airflow for better performance. On the other hand, the laptop gets thicker when placed on your lap or desk.

The touchpad is small, but it responds, and it's on the right of the keyboard. It has the same lack of a palm rest as the keyboard, and it's almost impossible to use left-handed. You want to take a mouse with you for use with the ZenBook Duo because the touchpad becomes a real task.

I liked the infrared camera that Windows 10 Hello supports without a password. It worked fine during my tests, and although I prefer to have a fingerprint reader (either in addition to or instead of face recognition), I appreciated its presence.

Display quality

The ScreenPad 2.0 is characterized by its additional utility. The 14-inch full HD main display remains important. I prefer 4K displays, but I also like displays with wide and precise colors, great brightness and a lot of contrast.

Unfortunately Asus has equipped the ZenBook Duo with a mediocre display. The color gamut is not wide at only 70% of AdobeRGB and 94% of sRGB, although its color accuracy is reasonable at an average DeltaE of 1.45 (less than 1.0 is considered excellent). The display only reaches 251 nits, far below our preferred 300 nits, and the contrast is low at 730: 1 (we want laptops to reach 1000: 1 or more).

The display quality prevents it from being ideal for content creation.

Subjectively, this is a pleasant indicator of productivity work and watching Netflix videos. However, creatives won't like the narrow range of colors, especially if you can buy great displays on other laptops, including the HP Specter x360 13 AMOLED panel, which has spectacular colors (100% of sRGB and 98% of AdobeRGB) and brightness (405 nits) offers) and contrast.

The ZenBook Pro Duo’s AMOLED display is just as great, which makes the ZenBook Duo’s main screen a little disappointing. I would have preferred to see a brighter display with better colors and contrast on a laptop designed for creative types. Ultimately, the display quality prevents it from being ideal for content creation.

performance

While the larger ZenBook Pro Duo has an eight-core Core i9 H series for serious performance, the ZenBook Duo is in the middle of the road. It uses a quad-core Comet Lake Core i7-10510U CPU that is good enough for productivity tasks, but not particularly suitable for demanding creative workflows. Overall, the ZenBook Duo is fast compared to other 14-inch laptops, but cannot compete with more powerful creative platforms.

In our real handbrake test, which converts a 420 MB file to H.265, the ZenBook Duo lasted exactly three and a half minutes. This is solid for a quad-core Intel Core i7. However, the ZenBook Pro Duo completed the same test in one minute and 16 seconds, while the Dell XPS 15 finished in one minute and 42 seconds – but still significantly faster than the ZenBook Duo. The Dell XPS 13 completed the test in three minutes and 13 seconds.

In terms of graphics performance, the ZenBook Duo is again far behind the larger ZenBook Pro Duo. The latter has a very fast Nvidia GeForce GTX 2060, which makes it a powerful tool for creative apps that support the GPU. The ZenBook Duo is limited to the Nvidia GeForce MX250. It's faster than built-in Intel graphics (and about as powerful as the new Intel Iris Plus graphics), but doesn't make much of a difference when rendering videos.

You will also find that the ZenBook Duo is a bit challenging to play with. Fortnite runs at just over 30 frames per second (fps) at 1080p and Epic settings and shifts down towards 60 fps with details. However, it is difficult for you to run more demanding titles with the same resolution and the same graphic details.

The ZenBook Duo is only available in the United States in a configuration that includes 16 GB of RAM and is sufficient for the vast majority of productivity users. It also has plenty of 1 TB of SSD storage.

Portability and battery life

Portability is also compromised on the Altar of the ScreenPad – the ZenBook Duo is pretty bulky at 0.78 inches thick. Thanks to the relatively small display bezels, it's not too big in width and depth, but at 3.3 pounds it's pretty heavy. Other 14-inch laptops are smaller than this, including the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon and the ZenBook 14 from Asus.

However, the battery life is solid. When the ScreenPad was turned on, the battery capacity of 70 watt hours kept the ZenBook Duo for a surprisingly long time, considering that the batteries supply two displays with power. In our web browser test, nine hours passed, which is good, if less than the 11.5 hours of the Dell XPS 13.

