09 Apr
Blog

Amazon Echo Studio review: Gorgeous Bass Meets 3D Sound

"The best Amazon speaker you can buy literally takes music to a whole new level."

  • Class leading bass

  • Chic and simple setup

  • Support for Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio

  • Large, spacious sound stage

  • All Alexa smart

  • Occasionally subdued middle class

  • Brittle note for lighter instruments

  • 3D music is still limited

Amazon's new Echo Studio Smart Speaker is not only good – sometimes it's fantastic. It is also one of the few smart speakers that you can buy that actually compete with the Sonos One. This is partly due to impressive functions that you won't find in any other intelligent loudspeaker on the market, not least thanks to the surprising support from Dolby Atmos.

Even putting the Echo Studio in the same sentence as the One is proof of how far Amazon has come in recent years. With products like the studio and the new Echo Buds, Amazon has proven that it can no longer be left out of the audio conversation.

Related articles

With the studio's 3D sound stage and a burgeoning new Amazon ecosystem that feeds it, Amazon is starting its own conversation, in which other loudspeaker manufacturers will certainly participate.

Roll out the barrel

With a large, rounded housing and an oversized CD feed cut through the base, the Echo Studio offers a unique profile. It is by no means repulsive and the exterior of the acoustic fabric offers a certain seal of approval, but is many times larger than the Sonos One and Apple's HomePod. The well-known Echo LED atrium on the top of the studio is wide enough to actually fit on an angel's head.

There are good reasons for the size of the studio. It is equipped with hardware, including two 2-inch drivers on the sides, a 1-inch tweeter on the front and a full 5.25-inch woofer for firing basses. There is another 2-inch driver on board, pointing up towards the ceiling to enable the hemispherical immersion, for which 3D sound formats such as Dolby Atmos and the new 360 Reality Audio System from Sony are valued. More on that later.

On the round top of the studio are control buttons, including the action button to manually call Alexa (if you don't want to call the speaker using the "Alexa" command), volume buttons, and my personal favorite, a mute button that rotates this rainbow-blue Alexa LED Darth Vader red, which ensures that the speaker doesn't listen to you.

As someone with a natural reluctance to allow listening devices in my house, the red hoop is a comforting reminder that my conversations are safe. It is also part of Amazon's ongoing efforts to restore confidence in its discretion.

As with all Echo loudspeakers, a microphone array in the housing enables voice activation via the “Alexa” voice command (or some other information) and acoustic calibration to adapt the sound signature of the loudspeaker at any location.

Ready, hired, streamed

Sonos, the undisputed king of simple speaker configuration for a long time, has real competition. Setting up the studio couldn't be easier. Sorry Sonos. You learned it by watching you.

After installing the Alexa app on your phone, follow the on-screen instructions and you can start streaming in no time. You can quickly add your favorite streaming service, including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Tidal, and of course Amazon Music (among others).

It's not just the setup that's intuitive. Amazon's Alexa app makes it easy to customize basic audio settings, control playback, and connect to other devices, from an echo subwoofer to other echo speakers for a multi-room speaker system.

Again, the Sonos app feels very similar, which makes it user-friendly and, in my experience, much more stable and intuitive than Google Home. I also like the fact that unlike Sonos products, you can easily connect to the studio through other apps, including Spotify Connect.

There are more ways to connect than just Wi-Fi. The Echo Studio offers a Bluetooth connection if necessary. There is a dual-use 3.5mm optical / Toslink connection on the back of the speaker for connection to a TV or other device.

Unfortunately, you cannot decode Dolby Atmos movies over an optical link, but there is a workaround. If you have a newer Fire TV device, you can pair the studio with it to stream Dolby Atmos content from selected apps.

This is a fairly specific use case, and it means that you can't get Atmos from the biggest source to the speaker right now. 4K Blu-rays. Although you can certainly set up the Echo Studio as a soundbar replacement, this isn't the best way to use it for your money. Amazon also has other plans for its new 3D speaker.

Alexa stuff

Before we get to the audio extras for those new to the world of smart speakers, let's talk about how much the Amazon Echo line, including the studio, can do. There is a lot to discover, from connecting and controlling a smart home system to checking the weather, shopping and numerous other smart home skills. In fact, the Alexa app offers a whole range of new and old abilities to try out.

This includes controlling the playback of the speaker with your voice. This is easy and works better now than it did a year or two ago. The speaker had few stumbling blocks when he was put through his paces, even with music. With Spotify, the studio seemed to know what I wanted to hear more often than not.

Amazon Echo Studio

As part of the Echo family, the studio can also do things that most third-party Alexa speakers can't. B. Intercom calls throughout your home through your Echo Collection. However, the Sonos One can speak both Alexa and Google.

Amazon Music is growing

You can't talk about Echo Studio without mentioning Amazon Music, as both parts are important to Amazon's plans to lead Spotify and Apple Music.

In early fall, Amazon announced that it would add high-definition music to its subscription music service for just $ 5 more. This undercuts the price of all these competing services and adds something that Apple and Spotify don't have at all.

Just as important for our purposes are "millions" of tracks with a resolution of up to 24 bit / 192 kHz selected songs mixed in Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio (or newly mixed). Dolby and Sony also appear to be realizing their new plans and adding important studio partnerships.

Chills at 360 degrees

The biggest question I had after Amazon unveiled Echo Studio in its latest Alexa product extravagance was simple. What does Dolby Atmos actually mean in an intelligent speaker?

Most Atmos systems surround you with a barrage of speakers to get the 360-degree audio effect, including at least two uploaded speakers to bounce the sound off the ceiling. Even mentioning Atmos for a humble intelligent speaker seems bold. After tracking down the few tracks on Amazon Music (which thankfully have a 360 audio playlist), I was impressed with what this speaker can do.

It gave me something that I've never had from a $ 200 piece of plastic. Chills.

The first song I wrote was Elton John's Rocket Man. At first it was just a few slide effects that spread like a sound aura over the speaker. But as the song started up, the piece's expansive synthesizers stretched from the top of the speaker to the walls and finally blossomed into a cloud of swirling sounds at the front of the room.

The studio couldn't completely submerge me, but it gave me something I never got from a $ 200 piece of plastic: chills.

Stage against signature

While the side and up firing drivers are paramount to the studio's 360 tricks, the powerful, authoritative bass must be the speaker's best asset for everyday listening. Any great speaker can boom, with Google's Max being one of the best examples. But the studio's bass isn't just great. It's clean, tight, and well controlled.

The second song on Amazon's 360 playlist was Ariana Grandes 7 Rings, and although I'm not a Grande super fan, I was impressed by the tight jackhammer bass that the studio reproduced as a chorus beat hit. This powerful bass in combination with the bubbling 360-degree stage ensures a brilliant ride through the entire playlist.

Amazon Echo Studio

However, the studio is not perfect. Because of the only tweeter in the front, the speaker has a little bit of a problem when it comes to delivering detail and clarity in the midrange, especially when singing. It can also become thin at heights when lighter mixtures are fed.

In this regard, the Sonos One and also the Apple HomePod are clear of the ground. This becomes clear when you move away from 360 and high resolution tracks. And let's face it, most of us are stuck listening to compressed music every day.

You can get more clarity in the mid-range by disabling the studio's Stereo Spatial Enhancer, which may choke the mid-range on some tracks, but which also brightens the upper registers, which is sometimes uncomfortable. I found it helpful to reset the highs in the settings.

Regardless of this, the studio's sound signature takes a back seat to the soft, rich and detailed sound of the Sonos One. In addition, the 3D effects of the studio depend on the interior of your living room (especially on the walls and ceiling). 3D blends are currently limited. On the other hand, the sound stage and bass of the Sonos One are more reserved and compact compared to the spacious studio.

guarantee

Amazon's Echo Studio comes with a one-year limited warranty, and you can purchase an additional year.

Our opinion

The best smart speaker Amazon has ever made keeps its promise and offers a new way of listening in combination with Amazon Music. The Echo Studio is one of the most enticing new smart speakers on the market, offering premium bass and solid sound across the board.

Is there a better alternative?

For an Amazon spokesman, no. And if you want to immerse your toes in the world of Atmos Music, this is also your best choice for speakers. If you're looking for a rounded, everyday speaker with the versatility of Google and Alexa (and a more balanced sound signature), the Sonos One is the obvious alternative.

Although the price hasn't dropped since last fall's release, it should be noted that Amazon is currently offering a bundle that includes packages in a free Philips Hue Bulb.

How long it will take?

The speaker seems to be well built and has an expanded decoding for 3D audio formats that are just beginning to take shape. If anything, it's a bit ahead of its time.

Should you buy it

Yes. If you're looking for the best Amazon Alexa smart speaker you can buy – and especially if you're thrilled to dive into the latest musical limits – the Echo Studio is an easy choice.

Editor's recommendations




08 Apr
Blog

2020 Hyundai Sonata First Drive Review: Chase The Sun

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid first ride review: Chase the sun

"The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a comfortable, spacious highway cruiser."

