Get ready for a Prince of Persia revolution! The Lost Crown is a game-changer, almost as epic as those first 3D leaps in Sands of Time. Buckle up, adventurers!
Hey there, fellow gamers! Prepare to dust off your parkour skills and sharpen your daggers, because we’re taking a deep dive into Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Is this revival a glorious oasis in the parched desert of gaming franchises, or a mirage that crumbles into pixelated dust? Let’s crack it open and find out!
Rewinding to a Familiar Landscape
Stepping into The Lost Crown feels like reuniting with a treasured childhood friend. The vibrant tapestry of Persian architecture bursts with detail, transporting you to dusty marketplaces and forgotten tombs.
The soundtrack whispers echoes of epic battles and forgotten legends, stirring a warm nostalgia for past Prince of Persia adventures. While our new Prince lacks the roguish charm of his time-warping predecessor, his sass and determination grow on you, especially when paired with the enigmatic charm of Kaftar, our AI companion.
Where Acrobatic Art Meets Metanoid Maze
Platforming is where The Lost Crown truly shines. Traversal feels like a mesmerizing dance with gravity, weaving wall runs, air dashes, and gravity-defying leaps that’ll have you channeling your inner gazelle on caffeine. The levels are labyrinthine playgrounds, brimming with platforming challenges that seamlessly blend into combat arenas and mind-bending environmental puzzles.
The Metroidvania elements inject a layer of intrigue, rewarding your adventurous spirit with unlockable abilities and hidden secrets that beg to be unraveled. Just be prepared for moments where your controller might become a temporary frisbee – those crumbling platforms don’t forgive mistimed jumps!
Swordplay Symphony or Clumsy Clashes?
The combat, like a desert wind, delivers both warm breezes and biting sandstorms. Swordplay dances with a satisfying rhythm, with combos and counters that feel smooth as silk. But enemy variety can feel like a monotonous melody, and boss fights occasionally morph into repetitive refrains.
The real showstopper here is the time manipulation mechanic – a breath of fresh air in the action-adventure genre. Slow down projectiles, rewind to dodge attacks, and even freeze enemies mid-air, opening up tactical possibilities that keep combat feeling like a dynamic chess match. It’s not flawless, but it’s a unique twist that adds a surprising depth to every clash.
The Ultimate Puzzle Master
This is where The Lost Crown truly sets itself apart. Time manipulation isn’t just a flashy combat trick; it’s the warp and weft of the world itself. Solve puzzles by rewinding crumbling bridges to their former glory, platforms across frozen waterfalls, or even use time loops to create platforms where none existed before.
It’s innovative, it’s mind-bending, and it’s the element that truly makes The Lost Crown sing. Imagine the satisfaction of rewinding a misstep, or strategically freezing an enemy to create a path forward – it’s like a playground for your inner temporal architect.
Exploration Galore
The Lost Crown shines brightest in its Metroidvania exploration, especially with Memory Shards. This nifty trick lets you snap a picture of any unreachable area, marking it on your map for later. It’s like drawing your map, but digital and awesome! Finding Memory Shards in the world is a reward in itself, making exploration even more satisfying.
The Memory Shards system is just right, not too easy, not too hard. The same goes for most things in The Lost Crown. Finding save points is effortless thanks to glowing Wak-Wak trees, and you can choose hints for objectives without feeling spoon-fed. Maps? Buy them or discover them yourself – the choice is yours. Even combat difficulty bends to your will, with sliders for enemy toughness, agility, and more. Everything helps you have fun without sacrificing challenge.
Imperfections in Paradise
No oasis is perfect, and The Lost Crown has its fair share of sandstorms. Technical hiccups like performance drops and clipping issues can occasionally disrupt the flow. Some quest objectives can feel cryptic, like riddles whispered on the wind, leaving you wandering lost until the solution suddenly blooms.
But thankfully, these are mostly minor inconveniences, swallowed up by the sheer joy of movement and exploration. The 30-hour game may be vast, but the thrill of discovering a hidden passage or mastering a challenging platform outweighs the occasional tumbleweed rolling through your progress.
Verdict
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown might not be a flawless diamond, but it’s a damn good comeback. It captures the spirit of the franchise with its acrobatic thrills, engaging puzzles, and a refreshing new look at time-bending manipulation. Sure, the combat has its moments, and the technical hiccups can be frustrating, but the overall experience is pure platforming satisfaction.
If you’re a fan of Metroidvania or crave an innovative take on action-adventure, The Lost Crown is an oasis you won’t want to miss. Just remember, even the ‘Sands of Time’ shift, and while it might not completely eclipse the golden sands of its predecessors, it carves its path through the desert, leaving you breathless with wonder and the urge to jump, climb, dodge, and manipulate time.
So, fellow adventurers, will you be scaling the perilous peaks, or delving through crypts and dungeons? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the Sands of Time flowing with endless discussions about Prince of Persia! Remember, the thrill of a perfectly timed wall run never gets old, and the echoes of this new chapter will linger in your gaming memories long after you
The best pick for professional designers, video editors, gamers or content creators who craves top-notch performance, a stunning display, and impressive premium features.
WiFi 6E + Bluetooth | FHD IR Webcam | Windows Hello | RGB Keyboard | 6 Speaker Audio | Fingerprint Scanner
Welcome to 2024. Today we’re trekking through the high-powered jungle of laptops – specifically, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X OLED. This beast boasts specs worthy of a mythical unicorn, a gorgeous OLED screen that makes pixels weep with envy, and features that scream “I mean business, baby.” But before you empty your bank account and shout “mine!” from the mountaintops, let’s take a closer look and see if this Zenbook lives up to its dreamy promises or crashes and burns in a glitchy nightmare.
Overview
This laptop screams luxury from the moment you unpack it. The sleek aluminum chassis oozes sophistication, and the unique ergo-lift hinge that angles the keyboard slightly is like a digital ergonomic hug for your wrists. Then you open the lid, and boom!
That 16-inch OLED display hits you like a punchline from a tech-savvy comedian. Colors pop, blacks are blacker than Batman’s cape, and details are sharper than a double-edged katana. Trust me, editing photos on this is like getting a personal tour of the Louvre… for digital artists.
Performance Powerhouse
But beauty isn’t all this bad boy has. Inside, it’s packing a punch with the latest Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA RTX 4070 (or 4080) graphics card, and enough RAM to make even the most demanding software stutter, “Oh, you’re serious.”
Photoshop? Premiere Pro? After Effects? They’re mere playthings in this Zenbook’s hands. I threw everything I could at it, from rendering 3D models to exporting massive video files, and it just shrugged and said, “Is that all you got?”
Storage was plenty. Multitasking was a breeze, and loading times were so fast, I think I saw Usain Bolt blink.
Creator Comfort and Convenience
The keyboard is a dream to type on, with satisfyingly clicky keys that make you feel like a productivity ninja. The touchpad is smooth and responsive as well, and the included stylus is surprisingly good for doodling, sketching, or making your signature look like Michelangelo’s.
Plus, there’s a handy secondary screen on the touchpad that lets you customize shortcuts and keep an eye on things like battery life and performance. Talk about productivity hacks!
Potential Downsides
Now, no beast is without its flaws, and the Zenbook Pro is no exception. Some online whispers (aka reviews) mentioned battery life as a potential gremlin. While it’s not terrible, don’t expect to wander unplugged for an entire workday.
Also, under heavy workloads, the cooling fans can get a bit… enthusiastic. Think jet engine on takeoff, but hey, at least you know it’s working hard!
And a few users grumbled about some occasional software hiccups, but nothing major enough to throw your workflow into a full-on meltdown.
Let’s not forget the heavy price tag. Yep, the ZenBook Pro starts at US$2700. Now that’s a pretty high price.
Verdict
So, is the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X OLED a creator’s dream machine or a glitchy nightmare? Well, it’s not perfect, but it’s pretty darn close. If you’re a professional designer, video editor, or content creator who craves top-notch performance, a stunning display, and premium features, this laptop is worth considering.
Just be prepared for a hefty price tag and possibly some fan noise if you’re pushing it to its limits.
If the Zenbook’s price makes your wallet whimper, consider the Dell XPS 15 or the MacBook Pro M2 Max. They offer similar power and portability but with slightly less pizzazz.
But for everyone else? This might be overkill. Unless, of course, you dream in 4K resolution and want to dominate Solitaire like a digital Napoleon. In that case, go for it!
So, what do you think? Is the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X OLED your next tech soulmate or just a passing crush? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the tech talk wild!
Remember, your dream laptop is out there, and WildbreakTech is here to help you find it. Now go forth and conquer those digital mountains!
Hey. It’s your friendly neighborhood tech guru here, and let’s talk about the next great console that’s been causing all the commotion lately: the Sony PlayStation 5 Slim. Remember the mad dash for the original PS5? Yeah, those were wild times. Now, Sony’s back with a slimmer, sleeker version, and the question on everyone’s mind is: is the new PS5 slim upgrade worth the squeeze? Buckle up, buttercup, ’cause we’re about to find out.
Overview
Let’s start with the obvious – that sexy new physique. The PS5 Slim sheds some pounds compared to its boxy older brother, rocking a sleek white design that wouldn’t look out of place in a minimalist art gallery.
Sure, the 2023 Slim model shaved off some curves and edges, but at its core, the PS5 remains the same beast it was three years ago. Think of it as a sleek black knight in shining white armor, still packing the same powerful punch under the hood.
Its unique form might raise eyebrows, but there’s no denying its performance. This console tackles even the most demanding games with the swagger of a champion, all while keeping your thumbs happy with the best-in-class DualSense controller.
It’s a definite head-turner, especially if you’re tired of the original’s “Darth Vader on steroids” aesthetic. Plus, it takes up less space, which is a win for cramped living situations (guilty as charged!).
Performance Punch
Now, before you get all starry-eyed over the looks, let’s address the elephant in the room: performance. Fear not, fellow gamers, because beneath that slim exterior beats the same powerful heart as the original PS5. We’re talking the same lightning-fast SSD, the same mind-blowing haptic feedback controller, the same ability to make your dog think you’re teleporting around the living room.
So, yes, your favorite games will still run like Usain Bolt on a sugar rush. The only difference is that the new Sony PlayStation 5 Slim sheds the pounds and boasts a sweet 1TB SSD, giving you 848GB of room to roam. That’s 181GB more than before, which makes us do a happy dance for storage space and say goodbye to bulk!
Gaming Grandeur
Speaking of games, I spent some quality time with the PS5 Slim, slinging spells in Hogwarts Legacy and getting my rear end handed to me in Elden Ring (seriously, those guys are tough!).
The DualSense controller still steals the show, with every rumble and click immersing you deeper into the action. Loading times? Forget about ’em. You’ll be in-game faster than you can say “PlayStation Plus subscription.”
New Tricks on the Block
Now, the PS5 Slim isn’t just a slimmed-down clone. It boasts some nifty new features, like Wi-Fi 6 for smoother online play (say goodbye to laggy lobbies!) and an expanded storage capacity option (more room for all those digital dragons, am I right?). Plus, if you’re into VR, the PSVR 2 compatibility is music to your virtual ears (pun intended).
Not-So-Good Shades of Gray
Okay, let’s not sugarcoat things. The PS5 Slim isn’t perfect. For one, it’s pricier than the digital edition, which might make budget-conscious gamers wince.
Also, if you already own the original PS5, the performance boost isn’t exactly earth-shattering. There have been some reports of minor cooling system issues, but nothing major to freak out about (Sony’s on top of it).
Verdict: Upgrade or Bust?
So, is the Sony PlayStation 5 Slim worth the squeeze? It depends. If you’re a die-hard gamer craving a sleek new console with the latest bells and whistles, then yes.
If you’re rocking the original PS5 and happily slaying dragons, you can probably hold off. And if you’re new to the PlayStation party, well, this is a pretty darn good way to enter the fray.
The PS5 Slim isn’t a revolutionary upgrade, but it’s a stylish, powerful iteration of an already amazing console. It’s faster, sleeker, and packed with enough gaming goodness to keep you entertained for years to come.
So, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a wide-eyed newbie, the PS5 Slim is worth considering. Just remember, the choice is yours. Now go forth, conquer those virtual worlds, and have fun doing it!
Thanks for checking out my Sony PS5 Slim review. Please feel free to leave comments or questions here below. If you looking to get yourself the new Sony PS5 Slim console, then click here to buy.
Until next time, stay wild, stay curious, and keep on gaming!
OnePlus is on a roll! Last year, the OnePlus Open surprised everyone (including us!) by taking the crown for the best foldable phone. Now, the OnePlus 12 has a shot at propelling the brand to the top of the smartphone food chain.
For years, OnePlus phones have come close to achieving “elite” status, but usually fell short due to camera limitations. The OnePlus 12 aims to fix that with a significantly upgraded camera system, improved image processing, and larger sensors.
But the improvements go beyond the camera. Wireless charging is back, adding to the phone’s overall value. And staying true to their “never settle” motto, OnePlus kept the price tag the same as the previous model.
With all these compelling features, the OnePlus 12 is definitely a phone to watch. In our full OnePlus 12 review, let’s delve deeper into how it performs in all aspects. Can OnePlus finally break through and become a top-tier phone contender? We shall see.
Specs
Display
6.82-inch 3,168 x 1,440-pixel OLED with 120Hz
Processor
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
Memory
12GB | 16GB | 24GB
Storage
256GB | 512GB | 1TB
Camera (Rear)
50MP (wide), 64MP (periscope telephoto – 3x zoom), 48MP (ultrawide), up to 8K video at 24fps
Camera (Selfie)
32MP (wide), up to 4K video at 30fps
Battery
5,400mAh, 100W fast charging
OS
Android 14
A Stunner with a Hidden Upsides and Minor Downsides
The OnePlus 12 deserves a standing ovation for its design. It’s a head-turner with a unique circular camera module, sleek metal accents, and a textured back that minimizes fingerprints. Plus, its narrower frame makes it comfortable to hold in one hand compared to some competitors like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
While the design retains its overall style from the OnePlus 11, there are a few tweaks. The silent switch is now on the left side, and there’s a bonus IR blaster on the top edge – perfect for controlling all your home entertainment devices! The only thing holding the design back a bit is the weight. The OnePlus 12 is slightly heavier than its predecessor, making it feel a tad top-heavy. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does require a little more care when handling to avoid accidental drops.
Bright, Smooth & Shower Friendly Display
The OnePlus 12 boasts a 6.82-inch 2K ProXDR display that shines (literally) in several ways. OnePlus claims it reaches an incredible 4,500 nits peak brightness, which would be a game-changer for outdoor viewing. While I haven’t confirmed that peak number, the display delivers impressive brightness in direct sunlight, keeping everything clear and crisp.
Realistically, even if it doesn’t hit 4,500 nits, surpassing the 1,300 nits of the OnePlus 11 is a significant improvement. The 120Hz refresh rate adds to the smooth user experience, making even fast-paced games display fluidly. A unique feature of this display is Aqua Touch technology. This ensures the screen remains accurate even when wet. For those who like to multitask in the shower (scrolling feeds, playing music), Aqua Touch will be a welcome addition.
Impressive Performance
While not the first with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the OnePlus 12 packs a punch. Daily tasks like navigating the interface and running apps are smooth and responsive, thanks in part to the buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Benchmark tests confirm the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 excels in graphics processing. It produces impressive frame rates in demanding games like 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited and even surpasses the iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra in some benchmark scores.
However, the OnePlus 12’s video editing performance in Adobe Rush Premiere lags a bit behind the competition. While benchmark scores are helpful, real-world experience matters more. The phone runs graphically intense games like Diablo Immortal flawlessly, and in everyday use, it never feels sluggish. So, while it might not be the absolute top performer, it delivers excellent performance for most users.
Battery Life Champ
OnePlus fans rejoice! Not only is wireless charging back with the OnePlus 12, but it boasts a blistering-fast 50W charging speed, leaving the competition in the dust. Battery life has always been a strong point for OnePlus phones, and the OnePlus 12 continues the tradition. The massive 5,400 mAh battery easily lasts a full workday for most users. Real-world testing confirms this, with the phone typically reaching 25% capacity by the end of the day.
Official benchmark tests are still ongoing, but from testing it, the results shows that the OnePlus 12 lasts a monstrous 17 hours and 41 minutes – potentially the best battery life ever seen in a flagship phone! This improvement is likely due to a combination of the power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and software optimizations.
Fast charging gets a boost too. In just 15 minutes, the OnePlus 12 can reach a solid 60% charge. And unlike the previous model, which maxed out at 97% after 30 minutes, the OnePlus 12 achieves a full 100% charge in the same timeframe.
These are truly impressive results, solidifying OnePlus’ reputation for exceptional battery life. The return of wireless charging with a top-of-the-line speed simply sweetens the deal, making the OnePlus 12 a more complete package than ever before.
Decent Camera Features
OnePlus has a reputation for lagging behind in the camera department, but the OnePlus 12 aims to change that with a new triple camera system. Let’s check out the camera features.
