Google's latest flagship hardware for 2026, however, doesn't break the mould for its now well-established features – such as those great cameras and distinctive design – but goes all-out with an increased focus on its AI agent, Google Gemini.

The Pro models in the Pixel 11 series house a new feature called HiLight, which is an illuminating area in the rear camera bar, designed to act as a visual indicator when you're conversing with Gemini – and not interacting with your phone's screen.

But is this one Google-centric feature enough to truly elevate the Pixel 11 Pro beyond its rivals? With battery tech that hasn't stepped up – something even Samsung has managed in its latest Z Fold 8 – and price rises in all regions except the UK, can Google win enough customers to continue with its Pixel legacy?

Price & Availability

For the UK, Google has bucked the common trend of price increases year on year, as the Pixel 11 Pro's £1,079 starting price is a neat £20 less than the previous 10 Pro model at its release.

That's not the case for other regions, mind, with the USA's $1,099, Australia's $1,849 and Europe's €1,219 starting prices all being more than last year's equivalents.

That pricing is for the base Pixel 11 Pro model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage – noting that last generation has 16GB minimum, so 'RAMgate' continues to strike in cut-backs here. However, you can pay extra for a 512GB variant with the higher 16GB RAM figure.

Features & What's New?

I've created a quick-glance table, above, to show the most obvious feature differences between the Google Pixel 10 Pro and 11 Pro, bolding out where the key improvements (or indeed, any downgrades) exist.

Visually, the most obvious point of distinction is that the Pixel 11 Pro series makes the rear camera bar completely black, encased in a metallic edging, unlike the exposed flash area of the previous model.

Part of the reason for this, of course, is that new HiLight feature. Pictured above when active, the blue-white glow and motion of the light area is a Pixel 11 Pro (and Pro XL and Pro Fold) exclusive feature – it's not present in the base Pixel 11 model.

The design is otherwise largely the same as the last generation: protective glass sandwiched between an aluminium frame that, as I've long pointed out with Pixel devices, will scuff after little use.

The newer model is the tiniest bit smaller, but I'm talking in decimals rather than anything you'll notice in person, which seems to have affected the battery capacity – as it's noted as being a mite less capacious than its predecessor (in reality the actual capacity is likely the same).

The addition of HiLight and that Google hasn't progressed to a silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery type as yet, compounds the Pro 11's longevity potential though – so do keep that in mind.

Elsewhere, the main differences can't be seen by eye. The cameras get a quiet glow-up, with a new 50MP sensor used for the main camera, plus a larger sensor for the 48MP telephoto zoom. There's no resolution increase, sure, but the size and nature of these new sensors is an improvement.

The display also gets a quiet boost in terms of brightness. Its peak HDR output is even bolder for peak whites, across a panel that's otherwise the same size, resolution and refresh.

Tensor G6, meanwhile, brings more CPU and GPU capability than last year's G5 – but with a lower RAM pairing for the base model (only the 512GB version gets 16GB).

So it's familiar territory, with the main difference being that camera bar's look – and, of course, the HiLight feature contained within that unit.

Design & Display

• Colours: Obsidian (matte), Fog, Canyon, Olive (pictured)
• Glass rear (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminium frame
• 6.3-inch OLED display
  • 1280 x 2856 pixels
  • 1-120Hz variable refresh
  • 2400-3600 nits brightness
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2

While I've long been a fan of the XL model in Google's series, having gotten used to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its wider-than-usual format, I was pleased to get a slightly smaller phone for this review – not that I'd call the 11 Pro outright 'small', though.

I've been saying it for years, but I'll say it again: I've no doubt this Pixel's design will divide opinion, just as much as any before it. The protruding 'camera bar' design is one reason for that, of course, but I do love that it doesn't rock around when using it flat on a desk, which Samsung's flagships (foldable and otherwise) haven't worked around just yet.

This familiar Pixel design brings the same downsides as I've found with previous handsets for a few generations: the steep edge of the camera bar loves to collect dust and debris; and the metal edging of the unit is prone to scuffs and marks – with mine revealing scratches after just a matter of days (it adds character, I suppose, not that everyone will love that).

My main disappointment with my Pixel 11 Pro review sample? That I didn't get the Canyon (think: peachy-orange) colourway. I've got the Olive, which still looks nice, but it's more sombre than the punchier alternative. I'm yet to see the other handsets, but the black this year – Obsidian, if you want to follow the marketing – is now a matte finish in the Pro models.

The feel of the Pixel 11 Pro remains quality, although during heatwaves (as has been the case in the UK for many weeks) the metal finish doesn't feel ideal, while the thickness of the device is quite chunky when you park it in a protective case (sold separately – I didn't like it enough, so took it off).

One of the Pixel 11 Pro's star characteristics is its display. That's partly down to the quality of the visuals, the natural colours and the abundant brightness, but it's partly down to the software and how Android 17 permits you to arrange icons, adjust scale and sizing better than some other brands.

It's not quite perfect, though, on account of an ongoing choice to use a glossy coating that can't negate reflections as well as some competitors, while the choice for curved display edges can cut into your content – and it's a little annoying when the 'x' to close an in-game ad is teetering on the edge of being visible.

The benefit to a glossy coating, however, is the way in which images look almost more three-dimensional, as if they want to jump out of the panel. And the brightness capability here is so high that reflections can be offset to some degree. I would note that the auto-brightness can be a little keen to dip, instead of always taking advantage of its considerable reach.

Performance & Battery

• 4850mAh battery, 30W wired / 25W wireless charging (magnetic)
• Google Tensor G6 processor, 12GB RAM (16GB in 512GB variant)
• Google AI Pro free for 6 months
• Android 17 software

As said, I really love Google's early access to the latest Android software and the aesthetic options that brings. Android 17 has some visual bugs here and there – app icons flickering, for example – but from the colour palettes to font and scale choices, it's a very neat-looking system. The array of lock screens is wide and varied for this generation, too.

Sadly, Google's ongoing year of bundled AI Pro subscription has been trimmed down to just 6 months included with your purchase. I think that's bad business, as it effectively adds to a user's year-one cost by a big margin. I suspect it's Google's intent to slowly retract such offers until it's no longer a thing – you just pay for AI and Gemini and that's part of life (and likely a big reason that Google continues in its harware endeavours, to promote its bigger plan).

In theory, you'll want that subscription for all the Google Gemini interaction that you'll be doing – especially with that new HiLight feature, right? Right? Well, I've honestly not found it very useful in practice. Yes, it illuminates and sort of wiggles about a bit, but conversationality isn't improved from my perspective, so it feels a little lacking as it stands. I just haven't really used it much – and I'm not sure that'll change.

I've also watched the brand Nothing grow over the years, with similar kinds of visual ideas from its Glyph systems of lights and displays on its phones' rears. They're not always invaluable, but are at least fun – whereas Google's equivalent just feels quite serious. At launch HiLight also feels lacking, with the promise of more features to come, but nothing to write home about just yet.

HiLight also only works when the Pixel 11 Pro is face down. I rarely position it that way on a desk. When actively using the phone, you do get a little circular emblem within the software to make the whole experience more cohesive – but it's still just Gemini at the end of the day, the flashy lights didn't make me warm to it more, as I'd honestly expected.

From a raw performance perspective, the Pixel 11 Pro adds Google's latest and therefore advanced processor to date, the Tensor G6. It's a quality chip, which somehow manages to run fairly cool within this glass and metal design. It gets warm, sure, just not quite to searing levels.

Whether you're loading multiple apps, running some more hardcore games from the Play Store, or switching between the Camera app and everything else, the Pixel 11 Pro performs every bit the pro model (despite its effective RAM reduction). But all of this does affect the battery life a little more than I'd hoped, as it's okay at best – more borderline per day in my given use over the past working week for this review.

It makes sense that Google's auto-brightness preference tends to dim a bit more than I'd like, therefore, in an effort to save the battery. I've been reaching the end of a day with the battery about to die, after 16 hours of use and plenty of screen time. Like I say, that's okay, but only just – especially now even Samsung's foldable can outlast it. Charging could be quicker, too, as 30W wired is behind the flagship norm now.

Cameras

• Triple rear:
  • Main (25mm): 50-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, OIS
  • Wide (13mm): 48MP, f/1.7 + macro focus
  • Tele (115mm): 48MP, f/2.8, OIS
• Selfie: 42MP, f/2.2, autofocus

But while the battery life and HiLight features have given me moments of muse, flipping into the Pixel 11 Pro's Camera app opens the gates to one of the best experiences in any current Android phone. It's a simple, effective, yet powerful package.

While the core of the Pixel 11 Pro's triple camera offering doesn't appear to have changed much – in that it delivers a 50-megapixel main, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP 5x optical zoom – there have been fundamental changes to two of those three sensors.

That sees the Pixel 11 Pro's main camera get an uplift in capability, but it's the telephoto that really gains a bigger advantage – as that sensor is 30% larger than the previous model's was, which helps in light-gathering and overall quality potential. It's Google's best camera setup yet.

And it's just abundantly usable. Having recently had to forego the zoom camera in Samsung's latest foldable, moving into this Pixel has made me realise just how much I miss that zoom option. It's so easy to dive into 5x or a digitally-optimised 10x, with great results all round.

The optical stabilisation is great to help negate handshake, the whole trio of lenses look consistent across the full package, and the Night Sight mode for long-exposure low-light shooting – which you can adjust in Settings as to when/how it activates – is truly brilliant for handheld low-light or night shots beyond what your eyes can even see.

Sometimes the default functionality might not do quite what you want – subject-tracking going awry, or face detection superseding anything else you might want to shoot, as two prime examples – but you can dig into settings to get everything set up in a more personal fashion to suit.

The only other downside is that the system isn't very good at telling you when something isn't quite in focus when in the Macro close-up mode. But get it right and, as you can see in the gallery of images above, the Pixel can deliver delightfully sharp shots.

Google's AI features are also worth a shout out, with well-established Magic Eraser and Magic Editor bringing the magic once again. Whether you need to spot-remove a photobomber, or drag a subject elsewhere within the frame, these staples have now become part of the computational photography expectation. Google pretty much started this – and continues to lead the pack.

What the Pixel 11 Pro gets so right is the completeness and simplicity of its camera package. It's consistent, full of features and modes, and delivers great results across all of its lenses and in majority of conditions. It's ahead of Samsung's offering – which is one of the key reasons to consider spending a little more on this phone than an S26 Ultra.

Google Pixel 11 Pro review: Verdict

While many will see the Pixel 11 Pro models as a source of Gemini joy, I've found the big new feature, HiLight, to be mostly bypassable. It's an interesting first step in creating the ultimate 'AI Agent' phone, though.

For me, however, it's just the majority of everything else about the Pixel 11 Pro that's so on point – and proves that Google's decade-long venture in the Android hardware space still proves its worth.

From the overall design, to the camera suite's upgraded capabilities, and the latest Android 17 software and customisation options, it's the little details where the Pixel 11 Pro wins.

That said, the so-so battery life and reduction in Google AI Pro subscription with purchase (down to 6 months) see this year's flagship held back from a full 5-star score.. The higher price in all regions bar the UK may also cause pause for thought.

Also Consider

Don't care for HiLight feature? Look at the Pixel 10 Pro, which is ultimately a similar package for less money – and, if you're quick, you'll still get the full 12 months of Google AI Pro (for purchases before October 2026, according to the Ts&Cs).

Outside of that option, however, Oppo's Find X9 Pro delivers an arguably even better zoom camera quality, plus undeniably better battery life, albeit all wrapped into a quirkier overall software setup. It'll cost you less right now, too.

Or you can skip Android altogether and slide over to Apple town, where the iPhone 17 Pro is the closest equivalent. That ought to further dip when the iPhone 18 and Ultra is revealed in mid-September.

The Kenwood My Pizzeria arrived earlier this year as an option for anyone without the outdoor space – or budget – for one of the best outdoor pizza ovens. Despite its compact size, it can reach seriously high temperatures and isn't limited to pizza either, with Kenwood suggesting everything from quesadillas and flatbreads to toasties and pastries.

I couldn't wait to see whether it could actually deliver a proper pizza-oven experience from the comfort of my kitchen, and you'll find all my thoughts below.

Price and availability

The Kenwood My Pizzeria has an RRP of £150 and comes in either black or a metallic Storm Blue, the latter matching the colour found across Kenwood's Go collection.

However, it's already possible to find it for considerably less, including through Kenwood's own website and Argos, where it's currently priced at £99.

Design and features

The My Pizzeria measures 35.2 x 36 x 18.5cm and weighs just 4.7kg, so it's relatively compact. The body combines metal and plastic, and whilst it's still going to take up a decent amount of worktop space, it's light enough to move into a cupboard when you're not using it.

There are just two physical dials on the front, with one controlling the temperature and the other the cooking time. A ClearView window in the lid also means you can watch your pizza cook without constantly opening it and losing heat.

Inside, dual-sided heating elements allow the My Pizzeria to reach temperatures of up to 400°C. Having heat coming from above and below is designed to crisp the base whilst cooking the toppings at the same time, with Kenwood claiming pizzas can be ready in just a few minutes.

At the bottom sits a 30cm removable ceramic pizza stone, helping create the crispier base you'd expect from a dedicated pizza oven. Kenwood actually recommends allowing the stone to season naturally over time rather than trying to scrub it clean after every use. When it does need a clean, it can be removed and wiped down with a damp cloth.

You also get two split stainless-steel pizza peels in the box, which help with getting your pizza onto and off the hot stone, and they can also be used to scrape away any stubborn bits left behind afterwards.

As mentioned, Kenwood also suggests using the My Pizzeria for flatbreads, quesadillas, toasties, pastries and even s'mores, and it'll happily accommodate homemade, chilled and frozen pizzas. Whether you'll actually start baking s'mores in it every weekend is another matter, but it's good to have the option.

Performance

The Kenwood My Pizzeria is incredibly easy to use, and I think that's going to be one of its biggest appeals. You simply choose your temperature with one dial, set the cooking time with the other and let it get on with the job. Some people might prefer more precise digital controls, but I quite liked how straightforward everything was.

I was also pleased to see the ClearView window built into the top, although in practice I couldn't actually see a huge amount through it once everything was cooking. You can get a general idea of what's happening inside – and, crucially, whether your pizza is starting to burn – but don't expect a crystal-clear view as the name suggests.

There's a large handle across the top, which makes opening the oven easy, whilst the pizza stone itself has two handles so it can be lifted out when you need to clean it. There's plenty of room inside too, with the 30cm stone giving you enough space for even a large pizza.

For testing, I made my dough using the Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer, which I've covered in much more detail in my full review. Once proved, rolled out, topped and transferred into the My Pizzeria, I was particularly interested to see whether Kenwood's claimed four-minute cooking time would actually be enough.

Thankfully, I was really impressed with how evenly the pizza cooked, particularly underneath. Four minutes doesn't sound like much, and I've used pizza ovens before where the toppings start burning long before the dough underneath has properly cooked, but I didn't have that problem here. The stone did a great job of cooking the base through whilst the upper heating element took care of the toppings, leaving me with a crisp bottom rather than an unpleasantly doughy centre.

My first pizza was delicious, although four minutes was slightly too long for my personal preference. The crust had a little more charring than I usually like, so for my second attempt I dropped the cooking time to around three to three-and-a-half minutes. That was the sweet spot, giving me a nicely cooked base, melted toppings and just enough colour around the crust.

I'm also not someone who particularly enjoys the idea of seasoning pizza stones, cast-iron pans or anything else you're encouraged not to clean too thoroughly, so I decided I was going to give the ceramic stone a proper clean after its first use. By that point, it was covered in melted cheese, crumbs and burnt-on bits, and I was fully expecting a bit of a scrubbing session once everything had hardened.

Thankfully, it was far easier to clean than I expected. Once the stone had completely cooled, some warm water and a cloth lifted almost everything away with very little effort. The built-in handles make a difference too, as you can lift the whole stone out of the oven and clean it separately rather than awkwardly reaching inside.

Verdict

The Kenwood My Pizzeria doesn't try to overcomplicate things, and that's exactly why I enjoyed using it. However, most importantly, it produced a properly cooked pizza base without burning the toppings before the dough was ready. The viewing window could be better, but the removable stone is easy to clean and the whole experience requires very little effort. It's a great-value indoor option for anyone who wants speedy homemade pizza without investing in – or finding space for – a larger outdoor oven.

Alternatives to consider

If you like the idea of an indoor pizza oven but want something a little sleeker, the Caso Design PizzaChef 430 is another option. It can reach temperatures of up to 430°C using top and bottom heating elements and has a similarly compact footprint. However, its touchscreen display gives it a more contemporary feel compared to Kenwood's dials.

At the more premium end, there's the Ooni Volt 12. It's a considerably bigger investment, but it's worth considering if you want something slightly more advanced.

The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a purifying, humidifying fan which offers three functions in one premium design. Launching in late 2025, this new model features the brand’s most advanced filters to date that are designed to capture bacteria, pollutants and harmful gases to make the air in your home cooler and more hygienic.

Having spent the past few weeks testing the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx, I can confidently say that I’ve noticed a difference to the air in my house – here’s how I got on.

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx review: price and availability

The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is available to buy for £699.99 / $1,099.99 at Dyson and select retailers, like John Lewis. It’s often discounted, and as of writing, it’s £100 cheaper at Dyson.

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx review: set up and design

The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx arrived in a large cardboard box which had the purifying, humidifying fan completely put together. Alongside an instructions manual was a remote control, plug and power cord, the latter of which measured 1.8m in length.

Setting up the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx was easy as it came assembled with the 360-degree HEPA + K-Carbon filter already inside. All I had to do was plug the cord into the device at the back and into a power outlet, and remove stickers from the sides.

Available in white and gold, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx has a very recognisable design which is seen across Dyson’s fan collections, as well as its purifiers, heaters and humidifiers. It consists of a white large loop circular fan at the top of the design, and has gold on the main filter body.

A water tank sits at the bottom of the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx which is easy to fill, empty and remove. Its on-device controls sit in the middle, which include on/off and deep clean buttons, and an LCD screen which shows settings and uses sensors to analyse and display real-time air quality data.

Measuring 923mm in height, it has a 280mm diameter on the shrouds and a 312mm diameter on the bottom or ‘skirt’. It weighs 8.12kg but when you fill the tank – which has a five litre capacity – it can get quite heavy.

The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx has on-device controls, but it also comes with a handy remote. The remote has power and information buttons, as well as auto mode, night mode and a timer. It has 10 fan speeds that can be adjusted via the + and - buttons, and five humidity levels from 30% to 70% which can also be customised.

The remote control also has an oscillation button which offers 90 degrees of oscillation and its diffused mode which reverses airflow direction to the back instead of the sides to purify and humidify without expelling a breeze. The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is also compatible with the MyDyson app which unlocks additional features, like personalised reports, scheduling and remote monitoring.

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx review: features

As the name states, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a purifier, humidifier and fan, all in one device. The upgraded filter is a combination of HEPA H13 and K-Carbon layers which works to purify the air in your home.

The HEPA H13 filter captures 99.95% of particles, including allergens, pollen and bacteria which can be as small as 0.1 microns. The K-Carbon layer features potassium carbonate which forms a chemical bond to trap pollutants like gas, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, NO2, dust and odours. The filter is fully sealed so it doesn’t expel dirt back into the air.

The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx uses Air Multiplier technology to circulate purified and humidified air around the room. It also uses Ultraviolet Cleanse technology to remove bacteria with its water management system and tank. It offers 81m3 room coverage and has a maximum sound level of 62.4 dBA and minimum of 46 dBA.

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx review: performance

During testing, I mainly used the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx in my bedroom to get me through the hotter, humid nights the UK has recently been experiencing. My bedroom is in the attic of my house so it gets extremely hot and cloying, but after having the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx in it, I noticed some serious changes.

As a fan, the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is hard to beat. It’s extremely cooling and it’s got a good oscillation range and movement that fully covers a room comfortably. Being able to switch it to diffused mode was invaluable as it still allowed the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx to purify my room and emit a small breeze without feeling like I was being blasted with cold air.

The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx’s purification and humidification power is what I noticed made the biggest difference to my room. Despite having slanted velux windows, pollen always seems to get in and make me sneeze at night, but while using the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx, I didn’t have any issues with it.

Similarly, my bedroom gets extremely humid but the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx helped manage the humidity levels which made my room feel noticeably cooler, clearer and less stuffy.

I’ve tested many Dyson products and have always liked the look of them. The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is no exception, and its white and gold style blended in nicely to my home. To say it isn’t invasive would be a lie – the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a large appliance so it does stick out but you won’t really mind considering how well it performs.

I’ve previously found Dyson fans and humidifiers to be quite loud but I didn’t find that to be the case with the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx. Its night mode was especially quiet but still powerful and it gave great relief during the night without being too disruptive. I also liked its on-device and remote controls as they offered plenty of adjustments.

The one downside I could find with the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is its weight. With the tank full, it gets very heavy, and it’s also not the easiest thing to move around. I’ve spoken to Dyson employees who have categorically told me to not put my arm through the loop to lift it, yet that’s the only way I can even attempt to move it around.

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx review: verdict

Dyson really knows what it's doing with hybrid appliances, and the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a perfect example of this. It purifies, cools and humidifies expertly, and makes a huge difference to the air quality and feel in your home.

The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx offers plenty of adjustments and controls to play with. It looks great, performs quietly and shows you real-time information about your home on the LCD screen and via the app.

Price will be a drawback for some people. It’s around £700 in the UK and over $1,000 in the US, but if you take the plunge, you can definitely use the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx all year round and get the most out of your purchase. Its weight is another downside, but once you get it in place, you shouldn’t have to worry about it too much.

Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx review: alternatives to consider

A similar product – and one I’ve also got in my house – the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde looks and acts the same as the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx. It purifies, cools and humidifies, but the Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx has a more advanced filter.

Shark has built on its previous NeverChange models by extending the claimed filter lifespan to six years – up from five – alongside a refined multi-layer filtration system designed to capture fine allergens and microscopic particles more effectively. You'll find all my thoughts below.

Price and availability

The BreatheClear NeverChange6 is priced at £269.99/$329.99/€319.99 and is available from SharkNinja's online store, as well as Amazon. It comes in four gorgeous, understated shades – Dove, Charcoal, Sage and Dune – and I've been testing the Dove version.

Unboxing and set up

The BreatheClear NeverChange6 comes fully assembled, with both the NeverChange6 HEPA filter and washable Debris Defence pre-filter already housed inside the unit.

However, the HEPA filter arrives wrapped in protective plastic, so this needs to be removed first. Before plugging the purifier in, carefully turn it upside down on a flat surface and open the filter door underneath. Remove the HEPA filter, take off all of its packaging and slot it back into position, before replacing the filter door and twisting it securely into place. It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how easy this step is to forget.

Once that's done, turn the air purifier upright and decide where you want it to live. Shark recommends positioning it on a flat, level surface with some breathing room around the air intakes, rather than pushing it directly against a wall or piece of furniture. You'll also want to keep the vents clear and avoid radiators, direct sunlight and particularly humid areas.

Design and features

The BreatheClear NeverChange6 sits above the BreatheClear Compact NeverChange6 in Shark's range and is designed primarily for small-to-medium rooms. It measures 37.85 x 26.67 x 26.16cm and weighs just 3.77kg, so it's easy enough to move around the house when needed. Despite its compact footprint, Shark says it can tackle spaces up to 70m² at one air change per hour, or 14m² at 4.8 air changes per hour.

One of my favourite design features is the high-resolution My Air IQ display on the front, allowing information including air quality, temperature, humidity and VOC levels to be presented directly on the machine. There's no accompanying app at all, which I suspect will divide opinion, but I personally really like it.

The BreatheClear NeverChange6's sensors scan the surrounding air 3,600 times every hour, monitoring pollutants and allowing the purifier to adjust its performance automatically when necessary. There's even motion detection, so it can respond when activity in the room disturbs particles, alongside a light sensor that automatically dims the display as your surroundings get darker.

The BreatheClear NeverChange6 filtration system exceeds HEPA standards, with Shark claiming it captures 99.98% of particles between 0.1 and 0.2 microns under its testing conditions. That includes common household pollutants such as dust, pet dander, pollen and mould spores.

More importantly, Shark says the main filter can last for up to six years without needing to be replaced, although this is based on specific testing and usage conditions. There's also a removable Debris Defence pre-filter, which catches larger particles before they reach the main filter. This can be taken out and washed yourself, helping maintain performance and prolong the life of the filtration system underneath.

You can choose between Auto mode, manual fan speeds and Daily Routine Sleep mode. Auto is probably the one most people will use day-to-day, as you can simply leave the purifier to monitor your air and react when conditions change. Sleep mode is designed for overnight use, whilst that built-in light sensor prevents the display from lighting up your entire bedroom once the lights go out.

Performance

The first thing I've loved about living with the BreatheClear NeverChange6 is simply how good it looks. The rounded design and neutral colourway give it a much more lifestyle-friendly appearance than your typical air purifier, and I've been perfectly happy leaving it on display in my living room.

I'll include a TikTok below showing it in action, but just to note, I'd already removed the protective packaging from the filter before filming, which is why you won't see that step.

Thankfully, its performance has been just as impressive. The sensors are incredibly reactive, and you can watch the display change almost instantly as the air quality around your home fluctuates. I particularly appreciate the large colour indicators, which shift between blue, orange and red depending on conditions. Even if you're sitting too far away to read the figures themselves, a quick glance across the room tells you whether everything is looking good.

It's sensitive enough to pick up activity elsewhere in my home too. Whenever I'm cooking in the kitchen, which is in a separate room from where I've positioned the purifier, I've regularly watched the air-quality reading drop from around 98% into the 70s. Once I've finished, it doesn't take long for the figure to start climbing again.

The most impressive example came when I was cooking steak. By the time I sat down afterwards, I noticed the air-quality reading falling rapidly before eventually reaching 0%. You could physically hear the BreatheClear NeverChange6 ramping up its fan at this point, which was particularly noticeable because it's virtually silent during normal operation. It remained at 0% for around a minute before steadily recovering, reaching the 90s again in roughly seven minutes. Seeing it detect such a dramatic change and then respond without any input from me was incredibly reassuring.

The motion sensor also worked well throughout testing. It picked up movement as soon as someone entered the room, even when there wasn't an obvious change in air quality. It's not a feature you'll necessarily notice every day, but it helps the purifier stay aware of what's happening around it.

I was slightly disappointed to see that Shark has dropped the Odour Neutraliser Technology found on the NeverChange 5. This released a fresh scent to help tackle household odours, so if that's a feature you enjoyed on the previous model – or something you think you'd find useful – it's worth knowing you won't find it here.

On the other hand, I have really enjoyed the lack of an accompanying app. Admittedly, that's coming from someone who has to download and test new apps practically every day, but everything you need is presented clearly on the purifier itself, and Auto mode means you can largely leave it to get on with the job.

Of course, that simplicity won't suit everyone. There's no smart connectivity, so you don't get remote controls, detailed app-based insights or the ability to incorporate the NeverChange6 into wider smart home automations. If that's the technical experience you're looking for, it's worth bearing in mind. However, if you simply want an air purifier that's easy to understand and requires very little input, the BreatheClear NeverChange6 is deal.

Verdict

The Shark BreatheClear NeverChange6 gets a lot right, but what impressed me most is how little effort it requires. The sensors reacted incredibly quickly during testing, the colour-coded display makes understanding your air quality effortless and Auto mode means you can largely leave it to look after itself. I also love not having another app to deal with, although the lack of smart connectivity will understandably be a drawback for some. I'm disappointed Shark has dropped the Odour Neutraliser Technology, but with its stylish design, responsive performance and filter that can last up to six years, the NeverChange6 is an excellent choice if you want cleaner air without making it complicated.

Alternatives to consider

If you like the sound of Shark's approach but are working with a smaller budget, I'd still recommend the Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier. It's fast, quiet and effective at cleaning the air around your home, and whilst its filter lasts for up to five years rather than six, that's still an impressively long time between replacements.

The Blueair Blue Max 3250i is also worth considering, particularly if aesthetics are high on your priority list. Its stylish fabric-covered design looks great, although the filter typically requires replacing far more frequently than Shark's six-year system.

I've had the Stockwell III on review for well over a month, giving me loads of time to test it out, and see how it fares in everyday use.

Smaller than the Acton IV by a big chunk, but way more portable as a result, the Stockwell III might be the speaker in Marshall's lineup that makes the most sense to me.

Its tactility and design are as good as anything on the market, and if you're after a pure Bluetooth speaker with a different aesthetic, you won't find many finer.

Price and Availability

The Stockwell III is available directly from Marshall right now, with wider retail availability from 25 August, and it comes in both black and white versions.

The speaker costs £199.99 here in the UK, making it around £30 more expensive than the Stockwell II was at launch. It's $249.99 in the USA.

Given the Stockwell II came out all the way back in 2019, though, that's perhaps neither a surprise nor a great controversy, with inflation having been brutal in the tech industry in those 7 years since.

Design and Features

The Stockwell III is classic Marshall, from basically whatever angle you choose to approach it from. For one thing, it has that cursive Marshall logo on its front side, brassy and proud, but it also has a row of physical controls atop itself that really does stand out from the crowd.

Its size and shape are also relatively unusual, even for someone who tests as many portable speakers as I do. It's a sort of portrait-orientation speaker, so it stands much taller than its base.

Included in the box is a sturdy carrying handle that can be swivelled down to be less obvious, which feels like an essential part of the aesthetic proposition.

That handle matches the faux-leather finish of your white or black speaker, but its inside edge is in a red velvet that gives a really nice pop of colour to the speaker when viewed as a whole. The speaker's actual body is covered in a rubber shell with its outside in that leather-grain texture.

The front and back of the Stockwell III are grille-covered, while the bottom is rubberised for stability and to dampen vibrations.

At 1.29kg with the strap attached, it's light enough to be easily stowed in a bag and carried around, but I won't pretend it's insignificant – you will find lighter alternatives out there if that's a priority.

The top of the speaker is a brassy plate with a wide range of controls embedded in it. You get a power button and a pairing button, each nice and clicky, as well as three gorgeous knobs. One is your master volume, while the other two dial up bass and treble, respectively.

Finally, there's an M button that can be customised, but cycles through presets by default, and a clever little rocker button that controls play/pause as well as letting you skip tracks.

Marshall is the best in the game when it comes to tactile controls, and these are no different. You might not need bass and treble controls to hand like this, but when you do use them, you'll be thrilled by how smoothly they actuate, and by how cleverly the LED lighting makes it obvious what setting you're on.

On one of the speaker's edges you'll find its only ports – an AUX for wired audio, and a USB-C for power. Its battery is advertised as lasting 40 hours on a charge, twice as long as the Stockwell II.

Intriguingly, despite the fact that it looks like a speaker with a clear front and back, Marshall has built the Stockwell III to be a 360-degree speaker, so you should get good sound regardless of where you position it. That's worth knowing, since it does make it more adaptable.

Another big upgrade comes in terms of durability, with an IP55 rating making the Stockwell III more resistant to water and dust than before. That said, this makes it safe for rain showers, but not any form of immersion, so beware if it's intended for use by a pool.

In a similar vein, the Stockwell III also lets you pry off its rubber faux-leather skin entirely to access its replaceable battery (which will be sold separately by Marshall, should you need to swap it). You can open that compartment with just a Phillips-head screwdriver. That's a huge step (thanks to the EU) that could extend its usable life massively.

Sound and Performance

I'm a big fan of how the Stockwell III looks, then, but how does it sound?

Marshall's big marketing push in 2026 has been around "loud", centring its history of making amps for rock stars and rebels, and I think the Stockwell III is a fun little addition to that lineage, punching above its weight.