  • Sleek design

  • Spacious interior

  • Comfortable ride

  • Impressive technology

  • Disappointing real fuel consumption

  • Hates corners

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata is an almost perfect mid-range sedan. It has excellent road manners and technical features that you won't find in any other car in this price range. While the stuff on the dash is impressive, it's not the stuff under the hood. The engines available at the start are only sufficient.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is expected to be available in June in Blue, SEL and Limited versions. Our test car was the top-limited model, which offers all important technical functions, including a digital instrument cluster, a digital key smartphone control and a solar roof, with which the battery can be charged. Hyundai hasn't released any prices yet, but expects the hybrid model to offer a premium over the standard Sonata, priced between $ 24,000 and $ 34,000.

During our time with the sonata, we noticed that Hyundai still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Is better gasoline performance the missing part of the Sonata puzzle?

Design and interior

You have to have a keen eye to see the difference between the Sonata Hybrid and the standard sonata. The differences are limited to a new grille, wheels and rear spoiler. Even these changes were made for aerodynamic efficiency rather than aesthetic reasons. Hyundai was already satisfied with the existing Sonata exterior design.

"It's not about making an environmentally friendly vehicle declaration. Overall, it's about making a great design statement," said Scott Margason, head of product planning at Hyundai Motor America, to Digital Trends.

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

After all, the sonata looked quite extroverted. Designers gave it a slimmer profile than the average sedan, as well as the trick “Hidden Lighting Lamps”, which turn the bonnet into a laser light show. These additional lighting elements extend back from the headlights and, when switched off, fit into the chrome trim of the vehicle.

Despite an additional battery, according to Hyundai, the Sonata Hybrid has the same trunk as the standard Sonata. This also results in more trunk space than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but less than the Honda Accord Hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid also has more front and rear leg room than the Camry and Accord, but the Japanese hybrids offer significantly more rear leg room.

"It's not about making an environmentally friendly vehicle declaration. It's about making a great design statement overall."

The driver's seat of the Sonata Hybrid is a great place. The touchscreen of the dashboard and the storage compartments of the center console are perfectly positioned, the steering wheel is just the right size and the car offers an excellent view to the outside.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The standard infotainment setup includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Limited models get a 10.25-inch touchscreen as well as a digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a head-up display. The screen graphics are crisp and clear, and the main touchscreen offers a nice swipe function for changing menus. However, Hyundai did not go overboard with screens. The designers also included analog controls for functions like volume, where a button works better than a swipe.

The digital instrument cluster enables an improved blind spot monitoring system that automatically shows the view from outside cameras when you tap the turn signals. This is a simple but helpful feature and a step above what competitors offer. However, it is also an optional extra. The standard aids for the driver include adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning system, autonomous emergency braking and an automatic high beam. These characteristics are also standard for the rival Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. But Hyundai has also set the standard for rear traffic warnings. This function is optional on the Toyota and not available on the Honda.

Stephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The Sonata Hybrid can also be upgraded with Lane Follow Assist. As the name suggests, it follows the road instead of waiting for the car to deviate from its lane before intervening. This feature worked well during a previous ride in the Arizona non-hybrid sonata, but didn't seem to be so composed on the New York streets where we drove the hybrid. The steering wheel jerked constantly as the system made small steering inputs, as if someone had given the computers a double shot of espresso.

Hyundai did not go overboard with screens.

Another technical feature adopted by the non-hybrid sonata is the digital key from Hyundai. As standard in the SEL and Limited equipment variants, the driver can use a smartphone instead of a conventional key fob. While some car manufacturers offer remote unlocking or engine starting via an app, only Hyundai, Lincoln and Tesla currently allow drivers to get in and out with just a smartphone. The digital key can also be transferred remotely to other people if you want someone to rent your car. The function is currently only compatible with certain Android phones.

A technical feature the Sonata Hybrid misses is the Remote Smart Parking Assist, which you may have seen in Hyundai's Super Bowl display with a Boston accent. The function with which the car can enter and exit even in tight parking spaces is available with the standard sonata, but not with the hybrid. It has to be recalibrated for the hybrid powertrain and will be added at a later time, according to Hyundai.

Experience behind the wheel

The hybrid powertrain goes well with the relaxed character of the sonata, but doesn't expect impressive numbers.

The Sonata Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is supported by a single electric motor. The total system performance is 192 HP. That is only 1 HP more than the base engine for the non-hybrid Sonata and much less than for the hybrid Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Unlike Honda and Toyota, Hyundai has retained a conventional transmission as part of its hybrid system. The Sonata Hybrid's six-speed automatic has a software function called Active Shift Control, which uses the electric motor to add or subtract the torque on the input shaft of the transmission. According to Hyundai, this ensures faster gear changes (ie less interruption in performance when accelerating) and better mileage.

Using a conventional transmission is important because it makes the Sonata Hybrid feel more like a normal car. The power supply is much more linear than with the Honda or Toyota hybrid systems, and the transfer between electricity and gasoline is smooth.

The hybrid powertrain goes well with the relaxed character of the sonata, but doesn't expect impressive numbers.

Hyundai also did a good job of calibrating the driving modes. Sport offers the right amount of extra urgency, and Eco isn't the penalty area found in most other cars. Hyundai also included a smart mode that automatically switches between the other modes depending on the conditions. But not everything was fine-tuned.

Hyundai brought in Albert Biermann, the former head of the BMW M Performance Division, to make his cars more exciting. But Biermann must have been on vacation when the suspension tuning of the Sonata Hybrid was completed. The handling of this car is more Buick than BMW. The steering wheel feels like it's not connected to anything, and the body's roll in sharp turns is so strong that the car feels like it's about to tip over.

We have seen similar trends in the non-hybrid sonata, but the more curvy roads at this test site have made these trends even clearer. The Sonata Hybrid performed better on highways, where its floppy suspension made it one of the quietest rides of any mid-size sedan. This is clearly a car that is designed for road trips and commuting, not for winding roads. If you want a sporty sonata, stop by when the N-Line model comes on the market.

Fuel consumption and security

Hyundai announced impressive gasoline consumption figures for the Sonata Hybrid 2020, which, however, were not achievable in real driving. The base blue model is rated at 52 mpg (50 mpg city, 54 mpg highway), while SEL and Limited are rated at 47 mpg (45 mpg city, 51 mpg highway). A 50 mpg rating was once Prius territory, so it's impressive to see a more conventional mid-size sedan reach that mark.

But the Sonata Hybrid doesn't have much of an advantage over its rivals. The Camry Hybrid is rated at 52 mpg combined (51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway) in LE equipment. The Accord Hybrid is rated at 48 mpg combined (48 mpg city, 47 mpg highway). Over a week's drive, the real fuel efficiency of the Hyundai was also much lower at 38.1 mpg on average, according to the car's on-board computer.

Perhaps the number would have been higher if we could better use the sonata's solar roof. Solar cells are used to charge the 12-volt battery (so it doesn't drain while the car is parked) and the hybrid system's battery to allow more use of electricity. According to Hyundai, the roof can add 2 miles of driving range a day, but persistent clouds meant it wasn't used much. Drivers in sunnier areas may get better results.

The 2020 non-hybrid sonata received a Best Safety Pick rating for the Road Safety Insurance Institute (IIHS), but the organization did not provide a specific rating for the hybrid model. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not evaluated any sonata models for 2020.

Hyundai's 100,000-mile drive train 10-year warranty and 60,000-mile drive train five-year warranty are not covered by Honda and Toyota. The Sonata Hybrid 2020 is a new model, but Hyundai has an overall reputation for reliability.

How DT would configure this car

If you want the most technology in your Sonata Hybrid, you have to choose the top equipment variant Limited. It's the only solar roof option available, as well as the triple threat of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a head-up display.

The additional functions of the Limited increase the weight, which is why it is not as economical as the entry-level Blue. Hyundai unfortunately forces buyers to choose between gasoline consumption and technology.

Our opinion

The hybrid powertrain improves the Sonata 2020, but does not change it. The driving dynamics are about the same as before. Although you will get better mileage, it is important to keep expectations in check. The Sonata also drives more like a normal car than its Honda and Toyota competitors, which some buyers may prefer.

The best of the Sonata Hybrid 2020 is carried over to the non-hybrid version. The highlights include a comfortable ride, advanced driver assistance and a well-designed infotainment system. The hybrid solar roof is a nice technology that could improve efficiency in practice but depends on the weather conditions.

Should you get one?

Yes. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a good car that happens to be a hybrid.

Editor's recommendations




07 Apr
Blog

Final Fantasy VII Remake Review: Solid Story, Archaic Design

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Review 2 vii 03

Final Fantasy VII Remake Review: Thundaga can't strike twice

"… although the entire Final Fantasy VII story is a fascinating, emotional globetrotter adventure, this first 40-hour romp is anything but."

  • A well-written extension of one of the most popular game stories

  • Visually striking when history demands it

  • Generously expressed and magnificent with solid performances all round

  • Fight tries to be too much at once

  • Level design consists of corridors, platforms and stairs

  • Extremely linear gameplay with little exploration

  • Too much fluff between the good things

Final Fantasy VII Remake is here to take things in a new direction more than two decades after the original gave us a hero and villain almost as recognizable as Mario. While this eagerly awaited update is brave and sometimes beautiful, it is the latest victim of a company that places too much trust in its experienced designers.

Square Enix changed the game landscape with the seventh iteration of the Final Fantasy franchise 23 years ago. Final Fantasy VII has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of children and adults. His warm welcome influenced a CGI feature film that expanded his story, as well as some interesting spin-offs.