The ZenBook Duo looped our test video for almost 12 hours, again a good score, but less than the XPS 13 at 14.5 hours. And in our demanding Basemark test, the Asus managed almost five hours less than the XPS 13 with 10 minutes less.

Our opinion

At $ 1,500, the ZenBook Duo is more expensive than comparable laptops. That hurts when you look at the less-than-great screen, the chunkier design, and the lack of Thunderbolt 3.

The ScreenPad 2.0 is the salvation of this laptop. It goes beyond the cool factor (although it also has a lot of it). Even with compromises on the keyboard and touchpad, extreme multitaskers will be happy to access another panel directly on the device.

Are there alternatives?

You will find a variety of 14-inch (and 13.3-inch) laptops that can easily compete with the ZenBook Duo. None of them offer the second display, but all are thinner and lighter. Some of them offer better performance and durability, and most offer much better keyboards and touchpads.

One example is the Dell XPS 13 with an aspect ratio of 16:10, which has a positive impact on productivity and makes the display about as tall as the ZenBook Duo, if not as wide. The XPS 13 is significantly faster than the ZenBook Duo, even in terms of video editing, where the ZenBook Duo itself works fairly quickly. Depending on the configuration, you can spend less on the XPS 13 or a lot more, but it is a good alternative for anyone who is not interested in the ScreenPad 2.0.

Asus also makes several 14-inch models that deliver solid value. They lack the ScreenPad 2.0, which cuts hundreds off the price. This is the obvious step if you don't find ScreenPad attractive.

How long it will take?

The ZenBook Duo is well built and promises years of productive performance thanks to its modern components. You'll miss Thunderbolt 3, however, and the ultimate usefulness of ScreenPad 2.0 depends on developer support. The one-year warranty is industry standard and is shorter than desired. However, Asus offers one year of accident protection if you drop your ZenBook Duo or spill a cup of coffee on the keyboard.

Should you buy it

Yes. There is no other laptop like the ZenBook Duo except the larger and more expensive ZenBook Pro Duo, which makes this a uniquely useful option.

Editor's recommendations




15 May
Blog

Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge Review: A Worthy Budget Contender

"The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge is a wonderfully simple robotic vacuum cleaner."

  • Great app

  • Easy to use

  • Manual control option

  • Adjustable volume control

The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge ($ 399) is a robotic vacuum cleaner with a great app and features that make it stress free and amazingly easy to use. Surprisingly, it's not the cheapest bot vac: it's at the bottom and can be a good option for those who don't want to pay a fortune for premium vac brands like iRobot or Ecovacs. There was very little that I didn't like about this cleaning bot, and that says a lot because I rarely find robotic vacuum cleaners useful or efficient. I learned that when I tested the G30 Edge.

App worship

G30 Edge app

The Eufy Home app is one of the best robot vacuum apps I've seen in a long time. It is easy to use and trouble-free and offers countless well thought-out options. For example, I think it's great that you can use the app to adjust the voice volume of the G30's robot voice. I have never seen this option on a robot vacuum and it is fantastic.

However, I think the manual control option is my favorite part of the G30 app. The manual control basically turns the G30 into a remote controlled car that cleans while the app is the control. This is a rare feature on most robotic vacuum cleaners and I'm glad that Eufy picked it up. I'm so frustrated when cleaning bots is not where I want it to be, and this option gives me complete control. You can also choose how much suction you think your floors need to get clean.

Do you want to set it and forget it? The planning function is refreshingly easy to use. If you are not there and are not sure whether the G30 has actually been cleaned on schedule, there is a cleaning report that you can access in the app that gives you all the details.

A button for easier cleaning

Another special feature of the RoboVac G30 Edge is the stain removal button. I don't know how many times I took a robot vacuum cleaner and put it in a place where quick cleaning was required to make it fly away and clean another area of ​​the room. Tapping the stain cleaning button on the top of the G30 tells him to be in a specific area. Spot Clean doesn't just keep the vacuum cleaner in one place. The cleaning begins in a small circle, which increases with each revolution.