As a Bluetooth-only speaker (bar that AUX input), it's really simple to get connected, and once you're hooked up, its sound is as impressive as you'd hope for. I used a variety of genres to test the Stockwell III, and wasn't ever really tripped up by something sounding off-kilter.

Eric Clapton's lockdown-era cover of After Midnight is a great choice for testing the acoustic qualities of a speaker, and it sounds as warm and detailed as I'd want, with those first few guitar plucks resonant and deep. On Phoebe Bridgers' Garden Song, the elusive bassy backing vocals can be picked out far more easily than on some of the competition, too.

Alt-J's 3WW, meanwhile, has the urgency I look for, and an interesting balance between the treble twangs of its guitars and the pulsing bass of its undercarriage. The opening bars of Harry Styles' Undertow bring an impressive amount of precision and clarity, too.

That's all pretty great, and the reality is that I don't have any complaints to level at the Stockwell III's sound. For its size, it's simply excellent, and being able to dial up bass or treble song-by-song can be really enjoyable if you want the extra fun.

Marshall's claims of a 360-degree sound sphere bear some weight – turning the speaker around during listening, it is indeed far less directional than you'd assume from its design. That said, while being in line with its front or back sounds pretty identical, it's definitely a little less clear from the left or right sides, so true 360-degree coverage isn't quite there.

Another interesting little side note is that, despite the rubbery base of the speaker, there's quite a lot of vibration passed out of the Stockwell III while it plays at any decent volume – so unless it's on a really solid surface, expect some transference. I don't think that stacks as a major negative, though, and it does underline the amount of power squeezed into this relatively small speaker.

I found the battery life of the Stockwell III to be just as impressive as its quoted 40 hours indicated (without having timed it exactly). It lasts for days and days of regular use, which is a really good showing.

Verdict

The Stockwell III is probably my favourite Marshall portable speaker to date. It's a great size, has oodles of character, and some of the best physical controls in any speaker on the market. The fact that it pairs those attributes with excellent sound is foundational to its success, of course.

With its durability and battery life also provided welcome boosts for this generation, it's hard to see this as anything other than a massive success for Marshall. It's probably the pure-Bluetooth speaker that I'd recommend most strongly from its whole lineup, and looks like a banker for the next few years to come.

Also Consider

It's not a charge I'll level at the Stockwell III thanks to its smaller size, but if it were much pricier I'd start to gripe that the speaker should have Wi-Fi connectivity on board, too. If you want that added flexibility, you have to consider the Sonos Play, my favourite flexible home-and-away speaker right now, and for the extra money you do get clearer sound.

If you're more geared toward portability, though, and want something just a little more packable and portable than the Stockwell III, our top pick needs a mention. It's the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A1 3rd Gen, and it's a stunning little slice of audio and design. That said, in pound-for-sound terms it's a more luxury choice than Marshall's.

Launched in early 2026, the Gozney Arc Lite is the smallest pizza oven from Gozney and its most entry-level option, in terms of design, features and cost. Despite its smaller size, the Gozney Arc Lite promises a lot under its hood, so I put it to the test to see how well it performed – here’s what I found.

Gozney Arc Lite review: price and availability

The Gozney Arc Lite is available to buy for £349.99 at Gozney. This is just the price of the pizza oven, so if you want additional accessories like a stand or pizza peel, you’ll have to buy those separately. As a gas-powered pizza oven, you’ll also have to buy a gas canister separately too.

Compared to Gozney’s other pizza ovens, the Gozney Arc Lite is its most affordable option. The standard Arc is larger and costs £599.99 whereas the Arc XL which is even bigger is priced at £799.99, so the Gozney Arc Lite is much cheaper and good for those on a budget – that is if you don’t go crazy with the accessories as the costs can definitely add up there.

Gozney Arc Lite review: set up

The Gozney Arc Lite arrived all boxed up in surprisingly large boxes, considering its smaller size. The main reason for this is it came with a Balance Turning Peel and a Balance Placement Peel to insert and rotate pizzas into the pizza oven, so this added some extra boxes.

Setting up the Gozney Arc Lite took little to no time – simply remove the packaging, and the pizza oven comes as a whole, so there’s no putting pieces together. The only thing you need to do is connect the Gozney Arc Lite to the gas which is easy to do with its gas hose and regulator.

As mentioned, gas needs to be bought separately, but once you have that, it’s easy to put together and then, you’re ready to go.

Gozney Arc Lite review: design and features

As Gozney’s most compact and lightweight pizza oven, the Gozney Arc Lite is significantly smaller than its other designs. Externally, it measures 297mm in height, 430mm in width and 481mm in diameter. The mouth of the pizza oven measures 85mm in height and 325mm in width so you can fit an entire 12-inch pizza inside. It also weighs 12kg so it’s not too heavy to lift or move around for most people.

Inside, the Gozney Arc Lite has a lateral flame that makes it look like a traditional wood fire flame. It can reach up to 500°C and the flame encases the inside of the pizza oven to offer a consistent heat that cooks food like pizza, meat and vegetables incredibly quickly.

The controls are located underneath the mouth of the pizza oven. It has a dial that’s extremely simple to use – you simply push it inward and turn it until you hear a click and the burner should ignite. Next, you hold the dial to allow the flame to start properly before you can adjust the dial to suit your preferred temperature.

The Gozney Arc Lite is designed for small spaces, including balconies, patios and other outdoor spaces. It has Gozney’s popular dome-like design and comes in a matte black colour on the main oven and control panel.

Gozney Arc Lite review: performance

As said previously, I’ve tried many Gozney pizza ovens for T3, including my Dome S1 which sits in pride of place in my garden, and the Dome (Gen 2). For testing the Gozney Arc Lite, I enlisted my friend’s help – who has previously been a fan of wood fire pizza ovens – to try out the pizza oven and see if it lived up to expectations.

After the easy set-up process, we were both surprised by how quick and easy the controls were to use. The slight drawback to the control panel is it doesn’t have a screen and the Gozney Arc Lite doesn’t have a built-in thermometer so it’s not completely clear what temperature the pizza oven is at. However, I liked the simplicity and found the controls to be quite intuitive so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue for others.

I’m used to gas-powered pizza ovens and barbecues, whereas my friend has only used wood fire pizza ovens before. He was very impressed by how quickly gas brought the Gozney Arc Lite up to temperature and noted that there was a huge difference to that compared to wood fire. Gozney’s rolling lateral flame still gives that impression of a wood fire flame, though, which we both thought was a nice touch.

The gas flame was easy to maintain and control, despite the lack of a temperature display. The pizza oven reached temperatures in 10-15 minutes, and cooked pizza in under five minutes which we were happy with. It yielded delicious pizza results, including leopard-like spots on the crust and great colour and sears on meats when cooked using a cast iron pan in the pizza oven.

Gozney Arc Lite review: verdict

It’s hard to criticise the Gozney Arc Lite as it really is a fantastic pizza oven. Aside from not having a temperature display, the Gozney Arc Lite is easy to use, quick to heat up, and has great heat control for maintaining the gas flame. It looks the part and cooks delicious pizzas and other foods, which is what you want from a pizza oven, really!

What I think make the Gozney Arc Lite stand out amongst its predecessors and competitors is its price and simplicity. Having a pizza oven which is small and simple to use, as well as an affordable price tag, gives beginners and budgeters an option to buy a pizza oven without breaking the bank or taking up too much space.

For such a premium brand, it’s nice to see Gozney introduce an entry-level pizza oven like the Arc Lite.

Gozney Arc Lite review: alternatives to consider

A slightly bigger version than the Gozney Arc Lite, the Gozney Arc is the standard model from the Arc range. It uses the same gas power and functions, has a stylish design, and it adds what I wanted most from the Arc Lite – a display.

If the smaller size is what has you intrigued, the Solo Stove Si Prime has a similar size and design. It also uses gas and simple dial controls, and is slightly cheaper than the Gozney Arc Lite.

British brand Webb has been making garden tools for years, and you might expect a heritage name like this to be a little stuck in the past. However, I was delighted to find that it's combined that traditional pedigree with some clever modern features, making the WEV20X2LM47SPB4X a brilliant piece of garden kit.

Price and availability

The Webb WEV20X2LM47SPB4X is priced at £399.99 and available direct from Webb's website or through garden specialists such as Mower Magic, Toolstation, and The Green Reaper.

It’s quite reasonably priced for a self-propelled mower. However, if you want to max out the runtime you’ll need a couple more 4.0 Ah batteries. Priced at £69.99 each, things start to get expensive.

Unboxing and set up

It’s an impressive, and impressively heavy, piece of kit. Arriving in an enormous cardboard box, I found the only way I could get it out was by cutting the end off and rolling it out. My first impression was of how solidly built this thing is. More used to fiddling around with flimsy folding handles and plastic wing nuts, I was happily surprised to see it comes fully assembled.

The handles are folded down for easy storage, so all I needed to do was pull on the grey handles and extend the handle out and up into “mowing mode”. Apart from charging the batteries, this mower arrives ready to go.

Before I strode off across the lawn, I needed to select a cut height. There are seven to choose from, from a reasonably short 30 up to a wildflower-friendly 70 mm.

Design and features

A muscular and striking piece of garden machinery, the WEV20X2LM47SPB4X boasts a proper steel cutting deck. The cosy foam-wrapped handle folds out from “storage mode” with a satisfying clunk.

The red ambidextrous triggers are comfortable to hang on to, and you get a little information display that shows current battery life and mowing mode, and a big power button. There’s also a slider switch underneath that controls the speed of the powered rear wheels.

As mentioned, this mower is self-propelled. That means the big 27 cm diameter rear wheels are driven by a motor, making this beast an absolute dream to push around the garden, up slopes, and over uneven terrain.

The large 20cm diameter front wheels help it to glide over bumps, and although the self-propelled feature uses up a fair bit of battery life, I think it’s worth it. Especially if you’re mowing in the heat of the day without a hat on.

Adding to the smooth ride are the proper solid tyres around the wheels. Unlike budget mowers with their easily scratched plastic ones, this adds to the overall premium feel.

Weighing in at a goliath 25.5kg, you're not going to tuck it under your arm and carry it up a set of stairs. However, if you need to wheel it over obstacles or even up a couple of garden steps, you can lock the handle down and pull it around like a massive wheeled suitcase. Changing between cutting heights from 30-70mm is easy too, even with a mower this heavy, thanks to a sprung handle down on the chassis.

Now for the batteries. The mower comes bundled with a pair of 20V, 4.0Ah batteries that have a very clever trick up their British racing green sleeves, and I don't think I'm overstating things when I say these are some of the most useful tool batteries I've ever used.

This is because they're charged by USB-C. Forget having a drawer full of different branded chargers – you can do it all with one plug and one cable. As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the best leaps forward in useful battery technology I've personally come across.

The two plugs and cables that come with the mower are pretty nifty too. Each plug has a good old-fashioned USB-A port, but the real work is handled by a pair of high-wattage USB-C ports, capable of charging at a useful maximum of 65W.

Being USB-C compatible, the batteries work both ways. That means you haven't just bought a lawnmower, but a couple of super-fast charging power banks as well. I've been using them to charge my phone almost as much as I've been using them to cut the grass.

Open the battery compartment on the mower and you're met with a cavernous space capable of holding four batteries. With the standard dual-battery setup, you get around 30 minutes of unassisted mowing time, which is OK, but doesn't feel quite enough for a mower this big. Splash out on another couple of batteries and you're set for up to 60 minutes of mowing without doing your back in.

The drawback of USB-C charging is that it's a little slower than using a dedicated charger. Whilst some standalone chargers boast a 60-minute top-up time, you'll be waiting up to 80 minutes for a full charge here. It's not ideal, but I'd happily take the slightly slower charging if it means I can charge my phone from the same plug.

When it comes to getting rid of the grass, you have three options. The first is collection using the large grass box at the back, while the second is side discharge. The mower comes with a black plastic chute that attaches to the side of the chassis, neatly depositing the cuttings alongside you as you mow.

The third – and my lazy gardener favourite – is the mulching plug. This mode chops the grass up finely and leaves it where it is, returning some goodness to the lawn whilst saving you from multiple trips to the local dump.

Performance

Getting a big mower like this out onto the lawn is no small feat. It's far too capable for my own little patch, so I took it to a test garden that suits it much better. Of course, that meant picking it up and getting it into the car first. I'm not weak, but a 25kg mower is still a seriously heavy piece of kit. Thankfully, the handle folds down neatly, making it much easier to transport.

Once safely on the grass, the mower really starts to show its best side. You don't technically need to turn on the self-propelled rear wheels, and leaving them off will save some battery life, but pushing something this heavy around isn't much fun. Instead, I pressed the power button, set the speed to slow using the red slider and pulled the triggers.

The mower immediately moved forward at a manageable walking pace, cutting as it went. Keeping it in a straight line was easy, and the power remained consistent whether I was mowing on flat ground or heading up a slight hill. It takes almost all the effort out of manual mowing, while the large grass collection box took ages to fill. Once it was full, though, the extra weight of all those cuttings did make the mower a little harder to handle.

I measured the noise at a reasonable 84dB, which is comparable to a vacuum cleaner. It's nowhere near as quiet as one of the best robot lawnmowers, but it's still perfectly manageable. Using the self-propelled mode on its lowest setting, I managed just over 20 minutes of mowing before the batteries ran out. The small LED readout makes it easy to keep an eye on the remaining charge, but that runtime still feels a little short if you've got a particularly large lawn to tackle.

One feature I really like is the variable-speed motor. It runs at its normal speed for most of the job, but automatically kicks things up a notch when it detects thicker grass or weeds. You can select Max Power manually using the controls, but I left it in Auto for most of my testing to conserve as much battery as possible.

I review plenty of lawnmowers of all shapes and sizes, and one of my favourite features always comes down to storage. If a mower can stand upright on its end, it takes up a fraction of the space in my shed. So, when a beefy mower like the WEV20X2LM47SPB4X can do exactly that, I'm a big fan.

Verdict

Big, powerful, heavy – yet effortless. It’s hard to find bad things to say about this imposing lawnmower from Webb. Featuring a huge cut width, powerful self-propelled rear wheels, and marvellous USB-C rechargeable batteries, it takes the hard work out of keeping the lawn looking trim.

Alternatives to consider

If you want to look at the competition, then the WORX WG749E comes in at a similar price and cut width. If you want to spend a little more, then STIHL’s excellent RMA 248 runs on their versatile AK 20 battery platform.

The LS Luxe system, on review here, wants to combine outstanding sound with unique aesthetics – and half of that battle is won before it’s even plugged in!

Price & Availability

The KEF LS Luxe wireless stereo speaker system is on sale now, and in the United Kingdom it costs £3499.

It sells for $3999 in the United States, and in Australia the going rate is AU$6399.

Push the boat out yet further by opting for a pair of the bespoke S-Luxe stands and you will add another £799 / $799 / AU$1199 to the bill.

Features & What's New?

Everything about the LS Luxe is striking in one way or another – but perhaps it’s the 12th-gen Uni-Q driver array that’s the most visually dramatic thing about this system.

KEF has been perfecting this driver arrangement since the first Uni-Q made an appearance back in 1988 – and here this coincident-source layout features a 25mm aluminium tweeter in the centre of a 165mm mid/bass driver.

As with every Uni-Q array, the idea is to offer outstanding time-alignment and top-notch driver integration by having the tweeter and the mid/bass driver occupy the same point in space.

Of course, there are some rather newer technologies deployed here in order to get the best from this array. KEF has positioned its ‘metamaterial absorption technology’ behind the tweeter, where it can negate the energy travelling backwards from the tweeter and prevent it corrupting treble response.

‘Velocity Control Technology’, which was first deployed in 2025’s XIO soundbar, assesses the speed of movement of the mid/bass cone and compensates for differences between the actual and the expected values in real time.

The ‘Music Integrity Engine’, meanwhile, is in charge of maintaining tonal consistency at all volume levels.

The Uni-Q array is mechanically decoupled from the body of the cabinet, and a separate chassis within the driver assembly minimises any and all vibrations produced by the motor system – both of these measures are intended to keep vibration in the cabinet structure to a bare minimum. This way, goes the thinking, clarity can be maximised and distortion minimised.

The audio information that’s going to feel the benefit of this very thorough demonstration of engineering can be fed to the system in a few different ways.

Wireless connectivity is handled by the ‘primary’ speaker. It includes Bluetooth 5.3 and, more importantly, dual-band Wi-Fi on KEF’s ‘W2’ wireless platform – which means that Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, the ‘Connect’ versions of Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal, and internet radio are all available. In addition, the LS Luxe is UPnP-compatible and will be Roon Ready before very much longer.

The ‘primary’ speaker is also where all the physical connectivity lives. There’s an Ethernet socket, naturally enough, along with digital coaxial and optical inputs, an HDMI eARC socket and a 3.5mm analogue input at line level.

A USB-C slot looks like it might be another digital input, but in fact is a 5V charging slot. There’s also a pre-out for use with a subwoofer and an RJ45 socket for connection to the ‘secondary’ speaker. This ‘secondary’ speaker has a corresponding RJ45, of course, and also features a subwoofer pre-out of its own.

If you use the cable KEF provides to join the speakers together, they operate at 24bit/192kHz resolution. If you prefer a wireless connection, the resolution is cut to a still-healthy 24bit/96kHz. The LS Luxe can deal with resolutions of up to 24bit/384kHz and DSD128 through its network inputs, 24bit/192kHz via digital coaxial and HDMI, and 24bit/96kHz via digital optical.

Once the audio information is on board, decoded and ready to go, it’s amplified by two different types of power. Each mid/bass driver can call on 280 watts of Class D amplification, while each tweeter is driven by 100 watts of Class A/B power – an all-in total of 380 watts per channel really should be sufficient unless you’re trying to fill an aircraft hangar with sound.

Performance

Position the KEF LS Luxe as you would almost any other pair of stereo speakers – toed in so that a line drawn from each driver array would cross just in front of your seated position – and the sonic performance is not all you might be hoping for. In this orientation the sound is narrow and confined.

Get them to the point where they’re almost, but not quite, pointing straight ahead and they‘re much happier – and so, as a consequence, will you be.

The soundstage is still not the widest you ever heard, but it’s nevertheless appreciably taller and more confidently and convincingly laid out. The LS Luxe has a quite narrow ‘sweet spot’ where positioning is concerned, but it’s worth putting in the time to find it – because the rewards are significant.

It’s actually difficult to know where to start when discussing the things the KEF is good at. There’s detail retrieval, of course – this system is alert to even the finest, most minor details in a recording, and is more than capable of teasing them out and putting them into convincing context.

It’s analytical in this respect, sure, but it’s not in any way prissy, or uptight about it, and it never becomes the whole point of the LS Luxe’s performance. It simply reveals absolutely as much detail as possible, because it’s keen to give you as complete a sonic picture as possible.

And then there’s frequency response. At the bottom-end the KEF digs deep, hits with determination, and thanks to those sky-high detail levels it makes a stack of information regarding tonal and textural variation available too.

At the opposite end it attacks treble sounds with gusto – but it’s never hard or edgy, even at the considerable volumes the system is capable of achieving, and there’s plenty of substance to balance out the bite and shine of the top-end response.

In between, it communicates eloquently through the midrange, allowing voices to express the secrets of their technique and timbre just as readily as of their emotional state of overall character.

But the LS Luxe never underplays any area of the frequency range, just as it never seeks to push any area into the spotlight. It’s even, smooth and balanced from top to bottom, and back again.

Dynamic headroom is considerable – so even if you’re listening at quite big volumes to start with, the KEF is able to track upticks in intensity and attack in a completely unstressed manner. It’s equally adept with the more nuanced dynamics of tonal and harmonic variation – because that extraordinary attention to detail is apparent at every turn.

Control and balance are apparent everywhere – but no more so than when it comes to rhythmic expression. The LS Luxe does great work when controlling the decay and, especially, the attack of low-end information – and because every note or hit at the bottom of the frequency range is straight-edged at the point of attack, rhythms are handled with a confident, naturalistic attitude that makes for a fluent account of rhythm-centric recordings.

Overall, the KEF LS Luxe is a decently energetic, impressively insightful and, ultimately, endlessly entertaining listen. Once its speakers are pointing in the correct direction anyway.

Design & Usability

Between the Uni-Q driver array and the edgeless, seamless, slippery look of the LS Luxe cabinets, it seems fair to say that some designing has gone on here. Which is more than you can say about most of the more functional-looking alternatives to this KEF system.

KEF has again collaborated with Ross Lovegrove for the design of the LS Luxe, and the curvily organic shape of the speakers is easily recognisable as his work. It’s the use of BMC (‘bulk moulding compound’) in their construction that allows for this fairly elaborate shape – and it has advantages to its malleability beyond its willingness to form distinctive shapes.

The cabinet shape here is less susceptible to the build-up of internal standing waves than the more usual ‘box’ shape. The rigidity of the material means that less internal bracing is required than is the norm, which liberates greater internal volume than would be the case in a straight-edged cabinet of similar dimensions.

The rear of the cabinet has a degree of visual drama, too, as you can see from the images scattered throughout this review.

Each speaker features a heat-sink to help disperse the heat generated by the internal electronics – and here it’s chanelled and swoopily curved, which increases its surface area as well as making it look mildly unusual.

Each speaker’s bass reflex port divides its heat-sink - it’s a relatively large port and it features KEF’s ‘Flexible Port Technology’. This is another way of saying the walls of the port are less than rigid, and this configuration intends to keep internal resonance down to a minimum.

Three finishes are available: as well as the Eclipse Black of my review sample, Mineral White and Dusk Titanium are also available.

This isn’t the first pair of speakers I’ve encountered that look better in some finishes than in others, of course – but it might well be the pair that is most affected by the colour they’re finished in.

For my money, at least, Eclipse Black makes the speakers look bulkier and chunkier than either of the other two alternatives. You are, of course, very welcome to disagree – and might want to get to a KEF showroom to check out the whole range with your own eyes.

Verdict

There’s more than a normal amount of legwork to be done when setting up the LS Luxe, but don’t be discouraged – putting in the required effort to position the system correctly allows it to perform in the most engaging and impressive way possible.

Yes, this is one of the more expensive products of its type around (as long as you discount some couture outliers), but it’s also one of the very best.

Also Consider

In its own way the Sonus Faber Duetto is just as distinctive as the LS Luxe – more readily identifiable as speakers, sure, but elegantly shaped and beautifully made, and with almost as much credibility as furniture as it has as an audio system. The sound is more easy-going than the KEF equivalent, but some listeners are sure to count that as a positive.

By way of contrast, the JBL 4329P couldn’t look any more like a purposeful, functional pair of loudspeakers if it tried. But while its potential as decorative items hovers around ‘zero’, it has an awful lot going for it where sheer sound quality is concerned. If you’re all about the listening and unconcerned about the looks, this system deserves serious consideration.

The Cool PC1 (sometimes known as the TP11) is both an air purifier and cooling fan, creating a refreshing breeze whilst simultaneously circulating purified air around the room. Given the popularity of Dyson's air treatment products – and having tested a fair few of them myself – I couldn't wait to properly put this one to the test.

Price and availability

The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is priced at £449.99 in the UK and $549.99 in the US, and is available from Dyson's online store, Amazon and Currys.

With the current heatwave taking over much of the UK, stock has been a little scarce at some retailers, but hopefully availability will improve once temperatures start to drop.

Unboxing and set up

Setting up the Cool PC1 is a very easy process. The unit arrives fully assembled, securely packaged and wrapped in protective plastic. Just make sure you remove all of this before switching it on, particularly the packaging around the base and air inlets.

If you already have the MyDyson app, getting connected is equally as straightforward. You just open the app, tap Add New Device and scan the barcode on the unit. It'll then guide you through pairing the Cool PC1 and connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network.

I'd also recommend switching on Auto mode once you're up and running. This allows the Cool PC1's onboard sensors to monitor your air quality accurately and automatically respond, rather than leaving you to adjust the airflow manually.

After that, there really isn't much else to do. The magnetic remote sits neatly on top of the purifier, whilst both the LCD display and MyDyson app keep track of filter life for you. Dyson recommends replacing the HEPA and activated carbon filter around every 12 months for optimum performance.

Design and features

The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 is tall and slim, measuring just over a metre high and 22cm wide, with the brand's familiar bladeless amplifier loop sitting above a cylindrical purifier base. At 4.72kg, it's light enough to move between rooms when needed, although it's clearly designed to spend most of its time in one spot. The minimalist white finish and discreet LCD display keep everything looking clean and understated.

Dyson's Air Multiplier technology can project more than 290 litres of air per second, with 10 fan speeds available depending on how much airflow you need. The Cool PC1 can also oscillate through up to 350°, helping spread purified air around the room rather than firing it in one direction. You can manually adjust the airflow angle by around 10° either way as well.

Inside the base is a 360° Glass HEPA H13 and activated carbon filter. The HEPA layer captures microscopic particles such as dust and pollen, whilst the activated carbon targets odours and gases, including VOCs. Dyson says the UK model can capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns.

Inside the base is a 360° Glass HEPA H13 and activated carbon filter. The HEPA layer captures microscopic particles such as dust and pollen, whilst the activated carbon targets odours and gases, including VOCs. Dyson says the UK model can capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns.

The small LCD display on the front gives you real-time information without needing to reach for your phone, including air quality and filter information. I'll include a guide below explaining what all the different indicators on the screen mean as well.

A dedicated Night mode is joined by sleep timers for one, two, four or eight hours, whilst noise levels range from around 50dB on the quieter settings to 61.4dB at maximum power.

Physical controls are deliberately kept to a minimum, but you do get Dyson's familiar curved magnetic remote, which as mentioned, stores neatly on top of the machine. It gives you quick access to fan speed, oscillation, Auto mode and Night mode.

Via the MyDyson app, you can remotely adjust airflow, create schedules, set sleep timers and view current and historical indoor air quality. You can also monitor filter life and fine-tune settings such as the oscillation angle and focal point. Voice control is supported through compatible Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri devices too.

Performance

When it comes to cooling, the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 has been a lifesaver during the recent hot weather. The 10 fan speeds give you plenty of control over how much airflow you need, although, unsurprisingly, it gets louder as you move through the higher settings. I've been sleeping with it set to around level three or four and found it impressively quiet, even without switching on Night mode.

It's undeniably a large unit, but the slim design means I've been perfectly happy leaving it in the corner of my bedroom. The 350° oscillation is also useful for spreading airflow around the entire room, whilst the remote means I can change the settings from bed without having to get up.

However, air purification has been the real highlight for me. One morning during testing, there was smoke in the area from nearby fires, and the Cool PC1 quickly picked up that the air quality wasn't where it should be. I left it running and watched the reading gradually improve over the following hour, which was a reassuring demonstration of just how responsive its sensors are.

You also don't need to know much about air purification to understand what's happening either. A quick glance at the colour-coded air quality gauge tells you most of what you need to know, with green indicating good air quality and red or purple signalling that it has some work to do.

The Cool PC1 is also incredibly easy to use, both through the controls on the unit itself and within the MyDyson app. Air quality data can quickly become overwhelming if you're unfamiliar with different pollutants and readings, but Dyson does a great job of presenting everything in a way that's clear and easy to understand.

One omission I did notice is a temperature sensor, which feels slightly surprising given that it's something you'll find on plenty of cheaper fans. Without one, the Cool PC1 can't tell you exactly how warm the room is, so there's no temperature reading to help you decide when it's time to increase or decrease the fan speed.

It wasn't a huge problem for me, as I simply relied on my Echo Show 8 to keep an eye on the room temperature instead. You could also pick up an inexpensive temperature sensor, such as IKEA's Timmerflotte, and incorporate it into your smart home setup. Depending on the ecosystem you're using, you could then use those temperature readings as part of an automation or routine for controlling the Cool PC1.

Verdict

The Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 has been a lifesaver during the recent hot weather, delivering powerful airflow whilst remaining quiet enough for me to sleep comfortably. However, it's the air purification that impressed me most. The sensors responded quickly to changes in my indoor air quality, Auto mode took care of most adjustments for me, and Dyson presents everything clearly enough that you don't need to be an air quality expert to understand what's happening. It's undeniably expensive, and the lack of a temperature sensor feels like a strange omission, but if you want excellent air purification alongside useful cooling, the Cool PC1 does both extremely well.

Alternatives to consider

If you're after a similar 2-in-1 fan and purifier, I'd recommend the Acerpure Cool Series. It combines powerful airflow with effective air purification, alongside a remote control, plenty of functionality and reasonably quiet operation – although we didn't find it quite as quiet as the Dyson.

Alternatively, if it's mainly Dyson's cooling performance you're interested in, I'm also a big fan of the Hot+Cool HF1. It's quiet, compact and combines heating and cooling in one unit, making it a particularly useful option if you want something you'll continue using long after summer is over.

First launched last year, the Ooni Halo Pro quickly stood out for its ability to tackle pizza, flatbread and bread dough, whilst still handling more traditional stand mixer jobs. Fast-forward to 2026 and the Ooni Halo Core Spiral Mixer has arrived as a smaller and lighter alternative. Importantly, though, it keeps the professional-style spiral mixing technology that made the original so interesting.

I've been putting it to the test with plenty of dough-based experiments, and you'll find all my thoughts below.

Price and availability

The Ooni Halo Core is priced at £499/$599 and is available from Ooni's online store, Amazon and John Lewis. For comparison, the Ooni Halo Pro is priced at £699/$799.

The Halo Core comes in black or white, and there are a number of optional accessories available too, including the Ooni Dough Tool Set and Dual Platform Digital Scales.

Design and features

The Halo Core is 25% smaller and 30% lighter than the Halo Pro, making it much easier to keep permanently on a kitchen worktop or move around when needed. Despite shrinking things down, Ooni has retained the recognisable Halo design as well as its tilt-head mechanism. This lets you lift the top of the mixer to remove the bowl and easily switch between attachments.

It features a removable 4.5-litre stainless-steel bowl, down from the Halo Pro's 7-litre capacity. It's smaller, but is still capable of handling up to 2.5kg of dough in a single batch. According to Ooni, that's enough for around ten 12-inch pizzas or three large sourdough loaves – but we'll get onto this later.

Unlike a conventional stand mixer, where an attachment moves around a stationary bowl, the Core combines a rotating bowl with a rotating Spiral Dough Hook and stationary removable breaker bar.

Together, these create what Ooni calls a dual-kneading action. Dough is continuously stretched and worked between the hook, bowl and breaker bar, helping to develop a stronger gluten network without generating excessive heat. This makes it particularly well suited to pizza, bread and sourdough, especially recipes that require longer kneading times. The breaker bar also helps stop dough climbing and bunching around the hook, but it can be removed when you want to use the mixer for more conventional baking jobs.

There are 20 speed settings, reaching up to 300 RPM. That's considerably fewer than the Halo Pro's 58, but still gives you plenty of control for different recipes and dough types. There's also built-in motor protection, which can automatically adjust the speed when necessary to help prevent overheating during tougher mixing sessions.

Like its predecessor, dual LED lights illuminate the mixture whilst the machine is running, making it easier to keep an eye on dough consistency and gluten development. There's also a separate LED indicator which clearly displays your selected speed.

One feature you don't get from the Halo Pro is its set-and-forget auto-stop timer, so the Core does require slightly more supervision.

Attachments

You get three main attachments, giving it much more versatility than a traditional commercial spiral mixer.

Alongside the Spiral Dough Hook and removable breaker bar, there's a Dual-Geared Whisk for whipping and lighter mixtures, as well as an Angled Silicone-Edge Beater for batters and everyday baking. This means you can still turn to it for cakes, creams and other recipes when you're not making dough.

The included clear splash guard also has a pouring spout, so you can add ingredients whilst mixing without sending flour across the kitchen.

There's an airtight silicone lid for the bowl too, allowing you to leave dough to prove inside rather than transferring it to another container. A pop-out vent can be opened when airflow is needed, and all of the attachments are removable and dishwasher-safe.