I only played this cultural milestone a decade after its release at the request of a close friend who was caught up in Clouds and Sephiroth's dreamy polygonal appearance.

Getting off the train as Cloud, a young mercenary with a grudge against Shinra, overlord of the world, is still a fantastic opening all these years later. Aside from the money on the table, it will be a long time before we fully understand why he is helping a militia detonate a bomb in a nuclear reactor. Nojima, the writer of the original story, lets Cloud's enigmatic personality emerge during the 40-hour campaign at the behest of his gripping cast of characters, but we as gamers have been responsible for the bleak teenage heartbreaker for so long that he's stale far too soon.

Example of a fight in Final Fantasy VII

The early introduction of repetitive gameplay elements will not help. Every time the story decides to take a breather, you're exposed to some really outrageous sections. Between the captivating cutscenes that shame the 2005 film, it's a slow, highly scripted adventure through dark tunnels and corridors with lots of glacier crossings and incredibly uninspired switch and platform sections.

Midgar, the industrial city in the sky that this whole story is about, is huge. But apart from a pizza trip and light identity theft, you can hardly see it. Of course there is a reason for this. They spend most of their time in the slums below, but even the shadow of this steel state is little more than long, narrow paths with impressively written but graphically overwhelming shantytowns.

Fast, fluid, faulty

Unless you choose a more relaxed difficulty level, the battle in Final Fantasy VII Remake is almost entirely in real time. It's a big difference from the turn-based system of the original and one that doesn't always give the best results. Stylistically it's absolutely great. Attacks have real weight and flair. And while summoners with little fanfare feel thrown in, it is almost enough to tear them out of their assigned material and let them wreak havoc to interfere with some of the harsher realities of this otherwise tortuous combat system.

If you have the chance to put everything into a fight, there is no better feeling. Boss fights, like the Airbuster Mech, are as magical as they are stressful. There are numerous cases of these well-fought battles, but they're almost always hidden behind multi-monster brawls that seem to play by their own rules. If you are not being fought over by off-screen opponents, the target system stabs you in the back. It is almost impossible to know the outcome of a strike. Tifa will happily throw herself in the air to box a bird with her bare knuckles, but will try to use a stronger skill and she will land on the ground again so as not to swing.

Final Fantasy VII remake

In such a real-time action title, we're used to the idea that everything can be perfected. But that's not how it feels here. Try toppling the scales in favor of a more exciting attack strategy, and you could end up switching off from your main target, botching a powerful spell, and getting hit by something you either couldn't see or could adapt to for half a second. This is a series of small battlefields and narrow camera angles, but it could be improved with a simple target list of wands.

If everything goes well, the fight feels incredibly rewarding. Tifa and Barret are doing shockingly well to the point where I actively try not to control Cloud whenever I can. You can choose which character you want to control from the start of a fight. If the scenario does not require this, you as Mr. Moody Mercenary will cross the overworld for a long time.

It is cold under the steel sky

What is waiting behind all the fluff is pretty convincing. Most non-player characters (NPCs) aren't nearly as graphically great as the main characters, but that doesn't mean they're not worth a look. Far from it. The area around the seventh heaven is full. It lives. Everyone has something to say about their day, a personality that is immediately noticeable.

Children practice dance routines, jocks discuss hitting girls, and rumors spread left and right. It's like Square Enix hired every voice actor on the planet to breathe life into these tiny hamlets. But as soon as you leave Wall Market behind and try to return to Aerith's house, you'll be reminded of how little scenery there is to explore. You'll get a glimpse of something bigger when you stray from a beaten path for a side quest, but after another four, you'll realize that the full Final Fantasy VII story, while a fascinating, emotional adventure around the world, is this first 40 hours romp is anything but.

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a fraction of the whole story. More will come, but we don't know when. After 20 years of hardware development, Midgar still doesn't feel as big as we have always felt. I can only hope that the time spent cutting off so many corners here has been spent on designing a far more ambitious follow-up. The world of Gaia will feel terribly small if you rely on the practices presented here.

Kazushige Nojima, who wrote the original of Final Fantasy VII and the subsequent side stories, returns to the baby he created over two decades ago. Between writing FFVIII and the tearful Kingdom Hearts series, the man spent years working out his world in spin-off titles, books and the popular film. With Remake, he worked it out further and expanded a fairly tame and tiny part of the original game into a section that is almost as heartbreaking as the entire chronicle.

New in this retelling are characters that come from subsequent side stories. Leslie from the Advent children's prequel book The Kids Are Alright makes direct contact with Cloud this time, which means that one can assume that the original FFVII is no longer completely canonical. There is more to this evolution once you delve into the details, but Remake is more than a simple extension of what was before – it's a completely revised narrative that will undoubtedly sink its claws into subsequent releases and that still has a lot of possibilities should captivate those who have already invested in FFVII traditions. Nojima's big story was a catch for a younger self. His efforts have shaped the series ever since. Anyone who is able to make some archaic game design decisions can look forward not only to storytelling, but also to eyes and ears. Mostly.

While Nojima does what he does best, composers Masashi Hamauzu and Mitsuto Suzuki join colleague Nobuo Uematsu to resume the game's classic soundtrack. New additions like the hip-hop sound of the grubby Collapsed Expressway and the completely revamped Wall Market theme are two bops that I can't wait to add to my playlist.

Visually, Final Fantasy VII remake looks incredible. No stranger will be blown away if they catch a glimpse of it on a YouTube ad, but considering that its real-time cutscenes outperform the pre-rendered footage of the mid-2000s Advent Children film, it's incredibly exciting to see how far we have come. It's just a shame that no amount of stories or catchy melodies can offset this boring attempt to wrap a playable game around his script. World building is not the drawback of this game – it is still one of the greatest game stories ever told. The questionable, outdated game design that is widespread everywhere makes Final Fantasy VII Remake fall flat.

Our opinion

After years of waiting, it hurts to say that Final Fantasy VII remake doesn't really impress. The classic plot – or at least what is offered here – benefits greatly from generous and outstanding speech, but how you extract the story of a generation is nothing short of a shame. Running up and down corridors and stairs for dozens of hours is a burden, and while the combat system can sometimes offer fights that embarrass MMO raids, mountains of fluff, and a combat system that can't be committed to a single style leaves this like feel a little step back from the already problematic Final Fantasy XV. There is very little freedom of movement here. Just a linear campaign that doesn't have much else to offer.

If we take into account the polarizing reception of Final Fantasy XIII, it is clear that Square Enix's weirdly long development times have resulted in a track record of games that just don't count the number of hours of work going into them.

Is there a better alternative out there?

If you're looking for an emotional roller coaster, two names come to mind. If you prefer a more in-depth experience, Persona 5 is really worth a look. It's almost three times as long as Final Fantasy VII, but it knows what it does with that extra time. However, a closer comparison is Nier Automata with its action-oriented combat system.

How long it will take?

Right now? Give or take forty hours. This also applies to all side quests, of which there are not many at all. Apart from an option for hard mode and some additional additions for Colosseum quests, there is little to prevent the repeat value.

Should you buy it

If you have had problems with Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XV, you will find the same errors here. Perhaps you support a creator by watching the playthrough instead. If you played Final Fantasy VII as a kid, you will get a kick out of this lengthy story experience, but you will feel challenged.

Editor's recommendations




06 Apr
Blog

Asus Chromebook Flip C436 Review: Chromebooks Have Grown Up

Asus Chromebook Flip

Asus Chromebook Flip C436

"The Asus Flip C436 is a newer, faster, and more expensive generation of Chromebooks."

  • Solid build quality

  • Excellent performance

  • Fast SSD storage

  • The battery life is mediocre

  • Too expensive

Chromebooks were once cheap laptops and nothing else.

Now the next generation of Chromebooks has arrived and they are targeting medium-sized Windows laptops. The $ 800 Asus Chromebook Flip C436 is the first in this new class and doesn't mess around.

Think about it before you spend $ 800 on a Chromebook. A Core i3-1011U CPU, 8 GB RAM, a 128 GB PCIe solid state drive (SSD) and a 1080p screen. It's such a healthy spec list as on a Chromebook. Is Flip C436 the best Chromebook you can buy?

Design and build quality

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Many early Chromebooks were budget options with the right build quality. This has changed over the years as more and more premium Chromebooks match the best available on other platforms. The Chromebook Flip C436 is such a laptop with an aluminum case that feels great in the hand. No bending, bending or twisting here. It's as solid as any Windows 10 laptop, some cost hundreds of dollars more.

In contrast to the previous Chromebook clip C434, the hinge of the C436 can be easily opened with one hand. However, it is not shaky. The display does not wobble in clamshell, presentation, tent or tablet mode.

It is also relatively modern in its aesthetics. The bezel is relatively small except for the large chin at the bottom of the display and has a screen-to-body ratio of 85%. This doesn't match Asus' ZenBook line, which reaches up to 97%, but is much better than the Google Pixelbook Go and many other Chromebooks that are slow to follow the trend.

The silver color is conservative but attractive, with the exception of the chrome hinges and the Asus logo on the lid. If you want more panache, Asus also sells an "Airgel White" option with a rainbow effect on the lid.