Voice control

G30 edge on carpetAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Although buttons and an app are great, nothing makes you feel like voice commands to the king or queen of your automated kingdom. The G30 can be controlled with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can say things like "Alexa, start cleaning" or "Hey Google, stop cleaning" to control the little bot. I find this option very useful when I am in the middle of a task and remember that I need to vacuum. One command and suddenly I suck while doing everything else I have to do. You can also ask the assistant to find your Bot Vac or send it to recharge.

Battery life

Eufy claims that the RoboVac G30 can run for up to 100 minutes. I thought that was pretty accurate, although the Bot Vac had to remove dog hair and a variety of crumbs, which is a big task for a robot Vac of any kind. This type of battery life is above average for the price range. For example, the Pure Clean Robot vacuum cleaner only runs for about 50 minutes and the first-class iRobot Roomba s9 Plus only for about 60 minutes.

This type of battery life is above average for the price range.

If many robot vacuum cleaners have a low battery, they will return to their charger and you will need to restart them. The G30 charges and starts cleaning where it left off. This is a particularly useful feature when you want to operate your robotic vacuum cleaner while you are away from home.

cleaning

When it started, I didn't think the G30 Edge would do very well when cleaned. For one thing, I didn't like the fact that the G30 Edge only has a cleaning brush for cleaning edges and corners. Other robotic vacuum cleaners such as the Ecovacs Deebot 901 have two edge brushes, which usually does not result in more thorough cleaning. However, the G30 surprised me. It seemed to get in there and do the work with just one brush.

My cats weren't even disturbed by the noise.

Second, it is quiet. While most robotic vacuum cleaners sound like a jet plane taking off, the G30 only has a quiet whir when it slips through the living room. My cats weren't even disturbed by the noise. Obviously, I didn't think it had the suction power to do much of anything. Amazingly, my carpet got very clean. I'm not sure if it got into the fibers and really absorbed the deep dirt, but the surface was clean. This is due to the BoostIQ system, with which the G30 automatically recognizes what type of suction your floor needs and can adjust it accordingly.

I also noticed that the G30 does not have as many small panes on top as many robot vacuum cleaners, such as the Neato Botvac D4 or the Ecovacs Deebot 960. This is because a laser navigation system is missing. It does a pretty good job of depicting your home without it, but it tends to bump furniture and walls a lot. It should map your rooms when cleaning and clean more efficiently the next time. I noticed that it works better every time. It is also said to clean in an "S" formation, but it seems a bit random. But I don't mind that.

G30 edge shelf and containerAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Emptying the trash can in vacuum is my least preferred job, and I have to say that the G30's trash can has made things easier. It pulls out easily and opens effortlessly, unlike many other robotic vacuum cleaners I've tested.

Our opinion

The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge costs $ 399 at the bottom when it comes to robotic vacuum cleaners, but it really impressed me. Everything about this bot is straightforward, and that's exactly what you want when it comes to an automated cleaning device. The app is also fantastic as it is packed with features, but has no glitches and is beautifully designed. Overall, this robot vacuum is a winner.

Are there any better alternatives?

You can find robotic vacuum cleaners that are cheaper, like this for less than $ 200, but I think you'll find it hard to find a vacuum cleaner that can clean with as few issues as the G30 Edge, especially if it does is a brand new model. However, if you're ready to pay more money, consider robot vacuum cleaners that can self-empty, have a laser tracking system, or can act as a robot mop. Here you can see our top offers.

Will it take?

I think so. It is well built and if you have any problems, Eufy has a 30 day return policy.

Should I buy it?

Yes. I really love this robot vacuum and I think you will too.

Editor's recommendations




14 May
Blog

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro Review: A Phone That’s Too On-trend

xiaomi mi 10 per review front

"The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro is impressive, but not without frustration, and its high price means fierce competition."

  • Colorful, detailed screen

  • Excellent audio

  • Very long-lasting battery

  • Capable, funny camera

  • Unreliable software

  • Hypersensitive screen edges

Xiaomi is known for its affordable, high-quality smartphones. The new Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro does not quite fit this description. It's a high-spec flagship, but costs $ 1,000 or $ 1,080. That is almost double the price of the Mi 9 from last year.