The main camera remains 50 MP, but the ultrawide jumps to 48 MP and the telephoto gets a significant boost to 64 MP with 3x optical zoom (up from 2x). This translates to sharper zoomed-in photos with more detail, especially evident in the 6x in-sensor zoom. The 50MP main camera doesn’t show a drastic improvement over the OnePlus 11 in good lighting.
Overall picture quality is better across all cameras, with good details, realistic colors, and decent dynamic range in most lighting conditions. Even ultrawide photos hold up well in high-contrast situations. With Portrait mode, the performance here is very similar to the OnePlus 11.
While low-light photos might be slightly underexposed with a warmer tone compared to the OnePlus 11, the photos appear less noisy and captures more detail.
Video Recording shoots in up to 8K for future-proofing and allows for cropping during 4K export. Main camera video captures crisp details, and the zoom goes up to 18x. Pro & Movie Modes provide enthusiast-level controls for those who like to fine-tune their shots. Video recording would benefit from preset zoom options instead of just a slider.
Unlike some competitors (like the Galaxy S24), the OnePlus 12 lacks AI-powered photo and video editing tools.
Overall, the OnePlus 12 camera is a clear step forward for OnePlus, especially in zoom capabilities and low-light noise reduction. However, it misses the boat on incorporating the AI features that are becoming increasingly common in high-end smartphones. This might be a dealbreaker for some users who prioritize advanced editing options.
Verdict
The OnePlus 12 is a game-changer. It brings back wireless charging, boasts an impressive telephoto lens, and delivers all this at a competitive price tag. For value-conscious users, it’s the clear winner in the flagship phone race.
Sure, it might lack the fancy AI features of some competitors, but the significantly lower price point more than makes up for it. The OnePlus 12 delivers a top-tier phone experience without the usual flagship phone price gouge.
Like the OnePlus 12 Review? Leave us your comments here below and share with us why you like it so. Looking for more info? Click HEREto find out more. That wraps it for this post. Take care until next time 😀
Ah, Super Mario Bros. A name synonymous with platforming perfection, side-scrolling adventures, and pure childhood joy. But even the most seasoned plumber needs a vacation, right? Well, in Super Mario Bros Wonder, our mustachioed hero embarks on a truly wondrous getaway, twisting familiar elements into a fresh and delightful experience that’s as timeless as ever.
Super Mario Bros Wonder – Overview
Super Mario Bros Wonder isn’t just another romp through the Mushroom Kingdom. It’s a delightful trip through a world where flora takes center stage, thanks to the mysterious Wonder Flowers.
These vibrant blooms burst with magic, transforming levels in unexpected ways, stretching platforms, twisting gravity, and even turning Mario into a ghost-like Boo. It’s this playful twist on a classic formula that makes Wonder feel both familiar and utterly new.
Wonder’s visuals explode right out of the screen. Its vibrant palette, with those juicy blues, reds, greens, and yellows, is pure eye candy. But it’s when things move that it truly shines. Imagine the dream sequel to Super Mario World, if it were made in 2023 with all the bells and whistles – that’s Wonder in action.
Forget static sprites, Wonder’s animations are a symphony of motion that breathes life into the Flower Kingdom. Mario isn’t just a red blur anymore; he reaches back for his hat with a flourish when dashing into pipes, conveying a sense of urgency and momentum.
Even the enemies get their own comedic moments, like Goombas dozing off with snot bubbles forming in their nostrils.
But the true star of the show is Elephant Mario. Imagine this: a colossal, round pachyderm trying to squeeze through a narrow warp pipe, then clumsily contorting himself into a tiny ball to fit under a low ceiling.
The sheer absurdity is hilarious, and it’s these little details that truly bring Mario’s first trip to the Flower Kingdom alive.
These animations aren’t just eye candy; they add a layer of personality and humor to the game, making you feel like you’re truly inhabiting Mario’s world. Every jump, stomp, and enemy reaction is imbued with a sense of life and charm, making Wonder a joy to experience from beginning to end.
So next time you play Wonder, take a moment to appreciate the little things. Watch how Mario’s cape flutters in the wind, or how the Koopa Troopas waddle with a sense of exaggerated swagger.
It’s these subtle touches that make Wonder’s animations truly special, elevating the game from a simple platformer to a delightful and immersive experience.
Leaping Through Wondrous Worlds
Wonder Seeds are like Mario’s magic mushrooms, but way more fun! Hidden in every level, they unleash crazy transformations that make the game feel like a never-ending surprise party.
One minute you’re Mario, the next you’re a spiky ball rolling through enemies, or everyone’s turned into stretchy ink monsters!
The camera even flips upside down sometimes, and there might even be a dance party. Seriously, you never know what’s next! These Wonders are the real stars of the show, making every level a playground of unexpected delights.
If I missed one, I just had to go back and find it. In short, Wonder Seeds are the reason why this game rocks!
Wonder’s enemies are like a wacky costume party for your Mario! You’ll face old friends like Lakitus chilling on clouds, and then BAM, you’re riding a charging plant monster or dodging a giant mouth with teeth! The best part? Unraveling those tall Mumsies piece by piece, it’s never not satisfying.
This menagerie of enemies is so fresh and fun, I hope we get to visit the Flower Kingdom again just to meet them all. Seriously, Nintendo, give these guys their own spin-off game!
New Features
Forget predictable platforming. In Wonder, levels are living, breathing landscapes that morph and shift as you explore. One moment you’re scaling towering vines in a lush jungle, the next you’re shrinking down to navigate a miniature world hidden within a flower bud.
The surprises never end, and the Wonder Flowers are the ingenious conductors of this playful symphony.
Remember the classic Fire Flower? Now imagine turning Mario into a huge elephant-like Mario, flinging him across chasms and bouncing through levels like a joyous blob of red rubber.
Or how about becoming Boo Mario, phasing through walls and enemies to reach hidden secrets? Each Wonder Flower power-up adds a layer of strategic thinking and creative platforming, making every level a playground of possibilities.
And let’s not forget the secrets. Wonder is brimming with them, tucked away in corners revealed by the shift of a platform or the gentle nudge of a Wonder Flower. Finding them is a constant delight, rewarding your exploration with extra lives, bonus coins, and even the occasional wink to classic Mario games.
A Joyful Journey, Old-School Playstyle
Wonder throws a curveball at the classic 2D Mario formula with Badges, a collection of over 20 unlockable perks that let you tailor your playstyle. Double jump on command with Boosting Spin Jump, grapple your way through levels with the Grappling Vine, or cheat death with Safety Bounce.
Sensor helps you sniff out secrets and Wonder Flowers, the game’s lifeblood. These Badges add a welcome layer of control, letting you tackle stages your way and replaying for different experiences.
You can snag some Badges in shops, while others await in dedicated Badge Challenge stages. But buying Badges with purple coins felt a bit flat compared to the fun challenges – I wish they all had their own mini-adventures attached!
Multiplayer Mayhem
Wonder lets you get your multiplayer fix with both old-school couch co-op and surprisingly slick online races! It might not be your next esports obsession, but it’s a blast to compete with friends on most levels.
And here’s the best part: Nintendo finally gets that multiplayer should be built-in, not bolted-on. Things like Standees (respawn points for your buddies) and ghost pals (who politely stay out of your way) show they’re serious about making multiplayer a seamless part of the fun.
While Wonder’s innovation is undeniable, it never forgets its roots. The core gameplay remains tight and responsive, with Mario’s iconic jump and stomp feeling as satisfying as ever. New additions like cooperative play and online leaderboards add a touch of modern flair without sacrificing the classic charm.
The soundtrack deserves a standing ovation. Remixed versions of classic Mario themes intertwine with catchy new tunes, creating a sonic tapestry that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
And the visuals? Oh, the visuals! Wonder bursts with vibrant colors and expressive details. Every level is a feast for the eyes, from the sun-dappled meadows to the twinkling neon cityscapes. So grab your controllers, online or offline, and get ready for some wholesome Mario mayhem!
The Verdict: Worth a Buy?
Super Mario Bros Wonder is a triumph. It takes a familiar formula and injects it with a shot of playful magic, creating an experience that’s both nostalgic and innovative.
The creative level design, engaging gameplay, and charming visuals make it a joy to play, while the Wonder Flowers add a layer of strategic depth that keeps you coming back for more.
Whether you’re a die-hard Mario fan or a casual gamer looking for a fun and wholesome adventure, Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a must-play.
It’s a game that reminds you why we fell in love with platformers in the first place – the pure joy of exploration, discovery, and the simple act of leaping through a world of possibilities. So grab your cap, jump into a Wonder Flower, and prepare for a truly wondrous journey.
And don’t forget to share your own wonderful experiences in the comments below! Which Wonder Flower power-up is your favorite? What was the most mind-blowing level transformation you encountered? Let’s keep the fun flowing!
DISPLAY: 14.2-in mini LED (3024 x 1964), ProMotion (120Hz) | CPU: Apple M3/Pro/Max | RAM: 8GB/18GB/32GB/128GB | STORAGE: 512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB/8TB SSD | OS: macOS 14.1 Sonoma | Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD camera | MISC: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2/3x USB/Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1, SD card, headphones | Weight: 1.55 /1.62kg
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Overview
Apple’s latest MacBook Pro 14 is here, bringing a wider range of chip options, a surprising price drop, and a sleek new black colorway. But it’s not just about aesthetics – this upgrade promises even greater performance and battery life to keep you productive on the go.
Starting at £1,699 (€1,999/US$1,599/AU$2,699), it’s still not exactly a budget buy. But a welcome £450 reduction compared to the previous model makes it significantly more accessible to a wider audience.
The familiar design remains, blending retro charm with modern sophistication. The aluminum construction is as sturdy as ever, exuding a quality feel that justifies the price tag. The port selection stays consistent, thankfully including the much-appreciated HDMI port and full-size SD card slot for seamless connectivity.
The display continues to be one of the best in the laptop world, delivering a sharp, smooth, and incredibly bright experience for all your tasks, whether it’s working on documents or enjoying vibrant HDR content.
And it gets even better – the brightness has been boosted by 20% compared to its predecessor, making it easier to work even under the harshest winter sunlight.
But the real magic lies under the hood. The new chip options ensure you have the perfect balance of power and efficiency, tailored to your specific needs. And when it comes to battery life, prepare to be amazed – this MacBook Pro can keep up with your busy day without breaking a sweat.
So, whether you’re a creative professional, a demanding student, or simply someone who appreciates the finer things in tech, the upgraded MacBook Pro is worth considering. With its enhanced performance, improved battery life, and more affordable price tag, it’s a compelling proposition that promises to elevate your computing experience.
Unveiling the New Space Black
Apple’s 2023 refresh introduces a stunning new color option for the MacBook Pro 14: Space Black. While technically a very dark grey, it’s as close to black as anodized aluminum can get, offering a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic.
But it’s not just about looks – the new finish also repels fingerprints more effectively than previous models, keeping your MacBook Pro 14 looking sharp and pristine. However, this dark beauty comes with a slight caveat. The Space Black option is reserved for the mid-and high-end configurations of the machine, starting at a price point of £2,099 (€2,499/US$1,999/AU$3,499).
So, if you crave a MacBook Pro that exudes both power and elegance, the new Space Black color might just be the perfect choice. Just be prepared to pay a premium for this exclusive touch of darkness.
Apple Unleashes the M3 Chip
Apple has once again pushed the boundaries of laptop technology with its latest M3 family of chips. These cutting-edge processors are built on a process inaccessible to other manufacturers, resulting in impressive performance gains alongside reduced power consumption and heat generation.
The new MacBook Pro 14 lineup welcomes the M3 chip as its entry point, offering a significant 20% performance boost compared to the M2 chip found in the MacBook Air and other models. This translates to a remarkable 40% leap in performance compared to the original M1 chips released in 2020.
However, the base model M3 configuration comes with limitations. It supports only a single external monitor and ships with a standard 8GB of RAM, which may suffice for now but could become inadequate in the future. Upgrading memory requires an upfront payment of £200 and cannot be done afterward.
For those who demand more power, additional ports, and the ability to connect multiple external displays, the M3 Pro chip offers a compelling solution. This powerful processor effortlessly handles demanding tasks and is likely the ideal choice for professionals using the MacBook Pro for work.
At the pinnacle of performance sits the M3 Max chip. This powerhouse delivers an unprecedented level of power within a laptop form factor. While overkill for most users, it will undoubtedly be embraced by those seeking workstation-level performance and willing to pay a premium for it.
With the M3 family of chips, Apple has once again redefined the landscape of laptop performance and efficiency. Whether you’re a casual user or a power-hungry professional, there’s an M3 chip perfectly suited to your needs.
Apple’s M3 Powerhouse
Apple’s M3 chips are not only at par with their Intel counterparts in PCs, but they also boast significant performance increases compared to Macs released three to five years ago. However, Apple’s true advantage lies in power efficiency.
This translates to double or more battery life compared to rivals, allowing you to work unplugged without compromising performance. Unlike competitors, who experience performance drops when not plugged in, Apple’s M3 chips maintain their peak performance even on battery power.
This makes the M3-powered MacBook Pro a true champion of efficiency, ideal for those who demand both power and portability.
Even when pushing the limits with the most powerful M3 Max configuration, you can expect a remarkable 16 hours of productive office work. This includes word processing, browsing, note-taking, and spreadsheet wrangling.
That’s more than an hour longer than last year’s model and double the endurance of most competitors. The M3 chip models can reach an astonishing 20 hours of similar work, while the M3 Pro models fall somewhere in between.
Need to tackle demanding photo editing tasks? No problem! The battery can still deliver around 12 hours of editing power on a single charge. When it’s time to refuel, the included 96W adapter can fully charge the battery in about 90 minutes, reaching 50% in just 30 minutes.
So, whether you’re a busy professional or a content creator on the go, the M3 MacBook Pro offers the battery stamina to keep you powered through your day.
The Sustainable Choice
Apple prioritizes sustainability with the MacBook Pro, incorporating 32% recycled materials, including aluminum, rare earth elements, tin, gold, and plastic. Their environmental report provides a detailed breakdown of the computer’s eco-impact, demonstrating their commitment to responsible manufacturing.
The MacBook Pro is designed for repairability, with available repair manuals and battery replacements offered by Apple for £245.
While repair specialists like iFixit praised its modular design, they criticized the use of software locks on replacement parts, which restrict third-party repair options and earned the machine a four out of ten repairability score. To further promote sustainability, Apple offers trade-in programs and free recycling schemes, even for non-Apple products.
The Price of Performance
The starting price for the MacBook Pro 14 is £1,699 (€1,999/US$1,599/AU$2,699) with an M3 chip, 8GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Upgrading to models with the M3 Pro chip begins at £2,099, while the M3 Max configurations start at a steeper £3,299.
To put it in perspective, the M2-powered MacBook Air starts at a more affordable £1,149. In comparison, Windows laptops that offer similar performance to the new MacBook Pros, like the Dell XPS 15, sit around £2,000. Other contenders include the Razer Blade 14 at £2,499 and Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio 2, which starts at £2,069.
Ultimately, the price of the MacBook Pro reflects its cutting-edge performance and efficiency. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option, it offers a compelling value proposition for professionals and power users who demand the best in portable computing.
Verdict
The 2023 MacBook Pro 14 lineup presents a wider array of options than ever before. The lower starting price of £1,699 is a welcome change, albeit still a significant investment.
However, the base model’s M3 chip, while undeniably fast, might lack the raw power for professional work. Additionally, the limited 8GB RAM further restricts its appeal.
This makes the base model a difficult sell compared to the exceptional MacBook Air, especially for Apple users. But the M3 Pro and Max configurations are a different story. They continue Apple’s dominance in delivering unparalleled power and efficiency, unmatched by any other manufacturer.
The 14-inch size remains the ideal balance in the laptop world, further enhanced by the stunning display, best-in-class trackpad and keyboard, and a solid port selection. While not cheap, it’s one of the absolute best work laptops available for those not specifically requiring Windows 11.
And let’s not forget the sleek new black color – a truly eye-catching addition.
Comparatively speaking, the cult-classic original Alan Wake makes little more than a sloppy initial version to the excellent survival horror sequel, Alan Wake 2.
The single-player adventure Alan Wake 2 deftly switches from slow-burning psychological dread and frenetic survival-horror combat, to exquisitely rendered game environments. It also shifts from exquisitely powerful full-motion video sequences, and gruesome investigations to jaw-dropping symphonic shocks.
It’s insane, gory, and, for the most part, excellent. It continues to shine brilliantly like a newly shot signal flare even at the conclusion of an incredible year full of incredible games. Even with a significant increase in complexity, Alan Wake 2’s nearly 17-hour tale, which spans two very different realms, is significantly more logical than the first.
In the present, you play an FBI Agent named Saga Anderson, who has been assigned to the sleepy lakeside town of Bright Falls to look into the newest victim of a string of ritualistic killings. A body is discovered next to Cauldron Lake with a large hole where the heart used to be.
Saga is a charming addition to the bizarre universe. Her dedication to her work is balanced by her enjoyment of lighthearted banter with another Special Agent named Alex Casey.