If you covered the Chrome label, you'd never know it was a Chromebook. This also applies to other newer Chromebooks. This shows that Chrome OS laptops have grown up – they look just as good and are well built like all but the highest quality Windows 10 laptops and MacBooks.

The Chromebook Flip C436 is light at around 2.5 pounds and thanks to the small bezel fits back into a rather small case for a 14-inch laptop, which is also thin at 0.54 inches. The Google Pixelbook Go is smaller, a little lighter and a bit thinner at 0.5 inches, but the difference is not profound.

Keyboard and port selection

Connectivity is an area where Chromebooks have been limited in the past. For the first time, Chromebooks offer the latest standards like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. This contributes significantly to the fact that the Flip C436 is a legitimate Windows replacement.

Things are still somewhat limited in terms of ports. USB-C 3.1 has become universal in laptops, and the Flip C436 has two. However, Chrome OS still doesn't support faster and more powerful technologies like Thunderbolt 3. At $ 800, Thunderbolt 3 shows up on Windows laptops.

There are no USB-A or HDMI ports. This means you only rely on dongles and connectivity is limited to only the two ports unless you use a USB hub. However, the Flip C436 has a microSD card reader and a 3.5 mm audio jack.

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

The keyboard uses a standard Chromebook layout, but the typing experience itself is outstanding. The Flip C436 has oversized keycaps and 1.2mm travel, a snappy feel, and a smooth ground movement that makes typing comfortable.

Next, the large format touchpad responds and supports the full range of Chrome OS multi-touch gestures. It's glass where the previous version was made of plastic, which gives it a smoother feel. There's also a touch display that allows you to scroll long websites with your thumb and tap pop-up buttons.

Finally, I didn't get a chance to check the active stylus available for the Chromebook Flip C436 – an add-on option that wasn't available on my review sample. However, the availability of an active pen is essential for 2-in-1 devices, and it's great that Asus at least offers it as an option.

display

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Display quality is another key performance factor, and the Chromebook Flip C436 meets these requirements. I was unable to use my colorimeter to test the display because Chrome OS is not supported. However, I found it bright enough for indoor use. It will fight under direct sunlight, but also most screens that reach a maximum of 300 nits.

The contrast also seemed to be sufficient, with black text and a white background that made my typing a breeze. It's a full HD display that's just sharp enough on the 14-inch panel, but not as good as some other newer Chromebooks. For example, the display on the Google Pixelbook Go is much nicer.

The advantage of the Flip C436 is of course a 2-in-1. It's a pleasure to put it in media mode and watch Netflix. The speakers won't blow your mind, but they're loud enough for a medium-sized room and won't distort at full volume. The bass is of course almost completely missing, as is the case with many laptops.

performance

Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

Chrome OS is a very efficient operating system and doesn't burden processors nearly like Windows 10 and MacOS. Only a very anemic CPU with low power consumption like an older Intel Celeron can slow it down.

The Chromebook Flip C436 doesn't have that. The 10th generation dual-core core i3-10110U would not be the fastest for Windows or Mac, but it offers sufficient performance for Chromebooks. If you use 8 GB RAM and a 128 GB PCIe SSD – no slower eMMC storage here – you have a Chromebook that can keep up theoretically at least.

You can even add a quad-core processor to the mix for an additional $ 200.

The Chromebook Flip C436 definitely keeps up with everything you want to throw at it. I opened a bunch of tabs in Google Chrome and couldn't slow them down no matter how many apps I loaded in the background. I'm sure I could have found a combination that would have raised some concerns, but to put it simply, you won't just tax the system.

It's the fastest Chromebook we've seen with 97 in the Tachometer 2.0 benchmark. And imagine: For an additional $ 200, you can get a quad-core i5-10210U and configure up to 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Yes, this very fast Chromebook can be even faster if you want to throw a little more money on it.

However, this investment may not be worth it unless you need tons of storage. You would have to open a lot of apps and tabs to exceed 8 GB of RAM, and a quad-core i5 is likely to be an overkill for everyone except programmers and developers.

Speaking of which, you can run modern Android games on the Chromebook Flip C436. The Intel UHD graphics can keep up, and the ones I tried – like Asphalt 9 – were fluid and entertaining. Switch to tablet mode and use the touch display. Even though it's a little hard, you can play games like on an Android tablet.

Battery life

Battery life is the biggest disadvantage of this Chromebook. The Flip C436 only has 42 watt hours of battery life – compared to 48 watt hours in the C434. In addition, it runs very fast and therefore burns the battery at an unfortunate speed.

Chromebooks usually have excellent battery life, but the Asus falls behind. In our demanding Basemark web benchmark test, in which other Chromebooks achieved double or more, it was only an hour and 44 minutes. For example, the Google Pixelbook Go ran for more than four hours.

The processor was connected at full speed during our battery tests, with the fans running constantly.

In our web browser test, the Chromebook Flip C436 again fell behind the package with 7 hours and 19 minutes. The Pixelbook Go ran approximately 13.5 hours and the Chromebook Flip C434 over 11.5 hours.

The reason for the mediocre battery life seems to be that the Core i3 was attached at full speed during our tests and the fans ran fairly consistently. I would add that hearing fans when using a Chromebook is a little strange – most of them are fanless, which is simply not possible with this processor caliber.

Our opinion

The Chromebook Flip C436 isn't cheap at $ 800, and it shouldn't be either. There are many cheap Chromebooks out there, but only a few offer this level of performance and build quality. However, the battery life keeps the Flip C436 from its true size. It's a traditional strength of Chromebooks, but it can't keep up with the competition here.

Is there a better alternative?

It has some advantages over the Pixelbook Go, but the $ 150 price difference between the base models is difficult to justify. They give up the 2-in-1 flexibility, but get a better display, a more attractive design and an excellent battery life.

Another competitor is the Acer Chromebook 13. They don't get the same build quality, but they do have a 13.5-inch screen with a higher resolution at 2,256 x 1,504. They spend $ 700 on a dual-core processor, but the storage space drops to just 32 GB.

If Windows 10 is more of your bag, consider the $ 850 Asus ZenBook 13 UX333 with an 8th generation Core i5 and better display. And Asus' build quality is there too, along with even smaller bezels and a nifty LCD numeric keypad built into the touchpad.

How long it will take?

The Chromebook Flip C436 is solidly built and seems to last forever. Its components should keep pace with years of Chrome OS updates. The one-year warranty is also disappointing, but Asus offers its usual protection against accidental coverage for 12 months.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Chromebook Flip C436 is fast, well built, and deserves its premium price.

Editor's recommendations




06 Apr
Blog

Shure AONIC 215 Review: Solid Sound in a Unique Package

Shure AONIC 215 headphones

"The Shure AONIC 215 are comfortable and have a soft sound, but only a few functions."

  • Clear, balanced sound

  • Comfortable, light design

  • Exceptional call quality

  • No volume or track controls

  • No active noise cancellation

If Shure's mission with his Aonic 215 headphones was to create something strikingly different from the popular rivals in his field … well, mission accomplished. The audio company's new $ 279 real wireless buds stand out from the crowd. This is evident in everything they find from their design and fit to the package they are delivered in. But is that a good thing?

I wish I could bluntly answer yes or no and storm the gates with an explanation of how much better or worse these headphones are due to their comparable uniqueness. But it's just not that easy with the Aonic 215.

Out of the box

I wouldn't go so far as to call it the industry standard, but there is some perception regarding the package in which a set of earphones comes in. Usually, but not always, it's small and square.

Shure AONIC 215 packagingNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Enter the Aonic 215 headphones, which come in a large, circular package, as if they were going to set the tone immediately. Lifting the lid reveals the headphones, which rest on a foam bed and whose charging case sits in the middle of the pair. Also included: a micro-USB-C charging cable, a selection of replacement earplugs (I replaced the foam tips supplied with the buds for a pair of smaller soft-flex tips) and a quick guide. circular in line with a growing trend here.

The Bluetooth pairing process was the only segment of the initial setup that reflected other earbuds. The Aonic 215 should automatically switch to pairing mode when switched on and should be easy to find in your phone's Bluetooth settings. If it doesn't, Shure includes a manual option to connect. I didn't need it to pair it with my smartphone, but it was nice to know that it is available as a failover.

design

The over-the-ear style of the Aonic 215 means that the headphones have a larger footprint than, for example, the Samsung Galaxy Buds +. However, they are pleasantly light and comfortable, at least after you have played around briefly to attach the stems of the buds behind your ear.

Shure AONIC 215 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The part of the headphones that actually sits in your ear – which to me was a teal blue, but is available in black, white, or clear variations – is so understated that you might forget that they were there, if not for the rest the headphones stick to the ears.

That brings me to the hot button problem here. The design of over-the-ear earphones is somewhat polarizing. Some people love them, others can't stand them. I had always considered myself connected to the latter because most of the ones I used were heavy and my ears felt cramped. The Aonic 215 are just the opposite.

Her style also suits a lifestyle on the go. I haven't seen a single shift when I walked through the park while jogging, while traditional earphones haven't stayed in place more than a handful of times.

The case is the outlier in terms of design. Most earbuds have taken on a compact, pills-like look for their charging cases, but the Aonic 215 is in a circular case that's closer to the size of a wallet. It's by no means an uncomfortable size, but not as pocket-friendly as other models available.

characteristics

Compared to other earphones in (and below) their price range, it's hard to overlook how little the Aonic 215 has in the functional department. To be clear, the features they have are solid. But it's 2020. For almost $ 300, it's a mistake to omit coveted capabilities like active noise cancellation.