We cannot change the price, but we can decide whether this is justified. I've been using the Mi 10 Pro for a few weeks now to check if it's worth the four-digit price. Did Xiaomi really have to follow the trend of making desirable smartphones expensive?

design

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro is more of a mature than a striking phone. I hesitate to describe it as stealth because it is also a large, old bruise from a device and certainly does not fade into the background. It's a pretty phone, mainly due to the use of frosted glass on the back, which adds a modern, classic style that I also really liked on the Huawei P40 Pro. The colors of my solstice-gray evaluation model subtly alternate between blue, gray and silver. It is nowhere near as lively or eye-catching as the OnePlus 8 Pro, for example.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

The Mi 10 Pro made of glass and aluminum is heavy. It weighs 208 grams and the weight is slightly upwards, presumably due to the large number of camera lenses on the back. Adjusted to the left, the camera module protrudes a few millimeters so that it does not lie flat on any surface. Combine this with the slippery glass, and the phone refuses to remain silent when I put it on a table or couch. It's fallen off of things more than any other phone I've used lately.

The aluminum housing is also not flush with the glass back wall, so you can feel a burr when you pick up the phone. This is quite narrow due to the 9 mm case. It's not as comfortable to hold as the OnePlus 8 Pro or the Huawei P40 Pro. However, it is well done and feels very solid. Even after its various falls, it has not suffered any major damage.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

If you expect the design and materials of the Mi 10 Pro to be reasons for the above-average price, this is not the case. The Mi 10 Pro is what we expect from every flagship phone today and is no different from any other top Mi device. This means that it is attractive without being over the top. The build quality is great and you will be proud to put it on the table.

It will slide around when you do it, but it will get some admiring looks at the same time.

screen

The Mi 10 Pro's screen is exactly what we want for 2020. It is a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. Although this is lower than the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, it is completely sufficient and also keeps the power consumption at bay. I'm struggling to tell the difference between a 90 Hz refresh rate and a 120 Hz refresh rate, so it's perfectly fine to have the 90 Hz rate here.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

The screen is bright and the AMOLED panel offers exactly what you expect by returning lots of contrast with deep black and some vivid colors. I love the balance here – it avoids too much satiety and keeps things alive. The level of detail is also just right, and watching videos is very good, also thanks to the decent stereo speakers. Placed on the top and bottom of the phone for maximum channel separation effect. What they lack in bass, they make up for in the overall volume.

In the top corner is a small hole-punch selfie camera that you can quickly get used to until it effectively disappears. When you zoom in on YouTube videos, you remove the black borders on both sides of the screen, but lose a bit of picture at the top and bottom.

The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime emphasizes the dynamic graphics, and because of the audio quality, I was happy to sit down and watch an entire episode without switching to a tablet or TV.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

There is a big problem: edge detection and the resulting numerous phantom touches. A software update improved this during my review, but it's still not perfect. I accidentally open the phone app forever and made at least one unintentional call.

During a call, my cheek activated mute, so the person I called suddenly stopped hearing me. Add the times when I would wipe my palm across screens or close apps, as well as the smoothness of the phone itself, and the Mi 10 Pro can be a little frustrating.

Apart from that, the Mi 10 Pro offers an outstanding visual experience that is worth noting.

camera

The Mi 10 Pro has a 108 megapixel main sensor, which it developed together with Samsung and which is probably almost identical to that of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. The 1 / 1.33-inch sensor has an aperture of 1: 1.69 and optical image stabilization as well as three additional sensors. There is a 20-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 12-megapixel portrait sensor and an 8-megapixel zoom lens. The selfie camera has 20 megapixels.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

There is one word to describe most of the pictures taken on a sunny day with the Mi 10 Pro: Intense. If you are not a fan of high saturation, look away now, because the Mi 10 Pro is not afraid to intensify the shades of blue, green and red. The HDR is also strong, brings out details when the sky is cloudy and balances the environment well. It's not the most natural camera, but if you want photos you share to really catch your eye, it's set just right.

Browse through the camera app and there are many functions to try out. It can take 108 megapixel photos that are not as saturated as those taken with the standard camera and can be cropped without losing detail. I like the way you can switch from macro mode to wide, standard, 2x and 5x zoom in the viewfinder without looking for the macro mode setting, as is the case with other cameras. The large sensor also offers a nice, natural bokeh effect.