These first few hours of procedural investigations give the story a realistic foundation before darkness descends and every peaceful hillside turns into a terrifying hellscape.
The case board in Saga’s metaphysical “mind place,” which can be accessed at any time with a button press, plays a big part in making the primary serial killer mystery and its many subplots in Alan Wake II so simple to follow.
To keep everything organized and your attention on the investigation, you have to physically arrange every new piece of evidence, character profile, and foreboding manuscript page that you find in Bright Falls and its environs into a branching tree of red rope and palm cards that are pinned to the wall.
I enjoyed having this built-in way of verifying the facts because, let’s face it, I couldn’t watch a season of True Detective (at least, not the good ones) without keeping one eye on TV.
Early in Alan Wake 2’s narrative, Saga’s inquiry uncovers more disturbing details than it does answers. For example, why do so many people act as though they have known Saga for years?
And why did that body just up and drag its nude behind into the woods from the morgue? Alan Wake 2’s tone is always set to a tense one, even if the difficulty level may be changed to three different settings.
A Survival-Horror Tale
When Alan Wake washes up on the edge of Cauldron Lake, talking wildly about the Dark Place and shocked to hear that he’s been absent for the previous 13 years. The mystery only becomes deeper. Alan Wake 2 then deviates significantly.
From this point on, the viewpoint alternates between Alan’s desperate attempts to flee his doomed Dark Place dimension and Saga’s quest for the truth in Bright Falls.
Both sides gradually blend into one another in increasingly strange and disorienting ways, to the point where I found it difficult to tell fact from fiction then, after a long while, coming to a perfectly crafted gut-punch of a conclusion that cleanly wraps up the most of the tale strands while tantalizingly leaving a few hanging.
While the lakeside shores of Bright Falls offer some breathtaking sunset scenes and detail-rich forest surrounds, it’s the gritty, neon-soaked New York plaza setting of Alan’s stages that really showcase the enormous skill of Remedy’s team of artists. The seductive power of its contrasting settings only serves to heighten its mystery.
From the graffiti-covered construction areas to the menacing expanse of subway tunnels that lie beneath its surface, this rotten slice of the Big Apple is a haunting otherworld that I found consistently compelling to explore. It resembles the kind of nightmare you might have after spending 24 hours eating cheese and watching Taxi Driver and Mean Streets on repeat.
Alan’s stages also included some entertaining environmental challenges, which activated a different area of my brain. Alan can literally change his surroundings and establish new avenues for progress by using a paranormal table lamp to absorb light from one source and channel it to another. This allows him to not only create a new, lighted safe haven from the dangers that lurk in the shadows.
It’s an amazing trick that makes you think of pulling the cord on the light switch to make the Oceanview Hotel blink in and out from The Oldest House in Control. The trick gets more difficult as you go along because you have to figure out the proper order to manipulate multiple light sources, which makes unlocking each new area to explore more difficult.
The dense meta-mystery of Alan Wake 2 is akin to a jigsaw puzzle trapped inside a Rubik’s Cube wrapped in sudoku puzzles. It’s an odd and amazing journey filled with more unexpected turns and repetitive loops than an agitated Uber driver.
Survival Gameplay
In fact, Alan Wake 2 has an equal number of corpses and more plots than a cemetery. Combat has greatly improved, but the basic mechanics are still basically the same as the entertaining flashlight-fueled battling of the original.
Once more, enemies are only shadows of their former selves. The best way to eliminate them is to blast obscene amounts of exposed flesh off their bones with your growing arsenal of weapons and use the boosted beam of your flashlight to burn away their murky darkness shields.
This time, enemies will occasionally display glowing weak points on their bodies. If you can successfully target these areas, you can deal a lot more damage and preserve a few valuable ammo rounds, which felt like a nice reward for taking the extra moment to carefully line up my shots.
For those who are accustomed to running-based games, this won’t be a huge problem, but if you’re returning to Alan Wake with me, this is great. The fact that Saga and Alan can run indefinitely is a significant improvement over the always whiny Alan from the original, who could barely run ten yards before collapsing like an asthmatic who accidentally turned into a smoker’s lounge.
The dodge button feels snappier and lets me duck under swinging pipes or pickaxes more reliably. It even functions on the ground if you get knocked off your feet, allowing you to quickly roll out of harm’s way and avoid any potential follow-up attacks. Our protagonists are generally more nimble than other characters.
However, Remedy has not overlooked the fact that the original’s attraction stems from its difficulties. Even though Alan and Saga are quicker on their feet in Alan Wake 2, batteries and ammo are still in short supply.
In terms of adversary diversity, it doesn’t quite match Resident Evil 4, but there are still enough dark and menacing creatures to keep me on my toes. I could never quite predict which kind of shadow warrior would attack me at any given turn.
Alan Wake 2 constantly shuffled its deck to keep my head on a swivel and my thumb nervously twitching over the fast choice weapon selection, from burly brutes with sledgehammers to darting wolves and weird, multi-limbed mirror creatures that I can’t quite put my finger on.
Some attackers may even launch darkness projectiles at you, which you will need to avoid or carefully catch with the beam of your flashlight, much like the countermeasures of a fighter plane. This kind of shade hasn’t been witnessed since the previous Eminem diss single.
There are also some highly intense and unique boss fights, such as one in which I had to desperately burn away in an arena full of dark blobs while trying to avoid having my head torn from my shoulders by an enemy’s rifle shots from a distance.
Another boss fight took place later in the game and was set in a dimly lit, close-quarters battle with a raging reanimated corpse that was determined to cave in my chest with the sharp end of a torn-off tree branch.
Strangely enough, though, I discovered that in Alan Wake 2, the opponent I dreaded the most was also the one who, most of the time, couldn’t even harm me. There are many whispering apparitions in Alan’s world, but if you shine your spotlight on them, they usually disappear into wisps of smoke nine times out of ten.
You should be concerned about the tenth occurrence, though, since it may be a real physical threat lurking in plain sight to attack you after you’ve been tricked into believing all is OK. I began questioning every human-shaped shadow I had created, even my own, which felt exactly in line with Alan’s own mental disintegration.
The Good and Bad
Not everything in this situation is as robust as it may be, including Alan’s mental health. The two playable characters’ distinct arsenals each have benefits of their own, such as Saga’s crossbow’s increased stopping power and reusable bolts and Alan’s flare gun’s wider area of impact, but the way each character’s skill trees are implemented seems a little uneven.
Saga’s upgrades are limited to just three buffs for each firearm in her inventory, and each comes at such a high cost of the collectable manuscript scraps hidden around Bright Falls that by the time I’d reached the end credits, I’d only invested in a handful of them. In contrast, Alan’s “Words of Power” skill tree features 21 different skills that can each potentially be upgraded up to three times over.
To be honest, they didn’t seem all that required on the easy difficulty setting, but maybe they’ll be much more helpful when Alan Wake 2’s Nightmare mode is introduced after launch.
Furthermore, Saga is frequently burdened with a few too many survival-horror clichés, such as fuse boxes to fix and combination locks to figure out. This contrasts with Alan’s impressive environmental remixing.
The lack of new Night Springs episodes to watch on the televisions in Bright Falls also disappointed me a little bit, but even so, the commercials that took their place—which featured the hilariously bizarre Koskela brothers as local entrepreneurs—were so funny that I still made an effort to locate every in-game idiot box I could find.
However, the plethora of other things that Alan Wake 2 does correctly makes whatever problems I had with it vanish like an out-of-town visitor in Cauldron Lake. Without a doubt, it draws heavily from cinema and television, incorporating the greatest elements from True Detective, Seven, Inception, and other shows into the original’s Twin Peaks meets The Twilight Zone framework.
However, it also includes some homages to some of the greatest modern video game moments, shocking you with really unsettling fourth-wall tricks akin to Inscryption and creepy full-motion video scenes reminiscent of 2022’s found-footage horror flick, Immortality.
It even briefly turns into an interactive musical in one truly amazing early game moment. It’s as if the Remedy team saw the “Jump Up, Super Star!” level from Super Mario Odyssey and decided to appropriate it in the most extravagantly bizarre way imaginable.
Alan Wake 2 has me smiling like a crazy man from the opening riff to the last fiery guitar solo. For about twenty blissful minutes, it sounds more like a Rocky Horror Picture Show than a survival-horror computer game.
Even while Alan Wake 2 is plenty of spine-tingling moments, it’s times like this that demonstrate how fearlessly Remedy handled the actual design of its much anticipated sequel.
Final Verdict
The survival horror plot in Alan Wake 2 is among the most inventive of other horror games such as Silent Hill 2, and it’s presented with consistently flawless art direction and audio design. The series’ trademark light-based shooting is also revitalized, as if it were loaded with brand-new batteries.
I found Saga’s plot to be perpetually intriguing, often terrifying, and continually unexpected, despite the fact that its skill-upgrade systems seem a bit unnecessary and there were a few recurring tropes that annoyed me. Comparatively speaking, the cult classic Alan Wake makes little more than a sloppy first draft to this excellent survival-horror sequel.
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The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a premium package that offers great performance and impressive battery life. All this under a decent price which definitely improves the value of the mobile device.
Li-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable | 25W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – Overview
I was pleasantly impressed by how quickly the phone set up my web sites, apps, and ‘Settings’ when I initially got it. This is mostly because to the phone’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, which is still quicker than the chip in the Galaxy A54 5G smartphone, even though it is over two years old.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is available with Samsung’s Exynos 2200 processor internationally, however the US variant gets the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
I saw personally how beneficial it may be to pay a little bit more on a phone with more premium features like reverse wireless charging. With the feature, the S23 FE let me charge my other devices because I had forgotten my USB-C power adapter. I couldn’t have accomplished it with the less expensive Galaxy A54 5G.
Like the now US$800 Galaxy S23, the S23 FE has a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. These cameras performed well in all conditions from daylight to less light. In addition to that, the phone has a telephoto camera—a capability often seen exclusively on Samsung’s more costly models—which was useful for getting close-up pictures.
To be clear, if you’re searching for the newest and finest specifications at a lower price, this isn’t the Galaxy S23 model to purchase. However, the Galaxy S23 FE is a great entry-level flagship that offers access to Samsung’s higher-end capabilities without coming at the same price if you’re thinking about getting a less expensive Android phone.
Design
The Galaxy S23 FE features the same elegant appearance as the flagship S23 series. At 6.4 inches, it is in the middle of a manageable size range. The S23 FE has a noticeable amount surrounding the screen, similar to its midrange cousin, the Galaxy A54, while its siblings have bezels that are thinner. I didn’t find it problematic, but this is where Samsung starts to show its limitations.
The floating camera island on the rear is identical to that of the S23 series. Rather than using Victus 2, it is composed of glass and protected by Gorilla Glass 5. The only thing that bothers me is that the glossy rear of the device attracts a lot of fingerprints and smudges, therefore it’s best that you get yourself a phone cover to protect it, and to improve your grip because it slides around a lot.
The second microphone is on the opposite end from the top-mounted SIM and MicroSD card slots. Its aluminum frame houses the power button and volume rocker on the right side, while the left side is empty. The USB-C connector, the two primary microphones, and the bottom-facing speaker are located at the bottom. The headphone jack is absent.
There includes face unlock as well as an optical fingerprint reader located at the lower half of the display. Both worked great for getting to my phone immediately. The phone is certified IP68. A 6.4-inch AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, support for HDR10+, Vision Booster, and a maximum brightness of 1500 nits dominates the front. The screen is a decent size, and it had adequate brightness when I was out and about. And For protection, Gorilla Glass 5 is used.
The Dolby-Atmos-tuned speakers and screen of the S23 FE are great for watching multimedia material. With its vibrant colors and striking contrast, the display is amazing, and I had fun binge-watching the newest horror movies. Its quick refresh rate is in helpful not only for online browsing and social media scrolling, but also for engaging with the phone’s UI and gaming.
The speakers are quite exceptional. When the volume is raised, they remain loud without experiencing distortion. Whilst taking a shower, I could definitely listen to music without any issues. Playlists and podcasts were also enjoyable for me to listen to. For clear phone calls, the three microphones perform well.
Overall, the design of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is impressive. The build quality is good. It has the premium look to it with a great choice of colors to choose from.
Display
The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display on the Galaxy S23 FE has a refresh rate of 120Hz and a resolution of 2340 x 1080. When there is a lot of activity onscreen, your screen in adaptive mode will scale up to 120Hz to even things out. Otherwise, it will remain at a 60Hz pace.
That’s a little different from the Galaxy S23’s varied 48Hz to 120Hz rate, but if you choose the FE, you probably won’t notice the difference. The screen is rated for a maximum brightness of 1,450 nits, so it didn’t bother me too much. On a reasonably sunny day, I was able to shoot pictures outside without having to squint in order to see the viewfinder or the controls.
However, I did found that it was useful to off adaptive brightness when playing games in order to prevent the on-screen action from being too faint. In my opinion, the Samsung S23’s color punch is greater than that of the Galaxy S23 FE. The eerie dark moments in from horror movies felt a little murkier than they did on other recent phones.
Though it’s a brighter video, everything appeared better when watching YouTube videos. I believe it’s safe to say that, whereas the Galaxy S23’s display is one of its greatest qualities, the Galaxy S23 FE’s is just passably good.
Performance
Instead of using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, Samsung chooses to use the Exynos 2200 chipset to power the S23 FE foreign variants of the phone. This suggests that the Exynos 2400 processor will replace the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the future S24 series.
In addition, you receive 128GB of storage, 8GB of virtual RAM, and 8GB of onboard RAM. Along with Android 13 and OneUI 5.1 Android operating system, Samsung guarantees five years of security updates and four years of Android OS upgrades for the S23 FE.
For the foreign S23 FE models, Samsung chooses to use the Exynos 2200 chipset rather than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to power the phone.
It multitasks quickly, making it easy to swipe between apps. Games ran smoothly, even at their maximum visual settings, with no frame drops. Long sessions may cause it to become warm; in that case, the vapor chamber, which is bigger than the one in the base S23, helps cool the phone.
Overall performance is excellent, and the S23 FE is a simple choice thanks to the software support that Samsung has planned.
Battery
One aspect of the Galaxy S23 FE with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU that worries me is how long the phone’s battery lasts. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 had a bit of a patchy history when it came to power management, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is incredibly efficient—just take a look at the number of phones powered by that chipset that made it onto our list of the best phone battery life. The Galaxy S23 FE, at least, has a large 4,500 mAh battery that should help it last longer.
We can’t tell you whether the S23 FE outlasts the typical smartphone by surviving longer than 10 hours since we haven’t completed our bespoke battery test, in which we have the device browse the web continually via cellular until it runs out of juice.
I am aware that the battery indication dramatically dropped when I played several visually demanding games and ran various tests on the phone, but it doesn’t truly represent use in the real world.
The charging speed of the Galaxy S23 FE is 25W, which is also the charging speed of the Galaxy S23. I wouldn’t exactly call it a reason to celebrate, as that’s one of the slower charging rates, but at least you’re not giving up quicker charging in favor of a less expensive phone. The Galaxy A54 does not support wireless charging, however the S23 FE does.
Camera
The S23 FE sports an 8MP telephoto lens with a 3x optical zoom and a 12MP ultrawide lens, along with the same 50MP primary camera with OIS and VDIS (advanced digital image stabilization) as the S23.
Additionally, a 10MP selfie camera is included. The S23 FE’s front-facing camera records 4K videos at 60 frames per second, while the primary cameras can capture up to 8K videos at 24 frames per second. Useful features like object remover, color correction, and filters are included in the Gallery app.
The camera system is good overall and processes data quickly. Whether taken in the daytime or at night, the pictures had an amazing quality. They were crisp, detailed, had a strong contrast, were colorful, and had a good dynamic range. Selfies are excellent, and the S23 FE does a great job with bokeh.
You should definitely purchase this phone for your night outings, like I did, and record and take pictures of Kenyan Swifties having the best time ever dancing and singing before and after the Eras Tour showing. The videos were amazing, especially in low light.
Verdict
If the S23’s exorbitant cost deterred you from buying one, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE’s reasonable pricing will win you over. With only a few small concessions, it offers the power and performance of the S23 series, all at just under $100,000.
Impressive construction and appearance combine with flawless flagship-quality camera performance. The majority of you will also wonder if you should hold off until the S24, to which I would respond that it will be a lengthy wait and that the phone will still cost more while having only marginally different features from the S23.
Compared to other foldable flip phones like the Motorola Razr+ and Galaxy Z Flip 5, the Motorola Razr (2023) costs $300 less, and it’s obvious where Motorola made compromises to bring down the price. However, this is the first foldable phone that is a good choice for a wider range of price points if you don’t require a strong processor or a larger cover display.
The Motorola Razr (2023) has arrived to cater to those intrigued by foldable phones without wanting to break the bank. In a landscape where a almost US$1000 foldable phone was once considered a relative bargain, the new Razr disrupts the narrative by significantly reducing that price.