Shure AONIC 215 headphone caseNick Woodard / Digital Trends

According to Shure, the Aonic215 is equipped with sound-insulating technology that blocks up to 37 dB of noise, as well as an environmental mode that introduces noise from your surroundings. In my experience, both worked well. However, active noise cancellation in products such as the Sony WF-1000XM3 and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is superior.

The Aonic 215 is said to last up to eight hours on a single charge, with three additional charges built into its carrying case. These specifications were checked during testing during my time. But unfortunately for Shure, the bar was raised. When the Samsung Galaxy Buds + can last up to 11 hours at a half price, I wanted more. Especially a pair without ANC, which shortens playback times, as is the case with both Sony and Sennheiser.

I had no connection problems thanks to the Bluetooth 5 technology built into Aonic 215, except a few times when my phone was connected to the headphones but did not play any media through them. However, I am using an older phone in a Google Pixel 2, so it may be more Google than Shure to blame.

My biggest problem with the functionality of the Aonic 215 is a very basic function. Or rather, it should have been. The buttons on the bottom of each headphone work well for what they are designed for. It takes a lot of pressure, but you can play and pause music effectively, answer and end calls, turn ambient mode on or off, or activate your voice assistant. What you can't do, which frankly confuses me about the price, is adjusting the volume or switching between tracks. They are two very simple commands that you won't really miss until you are forced to jog through an entire pit bull soundtrack.

Audio quality

Shure AONIC 215 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Shure has been in the audio business for almost a century and has a product line that ranges from budget options to price tags that only an audiophile can love – this is a company with a proven track record of producing great sounds, from microphones to headphones .

After listening extensively with the Aonic 215, I can say with certainty that these headphones do justice to the family tree of their brand. They are remarkably clear and some of the more balanced buds I've dealt with. Testing with a variety of genres was a lot of headache to the point where I looped songs like "Red Hot Chili Peppers" Under the Bridge just because it sounded so crisp.

In my view, these are not well equipped for a good low-end. They are useful, but for songs like Brothers Osborne's rum, where a low note is the backbone of the entire track, I found that the bass is not as critical as I am used to. The equalizer in the associated ShurePlus Play app helped, but was not a miracle worker.

The call quality was exceptional, although for some reason some conversations only had audio in my right bud. It is by no means a deal breaker, but it was a remarkable quirk.

Do these sound better than the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2? In a word, no. Is that a fair comparison? Usually it shouldn't be, but that's the type of weight class the Aonic 215 fights in thanks to its cost. Do they sound better than cheaper alternatives like the Galaxy Buds +? Absolutely, although I'm not sure if the average listener can say that it sounds twice as good.

Our opinion

With the Aonic 215, Shure has produced a pair of comfortable, soft-sounding headphones that are easy to grip and carry. Given what competitors with similar prices have to offer, they dropped the ball in the feature section.

Are there any better alternatives?

Yes. The Sony WF-100XM3 are regularly retailed for $ 229. Although they are a bit older, they offer better functions. The same goes for the $ 299 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, and they're our pick for the best-sounding real wireless earbuds. If you already want to spend money at the Shure headphones at the baseball stadium, it's worth spending the extra $ 20 on the Sennheiser.

How long will they last?

Shure is not approaching the 100-year mark by making products with a short shelf life. Expect these headphones to be durable and ready for the long haul.

Should you buy them

Only if you are specifically looking for over-the-ear headphones with great sound. Otherwise there are better buds, often at much better prices.

Editor's recommendations




05 Apr
Blog

Sigma 20mm F1.4 Art Review: More Than a Landscape Lens

Sigma 20mm f14 art criticism 9

Sigma 20mm F1.4 Art criticism: More than a landscape lens

"Not everyone loves wide-angle lenses, but Sigma's 20mm art made me a fan."

  • Rare combination of focal length and aperture

  • Impressively sharp at 1: 1.4

  • Professional build quality

  • Good price

  • Strong vignetting

  • No filter support

Wide-angle lenses are not sufficiently recognized for their versatility. If you think they are only for landscapes, give me the opportunity to change your mind. Although it's a landscape and astrophotography lens, I enjoyed using the Sigma 20mm F1.4 Art for portraits and product photos, and it was the perfect lens for wedding party dance shots (don't worry, that was a couple of months ago before, before social distancing).

This is not a new product – Sigma released it in 2015 – but when I got one borrowed for my Nikon D780 review, I liked it so much that I thought I should write it down. At 5 years old, this $ 900 lens is still the current champion in fast wide-angle prime numbers for Nikon and Canon DSLRs. It is also available for mirrorless Leica L or Sony E mounts, although it is a little more difficult to recommend for such cameras.

The design of the 20mm artwork raises some usability concerns that I will discuss later. However, if you're looking for the ultimate in low-light performance, no other 20mm lens is comparable to this. Considering the price to compete with the two 20mm f / 1.8 first-party lenses, this is an excellent buy.

design

Every photographic lens is a compromise exercise. Price, size, image quality and functions must be balanced to achieve a goal. With the Sigma Art series, it has always been important to deliver the best quality at a price that exceeds, or at least does not exceed, that of equivalent first-party lenses – regardless of size.

Weighing over 2 pounds, the 20mm art is certainly not a lightweight, but that's the price you pay for a 1: 1.4 bright aperture and an excellent optical formula. The 15 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements, two of the “F” dispersion elements from Sigma and five special low dispersion elements, ensure sharp, aberration-free images with minimal distortion.

The lens body measures 3.6 inches in diameter and 5.1 inches long, including a built-in petal-style lens hood. I thought it would go well with the Nikon D780, but I'm not sure how to use it with a mirrorless camera.

This is a DSLR first lens. The mirrorless version includes an integrated "adapter" to compensate for the difference in the distance between the flange and residue, which makes the lens longer. Perhaps this wouldn't feel too out of place with a powerful Panasonic S-series camera, but I don't know how comfortable it would be with a smaller, lighter Sony Alpha-series camera. Given that Sony recently launched the excellent FE 20mm f / 1.8G, there's a solid alternative for E-mount shooters.

The Sigma offers a minimalist exterior with a wide, knurled focus ring and a window removal scale that give it a first-class appearance. The AF / MF switch is the only other control point. There is neither a stabilizer to turn on or off – not that I would expect with a lens so wide and fast – nor an aperture click switch like the one we see on Sony's 20mm f / 1.8 and Sigma's own 35 mm saw F1. 2 Art.

The bulbous front element of the Sigma means that you cannot use a standard screw-on filter. This can be a problem for landscapes if you want a polarizer or neutral filter. Professionals and other seasoned shooters may not mind using a filter adapter with large drop-in filters, but for the rest of us, the lack of native filter support could be a reason to consider an alternative lens.

Autofocus

With the Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) from Sigma, the 20 mm F1.4 graphics can be quickly focused in the viewfinder as well as in the live view. If you switch from the foreground to the background, you can feel the torque of the motor when it is switched on. Still, it makes very little noise.

Continuous autofocus performance was also very good – no doubt supported by the intelligent focusing algorithm used in the D780 – and kept pace with a cyclist heading towards me. It was also decent in a dimly lit lobby, although the camera's focus sensor was probably the bigger limiter (the D780 is good for -3 EV with the viewfinder).

However, there is a big problem with autofocus, at least when shooting through an optical viewfinder. After unpacking, my copy of the lens was focused pretty dramatically. Customers have reported similar issues in user reviews. This isn't exactly new to Sigma – I also found the problem when reviewing the 105mm F1.4 art – but it seems to be something the company is using with newer lenses like the 40mm art, which I have now recorded seems to be under control on Canon and Nikon with no problems.

Fortunately, most modern DSLRs offer the ability to adjust the focus behavior of a lens (the Nikon D780 can do this automatically using the AF fine-tuning feature that uses focus information from live view to correct viewfinder performance). You can also purchase the Sigma USB lens dock to program focus settings directly into the lens firmware.

While this problem is easy to fix, the customer must know how to recognize it. I can imagine someone buying and returning this lens because they just thought it wasn't sharp. That couldn't be further from the truth.

picture quality

When I realized what was happening with the autofocus and figured out how to fix it, the Sigma 20mm Art thrilled me with incredibly detailed images and surprisingly rich bokeh (which is usually not the case with such wide lenses). There seems to be little to no sacrifice in sharpness when opened wide at 1: 1.4.

Distortions are certainly there, but they are fairly mild and can be easily corrected in the post without much harvest.

However, vignetting could be the real problem here, especially if you want to use this lens for astrophotography. Photography in the night sky usually requires a bright aperture and even focus and exposure across the frame. At 1: 1.4, the 20mm type vignettes are exactly what you would expect from a 20mm 1: 1.4 lens. It is serious.

I don't mind that with other types of photography, but with astrophotography, if you are already shooting at high ISO values, correcting the vignette in the post by lightening the corners only leads to more noise. Maybe it's not a big deal – I've seen fantastic astro shots from other photographers who used this lens – but it's something to watch out for.