The zoom is decent, although there are significant dynamic and exposure differences with the 5x zoom. The actual test of the software takes place at 50 times the digital maximum. At this level, it can't come close to the Huawei P40 Pro, which surpasses it in detail and clarity and also has a much more stable viewfinder. Apart from that, the zoom takes good photos and is a lot of fun together with the wide angle of the camera.

I also like some of the software and modes. The filters from Xiaomi are particularly interesting. The sky filter actually turns cloudy skies into bright sunny skies and works incredibly effectively. The app itself is clear and quick to use, but it is quite complex and offers many functions that you need to keep an eye on. The gallery has a photo editor, but isn't as full as the Huawei or Apple app, or as effective as using an app like Snapseed.

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xiaomi mi 10 pro rating with sky filter "aria-descriptionby =" gallery-11-2495775

  • 1.
    Standard unfiltered photo taken with the Mi 10 Pro
  • 2nd
    Sky filter added to the Mi 10 Pro photo

Finally, the selfie camera takes good portraits with strong edge detection, but pay attention to the skin smoothing that always seems to be active regardless of whether the beauty mode is activated or not. I really enjoyed using the Mi 10 Pro's camera and found that the footage can be shared instantly without much editing. It's not as wonderfully nuanced or as incredibly powerful as the P40 Pro, but it will appeal to those who want a camera for Instagram.

Software and connectivity

Xiaomi has installed its own version of Android 10 – it's called MIUI, and this is version 11. Some may not like how you are forced to place apps on multiple home screens, such as: B. Apple's iOS. In fact, it's frustrating – twice because you have to turn on search in Settings or otherwise stare at screens full of app icons without finding what you want.

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This is only the first aspect that differs for those who come from a non-MIUI phone. The "Settings" menu is different, animations are not quite as smooth as, for example, the OneUI 2.0 from Samsung, and the helicopter view of open apps offers a different vertical list of maps and some quick start links. There are many customization options, and I like the way you can choose how you want the constantly active display to look. If you spend time making everything look and feel right, MIUI will be perfectly acceptable.

However, I have more problems here than with previous Xiaomi phones. Notifications are unreliable and I've missed various messages through the line app. I also connected the phone to a WearOS smartwatch and it had to be restarted every day to reconnect and send notifications. More astonishingly, the phone sometimes freaked out, got into a vibration loop, and refused to quit apps when it happened. On a more positive note, the calls were excellent and very clear, although I was unable to test 5G due to movement restrictions.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

Ah, 5G. Now we find out why the price of the Mi 10 Pro has risen. This is the only important new feature we haven't seen on a Xiaomi flagship yet, and it's a costly addition. This is also no reason to buy the Mi 10 Pro. Currently 5G may not be available in your region, making it a feature for the future and of dubious value today.

MIUI can be frustrating, especially if you don't trust it to send notifications, but it's constantly improving and Xiaomi releases updates to the platform regularly. The software is probably the biggest downside to the Mi 10 Pro, mainly because of its unreliability.

Power and battery

The Mi 10 Pro has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset and a 5G modem with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB internal UFS3.0 storage space. It has a single SIM compartment and has no space for a microSD card. The battery has an enormous capacity of 4,500 mAh, 50 W quick charge and up to 30 W wireless charging. Here are the results of two benchmark apps:

Geekbench 5: 908 single-core / 3,168 multi-core

3DMark: 6.422 (volcano)

These values ​​correspond approximately to those of the OnePlus 8 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and the Oppo Find X2 Pro, which all have the same processor. I played Asphalt 9 Legends on the Mi 10 Pro for some time and the game never stalled and the sound really made it an exciting experience. The phone doesn't get hot either, as there is a multi-layer cooling system inside.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends.com

Although there are phones with larger batteries, the Mi 10 Pro makes extensive use of its 4,500 mAh cell. With moderate usage, I have two days without turning it off overnight, although adding a long video call (which is common now) and a few short voice calls resulted in the day ending with less than 10% remaining performance.