To achieve this more affordable cost, Motorola had to make certain compromises. The most notable one involves downsizing the phone’s exterior display from the expansive 3.6-inch panel on the pricier Motorola Razr+ to a more modest 1.5-inch strip. Additionally, this budget-friendly Razr opts for a less powerful chipset, and specifications for storage and display refresh rate are scaled back compared to the Plus model.
The question emerges: Is the decreased price of the Motorola Razr justified in exchange for the compromises on a foldable flip phone? Or does the reduction in features render any potential value obsolete? This Motorola Razr (2023) review seeks to answer precisely that.
Design
Motorola has once again impressed with the design aesthetics of the Razr (2023). The premium build quality and carefully chosen materials give it a sleek and sophisticated appearance. The device feels sturdy in hand, and the attention to detail in design is evident.
The foldable design is where the Razr (2023) truly shines. Motorola has refined the folding mechanism, making it more robust and durable. The device folds seamlessly, and the hinge feels reliable, addressing concerns from the previous model.
Display
The display of the Razr (2023) is impressive, both in terms of size and resolution. The ample screen real estate, coupled with a high-resolution display, enhances the overall viewing experience. Whether you’re watching videos, browsing, or multitasking, the display delivers vibrant and sharp visuals.
Motorola has incorporated advanced display technology in the Razr (2023). The foldable OLED screen provides rich colors and deep contrasts. The display adapts well to different lighting conditions, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable viewing experience.
Performance
Under the hood, the Razr (2023) is powered by a robust processor. The device handles multitasking with ease, and the performance is commendable for daily tasks and even demanding applications. Whether you’re navigating through apps or engaging in gaming sessions, the processor delivers a smooth experience.
With various RAM and storage configurations available, users can choose the one that suits their needs. The ample RAM ensures efficient multitasking, and the storage options cater to users with varying media and app requirements.
Camera
The camera capabilities of the Razr (2023) add to its appeal. The device captures detailed and vibrant shots, showcasing improvements in image processing. The camera system benefits from Motorola’s expertise, offering a versatile shooting experience. The front and rear cameras provide versatility in capturing moments. Whether it’s selfies or landscape shots, the Razr (2023) excels in delivering quality images from both perspectives.
Battery Life
The battery performance of the Razr (2023) is noteworthy. The device efficiently manages power consumption, resulting in extended battery life. Users can go through a full day of usage without constantly worrying about running out of charge.
The charging capabilities align with the modern user’s needs. The fast-charging feature ensures that you spend more time using your device and less time waiting for it to charge.
Verdict
In conclusion, the Motorola Razr (2023) lives up to the hype surrounding foldable smartphones. With a stunning design, impressive display, robust performance, and capable camera system, it’s a device that appeals to those seeking innovation and style. While it comes with an affordable price tag, the overall package makes it a worthwhile investment for tech enthusiasts looking to stay on the cutting edge.
The Motorola Razr (2023) succeeds in blending form and function, offering a glimpse into the future of smartphones. If you’re ready to embrace the foldable revolution, the Razr (2023) is a strong contender in the market.
If you have any comments please leave them here below, and if you have questions leave them below as well and I will get back as soon as I can. Check out more reviews and articles on your favorite gadgets right here on wildbreaktech.com.
Even though it was among the first to boldly attempt to recreate FromSoftware’s lightning in a bottle, the 2014 original Lords of the Fallen fell short of expectations. There’s probably never been a better moment for a sequel to take a go at it than now, over ten years later, and a million soul-like imitators later.
Thankfully, this new, confusingly identically named Lords of the Fallen successfully delivers its blow. Its dual reality environment is really fascinating to explore, the build crafting options are varied and intricate, and the combat is so seamless and fulfilling that I’m prepared to overlook all the ways it borrows ideas from other games.
This newest push isn’t quite a death blow due to some rather serious performance issues and glitches, as well as shockingly easy boss battles, but even so, I anticipate to spend a lot more time impaling foes and searching every crevice of its neatly partitioned universe for treasures.
Another game in the action-RPG souls-like genre, Lords of the Fallen has a spooky fantasy background, other people joining you in cooperative or PvP action, and lots of death. It uses the same kind of lethal third-person fighting system, complete with dodge rolls, posture meters, and extreme disrespectful emoting over defeated foes.
There are many references to FromSoftwares’ classics, such as Dark Souls, Demon Souls Remake, just to name a few, but there are also a lot of original elements to look forward to. This includes things like some very awesome tricks involving multiple realities or a mystical light that enables you to literally flay the souls out of your foes.
And look, I know I usually complain about how overly saturated this genre is with new releases when I review one of these things, but it really is worth saying again. These days, there are a number of these games.
Even if playing more of a genre I like isn’t always a negative thing, it may be discouraging to start a new game and feel like I already know how 90% of it will end because everyone is utilizing the same methods and cliches.
For instance, it’s somewhat strange that I can look at a distant pile of boxes and think, “Ah, can’t wait for a monster to leap out from behind those and attack me,” or that I can go into a swamp and know for sure that I’m going to be jumped by animals who try to poison me.
I can no longer remember which game’s healing items are called Estus Flasks, Dragon Hearts, Flasks of Crimson Tears, Pulse Cells, Healing Gourds, and so on and so forth, for all eternity. If any of those names sound familiar to you, prepare for a lot more déjà vu.
Fallen Lord’s Lore
If the game name sounds familiar to you too, that’s because it has the same name as the 2014 video game developed by Deck13. However, as the absence of a “2” or any other comparable symbol may imply, this Lords of the Fallen is more of a complete reboot or remake than a sequel.
Although new developer Hexworks only utilized the most fundamental components from the previous version, those who played the original will undoubtedly hear NPCs refer to some familiar setting terms like “The Rhogar” and “Adyr” or see some really cool and familiar sights like the giant outstretched hand from the ground in the distance.
The good thing is that the world feels much more fully realized and the new tale, which is being told with some renovated, dusty sections, is far superior than its predecessor.
Even though the interesting characters, lore, and world building are occasionally overshadowed by a sea of common dark fantasy jargon, there are still plenty of these elements to enjoy as you come across different factions to support or oppose.
Lords of the Fallen clearly takes inspiration from other games in the genre, its most innovative concept is also its greatest one. The ability to switch between two different realms at any moment.
With the use of a magic lantern, you can enter Umbral, a ghostly realm of eerie creatures and grotesque eyes, which sits atop Axiom, the actual world as most people know it.
You’ll need to traverse both as you go about taking out monsters and pushing scrubs off of cliffs, adding a truly interesting new aspect to the environment’s exploration.
In the real world, you might come across a broken bridge, for instance, but if you dive into Umbral, you can use an organic, gray platform that is only visible and tangible when you enter the eerie world of darkness.
This kind of reminds me of the unsettling plane that Frodo enters when he puts on the ring in ‘Lord of the Rings’, but it’s much more useful and less out of focus.
This mechanic has a significant impact on almost every aspect of Lords of the Fallen, including exploration since each area essentially has two versions, meaning you should play through a section more than once to see what you missed, and combat where normally imperceivable enemies become a serious threat when you enter Umbral.
The ability to interact with the Umbral realm without going inside is even more awesome. All you have to do is hold your handy lamp to have a little portion of it appear in front of you.
By doing this, you can catch a glimpse of what could be concealed on the other side before fully crossing over and do things like walk past physical obstacles that don’t exist in the other world.
Exploration becomes less about getting from point A to point B and more about taking your time, learning about each place, and searching for mysteries as you switch between worlds and use your lamp to illuminate the differences between them.
It’s also fairly amazing because if you are ever killed by the enemy, you will be unintentionally drawn into Umbral, where you will have one final opportunity to live.
You must locate totems buried around this dark environment in order to escape or return to a checkpoint for a break, but the longer you stay, the more formidable foes spawn and pursue you.
Gameplay
Unfortunately, Lords of the Fallen has some very significant performance problems when attempting to support its cross-dimensional goals, thus it doesn’t exactly seem to be able to handle them technically. I frequently had stuttering and lost frames, especially after extended sessions.
Every player I played with had the same difficulties, which occasionally caused such severe eye strain that I had to restart my computer in the hopes that things would get better, if only temporarily.
It’s particularly annoying when my co-op buddies get murdered during multiplayer since their game turned into a slideshow and I end myself getting hits that I might have avoided otherwise.
Although I don’t generally complain about performance benchmarks or subpar framerates, these were so constant that I had to deal with them. It was like having a great dinner accompanied with a sharp toothache and a cut on the roof of my mouth. While I hope that these kinds of issues will be resolved soon, it is now hard to overlook such serious issues.
Fortunately, these locations—from the dangerous stairs of a mountain monastery to the flaming ruins of the city of Calrath—remain incredibly entertaining to explore when game’s framerate cooperates.
With intriguing and stunning locations, a ton of mysteries to uncover, and a ton of distinct opponents to take down—one at a time via mini-boss encounters spread over the nearly 40-hour campaign—the level design is among the greatest of the genre in recent memory.
Lords of the Fallen also clearly takes inspiration from the original Dark Souls, particularly in that it makes a concerted effort to link every region of the map to a central hub and offers plenty of chances to find shortcuts and alternate routes. However, this comes at the expense of being irritated by roughly fifteen doors that are locked from the side you’re on approximately once every hour or so.
Even if that dance feels quite traditional at this point, taking down legions of hideous skeleton abominations is a vibrant maelstrom of swords and flails being swung and parried, making it play more fluidly than the great majority of its counterparts.
You can be a swift and accurate Bloodborne guy, a brawny bruiser with a trusty sword and board, or any of a variety of ranged magic users with impressive but generic skills like dousing levels in fire and lava or bestowing upon you and your friends health-regenerating benefits.
You may increase the build crafting variation even more by upgrading your spells, weapons, and equipment by adding runes and other upgrades to give them unique modifications.
One of my favorite things about action-RPGs is how much space there is for replay-ability and a number of different playstyles, especially with nine beginning character classes to pick from (plus four more that can be acquired later).
It’s also wonderful that a lot of the sections you’ll battle your way through are genuinely difficult; they’re frequently populated with elite adversaries that swarm you with powerful blows in cramped spaces where there are plenty of chances to lose your life.
Entering the Umbral world presents a thrilling and exhilarating experience, but it also brings more opponents and danger. The only real problem is that adversaries are as stupid as a sack of hair, which isn’t particularly unusual for the genre, but it’s still funny to watch these ninnies struggle to figure out the geometry of the environment and then stand there while you hit them with lightning balls over and over again.
Your magical lamp and its connection to the parallel Umbral realm are not only fantastic for exploration but also quite helpful in battle. This is mainly because you can use its Soul Flay ability to rip out an enemy’s soul, stopping them in their tracks and giving you plenty of time to deal damage.
If you’re feeling very nasty, you may even cast their soul over a cliff, causing them to plummet to their death when their body eventually catches up. This is a very handy way to get rid of annoying people who would be dumb enough to approach you close to a cliff.
Additionally, certain foes will have near-invincible supernatural protection. The only way to neutralize this protection is to shine your flashlight on a concealed eyeball nearby to destroy it. The awesomeness of the dual-reality shifting feature is brought to light when players find ways to play with it during combat.
Of course, no souls-like would be complete without spectacular boss battles against repulsive monsters, and Lords of the Fallen features some awesome ones, like a monstrous dragon that appears to pursue you throughout your journey and a gigantic crow that tries to bury you in ice.
Unfortunately, they’re not at all difficult, in contrast to the levels that came before them. Death is not common while facing bosses since they all attack you with telegraphed, sluggish moves, and surprisingly adequate health bars.
The basic AI also allows for lots of gaps in the action for healing. A lot of these bouts are relatively ordinary, serving more as a means of introducing a new elite adversary that will also be employed more frequently later on.
The Good and Bad
This otherwise fantastic bundle is surrounded by a fair amount of bugs. A few game crashes occurred to me, several awesome combat confrontations were destroyed by adversaries who were immobile in the surroundings, I was unable to execute some button instructions, like blocking, for extended periods of time, and more.
Additionally, there are a few strange non-bug quirks, such as the fact that the loading screen appears each time a player rests at a checkpoint and that Lords of the Fallen occasionally retains the unattractive original Dark Souls energy.
Some of those rough edges become much more apparent while playing with a buddy since it brings in other dubious features, such as the teleportation of co-op partners that happens when they go too far and is followed by a loading screen.
But these loading screens frequently take just enough time for the host to have moved out of view by the time you load back in, which results in an additional loading screen.
The strange absence of any sort of in-world sign guiding you in your friend’s direction also makes it impossible to determine where the host is, making it simple to lose sight of them and get split apart.
However, playing with a buddy is still enjoyable and offers the helping player a ton of resources and equipment along the road, unlike FromSoftware titles that frequently send them back to their own realm after every boss fight. My group and I are eager to revisit some of the locations and adversaries in fresh Game+ based on what I’ve played so far.
There’s fresh mythology, a whole new skill tree to try out, and, of course, more challenging monsters to defeat. It’s unfortunate that none of the boss fights have yet proven very difficult due to the increased level, but the sections in between are still well worth the trip.
Final Verdict
Lords of the Fallen is a fantastic souls-like game, and its revolutionary concept of switching between two different worlds to defeat opponents and solve puzzles is a brilliant way to make it stand out from the competition.
Although poor boss battles and a plethora of extremely frustrating technical bugs hamper that notion, amazing explorable locations and excellent buildcrafting more than make up for it. In spite of the obvious glut of action-RPGs out there, if, like me, you can’t get enough of good ones, then this relaunch is well worth your time.
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280W Power Supply, 6-Cell 83 WHr Battery, Up to 8hours battery life
INPUT PORTS
HDMI, 2x USB 3.2 Type-C, Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
MISC
802.11ax Wifi, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) connection | Color: Shadow Black
PROS
Stylish design
Good display with acceptable brightness
Excellent performance with great graphics
Good battery life
Decent price
CONS
Tends to get warm
Mediocre keyboard
HP Omen 16 Gaming Laptop – Overview
In the market for a reliable gaming laptop at a fair price? Your best option could be the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop. With its Ryzen 9 7940HS and RTX 4070 components, the Omen 16 delivers a potent combination. Complete the package with a respectable 16.1-inch display and long-lasting battery. What then is the catch? Although it has a poor keyboard and can become a little warm, its biggest flaw is that it doesn’t really shine in any one area. It isn’t a star, but it is okay overall.
Over the years, Omen laptops have seen several redesigns. In 2023, HP decided for a very understated style. Choosing to move away from the busier or more gaudy styles of the previous ten years, it’s a contemporary and appropriate option for the laptop market today.
The HP Omen 16 gaming laptop of today is a sleek slab with a hint of metallic sheen. Although the official color is Mica Silver, which is a dark gray, it is also available in black and white, both of which have a sleek appearance. The logo, which has a straightforward reflecting diamond above the Omen name and an overall rather clean design, is even more appealing than previous iterations.
Though it doesn’t have an overly large footprint, the Omen 16 is still far from the lightest gaming laptop available at 16 inches. The Omen 16 weighs 5.3 pounds (2,4 kg). The laptop feels heavier, maybe due to its density, but the entire set is somewhat portable when required.
There’s no shortage of space for productivity and gaming with the 16-inch display. Especially in midrange to high-end gaming laptops, it’s been popular over the past year and offers a pleasant halfway ground between 15.6- and 17.3-inch computers. For people who like to shift their gaming laptops sometimes, the Omen’s medium weight and thin design make it a good option.
The display specs are really simple. It combines a 144Hz refresh rate with full HD (1,920 by 1,080-pixel) resolution, which is virtually the standard for contemporary gaming systems. This is a significant improvement over the typical 60Hz refresh rate of consumer laptops, and playing games at high frame rates is easier with the 1080p resolution.
At this price, it’s understandable to be dissatisfied that the screen only goes as far as full HD, or at the very least, that the refresh rate maximum isn’t greater. Other Omen 16 variants with a refresh rate of 165 Hz or 1440p are available from HP.
Nevertheless, 1080p gaming works well at 144Hz, which puts the pricing closer to the center of the market than the upper end. Although nothing special, the display quality is adequate in terms of sharpness, brightness, and color.
The remainder of the structure is typical. While there’s nothing really wrong with the keyboard, it’s also not very gratifying. The keys aren’t precisely mushy, but they also don’t provide much feedback. The touchpad, however, is spacious but has a shoddy feel about it. These comparatively little components, which make more sense in the base model than in more expensive variants, presumably aid in lowering the price.
Connectivity is one area where the Omen 16 shines. There are a few ports on each flank, and a few more around the back.
A USB Type-A (5Gbps) port, an Ethernet port, and a headphone jack are located on the left side, while two more 5Gbps USB-A ports are located on the right. The power connector, two 10Gbps USB Type-C ports with power supply, and an HDMI monitor port are located on the back.
Overall, the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop comes with midrange specs that is reflected according to the price. Let’s see in more detail what this midrange gaming laptop is all about.