Our opinion

The 20mm focal length may be of limited use to most photographers, but the Sigma 20mm F1.4 Art has made me a fan. I really enjoyed taking pictures with it, much more than I thought, especially for subjects that don't expect a lens as wide as portraits and products. Sometimes a new perspective is enough to refresh your creativity. Literally.

As an older model, the 20mm art has shown Sigma to improve auto focus accuracy on newer lenses. I would love to see a mirrorless redesign of this lens, as Sigma did for the 14-24mm f / 2.8 type. For Canon and Nikon DSLR shooters, however, this is still the wide-angle prime to beat.

Is there a better alternative?

Certainly not for Canon DSLRs. Nikon manufactures a 20mm f / 1.8 that is significantly lighter (12oz) and accepts 77mm filters. It's also quite a bit cheaper at the time of this writing, thanks to instant discounts that get it to just under $ 720. However, the sigma is sharper and brighter, and I expect the additional $ 180 to be worth it.

For Sony shooters, the FE 20 mm 1: 1.8 G is worth a look. It weighs just over 13 ounces, uses 67mm filters, and has an aperture ring with de-click controls. It is also visually excellent. At $ 900, however, you save no money and sacrifice the additional 2/3 blink collection that the f / 1.4 aperture of the Sigma offers you. For most people, however, this is a worthy trade for a lens that better fits Sony's smaller cameras.

How long it will take?

The 20mm art that was released in late 2015 is 5 years old and remains one of the best wide angles on the market. I wouldn't be surprised if Sigma introduces a mirrorless version in the not too distant future, but anyone who buys this lens for a DSLR today should have no problem working with it for many years.

Should you buy it

If you record a Canon or Nikon DSLR, absolutely. If you're shooting a mirrorless L-mount camera, maybe. If you're shooting a Sony E-mount camera, this is probably not the case – choose the FE 20mm f / 1.8 from Sony.

Editor's recommendations




05 Apr
Blog

2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Review: Budget Box With An Attitude

Kia Soul 2020

2020 Kia Soul GT-Line: This budget box has one setting

"The 2020 Kia Soul remains a practical, attractive and affordable CUV that everyone can love."

  • Outstanding styling

  • Design forward cabin

  • Lots of space

  • High-tech functions available

  • Turbo drivetrain is a failure

  • Advanced security features are optional

Last generation Kia Soul hamsters ran out of town. Why? The new soul frightened her. These cute rodents aimed to get younger drivers into the box-shaped vehicle.

Things are different now. Everyone knows the soul, but it knows the cute version. The all-new 2020 Kia Soul is here to show a new side of the machine – a sharper, more aggressive edge to prove that it's good to go against the grain.

Hatchback? SUV? CUV? You could technically argue that the soul is all of this. The classification is not important because you get the best of all worlds. Due to the size of the small car, the price of the basic LX fairing starts at an affordable $ 17,490. Switch to the GT-Line Turbo, the vehicle we tested for a week, and you'll see a starting price of $ 27,490. That is still affordable by today's standards.

It is obvious that American consumers are sticking to their crossovers. But unlike CUVs, which stick to a recipe, the Soul, especially in the GT Line equipment, breaks the mold to give buyers an idea of ​​how fun, cheap and versatile it looks. From this point of view, it's great, but not perfect.

Interior and exterior design

The old soul was a box on wheels, and the new one too. A look at the soul can take you back to elementary school when you had to deal with these horrible square milk cartons. Just add four wheels.

While the overall silhouette has not changed, almost everything else has changed. The headlights have moved down on the front fairing, while slim daytime running lights are now connected to each other via a wafer-thin grille. On the back, the taillights have a hockey stick shape that is connected at the top.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The 2020 Soul has a more muscular aesthetic that contrasts sharply with the enchanting look of the last generation model. You can also specify the soul with a two-tone color scheme for additional character.

Choose either the X-Line or one of the GT-Line panels, and your Subcompact CUV comes with a unique body kit. The X-Line gives the impression of an off-road CUV with special 18-inch wheels, roof rails and body panels. The two GT Line claddings are characterized by a sporty design. The GT-Line Turbo has different wheels, red emblems, black trim parts and an exhaust with a central exit.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

People may be split over the outer design of the soul, but this box brings the warmth inside. Legroom and headroom are plentiful in both rows, with even the largest passengers forgetting that they have descended to the rear. The benefits are equally impressive as the Soul can carry 24.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats and can hold a total of 62.1 cubic feet of cargo. These numbers make the Soul one of the more spacious options in this segment, beating the Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V.

Besides all of this utility, there is still a fun element. From the triangular ventilation slots to the room-like paneling that surrounds the door handle and loudspeakers, the Soul's cabin is chic and yet functional. Our Soul GT-Line Turbo was supplied with mood lighting that corresponds to the rhythm of the music in different colors or themes such as "Midnight City", "Café" and "Romance".

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

Though spacious, the Soul is an affordable way to get around, so it has a fair proportion of hard plastics and rough materials. Still, nothing feels cheap. The Soul GT-Line Turbo feels and looks good for a car that costs less than $ 29,000. The leather and fabric seats are robust, yet comfortable. The heated seats heat your back faster than a whirlpool.

Tire and wind noise can disturb calm at highway speeds, and the seats feel quite high in their lowest position. Of course, this may not be a disadvantage for consumers who yearn for this CUV feeling.

Technical functions

With Kia you can reach far into your pocket to use the best technical functions, but this economy box offers a lot of technical standard. Most panels have a 7-inch touchscreen that includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, this is nothing unusual since almost every competitor can keep up with it.

Where the soul really flexes its muscles is when you start to get higher in the food chain. The EX and GT-Line Turbo models feature a massive 10.25-inch touchscreen and Kia's sophisticated UVO infotainment system. This is one of the largest screens in this segment, clearly outperforming the available 8-inch screen of the Hyundai Kona and the 7-inch touch screens of the Nissan Kicks and Honda HR-V. As an added benefit, you get wireless charging with the larger screen.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

After spending time with both systems, this is an easy decision. Get the bigger 10.25-inch screen. The standard 7-inch device is Basic – iPhone 6 Basic Level. The 10.25-inch screen with the UVO system is a gem and offers clear, crisp images in an intuitive layout. The extra wide length brings three really helpful things – navigation, audio and weather – to the foreground and to the center. If one of them doesn't sound important, there are numerous customization options that you can use to set priorities as you wish.

The soul's security features follow the same trajectory as their infotainment systems. All you get with the base panel is a rear view camera. The higher the ladder you climb, the more you get. The GT-Line Turbo is filled with almost everything under the sun, including blind spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. A retractable head-up display is also included in the security cocktail.

Most of the driver assistance functions work as desired – with the exception of Lane Keeping Assist. This fool will pull the wheel out of your hands to keep you from drifting on another trail. Some nitpickers may think that the head-up screen looks cheap too. That may be true, but it works and it's a feature you won't find on Honda HR-V and Nissan Kicks.

Experience behind the wheel

Two drive trains are available for the soul. Five of the six fairings are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 147 hp and 132 pound-feet of torque. The engine is coupled to a continuously variable transmission, which Kia calls "intelligent variable transmission" or IVT.

Only the GT-Line Turbo has a different grinder. This equipment is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 201 hp and 195 lb.-ft. accomplishes. of the torque. The engine also has a unique transmission in the form of a seven-speed double clutch.

Kia Soul 2020Joel Patel / Digital Trends

With 54 additional horses and a dual clutch transmission, you can expect the GT-Line Turbo to bring performance to the fore. And you would be right. However, the drivetrain has some serious shortcomings that make it clear how unathletic the small car CUV really is.

The peppy engine doesn't lack grunts, but the way it breaks down power in one massive pull instead of a gentle swallow is staggering. The problem is exacerbated by the dual clutch transmission, which shifts slowly and is chunky. Low speeds and fast, unexpected performance gains. Pushing the throttle from a standstill does not result in immediate power supply, which makes parking a difficult situation.

The expensive GT-Line turbo fairing is a simple pass.

In addition to the engine, the GT-Line Turbo has a firmer suspension. The ride is stiff, but the soul doesn't feel smooth in corners because the box-shaped design limits its true performance potential. Around the corner, the Soul shows a body roll that fits a small car CUV, and the Goodyear Eagle Touring tires of the GT-Line Turbo do not inspire confidence.

Ironically, the front-wheel drive layout of the Soul is not a deal breaker. Other small cars like the Nissan Kicks and the Toyota C-HR are also only equipped with front-wheel drive. They still have 6.7 inches of ground clearance, which is a decent amount to deal with snow. However, if you want real off-road skills, you have to look at the Jeep Renegade.

With the problems of the powertrain and the particularly bumpy ride, which does not offer any real sporting potential, the expensive GT-Line turbo fairing is an easy pass.

Fuel consumption and security

The Environmental Protection Agency rates the 2020 Kia Soul up to 31 mpg (29 mpg city, 35 mpg highway) when it is equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the CVT. If you choose the sportier GT-Line turbo fairing with the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed dual clutch transmission, you will see 29 MPG combined (27 MPG City, 32 MPG Highway).

These are not bad numbers for the small car segment, but they bring the soul behind the Nissan Kicks, which are rated at 33 mpg, and the new Hyundai Venue, which is rated at 32 mpg. But the Soul is a bit more efficient than the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona, both of which have a fuel consumption of 30 mpg.