Performance

The first thing that stood out during testing was just how premium the Ooni Halo Core feels, and despite testing plenty of stand mixers before, very few have felt quite as high-quality as this. Everything from the finish and weight to the illuminated controls felt deluxe, and it looked fantastic left out on the kitchen counter.

The attachments are equally as impressive and, whilst £499 is undeniably a lot of money, you do get plenty for it. Each attachment is easy to fit, remove and swap, and cleaning couldn't be simpler either. Mine came out of the dishwasher spotless, even after dealing with sticky dough and batter.

I also particularly loved the rotating bowl and LED illumination, which are exactly the kind of premium details that set the Halo Core apart from your average stand mixer.

For my first test, I deliberately used an M&S pizza base mix that I've struggled with when kneading by hand in the past. Using the Spiral Dough Hook and breaker bar, the dough came together in around six minutes with very little intervention from me. Most impressively, it didn't climb up the hook or sides of the bowl, with the breaker bar keeping everything moving nicely.

Once it was ready, I simply removed the attachments, popped the included silicone lid over the bowl and left the dough to prove for around an hour. Being able to mix and prove in the same bowl made the whole process noticeably easier, not to mention cutting down on the clean up afterwards.

I also wanted to see whether the Halo Core could take the place of a more conventional stand mixer, so I used it to make banana bread batter a few days later. The whisk worked brilliantly, combining everything quickly and evenly, and switching between attachments was effortless. Dough may be its speciality, but it's certainly not all the Halo Core can do.

That said, there are a few small things to be aware of. Ooni says the 4.5-litre bowl can handle enough dough for around ten 12-inch pizzas or three large sourdough loaves, but once proved, my dough for just three pizzas was already nearly at the top. Of course, mixing and proving capacities aren't quite the same thing, but it did make me wonder how comfortably the mixer would handle enough dough for ten pizzas at once, and whether everything would knead as evenly. If you're planning on making large batches, I'd recommend starting smaller and transferring the dough to another container for proving if needed.

My other small issue the speed dial. There are 20 settings to choose from, but there aren't 20 individual markings or numbers around the control, so selecting a precise speed can feel like a bit of a guessing game at first. That said, the illuminated dial looks fantastic and fits perfectly with the Halo Core's premium design, so it's certainly not something that would put me off buying it.

Verdict

The Ooni Halo Core may be designed with dough in mind, but it's far more versatile than that suggests. It made light work of pizza dough, handled cake batter just as confidently and felt incredibly premium throughout testing. The smaller 4.5-litre bowl and slightly unclear speed dial leave room for improvement, but neither took away from the overall experience. It's certainly an investment, but the excellent build quality, range of attachments and incredible results make it a fantastic option for anyone who regularly bakes at home.

Alternatives to consider

The Ooni Halo Pro is the obvious alternative, particularly if you think you'll benefit from its larger 7-litre bowl, 58 speed settings and automatic timer. However, I personally think the Halo Core offers more than enough capacity and control for the average household, especially if kitchen space is limited.

If you want something even more compact and geared towards general baking, the Kenwood Go Stand Mixer is another great option. It doesn't have the specialist spiral dough-mixing setup found on the Ooni range, but its smaller design and versatility make it particularly well suited to compact kitchens.

Its flagship 360º camera franchise, the X Series, saw a mid-cycle update in October 2025 in the form of the Insta360 X4 Air. Prior to that, the Insta360 X5 came out in April 2025, which remained the top-of-the-range model – until now.

Looking back now, it’s clear that Insta360 ‘demoed’ the new form factor in the X4 Air, but we had to wait until now for meaningful spec upgrades. The new X6 is a better camera in all conceivable ways than both the X5 and the X4 Air, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. It also builds on the learnings from the Insta360 Luna Ultra, which launched earlier this year.

Looking at the data, the new camera has bigger sensors, a faster processor, tougher lenses and weather-proofing, better on-camera editing, longer battery life and Dolby Vision and I-Log capability. It’s also a lot more expensive than its predecessors, and some more casual users might not be able to use the X6 to its full potential.

Worth buying, though? I’ve been playing around with the camera for nearly a month, and I would be lying if I said it’s not a fun gadget, especially with its creative shooting modes that practically turn the X6 into an action/vlogging/360º cam hybrid. It’s certainly the best action camera for those who need versatility and appreciate AI doing the legwork with editing!

Insta360 X6 review

Price and availability

The Insta360 X6 was announced on 12 August 2026 and is available to buy now directly from Insta360. The Standard Bundle costs £619 in the UK, $700 in the US, €699 in Germany and the wider European market, and AU$1,050 in Australia.

That’s quite an increase from the X5’s £500 / €590 / $500 / AU$880, and the X4’s £399 / $400 / €359 / AU$640. It’s worth noting that the X4 Air was marketed as a more affordable, lighter alternative to the X5, so a comparison between that and the X6 in terms of price might not be fair.

The Essentials Bundle, which includes the X6, an extra Xtreme Battery, 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, Lens Cap, Fast Charge Case and Insta360 Extended Warranty, costs £709 in the UK, $800 in the US, €799 in Germany/Europe and AU$1,160 in Australia.

That’s a £90 premium over the £619 Standard Bundle in the UK, $130 more in the US, €100 more in Europe and AU$110 more in Australia.

At £619, the X6 costs around 38% more than the GoPro MAX 2 and 51% more than DJI’s Osmo 360. It’s quite a statement from Insta360, positioning the X6 as the premium 360 camera. Evidently, the brand doesn’t want to pretend that the X6 isn’t the market leader, and prices the gadget accordingly.

Design and build quality

Body

The Insta360 X6 looks and feels more substantial than the X4 Air, but it is surprisingly compact for a flagship 360 camera. At 196g, it is only marginally lighter than the X5, yet the body is much shorter at around 100mm tall.

The trade-off is thickness: those substantially larger sensors and lenses protrude noticeably from either side, giving the X6 a squat, chunky profile as opposed to the slimmer shape associated with previous X-series cameras.

Build quality feels suitably premium, with a heavily textured body that provides plenty of grip. The camera is also IP68 waterproof to 20 metres without a case, up from 15 metres on the X5. The new Star-Ridge cooling system is designed to keep sustained 8K recording temperatures under control.

Display

The biggest visual change is the 2.32-inch OLED touchscreen, which reaches a claimed 1,200 nits and is designed to remain visible in bright conditions. Insta360 has also removed the physical shortcut buttons that previously sat beneath the display.

Their replacements are touch-sensitive controls that appear along the bottom edge of the screen when the camera is switched on. I personally find these more awkward to use than proper buttons, particularly when trying to operate the camera quickly.

There are still physical controls on the side, including dedicated power and record buttons, which are reassuringly easy to locate by feel.

Microphones

Around the body is a four-microphone omnidirectional array, supplemented by what Insta360 calls a Hidden Engine Mic, designed specifically to reduce wind noise while preserving engine sound when recording motorcycles. The camera can also connect directly to two Insta360 wireless microphone transmitters.

Lenses

The exposed lenses remain the most vulnerable part of any 360 camera, but Insta360 has at least improved matters here. Its Replaceable Lens 2.0 is claimed to be five times more scratch-resistant, and replacement lenses cost 60% less than before.

They're still not user-removable in the same straightforward way as the lenses on the GoPro MAX 2, though. That's a little disappointing, although I'd still take replaceable lenses over the DJI Osmo 360's fixed arrangement, where damage to the lens can potentially become a much bigger problem.

Image and video quality

Sensors

The Insta360 X6 uses dual custom Sony 1/1.1-inch square sensors, which Insta360 says provide 33% more sensor area than the X5 and roughly four times the light intake per frame. The company describes this as delivering “full 1-inch equivalent 360 imaging”, with the larger sensors intended to improve detail, colour and low-light performance.

Backing those sensors is a new triple-chip processing system, consisting of an eight-core 3.3GHz 4nm processor and two dedicated imaging chips. Insta360 claims this setup provides 500% more computing power than the X5, with a 106% faster clock speed and 35% lower power draw.

According to the brand, the extra processing power is used for improved detail, cleaner colour and stronger denoising.

Image quality

Maximum 360 video resolution remains 8K, but the X6 increases the frame rate to 8K50fps, giving it considerably more headroom for action than the X5's 8K30 ceiling.

The X6 is also the first 360 camera, according to Insta360, to support native in-camera Dolby Vision. Dynamic metadata is analysed frame by frame to adjust brightness and contrast, while 10-bit capture allows the camera to record more than 1.07 billion colours.

The camera can also shoot in I-Log, which is designed to retain the camera's full dynamic range across highlights and shadows and provide greater latitude when grading footage. Insta360 Studio continues to provide desktop stitching, multi-clip editing and export on Mac and Windows.

As with the previous model, the maximum resolution is more for cropping than actually displaying anywhere online. Plus, even 6K videos generate huge file sizes, which clog up your phone/laptop’s storage rather quickly.

The new colour modes are certainly welcome, but they don’t help keep the file sizes at bay, for sure. That’s the tricky bit with the “shoot first, edit later” approach; you end up collecting a lot of ‘redundant’ footage, which requires a lot of storage.

Speaking of storage, it’s nice that the camera has built-in memory for footage, but it’s somewhat limited, especially with such huge file sizes. When I ran my battery test (more on this below), I had to start and stop the test three times, as the 47GB memory could only store ~50 minutes of 8k@30fps footage.

All that said, the footage does look better on the X6. There is less noise, and even without Dolby Vision/I-Log, colours look nice and the dynamic range more impressive. There is an inherent warping due to the fisheye lens, but you can ‘dewarp’ videos and images in the Insta360 app.

The larger 120MP photos can be cropped into, which is a bonus. Thanks to the larger sensor and the new processor, cropped photos have more detail and less noise. Strangely, I find zoomed-in (as in, digitally cropped) photos more appealing on the brand’s dedicated vlogging camera (Luna Ultra), even though I think it has less internal space (physically) than the X6.

(It might just be the more cinematic look of vlogging cameras that I’m drawn to.)

The X6 is a different camera, of course, and needs to perform well under circumstances the Luna series simply can’t, such as when it’s thrown into the water from a certain height, or when it’s strapped onto a motorbike’s handlebar.

In that sense, even though the marketing materials and features suggest otherwise, the X6 is very much an action camera. It’s tough, with replaceable lenses, has good shake reduction and allows creators to edit footage after recording, which reduces the pressure to get things right straight away.

Low-light performance

Low-light performance is one of Insta360's major talking points for the X6. Alongside the larger sensors, the camera introduces two ambient-light sensors that feed into a dedicated low-light mode. Insta360 says these help reduce flicker and improve night scenes.

There's also AdaptiveTone 2.0, which meters each lens independently and records two exposures per frame. The system is designed to increase usable dynamic range when the two sides of the camera are dealing with very different lighting conditions, such as bright skies on one side and deep shade on the other.

I took the camera out on a few walks in Tokyo after dark, and did a few recordings in properly dark environments. The footage is certainly decent, but again, no one should expect any compact camera, X6 or otherwise, to be able to give you the same results as a medium format camera.

The sensor size, albeit bigger, is still much smaller than larger cameras, which means the algorithm has to do the legwork to fill in the gaps where the sensor can’t. The results certainly look convincing on a smartphone’s screen, but the lack of light will always have an effect on the final results.

The fact that you can record something in the dark using the X6 is impressive, and if your main concern is capturing action in the dark, the X6 will do perfectly well.

Single-lens mode

Switching to single-lens mode turns the X6 into a more traditional action camera. It can record at up to 5K60fps, while the widest 170-degree field of view is available at 5K30fps. It can also shoot 4K120fps for slow-motion footage.

FlowState stabilisation and 360 Horizon Lock remain part of the package, with Insta360 claiming they keep footage smooth and level regardless of how the camera is moving.

I used this mode the most, probably, as it removes the awkward process of trying to avoid stitched areas in post. The downside is, of course, framing, especially if you’re shooting footage vertically or horizontally. Mixing the two during the day would result in having Frankenstein-monster-style videos afterwards.

It certainly adds to the versatility of the camera, though, and the footage looks good, which is excellent.

Battery life and charging

The X6 uses a new 2,600mAh Xtreme Battery, with Insta360 claiming up to 140 minutes of recording at 8K30fps, a substantial 51% improvement over the X5. The battery is also designed to operate in temperatures as low as -20°C, while fast charging is claimed to take it from empty to 80% in 24 minutes.

Those figures held up remarkably well in my testing. I started recording continuously at 8K30fps with 97% battery remaining. After 50 minutes, the X6 was down to 66%. The internal memory filled at that point, so I deleted the footage and immediately restarted recording without giving the camera time to cool down.

Another 50 minutes took the battery from 65% to 30%. Again, I deleted the footage and carried straight on. The low-battery warning appeared after a further 25 minutes, with 10% remaining, and I eventually stopped recording after 135 minutes in total, when the battery reached 3%.

That's extremely close to Insta360's official 140-minute figure, particularly considering I started at 97% rather than fully charged. The X6 became hot during the test, as you'd expect after more than two hours of near-continuous 8K recording, but never became unbearably so.

Charging

Charging performance was equally impressive. Starting at 3%, I saw the X6 initially draw around 30W. It reached 70% after just 19 minutes, at which point charging power had dropped to around 15W before falling further to roughly 8W as the battery filled.

The camera reached 80% after 25 minutes, almost exactly matching Insta360's 24-minute claim from empty, and hit 100% in just over half an hour after I plugged the gadget in. In other words, my X6 went from 3% to fully charged in just 36 minutes. It became a little warm during the process, but nothing concerning.

Verdict

The Insta360 X6 is an impressive piece of technology. It is smaller than you might expect, tougher than before, lasts significantly longer on a charge and produces excellent-looking footage from a camera you can throw into situations where a conventional vlogging camera simply wouldn’t survive.

Its biggest strength is versatility. The X6 can be a 360-degree camera, a conventional action camera, a subject-tracking camera and, with the right accessories and shooting modes, something approaching a vlogging setup.

That versatility is also its main limitation. A camera designed specifically for one of those jobs will often do that job better. I prefer the Luna Ultra for straightforward vlogging, for example, while dedicated action cameras can offer a simpler shooting experience when all you want is conventional wide-angle footage. The X6 is at its best when you genuinely need several of those capabilities in one device.

There is also the familiar action-camera problem that no amount of processing or AI editing can completely solve: interesting technology cannot make boring footage interesting. The X6 can automatically find subjects, reframe clips and assemble edits far more intelligently than previous generations, but it still needs something worthwhile happening in front of the lenses.

None of that takes away from what Insta360 has achieved here. The X6 is expensive and arguably overkill for casual users, but as a rugged, highly capable camera for people who want to capture almost anything without carrying a bag full of kit, it is one of the most convincing do-it-all options available.

The first QD-OLED display in Dell's UltraSharp range, the U3226Q suits studio and creative professionals after a high level of colour precision, or anyone who wants a premium office monitor and has the budget to consider something that stands out from the crowd.

I've been testing this Dell for several weeks to put together this review, and you'll find everything you need here to decide if this is the monitor for you: details on its performance, setup, features, and the all-important pricing information.

Price & Availability

The Dell UltraSharp U3226Q is out and available to buy now, and the widgets embedded on this page will direct you to the best prices currently available on the web.

At the time of writing, the monitor can be picked up for in the region of £2399 / $2599 / AU$3699, though this seems to be a model that's often discounted.

In the UK, you can currently get it at outlets including Dell directly or from Laptops Direct.

Design & Setup

Putting the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q together couldn't be any easier, and you'll be done in a minute or two, with no tools required.

The base slots into the stand, then the stand slots into the screen. That's it!

There's also an optional hood included in the box, and fastening it to the edges of the display and taking it off again is all very straightforward, thanks to magnetic attachments. It also stays firmly in place if you move the monitor.

There's a lot of play and flexibility in terms of tilt, swivel, rotation, and height adjustment, so with a few pushes and pulls you can get this configured just right for your desk and eye level.

The monitor can stretch as high as 624 mm (that's almost 25 inches), while you can rotate the screen around a full 90-degrees if you're after that tall, narrow look that coders are particularly fond of. Wall-mounting is an option too.

In terms of ports, there are two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, two USB-A 10Gbps downstream ports, one USB-C 10Gbps upstream port, one Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps upstream port, one Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps downstream port, and one Ethernet 2.5GbE port.

There's also a handy pop-out hub panel, with a USB-A 10Gbps downstream port, and two USB-C 10Gbps downstream ports. This pop-out function makes it simple to attach peripherals and charge devices without having to reach around the back, but you can hide it away if you're not using it.

Overall, I'm a fan of the aesthetics of the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q. Unlike many monitors in its class, it manages to be subtle and minimalist by design, without being boring, and you certainly get a lot here in terms of flexibility and versatility.

Features & Performance

The Dell UltraSharp U3226Q offers a QD-OLED screen (think of it like an OLED with a richer colour upgrade), with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and a maximum brightness of 300 nits across the entire screen (or 1000 nits for HDR highlights).

Those specs are decent rather than remarkable, but they translate into a visual experience that's very easy on the eyes. Details are sharp, colours are vibrant, and text and graphics are crisply defined all across this screen – it's a pleasure to look at across its 31.5 inches.

That QD-OLED panel ensures deep blacks and excellent contrast, and it's the kind of panel quality you'd expect from a company that's been in the monitor business as long as Dell has.

As good as the monitor is in general though, it's the colour gamut and calibration where it really stands out – and where it's going to appeal to users who are serious about creative workflows.

In terms of gamut coverage, you've got 100% sRGB, 100% BT.709, 99% DCI-P3, 99% Display P3, and 94% Adobe RGB, and there are seven pre-tuned, industry-standard profiles you can quickly switch between.

Colour calibration is available out of the box too, with no need for an external tool or separate software. There's a little colourimeter that swings up from the bottom of the bezel, making sure that the colours you're seeing really are the colours you want to be seeing, and you can even schedule it to run overnight when the monitor's not in use (though it only takes a maximum of 30 minutes anyway).

It's this colour performance that puts the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q above its peers and justifies that extra price, compared to the mass of other standard 32-inch/4K office monitors you'll find on the market. It's an intriguing middle ground between your run-of-the-mill monitors and those aimed at professionals who require precise calibration – with a price that reflects that.

This monitor functions as a KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) switch too, which means you can connect a keyboard and mouse to it and use them (as well as the screen) across multiple computers and other devices plugged into the back. It's another plus point for what's already a very impressive and versatile unit.

It's not quite the perfect monitor though. There are no built-in speakers here, which is something I always like to see – just so you can hear audio at a pinch if you need to, without separate devices. T

If I were nitpicking, the standard brightness levels could be a little higher, and the price is above what a lot of people are going to be willing to pay at this size and spec.

The value-for-money proposition here really depends on whether you're comparing it against a standard consumer screen or a professional mastering display. As it's far more leant towards the latter.

Dell UltraSharp U3226Q review: Verdict

I've reviewed a lot of 4K computer monitors over the years for T3, and I can confidently say the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q is one of the best I've come across in recent times.

The picture it produces is genuinely great, particularly in terms of its clarity and colour performance, which is where it really excels.

Clearly it's the colour-accuracy features that will attract prospective buyers – and help justify its massive price. If you need the extra configuration tools and precision that the U3226Q offers – including the hood you get in the box – then it's all easy to operate.

It's not just about the colour though. This monitor has several features, including the pop-out hub and the built-in KVM capability, that really I wish many other monitors included – as they're great.

There's clearly nothing average about this monitor – and it's certainly not for an average user. But niche or not, it's a perfect pro stunner that'll be hard to ignore for a select audience.

Also Consider

If you're after something more suitable for gaming, then can I direct you towards the Alienware AW2725Q, which is an excellent 27-inch 4K display that's going to appeal to serious gamers. There's a QD-OLED panel here as well, but the refresh rate gets bumped up to 240 Hz – and it's going to cost you significantly less than the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q.

Another option is the Sony Inzone M10S, which is also aimed at gamers but can easily do double duty for office work and creative tasks too. This is a screen that shows off just how good OLED technology can be: it's great value for money, with some very appealing specs to offer, though the 27-inch panel is limited to a 1440p resolution.

Now, the new SURI Core 1.0 joins the Pro 2.0 to offer two distinct approaches to your morning routine. Whilst the Pro 2.0 remains SURI's most complete and premium brushing experience, the Core 1.0 strips things back, focusing on everyday performance and the features you'll actually use.

I was invited to a secret briefing a few weeks ago to find out more about the Core 1.0 and was lucky enough to take one home with me. I've been brushing with it for the past fortnight, so you'll find all my thoughts below.

Price and availability

The SURI Core 1.0 is priced at £65 and is available from SURI's online store and Amazon, as well as online and in-store at Boots. For comparison, the SURI Pro 2.0 costs £85 on its own or £105 with the UV cleaning case, making the Core a considerably more accessible entry point into the SURI lineup.

It's available in four colours – Haze (green), Ember (orange), Nightfall (blue) and Moonrise (grey). They're deliberately different from SURI's previous colourways, which helps give the Core its own identity.

Design and features

The Core 1.0 carries SURI's recognisable sleek design into a lightweight bio-circular handle, and it noticeably feels lighter in the hand than the Pro 2.0. Like every SURI toothbrush, it also uses plant-based brush heads that can be returned for recycling in the UK and US. This focus on reducing waste is one of the many reasons SURI picked up our Sustainability Award in the T3 Awards 2026.

Despite its lower price, SURI hasn't cut back on the essentials. The Core 1.0 is clinically tested to remove 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush, and still includes a built-in pressure sensor and two-minute timer.

It also retains the impressive four-week battery life SURI has become known for, alongside quiet sonic cleaning at under 65dB. A compact wireless charging pebble and magnetic mirror mount are included too.

The most obvious omission compared to the Pro 2.0 is SURI's UV cleaning travel case, which isn't included with the Core 1.0. Instead, you get a plant-based brush head cover, keeping things simple and lightweight when you're travelling. There's also a built-in button lock, so you don't have to worry about the toothbrush accidentally switching itself on inside your bag.

The Pro 2.0 also has a more powerful motor with a higher number of brush strokes per minute, alongside SURI's TouchSense pressure sensor, which the brand says can help deliver four times healthier gums. You also get colour-matched plant-based brush heads with the Pro, whereas the Core comes with white brush heads regardless of which handle colour you choose.

Performance

After using the SURI Core 1.0 for the past fortnight, the biggest difference I've noticed compared to the Pro 2.0 is simply how much lighter it feels. It's noticeably more lightweight in the hand, but otherwise the two feel remarkably similar to use.

You still get the same two cleaning modes as the Pro 2.0, which is perfectly fine in my opinion. The Core does have a slightly less powerful motor, but I didn't notice a huge difference during everyday brushing. My teeth felt just as clean afterwards, and the pressure sensor and two-minute timer worked reliably throughout testing.

Battery life is just as impressive too. SURI claims up to four weeks, but I managed to get closer to five weeks before needing to recharge, which I know will be very useful for travelling.

Two of my favourite features on the Pro 2.0 are its magnetic mirror mount and UV cleaning case, so I was very happy to see the mirror mount stick around. However, I did find myself missing the UV case more than I expected, particularly for its charging functionality. When I've travelled for a few weeks at a time, being able to store the toothbrush securely and top up the battery without packing the separate charger has been incredibly useful. That said, it's undoubtedly a more premium extra, so I completely understand why SURI has left it out to keep the Core 1.0 more affordable.

One thing I'm not quite as sold on is the white brush head. SURI has introduced four completely new colours for the Core 1.0 anyway, so I don't really understand why the heads couldn't have been made to match. It's purely an aesthetic complaint and doesn't affect performance whatsoever, but part of SURI's appeal has always been its design, so the mismatched head does take away from that slightly. Whether it'll be enough to push design-conscious shoppers towards the Pro 2.0 remains to be seen.

However, when you consider the £65 price, these are relatively small compromises. The Core 1.0 still looks and feels like a SURI toothbrush, delivers an almost identical everyday brushing experience and retains many of the features that made the Pro 2.0 so easy to recommend. Bringing that experience to a lower price point feels like a sensible direction for the brand.

Verdict

The SURI Core 1.0 takes everything I already love about the Pro 2.0 and puts it into a lighter, more affordable package. The motor isn't quite as powerful and I definitely miss the UV charging case, but it still provides an excellent everyday brushing experience. Battery life remains exceptional, the pressure sensor and timer work reliably, and my teeth felt just as clean throughout testing. I'm still not convinced by the mismatched white brush heads, but at £65, it's a small complaint. The Core 1.0 feels like a natural next step for SURI and makes the brand's excellent design and performance accessible to more people.

Alternatives to consider

The obvious alternative is the SURI Pro 2.0 itself. The two toothbrushes share plenty of similarities, but if you want the more powerful brushing experience and think you'll make use of the UV cleaning case, I'd say it's worth spending the extra.

Another affordable electric toothbrush I regularly recommend is the Oral-B iO2, particularly if you're not interested in extras such as multiple cleaning modes or Bluetooth connectivity. It can often be found for around £30 and comes in black or forest green.

Yes, this is a series some of you may know already. But the latest Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X is among the first laptops that we've tried with a Snapdragon X2 Elite processor. This is what's going to have to do battle with not just Intel's new Series 3 generation, but the Nvidia Spark tech that could potentially rewrite the thin-and-light laptop rulebook.

Price & Availability

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 was announced at the CES show in early 2026 as part of the first wave of Snapdragon X2 laptops.

It starts at £1050 / $1099 / AU$2449 retail price (you’ll typically pay a bit less online) with the lower-end Snapdragon X2 Plus, or is £1199 / $1649 / AU$2799 for the Elite CPU family we have.

Our specific review model has 32GB RAM, though, which pushes the price up a bit more. Max out all options in Lenovo’s configurator, including a 2TB SSD, and you can get the “RRP” price up again. But at least it's configurable to your needs and budget!

Design

For years, Lenovo has nailed both the looks and practicality of the Lenovo Yoga Slim family. But the one part we always have to mention is the way this isn't quite as "yoga" a laptop as you may assume.

It's not a hybrid. It doesn't even have a touchscreen – although you can spec it up with one. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 is a pure ultraportable laptop, with no funny stuff involved, bar a near-but-not-quite 180-degree hinge.

Lenovo has made some perhaps slightly contentious moves to get the weight down to a trim 1.17kg, though. While the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 has a lovely all-metal outer casing, the screen has a plastic top layer. It's a dead giveaway when reflections distort a bit, as they do here.

This also means we lose the desirable pure flat screen finish you typically get in a glass screen PC. A biggie? That's up to you to decide.

Display

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 has a 14-inch 120Hz OLED screen, one whose 3K resolution looks sharp and clean at this size. Colour depth is fantastic too. And, as usual, OLED gets you those inky and deep blacks that make movie borders disappear completely in a dark room.

This generation gets a big brightness upgrade, although you won't see it in all conditions. In a normal room the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 will reach around 500 nits brightness with normal content.

Feed it some high dynamic range (HDR) video, though, and the ceiling rises to an impressive 1000 nits. This is far brighter than what we saw in previous generation OLED laptops. It's not going to change your life, though, as there's no obvious way to enable that searing brightness when you're web browsing. It's likely to avoid excessive battery use, and should also help avoid OLED burn-in, too.

Make sure you check before buying, though, as Lenovo sells this PC with at least three different screen types. In the cheapest spec you get a 1200p OLED, which wouldn’t look as sharp. And the mid-tier one has a glass touchscreen, but not the brightness of this review model.

Would we be tempted to upgrade to the top-tier display with glass panel but all the goodies of our review one? Absolutely. But you don’t get these options with any retailer, most likely just Lenovo direct.

Keyboard & Touchpad

New tech and trad vibes combine in the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11. And that continues in the keyboard and touchpad.

This laptop has a more chunky and substantial-feeling keyboard than most of its contemporaries. It’s one of my favourites in this class, and is ideal for long stretches of typing, and for all-day working that doesn’t just involve meetings with middle managers.

You can feel some of the Lenovo ThinkPad heritage here, even if these keys aren’t really as deep as those enthusiast-favourite designs.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 also has a decent white LED key backlight. It’s a standard one-zone affair with two intensity levels and an Auto setting.

This laptop’s touchpad is very familiar too. It’s not a haptic pad, just a classic mechanical one. And that means it does have a slim dead zone at the top, an area that does not click.

It’s old-school, but is still a great pad. It has a quality click response, and a super-smooth textured glass surface. There’s been no scripting to save a gramme/quid or two with a plastic pad.

Performance

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 will be many folks’ first exposure to Qualcomm’s true second-generation Snapdragon laptop processors.

The chip-maker's first generation made a splash in 2024, for their unusual architecture, long battery life and fab CPU performance. This generation’s aim is to take things even further while addressing the biggest issues with the first, compatibility with some traditional x86 apps.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11’s raw performance is terrific, particularly considering how portable this PC is. Its CPU power beats the rival 3rd Gen Intel Ultra Series according to benchmarks, and represents an up to 30% increase in power. That’s not bad across one generational leap.

GPU performance get a huge upgrade too, with a roughly up to 70% boost over the last generation. This is a healthy generational bump, way more than what we typically see.

It means you can run Cyberpunk 2077 at 60fps with a bit of settings massaging, rather than 30fps, and plenty more besides. Gaming power is roughly equivalent to a low-tier gaming laptop, which isn’t bad going given it’s at most a secondary job for the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11.

The one caveat is there’s a version of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11’s processor that has masses more graphics power, the X2 Elite Extreme. But it’s not seen in all that many models as, presumably, it costs a packet. Check out Asus’ impressive Zenbook A16 to see that one in action.

What this PC and that one don’t have, though, is access to the best of the tech that can turbo-charge real-world frame rates. There’s no bespoke frame generation or upscaling tech here, as seen in entry-level gaming laptops with Nvidia GPUs.

Lenovo also claims this processor offers up to 80 TOPS of AI power, matching the figures for the recently-announced Nvidia Spark. The real-world benefits of this are a little less clear than the base CPU and GPU power, though, unless you’re a power user already running AI models locally off your PC(s).

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 also does have a full-on fan-based cooling system, despite having one of these new super-efficient processors. You should be glad about that, though, as it will mean this laptop can operate at, or close to, its max exertion level for longer without major throttling.

As an ultraportable cooling system, the fan tone is relatively low on decibels and higher on the frequency range. But it’s mostly inoffensive.

We’ve also noticed a significant improvement to app compatibility – some apps that flat-out don’t work with Snapdragon X1 laptops run just fine here. However, there appears to be some support issues with the DirectX 12 graphics framework, which has been an issue in getting some games to run, including Resident Evil 5 and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Compared with the class of 2024, though? A major compatibility glow up.

Battery Life & Features

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 has a fairly ordinary 70Wh capacity battery but you can stretch this out to a very long runtime if you don’t push the laptop too hard.

When playing video, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 will last around 15-and-a-half hours. That’s towards the higher end of what we’ve seen from the latest generation of portability-first laptops, despite some of them claiming stamina upwards of 30 hours.

Or, at the other end of the spectrum, expect around 92 minutes when maxed out playing games. These processors may be dead efficient, but there’s no getting around that rendering gaming visuals needs power – and a good amount of it.

The speakers are the one area of the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 that isn’t particularly remarkable. While these are decent-sounding, their bass depth is not close to that of Apple MacBook Air or Pro.

Extra attention has been given to the webcam, though. I has a 9MP sensor, typically enough for 4K stills or video. By default it takes 2560 x 1440 stills and video, but you can bump up the photo resolution to a native 3840 x 2400 pixels if you like.

While this isn’t a clever camera that uses high resolution to offer two fields of view – a normal one and a super-wide view – it is a good league above the laptop webcam norm. And there’s a physical privacy switch on the side for the security aware. You can use it for face recognition logins too.