Design
Once more, the Omen 16 has a sophisticated appearance thanks to its velvety black finish and glossy black Omen logo. The inside is simple black, with a keyboard typeface and 16 logo that seem a touch too gamey. Although the display’s bezels are rather narrow, there is still space at the top for a camera and privacy shutter.
The HP Omen 16 measures 14.5 x 10.2 x 0.9 inches and weighs 5.4 pounds. Like its twin, the keys aren’t clicky; rather, they seem a little spongy and tiny, although they are sufficiently spaced. Although the absence of texture on the keys initially confused me, it wasn’t that horrible after I got used to it.
The keys could need more feedback, though. The WASD keys are located in one of the four key illumination zones on the Omen 16. The Light Studio is located in the Omen Game Hub, but you’ll need to install it because it’s not already there. You may then alter your lighting profile from there.
The HP Omen 16 has ports all over it. Two Thunderbolt 4 connectors and a headphone jack are located on the device’s left side, while one USB Type-A port is located on its right side. The power jack, an Ethernet connector, an HDMI port, and one USB Type-A port are all located on the rear of the Omen. If theses are not enough, you can always get a USB Hub.
Bottomline. The HP Omen 16 gaming laptop comes with a stylish design. It’s not that heavy, has a sufficient number of input ports, and comes with a backlit keyboard that may take awhile to get used to.
Display
You have enough of workspace for gaming and working on the 16.1-inch display. It’s a popular size that falls between 15.6- and 17.3-inch computers, and it’s notably common in mid-range to high-end gaming laptops.
The Omen 16 is a good compromise for individuals who wish to move their gaming laptops at least sometimes given its thin design and middleweight weight.
The Omen 16’s display features full HD (1,920 by 1,080-pixel) resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, which is virtually the standard for contemporary gaming systems. The latter is a notable improvement above the typical 60Hz refresh rate of consumer laptops, and the 1080p resolution is easier to run games at high frame rates.
At this price, it’s reasonable to be dissatisfied that the screen’s resolution is limited to full HD, or at the very least, that the refresh rate maximum isn’t greater. Other Omen 16 models with 1440p resolution are available from HP.
The pricing is kept in the center rather than at the top end of the market since 165Hz is still a good match for 1080p gaming. Although the display quality isn’t exceptional, it is sufficient in terms of sharpness, brightness, and color.
Overall, the display of the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop does the job well but it would be better. It’s detailed, produces great colors and good brightness, and gaming looks and feels awesome, but 1080p feels standard, and this is not a cheap gaming laptop.
Performance
With its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, the Omen 16 is powered by a unique combination that is hard to find in other modern devices.
Even while the comparatively meager 16 GB of RAM and the rather modest 512-GB SSD support these components, you may at least more easily update those parts if you want additional memory.
Performance is just amazing. I tested the Omen 16 against almost every benchmark, and it handily outperformed the competition in every one of them, with the only close call being a narrowly missed score on the VRMark Orange Room test, where it just missed the high standard established by other laptops such as the HP Envy 16.
The system performed 2 to 30% better on everything else, and it even surprised me by demonstrating battery life of almost 8 hours while testing full-screen YouTube playing. That’s a huge boost because while testing gaming rigs in the last few years, including earlier Omen models, I was fortunate enough to get two hours of runtime.
Overall, the performance of the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop is impressive. For daily use its works very well, for gaming it also performs well but with a short battery capacity. It’s best that it’s plugged in for longer gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Thanks to its 83Wh battery, the HP Omen 16 has good battery life. In this category, the majority of gaming laptops are powered by 70–80 watts, which gives the Omen the advantage. Exact run times will be greatly influenced by workload and screen brightness.
All of our measurements were made with the brightness at 50%. On medium settings, we were able to attain 10.75 hours of idle runtime, 6 hours of movie playback, and 78 minutes of gaming. Very good figures for a gaming laptop.
Other Features
It’s not terrible, which is impressive for a little 1080p laptop webcam. The test photo from the Omen 16 did a really good job of capturing the hues in my face and clothing, emphasizing my pinkish skin tone and blue shirt.
However, the open window and the weak contrast caused my whole background to be blown out. The image was clear enough to show each of my head’s individual curls.
The HP Omen 16 had strong audio when using a pair of Bang & Olufsen speakers, however occasionally the crucial noises were missed. I turned up Kami Kehoe’s “SLEEP WHEN IM DEAD,” and the song’s opening vocals exploded through the speakers with a powerful punch.
The drums were heavy and the electric guitar was bright, but every now and then the two would blend together in the tune. The voices, however, were clear and prominent throughout.
The conversation and oncoming cars were audibly loud and clear in Cyberpunk 2077. However, occasionally the background music would drown out the conversation, so you would need to change the settings and experiment with sound mixing.
It didn’t sound as thick and weighty as I would have liked it to when I fired my shotgun at the attackers above. Instead, the sound was metallic yet hollow.
It may get hot so be careful where you put it. After playing for 15 minutes, the bottom reached 114 degrees Fahrenheit. The center of the touchpad and keyboard were each at an angle of 75 degrees.
The frightening statistic, however, is the far-rear underside, which measures 133 degrees. When not used for gaming, we have observed the bottom to be 95 degrees, the keyboard to be 89 degrees, and the touchpad to be 80 degrees.
Verdict
The HP Omen 16 gaming laptop isn’t the best gaming laptop in the market right now. However, rather focusing on its drawbacks such as the mediocre keyboard and its tendency to overheat in less than ideal locations, the HP Omen 16 is a good gaming laptop overall and well worth the money it currently costs.
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After all that, if you’re looking for a decent gaming laptop at a mid-range price than look no further than the HP Omen 16 gaming laptop. Click hereto fin out more and to purchase if you desire so.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a consistently entertaining superhero power trip and offers Insomniac’s strongest story to date, despite its open world falling short.
With Marvel Spider Man 2, Insomniac has the difficult burden of following up two enthralling, heartfelt, and exciting superhero fantasies. Although having an issue like that may sound like a wonderful thing, what happens next? Its response is to intensify its efforts. Boost your Spider-Men efforts. Increase the map’s size twofold. Increase the number of intense action scenes.
In doing so, the studio has created the finest plot in the series’ history as well as another continually thrilling rollercoaster ride. However, when compared to the first Spider-Man game in other aspects, the sequel might appear to be two Spider-Man games heading in the same direction.
Despite the game’s wider geography, the most of the open-world activities available there are in serious need of adaptation. The game’s fantastic combat hasn’t lost any of its freshness, but it is still generally entertaining as before. The end product is a blockbuster in the truest sense of the word—unquestionably exhilarating for extended parts yet formulaic in other instances.
Spider-Man 2’s fighting is quite familiar, even though it has a few new tricks up its sleeve. It no longer has that new suit scent, but it still feels very cozy to snuggle back into.
In addition to seeking high-hit combos to make the battle as stylish as possible, the rhythm of precise dodges, the new flawless parries, and acrobatic finishers are immensely enjoyable. The attacks are crushing and the movement is fluid, like a hybrid of peanut butter that each of your enemies is allergic to.
Enemies are flung around like dolls, juggled in the air, bashed across concrete floors, and hurled into each other like body-armored bowling pins—but, of course, never killed—in a brick-to-the-face dance that combines power and beauty. Even if every organ is ruptured and a bone is shattered in their body, they will undoubtedly continue to live and perpetrate atrocities.
Overall, this time around, stealth encounters aren’t as heavily stressed as they were in Miles Morales or Spider-Man. This new, noisier approach is appreciated by someone who thought the stealth action in the earlier games was a touch too simple and repetitive.
The Gameplay
Spider Man 2 is much more eager for you to get into the action, with many abilities designed to let you group enemies and then deal big damage to all of them at once, rather than spreading them out to pick them off one by one. Of course, there are story missions where Miles or Peter have to slink across ceilings and take out thugs who never look up, but Spider Man 2 is much more eager for you to get into the action.
Playfully incorporating this principle is a new favorite device called the Web Grabber, which draws foes in from a distance and causes them to collide. Peter may now join in on the fun I had using this before launching a powerful burst of Miles’ Venom lightning upon a group of baddies.
It takes a little longer than I anticipated, but once Parker puts on the symbiote suit that has previously been seen in the trailers, the furious capabilities that it confers have a significant impact, giving bouts more of a brawler feel and providing Peter a set of tools to counter Miles’ pleasing electric skills.
They’re equally fun since I have the impression that the suit is attempting to escape from the quaking Dual-Sense controller in my hands. This aggressive playing style is rewarded because the sole method to heal is by filling up your focus bar, which you achieve by hitting strikes and timing precise dodges. It’s also a technique to make sure that the thrilling fighting pace never stops.
You won’t be whacking the same five balaclava thugs with baseball bats anymore thanks to Spider-Man 2’s increased adversary variety, which is one area where Insomniac made changes. You’re kept on your toes by new groups and troops like cultists with flamethrowers that keep you at a distance, flying drones, and hunters who set up laser grids above your head to prevent aerial strikes.
It also provides a fun new twist to battles when some adversaries are weak to specific sorts of assaults, like electric or symbiote attacks. It’s by no means ground-breaking, but it adds a nice layer of complexity that forces you to think about whether Spider-Man or power is optimal for a certain task.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t advantages to being cunning, especially if you’re playing as Miles and employing his invisibility ability to stealthily eliminate adversaries. There are several perch takedown options available, as well as brand-new playthings like the Web Line, which lets you build your own highwires over your opponents to pounce on them from above.
It’s a fun tool that lets you turn the battlefield in the intricately built arenas more to your liking while also redecorating the space with web-wrapped human pinatas. On the other hand, because you clear out foes using much the same strategies as in combat, stealth isn’t that different from the numerous warehouse confrontations you’ll have experienced in the prior games.
Regarding covert operations, the original playable MJ scenes come back, and while they are more involved this time and serve the narrative nicely, they never amount to anything more than straightforward stealth missions or brief bursts of third-person gunfire.
She is definitely not ignored, but it seems like more could’ve been done to make her gameplay parts more interesting or at the very least more consistent with her established persona as an intrepid investigative reporter than the assignments she is assigned here.
With additional spins and flips added to their arsenal, our Spider-Men may now swing around their friendly communities in more spectacular ways than before, giving them a Tony Hawk-like edge. Web acrobatics are still one of the most enjoyable methods to navigate any open area and are quite satisfying.
The new web wings, however, are unquestionably a standout feature. Like Batman before him, Spider-Man can now glide and soar through the city with ease, but there are still limitations. You’ll need to learn how to control your altitude and forward momentum with the help of the city’s windy corridors, which can quickly transport you from one district to the next.
The Story
The narrative gracefully transitions between comical antics and serious introspection. The ability to put on the suit and go into Kratos-like wrath mode, where you press in both thumb sticks and begin one-hitting everything in your way, is unquestionably entertaining, but the authors never once fail to focus on the humanity that exists inside these superhumans.
As Spider-Man 2 explores the motivations behind each character’s actions and the possibility of good lurking in the shadows of evil, the same can be said for both its heroes and villains.
As this is very much a sequel that incorporates both storylines and characters from the earlier games and related DLC, it is helpful to have a quick refresher of both Peter and Miles’ prior adventures accessible for those with fuzzy memories.
Since Spider-Man 2 builds on the original two games in both its gameplay and plot, you won’t want to jump in here for the first time. Of course, there’s little reason not to, given that those games were equally terrific.
To avoid giving anything away, let’s just say that Kraven the Hunter, who is, well, seeking a hunt, is the main character. He’s essentially The Predator, an Apex predator endowed with tremendous strength who has selected New York as his new hunting field, for those who are unfamiliar with the concept. As he sets his eyes on the largest prey imaginable, it’s a wonderful beginning point that upends the city’s hero and villain relationship.
Though they might appear less significant in the context of the general mayhem in the city, the smaller storylines in play feel like they might destroy the world to people who live there.
Both Spider-Men explore a variety of personal concerns, such as strained relationships and grief, that haunt us as humans, no matter how superpowered we may feel. They take on the most extreme examples of attempting to manage a work/life balance you can imagine.
Although somewhat clichéd, it’s the best-written narrative in the series thus far, and the actors provide performances that match the writing. That it covers such a broad range of topics without experiencing tonal whiplash is a true success. The film’s standout scene is a spectacular mission that takes place in front of the glistening amusement park attractions of Coney Island.
It successfully distills the emotional tension of the plot and captures its essence before emphatically crushing it. Spider-Man 2 is mostly a Peter Parker narrative, exploring his relationship with MJ and the reappearance of his boyhood best buddy Harry Osborne.
It’s always interesting to see him struggle with deciding which aspects of the past to let go of and who he wants to be in the future. I couldn’t help but see Uncharted’s influence more strongly than ever in parts of the missions when you play as regular, everyday Peter, both in the storytelling methods it employs and the jaw-dropping action sequences when he dons the suit.
However chaotic the situation becomes, he always has a snappy one-liner prepared to be delivered to perfection by actor Yuri Lowenthal. Even if some of the most intriguing explorations of Miles’ Puerto Rican/African American culture are saved for side objectives, Miles still gets his time in the limelight and has some excellent moments toward the conclusion of the main campaign.
Naturally, the lessons you draw from the narrative and its varied array of people will be particular to you. There are deeper undertones to be found in this story as well; on the surface, it’s just another exciting superhero tale full of shocks, cameos, and Easter eggs.
Themes of adolescence and puberty are addressed in Spider-Man 2 and, to a certain extent, in all great Spider-Man stories. Puberty is a period of uncertainty for even the most typical of youngsters struggling to manage body secretions. We pick off where Miles left off, when his relationships with his family and friends are fraying, and when he is faced with his first significant life decisions.
As we watch a younger Spider-Man develop in front of our eyes, actor Nadji Jeter continues to shine in the role and exhibits all the versatility required. These motifs take on a far more concrete form for Peter. Being in his early 20s, he has already experienced the trying times Miles is going through, but because of the symbiote suit, he is going through further physical changes.
This physical form also serves as a metaphor for the many mental health problems that each Spider-Man has experienced. The main protagonists are shrouded in black as if they are in a state of mourning while Venom looms over them like a specter of sorrow.
The narrative does a fantastic job of subtly examining these themes and how, if not dealt with appropriately, inner demons may consume us and cause us to unwittingly hurt and antagonize others we care about.
Of course, a hero would be nothing without his or her foes, and Spider-Man has an almost unrivaled cast of antagonists. Insomniac has many more tricks up its sleeve than the likes of Venom, Kraven, and Lizard featured in the trailers. The only thing I’ll say about any of these is that Spider-Man 2 begins with a boom and introduces a feeling of scale that hasn’t been there in the series before.
It’s a thrilling return to the franchise that challenges your memory of the combat while also imparting a few new skills. Additionally, it ushers in a fresh optional side-story villain thread. While they don’t provide much in the way of new gameplay mechanics, these do add valuable supplemental plot pieces. They offer these foes additional character depth, elevating them from being one-off boss fight props to whole people.
Speaking of boss fights, that are one aspect of the game that improves significantly from our early tangos with Kingpin, Vulture, and the others. One of the things I found lacking in the original game in Insomniac’s series was how many of the showdowns felt uninspired, with their quick time-heavy confrontations having little effect.
Miles Morales was improved, but in the full-fledged sequel, boss fights are brought to life. Even if you sometimes have to wait a bit too long for them, they never fail to thrill. They are constantly changing brawls full of peril that put your whole skill set to the test. Dodges and parries are essential, as well as making use of the many equipment scattered throughout the arenas.
The last part of the game effectively turns into a boss rush mode that will test even the strongest of thumbs – not necessarily because it ever gets too challenging, but rather because you’ll be pressing the Square button so frequently.
The majority of Spider-Man 2’s thrills, however, come in the latter half of the film because it finally finds its footing and decisively closes a story with enormous emotional depth that never once seems to be waning.
Before I reached 100% of the main tale, it took me around 18 hours to finish. After 27 hours overall, the platinum medal appeared to commend my efforts. Spider-Man 2 will toss you a lot of side activities to complete in order to get that prized trophy, and although not everyone must or should, it serves as a reminder that quantity doesn’t necessarily equate to quality.
This is still, unabashedly, an old-school approach to open-world game design, and nowhere is this more evident than in its optional tasks, despite whatever loftier intentions the tale may have.
To their credit, the right stick feature that allows you to emphasize side goals over simple map symbols is a good improvement. Even without it, you may tell there are activities nearby by looking for foreboding skies or blazing purple roofs.
Although this isn’t necessarily a world that begs for exploration or discovery, it is a step in the right direction toward enhancing immersion and, fortunately, decreasing the amount of time spent staring at the map screen.
Despite this, I couldn’t help but wish that New York had seen a few more glimpses of Gotham City. Although it always cheated by finding methods to keep people off the streets, Rocksteady’s superhero open world seemed more dynamic than what we got here thanks to things like the sudden shock of Man-bat leaping at you out of nowhere.
What’s not so Great
It’s a little disheartening to see Insomniac’s franchise trapped in the past when it comes to its side content and how it presents itself to you, especially when you consider the growth of open-world game design that the Arkham series underwent over the course of the trilogy and its deep villain side missions.