Since the Soul is completely new for the 2020 model year, it is difficult to say how reliable the vehicle will be on the road. The CUV compact car has one of the longest warranties on the market: a 10-year powertrain warranty of 100,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles. This is better than Nissan or Honda cars.

As a new vehicle, the Soul has not yet undergone a crash test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the tests carried out by the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS), the soul did well enough to be recognized as a top safety trick.

How DT would configure this car

Due to the problems with the drivetrain and driving behavior, we recommend skipping the GT-Line turbo fairing. Nevertheless, we like the EX trim best. It has the same 10.25-inch touchscreen, the same UVO infotainment system, and the same wireless charger as the top model, but has a more efficient powertrain.

The 2020 Soul has a more muscular aesthetic that stands out from the enchanting look of the last generation model.

If you want a two-tone color scheme, it's part of the $ 1,500 EX Designer Collection package.

Our opinion

Despite testing the probably worst option in the lineup, the 2020 Kia Soul is a great CUV. Its appearance isn't for everyone, but it stands out in a segment that's filled with boring options. It's also practical with one of the largest holds, lots of technical features, and an efficient powertrain. All of this is packaged in one of the fanciest designs and comes with one of the longest guarantees.

If you are looking for a suitable off-road suitability, you have to choose the Jeep Renegade. For those looking for a vehicle with a design that doesn't stand out, check out the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Kona, or Honda HR-V.

The kicks don't have all-wheel drive as an option, but the other two. Neither the Kicks nor the HR-V are equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard, but both have safety suites in the middle of their respective lineups instead of random functions that are sporadically distributed. As usual, Kia has offered the Soul at a competitive price, and between these rivals, it's the cheapest option.

With so many options in the subcompact segment, there is bound to be an option that does something better than the soul. As a complete package, however, it is a rounded CUV that does a lot of good at a low price and makes it one of the better options on the market.

Should you get one?

Yes. The soul is a great value with a funky, functional design. Just stay away from the GT Line.

Editor's recommendations




04 Apr
Blog

Oppo Find X2 Pro Review: Oppo Finds the Sweet Spot

oppo find x2 pro review camera lenses 3

"The Oppo Find X2 Pro is a beautiful phone with the latest hardware."

  • Stunning OLED screen

  • Quick charge

  • Versatile camera that takes great photos

  • High-performance SoC with 5G

  • Expensive

  • Phone software seems unreliable

How do you follow the Oppo Find X? It was ahead of its time in design, gave us an innovative and unusual motorized camera, and even had a completely crazy version of Lamborghini. It seems that Oppo himself wasn't entirely sure what to do since it took 20 months for the company to develop a sequel.

Get to know the Oppo Find X2 Pro, a phone that isn't as visually striking as the Find X, but is even more powerful.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

I've spent a few weeks on the phone since it was unveiled, and it has impressed me more than any other Oppo phone before. This is due to advances in software and design. It's not perfect, but it's the first Oppo phone that I can confidently recommend. Here's why.

design

Oppo's decision to make the Find X2 Pro more conventional is the right one. I miss the madness of the Find X and other Find series phones as much as the next tech fan, but they weren't always practical. The Find X2 looks normal, maybe to the point where it feels derived from the front. However, the orange vegan leather back wall and gold accents prove that Oppo's design department still knows how to party.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The beautifully curved 6.7-inch OLED screen falls off to the side, but not to the extent that you see on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro. It's a more subtle, shallow drop that still offers an impressive viewing experience. Oppo's light effect notifications use the curved glass to warn you and display colored light when you receive a call or new message. It stands out, keeps you up to date and looks cool.

A golden aluminum case is located between the front window and the vegan leather back. It's smooth and gently curved so it won't get into your palm while the leather back feels warm. The Oppo Find X2 Pro is a pleasure to hold.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The leather has no heavy grain and only the slightest texture, but it is easy to grip. The phone never feels like it's slipping out of your hand. Whether the gold and orange color scheme is appealing depends on your personal choice. If it is too gaudy, a black ceramic model is available. Personally, I love the orange leather, but I don't like the chintzy gold, and the Oppo badge looks like an afterthought.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The leather model is slightly thicker and heavier than the black ceramic Find X2 Pro. With a thickness of 9.5 mm and 200 grams, it is a fairly large phone, especially compared to the feather-light Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus with a thickness of 186 grams and a thickness of 7.8 mm. It's still pluggable and never feels unwieldy, but is slightly top-heavy. The design, the high-quality materials and the processing as well as the excellent comfort in the hand make the Find X2 a mature and desirable phone.

screen

Oppo has put a lot of technology into the Find X2 Pro's screen, and it really pays off. The 6.7-inch OLED offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a resolution of 3168 x 1440, 240 Hz touch sampling, 10-bit color and HDR10 + support as well as the so-called O1 Ultra Vision Engine to optimize the Video performance. The Oppo Find X2 competes strongly with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and the Apple iPhone 11 Pro, two powerful mobile phones with breathtaking screens.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The Find X2 offers numerous options for changing the screen, including adjusting the color temperature and color mode, as well as the ability to turn off the O1 Ultra Vision Engine if you don't like motion smoothing or HDR upscaling. If the color temperature is set to the standard setting, the O1 Ultra Vision Engine and the color mode to Vivid, it hardly differs from the S20 Plus in direct comparison. Black is deep, shadows look perfect, colors are vivid and strong and details are sharp. It is a stunning screen with numerous adjustments if you wish.

The Find X2 Pro, which is also equipped with Dolby Atmos support, features two full-range stereo speakers. The speakers have a lot of volume, and Atmos also adds an extra dimension, but the phone lacks bass and can sound harsh when you turn up the volume.

The Oppo Find X2 Pro (top), Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus (bottom left). and iPhone 11 Pro (bottom right). Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

During the first few days of use, I was concerned that the screen was not responding slightly, which was contrary to the 240 Hz touch sampling function. On my early test model, a screen protector was attached that was lifted up at one corner, eliminating the feeling of lag. I should also mention the phone's haptic feedback, which is wonderfully soft and tactile and comes very close to the excellent vibrations of the OnePlus 7T Pro.

Camera quality

The oversized camera on the back of the Find X2 Pro, which is held in gold, has a 48-megapixel Sony IMX689 1 / 1.4-inch main sensor with an aperture of 1: 1.7 and a second 48-megapixel -Sony IMX586 ultra-wide sensor and a 13 megapixel telephoto lens for a 2x optical zoom as well as a 5x and 10x hybrid setting and up to 60x digital recording. There is double optical image stabilization, live HDR for video and a macro mode as well as an auto focus with laser and phase detection.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The camera app looks familiar if you've recently used a Huawei phone. From the zoom controls to the menu selection, the layout of the app is strikingly similar. I took pictures before and after an important software update and liked a lot of pictures of both. The camera takes colorful and detailed photos that approach a cooler palette than a Samsung camera. The atmosphere of mobile phones like the Huawei P40 Pro can also be missing.

There's a noticeable difference in dynamics between the standard 48-megapixel lens (Sony's new IMX689 sensor) and the wide-angle IMX586, which weakens the colors. However, if you enable Oppo's "Dazzle" color mode, which uses artificial intelligence to enhance your images, the level of saturation will be increased to compensate for this. Edge detection in portrait mode is average and sometimes difficult to recognize even the simplest shapes. However, the large sensor creates a decent natural bokeh when there is an object nearby.

On the front is a 32 megapixel selfie camera in a small hole that offers both a beauty mode and a night mode. This unusual addition to the selfie camera is surprisingly effective and does a good job of reducing noise in low light, but processing time is long. However, I can see that it is useful for many people. Otherwise, the selfie camera has numerous filters and a decent portrait mode.

The Oppo Find X2 Pro's camera is excellent. It's versatile, has great zoom and lots of useful features, and delivers strong photo results whether you're using the front or rear camera. It is reliable and capable.

Software and performance

Software is a traditional weakness of Oppo phones, and previous versions of ColorOS (the company's Android user interface) were filled with frustrating changes to normal Android features.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Fortunately, Oppo changed course. The Oppo Find X2 Pro ships with ColorOS v7.1 via Android 10. It is more modern and uses clean storage much better to improve usability. The user interface is similar to Android on a Google Pixel 4 phone in that menus and icons look consistent and are where you expect them to be. Thanks to the screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, it is also quick and smooth.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. Daily use of the Find X2 Pro is more of a pleasure than a duty, since almost no matter which phone you come from, no steep learning curve is required after switching. The constantly active screen is helpful and clearly shows notification symbols. I also like the system-wide dark mode.

It's not all good news, and the problems I've had with the Oppo Reno 3 Pro are present, e.g. B. the useless Smart Assistant that you wipe from the home screen. However, since Oppo fixed other issues, these are disappointments in an otherwise solid user interface.

The phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and an X55 5G modem as well as 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage space. Going through two benchmark tests gave these results.

3DMark: 6.523 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 901 single-core / 3266 multi-core

This is the fastest Qualcomm processor available and has a large amount of RAM, so the Find X2 Pro never lacks the performance. The results have driven it forward in tests with the Exynos-based Galaxy S20 Plus and with phones with the Snapdragon 855 Plus such as the Asus ROG Phone 2.