Unlike a bunch of other Lenovo slim-and-light-laptops, this one absolutely does not bridge the generation gap on connectivity. You get three USB-C ports and that’s it. These are all high-bandwidth USB4.0 ports, though, each offering 40Gbps.

Should you buy the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11?

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X Gen 11 is among the best laptops in its class if you’re happy to prioritise practicality and the fundamentals over flashy stuff and extra features.

Highlights include an excellent keyboard, a bright OLED screen (in the top spec), very long battery life, and world-trotting portability.

Our review spec doesn’t have a desirable end-to-end glass screen, nor a touchscreen, but you can spec that. Lenovo offers options in its configurator, leaving the speakers as the only grating issue.

Also Consider

The laptop class of the Snapdragon X2 processor is mostly out there already, and there are some impressive candidates.

If you have more cash to spend, take a look at the Asus Zenbook A16. It costs a chunk more but has an even more powerful processor, a larger screen and yet is basically no heavier at 1.2kg. Its Ceralunium finish doesn’t have the obviously metallic feel of aluminium, though.

For a real hybrid, there’s the latest Microsoft Surface Pro, quietly updated with Snapdragon X2 tech. Its pricing is less aggressive than Lenovo’s, though. You need to spend a few hundred more to match it on specs.

Or there’s Microsoft’s laptop version, the Surface Laptop, which is more a direct rival for the Yoga. A lovely-looking thing that will feel fantastic too, but it “only” has an LCD screen, not an OLED, and again costs hundreds more versus the Lenovo.

To explain: Samsung also revealed the shorter-and-wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 at its Unpacked summer 2026 event, which I used for the week prior to this Ultra review. And that device changed the way I think about folding phones.

As such, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is a technological marvel, yet a tall order – quite literally – given its higher asking price than before. It's as if Samsung has spent the last seven years perfecting the imperfect format, but we just hadn't quite realised.

What's clear is that this Ultra foldable is the most advanced to date. Its Flex Titanium display is impressive. It's the thinnest Samsung folding phone yet. It finally bolsters the battery technology. The cameras are even better. It's truly brilliant in so many ways.

But in this brave new world of folding phones, it's got competition not only from Motorola, Honor, Google and others, but even pressure from within Samsung's own camp. And with Apple's answer to come, could this be the beginning of the end for the classic, tall foldable?

Price & Availability

This is the first 'Ultra' in Samsung's foldable range, but that's more a marker to separate it from the base Z Fold 8 – and perhaps argue the 'ultra' price tag that's being commanded, too.

At launch, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is priced from £1,899 in the UK, $2,099 in the USA, and AU$2,999 in Australia. Also known as 'a lot of money' – particularly as it's pricier than last year's equivalent.

What's New?

• New Silicon-Carbon battery, increased capacity (4400mAh to 5000mAh)
• Increased charging speeds (25W to 45W wired; wireless 15W to 20W)
• Latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 'for Galaxy' chip
• Flex Titanium technology for flatter internal display
• Wide-angle camera now 50MP (up from 12MP)
• Thinnest ever Z Fold – just 4.1mm unfolded
• Brighter displays (2600 nits to 3000 nits)
• Internal display resolution increase
• New colourway: Violet Shadow

Here's where the Z Fold 8 Ultra brings some exciting updates over its Z Fold 7 equivalent predecessor. While it might look and feel much the same from the outside, it's got some other benefits going on inside.

A major addition is an upgraded battery type (now Si-C, not Li-Po), which has greater capacity and offers faster charging than before. However, other competitors have even higher capacities and faster charging speeds.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra's internal display is now higher resolution and brighter, too, plus it's backed by Flex Titanium technology – literally titanium that can flex to hold the display rigid and avoid as bothersome a crease – for even better visuals.

A new-and-upgraded chipset, better ultra-wide camera sensor and resolution, thinner overall design, and new colourways tick off the other main highlights.

Design & Displays

• Colourways: Graphite, Cream, Violet Shadow
• 6.5-inch AMOLED external display
  • 21:9 aspect ratio
  • 1080 x 2520 resolution
• 8-inch AMOLED internal display
  • Approximately 5:6 aspect ratio
  • 2256 x 2504 resolution
• 4.1mm thin, 215g weight

Of all the folding phones you can buy, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 has the flattest internal display of the lot. The caveat is one foldable you can't buy: Oppo's Find N6, which gives Samsung a run for its money – but is a moot point (for markets outside of China).

I've long said that Samsung's tall-and-narrow format prompts me to open its Z Fold devices more than other wider foldables, such as Google's Pixel Fold Pro series. I still find that the case – although, personally, I find the shorter-and-wider Z Fold 8 better still.

Nonetheless, once opened, the Z Fold 8 Ultra's panel is mighty impressive. Is the crease invisible? Not quite; it isn't on any foldable. But it's barely noticeable – and certainly of no bother when face-on during use.

This massive display is opulent to the max, so great for side-by-side apps, with Samsung's One UI software handling split-screen and floating windows well. There are even swipe gestures to launch apps in specific ways, which is handy.

You won't want to swipe to excess, though, as like with any folding phone, the screen's coating isn't able to negate fingerprint smears. This is more pronounced on a folding panel than a typical flagship phone's glass. I await the day when R&D finds a solution to this.

The main competitor to give Samsung a run for its money, however, is Motorola. The Razr Fold, which has also only just launched, has a panel that's marginally larger and brighter overall.

Considering that device has more storage, making it effectively more affordable, it's a tempting proposition – and one that works with a stylus pen, unlike Samsung, which ditched its S Pen compatibility from its foldable two generations ago.

When closed, the Z Fold 8 Ultra's form remains the same conundrum as ever – and it's not going to please everyone. That's because the 21:9 aspect ratio might be a bit too narrow and too tall for some. But you do always have that squarer panel ratio within, so it's not as if anything's lost.

Performance & Battery

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy', 12GB RAM
• 5000mAh Si-C battery type, 45W charging
• 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (+16GB) options

Samsung has gone with the top-tier overclocked 'for Galaxy' Qualcomm chipset in the Z Fold 8 Ultra. You'll know about that in some scenarios, such as when gaming, as the device gets pretty hot when it's shut – as heat dissipates better when it's open.

That's part of the reason that the Z Fold 8 Ultra can deliver ultimate results, but it's not endlessly 'ultra'. If the software knows it needs a break then the screen will auto-dim, for example. And despite more cooling provisions than the equivalent previous generation, throttling of that top-tier chipset will happen if you push it for too long.

Fortunately, the new battery technology can take a bit more abuse than the previous generation. The addition of silicon-carbon type to a 5,000mAh capacity is around a 14% rise. It's faster to charge, which helps with quicker top-ups as needed.

Not that I've found myself getting nervous with the battery remaining at the end of a day. I've been hitting 15% remaining after 16 hours of considerable use across a range of media and screen time, including gaming, Bluetooth connectivity, tethering and so forth.

No, it's not the best battery capacity of a foldable. Motorola and Honor both beat Samsung's latest for sake of longevity. No question about that. But Samsung has spent a long time ensuring battery safety for its device, which is why it has taken the time to get this far.

Still, I find the usability here well balanced. There's plenty of power, that big internal display to make the most of, and a much-needed battery boost for this generation.

Cameras

• Main (triple):
  • 200-megapixel, f/1.7 aperture, optical stabilisation (OIS)
  • 10MP 3x optical zoom (67mm equivalent), f/2.4, OIS
  • 50MP ultrawide, f/1.9
• Under-display cameras:
  • Both: 10MP, f/2.2
  • 18mm equivalent (cover), 24mm (interior)

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, per its Ultra name, closes the gap with the Galaxy S26 Ultra flagship. It doesn't seal that gap shut, though, as the latter non-foldable has the upper hand with a higher-resolution selfie camera and improved aperture speeds across its lenses too.

Nonetheless, the Z Fold 8 Ultra delivers a suite of cameras that any other foldable is going to struggle to compete with. Yes, it's still a massive rear protrusion – that causes that pain-in-the-ass 'desk wobble' for everyday on-the-desk use – but it's full of quality photographic potential.

It needs such cameras, though, given the Ultra name – and this is a big part of what you're paying extra to have as part of this package. The base Z Fold 8, by comparison, isn't nearly as accomplished – and lacks an optical zoom altogether.

The star of the show is the main 200-megapixel snapper, which delivers sharp and balanced results. It's best in daylight, but the Nightography mode still sees it as mighty capable when the light dips. It's good with close-up shooting too, although the macro mode can auto-engage a bit too easily sometimes when you might not need it.

The Z Fold 8 Ultra clears up one aspect of its predecessor's biggest weakness, too, by delivering a 50-megapixel ultra-wide that's much improved in delivering clear and crisp results thanks to its higher resolution.

The telephoto remains the same 10-megapixel offering as previously, though, which could really do with a boost. Easier said than done, on account of space limitations, but I have really enjoyed using the zoom optic in this device – it's pointed out to me on repeat that it's a big omission from the base Z Fold 8.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is, in many ways, the ultimate folding phone. It's the most refined ever, just as it should be after the seven generations preceding it.

But there's a problem: the Ultra enters a new landscape, one where the much wider Z Fold 8 has just rewritten the foldables rulebook for the better (save for the cameras).

It's in that context that the Ultra seems almost like a victim of Samsung's own success. Indeed, any other current foldable now feels too narrow as a result of this whole new world – and we'll see in time whether that marks the beginning of a new chapter.

No, the Z Fold 8 Ultra doesn't compromise, but for this sort of money and without the cameras going yet further, the base Z Fold 8 is where most attention will rightly be focused.

It's strange how context can change in such a short period. Samsung has undoubtedly created its most technologically adept foldable ever, but the competition is now abundant, and we're atop a precipice of imminent change.

Also Consider

If the Z Fold 8 Ultra's exterior display is too narrow for you, but you think the base Z Fold 8's might be too wide, then it's Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold that sits in between – although it's so much like a 'normal' flagship when folded that you might never unfold it.

Otherwise, there's no ignoring the previous Z Fold 7 product, which is largely similar to the Z Fold 8 Ultra, just lacking in the Flex Titanium display technology and upgraded battery and charging tech. A big enough saving might negate that, though.

Elsewhere, Honor's Magic V6 goes big on discounts to lure you in – offering a lot of spec for less money. Or Motorola's Razr Fold dangles a carrot in the form of an included stylus for its brand new release – offering a key point of difference.

However, there’s also a category of tent for those who enjoy the freedom of the open road and the wherewithal to stop almost anywhere a campsite permits, making spontaneous overnight stays far easier.

The most popular of these is the rooftop tent, which remains firmly fixed to the roof rack of a car, just like a standard roof box. These tents unfold in different ways but, in most cases, when you arrive at your destination you simply grab the attached ladder, pull it out and the whole tent unfolds in a thrice. When folded, it packs down into a compact hard shell or a covered fabric case.

The good thing about a rooftop tent is that you’re well above ground level, but the not-so-good thing is that you tend to feel the wind more strongly because of its elevation and the fact it’s attached to a car that rocks on its own suspension.

Also, you need to use a ladder to get in and out of the tent and that rules out taking a large dog with you. You also need the right type of car – usually a 4x4 or large estate – and that rules out car touring in an open top with the wind in your hair.

Which leads me to what Australians call a swag tent, of which I have a particularly fine example sitting on my lawn right now.

It’s called the Dometic Pico FTC 2x2 TC-i, and I personally think it’s a brilliant one- or two-person option for car touring and quick weekend pitch-ups, mostly because it sits firmly on the floor, it’s inflatable so it erects in seconds, it’s made from breathable polycotton, and you can take it in any type of car, including small hatchbacks and convertibles.

Let’s take a closer look at this new and very niche style of tent, and see if it ticks all the boxes for your next campsite-based driving holiday.

Dometic Pico FTC 2x2 TC-i tent review

Price and availability

The Dometic Pico FTC 2x2 TC-i is widely available in the UK through camping specialists and outdoor retailers, with a recommended retail price of around £525, although discounts bring it down to under £350 in some cases.

In the UK you can purchase this tent from Outdoor XL (£324.95), Berger Camping (£532) and Blacks (£469), when it’s back in stock. While currently out of stock at Go Outdoors, you can at least purchase the one-person version of the Pico for £450 (£399 members).

In Europe, prices typically range between €550 and €620 though my research suggests that it isn’t widely available. I would check the Dometic website for stockists in your region. Likewise, the Pico is currently very difficult to find through mainstream US retailers, making it a specialist import for American buyers.

Pitching process

I’ve lost count of how many tents I’ve erected and packed up over the years, but I’ve got to say that the Pico was easily one of the very fastest and most intuitive.

If it's windy, start by pegging out all four corners and grab the included air pump, which you will need to assemble before using for the first time. Now attach the pump to the main inflation inlet and start pumping. It took me thirty pumps before the tent suddenly popped up on its own and another twenty or so strokes to reach the required 9PSI of pressure.

Mind, I’m not sure I like the way the Dometic pump works because the needle on the gauge doesn’t remain static on the PSI figure as you’re pumping. Instead, it shoots up as you apply pressure and then drops to zero on the upstroke. This means you have to watch the needle carefully until it brushes the 9PSI figure.

A figure of 9PSI is pretty high for an air beam tent, so don’t panic if you think the beams feel too firm – they should be difficult to squeeze between the fingers. At this juncture, it would be a good idea to peg out the corners of the tent in case a rogue gust of wind rolls in.

The next stage is to inflate the bedroom’s full-width mattress, and this is done using a second air beam valve with a large warning label attached that states a maximum of 2 PSI. I presume Dometic fitted this warning following complaints by a handful of users who pumped it so full the mattress burst.

I think the most likely reason was user error because it’s easy to go overboard when pumping. For this reason, Dometic also provides a special release valve with the pump when inflating the mattress but I could never get it to attach to the inlet so I also winged it.

However, I did it very carefully in stages of a few pumps at a time, followed by a quick check. What you want is a bit of give in the mattress so your knuckle can touch the floor. The rest of the process entails pegging out the four guy lines and installing the two telescopic porch poles.

Unlike your average polyester tent, most polycotton tents require weatherproofing in the garden before being used, and this entails closing the doors and windows and properly soaking the whole tent with a hosepipe before allowing it to dry thoroughly.

When the fabric gets wet, the cotton fibres expand, which closes the tiny gaps in the weave, creating a complete barrier against rain. Wetting and then drying the tent also allows the material to shrink slightly and become properly tensioned on the frame.

Just be sure to fully dry the tent before packing it away, or mould may develop while in storage. This also applies when packing it up after use. If it’s raining on the day you’re leaving, find a place at home to open the tent so it can dry naturally because polycotton is much more susceptible to mould than polyester, and it’s not easy to remove.

Design and build quality

The Dometic Pico FTC 2x2 TC-i is a fascinating exercise in minimalist tent design, which is hardly surprising given that the company that makes it is Swedish. At first glance, it resembles an oversized Australian ‘swag’ more than a conventional shelter.

For those who have never heard of the term – me previously included – a swag is a type of hybrid tent with a built-in mattress that originated in the Australian outback.

It typically consists of a heavy-duty canvas shell, a built-in mattress and mesh panels for insect protection. In the Land of Oz, the swag has become one of the most popular types of tent for car- and motorbike-based camping. However, by comparison, this Dometic model is on another level, especially when it comes to design, build quality, and effortless pitching and packing.

For a fully polycotton tent with air beams and integrated inflatable mattress, the two-person Pico FTC 2x2 weighs in at a light-ish 11.5 kg and arrives in a backpack-style carry bag with padded shoulder straps, making it surprisingly manageable over moderate distances.

Its pack size, too, is much smaller than I expected – around 60 x 38 x 20 cm – and that likely makes it small enough for transport on a large motorcycle cruiser like a Honda Gold Wing.

The defining feature here is undoubtedly the Pico’s quick-pitch Air Frame Technology, which replaces traditional tent poles with a double T-shaped inflatable structural beam that inflates via a single external valve, allowing the entire frame to take shape in about 30 seconds.

According to the specs, the Pico’s outer Weathershield TC fabric has a GSM of 210 and is made from a blend of 35% cotton and 65% polyester. I would hazard a guess that its hydrostatic head is equivalent to more than 3,000mm, which is better than average for waterproofness. I certainly saw no signs of water ingress after squirting the tent with the hose gun set to full blast.

Most impressively, the Pico’s polyester fabric feels so much more substantial than the gossamer-thin, flappy polyester found on most modern camping tents. Moreover, polycotton has two distinctly favourable properties.

It naturally regulates internal temperature much more effectively than synthetic fabrics, keeping the interior cooler during warm afternoons and slightly warmer on nippy evenings, and it’s also breathable, which vastly reduces condensation on chilly mornings.

Build quality of the Pico is universally excellent, with neat stitching, reinforced stress points and a robust inflatable beam system that feels like it will withstand repeated packing and unpacking, which is what car touring is all about.

The heavy-duty zips glide smoothly, while the front door flap closes securely without snagging. While there is a bit of sag at the rear of the tent, it’s not something I noticed when inside. However, an extra centrally located rear pegging point would help pull the rear of the fly a little more outward and make the back end look a bit more taut in my opinion.

Another thoughtful design element is the inclusion of an integrated full-floor inflatable i-Beam mattress which measures 215cm in length and 140cm in width – suitable for two and even better for one.

Rather than using a separate air bed that slides around during the night, this dimpled mattress forms part of the overall design and reduces the amount of equipment that needs transporting, making the overall camping experience pleasantly simple. That said, you can easily add your own mattress on top or remove the main mattress pad altogether.

While we’re inside, I should also mention the addition of two small triangular mesh pockets for storing valuables like a phone and head torch. However, since this tent is ostensibly just a low-slung portable bedroom, you don’t get a protected vestibule for damp clothing and wet boots, so bear this in mind.

I’m a big fan of the Pico’s high-stepped entrance, which prevents running rainwater from entering the tent, and I also love the two side windows with fixed insect-proof mesh and zipped rainproof panels.

When unzipped, these windows provide excellent through ventilation. Furthermore, because the whole tent is constructed out of breathable polycotton, there’s practically zero condensation, even on the dampest of mornings.

I’m also impressed by the Pico’s two pegged-out storm flaps that cover the side windows because they really do a marvellous job of keeping driving rain at bay.

Likewise, when the front canopy is fully opened, there are two zipped triangular rain flaps on each side of the canopy that prevent running water from entering the tent from above, making this tent exceptionally storm-proof.

The front canopy, incidentally, can be turned into a small sheltered porch by supporting it using the two supplied telescopic alloy poles.

Judged on its intended purpose as a car touring tent, the Dometic Pico FTC 2x2 TC-i is a superbly executed combination of premium polycotton fabric, a rigid inflatable frame, integrated air mattress and meticulous Swedish engineering throughout.

No, it is far from being the cheapest two-person tent you can buy, but in my opinion it beats the pants off any synthetic polyester model, especially when it comes to interior ambience, controlled internal temperatures in both hot and cold weather and the wonderful breathability that only polycotton can provide.

Performance and comfort

I pitched this model on my lawn and slept in it for one night. Kipping in the Pico quickly highlighted why polycotton remains the fabric of choice for many seasoned campers.

The material creates a noticeably more comfortable sleeping environment than conventional polyester, helping to regulate temperature while dramatically reducing condensation.

Even after a cool night, the interior remained impressively dry, with none of the damp, clammy feeling that often accompanies synthetic tents. That alone makes a significant difference to overall comfort in my opinion.

The integrated inflatable mattress also deserves a mention. It provided a supportive, evenly cushioned surface that felt far more substantial than a typical camping mat, removing much of the compromise usually associated with sleeping on the ground. I had a genuinely restful night's sleep in it.

The Pico’s interior length provides ample room for anyone around six feet tall to stretch out fully without feeling confined, giving the interior a surprisingly spacious feel despite the compact footprint. Headroom is less generous, mind, although that is simply part of the swag design rather than a flaw.

At 5ft 5in, I could sit upright comfortably without my head touching the roof, but kneeling was another matter since my head did brush the ceiling. I’d say it’s still perfectly manageable for changing clothes, but it isn't somewhere you'll want to spend extended periods sitting inside during poor weather. I’d be back in the car seeking better weather down the road.

I also loved the overall ambience of sleeping under polycotton. During daylight it allowed a soft, natural glow to filter through the fabric, making the interior feel bright rather than enclosed. And yet despite this light transparency, the material proved exceptionally waterproof, at least according to the hosepipe thrashing I gave it.

If you’re in the market for a compact one- or two-person portable bedroom for your car touring needs, this one comes wholeheartedly recommended. To conclude, I personally could think of nothing better than stuffing this tent into the boot of a Mazda MX5, dropping the hood and touring the wine region of France or a few stages of the Tour de France. Dream on, Delvis, dream on.

Verdict

While the Pico falls just shy of five stars, I’ve been extremely impressed by its performance and wherewithal to pitch and take down in a thrice. Almost every aspect of its construction has been engineered around speed, convenience and comfort rather than shaving off every last gram.

Yes, there’s very little headroom on board, but then again it’s designed for campers who value arriving late, pitching quickly and enjoying a comfortable night's sleep without wrestling with a bundle of poles and a separate mattress. Check it out – it might just be what you’ve always needed.

Its stablemate is the related but less well-endowed Music Studio 5. Both models share a similar aesthetic, but the flagship boasts a far more ambitious acoustic architecture, with Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC connectivity and Q-Symphony compliance.

The brief may be a little confusing, but there’s no doubt this is one of the more intriguing premium wireless speakers to find its way onto the T3 test bench in 2026.

Price & Availability

You can pick up a Samsung Music Studio 7 in the UK right now, priced at £499 in the UK. It sells for $499 in the United States, and is AU$599 in Australia.

These tickets place it firmly in the premium wireless speaker category, which could be considered a little rich, until you factor in its Dolby Atmos and HDMI functionality.

Features & What's New?

There’s quite a party going on inside the Music Studio 7.

Samsung has crowbarred in a five-driver array for 3.1.1 Dolby Atmos playback.

Samsung kettles these front, side and upward-firing drivers with proprietary Pattern Control Technology, designed to minimise acoustic interference between drivers and improve directional accuracy.

A dedicated Super Tweeter extends frequency response to 35kHz, allowing support for 24-bit/96kHz Hi-Res Audio, if you have the source material. Power comes from a 150W Class D amplifier.

Alongside the Dolby Atmos there’s support for Eclipsa Audio, making this one of the first standalone wireless speakers ready for Samsung and Google's emerging immersive audio format. This may or may not prove significant, but time will tell.

Artificial intelligence (AI) also features prominently, selectable from the Samsung Sound app.

SpaceFit Sound Pro employs an onboard microphone to calibrate the speaker automatically to its surroundings. This happens in the background, optimising playback without requiring manual intervention. I’m not too convinced of its impact either way, but left it on for the bulk of this audition.

Active Voice Amplifier Pro uses AI processing to improve dialogue intelligibility when background noise rises. Not an issue in my case, so not routinely used.

Sound Quality

The Music Studio 7 has been voiced with entertainment in mind.

As a music speaker it produces an impressively large soundstage for its size. Those side-firing and upward-firing drivers extend well beyond the cabinet.

Samsung has always been good at needling out fine detail, and has produced an impressive line of low-cost, high-performance super tweeters over the years. That lineage continues here.

Bass is plentiful. Sometimes very plentiful. This low frequency bloom is more noticeable on some content than others. On piano recordings, low frequencies can become more dominant than ideal. Jon Batiste's meditative Always Know is robbed of its delicacy, sounding heavier and thicker than intended.

Modern pop and rock are much more natural companions. My Chemical Romance's pacey anthem Na Na Na arrives with tremendous energy, the speaker maintaining composure even at enthusiastic listening levels.

Film scores also play to its strengths. Hans Zimmer's Stay, from the movie Interstellar, benefits from the Music Studio 7's generous low-frequency extension. The ominous bass foundation and swelling organ notes create a genuinely cinematic sense of atmosphere.

Switching from streams to HDMI transforms the speaker's character again. With a Dolby Atmos bitstream, bass becomes noticeably tighter and more disciplined. Channel steering snaps into focus. Effects spread wide, while the up-firing driver introduces a tangible sense of height.

Is the Music Studio 7 a realistic alternative to a soundbar? I’d say conclusively it is. Helpfully, the speaker has a very wide sweet spot. That patented Wave Guide does a great job filling the room, making it ideal for a family audience.

The opening introduction to Stranger Things (season 1), on Netflix, is particularly immersive. The soundtrack's unsettling groans, distant rumbles and pulsing score are not squandered.

Dolby Atmos-encoded music proves equally rewarding. The spatial mix of Elton John’s Rocket Man, streaming from Amazon Music over HDMI, is fresh and airy, while Pink Floyd's Time alarm clocks are distinct and separate, before the track digs into David Gilmour’s opening vocal.

Design & Usability

The Music Studio 7’s distinctive Dot Design is the work of Erwan Bouroullec. He’s one half of the Paris-based Bouroullec brothers, who were also responsible for the look of Samsung’s The Frame and Serif lifestyle TVs.

Available in either black or white, the cabinet combines gently curved surfaces with perforated metal grilles. I like it, but can see it might prove divisive with bookshelf speaker traditionalists.

Build quality is reassuringly solid: at 5.6kg, the speaker feels substantial. A recessed carry handle at the rear helps to manoeuvre it around. The footprint is a tidy 185 x 269 x 190.5mm.

Controls line up across the top, including volume adjustment, microphone muting and a programmable shortcut button. Spotify Tap support allows users to launch personalised playlists with a simple double press.

Placement obviously deserves some consideration, and is a key part of the soundbar replacement debate, since much of the speaker's spacious presentation depends upon its side-firing and upward-firing drivers. These therefore need to remain unobstructed for the soundstage to work.

Connectivity is comprehensive. HDMI eARC allows direct TV integration, with optical digital audio as a legacy set backup. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 6.0 provide flexibility for music streaming. HDMI eARC is particularly welcome, not least because it allows volume adjustment via a TV remote.

Owners of compatible Samsung televisions also gain access to Q-Symphony, allowing the Music Studio 7 to work alongside compatible Samsung soundbars and TV speakers as part of a larger sound system. Great for additional height to the front soundstage.

Software setup involves Samsung's Sound app alongside SmartThings, and feels slightly less streamlined than it should be. Once configured, daily operation is relatively straightforward though.

Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready certification all get Hall Passes, as does Alexa, which is built in. Samsung's own smart assistant, Bixby, is notably absent (he’s been playing truant quite a lot lately).

Samsung Music Studio 7 review: Verdict

The Music Studio 7 is an excellent wireless music speaker. Bouroullec's industrial design is nothing if not elegant.

It’s also a capable TV sound upgrade and a foundation for Samsung's wider Q-Symphony ecosystem. Few rivals can multi-task so convincingly.

Its sonic personality isn’t without foibles, though. Bass can dominate more delicate recordings, yet this same authority becomes an advantage when watching a movie, or grooving with your mates.

If your listening habits span albums, streaming services and blockbuster movies in equal measure, the Music Studio 7 is well worthy of consideration. Just don’t park it on a crowded bookshelf.

Also Consider

If you like the idea of a versatile all-in-one, the Denon Home 400 is a strong alternative. It also looks great and supports Dolby Atmos. There's no HDMI though.

Another contender is the Sonos Era 300. This also delivers excellent spatial audio, and has top-notch multiroom capabilities, but once again it lacks HDMI eARC.

A couple of months later, as we come to this review, and the talk of folding phone town is now focused on Samsung's new format, in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 – with barely a glimmer of interest in the taller, classic Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

The Razr Fold is more akin to the latter's format, arriving just as the industry looks to pivot, leaving taller devices to assert themselves against an exciting newcomer. It's taken Motorola a long time to launch its Fold, not least when you consider that it joined the folding phone party with the flip version of the Razr back in 2019.

But don't write it off, as there's still a lot of positives going on in the Razr Fold. It's one of Motorola's most premium devices yet – and shows it means business thanks to a stylus pen included in the box, which is something Samsung's foldables ditched a couple of years back.

Price & Availability

The Razr Fold is widely available, coming with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. That's generous compared to Samsung, making the Razr Fold cheaper than the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Buy it from Motorola.com and you'll get Moto Buds and Moto Watch bundled into the package (in the UK – regionally that deal may differ), all for £1799.99 / $1899.99 / AU$2399.

That's significantly cheaper than Samsung's offering, but it is a little more expensive than the Honor Magic V6. There's no shortage of folding phones vying for your cash these days, it seems.

Motorola Razr Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

• Razr Fold comes with Pen Ultra stylus; Samsung has no stylus capabilities
• Razr battery lasts longer, also features faster charging tech
• Both the Razr Fold displays are brighter than Samsung's
• Z Fold 8 Ultra is thinner and lighter
• Z Fold 8 Ultra also more powerful

As there's no previous Razr Fold model, let's just quickly compare it to the competition – the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra being its most key rival.

Samsung and Motorola have fundamentally different approaches to design, with the Z Fold 8 Ultra sporting a slim-and-light industrial design.

That makes the Razr Fold look a little chunky, at 9.89mm thick (folded; 4.55mm when unfolded) and weighing 243g. And, while the Razr Fold has a lovely textured back with Pantone colours, it's not as dramatic as some of the brand's other models.

Motorola makes up for that with a much larger battery – both brands use silicon-carbon (Si-C), but Samsung's 5000mAh is dwarfed by Moto's 6000mAh. Motorola backs this up with 80W wired charging, while Samsung only offers 45W.

The Samsung phone is more powerful, with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy', while Motorola sticks with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 – which is a bit of a step down. Motorola responds by offering more RAM and storage as standard and for much less cash than Samsung, though.

Displays

• 5.6-inch external LTPO OLED display, 21:9 aspect ratio
  • 6000 nits peak brightness
  • 2520 x 1080 resolution
  • 165Hz refresh
• 8.09-inch LTPO pOLED, 8:7.2 aspect ratio
  • 6200 nits peak brightness
  • 2484 x 2232 resolution
  • 165Hz refresh

Motorola's approach to the displays in this folding phone are much the same as they are in its other devices: nothing is left to chance, on the spec sheet at least.

You just have to glance at the top line numbers – 6200 nits brightness for the main display, 165Hz refresh rate – and you'll realise that many of those are to upsell, rather than always deliver.

That's because 165Hz content is exceptionally rare, as is getting any display to actually output 6200 nits. Futureproofing? Sure. At the same time, I have very little to complain about when it comes to these displays.

The cover display is large enough and resolute enough to be used as a regular phone. It's a little tall and narrow, but I've found it performs perfectly well in this role.

There's a very slight curving away to the edges, which I don't really like on a regular phone, but considering the thickness of the Razr Fold when closed, it helps make it slightly easier to manage.

Open the phone up and that internal 8.09-inch display is massive. Yes, there's a crease down the middle, it's visible and it can be felt when running a finger across it. There's no Flex Titanium technology going on here. I've not reviewed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, but first impressions were that the crease was less obvious there than it is on Motorola's phone.

With that said, I've been using the Razr Fold for a month – and I'd expect the crease to get a little more established during that time. But like other folding phones I've used, I don't really notice the crease when I'm using it. This is, after all, a display that folds –there's going to be a crease.

But like other folding phones, the top layer of this device is a protective polymer film that's prone to reflections and fingerprints – it just doesn't look as nice as typical glass. That's the same as Samsung's latest devices and, to be honest, that's a bigger bugbear than the crease for me. Still, Motorola's big brightness can at least cut through reflections.

Visually I've been nothing but impressed with how the Motorola Razr Fold looks when using these displays. They are vibrant with rich colours, content looks great, while there's also support for HDR10+ from apps like Netflix.