There are lots of standard open-world filler activities here, and that’s one area where Spider-Man 2 hasn’t kept up with the times or demonstrated any ambition. Despite having a few somewhat more intriguing oddities this time around, collectibles, picture opportunities, and very basic street crimes are still there and only very seldom thrill.
The button-mashing from past games is thankfully almost gone, so you’ll frequently be halting the same escapes with the same few button clicks or preventing a break-in by beating up the same few bad guys.
Although these activities now last a little longer before becoming monotonous than they did in the past, there isn’t quite a strong enough twist to make choosing to photograph a few amateur cosplayers over saving a house full of people from a raging fire seem reasonable.
The Brooklyn Visions mascot must be rescued from a rival school by completing a series of light and mirror puzzles. These cute, brief side quests add a touch of fun, but I’d want to see more life added to this world to match its visual magnificence. These people do give the planet and its mainly homogeneous population of NPCs—whom you’re obviously not supposed to look at too closely—a little bit more flavor.
What’s Awesome
However, there are several notable outliers, including a few longer and more intricate questlines that are far more satisfying—almost to the point of becoming a collection of mini-main plot tasks. My favorite quest line was The Flame, which starts out by just aiding the fire department but rapidly develops a complex and enigmatic web.
It stands out from the rest of Spider-Man 2’s optional time trials and straightforward puzzle minigames because it is full of twists, turns, and shocks like a fantastic, brief comic book run.
Rewards for performing these many tasks come in a variety of forms, from simple tech components to increase your powers, to really fascinating tale hints for what’s to come. I did, however, sometimes wonder if these tiny, celebratory tidbits were worth the grind they too usually turned out to be because the activities are frequently so boring and repetitious.
All of this helps New York, a metropolis now twice the size of what we’ve seen previously that includes the lush residential streets of Queens and the busy borough of Brooklyn, battle crime in every neighborhood.
There are 14 distinct districts, and you must accomplish the objectives in each one before you may access that area of the map quickly. rapid travel shouldn’t be easily accessible, but to be honest, I hardly ever used it since swinging and gliding across the city is so much more enjoyable. Despite the fact that load times are nonexistent and the rapid, swooping camera effect of transitioning between Peter and Miles is awesome, I hardly ever utilized fast travel.
Naturally, you’ll want to look your best if you’re going to be catching your ray-traced, 4K reflection so frequently in that glass (assuming you choose the 30fps fidelity setting). Fear not, there are countless outfits to unlock, each with a variety of vibrant skins to choose from. There are surprises in store for Spider-Man fans of all ages, from fresh takes on classics to returning fan favorites.
A clever separation of form and function means that choosing the talents and powers you equip are distinct from your choice of suit, making them all just decorative items as well.
The soundtrack is excellent, and depending on who you’re managing, Miles’ or Peter’s own hallmark songs will play. This is in keeping with Insomniac’s track record.
The theme that follows Kraven, however, is a standout since it strongly resembles Howard Shore’s Uruk-hai battle march from The Lord of the Rings soundtrack. Even when played in performance mode at a reliable 60 frames per second, as I did for the most of my playtime, it creates a really beautiful environment.
In actuality, Spider-Man 2 as a whole is a technological wonder. With the exception of the very odd NPC getting trapped somewhere they shouldn’t, everything fits together beautifully, from the nearly immediate load speeds to the ability to pick a fast-travel spot and be there in a flash.
I can’t claim that over the many hours I spent playing, I ever saw a dropped frame. This enables Spider-Man 2 to shine at its most breath-taking moments, of which the main plot delivers many. The screen is filled with exploding action, glittering electrical effects, and appropriately nasty symbiote action.
Final Verdict
Marvel Spider Man 2 is a sequel to a fantastic franchise that is both fortunate and cursed. Its two Spider-Men tale is a blast to play through and a Spidey fan’s fantasy as comic book pages are brought to life, deftly balancing light humor and deeper issues.
While doing this, Insomniac adjusts and adds just enough new skills and modifications to the combat and web-swinging formulas to take them to enjoyable new heights without fundamentally altering any of them.
The open environment of New York City, which has been grown larger but not better, with an exhaustive checklist of largely repetitive side activities, feels like it genuinely required a dramatic rethink. Although its open world falls short, it’s still a consistently enjoyable superhero power trip.
It’s safe to say that this is yet another exhilarating Spider-Man journey that provides Insomniac’s strongest story to date. And what about that? Ignore it. I actually experienced a Spider-Man-like feeling.
If you like my review, please leave a comment below, along with questions you may have. If you’re interested in starting your web slinging journey, then click here to purchase the game.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 smartphone is one of the best to release this year. But with a high price tag and visible crease on the larger display may leave many potential buyers looking elsewhere.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is a seamless device with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. However, the foldable market might make a significant jump from the little move taken by the Fold range.
The gap-free body of the Galaxy Z Fold5 finally matches the competition and solves one of the lineup’s biggest problems: the ugly and unusable V-shaped gap when folded shut. With its IPX8 certification, it is still only equaled by the Huawei Mate X3, whose Armor metal frame and Victus glass exterior are the most reliable on the market.
For the Galaxy model, the processor has been improved to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with faster CPU and GPU speeds, and storage has been increased to UFS 4.0.
The remainder is copied and pasted from Fold4. The 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOELD 2X screen with 373ppi, 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, and HDR10+ is still a foldable AMOLED panel. It supports S-Pen input and includes a sophisticated 4MP camera hidden behind the display to prevent disruptions. Despite not being a component of the phone itself, the new, smaller S-Pen cover may be one of the most significant enhancements we receive this year.
The same 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ is available externally. While there is no S-Pen support, there is a punch hole here.
Another feature that was directly copied from the Fold4 is the back camera configuration. The new Snapdragon chipset will be hoped to assist the 50MP OIS main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP OIS 3x telephoto combination in enhancing image quality with its processing power.
Battery life is another area that can only be improved by the new chipset as the Fold5 has a 4,440mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging capability.
It was undoubtedly written on the wall in the Fold5 R&D labs, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Although the unsightly gap is gone, the Fold5 still appears to be a makeover rather than a completely new design. Imagine a Galaxy Fold 4s.
Could there possibly be more to this new phone than first appears? Has Samsung concentrated on internal changes that enhance the user experience but don’t appear on the specifications sheet? Let’s investigate by taking a look inside the box.
Design
Thinner, lighter and easier to hold
Same design as previous model
Comes with water resistance
Build using quality materials
The design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is clearly the result of iterative development. It shares a lot of similarities with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 at first appearance, but there are also significant and, in my opinion, positive distinctions.
With a weight reduction of about 11 grams over the previous generation, the Z Fold 5 is much lighter. Additionally, it weighs 30 grams less (252 g) than the substantial but superb Google Pixel Fold (402 grams).
More significantly, the glass-covered frame made of polished aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 can now be folded flat. When folded, the smartphone is substantially lighter and slimmer thanks to it and the millimeter of body thickness. It also feels good in your hands.
Samsung redesigned the hinge and the way the flexible display is bent inside it when you close the phone. However, the sweeping technology that was added to the hinge mechanism a few years ago to keep out crumbs and dust is still present.
The flexible display crease seems to have become significantly less obvious thanks to its improved hinge. Although it’s still visible and perceptible, it seems a little less obvious.
Most button and port locations are the same. On the top and bottom edges of the phone, there are speaker grills that are marginally smaller than those on the Z Fold 4. On the bottom, near to a microphone connector, is a USB-C port.
A single air vent and two microphones are located on the top. If the phone is open and the main screen is facing you, the physical SIM slot is on the left edge, while the power/fingerprint reader and volume rocker controls are on the right.
The fingerprint reader is one of two reliable biometric security choices, by the way. You may use the fingerprint reader or register your face to unlock. It’s simple to setup the security features with your face or pin code, and unlocks your phone quite quickly.
The hardware of the cameras, all five of them, has not changed from the Z Fold 4, however the back camera array has undergone a minor aesthetic adjustment. Samsung appears to have removed some metal from the aluminum island that encloses the three back lenses. The LED flash has also been relocated from the island and put close to the lens array.
Otherwise, nothing has changed. In comparison to the Fold 3, I loved the previous design and was pleased to see that Samsung was able to significantly widen the cover screen without expanding the phone chassis.
As soon as I open the Z Fold 5, I can clearly see the edge-to-edge screen, and it appears to be bigger. Samsung’s primary camera is cunningly concealed behind the primary foldable display and only becomes visible as a cutout when in use.
The way the hinge works is strong and slick. Despite hundreds of instances of opening and closing, the phone still felt secure when I first used it and still does. This Android phone is wonderfully made. In reality, I can attest from personal experience that Samsung is thorough and does not tolerate flaws in its Galaxy devices.
Without a doubt, the Z Fold 5 smartphone is beautiful from an aesthetic standpoint, with its polished, color-coordinated frame reminding one of a fancy bag or briefcase’s clasp. My favorite and the Fold 5’s distinctive color is Icy Blue. Other colors are available, such as Phantom Black, Cream (exclusive from Samsung.com), Gray, and Blue.
You can see sandwiched, polished aluminum, colorful glass on the back, and a big cover screen when it is folded shut. Despite having more thickness than a typical candy bar smartphone, it feels sturdy without being heavy and fits well in virtually any pocket.
One of the most robust foldables, it can withstand being submerged in water for 30 minutes thanks to its IPX8 certification. But that only applies to fresh water, not the salt water found at beaches. If you do take it to the beach, try not to drop it in the sand because it isn’t especially dust-resistant and the moving components won’t like it.
I ran my Galaxy Z Fold 5 under the faucet, but I didn’t entirely immerse the phone. It was fully undamaged after I dried it off. The overall design of the Z Fold 5 is not anything new, but it does have better features.
Display
Impressive displays both cover and main
No changes to resolution, screen size and refresh rate
Crease on main display is hardly noticeable
The 6.2-inch AMOLED (2316 x 904) outside display has a selfie camera with a punch-hole. It is responsive, bright, and angular. This cover screen has a customizable refresh rate of 48-120Hz, much like its predecessor.
The stated screen size can be a little deceiving. Yes, it is wider than the 6.12-inch display on my iPhone 14 Pro, measuring 6.2 inches diagonally, but it is also smaller. My iPhone 14 Pro and the Pixel Fold are both noticeably (almost half an inch) bigger.
Because of the tiny cover screen, this phone is still easy to carry even when it is folded to be twice as thick as the normal iPhone. But when compared to other smartphones, particularly the roomy Google Pixel Fold cover screen, it frequently feels constrained in usage.
Although the Pixel Fold showed me what was possible, I can no longer live with thumb typing on the too-narrow display of the Z Fold 5’s cover screen. And this is significant because, despite the fact that this is a dual-screen gadget with lots of productive potential, I spent a lot of time on the road with it folded shut.
The cover screen should be just as functional as the main screen, as it is on the Pixel Fold, but it isn’t, at least not in comparison.
When you unfold the phone, a stunning 7.6-inch small tablet display is revealed. Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, 2176 x 1812 resolution (374ppi), and 1-120Hz adjustable refresh rate are its perfect specifications and resolution. Having said that, this is an excellent display for browsing websites, checking email, and perusing social media.
While utilizing the display to play games, watch Netflix, shoot photographs (using it as your big-screen viewfinder), and manage numerous applications at once, you won’t notice the flexible screen crease (even if it appears a little less obvious).
Even though it has a slightly lesser resolution and pixel density (the Pixel Fold has a 2208×1840 OLED at 380ppi), this screen is more than comparable to the Pixel Fold’s. I like how the Z Fold 5’s screen extends all the way to the edge and how Samsung chose to conceal the internal front-facing camera behind a sparse patch of pixels that it can switch off when not in use rather than utilizing a larger bezel.
I don’t understand why Samsung chose to stick with the 4MP camera rather than switching to a better resolution sensor (like what you’ll find on the Pixel Fold), but at least the 7.6-inch foldable display is excellent.
The display’s advertised 1,750nit peak brightness (our lab testing hit 1,350nits in HDR mode), which I frequently used outside, was more than adequate of blocking out direct sunlight.
The phone’s displays are both touchscreens, of course, but the folding display has the advantage of accepting pen input via Samsung’s S Pen stylus. Samsung provided the new $99 / £99 Galaxy Z Fold 5 Slim S Pen cover, which is itself a pretty interesting feat of engineering, as the phone doesn’t come with one. Just above the stylus, there is a tiny S Pen release. I just depress the button to release it, and the S Pen emerges from the casing.
If I’m being really honest, I don’t like how thin the newest S Pen is. Having saying that, I liked using it on the primary display. With applications like Sketchbook, it’s fantastic for taking notes quickly and even sketching. There isn’t a better option, in my opinion, if you’re considering purchasing a case for your new Z Fold 5, than one that also contains this pen.
On the huge primary display, everything appears to be in fantastic condition. It’s ideal for my passion with Asphalt 9: Legends and for viewing movies on the train. Its flexibility also makes it versatile.
With a screen the size of a tablet, multitasking is an option. I had no issue dragging and dropping up to three applications into place to launch them. I can press the ellipsis in the middle of my trio of applications to switch between the three places.
You might wish you could open more applications at once, but I believe three is sufficient for readability and functionality. Drag and drop operations between these two displays are similarly simple. In this case, having one app on the left and another on the right makes sense (for example, mail on the left and photos you want to drop in on the right).
Soon after receiving my review sample from Samsung, I made the decision to rely only on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to direct me as I walked from a restaurant back to my hotel in Seoul. I launched Google Maps on the 7.6-inch display after unfolding the phone and started looking for my accommodation.
Maps located it and could pinpoint my location and travel direction with a small blue dot. Because Maps couldn’t produce walking instructions in South Korea, that was useful. I only needed to stroll while keeping an eye on my blue dot on the large screen. I was back in my hotel room in fifteen minutes.
I can sit the phone on the table, fold the screen 90 degrees, and watch movies on one side of the screen while scrolling through my photographs and videos or use Flex Mode to shoot shots by waving at the screen. The Z Fold 5 also functions as a tripod by itself.
I would set it down on a chair, table, or other flat surface, point the back cameras at my subject (people, the sky, the stars), and then use the settings on the screen to snap the picture either right away or, if I didn’t want to take the chance of moving the phone, on a timer. Hyperlapses of stars moving over the night sky and groups of people passing by are both fantastic subjects for this kind of video.
There isn’t a “Tent Mode” on this device as there is on the Pixel Fold, which would allow you to half unfold the phone and play content horizontally on the Cover screen. Given how little that monitor is, this is definitely reasonable.
Camera
No drastic changes from Z Fold 4
Impressive photo and video quality
I can see the plan with the Z Fold 5 even though it’s rare for a phone maker like Samsung to keep all of its cameras the same from one model to the next. Few individuals own foldable phones or have purchased the Z Fold 4. Do you see many individuals sporting them at the park or on the train as you look around? Exactly.
Samsung has a point when it says that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (or its sexier sibling, the Galaxy Z Flip 5) may be customers’ introduction to foldable phones. With one exception, the Z Fold 4’s camera collection was pretty strong. It’s doubtful that you won’t like what Samsung has to offer in this area.
Given the fact that options for foldable phones are expanding at an exponential rate, there is obviously a concern. Don’t even get me started on the abundance of folding alternatives available to customers in the UK and Europe (entry from Oppo, Honor, and Huawei come to mind); it’s been a while since I evaluated the Z Fold 4. Google introduced the Pixel Fold since I last reviewed the Z Fold 4, and it does, in some respects, surpass the Z Fold 5’s photographic capabilities.
With a 5x optical zoom compared to Samsung’s 3x magnification, Google excels above Samsung in this specific area. Although Samsung may brag about its remarkable 30x spatial zoom capabilities, images shot with that digitally enhanced feature don’t hold up all that well when compared to other cameras. Additionally, part of the graphics combines actual images with what AI knows about your subject. That, in my opinion, is not true photography.
Nevertheless, I had a great time utilizing the Z Fold 5’s cameras. In certain circumstances, the images and portrait mode photographs are amazing. The tendency of Samsung to intensify the colors largely works in its advantage. I do enjoy a sky that is even more spectacularly blue and more purple flowers. Although authenticity may not be Samsung’s strong te, I believe everyone will like your Galaxy Z Fold 5 pictures.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers superior picture processing, which I saw on exhibit in the great low-light night photography, despite the fact that Samsung didn’t alter the sensors. The pictures are pretty good, whether they were taken in a restaurant where a 20-course Korean meal was being served or of the lovely Seoul cityscape.
Even when taking pictures in portrait mode, the camera is quick. I photographed several people who were learning to juggle, and I was astounded by the primary 50MP camera’s ability to not only capture the jugglers in action but also to recognize the balls in flight and bring them into focus alongside my subject.
My argument is that, if you have a decent lens and sensor, sometimes all you need to do to improve speed and image processing is upgrade the silicon. I took the majority of my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 photos with the phone closed, utilizing one of the three rear cameras as my viewfinder and the cover screen as a flash.