Price, guarantee and availability

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro costs 1,000 euros and was launched worldwide in mid-April. Availability is still limited as the phone is sold in China and some other locations around the world. A release in the UK has not been confirmed, although it is quite possible that the phone will be launched in Europe. For U.S. buyers, the only way is to import the phone.

If you buy it from, it will affect the warranty. Most reputable online import stores offer a guarantee, but may need to be returned for repair.

Our opinion

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro frustrates me. Everything I want is there, and Xiaomi is carefully adopting the most important 2020 trends, from the 90 Hz refresh rate to the versatile camera. But the software is not as good as it should be, especially for the price. After all, the inclusion of 5G (at the moment) is more an indication of the future than something that most can use today. Taken by themselves, most of these issues are minor issues, but combined with a price tag over $ 1,000, and the availability of better devices and things becomes more difficult. I was happy enough with the Mi 10 Pro, but I never felt like I wanted to go on forever, and that's the frustration – it's good but not good enough to get that price.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. We recommend the Apple iPhone 11 Pro for $ 1,000, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus for $ 1,100 and the OnePlus 8 Pro for $ 900. Those in the UK should also check out the Oppo Find X2 Pro (£ 1,100). All of these phones have excellent cameras, screens, performance, and battery life.

How long it will take?

The Mi 10 Pro is well built and, as already mentioned, has survived a few falls. It also has IP68 water resistance, making it a relatively long-lasting smartphone. With 5G and the latest processor, the phone lasts many years before it is classified as "old". However, the software may be out of date before this time. Xiaomi is good at updating MIUI, but less at upgrading to a new version of Android.

Should you buy it

No, at least until Xiaomi updates the software to make it more reliable. The other big features are excellent, but the price puts them alongside very tough competition that doesn't all suffer from the same software annoyance.

Editor's recommendations




14 May
Blog

1More Dual Driver ANC Pro Review In-Progress: Great Sound

1more dual driver and rating 3

1More dual driver ANC Pro test in progress: listen to this

"The 1More dual drivers offer excellent sound quality for the price."

  • 20 hours of battery life

  • Outstanding sound quality

  • Stellar noise cancellation

The sexy new trend in portable audio these days is real wireless earbuds – and for good reason. When done correctly, they offer comfort and quality in a bite-size package.

Still, 1More is living proof that a few wires here and there doesn't have to be a bad thing. The new ANC Pro wireless in-ear headphones with $ 150 worth of two drivers, which can be pre-ordered and officially launched on May 21, may not have the immediate appeal of a true wireless counterpart. But even in the short amount of time I was able to test them, it's obvious that 1More's new, efficient headphones get you where you need to go.

Out of the box

Let me rave about the packaging in which the Dual Driver ANC Pro Wireless arrived for a moment.

Essentially, the headphones sit in a display case that is bound like a book, and on the inside there are artistic sketches of the headphones. Take note of competing companies. This is how you make a good first impression.

1More Dual Driver ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

A smorgasbord of accessories is waiting under the headphones. These include three sets of additional earplugs, both a USB-C charging cable and an additional cable, a carrying case for the headphones and various documentation.

After taking the time to find the best tips for your ears, setting up is standard compared to most wireless earbuds. I haven't had these headphones long enough to talk about how well the built-in Bluetooth 5 technology works, but I can say that I still have no problems.

The 1More Music app goes well with the headphones. You don't need the app to connect first, but I would recommend downloading it. The app provides access to firmware updates, control over active noise cancellation and intelligent burn-in options. I'll come to the last part a little later.

design

Before I go any further, it's time to address the elephant in the room … um, ear. From the way the ANC looks with two drivers, it is clear to me that I would classify them as earphones that happen to be attached to a neckband with a pair of wires. 1More, however, the new product is referred to as in-ear headphones. Therefore I will use this terminology in this test.

1More Dual Driver ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The in-ear component of the headphones fits comfortably and securely in my ears and hangs pretty well in it when I decided to audition them while running through the local park. At the other end of the wire is the silicone collar that gently wraps around your neck. The band has buttons for power, volume control, active noise cancellation and wind noise resistance mode, as well as the option to call your preferred voice assistant. They are not noticeable, but I found them to be easy to use.

The back of the buds is magnetic so they can cling together and sit like a high-resolution necklace when not in use. This is a nice design accommodation as the Dual Driver ANC doesn't seem to be the easiest headphone.