Hardware & Performance

• Colours: Pantone Lily White, Pantone Blackened Blue
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 16GB RAM
• 6000mAh Si-C battery, 80W charging
• 512GB storage

Folding phones trade screen space for performance to a certain extent and that seems to be as much the case for the Razr Fold as it is for other foldables.

That might justify the decision to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. For those who don't know, it's a slight step down from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with the cores clocked slightly lower and lacking some of the graphical features.

But let's put that into context: folding phones aren't great at cooling themselves down, so high-performance hardware often gets throttled because of the form factor. Basically, not having the top-tier hardware doesn't hold the phone back, and I never found the Razr's performance worrying.

With that said, testing this phone through a series of heatwaves, I've felt it get really warm – especially when using Android Auto – and I've also fished the phone out of my pocket a couple of times to discover that it had turned itself off. A byproduct of overheating or a software quirk? I haven't been able to determine in today's climate.

The battery life, however, is truly impressive. I've easily got the Razr Fold through the day and well into the next, thanks to that huge 6000mAh battery. The 80W charging is the icing on the cake, because you can top it up in barely any time at all.

So I don't have a problem with the hardware loadout, despite it not matching Samsung's overall power, which I don't think that's a huge disadvantage. This isn't a gaming phone, after all, and multitasking (opening a number of spreadsheets and PDFs for a closer look) didn't seem to bother the phone during my testing at all.

But Motorola hasn't been doing itself any favours with its software recently. The introduction of Moto AI through Hello UI over the past couple of years has seen increased bloat and the attempted insertion of additional junk on your device. The newsfeed and AI search box in the apps tray are terrible, slowing the experience down. I turned both off – and a lot of the other Moto AI options besides.

There's a dedicated AI button on the frame that can only be assigned to Moto AI tasks, so after a couple of weeks I disabled that – it sits right next to the volume controls and it's too easy to accidentally press it.

Some housekeeping is required, therefore, but do so and you'll find a phone that should run smoothly for plenty of years to come. That's bolstered by Motorola stepping up with 7 years of support on this phone, finally matching the competition.

Cameras

• Triple rear cameras:
  • Main: 50-megapixel, f/1.6, 1/1.28in sensor, OIS
  • Wide: 50-megapixel, f/2.0, 1/2.76in sensor
  • Tele: 50-megapixel, f/2.4, 1/195in sensor, OIS, 3x optical
• Seflie cameras:
  • Cover: 20-megapixel, f/2.4
  • Internal: 32-megapixel. f/2.4

Motorola's big push on the Razr Fold is offering three 50-megapixel cameras on the back. It's a hefty chunk of camera, not just on the spec sheet, but it's physically bulbous, matching Motorola's other phones in terms of design.

However, the selfie cameras drop down to a lower resolution, but the argument is that on a folding phone you can open it up and use the main camera to take selfies, benefitting from the higher quality that it offers.

Taking a selfie with the internal camera is unwieldy, which makes it surprising that the cover display camera seems to be the lowest spec, considering it's the easiest to use. It has a tendency to overexpose, so it's definitely my least favourite camera for selfies on this phone. The selfie cameras have a noticeably different tone too, so there's little consistency.

The main camera on the Razr Fold is great, supported by the ultrawide and telephoto cameras for a complete set. I found the colour consistency across these to be great too. The best results come in daylight conditions, but once it gets darker the main camera suffers, failing to capture detail cleanly. While taking a set of complex night photos, I had to revert to the Google Pixel 10 Pro to get usable results.

The telephoto is great to have on a folding phone, with the native 3x optical zoom or even 6x cropped zoom delivering great results – but the 100x digital zoom that it offers just goes a little too far to be useful. That's down to AI upscaling being too obvious – not presenting what you actually saw, rather what AI thinks it should be.

I've found the video recording to be generally good, too, with the option for Dolby Vision a quick tap away and making a noticeable difference to the quality when playing it back on the phone.

Motorola Razr Fold review: Verdict

The Motorola Razr phone is a great folding phone, with the battery life a clear advantage over Samsung's best, while the overall camera performance is decent and the design has a touch of class – even if it's a little chunky.

While there's a welcome 7-years of support into the future, Motorola's general software experience needs work to make it more friendly, with the bloat and Moto AI interruptions unwelcome. But that can be turned off, excess apps removed, and the AI button deactivated too.

Motorola's first full-scale foldable is more affordable than big-name rivals, with better battery life and charging, a lovely duo of displays, and a competitive camera setup. Ultimately, if you're shopping for a classic, taller type folding phone, then you're in safe hands with the Motorola Razr Fold.

Also Consider

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the biggest rival to the Motorola Razr Fold, but while it has nicer software and a slimmer design, it's more expensive with a smaller battery and slower charging.

Or there's the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold for a better software experience, great cameras, but less power and a smaller battery. It's now heavily discounted, however, so is much better value.

Or there's the Honor Magic V6, which has a nicer display, more power, a larger battery and a slimmer-and-lighter design, but with software that's a little more bloated and fussy.

But TCL is nothing if not intrepid, and for the C7L it’s added an exciting new Super Quantum Dot – or SQD, for short – technology, without letting the asking price get out of hand. So can lightning strike twice?

Price & Availability

On review is the 65-inch C7L – the TCL 65C7L – which is on sale now, priced at £1299 in the UK. The equivalent 65QM7L sells for $1499 in the USA, while in Australia you’re looking at AU$1999.

The C7L offers other sizes, too, with 55-, 75-, 85- and 98-inch models also available. It runs quite the gamut of scale, which is part of the benefit of SQD technology, should you be looking for 'huge yet affordable'.

Features & What's New?

The most striking thing about the 65C7L – on paper, at least – is the fact that it’s a Mini-LED TV that uses Super Quantum Dot technology (SQD).

TCL has used an HVA 2.0 Pro LCD panel (because it promises low reflectivity and superior viewing angles) backlit by a colossal number of miniscule LEDs, in order to create a panel with a massive 1152 individually controllable backlight dimming zones (for the 65-inch model).

Then it’s deployed a similarly huge number of Quantum Dots that use five, rather than the more common two, layers of material to maximise their stability and efficiency as they’re generating colour. Only one other range of TVs currently uses SQD technology: the more expensive TCL C8L.

The idea is to serve up a television with a vibrant, accurate and wide-ranging colour palette to draw from, that has class-leading backlight control, that is easy to watch off-axis, and that can hit frankly unlikely brightness levels. For this 65-inch model, TCL is claiming a massive 3000 nits of brightness, which should be easy to watch even in brightly lit rooms.

It would be a shame not to make the most of this complicated technology, of course, so TCL has made the C7L compatible with every high dynamic range standard out there – HLG, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision (including Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Vision Game). Naturally, the screen is certified IMAX Enhanced too.

It’s used some proprietary technologies to maximise performance, too. The ‘All-Domain Halo Control System’ ensures the remarkable brightness levels don’t result in haloing during high-contrast scenes, while ‘Deep Colour System’ keeps colours naturalistic in every circumstance. That’s the idea, anyway...

As is only reasonable, given the thoroughgoing nature of the C7L’s video specification, TCL has again turned to Bang & Olufsen to provide this TV’s audio system. Unlike the video spec, though, not many details are forthcoming about the C7L’s sound.

Yes, it’s compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio soundtracks. Yes, there are a couple of exposed bass drivers on the rear of the chassis. And, yes, there’s actually more ‘Bang & Olufsen’ branding on this product than there is ‘TCL’.

But how many drivers are there in total? What are they made of? How much power is on tap to drive them? About the only thing I’m prepared to suggest is that while the TCL can deal with spatial audio, it’s not configured to actually deliver an impression of spatial audio. If it was, we’d know about it.

Performance

If you’ve worked out how to liberate significant brightness from a screen, it must be tempting to just shove all that brightness forwards at every opportunity. But thankfully TCL is a bit more judicious and slightly less of a show-off than that.

Of course, if you’ve got brightness to spare there’s no harm in letting everyone know about it every now and then. Cue up some nice bright HDR content and there’s real intensity to the C7L’s images – but even when really going for it in brightness terms, pictures are still detailed and the nuance of texture and tone is always present.

The TCL is very good at controlling high-contrast scenes, too. Even if black tones lack the outright depth of those served up by an OLED panel, there’s no washing out or bleaching even when black and white are sharing the screen.

In between these extremes, there’s remarkable breadth and variation to the colours the C7L generates. If your content insists on punchy and primary tones, there’s real zip to them here – but equally, when it’s called upon to do ‘subtle and understated', the TCL has more insight into the subtleties of shade than pretty much any price-comparable rival.

The palette on display has a lot of variation in it, and the screen’s facility with detail retrieval and retention means that discrepancies in texture, as well as in tone, are described in full. Control of patterns is also impressive.

The TCL is a crisp and organised watch, but it never threatens to get edgy with 4K content. Its ability to control on-screen motion – a big factor during this endless summer of televised sport – is always impressive. Or, at least, it is once you’ve looked into your motion-control options in the set-up menus…

The C7L isn’t half-bad when it comes to upscaling too – up to a point, anyway. The 1080p stuff isn’t quite as detailed or quite as sharp as native 4K content, naturally – but it’s still detailed, still composed, and still moves around the screen in confident fashion.

Moving down in resolution from here can see the TCL working very hard indeed at times, and images can get a little vague and smeary. The C7L isn’t the only big 4K TV that looks a bit of a state with reruns of 80s shows on the outer reaches of the cable channels, mind you…

The C7L is a straightforwardly impressive gaming monitor, thanks in no small part to very low latency, very high refresh rates and the motion stability I’ve already discussed. The brightness and the colour fidelity it’s capable of really bring the most out of a games console.

Shortcomings where picture quality is concerned are apparent, sure, but they’re not exactly deal-breakers. Some picture noise is apparent in content that’s less than state-of-the-art, and despite what TCL seems to think the HVA 2.0 Pro panel is readily reflective of the light in your room. It’s also not the greatest watch if you’re sitting strongly off-axis – its backlighting becomes apparent and its colour fidelity takes quite a big hit too.

When it comes to sound quality, though, the TCL is rather underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not terrible – it can reveal a fair amount of sonic detail, and it has the ability to reach a fair way down the frequency range in search of bass sounds.

This is far from the only TV that can’t muster the sound quality to match its picture quality, though. It’s default audio character is ‘thin’, and it's definitely not a fan of higher volumes – the stressed and compressed nature of its sound if you turn it up will have you turning it down again pronto.

Design & Usability

The 65-inch C7L on review is just 56mm at its deepest point, and it’s VESA-compliant too – so it’s a great candidate for wall-mounting. If you're not going down that route, though, it’s supplied with a central pedestal stand that doesn’t swivel but does raise the screen to the point that even a quite chunky soundbar will fit beneath it.

It’s predictable (and, let’s face it, quite welcome) that TCL hasn’t attempted to do anything radical with the design of the C7L. Its bezels are reasonably slender, the plastics from which it’s mostly made don’t feel anything special, and the standard of construction and finish is perfectly fine – but where ‘design’ is concerned, this is just a TV and as functional as you might imagine.

Equally predictable and, in some ways, equally welcome are the ways in which you can control the C7L and set it up to your satisfaction. TCL supplies a remote control handset that covers pretty much every eventuality – it has rather small buttons, though, no backlighting, and doesn’t look or feel even remotely special. The TCL control app is equally thorough, easier to navigate, and just as tedious to look at as the physical remote. Happily, Google Assistant is built in and, once you’ve located the /mic’ button on the remote, it’s swift and reliable in response to your prompts.

However you decide you want to control the C7L, though, you’re in charge of some nicely judged set-up menus – they make getting a workable picture quick and easy, and offer some reasonably in-depth tweaking to those who want it. It’s just as well that the menus are simple and logical, because when the screen first comes out of its box and is plugged in, its default settings are all at whatever the visual equivalent of ‘shouting’ is.

The user interface is provided by Google TV, and it’s one of the better examples of the type. It includes each and every UK TV catch-up service, including the lesser-spotted BBC iPlayer, and has plenty of options where streaming service (and other) apps are concerned. It’s easy to navigate, quite logically laid out, and doesn’t try all that hard to sell you things. All of which count as positives.

As far as connectivity goes, there are four HDMI sockets – two are at full-on 2.1 specification, and one of this pair is also eARC-enabled. So as well as VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync and all the rest of it, the TCL supports 4K @ 144Hz and 1080p @ 288Hz – latency in ‘Game’ mode is at around 10m/s. There are a few lesser physical connections, along with a couple of RF aerial binding posts, and Bluetooth and dual-band wi-fi are available too.

TCL C7K review: Verdict

The C7L is not only a great advert for TCL’s Super Quantum Dot technology, it’s also a great all-around picture-maker that serves up endlessly watchable, high-contrast HDR (high dynamic range) images from any source capable of delivering them.

It uses its prodigious brightness in a thoughtful and mature way, rather than just turning it up to ‘11’ the entire time – and when you add in the great colour fidelity, fine motion-handling and undeniable advantages it brings to gaming, it's certainly the real deal.

Also Consider

It’s an indication of just what an accomplished TV the TCL C7L is that the most credible price-comparable alternatives are all TVs from 2025. The C7K is one obvious option, given its even lower price, of course.

Otherwise the LG OLED C5, for instance, is now down towards TCL money – but while it has plenty to recommend it (excellent black tones, great gaming features, decent contrasts and good colour fidelity), it cannot get anywhere near the brightness of the C7L.

It’s a similar story with the Sony Bravia 7: it has impressive colour balance, good backlight control, excellent standard of build and finish and, remarkably, half-decent sound – but there’s no HDR10 or HDR10+ support and it’s rotten when viewed off-axis.

It's perhaps ironic that one of the best OLED TVs is the Bravia 8 II, a model that's flanked by two other non-OLED: the Bravia 7 II below it and this, the Bravia 9 II, at the top. Both of these are what Sony calls 'True RGB' TVs.

We've seen Sony's RGB tech on a number of occasions, but with the Bravia 7 II and the Bravia 9 II, it finally brings the next-gen TV tech to market. Meaning you can, finally, actually buy one.

While the message here is about surpassing OLED, the more time I spend with RGB backlight TVs, the more I see it more as the logical evolution of Mini-LED. It carries many of Mini-LED's advantages, while hanging onto some of its disadvantages.

At its core, the Bravia 9 II is a flagship Sony TV and that shines in pretty much everything that it does – especially if brightness and colour are your biggest asks. It might not seal the deal over OLED for everyone, though.

Price & Availability

The Sony Bravia 9 II was announced on in May 2026. It's widely available from retailers, but as a flagship model, it comes at a premium price.

It's available in 65-, 75-, 85- and 115-inch sizes. If you want something smaller, you'll have to get the Sony Bravia 7 II (which is less bright).

The 65-inch model is £3499 in the UK, so it's a full £500 more expensive than the LG OLED G6 – and that aligns with where Sony sees this television.

It's also a bump over the price of the previous Bravia 9, so there's no escaping the fact that this is an expensive TV (at least at launch – time may see discounts applied).

Sony Bravia 9 II vs Bravia 9: What's new?

Comparing the Bravia 9 II to the previous Bravia 9 might not be quite fair: the Bravia 9 was announced in 2024 and its design reflects a previous generation of Sony TVs.

The Bravia 9 II has a central stand instead of feet at the far ends of the screen, making it a lot easier to accommodate. It also increases audio output.

So physically there's a design difference, but the real difference lies in what powers the display. Moving from traditional Mini-LED, the Bravia 9 II introduces an RGB backlighting system, meaning it's much more capable when it comes to generating vibrant colours.

This is combined with the RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro, while also using a new contrast-boosting system. Peak brightness on the Bravia 9 was somewhere around 3000 nits, but the Bravia 9 II aims to be closer to Sony's reference monitor, which is calibrated to 4000 nits. So it's brighter by quite a margin.

The Bravia 9 II also comes with an anti-reflective display, which is a new technology for Sony.

In reality, these two TVs are a world apart. They might share the same fundamental name, but the core technology differs by a dramatic degree.

Design & Setup

The good news is that Sony's new Mirage stand is a very welcome addition, moving support into the centre of the screen rather than towards the edges that we saw from the previous generation.

That makes it a lot easier if you want to place the TV on a piece of furniture – the 65-inch model is 145cm wide, but now you don't need a huge surface to sit it on, as it can protrude over the edges.

The Mirage stand earns its name thanks to the clever refractive panel that slots between the legs. This plastic panel allows light through, but it obscures anything that's behind it. That basically means that cables can be hidden, but visually there's no huge block under the TV – it's a nice move to keep things tidy.

If you're interested in RGB TVs then there's something you need to know: this tech results in hefty TVs. While premium OLED models are wafer thin, RGB TVs are hench.

Sony has used the extra bulk of this TV to pack in a more accommodating sound system, but the 65-inch model I reviewed is definitely a two-handed lift.

There are two remotes in the box: one with a button-heavy version that's been established for many years; and a lighter remote made from recycled plastics, offering USB-C charging, which strips down the buttons – and which I found served me well during testing.

Sony's TV sits on the Google TV platform and the setup process is rather long, walking through a number of steps that invite you to connect devices, as well as introducing you to My Cinema, which is, in my opinion, the core of Sony's picture modes.

Sadly, Google TV doesn't support Freely, so you'll be invited to connect an aerial or TV box, but at least Google TV remembers your passwords if they're saved in Google – so it's quick to sign into your favourite streaming services.

Speaking of connections, Sony hasn't made a huge change from its previous arrangement with this TV: only two of the four HDMI ports support the full bandwidth HDMI 2.1.

That's a pain for anyone connecting a soundbar and multiple games consoles. This is a 120Hz display, so again, there's a bit of a feeling that you're not getting a huge amount of futureproofing.

Picture Quality

Cutting to the chase, the Sony Bravia 9 II offers exceptional picture quality.

There are two sides to that: firstly, Sony continues to offer exceptional processing that's balanced, aiming to deliver cinematic authenticity, while widening the colour volume over Mini-LED TVs. The RGB tech can deliver huge brightness and vibrancy, the fact that Sony keeps that in balance is a credit to the brand's pursuit of accuracy.

I've previously criticised Sony's home screen arrangement, because it tends to be a little dull when navigating. This seems a deliberate choice compared to something like the Hisense UR8S (that I was testing at the same time) where the home screen is almost painfully vivid.

Of course, once you dive into high-quality content, the screen doesn't fail to impress. Sony is inherently deliberate with its offering: there's no HDR10+ and there's no Filmmaker Mode, which is usually what TVs recommend for the "most accurate" presentation, as the director intended.

Instead, Sony offers Calibrated Modes for Netflix and Amazon Prime, and these modes will overrule Dolby Vision, which is usually upheld as the gold standard for HDR (high dynamic range) content. You can turn off those calibrated modes for better results – I find them a little dark.

My Cinema is a suite of picture modes that govern the picture settings across the TV. It's slightly confusing that My Cinema only applies to "movie" content, but apps and broadcast TV isn't classed as movie content, it counts as "video/images" instead. This would mean that My Cinema wouldn't apply to it.

You're free to manually change the content type in the settings, which is ultimately what I did. I had everything classed as "movie" and I used My Cinema for the lot. Sure, it's confusing, but I found that "My Cinema Daytime" struck the best balance overall for everything I watched.

Sony's processing makes a huge difference. Watching Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and there are vibrant reds showing off the potency of RGB's ability, while skin tones remain natural without getting flushed. It's these fine points of HDR brilliance that are presented without blowing out the rest of the content. And that's what makes this TV and its underlying technology great.

But RGB isn't a magic bullet, as there are areas where the delivery looks a little strange – and that includes sport. I watched some of the World Cup in UHD via BBC iPlayer and found a strange combination of a slightly muted picture, but with colours that popped off the screen. That saw the orange of the referee's shirt looking almost neon, with some really vibrant adverts around the pitch, but the grass looking dull.

The 65-inch Bravia 9 II is thought to have 1530 dimming zones and that's naturally a long way from the 8 million that a rival 4K OLED would offer. But The Batman still looked dark and contrasty, with the Sony doing a great job and avoiding unnecessary brightening of darker scenes.

There's occasional blooming, but you have to look for it. It gets more obvious when you're not sitting head-on – white Netflix programme naming on a black background, for example. It's here that this LED tech shows its limitations compared to OLED.

Most of the time you also won't run into the Bravia 9 II's potential. That huge peak brightness sits in the background, betting against a future where content makes greater demands on TV screens than OLED currently offers.

If you want to see how bright and vibrant this TV can be, don't stop at Standard, jump all the way to Vivid and you'll find it's almost painfully bright. If you do end up using Standard, at least change the motion processing – as it's prone to the soap opera effect, while other modes handle motion with much more assurance.

This all sets the stage for excellent bright room performance, boosted by Sony's new glare-free screen. It's taken a leaf out of Samsung's book here, killing reflections with skill, making this a great TV for a sun-filled room, but I think that Sony's display looks blacker than Samsung's (I compared it to the S99H), so there's real rivalry here.

Sound Quality

Sony has a reputation for great sound on TVs – and that continues into the Bravia 9 II. This TV has an 80W speaker system that's made up of eight speakers. Rather than firing down from the bottom of the screen, which is common, these are placed at eye-level, around two-thirds of the way up the screen.

The speakers are divided into two woofers in the rear of the screen, left and right speakers, left and right sound-positioning tweeters, and upfiring beam tweeters. On first setup you'll be invited to tune the TV to the room with a quick test.

The layout of these speakers is designed to support immersive audio, with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It makes a noticeable difference. This is a great-sounding TV, although I suspect that those spending upwards of a few grand on a new screen will want a bigger soundstage too.

It's easy to recommend pairing this TV with one of the best soundbars, with Sony's Bravia Theatre Trio being an obvious suggestion, with the advantage of having access to Sony's advanced tech drawing the TV and sound system closer together.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Verdict

Sony's new flagship TV offers stunning performance out of the box, bringing its first RGB backlight technology to market, yet not veering from the Hollywood accuracy that it's known for.

The Bravia 9 II possesses huge brightness potential, but it's used with restraint so that it has real impact when it matters. With Sony's processing ensuring this RGB technology keeps everything in check, it drives forward the case for flagship LED-based TVs.

Is this an OLED killer? Not yet. There's still blooming when viewing off-axis. But Sony's careful handling of dark scenes displays movies the way they're supposed to look, while its new anti-reflective finish results in a screen that often looks darker than Samsung's equivalent sets.

Overall, the Bravia 9 II is a great TV for brighter rooms – and a great showcase for RGB tech. However, there's no escaping that this is an expensive alternative to everything that OLED offers.

Also Consider

The Samsung S99H is a hugely bright QD-OLED model that's stunning in its delivery, while not delivering quite the accuracy out of the box that Sony strives for. But with a matte display and huge brightness, Samsung similarly offers a great bright-room experience for a little less cash.

The LG OLED G6 is one of the finest OLED models you can buy, cheaper than the Sony, but rivalling its position as a champion for accuracy. The glossy finish to the display retains the brilliant blacks that OLED is known for, better for movie nights in controlled rooms, while also offering a stunningly slim design.

The Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer is part of B&Q's own range, and after seeing it in action during an event a few months ago, I couldn't wait to put it to the test on my own patio. Since then, I've deliberately let the grime, mud and debris build up to give it a proper challenge, and it's safe to say it didn't disappoint.

Price and availability

The Mac Allister M2 costs £99 from B&Q, although Club members can currently get 15% off when spending £75 or more, bringing the price down to just £84.15.

It's positioned towards the more affordable end of Mac Allister's pressure washer range, sitting between the M1 (£59) and the more powerful M5 (£199), making it a great middle-ground option.

Unboxing and set up

The Mac Allister M2 arrives mostly assembled, although you'll need to attach the suspension bracket and pressure hose holder so you have somewhere to store the 5-metre power cable and 8-metre high-pressure hose. This only requires a Phillips screwdriver (which you'll need to supply yourself) and the included screws.

Once that's done, it's simply a case of choosing your preferred nozzle, attaching it to the spray lance and connecting your garden hose using a standard hose coupling. From opening the box to being ready to clean took me around 15 minutes, which felt perfectly reasonable.

Design and features

The Mac Allister M2 has an upright, trolley-style design with two large rear wheels and an retractable telescopic handle, making it easy to wheel around the garden rather than carry. The whole unit feels surprisingly compact and lightweight, whilst the durable plastic housing gives it a hard-wearing finish.

Power comes from a 1.8kW air-cooled motor, capable of delivering up to 145 bar of pressure and a water flow rate of around 450 litres per hour. It also features an automatic start/stop system, meaning the motor only runs when you squeeze the trigger, helping reduce unnecessary noise, energy use and wear on the machine.

The pressure washer is supplied with a high-pressure trigger gun and metal spray lance, alongside an excellent selection of accessories. These include an adjustable spray nozzle for general cleaning, a rotary spray nozzle for tackling stubborn dirt, and a 28cm pressure-adjustable patio cleaner, which is ideal for large paved areas. There's also an attachable 500ml detergent bottle that mixes cleaning solution directly into the water stream, making it especially useful for washing cars, bikes or filthy surfaces.

Mac Allister has also included a number of thoughtful features, including a quick-connect hose system that allows both the garden hose and high-pressure hose to be attached in seconds without any tools. The 8-metre high-pressure hose also gives you plenty of reach before needing to move the machine.

Finally, an integrated water inlet filter helps stop dirt and debris entering the pump, protecting the internal components and helping improve the washer's long-term reliability.

Performance

I was really impressed by the Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer during testing, and I'd comfortably rank it among the best pressure washers I've used at this price point. The range of included attachments means it's well-equipped for almost any cleaning job around the home, and the pressure is excellent. It was powerful enough to tackle stubborn dirt without ever feeling difficult to control.

For patios, the patio cleaner attachment is undoubtedly the star of the show, and I'd recommend skipping the standard spray nozzles altogether and reaching straight for it. It cleaned each patio slab in around 5-10 seconds, meaning I finished my entire patio in well under an hour. It also left no swirl marks whatsoever, which is something cheaper patio cleaners often struggle with.

I also really enjoyed using the rotary spray nozzle, which proved really useful for washing walls and fences. I did have to keep my distance to avoid any damage or paint flaking, but that just shows how powerful it was.

The generous power cable and long high-pressure hose also made a real difference in day-to-day use. I rarely had to stop to reposition the machine, and thanks to its large wheels and telescopic handle, it was easy to pull around the garden without feeling awkward.

After longer cleaning sessions, I did find the trigger gun started to make my fingers feel a little sore from holding it continuously. I also found that when using the rotary spray nozzle, the garden hose occasionally came loose from the rear connection, meaning I had to stop and push it back in. Neither issue was a deal-breaker, but they were noticeable during extended use.

Verdict

At under £100, the Mac Allister M2 Pressure Washer delivers the sort of performance I'd normally expect from a far more expensive machine. The standout feature is undoubtedly the patio cleaner, which transformed my outdoor space in well under an hour. There are a couple of minor annoyances, namely the trigger becoming uncomfortable during extended use and the occasional hose connection issue, but neither came close to spoiling the results. When you combine its powerful cleaning performance, thoughtful design and impressive value for money, the Mac Allister M2 becomes an easy recommendation.

Alternatives to consider

A very similar alternative to the Mac Allister M2 is the Titan TTB2200PRW 145 Bar Electric Pressure Washer. It offers the same maximum pressure and flow rate, alongside a comparable selection of accessories including a patio cleaner, all for around the same price.

If you'd prefer something smaller and cordless, I'd recommend the Bosch Fontus 18V. It's brilliant for washing bikes, cars and outdoor furniture, but if your main priority is tackling patios or driveways, the Mac Allister M2 is the much stronger choice.

Google’s long awaited smart speaker is a serious advancement on its previous Nest speaker and display devices. Not only has it undergone a full design transformation, but the Google Home Speaker comes with Gemini instead of Google Assistant, offering a more natural and conversational way to interact with your speaker

But aside from its made-over looks and new voice assistant, how does the Google Home Speaker measure up? I spent a few weeks using it to find out.

Google Home Speaker review: price and availability

The Google Home Speaker is available to buy for £99.99 / $99.99 at Google Store and select retailers, like Currys, Argos and John Lewis. Alternatively, you can buy the Google Home Speaker in instalments for £33.33 with three monthly instalments.

The Google Home Speaker comes in two colours – hazel or porcelain. At launch, it was announced that it would come in more colours which could arrive later in the year.

To use the Google Home Speaker, it’s recommended to have a Google Home Premium subscription. When you install the speaker in the app, you should be offered a six month free trial before there’s a monthly cost of £8 / $10 or annual fee of £80 / $100 for the standard plan. The advanced plan is £16 / $20 a month or £160 / $200 a year.

Google Home Speaker review: set up and app

The Google Home Speaker arrived with just the speaker and a charging cable – nice and simple. Once I’d plugged it into my room of choice, I downloaded the Google Home app and scanned the barcode on the bottom of the speaker. From there, I connected to my Wi-Fi so I could add the Google Home Speaker to my list of devices.

The Google Home app is straightforward and has three sections – home, activity and automations. The homepage has all your devices listed so you can access them quickly, while activity shows everything you’ve asked the Google Home Speaker to do. Finally, automations is where you can set up schedules.

Once I had the Google Home Speaker on my app, I connected it to other devices like my Philips Hue light bulb and Spotify account, and set up an evening wind down routine and a few reminders. I also had to select a voice for Gemini which had a surprising amount of options available.

Google Home Speaker review: design and features

The Google Home Speaker is the first smart speaker to be built on Gemini for Home. While you still have to say ‘Hey Google’ like you did with Google’s previous speakers, Gemini is much more conversational and can continue chats if you have any follow-up questions. You can also interrupt it if you need to adjust things without having to constantly say ‘Hey Google’ to get its attention.

In terms of design, the Google Home Speaker is quite different from Google’s Nest devices, like the Nest Mini and Nest Audio. In fact, it looks more like an Amazon Echo Dot. It has a round 360-degree design with a flat top and base and it has a fabric-like material.

When you speak to Gemini, the base of the Google Home Speaker lights up in different colours via its light ring. It has a microphone built-in which you can mute via the toggle switch at the back. It’s quite petite, although it has an extra-long cable and plug so you can position it easily.

As a speaker, the Google Home Speaker has 360-degree sound for powerful, balanced audio from every direction. It can also be used to ask questions, play music, create invites and reminders, set timers, trigger automations and detect unusual events and send you notifications. However, a lot of these features require a Google Home Premium subscription.

If you’re an existing Nest user, the Google Home Speaker is compatible with older Nest speakers, displays and Google Cast-enabled devices.

Google Home Speaker review: performance

I’ve tested a few smart speakers in my time as T3’s Home Editor, and the Google Home Speaker has my favourite looks by far. Its rounded shape takes up minimal space, and its light bar emits pretty colours. The Google Home Speaker also has built-in sensors which are extremely responsive as the light bar would eliminate if I or anyone else would approach it.

Audio is where I found the Google Home Speaker to excel the most. Its sound is powerful, and Gemini is crisp and clear. Compared to other voice assistants I’ve tried, Gemini is nice and conversational, and it’s very handy to simply ask follow-up questions rather than having to say the wake up word over and over again.

But Gemini is also where I found the Google Home Speaker to have faults. Many users have experienced problems with Gemini, like minute-long lags and even just ignoring requests. Sadly, I am one of those users. While Gemini did respond smoothly most of the time, I did find it to have some serious delays.

I also experienced an issue with Gemini setting timers. Most of the time, my timers and reminders went off perfectly. But recently, I set a timer for 20 minutes and I’d checked the time before I requested the timer so I knew it’d hit the time limit. I wasn’t notified and when I asked how long was left on the timer, it said 12 minutes, so I’m not sure what time Gemini actually set the timer for – not ideal when you’re cooking, let me tell you.