The main screen is accessible if I open the phone, but it’s a little cumbersome. I could utilize the greatest cameras on the phone, the 10MP cover display camera (recommended), the 4MP folding display camera (not recommended but fine for video conferencing), or both for a selfie.
I did this by unfolding the phone and choosing the “Cover Preview Screen” icon in the camera app’s upper right-hand corner. Due to the back camera array facing me, I was able to utilize the cover screen as my viewfinder. By moving the lock icon on the cover screen to the left or right, I could even have complete control over all photographic functions.
This is because, whether you’re shooting conventional photos or selfies, you can shoot using the phone’s greatest camera system. Although it’s a good feature, I didn’t like photographing with my phone unfurled in general since I was afraid of dropping it.
I also recorded some video, up to 8K 30fps, and was happy to see that there was no stuttering while recording or playback. However, I do believe that the playback of the 4K 60fps video is a little bit more buttery smooth. In either case, this phone can record some excellent films.
The auteurs among us have the option of shooting in Pro video mode, which offers them full control over the camera’s settings, including focal point, speed, and microphone (omnidirectional rather than simply front or rear, or even an external microphone).
Even while Samsung sometimes tucks away useful features inside the “More” menu, its Camera app is generally richer than Apple’s. You may select “Pro” (under More) for manual control. Additionally, you may capture 12MP stills (by merging four pixels at a time) or 50MP raw pictures with the free Samsung Expert Raw program.
You can adjust every manual option on your camera with it as well. Although it’s still a mystery to me why these phones don’t come with Expert Raw pre-installed, at least it’s available.
Compared to Apple, Samsung often provides you more control over camera functions. Similar to Apple’s Timelapse, Hyperlapse has six settings and explains how to utilize each one (300x is ideal for observing the stars, for instance).
Performance
Same chipset from the S23 series smartphones
Impressive performance
Base model starts at 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage
Impressive gaming graphics
Samsung may not have made many changes to the cameras or other parts of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but it changed the important parts. There is the still-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ‘for Galaxy’ SoC, which is now also included in the complete Galaxy S23 series. This slightly overclocked version of the CPU.
Twelve gigabytes of (LPDDR5X) RAM support that. Together, they contributed to a simple and enjoyable user experience.
According to the results of our Geekbench 6 testing, Qualcomm’s silicon outperforms the Tensor G2 CPU in the Google Pixel Fold in terms of single-core performance (2050 vs. 1179) and multi-core (5302 for the Z Fold 5 vs. 3759 for the Pixel Fold). The Z Fold 5 fared nearly twice as well as the Pixel Fold in one of our OpenGL tests that measures graphics performance.
The majority of top-tier mobile chipsets, however, are more than quick enough for almost everything you might imagine doing with a smartphone. In other words, while most common and more demanding video and picture editing operations seemed similarly quick on the Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold, it is in prolonged usage that the extra overhead provided by the Samsung device shows out.
I raced around San Francisco in Asphalt 9: Legends while playing Call of Duty Warzone Mobile at the maximum visual quality and framerate possible without any tearing or stuttering. I also used PowerDirector to simultaneously edit multiple 4K video streams (I notice that most mobile video editors are unable to edit the 8K footage). This portable is equipped to handle almost everything.
This is a 5G phone, so it goes without saying that I experienced strong connections and quick downloads in areas with decent coverage. Both an eSIM and a conventional SIM are supported. Excellent performance in the workplace and at home as well as decent future-proofing were made possible with Wi-Fi 6e support.
Battery Life
No change to battery from the Z Fold 4
Supports fast wired, wireless, and reverse wireless
Samsung didn’t adjust the battery size between the Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 5. The Pixel Fold has a battery capacity of 4,727mAh and weighs 30 grams more than the Z Fold 5; this means that 4,400mAh is less than the Pixel Fold.
Samsung claims its devices would have all-day battery life, and I regularly experienced this. On most days, it was used for at least 15 hours.
The phone is compatible with Samsung’s version of “Super Fast charging,” which recharges 50% in 30 minutes. In our experiments, a 65W power adaptor allowed us to recharge to 56% capacity in 30 minutes.
However, just the USB-C cable is included in the package, so if you want to charge your device as quickly as possible, you’ll need to purchase one of those appropriate 65W or 45W adapters.
On several Qi wireless chargers, I was also successful in charging my device. When activated in Settings, the phone also enables wireless PowerShare, allowing you to stack Samsung phones on top of one another to transfer battery power between them (or to earphones or a compatible timepiece).
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a significant improvement to the Z Fold 4, giving the foldable smartphone formula a flatter and lighter design. It has sufficient power, adaptability, and premium parts and materials.
However, the identical features to the older model, the Z Fold 4, such as the battery, chipset, the camera system and the little cover screen fall short when compared to the considerably broader competitor, such as the Google Pixel Fold. At least it’s better than the older Z Fold 4.
Should you buy it? Yes you should, if you can afford it. Although the Z Fold 5 is coming at a high price, it tick all the right boxes. So if you work in corporate, then this your ideal smartphone.
Any comments are welcome here below. If you also have questions then, leave them also below and I’ve get back to you soonest. If you want to find out more about this amazing smartphone, click here.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an amazing phone for those seeking a compact 6.7-inch smartphone that maximizes space efficiency. It’s also perfect for anyone in search of an entertaining and distinctive device.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is the smallest phone in Samsung’s foldable series, which also includes the larger Galaxy Z Fold 5 . While the Z Fold 5 turns a regular-sized phone into a tablet, the Z Flip 5 focuses on making a big screen smaller, more enjoyable, and easier to fit in your pocket.
The Fold is designed for power users and opens like a book, while the Flip bends at the waist and is designed for casual users who want a sleek, powerful phone that can be flipped closed for maximum mobility.
The Flip 5 is slightly better than the Z Flip 4, with some minor spec improvements and the ability to fold completely flat (just like the $999.99 Motorola Razr+). The new hardware is not only stunning but also durable, with an IPX8 rating and Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Samsung claims that the new hinge is even more robust than before.
One notable upgrade is the increased size of the exterior display, which enhances its usefulness. Samsung and Motorola have different approaches to utilizing their front screens, and this is what sets these phones apart the most. Depending on what you’re looking for in a modern flip phone, either the Z Flip 5 or the Razr+ will meet your needs.
So, if you’re after a compact and stylish phone that can easily fit in your pocket, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a great choice. It offers a fantastic folding experience and some impressive features. However, if you prefer a different design and user experience, the Motorola Razr+ is also worth considering. Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal preferences and priorities.
Improvements to the Design
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a stunning and sophisticated device that exudes durability, all while weighing a mere 6.6 ounces. This puts it in the same weight range as the Motorola Razr+, which weighs between 6.5 and 6.7 ounces (depending on the model), and significantly lighter than the 8.9-ounce Galaxy Z Fold 5.
While the Flip 5 boasts a smooth exterior that can sometimes feel slippery, the Razr+ offers a back panel with either a matte surface or vegan leather, both of which enhance grip.
When closed, the Z Flip 5 measures 3.4 by 2.8 by 0.6 inches (HWD), making it taller yet thinner than its predecessor, the Z Flip 4 (which measures 3.3 by 2.8 by 0.7 inches). On the other hand, the Fold 5 is substantially larger, with dimensions of 6.1 by 2.6 by 0.5 inches. The Z Flip 4 features a slightly wedged design due to the space between its halves, measuring 0.63 inches at its narrowest point. In contrast, the Flip 5 collapses flat without a wedge, showcasing its incredibly slim and sleek design.
The two parts of the phone are securely connected by Samsung’s new hinge, which can sometimes require a bit of effort to open due to its tight fit. The Z Flip 5 also has a small depression between its two sections, which can cause fingers to occasionally slip on the exterior metal frame when attempting to separate them.
On the other hand, the Razr+ has more rounded corners that make it easier to open, as they provide a firmer grip on either side.
Unless you possess exceptional dexterity, I would not recommend attempting to open either phone with just one hand. The redesigned hinge not only makes the phone more compact but also enhances its ergonomics, making it more comfortable to.
The hinge on the phone is a crucial component, and it’s important to find the right balance. If the angle is too low or too high, the hinge might automatically open or close the phone. However, we’ve discovered that the phone can still function even when opened less than 75 degrees.
On the flip side, if the angle falls below 45 degrees, the phone will shut on its own. To address this, the hinge has been redesigned and is now rated for 200,000 folds, just like the Z Flip 4.
The Z Fold 5 has also undergone similar changes to its hinge. Now, when the phone is shut, there is no longer a wedge-shaped gap between the two parts. It’s a small but significant improvement. When you open the phone, the two halves of the metal band come together seamlessly, providing a satisfying tactile experience. Samsung states that the standard angle when fully opened is approximately 178.5 to 181.5 degrees.
This means that the Z Flip 5 may or may not be completely flat when opened, but that’s perfectly normal. In everyday use, the Z Flip 5 resembles a traditional candy bar phone from most angles, similar to the Razr+. On the other hand, the Fold 5 has a more square, tablet-like shape.
When folded, the Flip 5 measures 6.5 by 2.3 by 0.3 inches. The inner screen is 6.7 inches and has a resolution of 2,640 by 1,080 pixels, a pixel density of 426ppi, and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Unfortunately, there are no improvements over the Z Flip 4 in terms of screen specifications. If you look closely, you can spot the folding crease, although it’s not very noticeable in most situations.
When you’re checking out photos, videos, and text on this device, you probably won’t even notice the curved section of the screen. It’s just like using a regular flat phone. Oh, and by the way, you can still see a 10MP camera at the top of the screen, but it’s not super obvious or anything.
Both displays on the Z Flip 5 are super bright and offer excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The inner screen has a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, while the outer screen goes up to a maximum of 1,600 nits (more on that later). On the other hand, the Fold 5 boasts a large 6.1-inch exterior display and a spacious 7.6-inch inside display.
When it comes to durability, the Z Flip 5 has the same IP rating as its predecessor, the Z Flip 4. That means it’s completely waterproof, but not officially dustproof. The front and rear panels are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which should survive falls of up to 6.5 feet on surfaces like asphalt. However, the Gorilla Glass Victus+ panels used in the previous Flip version are slightly less sturdy.
On the left side of the phone, you’ll find the SIM slot, while the volume rocker and power button/fingerprint sensor are located on the right. The combination button is a bit recessed, which makes it easier to place your finger on the sensor, but it’s not exactly ideal. When you hold the closed Z Flip 5, be careful as accidental touches can easily trigger the sensor.
If you fail to unlock the device five times in a row, the sensor will be disabled for 30 seconds, and you’ll need to enter your PIN or password to regain access. Luckily, there’s a nifty option in the settings that allows you to require a press instead of a touch to activate the fingerprint sensor (go to options > Fingerprint Always On).
This feature helps prevent the problem of unintentional sensor triggers. So, with its sleek design, the Z Flip 5 is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and stylish smartphone.
The Gorgeous Displays
The Flip 5’s outside display (also known as the cover screen) is 3.4 inches across and has a resolution of 748 by 720 pixels, which is a significant improvement over the Flip 4’s 1.9-inch, 512-by-260-pixel display. It has an acceptable refresh rate of 60Hz, albeit I would have like it to match the inner screen’s 120Hz rate.
When you close the Flip, Samsung believes you’re done with your phone and closes whatever app you’re using. The always-on display is usually visible through the cover; you must unlock the phone to interact with it again.
The cover screen has interactive widgets by default, but no applications. To enable applications on the screen, navigate to Settings > Advanced Features > Labs and turn on “Apps allowed on cover screen.” When the toggle is turned on, you may press the text to choose from a selection of only six applications that will appear in the cover screen apps widget.
The displays in these apps have some (but not much) continuity. For example, if you open a text string on the cover screen and then open the phone, you’ll be immediately placed in the same thread. If you then navigate to another text string on the inner screen and then to the outer screen, the phone quits the program and you must reload it, but you will resume where you left off.
If you’re viewing a YouTube video on the outer screen, it will play on the inner screen as well. If you’re viewing a video from the inner screen and then close the phone, you’ll have to reload YouTube from the cover screen.
However, if you’re only exploring a piece of YouTube on the outer screen, that state appears to vanish when you open the phone—you’ll still receive YouTube, but a new instance of the app will be launched.
Then there’s Samsung’s Good Lock, which allows you to install any program under the Good Lock widget. Based on the number of steps required, this does not appear to be something Samsung wants everyone to complete.
Download Good Lock from the Galaxy App Store, then press the Life Up option at the bottom, install MultiStar, open MultiStar, select I Galaxy Foldable, and then pick Launcher Widget. You may then insert any app into that widget.
Some apps, however, may not operate on the cover screen and may prompt you to open the phone instead. Reading applications like Kindle, Comixology, and Scribd, as well as Chrome, Instagram, and X (aka Twitter), performed admirably on the front screen. MultiStar also contains a game widget, which gives you access to a library of 12 games that work nicely on the small screen.
In this size factor, Motorola’s cover/inner screen software continuity on the Razr+ is the gold standard. The quantity of things you can do on the Razr+’s front screen makes utilizing the inner screen feel like a luxury. It is optional to open the Razr+, not required.
In contrast, the Z Fold 5 has a fully working cover screen. The Fold 5’s exterior display is as powerful as any conventional Android smartphone, despite its large aspect ratio. Furthermore, the Fold 5’s continuity features vastly outperform those of the Flip 5.
Many programs smoothly move from the outside screen to the inside display and back again. Given the Fold 5’s enhanced continuity features, the Flip 5’s restrictions are all the more annoying.
Fast Performance
The Z Flip 5’s standard model comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but you can pay more to double the latter. Both models are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, which debuted in the Galaxy S23 range earlier this year. The Fold 5 features the same chipset but more RAM (12GB) and a 1TB storage capacity.
The Flip 5 comes with Android 13 and is expected to receive four years of OS upgrades and five years of security fixes. It uses Samsung’s One UI 5.1, so it doesn’t deliver the same stock Android experience as Google’s Pixel smartphones, but it comes close.
Apps loaded swiftly in testing, response was snappy, and there was no perceptible lag while running a large number of apps at the same time. The Flip 5 had a single-core Geekbench 6 score of 1,940 and a multi-core score of 4,895. In comparison, the Razr+, which is powered with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 CPU, scored 917 and 2,916 in the single- and multi-core tests, respectively. It should be noted that Geekbench only measures the CPU.
The Flip 5 scored 14,377 on the PCMark Work 3.0 test, which measures general mobile workloads, which is extremely excellent but falls short of the Razr+’s 15,416. Genshin Impact performed admirably on medium settings at 60 frames per second. The Flip 5 handled many characters on the screen at the same time with ease, however we did notice intermittent slowdowns while traveling from one land to another.
When the settings were set to high, a warning message appeared that read, “Current performance load is too high, which can lead to overheating and serious lagging.” The Flip 5 became moderately warm to the touch after a short gaming session, but not uncomfortably so.
The processor-friendly Alto’s Odyssey ran well; there were no frame dips, and the phone remained cool. We anticipate that the Fold 5 will deliver comparable performance, however the additional RAM allocation may make a minor impact in specific use cases, such as multitasking.
Better Battery Life
The Z Flip 5 features a 3,700mAh battery with the same capacity and 25W wired charging speed as its predecessor. In our battery testing, which included streaming HD video at full brightness over Wi-Fi, the Z Flip 5 lasted roughly 10 hours and 5 minutes, falling short of the Razr+’s 14 hours (with a 3,800mAh battery) but improving by about 40 minutes over last year’s model.
The Flip 5 does not come with a charging brick, but with a strong charger, it can charge from 0 to 100% in 1 hour and 45 minutes. In testing, a short 15-minute charge brought the phone up to 19%. The Z Fold 5 has a bigger 4,400mAh battery, but it is powering significantly larger screens, and its battery performance has yet to be properly evaluated.
The Flip 5 supports 15W Qi-based wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging. Because of the minor angle generated by the camera bumps, I discovered that if the Z Flip 5 is closed on a level surface, a smooth item, such as the charging case of the Galaxy Buds Live, can slowly slip off the charging coil and the phone itself. To avoid this, open the Z Flip 5 and set it face down, or locate a case that will balance the phone when closed.
Other Features
The phone has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 radios, both of which are small improvements over the previous generation. It also supports mmWave and sub-6 5G, as well as the desired C-band spectrum, and has one nano SIM and one eSIM. Peak download speeds on the Flip reached 492Mbps while connected to a Wi-Fi 6 access point in testing, with uploads topping out at 16.4Mbps (the sluggish upload speed is due to the ISP rather than the phone).
When tested at the same location, the Razr+ achieved 459Mbps down and 20.4Mbps up. When I moved the Flip 5 as far away from the access point in my flat as feasible, the speeds plummeted to 39.5Mbps down and 8.91Mbps up, while the Razr+ achieved 23.4Mbps down and 13.8Mbps up.