Don't get me wrong, the neck strap is flexible and it looks like it could take some strength. The tote bag doesn't give me as much security as, for example, a stiffer bag when mixed with other items in a backpack or suitcase.

This brings me to what I see as an inevitable design flaw in these types of headphones – they simply don't have the portability or ergonomic footprint that so many people enjoy with real wireless earphones. The Dual Driver ANC can offer a lot between its functions, its audio quality and its price. You just have to get by with something more prominent to enjoy these features.

properties

The previous model in this series of 1More headphones, the Dual Driver BT ANC, only offered 7 hours of playback time for calls or music. It was clearly a vulnerability and one can say with certainty that 1More addressed it.

The new Dual Driver ANC offers a battery life of 20 hours without ANC and 15 hours with the function activated, as well as a quick charge function that enables 3 additional hours with only 10 minutes of charging time. I haven't had enough time to fully test 1More's battery life, but if the specs are right, that's a huge improvement.

The Dual Driver ANC has a waterproof IPX5 resistance that protects it from water jets from any direction. I haven't had a chance to deal with them so intensely yet, but the headphones made it through a rain-soaked walk unscathed.

In addition to its active noise cancellation features, the Dual Driver ANC also features the aforementioned wind noise resistance mode, which, according to 1More, is designed to suppress wind-generated microphone noise and keep unwanted distractions out of your listening experience. The weather didn't want to work with me at the time I was testing them up to that point, which means I couldn't use them against strong gusts to see how it worked. However, as soon as I am able, I will report on my results.

Audio quality

With products such as the triple driver and quad driver in-ear headphones and the newer 1More Stylish earphones, 1More has earned a good reputation. In short, this is a company that delivers high quality sound that doesn't cost a fortune.

1More Dual Driver ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Dual Driver ANC has expectations. To repeat myself for the umpteenth time, I haven't listened to them long enough to completely break up their audio chops. However, the early returns are excellent.

These headphones have the name they have for a reason. They consist of a dynamic 13.6 mm driver with a titanium composite membrane and the symmetrical anchor developed by 1More. It says a lot, but if this isn't the MJ and Scottie of the headphone components, they get pretty darn close.

In other words, name a better duo. I'll wait.

Seriously, the time I spent listening to the Dual Driver ANC was quite an experience. In addition to supporting audio codecs such as SBC, ACC, and LDAC, they skilfully navigate between music genres and look for the vibrating rumble of Lil Nas Xs Panini before looking for a powerful reproduction of Bill Withers & # 39; Lean on Me. As with all of the company's products, the Dual Driver ANC has been optimized by Luca Bignardi, a Grammy Award-winning sound engineer.

If I have a problem with the sound quality, I have to wait until I can hear the best that the Dual Driver ANC has to offer. The headphone app has an intelligent burn-in function that, according to 1More, essentially reproduces sounds and signals via your buds in order to "train" them. For best performance, 1More suggests that it can take a few dozen to hundreds of hours to reach the optimal level. Call me impatient, but that just seems over the top.

Noise cancellation

As I said before, I still have to put the Dual Driver ANC's wind noise resistance mode against worthwhile elements. However, I briefly tested the headphones' active noise canceling function on busy streets and have a couple of takeaways.

1More products use hybrid active noise cancellation, in which a pair of microphones in each bud analyze noise both in the ear and in the outside environment and then block out the unwanted noise using a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP). The headphones have two different noise suppression levels, mild and strong, which can be selected with the neckband button or in the 1More Music app.

My attempts with the ANC functions of these headphones were good overall. White noise with the feature in action was minimal, and they generally dampened most outside noise solidly. However, I would keep expectations realistic. They don't come close to the cancellation skills that solid over-ear cans can offer, and some noise will inevitably get through. This is not really a blow to 1More, but a reminder of the limitations of this product style. They do well within these restrictions.

Conclusion

I have to revisit this review after spending more time listening to these headphones to get a final attitude. But 1More has consistently built great, affordable hearing aids in the past, and so far they are back on track with the Dual Driver ANC Pro Wireless.

Editor's recommendations




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