The initial set up process was easy and I liked the usability of the app. It responded quickly and was extremely self-explanatory, and when I wasn’t sure how to do something, I was always given an explanation or taken to a support page. At times, though, I found that the app didn’t always correspond to the speaker, so while I set a reminder in the app, the Google Home Speaker didn’t notify me when I’d requested.

Google Home Speaker review: verdict

Is the Google Home Speaker a good smart speaker? My answer is both yes and no. For the former, I can’t deny how attractive the Google Home Speaker is, and I appreciate its sensors and audio. However, the ‘no’ part of my answer is all down to Gemini.

I think the Google Home Speaker maybe needed a few more months of work before it was released. I found Gemini to be very conversational, easy to talk to and most of the time, extremely helpful. However, I also experienced a few bugs and faults that were hard to overlook.

Personally, I’d use the Google Home Speaker for listening to music and setting the occasional timer – just not when I’m cooking – but for automations, I’d look for a different brand.

Google Home Speaker review: alternatives to consider

Since the Google Home Speaker’s launch, the Google Nest Mini and Audio have been discontinued so you won’t be able to buy one of these anymore. However, if you have an existing one, I’d recommend holding on to them as you can still use them, and Google has stated it’ll still undergo necessary updates on them.

I’m a fan of Amazon Echo devices, and the Echo Dot is hard to beat. The Echo Dot Max is its latest launch and I rated it highly in my review. It's got the looks, has both manual and voice controls, and it’s a great device to have as part of your smart home ecosystem.

While the brand might not be as well known as the likes of Dyson or Shark, it does offer incredible value for money. The best robot vacuums are notoriously more expensive than their corded or cordless counterparts, but they also provide an almost hands-off experience, which in my opinion, is well worth paying for.

This is especially the case when you get something like the X60 Pro Ultra Complete vacuum, that not only performs fabulously as a robot but can also compete with the best cordless vacuums too. You'll find my full thoughts below.

Price and availbility

The Dreame X60 Pro Ultra Complete is priced at £1,300, although a current launch offer has knocked £150 off.

This includes a fully loaded accessories kit, which features an additional main and side brush, two dust box filters, two dust bags, three pairs of mop pads and a 1-litre bottle of cleaning solution. Enough extras on top of the pre-installed brushes and pads to keep you going for at least a year, if not longer depending on the size of your home.

It’s currently available to buy at Currys, Very and the Dreame website.

Unboxing and setup

Easy unboxing and setup is something I really value as someone who spends a lot of their waking hours testing products. Thankfully, the X60 Pro Ultra Complete is one of the easiest machines I’ve ever set up. Not only was it surprisingly lightweight, despite the box itself being incredibly heavy, but it took just a few minutes to get started.

Most of the brushes come preinstalled, you just need to attach the mop pads manually and from there, it’s a case of downloading the app to connect to the WiFi and setting up a quick map of your home. This model talks you through everything as you go along and even gives you time estimates for how long certain tasks will take.

Adding water for mopping is quick and easy, and the X60 Pro Ultra Complete even has an automatic dispenser for the cleaning solution, so you don't have to think about mixing up ratios. At the end of its cycle, the robot will automatically empty its onboard bin into a larger bin in the base, which can store up to 100 days worth of dirt and dust.

Design and features

The Dreame X60 Pro Ultra Complete comes with quite a few notable design features, with the first being its incredible power. At 42,000pa, it has one of the most powerful advertised suction speeds available at the time of writing. It has also improved its downward mopping pressure compared to previous models, which adjusts based on your needs.

Vacuuming can be heavily customised based on your needs, with a particular emphasis on heavy stain detection and pet areas. Dreame’s new X60 range can now also recognise over 300 unique objects including litter trays, other cleaning appliances, socks, shoes and more.

The robot’s ‘Pet Area’ auto detection and cleaning is a godsend if, like me, you have a messy cat that enjoys tipping copious amounts of litter outside of the tray every time they use it. It will automatically note areas where there’s lots of pet activity – for example, litter trays – and mark these on the map. You can then either choose to avoid these areas completely or have the robot do a deeper clean around them.

LIke previous models, the X60 Pro Ultra uses two spinning mopping pads that clean with hot 40°C water and exert downward pressure to scrub away stains. As part of the X60’s upgrade, the base can now also clean the mopping pads with 100°C water and dry them with hot air for more hygienic cleaning.

The X60 Pro Ultra also has two extendable arms: one for mopping, with an 18in reach and one side brush, with a 12cm reach. This is the first time Dreame has included two extendable arms on its robots, and it's ideal if you have a home with a lot of hard to reach corners.

Those with awkward steps in their home will also be pleased to know that Dreame has improved climbing capabilities with the X60 Pro Ultra. This model can mount a single step up to 8.8cm tall, or cover two 5cm steps in succession, meaning that even homes with awkward thresholds can enjoy the benefits of a robot vacuum.

When it comes to design, the X60 Pro Ultra Complete is a surprisingly manageable size, especially given how much it does. The actual robot itself is just 8.9cm tall, meaning it will fit in most hard to reach areas, meanwhile the dock is 39cm x 45.6cm x 49.9cm. Like any robot with mopping, vacuum and self emptying capabilities it’s not small, but Dreame does a good job of keeping bulk to a minimum.

App

The Dreame home app is, for the most part, enjoyable to use. All of your cleaning, maintenance and scheduling tasks can be done from here and there’s a lot to play around with. While you do occasionally have to do some digging to find the settings you want, once you’ve got your head around where everything is, it’s a lot of fun customising your cleaning routine – I actually got a bit carried away and spent far too long changing around all the settings.

In-app customisation includes all the important bits you’d expect from a premium robot like this – such as multi level mapping, creating no-go zones, scheduling and power adjustments. However the X60 Pro Ultra goes one step further, allowing you to schedule at specific times, such as after dinner or during the night using a quiet mode.

There’s also a strong emphasis on pets here. Within the app, there’s a section dedicated to live viewing and two way sound, so you can speak to your furry friend. You even have the option to capture and store gifs of your pet on the app – I’m not kidding. Dreame also assures you that there’s no cloud stored data and the live view requires an activation code, so there's less of a worry about safety issues.

It’s worth noting that during testing, I did find the app to be a little cumbersome and slow at times. However, it didn’t happen enough for me to get frustrated or mean that I had to cancel my cleaning plans.

Performance

I was seriously impressed with Dreame’s performance across my hard floors and carpets. I have mostly hard floors at home, so robot vacuums have always been my go to, but the powerful suction really got to work on the carpet I do have, pulling up trapped dust and dirt that the cheaper robots I’ve previously used haven’t done.

I really put the X60 Pro Ultra to the test with copious amounts of litter, pet hair and human hair, none of which it really struggled with. Litter is notoriously difficult to pick up and while it did take a couple of passes to be fully cleared, I don’t think it’s a major issue, as it doesn’t add a great deal of extra time to the overall cleaning cycle. To test the mopping capabilities I also let some sauce dry on my kitchen floor and the X60 Pro Ultra made light work of this too, cleaning it in a single pass without leaving a smeary mess in its wake.

This model is also particularly good at recognising spots that need additional cleaning thanks to its upgraded lights and dual AI cameras. It’ll even tell you when it’s detected a particularly tough stain or high particle area and is doing an additional deep clean.

Verdict

The Dreame X60 Pro Ultra Complete might be a bit of a mouthful, but there’s very little else to complain about. It’s an incredibly capable robot vacuum, and you can tell a lot of thought has gone into the features and, more importantly, what consumers actually need. From its impressive pet detection to the dual-arm extension and upgraded mopping system, it feels like the complete package for a flagship robot vacuum.

Performance was fantastic throughout my testing, and I’d go as far as saying it does just as good a job as I do with a manual vacuum, albeit at a slightly slower pace. That’s pretty impressive for something that can get on with the job entirely by itself.

Of course, there’s no getting around the hefty price tag. While you get a lot of technology for your money, it’s still difficult to justify spending this much on a vacuum, particularly when Dreame has plenty of other capable models available for less. However, if you’re looking at the flagship end of the market, this is the sort of price you can expect to pay for genuinely advanced features and automation.

Alternative to consider

If your budget can’t quite stretch to the dizzying heights of £1,300, you might want to consider one of Dreame’s more affordable premium models, such as the recently released Dreame Matrix10 Pro. Priced at £849, this model follows on from the popular Dreame Matrix10, which we reviewed in 2025.

The Matrix10 Pro comes with hot mop cleaning, 30,000pa suction and, of course, self-emptying and self-cleaning. As it’s one of Dreame’s latest models, it also features dual extending arms, similar to the X60 Pro Ultra Complete. There's just a few compromises that mean the Matrix10 isn’t as quite as well rounded as the X60 and I’d personally still stretch for the X60 if you have a large home and pets.

Of the two brands mentioned above, the former is the more established player in the market. DJI has been working on its handheld gimbal camera for a decade, starting with the DJI Osmo, which came out in 2015. The first iteration of the Osmo Pocket series came out three years later, in 2018, making the subject of this review, the Osmo Pocket 4P, the fifth iteration.

The Pocket 4P arrives only three and a half months after the launch of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4, which refined the feature set that made its predecessor the best-selling “action camera” in Japan in 2025. At this point, DJI knows how to create products with excellent stabilisation and impeccable camera performance.

I doubt anyone would be shocked by the release of the DJI Pocket 4P, as the brand itself teased it for a while, potentially to take the wind out of its big rival’s latest gadget, the Insta360 Luna Ultra, which also has a two-camera setup. The big question is: how does the Pocket 4P compare to the Pocket 4 and the Luna Ultra?

I’ve been using it for a month, and I’m thoroughly impressed. There are only a few minor gripes, like the still-exposed gimbal unit and the placement of some buttons, but in general, the Pocket 4P’s performance and versatility make the camera second to none.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P review

Price and availability

The Osmo Pocket 4P was launched on 30 July 2026 and is available to buy now directly from DJI for the recommended price of £529 / €599 / AU$959 for the Standard Combo and £605 / €689 / AU$1,099 for the Vlog Combo.

The latter includes the camera, FrameTap remote controller, camera bag, carry pouch, fill light, DJI Mic transmitter, windscreen, handle with ¼” thread, mini tripod and various cables to charge the camera and its accessories.

For comparison, the Osmo Pocket 4 is priced at £445 / €499 / AU$769 (Standard Combo), while the Insta360 Luna Ultra retails for £649 / €729 / AU$1,230. Sadly, as is the case lately, the Osmo Pocket 4P will not be available in the U.S. market, as the application for authorisation is still pending.

Design and build quality

DJI hasn't reinvented the Pocket formula with the Osmo Pocket 4P, but it has managed to squeeze considerably more hardware into a device that's still genuinely pocketable. At 159.5 x 63.3 x 33.5mm and 230g, it's noticeably larger and around 40g heavier than the Pocket 4, though the increase is understandable given the addition of a dedicated telephoto camera.

Gimbal

The biggest visual difference is the redesigned gimbal head. The Pocket 4P stacks a 20mm-equivalent wide-angle camera above a 60mm-equivalent telephoto lens, giving the camera a taller, more purposeful appearance. It's a little less discreet than previous Pocket models, but still far smaller than carrying even a compact mirrorless camera with two lenses.

Display

The front is dominated by DJI's familiar 2-inch touchscreen, which offers a 556 x 314-pixel resolution and reaches 1,000-nit brightness. I have a beef with vlogging camera screens, but I also appreciate that they can only be so big without compromising the camera's pocketability.

I found the 1,000-nit display bright enough under most lighting conditions. That said, most smartwatches have AMOLED screens that reach up to 3,000 nits, so it would have been nice to include a brighter panel on the Pocket 4P. (Appreciate it might have compromised battery performance, though.)

My big issue with the screen is that it’s quite small, which makes it hard to tell where the focus is at any given point, making it harder to compose tighter shots of anything but faces. The camera can zoom in quite a lot, which is amazing, but especially in macro-like shots, it’s anyone’s best guess where the focus is.

(Adding focus peaking would be good, which is exactly what I said in my Insta360 Luna Ultra review. )

Controls

Below the display, DJI sticks with the same simple control philosophy, for better or worse. Physical controls are kept to a minimum, with the joystick and function buttons handling most camera operations.

Two of these, the zoom and the custom function buttons, are placed above the joystick and the record button, and are hidden when you shoot in vertical mode.

Again, I appreciate there is very limited space for physical buttons on such a small gadget, but if you create content for social media, you will have to use the on-screen controls for zoom, and those are tiny, especially for my huge fingers.

The layout itself is well-designed for one-handed shooting, though, and requires very little learning if you've used a Pocket camera before. Even if you haven’t, you’ll get used to it pretty quickly.

Other design details

The Pocket 4P also packs three (!) built-in microphones, positioned around the body to capture audio regardless of how you're holding the camera. The arrangement avoids cluttering the gimbal assembly while reducing the likelihood of accidentally covering a microphone with your hand when filming handheld.

The Pocket 4 introduced built-in storage on the Pocket series, and thankfully, the Pocket 4P also has on-board memory. It’s a tad smaller at 103GB (vs 107GB on the Pocket 4) but more than enough to store a ton of high-resolution videos. The camera also supports microSD cards up to 1TB.

USB-C handles charging and data transfer, but the camera also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity.

Camera performance

I can talk all I want about button placement, but I assume what people want to hear is camera performance. How does the dual-camera setup work? Is it any good? First, the basics. While the primary camera is the same as on the Pocket 4, DJI has also added a dedicated telephoto lens, giving the Pocket series optical flexibility for the first time.

The main camera uses a 20mm-equivalent f/2.0 lens with a minimum focusing distance of 0.2 metres (200 mm). It beams the image onto a 1-inch CMOS sensor, but unlike the Pocket 4, the Pocket 4P’s sensor has a 17-stop (!) dynamic range. It’s pretty impressive and outperforms much larger cameras, such as Canon’s EOS R5, which has a 13-stop dynamic range.

(All photos below have been edited in DJI Mimo and reduced in resolution in Adobe Lightroom.)

Alongside it sits a new 60mm-equivalent f/1.8 telephoto camera, built around a 1/1.28-inch sensor, with a 0.3-metre (300 mm) minimum focusing distance. The camera, just like your smartphone, switches between the two automatically, depending on which zoom setting it’s on.

The wide-angle camera matches the Pocket 4's video capabilities, recording up to 4K at 240 fps for dramatic slow-motion footage. The telephoto camera is only slightly behind, supporting 4K at 200 fps, making both lenses capable of capturing high-frame-rate footage.

Resolution and zoom

Standard video recording is available in 4K (horizontal mode), 3K (vertical mode), and Full HD (1080; both modes) at up to 60 fps, while the dedicated Low-Light Video mode records at up to 4K/30 fps (the latter only works in horizontal mode).

The camera captures ~37MP still images in JPEG, DNG, or JPEG+DNG formats, with a maximum image resolution of 7,680 x 4,320 pixels in 16:9 or 6,144 x 6,144 pixels in 1:1 aspect ratio. Shooting modes include Single Shot, Countdown, Panorama, and 4K Live Photo, the latter of which carries over from the Pocket 4.

The telephoto module provides 3x optical magnification and supports up to 12x digital zoom (steps of 1x, 3x, 6x, 9x, and 12x), with digital zoom also available during video recording, Live Photos, livestreaming, UVC output, and DisplayPort output. Low-light video, Slow Motion and Timelapse remain limited to the native focal lengths, with digital zoom unavailable in those modes.

You can move the zoom in between the stopping points with the joystick. For example, you can have 9.6x zoom to better frame your subject. It’s also worth noting that in photo mode, the maximum zoom is only 9x for a reason, although it could just be my pre-production unit not playing ball.

Even though anything 3x is digital zoom, I found that the quality doesn’t suffer from it one bit. Details on portrait and macro shots are crisp. You really have to zoom in to start seeing the contrast fall off a bit. I love the macros in particular and the softness of the bokeh, which is as creamy as butter.

Tracking

The Pocket 4P introduces ActiveTrack 8.0, adding support for telephoto tracking as well as multi-person tracking. That's an incremental improvement over the Pocket 4's ActiveTrack 7.0, with the newer system designed to better maintain subjects even at longer focal lengths.

Given that the Pocket 4P is a vlogging camera, tracking people is prioritised, which can be cumbersome sometimes. Double-clicking your subject on the screen will lock the camera onto it, but the Pocket 4P certainly enjoys tracking faces much more than inanimate objects.

Focusing is quick, though, and you can flick back and forth between the foreground and background quickly. If the subjects are moving and you aren’t locked onto them, the Pocket 4P might decide that the other thing on the screen is what it needs to focus on, but it’s only a minor gripe.

Colour modes

The Pocket 4P supports 10-bit D-Log 2, replacing the Pocket 4's 10-bit D-Log profile. The newer profile provides greater flexibility during colour grading while maintaining the high-bit-depth recording expected by more advanced creators.

You won’t find any of the Leica colour modes/filters Insta360 uses, but it doesn’t matter, as DJI’s colours are beautiful straight out of the box. I shot in some very challenging environments, and somehow, the Pocket 4P figured it all out nicely.

Switch to 10-bit D-Log 2, and on top of spot-on colour representation, you also get incredible post-production flexibility. Better still, you can edit your D-Log 2 videos in the DJI Mimo app, which not only recovers colours but also makes the footage look HD so they pop even more on social media.

Other features

Alongside standard video recording, the camera supports Slow Motion, Timelapse, Motionlapse with up to four programmable positions, and Hyperlapse with speeds ranging from Auto through 2x, 5x, 10x, 15x and 30x. Timelapse and Motionlapse intervals range from 0.5 to 60 seconds, with recording durations extending up to 10 hours or continuous capture.

Battery life and charging

DJI has equipped the Osmo Pocket 4P with a 1,950mAh (7.50Wh) lithium-ion battery, rated for up to 210 minutes of continuous recording at 1080p/24fps. As always, that's a best-case figure achieved under controlled conditions, with DJI specifying a 25°C ambient temperature, Wi-Fi disabled and the screen turned off.

My testing produced a slightly lower, though still impressive, result. Using the same recording resolution and frame rate with the screen set to switch off automatically, the Pocket 4P recorded for around 188 minutes before the battery was effectively exhausted.

That's roughly 10% below DJI's quoted runtime, but my test was conducted in a warmer room that reached 27.2°C, and the camera became noticeably warm during prolonged recording. Even so, just over three hours of continuous filming from such a compact camera is difficult to criticise.

Charging

Charging performance, on the other hand, was almost spot on. Using the DJI Power 1000 Mini and DJI's 100W USB-C cable, the Pocket 4P reached 80% in 20 minutes and a full charge in 31 minutes. DJI quotes 18 minutes to reach 80% and 32 minutes for a full charge, so my results were well within the expected margin.

I recorded a peak charging power of around 37W, before the camera reduced the input to roughly 15W once the battery reached 80%, presumably to keep temperatures under control. The camera became noticeably hot during charging, but cooled relatively quickly afterwards.

One practical limitation I encountered wasn't battery life but storage. Recording 4K/60fps D-Log footage consumed around 12.5GB every 10 minutes, meaning the camera's 103GB of built-in storage filled up after roughly 82 minutes of footage, well before the battery ran flat.

Anyone planning to shoot extended sessions at the highest quality settings will therefore want to keep a high-capacity microSD card handy.

Verdict

DJI has done it again. The Osmo Pocket 4P builds on an already excellent formula by adding a genuinely useful second camera without sacrificing the portability that made the Pocket series famous. A couple of ergonomic niggles remain, but they're easily outweighed by the superb image quality, class-leading stabilisation, versatile dual-camera system and polished user experience. Quite simply, this is the best pocket camera I've ever used, and an easy five-star recommendation.

Now, the handheld is actually here, and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is indeed quite the beast. I've been gaming on it for a week to see how it holds up in regular use, but also to check whether it can make that sky-high price seem a little less crazy.

Price and Availability

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has had a slightly confusing regional roll-out. In the USA, it's available now, having launched in late June – so you can order it through a few storefronts.

Here in the UK, however, there's still no clear and precise date, but you can pre-order it through Scan Computers now. It's listed on Amazon, but the shipping date remains a vague window.

That brings us to the price. The Claw 8 EX AI+ comes in at £1,399 in the UK and a massive $1,799 in the US. No matter how you slice it, that's a big chunk of change for a gaming handheld.

Design and Specs

I didn't expect MSI to make as many revisions between generations of the MSI Claw 8, but here we are, and the good news is that it's clearly been listening to feedback.

The most recent Claw 8 designs were frankly not great – the handhelds were huge, but didn't pair that bulk with great ergonomics, making them a trial to hold for long periods.

With the Claw 8 EX, that's been solved neatly, with much more rounded grips to keep hold of and more of a palm-friendly shape overall. That said, this is still a seriously large and tall handheld, so there's no doubt that those with smaller hands should probably seek one out to try before they buy.

The handheld also comes in a new default colour, a dark purple with just a hint of shine to it, and again, I think it's a great change. The two tones of the older Claws didn't do it for me, but this looks smart. It's also got RGB lighting around each analogue stick, something that doesn't move me much anymore. Those sticks are Hall-effect for drift resistance, as are the triggers.

In terms of inputs, there are all the traditional controller buttons, as well as some shortcuts on either side of the screen. These let you access pause menus but also MSI's software overlay to change power settings or access different games. Atop the machine, there's a power button with fingerprint reading, two USB-C ports, a microSD slot for expanded storage, a 3.5mm jack and the volume keys.

The back of the handheld has two extra macro-enabled buttons that you can easily programme to your chosen controls, along with a big MSI crest and quite a lot of air intake – the venting mostly happens out of the top of the machine.

The real star of the show, though, and the most eye-catching part, is that screen. It's an 8-inch 1920 x 1200 resolution touchscreen IPS display, with refresh rates of 48 to 120Hz and VRR compatibility to make it super smooth. It's vibrant and lovely to look at, although some might ask how this price doesn't bring an OLED panel instead. Still, it's an expansive panel, even if the way it protrudes at the bottom gives it a bit of a chin.

In terms of specs, the huge inclusion here is Intel's new portable chip, the Arc G3 Extreme – basically the most powerful handheld gaming chip on the market right now. It's a total beast, and probably a big part of why the Claw 8 EX is so expensive.

You also get a 1TB internal SSD for storage, a chunky 32GB of RAM, and an 80WHr battery, all of which are at the very top end of what any competitor can offer. It means that the specs list of the Claw 8 EX is basically best-in-class.

The whole thing, meanwhile, runs Windows, but with all the flexibility that you might want. Xbox's new handheld experience runs really nicely, for instance, but you can also get anything else you like running, including Steam and GOG. Some apps are more likely than others to be recognised by MSI's software, which can make for some awkward swaps between handheld and desktop modes, but the amount of options on offer is terrific.

Performance

The MSI Claw 8 EX lives or dies by its power – that much is obvious from the intersection between its price and its specs list. If you're going to ask this much for a handheld, it needs to deliver seriously eye-opening performance.

Luckily, that's almost exactly how I'd describe its gaming prowess. This handheld offers up the sort of graphical capabilities that I thought would be beyond a portable machine for a good while yet. Intel's G3 chip is a monster, especially in this Extreme configuration, and I have the benchmarks to underline that fact.

Cyberpunk 2077 remains about as demanding as a game can come, even years on from its hyper-ambitious release, and even if I didn't tweak a thing in the settings, it comes out of the gate supremely smoothly on the Claw 8 EX. Its default configuration goes for "Ray-tracing Low", and averages 47.75fps in the benchmark test, which is already pretty great.

Turn on XeSS, though, to get frame generation, and things leap forward, giving 76.14fps on the XeSS Auto setting with all other presets the same. That's a major boost, but there's still more headroom. If you go with XeSS Ultra Performance, you can get 104.63fps, or if you want to get super stable image quality, XeSS Ultra Quality gets you 67.87fps.

That last option, Ray-tracing Low with XeSS Ultra Quality, is probably how I'd play the game, but those who want zero input latency can always opt for turning off XeSS and going with the Steam Deck preset to get a similar outcome of 66.8 with slightly fewer graphical bells and whistles.

Whichever way you cut it, those are phenomenal numbers for a gaming handheld, and they put plenty of gaming laptops from recent years to shame when it comes to unplugged power. All of these are at the screen's native resolution, too, so you have scope to turn that down for even more performance.

Of course, numbers are all well and good, but testing the handheld on a range of other games, from Doom: The Dark Ages to Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced, I've been consistently impressed with how easily I've been able to get challenging games running smoothly on the hardware.

That performance is particularly staggering because ray tracing is often enabled – a feature that is generally beyond the ken of other expensive gaming handhelds without major resolution compromises. It honestly feels like a big leap forward in real terms.

It goes without saying that you can expect older or simpler games to run phenomenally, and battery life is thankfully also really impressive. I've been getting between two and three hours of gaming when cranked up to high settings on a demanding game, but in lower-power situations you could get way more – even up towards double digits.

That's remarkable, and underlines just how good Intel's power management options are, paired with MSI's implementation. I observed when this chipset launched that its efficiency could be just as important as its power, and that's how it feels in the hands some time later.

All of this looks excellent on that VRR IPS display, with the Variable Refresh Rate bit being key, since it eliminates most stutters to keep games feeling super smooth if they're in that generous VRR window (which they should be). That said, I'll say again that at this stonking price, you really would expect and hope for an OLED display for inkier blacks and better colours.

This superb power does come at a cost in terms of heat, though – while the Claw 8 EX never got uncomfortably hot in my testing, there's no denying that it gets pretty warm. It also has enough fan noise that you'll want headphones for any high-powered gaming to avoid distraction.

Verdict

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is a genuinely remarkable gaming handheld and very arguably the best ever released by a mainstream brand in terms of raw power and performance. MSI has improved its design work massively, and the sheer brunt of Intel's newest portable chip is jaw-dropping to experiment with.

It's unfortunate that it comes with a price tag that makes it a luxury reserved for those who need the best of the best. In most ways, that's far from MSI's fault, of course, with the current economics just pushing back against it so hard, but it doesn't really change the arithmetic from a prospective customer's point of view.

So, buy the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ if your budget is chunky, and you insist on performance that puts other handhelds to shame. But for many of us, it might make sense to sit out a year or two to see if Intel's chip starts to trickle into more affordable devices.

Also consider

The gaming handheld market is getting harder and harder to navigate as price hikes bite – so in many cases the best alternatives are second-hand.

That said, in some territories, you can now get the ROG Xbox Ally for a reasonable price, and while it's not as powerful as this MSI machine, it's very good for being miles cheaper.

Still my favourite PC gaming handheld, meanwhile, is the Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS). It's the perfect size, and while it again can't hold a candle to MSI's power, as an indie game machine, it's hard to fault, with all the convenience of SteamOS.

I was dubious initially, because the folded device's almost-passport-sized exterior display looked so squat and wide that I couldn't fathom how it would enhance my experience. Yet here I am, a full working week later of using the Z Fold 8 nonstop, and I'm fully on side with this new format.

That's partly down to it solving one of my criticisms inherent in folding phones (and I've tried pretty much all of them): that I would rarely unfold any, given how 'normal' the exterior display would usually feel in use. The Z Fold 8's addition of a 4:3 aspect ratio panel within has changed that for me.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is no iterative upgrade over the Galaxy Z Fold 7 – for that, you'll need to look to the also-new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (here's the two compared) – but a landmark step towards folding phones' wider acceptance and, if rumours are true, a precursor to Apple's expected arrival in this space later this year.

Price & Availability

But with a price tag that remains an obvious hurdle, is wider acceptance ever going to be feasible? You might need to factor in increasing your monthly contract costs to accommodate here.

The Z Fold 8 is up for pre-order now, ahead of its 4 August on-sale date, and retails from £1,699 / $1,899 / AU$2,699 for the 256GB model with 12GB RAM. Only the 1TB storage variant offers 16GB RAM.

That is £/$200 less than the £1,899 / $2,099 Z Fold 8 Ultra (which is AU$2,999 in Australia), so it's not the most expensive foldable in Samsung's line-up or, indeed, in the market overall. But it's still pricier than most typical Android flagships.

What's New?

• Lightest Fold yet, at 201g
• Totally new aspect ratio displays
  • 5.5-inch external, 10:16 ratio
  • 7.6-inch internal, 4:3 ratio
  • Flex Titanium tech
• Samsung's first-ever silicon-carbon battery
  • 4300mAh, 45W charging
• Dual camera system, not triple, without optical zoom
  • 50MP main and 50MP wide

Samsung has been in the folding phones game for longer than any other maker, with a new model arriving annually since 2019. But the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the eighth-generation handset in the range, changes the playbook.

That's clearly visible in the gallery above, where I've photographed the Z Fold 8 next to the Z Fold 8 Ultra – the latter being more in line with the previous Z Fold 7 model that released last year.

This radically different size and shape is also paired with the lowest weight of any Samsung foldable to date, while also marking Samsung's first foray into using a silicon-carbon battery type (Si-C) for greater capacity from this new form.

In opting for a new aspect ratio, however, Samsung has cut back on the cameras – it's a dual rear offering, lacking the optical zoom of the Ultra – which seems a sensible cost-saving move. These lenses do protrude quite dramatically from the rear, though, so the dreaded 'desk wobble' is still a bother.

Displays

• 5.5-inch external AMOLED display, 10:16 aspect ratio
  • Wider and shorter than Z Fold 8 Ultra
  • 3000 nits peak brightness
  • 1264 x 1848 resolution
  • 120Hz refresh
• 7.6-inch internal AMOLED display, 4:3 aspect ratio
  • Flex Titanium Technology for anti-crease
  • Anti-reflective coating finish
  • 1828 x 2584 resolution
  • 120Hz refresh

I've already established that the displays differ from what's come before, but there's plenty going on behind the scenes, too, in what Samsung calls Flex Titanium technology. I interviewed a Samsung exec about how tricky this was to deliver – and it's an interesting read on the challenges faced.

Flex Titanium is designed to further negate the much-maligned 'crease' down the centre of the foldable panel – by using a titanium plate behind the panel to benefit from its rigidity. Getting sheet metal to actually fold, however, took some clever engineering to create a layer thin enough, with micro-etched and laser-cut patterns to enable the folding process.

I found the Z Fold 8 satisfyingly 'snaps' into position when unfolded, the crease barely visible from a front-on viewpoint and only marginally present when viewing at more acute angles. That 'snappy' operation means you can't position this foldable in anything but fully open or closed positions, unlike with the Ultra.

Good work on the crease, but the Z Fold 8 doesn't address one of my other general frustrations with folding phones: fingerprints! Samsung hasn't made further headway into negating how the natural oils prevalent in human skin sit on a folding display's surface. It just looks worse than on any standard glass panel.

The Z Fold 8's folding panel is finished with an anti-reflective coating, though, so it does at least battle sunlight better for an improved viewing experience when outdoors. The bright nature of this panel also helps in cutting through any would-be reflections for clear visuals all of the time, while a 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth, flowing visuals.

The biggest new feature to get used to with the Z Fold 8, however, is this unfolded display's 4:3 aspect ratio. You just don't see that in Android devices. But you do elsewhere: as that's precisely the form of Apple's iPad line. I maintain that this is unusual for an Android device, but as I've learnt over the past working week, I've grown to really enjoy it.

It's better for reading, it's better for some games, and it's certainly better for content consumption. I've actively found myself moving between external and internal panels more than with any folding phone before, which is certainly a positive.

Less positively, however, is that Android, and the apps this system inherently runs, just aren't always designed for on-the-fly aspect ratio adjustment – so when an app is open, and you unfold the device to benefit from it on the larger display, you'll typically have to restart said app.

That's not true of all apps, mind, with Gmail loading your inbox plus selected email in a dual format. WhatsApp is similar, with Chats loaded and the selected conversation opening into the right-hand portion of available space. Samsung's One UI 9 software also permits multiple apps to be open at once.