The Flip 5 achieved exceptional speeds of 780Mbps down and 86.4Mbps up on T-Mobile’s network in New York. When tested in the same location, the Razr+ achieved 721Mbps down and 62.2Mbps up. In other words, the Flip 5 is a strong 5G performer, and we anticipate similar outcomes from the Fold 5.
The phone uses a downward-firing speaker and an earpiece speaker to provide stereo audio. When holding the smartphone in landscape mode, it is easy to cover up the down-facing speaker by accident, but it is more difficult to do so with the earpiece unless you want to do so. The speakers don’t go very loud, but the music is clear regardless of level. We discovered a lack of bass when testing the speakers with the music “Silent Shout” by The Knife.
When the speakers were switched to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” they achieved a maximum level of 94.8dB. Even at maximum volume, the highs remain clean and free of distortion. A unique feature of the design is that when you play music on the Z Flip 5, you can feel the vibrations through the cover screen. If you wish to hear the sounds from the Z Flip 5, we recommend utilizing Bluetooth headphones.
In testing, call quality was fairly high, with the earpiece speaker reaching 85.9dB, making it easy to hear the caller even in noisy environments. During conversations, the highest output of the downward-facing speakerphone was 72.8dB, which is still rather loud.
Excellent Camera Quality
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 has three cameras in total. The exterior display holds two cameras: a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with a 123-degree field of view and a 12MP wide-angle shooter with optical image stabilization and a smaller field of view. The cameras are the same as those found in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
The rear cameras can record video in 4K quality at 60 frames per second. The camera on the inner screen includes a 10MP sensor and can record video at up to 4K quality at 30 frames per second. The Fold 5 retains its cameras, however the main shooter has a 50MP sensor and a 10MP telephoto camera is added to the mix.
Outdoor images taken with the rear cameras on a sunny day looked nice, with details like foliage retaining crisp in testing. Colors were, however, oversaturated by default (as is customary for Samsung cameras), resulting in an artificial shine. Color images taken with the Razr+’s 12MP primary camera and 13MP ultrawide camera were more accurate.
The Z Flip 5’s ultrawide camera has a bigger field of vision (123 degrees) than the Razr+’s (108 degrees), so you can see more of the world in your shots. It handled both dark and bright regions effectively, retaining detail in both. Apart from saturation, the cameras on the Moto Razr+ and Z Flip 5 yielded identical results.
The interior camera provided photographs with more realistic color and detail than the rear shooters. When compared to other cameras, images shot in portrait mode produced a more realistic blur around the subject. When utilizing the primary rear camera, portrait mode was a little more harsh with the background blur, but portrait photographs can be changed in the Gallery app after you snap them.
Because Samsung promotes the Z Flip 5 as a phone for creators, we examined its video quality. Recording 4K60 footage while walking at a moderate pace resulted in some visual bounce. Lowering the frame rate to 30 frames per second resulted in better stable video. The bounce was decreased even more at 1080p/60fps.
Color reproduction appeared more lifelike in movies than in stills. The microphones captured audio nicely. Also, because the Z Flip 5 can display the camera’s viewpoint on the cover screen, we discovered that when individuals could see themselves ahead of each shoot, they seemed to smile wider and become more lively.
Low-light photography at 1x worked well in a very gloomy environment. Colors were visible in the picture testing. Images shot at 0.5x in low light, on the other hand, were completely black, with nothing visible. The Z Flip 5 outperforms its major opponent, although any of the normal Galaxy S23 variants or Pixel 7 phones capture superior photos overall.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a wonderful phone for anyone searching for a 6.7-inch smartphone that takes up as little room as possible, as well as anyone looking for something entertaining and unique. The Flip 5’s hardware is elegant and gorgeous, and the two displays are of exceptional quality, yet Motorola’s Razr+ offers significantly more capability on the outer screen.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5, on the other hand, has a more durable design and a quicker CPU, perhaps making it a better pick for someone who wants to keep their phone for at least a couple of years.
Finally, both of these foldables are simple to suggest alongside more traditional favorites such as the $999.99 Galaxy S23+ and the $899 Google Pixel 7 Pro. While we’re still evaluating it, the larger and more costly Z Fold 5 appears to be your best pick if you’re looking for a phone that combines the power of a high-end flagship with the productivity abilities of a tablet.
Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Ultra Wideband 2 (UWB) support, Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving), COLORS: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
Overview
Since announcing the four models in the iPhone series, beginning with the launch of the 2020 iPhone 12 mini, Apple has struggled to make that fourth model popular with consumers in the same way as its siblings.
The sales of each batch of iPhones over the past three years have consistently been led by the Minis and Pluses. The new iPhone 15 Plus, like last year’s iPhone 14 Plus, offers a well-rounded experience combined with a lengthy battery life.
The iPhone 15 Plus receives a few tweaks that make it appear more like a member of the club than its predecessor did. It includes enhancements that also make it more alluring to potential purchasers of big-screen smartphones. The iPhone 15 Plus launches with the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
All models in the iPhone 15 series, including the 15 Plus, now feature softer, more rounded edges, although maintaining the flat sides of the previous few iPhone generations.
This may be crucial for the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus as the previous models have been difficult to operate with one hand and this minor design change has a significant effect on the hand-feel, comfort, and usability.
You still get a 6.7-inch 60Hz OLED display with the iPhone 15 Plus, but it now has the Dynamic Island that was only available on the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max last year, in place of a notch.
The phone is powered by the more formidable A16 Bionic processor produced by Apple, while the A17 Pro chipset was upgraded for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Also, say goodbye to Lightning; the iPhone now charges using USB-C, much like Galaxys, Pixels, and pretty much all other phones.
Regarding the crucial camera setup, there are still two lenses in a diagonal layout, but the main sensor has increased from 12MP to 48MP.
This change results in better still image quality in a variety of situations, including low light, when zooming in, and when taking portrait shots.
Although the image sensor on the iPhone 15 Plus (and iPhone 15) isn’t exactly the same as the one found in the Pro variants, it does support the majority of the cool new photo features seen on its more costly stablemates.
This features a boost in base output image resolution to 24MP and the capability to turn practically any photo into a Portrait shot.
The iPhone 15 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB variants due to Apple’s decision to discontinue a 64GB storage option a few generations back. The new color-infused glass backs on all five iPhone 15 hues are available.
This, in my opinion, makes the green Plus (and the black iPhone 15) one of the most attractive iPhone finishes in recent memory.
The iPhone 15 Plus comes pre-installed with iOS 17, giving it all the advantages we’ve been hoping to try out for months (ever since Apple first demoed the feature at WWDC 2023 in June).
Longtime iPhone fans will value the quality-of-life improvements on the iPhone 15 Plus, like Contact Posters, Interactive Widgets, and even StandBy (formerly thought to be a feature reserved to iPhones with always-on displays, which the Plus currently lacks).
Fortunately, despite all the additional features, Apple has kept prices mostly unchanged in the US this year. In contrast, prices have decreased substantially in the UK and increased somewhat in Australia. As of Friday, September 22, the iPhone 15 Plus is accessible.
Design
Similar design to previous iPhone 14
IP68 Water/dust resistant
Corning-made glass front and glass rear with aluminum frame
Weighs 201g
The iPhone 15 Plus appears to be extremely similar to the iPhone 14 Plus at first glance. A closer look reveals a freshly designed metal frame, however, which softly buffs away the jagged edges and makes it considerably more comfortable to grip than the 14 Plus.
Additionally, it is three grams lighter (201g) than before.
This year’s iPhone 15 Plus (and iPhone 15) color options include five finishes (black, blue, green, yellow, and a truly stunning pink), all of which highlight new color-infused glass, with the camera bump effortlessly rising out of the back panel.
If you prefer pastels, you might appreciate these options. It has a nice appearance and is arguably the most elegant iPhone finish ever.
You should be able to charge with only one cable if you already own a contemporary MacBook and/or iPad, as the latter finally did away with Lightning on its base iPad 10.9 (2022) model last year.
Additionally, that aluminum frame now houses a USB-C port where there was once a Lightning port.
You’ll notice that it lacks the useful new Action button if you choose this non-Pro iPhone 15 variant. No, the ring/silent switch is still present on the 15 Plus and iPhone 15.
I don’t have anything against this aging component, but it’s clearly not as handy as an Action button (you can use accessibility tricks like Back Tap to mimic this behavior, though).
A diagonal dual camera system is still housed on the back of the phone, despite changes to the materials and colors. Where the notch formerly was on the front, you’ll now discover a Dynamic Island that resembles the iPhone 14 Pro, shielded by Apple’s Ceramic Shield.
Apple still provides some of the greatest IP-rated protection available, citing numbers that just barely outperform its IP68 certification for resistance to dust ingress and guaranteed water resistance.
The phone is also made entirely of recycled components, from the battery’s 100% recycled cobalt to the 75% recycled aluminum frame. Although the iPhone 15 Plus is a first step in this direction, Apple has plans to make all of its phones carbon-neutral as well.
Long-time iPhone users will also notice the port is slightly different from how they may be used to it; it is a larger pill-shape with a center strip of contacts. Finally, an iPhone has USB-C instead of a Lightning port.
Although it is commonly known that Apple made this decision before the European Union began to enforce it, that doesn’t make it any less innovative.
It was a minor joy the first time I was able to use the 3.5mm to USB-C converter, which had previously only been used with the Android phones I was testing at the time, to connect the aux cord in my car.
It’s exhilarating to be able to charge your MacBook, iPad, and iPhone with only one connection, especially if you travel frequently.
Display
6.7-inch OLED display
60Hz refresh rate
Improved brightness
Even though the bezels are not as narrow as they are on the slimmer 15 Pro and Pro Max, I find the larger 6.7-inch screen on the iPhone 15 Plus to be rather appealing and expansive.
But despite boasting a superb Super Retina XDR OLED screen, the iPhone 15 Plus (and iPhone 15) are still constrained to a 60Hz refresh rate, in contrast to the Pro models’ slick 120Hz ProMotion panels.
It’s now a nearly absurd feature of Apple’s most current non-Pro iPhones. Every generation, I think to myself, “surely, this’ll be the year they move past 60Hz,” but the business keeps defying my dreams and expectations.
For instance, Google’s normal Pixels have featured 90Hz displays since 2019; this year’s Pixel 8 joins its Pro sibling, with a 120Hz display. Samsung’s comparably priced non-Ultra flagships made the switch to 120Hz starting with 2020’s Galaxy S20 and S20 Plus.
Even though 60Hz at a phone of this price is far slower than the industry norm, Apple continues to hold non-Pro iPhones to this level.
Maybe existing iPhone owners who upgraded from earlier non-Pro iPhones don’t realize what they’re missing; you don’t question 60Hz unless you see and experience high refresh rates for yourself.
The Always-On Display feature is another Pro-only feature that is present on the majority of competitors; nevertheless, in my opinion, Apple’s execution is the finest (for a more detailed explanation, see my review of the iPhone 15 Pro). The Plus’s absence is at least mitigated by the device’s carefully honed tap-to-wake and raise-to-wake behaviors.
It’s difficult to disagree with the existing hardware, even though I still believe that this expensive handset deserves display improvements like a faster refresh rate and always-on capabilities.
Even if competitors have crisper displays, I haven’t argued about the iPhone’s resolution in years, and the 460 ppi pixel density is the same as it was before. Additionally, with a substantially higher ceiling this year — a 1,200-nit peak has increased to 2,000 nits — the business has now pushed brightness to be among the best on the market.
You will not miss the notch, and the ordinary iPhone 15 models also get the Dynamic Island from the 14 Pro range. Although it technically extends further into the display than the fourth notch, it is a more useful feature, even though I believe Apple could have done more with it in between generations.
The iPhone 15 Plus can now do everything the Dynamic Island could (keep track of directions, music, and your Uber), and iOS 17 should eventually add more features as well.
Camera
Dual camera with a 48 MP (wide), and 12 MP (ultrawide)
Captures excellent quality pictures
Records up to 4K quality videos at 60fps
The iPhone 15 Plus’ camera configuration has a huge secret, even though it shares the same design as the iPhone 14 and 13 series before it.
The primary camera, which has previously clocked in at 12MP, is upgrading to a 48MP sensor with sensor-shift OIS (optical image stabilization), borrowing a page from the iPhone 14 Pro’s playbook.
The regular iPhone’s photographic recipe now includes pixel binning for the first time, coupled with superior shooting in all lighting conditions, including low light, and better quality 2x zoomed and portrait photos. Not to mention improved video and stills stabilization.
More significantly, the iPhone 15 Plus (and iPhone 15) now automatically record 24MP photographs. The best 12MP of information is combined with the full detail of the new 48MP sensor to achieve this (this tends to result in image file sizes from the main camera being substantially greater than previous-generation.
Additionally, you receive an effective 2x optical zoom, which is not a zoom lens but rather extracts the center portion of the entire 48MP sensor, just like the 14 Pro’s camera did.
Although the front-facing camera is now hidden behind the Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 Plus’ ultra-wide sensor and front-facing camera both retain their previous megapixel counts of 12MP, so you’re shooting with capable sensors everywhere.
Performance
Includes older A16 Bionic chip
Apple GPU (5-core)
Excellent overall performance
With the iPhone 14 series, Apple widened the gap between its base models, the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, and its higher-end models, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, which had exclusive access to the A16 Bionic, which was more potent and power-efficient.
The two-tier CPU tradition will continue in 2023 with the iPhone 15 Plus (and iPhone 15) being able to use the A16 Bionic chip from last year’s 14 Pro models while the 15 Pro models this year use the even more powerful A17 Pro.
There was little evidence to suggest that the iPhone 14 Pro’s incorporation into the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus would do anything to lessen its potency since it was still absolutely flying and outperforming numerous current-generation Android flagships in fake benchmarks.
That is especially true when using a modest 60Hz display to power (as opposed to the adaptive 120Hz panel used in the Pro series), and sure enough, that is the case. During my time with the 15 Plus, the A16 Bionic demonstrated that it could handle just about anything.
There is also plenty of headroom that assures this phone will age gracefully, making it excellent for anyone looking for a long-term smartphone.
In terms of gaming, the large, bright display and the A16’s powerful graphics make for a capable pair that can handle even the most demanding games. Games, like Genshin Impact, runs smoothly at default settings (high) at 60 frames per second with only minor warming on the Plus’ back.
Concerning heat, as of this writing, a number of independent publications have expressed worries about a more serious heat build-up issue that appears to affect the entire iPhone 15 line.
While I didn’t have this problem while testing the Plus, I did when I was testing the iPhone 15 Pro for my review. It doesn’t seem to be related to carrying out high-performance jobs. Fortunately, this problem appears to be temporary because Apple has promised to fix it through software upgrades without affecting speed.
Storage options are the same as they were last year. It starts at 128GB, going up to 256GB, and ends at a high of 512GB. The Pro models start at 128GB, and the Pro Max model starting at 256GB.
The only significant reason for worry, as noted in the camera section, is the increase in picture resolution and the resulting rise in file size. A small modification like this might build up, even though a few more MBs on a single image might not seem like much.
Battery Life
4383 mAh battery
Up to 23 hours of battery life on moderate use
Fast charging not quick enough
We have a new battery champion, so blow the trumpets and throw some confetti! Last year’s iPhone 14 Plus dazzled with its battery life, but the iPhone 15 Plus takes things to new heights.
With a record (by our own testing) screen-on time of 10.25 hours, it surpasses devices like the Motorola Edge 40 Pro / Edge Plus 2023 (5.25 hours of screen-on time) and even Apple’s own iPhone 15 Pro (5.5 hours of screen-on time).
This translates to up to two days of use per charge, though I’d advise consumers to expect a day’s use with confidence and without checking the battery level.
Despite being the first Plus to include USB-C charging in favor of Lightning, there has disappointingly been no improvement in charging speed compared to the previous model.
Apple continues to claim that a device will reach 50% charge in 30 minutes with the same 15W and 7.5W wireless charging speeds for Qi and MagSafe, respectively.
However, during testing, the Plus charged at a high 20W and reached 53% in 30 minutes before reaching 100% in 1:53 using Apple’s 30W USB-C charger (available separately).
Verdict
Overall, the display, battery life, performance, primary camera, and charging of the iPhone 15 Plus are all significantly better than those of its predecessor.
This year’s chipset, the optical zoom camera, the autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, the 120Hz high-refresh-rate screen that comes with Always-On Display, or the new programmable Action key are all features that are still absent from the Pro series.
The absence of some of these can be a deal-breaker for you depending on your preferences.
But more crucially, by positioning the 15 Plus in a precarious position where it has the feature set of the entry-level iPhone but is priced dangerously close to the Pro-tier iPhones, Apple may have hurt the 15 Plus’s chances of succeeding in the market, just as it did with the 14 Plus.
The iPhone 15 Plus has no intrinsic flaws; if it were used alone, we’d be pleased to give it our entire endorsement. But regardless of whether you are comparing it to current or previous-gen iPhones or Android devices, market realities indicate that it will be difficult to sell at its present pricing.
This places this particular device in a difficult situation and gives us reason to be pessimistic about the Plus portfolio as a whole.