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I had some problems with calls. Although the reception was strong according to the symbol and was not technical, I often had problems hearing the caller and vice versa. It seemed like I was in an area with poor coverage and disruption before I reconnect. The problem only occurred with Find X2 Pro. It was intermittent, so not every call was affected, suggesting that it was a software problem.

Battery life

The Find X2 Pro has a built-in fingerprint sensor and a face release, both of which work very well. Face recognition usually beats faster than the fingerprint sensor. A 4,260 mAh battery, which is actually two 2,130 mAh cells that work together, provides the juice. This setup helps the Oppo SuperVOOC Flash Charge 2.0 fast charging system to work and keep temperatures low.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The battery is quickly charged with the supplied 65 W charger. In just 30 minutes in my repeated tests, it shot from 0 to 100%, which essentially makes overnight charging unnecessary. Charge the phone when you get ready in the morning, and it's done before you're done. Unfortunately there is no wireless charging.

I watched approximately 3.5 hours of 1080p video, which drained about 35% of the battery, and the phone took a day of moderate use.

Price, availability and guarantee

The Oppo Find X2 Pro costs £ 1,100 and can currently be ordered from Amazon in the US for $ 1,300. It will be released in May. You can register interest on the phone through the Carphone Warehouse retailer website. However, there is no information yet about which network operators will sell the phone. Oppo does not sell its devices in the United States, but it may be possible to import one. Oppo grants a two year warranty on the device and the battery.

Our opinion

The Find X2 Pro is Oppo at its best. It offers the performance we expect from a flagship phone, without the inconvenience of previous Find models and yet enough individuality to respond. The screen is stunning, the camera is excellent and the software has improved a lot compared to old models.

All of this at a high price that puts Oppo in the same space as Samsung, Apple and Huawei. That is rightly so, but it remains to be seen whether Oppo has the brand name to attract at this level.

Is there a better alternative?

There are a lot of phones out now, and some will be coming very soon to take on the Oppo Find X2 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus for $ 1,000 is strong with very good software, a great camera, and one of the best screens available. However, the design is boring compared to the Find X2 Pro. The $ 1,400 Galaxy S20 Ultra and its 108-megapixel camera also come into play at this price.

The Huawei P40 Pro costs £ 900, which is about $ 1,115. Therefore, it will be offered at a competitive price when it is released in April. The design is more mature than that of the Find X2 Pro, and the camera has great potential, but the lack of Google Mobile Services puts it at a disadvantage in the UK. If you're not fixated on buying an Android phone, the Apple iPhone 11 for $ 1,000 Pro is our top choice for the year to date.

I also like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus for $ 1,100, which is a little older, but is still an excellent smartphone. One to watch out for in the near future is the OnePlus 8 series. OnePlus is part of the same business conglomerate as Oppo and will launch its new phones on April 15th. There is every chance that OnePlus 8 Pro will take over the Find X2 Pro at a cheaper price.

How long it will take?

With IP68 water resistance, the phone stays relatively safe in the wet, and the version with leather back should stay attractive longer because it has no fingerprints or can break like a glass back. Ceramic is tougher and more scratch-resistant than glass if you choose the black version.

Oppo's track record with Android updates isn't great. The original Find X, the RX17 Pro and the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom are expected to receive ColorOS 7 and Android 10 in summer 2020. Android 10 was released in September 2019. If you buy the Find X2 Pro, you can wait a while for an update to Android 11.

Should you buy one?

Yes. The stunning screen, excellent photo functions, fast charging and 5G for future security ensure that the Find X2 Pro will serve you well every day for several years.

Editor's recommendations




03 Apr
Blog

Dyson Corrale Review: This $500 Hair Straightener Falls Flat

Dyson Corrale Pink and Black at the booth

"It can do less damage to your hair, but this straightener is more of an annoyance than an aid."

  • Very difficult

  • Cable loosens easily

  • Expensive

  • Cordless

  • Straightens with fewer passes

You may know it as the kings of the vacuum cleaner, but Dyson is nothing new to hair products. The company has developed one of our favorite hair dryers and produces an innovative hair curler.

His latest product, the Corrale straightenerwas developed to reduce the damage your hair suffers from straightening by half and to reduce the number of outliers by using special, flexible heating plates.

That sounds great, but I was wondering if this wireless hair straightener for $ 500 is worth the hype. I found the following:

Innovation and protection

One of the first things you'll notice about the Dyson Corrale are the unusual hot plates. They're not as firm as normal plates and are designed to wrap around every section of hair, so you get straight hair with fewer passes.

I can totally see how the Corrale would do less damage than a normal flat iron.

When I tried it, I found this to be true. A beat or two and my wavy hair was straight. If you are used to doing multiple passes to straighten your hair, I can totally see how the Corrale would do less damage than a normal flat iron.

Dyson Corrale battery lifeAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Another feature that can save your hair is heating control. There are three heat settings – 330 degrees Fahrenheit, 365 F and 410 F, so you can choose which setting best suits your hair type. The coarser your hair, the higher the temperature you will normally need. The Corrale then controls the plate temperature 100 times per second so that the heat never goes beyond the selected setting.

Battery benefits and problems

Dyson Corrale Pink and BlackAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Corrale's 4-cell lithium-ion battery can be used for 30 minutes without a plug. This is ideal for people who like to go up and down or have to check the kids while getting ready. The battery also has some problems.

First, the Corrale's battery makes it powerful. At 76.2 ounces, it's very difficult to compare it to a wired flat iron like the CHI G2 ceramic and titanium flat iron or a flat iron like the Conair Unbound Cordless Flat Iron. Both weigh approximately 16 ounces.

The corrale is almost five times heavier than a typical flat iron.

Most people would probably make fun of the difference in weight. It can't be that hard, can it? However, the corrale is almost five times heavier than a typical flat iron. It's the difference between a box of pasta and a bag of flour. Imagine how tired your arms will be when only half your hair is done. Ouch!

Another problem with the battery is charging. The battery lasts for 30 minutes and some of us are not able to do it properly. It will charge 90% in 40 minutes and fully charge in 70 minutes. It is a long time in which you have to get to work. I would say the answer would be to use the cable as soon as the battery is empty (it works when plugged in), but the cable makes the Corrale even heavier. It's 12.5 feet long!

Dyson Corrale in travel mode

One problem that the battery doesn't contribute to is travel. The Corrale has a special tab that you can use to turn off the battery and stow it in your hand luggage.

Our opinion

The Dyson Corrale is definitely not for those who only occasionally straighten their hair. It straightens the hair very well, but it is heavy and more uncomfortable than I expected. Plus, it costs around $ 5oo. That seems way too much for a hair tool if you can get similar results with a hair straightener that is a fifth of the price (and weight). The only reason I can pay $ 500 is if you straighten yourself every day, need to reduce the damage to your hair, and are ready to draw from gravity.

Is there a better alternative?

That is hard to say. There are many cheaper, high-quality cordless flat irons that weigh less, such as the Conair Unbound Cordless Flat Iron. However, there are no flat irons for these plate types. So if Dyson is right and the plates do less damage, there's probably no better alternative in this regard.

How long it will take?

The Dyson Corral appears to be very well constructed in most aspects, but the tab you pull to put it into travel mode appears to be easily damaged. This affects me because the straightener does not work if the tab cannot be used correctly.

Should you buy it

It pains me to say that because I had high expectations for the Dyson Corral, but no, you probably shouldn't buy it. It's too expensive and too heavy to make it a good option.

Editor's recommendations




03 Apr
Blog

Clean & Clear Lemon Gel Facial Cleanser with Vitamin C Review

Price $ 5.99

My experience

Lemon is one of the most important ingredients for the production of detergents in the old days. It looks like Clean and Clear used the same age-old concept and brought back the goodness of the lemon in their latest facial detergent.

This new facial detergent with lemon extract and vitamin C is the reason why I wanted to try it. When someone like me, who has spent all his childhood admiring my grandmother's beautiful DIY facial cleansers with lemon, sees a product that contains lemon as the main ingredient that you know the purchase is emotional.

I've been using it for over a week now and I can tell you that this lemon gel wash really cuts through the oil and your skin feels clean and soft. Also, removing oil and makeup made my skin look refreshed and clean (I always use a makeup removal wipe to remove the makeup first). It didn't dry out my skin like some oil-removing facial cleansers. I can still see some of my little angry spots around my jaw even after using this for two weeks, but I don't expect this facial wash to do anything about my acne. I am very happy that Clean & Clear did not advertise it as an acne facial detergent. I use this face wash most of the time in the morning and at night with my Clarins face wash. I'm still not sure if there is such a thing as a perfect face wash. Cleansers and moisturizers should be bought depending on your skin texture, location, lifestyle, and weather.

This facial detergent has a nice lemon scent and won't let you smell of lemons, I assure you

Who will like it

  1. Beauties of oily skin
  2. Those looking for an affordable face wash.

Who can avoid it?

  1. Those who don't like products with parabens.
  2. The one with very dry skin
  3. Those who think this is an acne clearing facial cleanser.

Final judgment:

The scent is nice. The foam is gentle. After cleaning, my skin doesn't stay dry and I think it will be a nice summer skin care product!

BnB rating: 4/5

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