This multitasking feature needs to be activated, but you can easily swipe with two fingers from the side to create a split-screen view. It's even possible to swipe diagonally from the corner of an open app and redraw its position as a floating window (some apps enforce a fixed aspect ratio). It's actioned well and not fiddly, unlike some competitors' software (Oppo's ColorOS springs to mind).

Hardware & Performance

• Colours: Graphite, Cream, Lavender, Pistachio (Samsung exclusive)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 'for Galaxy', 12GB RAM
• 4800mAh Si-C battery type, 45W charging
• 256GB / 512GB / 1TB storage options

Samsung did tell me that the Flex Titanium technology actually frees up space in this design, as does the adoption of the new battery technology, so there's 7% more graphite for thermal dissipation in this design compared to the previous-gen Z Fold 7.

That said, in its folded form this phone can run hot – and when the system decides that it's crossed a threshold, I've seen automated screen dimming and likely performance throttling. It has been particularly warm in the UK where I'm testing, however, so such preventative measures are hardly a surprise – and certainly not a deal-breaker in overall performance.

There's no doubting the Z Fold 8's abundant specification, which includes Qualcomm's top-tier 'for Galaxy' overclocked processor. Whether multitasking, as I described above, or playing full-screen games, the experience is fluid and every bit the flagship.

It'll be interesting to see how Samsung evolves its One UI 9 software offering, as there's the promise of 7 years of updates for the latest features and security patches. The software at time of testing is in beta (which might explain the lack of a 5-across app grid), but the more that Samsung can leverage this screen real estate, the better.

I've been pleased with the introduction of that Si-C battery type, too, with its 4800mAh capacity proving good enough to last through a day with ease. No, it's not the highest capacity, per some competitors, but it's more than good enough – I've managed 16-hour days unplugged with 6 hours of screen time and still gone to bed with 15% remaining.

Streaming time might be the most valid figure to consider in relation to this foldable, though. Samsung specifies continuous playback up to 26 hours. If you're using Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth headphones connected and are cranking the display's brightness, however, then I've found an hour of YouTube to cut 9% battery – so more like 11 hours total. That's with no concessions, though, so it's a decent innings.

There is one point to note on this battery type, however, as we reported ahead of the device's on-sale date. While the earlier Z Fold 7 claimed 2000 charge cycles, the Z Fold 8 drops that to 1200 – which is a 40% dip. That suggests the longevity after some years may be challenged.

Cameras

• Dual rear cameras:
  • Main: 50-megapixel
  • Wide: 50MP
• Selfie cameras:
  • Both: 10MP, f/2.2

A phone's cameras tend to be the biggest sign of its flagship status these days. The Z Fold 8 doesn't go quite as far as the Ultra model here, however, dropping any optical zoom lens and relying on tried-and-tested 50-megapixel cameras in wide and ultra-wide forms.

It's the Ultra model, in its altogether different format, that gets the more sophisticated camera setup (including a 200-megapixel main), therefore. But Samsung's well-established photographic prowess is still on fair display in the Z Fold 8 – much as I do miss having a more capable zoom – thanks to decent processing and resolution.

You can certainly crop into images easily, providing a sort of 'zoom equivalent' – the exec interview and on-stage photos in my gallery above, for example, are heavily cropped, yet still retain enough core detail. Even low-light images come out well, much as the processing can leave some subjects looking a little softer as a result.

The suite of Galaxy AI features on board also delivers plenty of tools to manipulate images with ease. These have been established over the last couple of years of Galaxy flagship launches, though on the video front this generation adds My FanCam, which can crop video focus to a specific social platform aspect, as you please.

Verdict

Much as the Galaxy Z Fold 8's passport-sized form could have proved a floundering move for Samsung, having used this unique Android device for a full working week, I think it's opened new borders – and represents the future of foldables.

The high asking price and limited camera setup don't guarantee overnight success with the masses, mind, and there's scope for both Google's Android and Samsung's One UI software to bring yet more beneficial features to the device's two display formats.

But in terms of practicality, core hardware and raw power, Samsung has delivered a new kind of folding phone experience that feels as fresh and fun as it does mature. I've found the Galaxy Z Fold 8 to transform the foldable experience for the better and set a new bar.

Also Consider

There's nothing directly comparable with the Z Fold 8's aspect ratio, but if you want more camera and more screen – albeit in a taller and narrower form – then the Z Fold 8 Ultra is your most obvious option.

Elsewhere in the market, Honor's competitive pricing with the Magic V6 makes a strong case, despite software quirks. Or for a more 'standard' external display, Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the most obvious pick.

Launched in March as one of the smallest robot vacuums the world has seen, the Roomba Mini still has plenty of the features you'd expect from some of the best robot vacuum cleaners around.

Naturally, I couldn't wait to put it to the test and find out whether this half-size robot could still deliver a full-size clean.

Price and availability

The Roomba Mini is available in the UK and Europe for £379 and €399, respectively, and comes in four colours – black, white, pink and mint green. It's currently not available to buy in the US.

You can pick it up from iRobot's online store, as well as Amazon.

Design and features

The Roomba Mini is iRobot's smallest Roomba robot yet, measuring just 24.5 x 24.5 x 9.2cm and weighing around 2kg. iRobot claims it offers 2 x more cleaning coverage in tight spaces, whilst the robot itself is around half the size of a full-sized Roomba.

Despite its compact size, the Roomba Mini features what iRobot describes as 70x more Power-Lifting Suction, alongside a single-action brush designed to pick up everyday dirt, dust and crumbs. It can also vacuum and mop, with the mopping function activated by attaching a disposable mop pad.

The box comes with 30 disposable mopping pads, giving you a fresh pad for each clean. You can also replace these with compatible third-party disposable wipes if you don't want to stick with iRobot's own pads.

Navigation is handled by ClearView LiDAR, which can map your home in under 10 minutes and helps the Mini navigate around furniture and obstacles. It also features Carpet Detect, which automatically avoids rugs and carpets when mopping.

You can schedule and customise cleaning through the Roomba Home app, use voice assistants or simply press the button on the robot to start a clean. It can even begin cleaning without a Wi-Fi connection.

The AutoEmpty Dock automatically empties the robot into an AllergenLock bag, which can hold up to three months' worth of dirt. The dock itself measures 21.2 x 17.8 x 28.5cm and takes up 33% less floor space than standard robot vacuum docks, making the whole setup particularly well suited to smaller homes.

Performance

The Roomba Mini is a fun addition to the robot vacuum market, and it certainly holds its own when it comes to features. I found the suction to be absolutely fine, particularly on hard floors, and it's great that mopping is included, even if it's via a simple mop pad.

I also really like that features you'd normally expect to find on a much larger model, such as the AutoEmpty Dock, Carpet Detect and ClearView LiDAR, are all included here. It helps the Roomba Mini feel like a properly developed robot vacuum rather than a rudimentary version.

When I first started testing, I was also impressed by how quickly it mapped my home and got to work. It scanned the rooms efficiently, and the map appeared in the app within seconds. I've used the iRobot app before and have always found it straightforward to navigate, so it was nice to have that familiar experience here. The Mini's compact size is another major advantage, and I can see it being a particularly good fit for anyone living in a smaller home or flat who doesn't have the space or need for a huge robot vacuum.

I also enjoyed integrating the Roomba Mini with Alexa, as it meant I could control the robot using voice commands, whilst the iRobot app made it easy to create cleaning schedules and manage its settings.

However, after six weeks of testing, I couldn't quite shake the feeling that the Roomba Mini is a little gimmicky in some areas. The suction is perfectly adequate on hard floors, but it isn't particularly impressive on carpet, where I found it struggled more with picking up debris. The mop pad is also fine for dealing with crumbs, but I often found that stains were left behind after multiple passes. It's certainly better than having no mopping function at all, but I wouldn't rely on it for a particularly thorough clean.

I also ran into some frustrating connectivity issues during my testing. The Roomba Mini disconnected from the app several times without any obvious reason, despite the robot remaining plugged in. Each time, I had to remove the vacuum from the app and reconnect it, which unfortunately meant losing my saved map and cleaning schedule. I then had to set everything up again from scratch. This happened three times over the six-week testing period, and it was easily the most frustrating part of using the Roomba Mini.

Verdict

The Roomba Mini is a likeable little robot vacuum that has an impressive number of features within its compact design. It's particularly well suited to smaller homes, but the weak carpet cleaning, basic mopping and frustrating connectivity issues mean it doesn't feel like the complete package. If you mainly have hard floors and want a small robot vacuum that can handle the basics, there's a lot to like here, but I'd be hesitant to recommend it to anyone looking for a powerful all-round cleaner.

Alternatives to consider

The obvious alternative to consider is the SwitchBot Mini K10+, which is very similar in size. Both models use LiDAR mapping and offer mopping via disposable pads, but main difference is suction power. The Roomba Mini offers significantly more than the SwitchBot, which could make it the better choice.

If you don't mind having a larger robot and want to stick to a similar budget, the Roomba Max 705 is another model worth considering. It's currently half price at £279 and offers many of the same features as the Roomba Mini, but adds anti-tangle Dual Rubber Brushes, an Edge-Sweeping Brush and 180x more Power-Lifting Suction.

I tried the original Groove Pillow back in 2023, and in all honesty, I didn’t get on with it very well. Rather than relieving my neck pain, I found its firmness to be too much for me. However, my husband loved it and still uses it every night to this day, and I rarely hear him complain about neck and shoulder aches.

After my first test a few years ago, I concluded that Groove Pillow was a marmite-type of situation, where you either love it or you hate it. But I was willing to give their new Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow a try to see if my opinion had changed – here’s what happened.

Groove Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow review: price and availability

The Groove Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow is available to buy for £45 / $85 at Groove Pillows. On the website, you can get a bundle deal where you get two pillows for £80 / $125.

Groove Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow review: design and features

The Groove Adjustable Pillow has a similar shape and design to the first Groove Pillow I tried in 2023. It has a long rectangular shape with high sides and a dip in the centre which is designed to cradle the neck and head. It's made of layers of memory foam, including a 100% PU bamboo memory foam ergonomic foam upper, and 2cm thick memory foam adjustable layers.

To separate the ‘main’ pillow from the four layers, the Groove Adjustable Pillow has an inner and outer cover. The inner cover is made from poly-cotton and the quilted outer layer is made from bamboo and stretch polyester.

Measuring 60cm long and 35cm deep, you can remove the memory foam layers of the Groove Adjustable Pillow to get a petite, regular or tall height. Petite height is between 4cm - 9cm, regular height is 6cm - 11cm, and tall height is 8cm - 13cm. To remove the layers, you simply unzip both the outer and inner cover and remove one or all of the memory foam layers.

This adjustability is designed to adapt to your body, frame and sleeping style. The Groove Adjustable Pillow is said to help ease shoulder and neck pain, and while aligning your spine to relieve pressure while you sleep. It has five combinations to choose from to suit you.

Groove Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow review: performance

The Groove Adjustable Pillow came rolled out very tightly in a box, much like a bed-in-a-box mattress. It immediately expanded to size and it didn’t have a strong off-gassing smell so I could start using it right away. As mentioned, I still have a Groove Pillow as my husband sleeps on it, and I did notice a difference between it and the Groove Adjustable Pillow in terms of material.

My first Groove Pillow is three years old, so it’s only natural for its material to be a bit faded, but the fabric of the Groove Adjustable Pillow felt nice and springy to the touch. It’s still a very firm pillow at all heights, so it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and may take time to get used to.

I sleep on my side, and found the dip of the Groove Adjustable Pillow to be extremely cradling around my neck and head. I found it to be most comfortable on my side but not so much on my back. The raised edges did come in handy with my alignment. I tend to sleep curled up like a pretzel, but I did notice less strain on my back when using the Groove Adjustable Pillow.

Adjusting the Groove Adjustable Pillow was very easy if a bit fiddly. I preferred using it as its tallest height rather than at its petite height. With the latter, I experienced some neck pain. Putting the layers back in was a little fiddly, too but it’s nice to have an option to change the height of my pillow.

In terms of neck pain, I didn’t notice much difference between using the Groove Adjustable Pillow and the pillow I was using before. It didn’t cause me any neck pain, but while I was using it, I did hurt my neck from whipping my hair a bit too aggressively at a wedding! I was hoping the pillow would help ease this pain but I still woke up with an achy neck and shoulder a few days after it.

Groove Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow review: verdict

The Groove Adjustable Pillow is definitely an improvement to its older pillows, but I still think it’s not for me. I prefer a medium or softer pillow, and even at its smallest, I felt that the Groove Adjustable Pillow was a bit too firm for me. It was great for cradling my neck and shoulders, though, which was an issue I had last time.

Being able to adjust your pillow is especially handy, so I’m sure lots of people will enjoy using the Groove Adjustable Pillow. Its materials feel very luxurious, breathable and cosy, and it’s an affordable option, too. My husband will definitely love it but for me, it was a bit too firm and fiddly.

Groove Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow review: alternatives to consider

If an adjustable pillow is what you’re after, the Fine Bedding Company Honeyfoam pillow lets you add or remove hexagonal foam clusters to create your perfect height and firmness. It’s also made from sustainable materials, and it’s a softer option than the Groove Adjustable Pillow if you’re like me and don’t like firm pillows.

A medium-firm memory foam option, the DreamCloud pillow is a great option for side and back sleepers. It’s quite thick and can’t be adjusted, but DreamCloud is a luxury, reliable brand and this pillow offers good support and cooling qualities.

Another memory foam pillow we love is the Soak&Sleep Shredded Memory Foam pillow which is affordable, supportive and doesn’t give that sinking feeling you get with memory foam.

Unlike most of the best security cameras, the Argus MagiCam has been designed with portability and flexibility in mind rather than permanent installation. It's an excellent option for renters, but it's equally suited to anyone who wants hassle-free home security without getting the drill out.

You'll find my full thoughts below, but if you couldn't tell already, I was seriously impressed by this small-but-mighty camera.

Price and availability

The Argus MagiCam is available in a 1-pack (£49.99), 2-pack (£94.99) or 4-pack (£169.99), all of which can be purchased directly from Reolink's website. The 1-pack and 2-pack are also available on Amazon.

I actually think it's very competitively priced, especially if you're planning to cover multiple areas of your home. Opting for the four-pack brings the cost down to just over £42 per camera, making it excellent value if you're building out a wider security setup.

Unboxing and setup

As with any Reolink camera, getting the Argus MagiCam set up is incredibly easy, with the whole process guided through the app. You simply connect the camera to your Wi-Fi, follow the prompts to pair it with your account and, within a few minutes, you're ready to start using it.

The camera itself comes with multiple mounting options, but as I've been using mine to keep an eye on my puppy, I mainly relied on the magnetic back to attach it to his crate. The magnetic connection is strong, although because it's positioned on the bottom half of the camera, it can sometimes swing around rather than staying perfectly in place. I ended up using a cable tie as a bit of extra security, just in case my puppy decided to knock it off.

If you're installing it somewhere more permanently, I'd recommend using the included magnetic mounting pad. It gives you a little more flexibility over where you position the camera and keeps it securely in place, whilst still allowing you to remove the camera whenever you need to. For me, the built-in magnet has been ideal because I regularly move the camera around.

Design and features

Measuring just 68 x 68 x 28.9mm and weighing only 108g (without batteries), the Argus MagiCam is one of the smallest cameras Reolink has ever produced. It has a neat rounded-square design with softly curved edges, whilst the front houses the 2MP Full HD camera, infrared LED, PIR motion sensor, ambient light sensor and microphone.

As mentioned, the Argus MagiCam also comes with a magnetic mounting pad that lets you attach it to almost any flat surface in minutes. If you've already got a metal surface available, you can snap the camera straight onto it.

Reolink also includes a rotary mounting bracket with 360° horizontal rotation and 180° vertical adjustment, and its IP67 weatherproof rating means it's equally at home indoors or outside.

It records in 1080p Full HD with a 132° diagonal field of view, whilst a 120° PIR sensor detects motion up to 10 metres away. Smart detection can distinguish between people, vehicles and animals to help reduce false alerts, and you also get infrared night vision, two-way audio and time-lapse recording.

Connectivity comes via dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, with footage stored either locally on a microSD card (up to 256GB) or through Reolink Cloud.

Rather than relying on a built-in rechargeable battery, the Argus MagiCam uses replaceable AA lithium batteries, which Reolink claims can last for up to nine months, depending on usage. However, if you'd rather leave it in one place permanently, you can also power it continuously via USB-C.

Performance

The biggest thing I noticed during testing is just how easy the Argus MagiCam is to live with. For a relatively affordable camera, I was also impressed with the overall image quality. The 1080p footage is clear enough for keeping a close eye on what's happening, and features such as colour night vision and AI detection are a particularly welcome bonus at this price point. As I already use other Reolink devices, I also opted for Reolink Cloud storage, as it works best for my existing setup and means I can easily access footage alongside my other cameras.

The one area where I did come up against a slight issue was battery life. Reolink claims the Argus MagiCam can last for up to nine months, but in reality, how long it lasts will depend heavily on how much movement the camera is picking up.

During my first week of testing, I positioned the camera within my puppy's crate, which is a fairly high-traffic spot with plenty of movement. With the motion sensor constantly being triggered and regular notifications coming through, the batteries lasted around six days.

For the second week, I decided to turn off motion detection and notifications, and the battery life almost doubled, lasting around 13 days. Based on my experience, I can't quite see the camera lasting for nine months in a busy area with regular activity, although I can imagine this being much more achievable if it's positioned somewhere with very little movement.

Thankfully, the Argus MagiCam can be powered via USB-C, making the battery life much less of a concern. I wouldn't personally do this with my puppy, as having cables around him isn't exactly ideal, but if I ever change how I use the camera in the future, this is the option I'd choose.

Verdict

Overall, the Argus MagiCam has been a really pleasant little camera to use. It's incredibly simple to set up, easy to move around and offers strong image quality in a tiny package. The battery life could be better for high-traffic areas, but the ability to switch to USB-C power gives you plenty of flexibility. For such a small and affordable camera, that combination of portability, simplicity and useful features is what ultimately pushes it into five-star territory for me.

Alternatives to consider

The TP-Link Tapo C425 is probably the Argus MagiCam's closest rival. It also offers a wire-free magnetic installation, although it steps things up with a 2K QHD resolution. Instead of replaceable batteries, it uses a built-in 10,000mAh rechargeable battery, which TP-Link says can last for up to 300 days on a single charge.

Another alternative is the EufyCam C35, which also features a magnetic mounting system. However, our reviewer found it only really comes into its own when paired with the HomeBase Mini.

Most recently, I tested the Helium UL, a super-light waterproof jacket from the brand, which boxes well above its extremely svelte weight, keeping you dry and protecting you from the wind while weighing virtually nothing and taking up very little room in your backpack or running pack.

As you can probably deduce from the name, the Helium UL Bivy is part of the same range, and it’s not much of an exaggeration to say that it’s a long waterproof jacket that you can climb into and go to sleep in by the side of the trail.

Outdoor Research Helium UL Bivy review

Price and availability

The Outdoor Research Helium Bivy is available now from various outdoor shops and websites. It comes in a range of colours, from discreet natural hues (perfect for wild camping) to brighter options, which can be good in remote areas and extreme conditions, just in case everything goes south and the emergency services have to come looking for you.

In Britain, the recommended retail price is £257.95, while in the United States you can expect to pay around $300; across the European Union, it will cost in the region of €275 and in Australia the price tag will be pushing AU$400.

Specifications

• Guide price: £257.95 (UK) / $300 (US)
• Style: Ultra-lightweight shelter
• Pack size (L x H x W): 37 x 12 x 12cm
• Pitched dimensions (L x W x H):
• Weight: 510.9g / 18.02oz
• Seasons: 3
• Capacity: 1 person
• Vestibules: 0 (awning is extra)
• Hydrostatic Head rating: HH 20,000
• Fabric: Pertex with Diamond Fuse technology (100% polyamide)
• Pole: 1 x aluminium pole
• Pegs: 4
• Pitch time: 2 minutes
• Colour: Light pewter / Spice

Design, materials and ease of pitching

This minimalist shelter is essentially a large bag constructed from OR’s ‘Helium’ fabric, made with Pertex Shield with Diamond Fuse technology.

This membrane-based material is extremely thin and lightweight (even more so than Gore-Tex), and it’s also waterproof (with a hydrostatic head rating of 20,000), windproof and breathable (20,000g/m²/24hr). Of course, the effectiveness of all of these ratings is dependent on various factors (see below).

The bivy utalises one aluminium pole, which threads through a sheath at the head end and is secured in place by a couple of Velcro flaps, creating a hoop that’s large enough to keep the outer fabric from falling on your face and upper torso. It features a ‘clamshell’ opening, which you climb through to enter the shelter. There’s also an insect mesh layer, which you can use on dry nights to vastly improve the airflow.

And that’s pretty much it. The shelter is freestanding, but there are four pegs to stop the bivy from blowing away when you’re not in it, and a pole repair sheath, but there’s no secondary pole at the bottom that you could use with a guy line and a peg to create a little bit of volume at the foot end.

An awning is also available as an optional extra (£100/$110; 155g/5.46oz), if you want some more protection and space at the head end, or somewhere to stash your walking shoes, trail runners, or hiking boots, plus your pack – but you do need a trekking pole to make this work.

Performance on the trail

I love a good bivvying escapade. There is something extra adventurous about travelling light and fast across wild terrain, and then setting up a super-minimalist shelter for nights out right next to the trail.

Sleeping out under the stars with nothing at all between you and the star-spangled sky is the stellar option, waking every now and then to see how the earth has turned and the constellations have changed position, but if the elements don’t allow for this, then a tarp or bivy (or bivvy, as some prefer) is next best.

I have been using the OR Helium UL bivy in the Peak District and in Devon, during various overnight escapades, and overall I’ve been impressed. It does what it designed to do and provides high-level protection during overnight outings, but as mentioned, people need to be very aware of its limitations.

Without weighing you down with any appreciable bulk (the UL in the OR Helium Bivy’s name stands for ultralight, and the kit tips the scales at just over 500g, or about the same as a pair of hiking trousers), a good bivy like this shelters you from wind, cold and rain (to a point).

Obviously, Pertex, like any breathable membrane, has its limits, and if you pitch the Helium Bivy in a puddle, or camp out in the full blast of a rainstorm, you’re going to get damp – as I did during one night of torrential rain.

Likewise, the breathability of such membrane-based materials (Gore-Tex included) is dependent on the conditions, and they only work optimally in dry environments (like the Alps or the Rockies), rather than in the humidity and moistness of the UK.

Also, do not take ‘breathable’ to mean you can zip the whole thing fully shut while inside – ventilation isn’t brilliant in this bivy, which is essentially a large plastic bag (albeit a very technical one), and you will quickly feel like you’re suffocating (and, indeed, you might be).

Space is tight in hoop bivies, and while I’m not claustrophobic, I always like to keep a breathing hole and an escape route nice and close to my face when I’m sleeping in one. If it’s not raining, I recommend rolling up the outer layer around the entrance and using the insect mesh, which will also allow you to gaze up at the stars.

The clamshell opening on the Helium bivy is pretty nifty, folding back so you can insert your lightweight camping mat and sleeping bag, and then get your legs in and assume a sitting position before wriggling fully into the shelter. However, I still found it a little tricky to get into the bivy (especially in wet conditions), compared to having a side zip to enable access.

The bucket floor is reasonably good for keeping moisture out, but in the absence of a small pole at the feet end of the shelter (which would, arguably, make it more of a backpacking tent and less of a bivy) you are always going to be in contact with the fabric, and no matter how waterproof and breathable the fabric claims to be, condensation will accumulate and you do get damp.

Verdict

If you’re really into lightweight gear and you regularly embark on fastpacking and bikepacking escapades where keeping carry weight and bulk to an absolute minimum is the biggest priority, then the OR Helium UL Bivy is a good investment. It’s well designed and made with premium fabrics that are reasonably robust and offer category-leading technical protection.

But, as any bivy user already knows, this is an outdoor shelter in its most minimalist form – it’s basically a highly technical survival bag with some small features that make life a tiny bit more comfortable (and less cold and damp) when you’re adventuring on the edge and sleeping in very close proximity to the wilderness.

Also consider

For a more comprehensive shelter that weighs a few grams less than the OR Helium UL bivy and provides full overnight cover for you and your backpack, boots, and so on, check out the Vango F10 Neon UL1 – a superlight one-person tent.

The Lifesystems Solo Peak tent is another minimalist shelter worth considering – this model has good internal space and an awning for storage, although it tips the scales at 1kg, so is twice as heavy as the OR Helium bivy and the Vango F10 Neon UL1.

With 3-in-1 cooking functionality and enough space to tackle much bigger meals, I was keen to see whether the Megabasket could offer something different.

Price and availability

The Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket has an RRP of £259.99 and is available to buy from Amazon.

For comparison, the original 5000 Series Dual Basket launched at the same RRP, although it's now available at a reduced price from a number of retailers, having been on the market for more than a year.

Design and features

As mentioned, the Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket comes with a generous 10-litre cooking capacity that can be used as one large Megabasket or divided into two separate 3-litre and 6-litre zones. This gives you the flexibility of a dual-basket air fryer when you're cooking different foods, whilst allowing you to combine the two compartments when you need more space for a larger meal.

That said, it measures around 44.4 x 38.3 x 35.5cm and weighs approximately 8.75kg, so you'll probably want to give it a permanent home on your kitchen worktop rather than moving it in and out of a cupboard.

The Megabasket features a 3-in-1 cooking system, combining traditional air frying with steaming and SteamFry. The standard air-frying function uses hot air to cook and crisp food, whilst the steam function introduces moisture during cooking. The more interesting option is SteamFry, which combines hot air and steam to help keep food moist on the inside whilst still achieving a crisp finish on the outside.

The air fryer also uses Philips' RapidAir Plus technology, which we've seen across many of the brand's more recent air fryers. This circulates hot air around the food to promote more even cooking, with the aim of delivering that crispy texture you'd normally associate with deep frying.

You can also adjust the cooking temperature between 40°C and 200°C, giving you plenty of flexibility depending on what you're making.

The Megabasket has a digital touchscreen display on the top front, giving you control over the cooking settings and access to 12 ingredient presets. However, as mentioned, you can still manually adjust the temperature and cooking time when needed.

One of my favourite features is Automatic SteamClean, which uses steam to loosen cooking residue inside the cooking chamber. Whilst you'll still need to give it a wipe down, it makes the entire process so much easier.

Performance

During testing, the 5000 Series Megabasket delivered the kind of cooking results I'd expect from Philips, and they were very similar to what I'd previously experienced with the 5000 Series Dual Basket. Food cooked evenly and the results felt really consistent with each meal I made. After trying the 4000 Series Stacked Basket Air Fryer, which I found a little more unpredictable with its cooking, it was nice to return to something that felt more reliable.

The whole experience also felt very familiar if you've used a Philips air fryer before. The controls are intuitive, and the cooking process doesn't take long to get used to it. I also quickly remembered how much I love the SteamFry function, particularly for roasting vegetables, which come out beautifully cooked without drying out.

One of my favourite things about the Megabasket has to be its size. It's big enough to cook larger joints of meat, which is something I couldn't always say about my previous air fryers. Pork belly roast is a firm favourite in my house, but I've always cooked it in the oven because of its size. Having the Megabasket means I can now cook it in the air fryer instead, which has drastically improved the meal altogether.

The Automatic SteamClean function is also worth a strong mention, and I don't think I'd want an air fryer without it now. It's particularly good at loosening hardened fats and burnt bits, which usually take a lot of scrubbing to remove. Instead of putting all removable parts in the dishwasher, now all I need to do is give everything a quick wipe, rinse it in the sink and leave it to dry. Considering the size of the Megabasket, this is a huge advantage.

Speaking of, one thing to be aware of is just how big the Megabasket really is. It has an unusual handle design that sticks out from the side of the main body, which I'm not sure is necessary, as a more conventional front-facing handle could have kept things more compact. I therefore recommend measuring up before you buy, as this is one air fryer you won't want to underestimate the size of.

Verdict

The Philips Airfryer 5000 Series Megabasket is a brilliant choice if you want an air fryer that's big enough for larger meals without sacrificing flexibility. Its 10-litre capacity and excellent cooking make it a pleasure to use, whilst the Automatic SteamClean is a game-changer for cleaning. It's certainly not the smallest appliance and smaller households may find it excessive, but if you've got the room, this is one of my favourite Philips air fryers yet.

Alternatives to consider

The closest alternative to the Megabasket is probably the Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer. Not only are the two similarly priced, but the Ninja also features a large 10.4-litre removable drawer, alongside a divider and two crisper plates, making the overall concept very similar.

If you'd rather stick with Philips, you also can't go wrong with the original 5000 Series Dual Basket. The cooking results are similarly impressive, and its more traditional dual-basket design makes it a more suitable option for smaller families.

Electric shavers save a huge amount of time first thing in the morning while you're rushing to get out of the house. There's no need for the painstakingly slow rigmarole of slapping shaving products all over your face while being tied to the sink, because you can quite literally be shaving while you read your morning emails, sort your clothes out for the day or make a cup of tea.

We've been so impressed by the Braun Series 9 Pro+'s overall performance that it's shot straight to the top of the list in our guide to the best electric shavers. Here's the full lowdown for your perusal.

Braun Series 9 Pro+ review: price and availability

The Braun Series 9 Pro+ sits firmly in the premium end of the electric shaver market, though there is a bewildering number of model variants and bundles to choose from. The entry-level package as reviewed here includes the shaver, charging cable and travel case, while moving up the range adds Braun’s excellent SmartCare cleaning station, PowerCase charging case, replacement cleaning cartridges and even beard trimmer and body grooming bundles.

Expect to pay around £240 for a basic UK model and upwards of £700 for the full monty set. In the UK, the Series 9 Pro+ is widely available from Braun, Currys, Boots, John Lewis & Partners and Amazon.

In the USA, the Series 9 Pro+ is stocked by Braun ($399.99), Amazon ($319) and Walmart ($459), depending on the specification and accessories included.

Braun Series 9 Pro+ review: design and features

It’s no easy task shopping for an electric shaver. For starters, there are about six main brands on the UK market – Braun, Philips, Panasonic, Remington, Manscaped and Wahl – and each one of those brands lists a bewildering range of models in a wide variety of variants. Take the Braun range for instance. I stopped counting when I reached over 50 different models in various combos and price bands.

Now, I can’t speak for Remington, Manscaped, Panasonic or Wahl but I have tested models from Philips and Braun, and while Philips produces a sterling range of three-headed rotary shavers, I always find myself gravitating towards the Braun catalogue.

Visually, the Series 9 Pro+ is instantly recognisable as a Braun flagship model, with a clean, functional, utilitarian design that prioritises practicality over aesthetics. While there are some subtle cosmetic tweaks compared to previous Series 9 models and even the Series 7, the overall shape and ergonomics remain largely unchanged. And who cares, since Braun has spent years refining a design that just works.

Construction quality is expectedly high, with a housing that combines rigid plastics with textured rubber panels on the rear. These rubber strips provide plenty of grip, even when used with wet soapy hands. At just over 200g (204g to be precise), the Series 9 Pro+ feels chunky in the hand without becoming cumbersome during longer grooming sessions. The body, meanwhile, is fully waterproof, allowing for both dry shaving and use with shaving foam or gel.

Cleaning under a running tap is also very straightforward – simply press the sides of the head and it pops off to expose the inner foil and the connectors on the main body. The product comes with a brush to help release any trapped hair dust that inevitably always remains even while the shaver is being rinsed under a tap.

Not one to shy away from using a raft of promotional buzzwords to help sell this shaver’s various features to the masses, Braun has pulled out all the stops for this particular model. Let’s kick off with the 5+1 head, which combines five synchronised cutting elements along with a rear-mounted, flip-up surgical-grade stainless steel Precision ProTrimmer for detailed trimming of sideburns and beards.

According to the blurb, each cutting element performs a specific role. The two OptiFoil cutters capture short stubble close to the skin, the titanium-coated ProLift blade is designed to lift flattened hairs before cutting, the Direct&Cut element deals with hairs growing in different directions and the SkinGuard bar helps reduce skin contact and irritation.

The Series 9 Pro+ also features a ProSensoAdapt system which allegedly measures beard density 300 times a second, automatically adjusting motor output to maintain optimal cutting performance. I can’t say I’ve noticed any change in motor speed during my time with it but then I haven’t got a heavy beard to deal with. But, hey, it’s good to know it’s there.

Crucially, all parts of the Series 9 Pro+’s foil system move independently like a car’s suspension. Couple this with a shaving head that pivots through 40 degrees and you have a shaver that maintains superb contact across the changing contours of the jawline and neck without excessive wrist movement. Nevertheless, if you prefer no movement from the head itself, you can simply lock it off and choose from five different static positions up to a limit of 20 degrees each way.

Heading to the battery department, the Series 9 Pro+’s lithium-ion battery provides around 60 minutes of cordless operation, while a five-minute quick charge delivers enough power for at least one full shave if you've forgotten to recharge it.

A clear LED display indicates battery and foil status plus travel lock activation. However, I personally would have much preferred a USB-C charging method to save having to remember to pack the bespoke charging plinth when going away for a long period.

Despite the Braun’s raft of tantalising features, not every design decision here is quite on the money. For instance, the integrated flip-up trimmer’s cutter extends from the rear of the grip rather than sitting flush within the body. If you naturally grip the shaver high up near the head (something I tend to do), the protruding trimmer’s cutter presses into the inside of the index finger, making the otherwise comfortable handle feel, er, less comfortable.

Likewise, because this model is also available with a cleaning station, there are two small but noticeable steel charging studs that you can also feel if holding the shaver near the head. I hasten to add that if held the way the designers intended with the thumb on the textured front plate, you won’t have any of these tactile issues.

On the plus side, I do love the smooth spring action on the rear trimmer which is activated by touching a tiny button and moving the thumb up and down to engage and disengage the cutter.

Braun Series 9 Pro+ review: performance

The Braun Series 9 Pro+ delivers exactly what you'd expect from a flagship foil shaver – an exceptionally close, remarkably comfortable shave that almost rivals the feel of a traditional wet razor.

I've been using the Pro+ for the past few weeks and have been exceedingly impressed by how well it has handled my middle-aged visage. I don't have the thickest of daily hair growth, specifically around the lower neck, but the Pro+'s two OptiFoil cutters and clever ProLift trimmer have successfully captured neck hairs growing in different directions without requiring endless passes over the same area. Yes, the shaver struggled a bit during a recent heatwave when the humidity index was sky high but then that's the case with all electric shavers in damp and sticky atmospheric conditions.

I've been especially impressed by the flexibility of this model's shaving head which pivots 40 degrees, allowing the suspended cutting elements to follow every contour of my slim, angular bone structure like an Olympic skier at a mogul event.

For me, comfort is where the Series 9 Pro+ really shines. Even when used daily, it has remained exceptionally gentle, with no pulling or snagging and positively no post-shave redness. In fact, I have felt zero skin irritation since the first day of using it.

I've mostly used this model dry for time-saving effectiveness but it also provides a fast, fuss-free and extremely smooth morning shave when paired with shaving foam or gel, thanks in no small part to its fully waterproof design.

The integrated precision trimmer, too, has also performed well when tidying up sideburns and I can imagine it's just as efficient at defining a beard line or trimming around a moustache. However, as I've mentioned above, I do wish the sharp cutter head of the trimmer didn't protrude quite so much when it's not in use since I can feel it against the inside of my forefinger when shaving. It's not a deal breaker because the unit is supposed to be held lower down the grip where it is exceedingly comfy. That said, I still find myself subconsciously holding it nearer the foil head because that's the way I've been holding my older Series 7 model. But, hey, that’s my problem.

Minor anomalies aside, the Braun Series 9 Pro+ is a truly outstanding product, combining speed, comfort and consistency with a level of refinement that makes shaving feel less like a chore. For most users, it's about as close as an electric shave currently gets to the smoothness of a razor blade while being significantly kinder to the skin. Also, the battery lasts for weeks on a single charge.

Braun Series 9 Pro+ review: verdict

The Braun Series 9 Pro+ is a stupendous electric shaver that justifies its flagship status with exceptional shaving performance and impressive comfort. This one delivers consistently close results with minimal irritation, making it one of the finest foil shavers I've ever used.

Its only ergonomic flaw is the protruding rear precision trimmer which can dig into the index finger if you naturally grip the shaver high up the body. But fortunately this minor design oversight is easy to forgive when the shaving results are this darn good. If outright performance is your priority, I think the Series 9 Pro+ is one of the very best electric shavers currently on the market.

ADO produces a number of mid-to-premium e-bikes, but this one immediately caught my eye, partly because it had the word 'carbon' in the moniker but mostly because it's relatively light (16.2 kilos).

It's also well integrated with a ton of tantalising features like neat cable routing, a battery hidden inside the seat post, a built-in front headlight, GPS tracking, a two-speed auto-shifting Bafang motor with 50Nm of torque, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, 20-inch wheels for better stability and speed, and the ability to fold it up for storage, commuting and easy car transport.

But enough waffle already, and let me tell you why I think that the ADO Air Carbon Pro is, pound for pound, the best folding e-bike I've ever reviewed.

ADO Air Carbon Pro review

Price and availability

While this model sits in an upper-tier price bracket, there are many much more expensive electric and non-electric bikes out there so I feel its sub-two grand price is fully justified, as is the full five-star accolade I'm giving it.

To put the price of this 16.2-kilo bike’s price into perspective, let’s look at some of the folding e-bike competition. At £1,999, it’s almost half the price of the similarly weighted Brompton P line (from £3,879) which is not nearly as well attired, half the price of the F1-inspired GoCycle (£3,999) and £700 less than the 25-kilo Cube Comfort 500. It’s also less than the price of most high-end ‘analogue’ road bikes and well under half the price of most premium-spec racing models.

Of course, cost is subjective, relative to one’s disposable income and dependent on one’s love of bicycles in general, but take it from me – you might not find a better engineered lightweight electric folder for the money than this cracking beaut. That said, if two grand seems a step too far, perhaps opt for ADO's similarly-styled Air 20s model instead, which retails at a very competitive £1,299.

In the UK you can currently order the ADO Air Carbon Pro direct from the ADO website for £1,999. This bike is also available from ADO's EU store where it retails at €2,499.

The Air Carbon Pro is apparently also available in the USA for an equivalent value of between $2,400 and $2,550. Contact ADO for further details.

Specs at a glance

• Frame & Fork: Carbon fibre
• Motor: BAFANG H700 250W brushless hub
• Gears: Automatic 2-speed
• Ride modes: Eco + Sport (three levels for each)
• Torque: 50 Nm
• Battery: 37V / 10Ah (370 Wh), seatpost integrated and removable
• Range: Up to 100 km
• Sensor: Dual-sided torque sensor
• Drivetrain: Carbon belt drive
• Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc
• Wheels: 20”
• Tyres: 20” × 1.75”
• Display: NFC colour display
• Waterproofness: IPX6 (Display IPX7)
• Smart features: GPS anti-theft, NFC tap-to-unlock, ADO Smart Connect app
• Folding: Around 20 seconds
• Rear rack: MIK-compatible
• Weight: 16.2 kg (with battery)
• Max load: 120 kg
• Frame warranty: 5 years

Set up

The ADO Air Carbon Pro arrives fully folded and zip-tied absolutely everywhere, so you’ll need a strong pair of scissors or a cable cutter to release them all.

All you have to do is unfold it, fit the comfy saddle using the provided Allen key, adjust the seat post to your desired height – ideally so your legs are almost fully stretched on the down stroke with the balls of your feet on the pedals – and adjust the angle of the MTB-style riser bars to your preferred riding position.

The bike also comes with ADO’s AQS luggage connector so fit that, too, if you’ve added any front-mounted bags and baskets to your order.

My test sample came with a flat battery having been in storage and transit from the warehouse, but it only took about four hours to fully charge, which is pretty good in my book. Next, download the ADOBIKE app, create an account, ensure your phone’s Bluetooth is active and connect to the bike. You’re now ready to head out on your first ride of many.

Design and build quality

ADO – short for A Dece Oasis – has absolutely nailed the design of the Air Carbon Pro. Available in black or white, the beautifully sculpted full carbon fibre frame is the obvious clincher here, but it's the finer details that have really impressed me.

Every cable – bar the neatly-wrapped brake and battery lines – has been routed internally, and every component feels as though it's been selected with longevity in mind. The overall fit and finish of this bike is genuinely exceptional, with a level of engineering precision I'd happily compare with the marine industry.

Perhaps most remarkably, the whole package weighs in at just 16.2kg, making the Air Carbon Pro one of the lightest fully-featured folding electric bikes I've ever tested. Considering it packs a sizeable battery, hydraulic brakes, integrated lighting and a rear luggage rack into the bargain, I consider that an impressive achievement.

Starting at the rear, you're met with a sturdy MIK-compatible rear carrier capable of hauling up to 25kg, replete with a neatly integrated rear LED light that remains visible without spoiling the bike's clean aesthetic. Beneath the rack sits Bafang's excellent H700 250W rear hub motor, which produces an ample 50Nm of torque.

What makes this motor particularly interesting is its automatic two-speed gearbox. Instead of forcing the rider to think about changing gears and having to fiddle with an annoying rear derailleur, the motor itself quietly shifts between two internal ratios depending on your speed.

Hence, when you pull away from traffic lights, it uses the lower gear for stronger acceleration and, as your speed builds, it almost seamlessly changes into the taller ratio for more efficient cruising. Most riders will hardly notice it happening, which is exactly the point.

Likewise, when coming to a standstill, there's no faffing about changing down in advance with a RapidFire shifter because it'll be back to first gear in readiness for starting off again.

The Air Carbon Pro's 20-inch tyres strike an excellent balance between agility, stability and compact foldability while their reflective sidewalls provide welcome visibility after dark.

Braking duties are handled by Tektro hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, and they stop on a sixpence in all weather conditions. The entire bike also carries an IPX6 water resistance rating, so heavy rain shouldn't pose any issues.

One of my favourite design flourishes is the elegantly crafted rear stays that flow beautifully into the frame. Equally welcome is the carbon belt drive, which is whisper-quiet (wahey, no chain slap), requires virtually no maintenance and never leaves oily marks on your trousers.

Replacement belts cost £79.90, which isn't too bad considering their longevity and overall cleanliness. My review bike arrived without a kickstand, although you can buy one direct from ADO for £49.99, along with a wide range of other reasonably-priced accessories for all their bikes.

Since most carbon frames aren't suitable for fitting kickstands, the ADO stand attaches to the outer bolt on the rear hub. I can't vouch for how well it functions.

Moving towards the centre of the bike, the ADO's heavy-duty 37V, 10Ah (370Wh) battery is cleverly integrated into the seat post, which has the diameter of an elephant's trunk and is fitted with a tidy curly cable connector.

According to the specs, the battery delivers a range of up to 62 miles (100km) depending on the amount of inclines and level of pedal assistance. A heavy-duty lockable release lever, meanwhile, allows the battery to be removed in seconds for indoor charging and added security.

Most mid to high-end e-bikes these days are equipped with a torque sensor rather than a cadence sensor. In essence, a torque sensor measures how hard the rider is pedalling before adjusting the amount of motor assistance accordingly, while a cadence sensor simply detects if the pedals are moving before the motor kicks in at a pre-set level.

The Air Carbon Pro's bottom bracket is equipped with a dual-sided torque sensor, which delivers natural assistance that feels remarkably smooth and confidence-inspiring.

This bike's aluminium pedals offer superb grip underfoot, but their aggressively sharp edges are very unforgiving and prone to gouging one's calf when manoeuvring the bike indoors, especially if wearing shorts. I'd strongly recommend swapping them for removable or foldable pedals with bevelled edges, which would also make storage easier.

Elsewhere, the saddle is pleasantly comfortable despite lacking any suspension, while an integrated anti-theft GPS tracking module hidden inside the down tube provides a very useful level of security.

Heading to the fore, the Air Carbon Pro's fixed handlebar stem and riser bar configuration encourage an upright riding position that most leisure riders will definitely appreciate. However, I'm personally more accustomed to a mountain bike setup where the saddle sits higher than the handlebars, allowing for greater leg power while reducing pressure through the spine.

Nevertheless, I have easily adapted to this bike's sit-up-and-beg riding position, thanks in no small part to the extremely generous motor assistance which does most of the hard work.

I have also angled the riser bars to a more forward-facing position, which has definitely improved my riding posture. But I'd still love to see ADO offer an optional telescopic, height-adjustable handlebar stem so different riders can fine-tune their preferred riding positions.

The Air Carbon Pro's control display introduces NFC unlocking via the supplied key card (more available online). This allows the bike to power up in under two seconds without having to enter a personal PIN.

However, I haven't been able to get my iPhone 15 Pro's NFC to work during testing as the Apple setup process appears to be unnecessarily convoluted.

Granted, the display is generally clear, but some of its smaller text is simply too faint to read while riding. But thankfully the important information – speed and assistance mode – remains easy to see. Riders can choose between two power modes – Eco and Sport – and each mode offers three levels of assistance.

I found that Eco mode Level 2 proved more than sufficient for the vast majority of my riding, while Sport Level 3 provided almost insane levels of punch and was especially handy when riding up steep gradients.

The ADOBIKE app extends the Air Carbon Pro's functionality by connecting to the bike via Bluetooth, giving you access to settings, ride statistics and security features including GPS tracking. It also apparently allows firmware updates though I've received no such notifications since receiving my test sample.

While undeniably useful, parts of the app's interface are very confusing – for some reason the app’s odometer reading bears no resemblance to the amount of miles I’ve actually covered – and some other settings proved inconsistent or non functional during my testing. A few app tweaks are in order me thinks.

I will end this section with a high five to the designers for including an integrated front LED headlight that's beautifully incorporated into the frame.

This 170-lumen lamp throws out an impressively bright beam that's angled to illuminate the road ahead without dazzling oncoming traffic and perfectly complements what is one of the most thoughtfully designed folding e-bikes currently available.

Add compatibility with both ADO's own AQS luggage ecosystem and the universal MIK click-on accessory system, and the Air Carbon Pro is every bit as practical as it is elegant.

Folding mechanism

I'm a big fan of folding bikes of all varieties, mostly because they're easy to store at home, can be taken on public transport or in the car when folded, and they hardly ever need to be left on the street where they could easily be stolen.

Thankfully, the Air Carbon Pro's folding mechanism is refreshingly straightforward and largely hassle-free. The carbon fibre frame folds at the centre using a robust locking hinge and a magnet system to hold the front and rear wheels together.

The handlebar stem folds neatly down alongside the frame to create a compact package that's easy to store in a car boot, hallway or train luggage area. While the centre fold system feels quite heavy when folding, the process quickly becomes second nature and can comfortably be completed in under a minute.

That said, this bike isn't as ingenious or compact as a Brompton, which still reigns supreme when it comes to achieving the smallest and neatest folded footprint in the fastest time.

For instance, I found I couldn’t push it along when folded, or the pedals slowly revolved before one of them jammed against the front mudguard – another good reason to consider changing the pedals to quick-release ones.

In the Air Carbon Pro's favour, it is considerably easier to live with than many other folding e-bikes I've reviewed over the years, and I put this largely down to its relatively low 16.2kg weight and thoughtfully engineered design.

Yes, its 20-inch wheels make it a lot more cumbersome than a 16-inch Brompton when folded, but the fact it folds at all is cause for a little celebration because it means you can store it more easily indoors, take it on a train and fit it into most car boots.

Performance and ride quality

Although it has taken me a day or two to get used to the high handlebar setup, I've grown to love this e-bike in every discipline I've thrown at it. Its overall power delivery, smooth automatic two-speed gearbox and silent belt drive make riding it such an unbridled pleasure, whether it's bombing along a flat road or climbing a steep 8-10% gradient.

In fact, I've been blown away by how well this two-speed bike goes up steep hills without causing a build-up of painful lactic acid in the thighs.

I genuinely expected just two gears to really struggle on the types of inclines I've been riding on but, to my surprise, it's sailed up every road with consummate ease. I'm not as fit as I once was and yet I feel I could ride for 20 or so miles over vastly undulating terrain without feeling the need for a little lie down.

I found that Eco mode positions 1 and 2 provided more than enough oomph for most of my riding sessions and I only ever selected Sport mode 3 when midway up a steep hill.

In fact, on day one of my test I had it in Sport mode 3 while going up a gentle gradient, and it popped a wheelie with hardly any effort applied to the pedals.

Hence, I would definitely tap down to Eco mode level 1 or 2 when performing a U-turn, or your pressure on the pedals at low speed could pitch you off if the motor kicks in too energetically. I've had that happen to me in the past – doing a tight U-turn or sudden avoidance of a pedestrian when setting off are arguably the easiest ways to fall off an e-bike.

While this bike doesn't have suspension of any kind, I've found it very comfortable to ride on most roads. Yes, the rigid carbon frame can amplify every blemish in a road, but I'm used to that and actually enjoy the confidence-inspiring feedback a rigid frame provides.

I also much prefer 20-inch wheels to the 16-inch variety since they provide less rolling resistance and much more stability at higher speeds.

So well done ADO, you’ve pulled off a doozy and produced the best folding e-bike I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding. As a result, I am truly smitten, despite the sharp, scratchy pedals and clunky app.

Verdict

The ADO Air Carbon Pro is everything a folding e-bike should be – impeccable build quality throughout, integrated cabling, lighting and battery storage, a stupendous automatic two-speed drivetrain, oodles of power, large 20-inch wheels for stability and improved momentum, and relatively easy foldability for practical storage and simple car portage.

In the pantheon of luxury carbon e-bikes, I consider a smidge under two grand to be very decent value for money, so if you’re in the market for a premium folder that ticks almost every box, this one’s as close to perfection as it gets.

If the brand’s new smartwatch is anything to go by, skipping a year does mean the next iteration of the wearable can be significantly different, so much so that it might even entice people who own the previous version.

So what’s the fuss about? The new Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 received some big updates, including a thinner case, lighter strap, and larger battery, and it also has a much brighter screen than before – in fact, it’s probably the brightest of all smartwatch displays out there. The watch now uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear Elite processor for buttery-smooth performance.

Features have also been upgraded. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 can do turn-by-turn navigation like Garmin watches, track elevation, and provide hydration guidance based on estimated sweat loss. Plus, it now has dedicated diving support, courtesy of Mares. Best of all, the watch still looks pretty cool and performs even better.

Best smartwatch of 2026? Well, it’s not all sunshine and lollipops, but Samsung is certainly trying to better its hardware and software. Should you upgrade if you have an older Samsung watch, and is it worth jumping ecosystems if you have – let’s say – an Apple Watch Ultra 3? Let’s find out.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 review

Price and availability

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 was announced on 22 July 2026, the same day pre-orders for the watch opened. The wearables will go on sale on 7 August for the recommended price of £649. EU, US and AU prices and availability TBC. The watch comes in two colours, Titanium Silver and Titanium Grey.

For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra retailed for £599/ $649.99/ AU$1,299 at launch, but can now be bought for as little as £400. The Apple Watch Ultra 3’s recommended retail price is $799 / £749 / AU$1,399 / €899, a fair amount higher than the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The 44 mm version of the also brand new Galaxy Watch 9, which comes in either Graphite or Silver colour, sells for £349, while the smaller 40 mm version (colour options: Graphite and Cream) retails for £319.

Design and build quality

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 follows the original Ultra’s blueprint, retaining Samsung’s distinctive “cushion” design, which I like quite a lot. This combines an angular, rounded-square titanium case with a conventional circular display, allowing the screen to look like a traditional watch face while also giving the wearable a unique look.

Case

The 47 mm titanium case is said to be 12% thinner than before, despite the much larger 800mAh battery it houses. For context, the original Galaxy Watch Ultra measured 47.4 x 47.1 x 12.1mm and weighed 60.5g without its strap.

My Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 sample registered 61g on the scales, suggesting Samsung has reduced thickness without making the watch body itself significantly lighter.

I should add that my kitchen scales can’t measure 0.5 grams, so it’s entirely possible that the new watch is exactly the same weight.

(For the record, Samsung didn’t provide a spec sheet or feature list for the review. I will update it once I get hold of them.)

Strap

The new strap makes a more noticeable difference: it weighs 24g on my scales and is claimed to be 25% lighter than its predecessor. The material also feels genuinely softer and more pliable, helping the large watch sit more comfortably against the wrist.

Numerous perforations provide ample adjustment and should improve airflow during exercise, while Samsung’s Dynamic Lug System allows the strap sections to be released using buttons on the underside of the case.

Controls

The three-button layout is back, located at the right edge. It includes the circular Quick Button, distinguished by an orange surround, which provides immediate access to frequently used outdoor and exercise functions. The two flatter buttons above and below handle the usual Home and Back duties.

There is no mechanically rotating bezel, although the fixed bezel gives the display a useful degree of protection and supports Samsung’s touch-bezel navigation.

The numbered markings and orange index add to the watch’s technical, outdoorsy appearance. The bezel itself is touch-sensitive and can be used to navigate menus.

Display

The circular AMOLED display is protected by a sapphire crystal lens, but peak brightness has risen to a whopping 5,000 nits, which exceeds the original Ultra’s and the Apple Watch Ultra 3’s already impressive 3,000-nit maximum.

Other design details

Samsung positioned the original model as its toughest watch, equipping it with 10ATM and IP68 water resistance, MIL-STD-810H certification and an operating range of -20°C to 55°C.

The Ultra 2 is clearly cut from the same rugged cloth, although its final durability ratings will need to be confirmed once Samsung publishes the complete specification sheet.

Health tracking

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 carries over the extensive health toolkit of its predecessor, including continuous heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation, sleep and stress tracking, ECG readings, blood-pressure monitoring, and BIA-based body-composition analysis.

That is not necessarily a problem. Samsung Health is exceptionally polished, and both the phone app and watch interface present a considerable amount of information without becoming difficult to navigate. I particularly enjoyed the on-watch body-composition measurements, but sleep tracking was arguably the most impressive part of my testing.

Sleep tracking

I wore the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 alongside the Oura Ring 5, my current benchmark for consumer sleep tracking. Neither can be considered as accurate as a clinical sleep study, but comparing their results provides a useful indication of consistency.

The two devices produced remarkably similar results. The sleep window difference was only 7 minutes, and the total sleep time difference was only 10 minutes (over nearly 9 hours).

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 detected 32 minutes of awake time, while Oura reported 33 minutes. Deep sleep differed by only five minutes, with Samsung recording one hour and 17 minutes and Oura measuring one hour and 22 minutes.

REM and light sleep showed larger differences, but since sleep stages are all guesswork across wearables, it certainly isn’t a deal-breaker. Sleep latency was 17 minutes according to Samsung and 10 minutes according to Oura.

Both measured an average sleeping heart rate of 48 bpm, while average blood oxygen saturation differed by a single percentage point: 96% on the Galaxy Watch and 97% on the Oura Ring.

That degree of agreement is excellent for two consumer wearables using different form factors and algorithms. It does not prove that either device correctly identified every sleep stage, but it gives me confidence in the Galaxy Watch’s estimates.

Samsung also provides plenty of depth. Alongside sleep duration and stages, the app shows movement, overnight blood oxygen saturation, skin temperature deviation, average heart rate, and respiratory rate.

It offers bedtime guidance, seven-day trends and sleep-consistency analysis, although its presentation is more clinical and less interpretive than Oura’s. The Ring does a better job of connecting sleep to concepts such as efficiency, restfulness, sleep debt, body-clock alignment and readiness.

Snore detection is available, but it relies on the paired phone being positioned near the bed and connected to a charger. That makes it considerably less seamless than the watch’s other overnight measurements.

Body composition tracking

The on-watch body-composition feature uses bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, body water, body fat percentage, BMI, and basal metabolic rate. To take a reading, you enter your weight and place two fingers against the watch’s buttons while keeping your arms away from your torso.

I compared its results with my Withings Body Comp smart scales. The measurements were taken two days apart, so changes in hydration, food intake and other variables prevent this from being a controlled comparison. Nevertheless, the directly comparable results were impressively close.

The Galaxy Watch estimated my body fat at 17.5%, compared with 18.1% from the Withings scales. Samsung calculated 14.2kg of fat mass (vs 14.6kg on the Withings) with a recorded weight of 80.8kg. A difference of 0.6% is reassuringly small.

Muscle figures cannot be compared directly because Samsung reports skeletal muscle mass, whereas Withings reports it as a percentage. Both devices are also consumer BIA products – not clinical body-composition scanners – so individual readings should be treated as estimates.

Sound exposure tracking

Sound Exposure is one of the genuinely new health additions. It uses the watch’s microphone to estimate cumulative exposure to environmental noise and shows how much of the recommended daily allowance has been consumed.

Samsung Health divides the result into OK, Caution, and Unsafe categories. It also displays the average sound level, periods above 80dB, and exposure trends over the previous seven days.

On one day, the watch recorded an average of 77dB and a cumulative exposure of 101%, which it says was “unsafe”. This was caused by the window of my car being down for approx 4 hours while driving on the motorways – the wind clearly made quite a racket in the car.

Samsung stresses that the figures are estimates affected by device use and fit, and that they are intended for general wellness rather than professional hearing assessment.

Other health features

Elsewhere, the Ultra 2 records heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature deviation, blood oxygen levels, and other overnight signals to establish a personal Vitals baseline.

Samsung Health also provides Heart Health and Vascular Load scores, the latter of which compares overnight cardiovascular strain against the user’s baseline.

ECG, blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm notifications, sleep apnoea detection, stress monitoring, AGEs Index, and menstrual cycle predictions complete one of the most extensive health suites available on a smartwatch.

Health feature gripes

There are some familiar frustrations. As mentioned above, snore detection only works when the paired phone is positioned near the bed and connected to its charger. Certain regulated health functions also require a SIM card so Samsung Health Monitor can establish which country the device is being used in.

Samsung also talks extensively about AI, but its broader health ecosystem still lacks some tools found in other apps. Food logging from a photograph, for example, would make nutrition tracking much less of a hassle.

Also, while the software is polished, there is bloatware everywhere on the phone that’s required for all the watch functions to operate properly, which I could live without.

Fitness tracking

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 supports more than 100 exercise types, ranging from everyday walking and strength sessions to multisport events, open-water swimming and trail running. Outdoor tracking is backed by dual-frequency L1 and L5 GPS, with support for GPS, Galileo, Glonass and BeiDou satellite systems, plus onboard elevation and compass sensors.

Samsung says the new Snapdragon Wear Elite processor improves positioning accuracy and efficiency, particularly in challenging environments such as cities, forests and mountains. The watch also offers personalised heart-rate zones, VO₂ max estimates, cardio-load analysis and automatic exercise recognition.

It is a comprehensive package, although the depth of its training analysis remains closer to a premium general-purpose smartwatch than a dedicated Garmin or Coros sports watch.

Automatic exercise recognition

Automatic exercise recognition also works impressively well. The watch can detect walks and less conventional activities after approximately 10 minutes. (It even recorded half an hour of morning housework as exercise, estimating that I had burned around 200 calories.) Running detection is faster, taking roughly four minutes to recognise that a session has begun.

It’s worth noting that auto-logged outdoor workouts, such as walks, don’t trigger the GPS, so if you want to record your route, you’d best start the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 manually.

Samsung’s algorithms can nevertheless be demanding. Despite completing 16,000 steps on one particularly active day, the watch informed me that my cardio load was insufficient. General movement contributes to daily activity, but the system still expects vigorous exercise before awarding a favourable cardio-load score. Is the watch trying to kill me?

I appreciate that the WHO recommends daily moderate-to-vigorous exercise, but surely the algorithm could just determine that multiple walks and 10k+ steps a day are fine? Oh, well.

Trail running

The new trail-running profile records duration, distance, calories, speed, pace, elevation, gradient and heart rate. It covers the fundamentals, but it is not nearly as detailed as the trail-running tools found on comparable Garmin watches.

Samsung is positioning the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 as a serious adventure watch, yet its data and analysis still align more closely with those of a mainstream smartwatch.

Sweat-loss estimation is interesting, although “estimation” is the operative word. The figure is not generated in real time, either, and you have to run for at least 20 minutes and burn 90 calories before the watch produces a result.

Following a hot 45-minute trail run, it estimated that I had lost almost one litre of fluid and recommended drinking 1.5 litres to replenish it. That is potentially useful guidance, but it feels almost too hardcore for the relatively basic analysis surrounding it.

GPX and turn-by-turn navigation

I have not yet tested GPX imports or turn-by-turn navigation, although completed routes can be exported from Samsung Health as GPX files. It is also worth remembering that GPX route guidance and elevation information were already available on the original Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Diving

I was unable to test the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2’s new diving functionality, but it represents one of the watch’s most significant adventure-focused upgrades. Samsung says the dedicated diving app launches automatically when the watch enters the water and records real-time depth, dive duration and water temperature.

A separate app developed with diving-equipment specialist Mares is due later this year, adding more advanced guidance such as descent speed, recommended time at a given depth and safe-ascent information intended to reduce the risk of decompression sickness.

Battery life and charging

The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 has an 800mAh battery, representing a substantial 35% capacity increase over the original Ultra’s 590mAh cell. In my testing, however, the larger battery did not produce an equally dramatic increase in real-world endurance.

Starting from 100%, the watch reached 11% after 57 hours and 10 minutes. This period included a 45-minute trail run, a 42-minute GPS-tracked walk, a manually tracked 20-minute circuit workout and almost two hours of automatically detected walking, housework and other activity.

Based on these results, I estimate a total battery life of approximately 64 hours, or just over two and a half days, with the always-on display enabled. That just about exceeds Samsung’s 60-hour claim for the original Galaxy Watch Ultra under the same display setting.

My testing also included more than three and a half hours of recorded activity, including two GPS workouts, making the result particularly encouraging. The improvement is nowhere near the 35% increase in battery capacity, but the Ultra 2 appears capable of lasting longer than its predecessor under demanding mixed use.

Charging

Charging performance is adequate rather than particularly fast. Starting at 12%, the watch reached 62% after 35 minutes and 100% after 70 minutes. It was initially estimated that the process would take 1 hour and 21 minutes, with an average charging input of around 5W.

More testing is required to see how the watch fares without the always-on screen, and without GPS workouts logged during the discharge period. Also, Samsung hasn’t provided me with specifications, so I don’t know how my results compare with the official numbers.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a superb flagship smartwatch and a meaningful hardware upgrade over its predecessor.

Its dazzling 5,000-nit display, smoother performance, more comfortable strap and larger battery all improve the everyday experience, while sleep and body-composition tracking performed impressively against my Oura Ring 5 and Withings scales.

Samsung Health remains one of the most comprehensive and polished wearable platforms available. New additions such as Sound Exposure, trail running and automatic diving support broaden its appeal, although its training analysis and navigation tools still lack the depth offered by comparable Garmin and Coros watches.

The £649 price is also hard to ignore, especially since the original Galaxy Watch Ultra can now be found for considerably less. If you have one and it’s still functional, you might not need to rush the upgrade unless the brighter display, improved battery life, or diving features are especially appealing.

For anyone with an older Galaxy Watch who wants Samsung’s best wearable, however, the Ultra 2 is the obvious choice. It is not quite the ultimate outdoor watch Samsung wants it to be, but it may be the most complete Android smartwatch of its generation.