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Garmin Forerunner 70 review: Substantial upgrades that come at a cost

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 04:16

Garmin Forerunner 70: One minute review

The Garmin Forerunner 70 is a Garmin watch that we’ve waited a long time for. This is the natural successor to the Forerunner 55, the watch that was pitched at beginner runners or runners who like to stick to the basics (and can even run a marathon in under two hours, as it was worn by record-breaker Sebastian Sawe).

With such a large time gap between the two watches, it’s hardly surprising to see Garmin make some big changes, not only with the hardware but the software too.

It’s clearly been a task of bringing the 70 in line with other new Forerunner watches, which includes adding an AMOLED display and touchscreen while keeping the full array of physical buttons to give it that traditional running watch feel. While keeping the AMOLED on at all times does dent the battery much quicker, it elevates the software and what it’s like to use the 70 as a smartwatch.

There’s some upgrades to the sensors, and while you don’t get Garmin’s latest multi-band GPS or Gen 5 Elevate optical sensor, the improved GNSS sensor and move from Gen 3 to Gen 4 sensors does deliver strong GPS and heart rate tracking performance still.

The additions made in the training and smartwatch departments also make this feel like a more advanced watch than the Forerunner 55. You now have a watch that has full access to Garmin’s Connect IQ store and brings in some of Garmin’s nicest smartwatch features like morning and evening reports. No you don’t get payments, Bluetooth calls or a music player, but if you’re looking for the basics that go beyond what the 55 offered, the 70’s got you well covered.

It’s also great to see some of Garmin’s best training features. Training Readiness now features on a cheaper Garmin to help you decide when to train and rest. You can now use the 70 to navigate your way. You don’t get full maps, but the breadcrumb navigation still makes it useful to have on your wrist when exploring new surroundings or struggling to get back home after a run.

Those added features do, unsurprisingly, come at an added cost. A cost that does push the Forerunner 70 out of that entry level category into more of a mid-range one. That does mean you can find cheaper alternatives like the Suunto Run or can pay a bit more for the Coros Pace 4 and get newer sensors including dual-band GPS. If you’re sold on Garmin’s software, still want that strong tracking performance and like the idea of having an AMOLED screen and the best smartwatch experience you’ll find on a running watch at this price, those are going to be the biggest reasons to grab the Forerunner 70.

Garmin Forerunner 70: Specifications

Component

Garmin Forerunner 70

Price

$249.99 USD / £219.99 UK / $399 AUS

Dimensions

42.6mm wide, 11.9mm thick

Weight

40g

Case/bezel

polymer case, polymer bezel

Display

1.2-inch AMOLED Screen, 390 x 390 px resolution

GPS

GNSS, 6 satellite systems

Battery life

Up to 5 days of heavy use, or 13 days typical

Connection

Bluetooth, ANT+

Water resistance

5 ATM

Garmin Forerunner 70: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Mike Sawh)

$249.99 / £219.99 / AU$399
More expensive than the Forerunner 55
Cheaper than the Forerunner 170

The Garmin Forerunner 70 has a launch price of $249.99 USD / £219.99 UK / $399 AUS, which puts it firmly in the mid-range running smartwatch category. That’s in contrast to its predecessor the Forerunner 55, which launched with a sub-$200 price tag when it landed back in 2021.

Given there’s been some pretty sizable upgrades with the hardware and software, including adding an AMOLED display and richer smartwatch features, it’s not surprising that the price has leapt up a bit. It does feel like it’s lost a bit of the beginner-friendly appeal of the Forerunner 55 in the process.

The Forerunner 70 was launched alongside the Forerunner 170, which at $299 / £259.99 / AU$479 gives you additional features like contactless payments and a music player, longer battery life and additional sensors like an altimeter.

Value score: 4/5

Garmin Forerunner 70: Design

One case size option
Added AMOLED screen
Combination of touchscreen and physical buttons

Like the Garmin Forerunner 55, the Forerunner 70 remains a watch that sits pretty small on your wrist. That might be an issue for fans of bigger watches like a Fenix. For runners, typically smaller and lighter is better and that is what you get here.

Garmin has moved up slightly from a 42mm sized-polymer case to a 42.6mm one. It’s just the one case size that’s light to hold and comes in four different colors. Whether you want something plain or like a splash of color, you’re catered for here. The strap attached to the case is pretty typical of the ones you find partnered up to most Garmin Forerunners. It’s a 20mm silicone one that uses a pin mechanism, so you can remove it when the strap included gets sweaty or dirty or you just fancy switching to another color.

Garmin sticks to including five physical buttons for that classic running watch navigation experience. That’s now matched up with a 1.2-inch, 390 x 390 resolution AMOLED touchscreen. That sees Garmin move away from the memory pixel display on another watch line, sacrificing the longer battery life and more impressive viewing angles in brighter outdoor light for that added colour, vibrancy and to be more in keeping with other smartwatches. It’s still going to be a screen you can view comfortably outside when it’s really sunny. You just might need to crank up the brightness to do that, which will have an impact on battery life.

Like the Forerunner 50 and most other more affordable Garmin watches, the Forerunner 70 carries a 5ATM waterproof rating. That makes it safe for swimming and showering with it. There’s only a pool swimming tracking mode as Garmin leaves out open water and triathlon modes. That’ll be disappointing for anyone hoping they could pick this up as an affordable triathlon watch.

Design score: 4/5

Garmin Forerunner 70: Features

(Image credit: Future / Mike Sawh)

Upgraded Gen 4 Elevate sensor from Forerunner 55
Includes latest training insights like Training Readiness
Offers breadcrumb-style navigation

Garmin is pitching the Forerunner 70 as an entry-level running smartwatch, so it’s giving you some running features, but not all that it has to offer.

Like the GPS support, where the Forerunner 70 uses multi-GNSS, as opposed to the latest multi-band GPS included on the Forerunner 570 and above watches. This means you miss out on having improved tracking accuracy when running or moving near tall buildings or locations with a lot of tall trees.

Other hardware improvements include upgrading from the Gen 3 Elevate optical heart rate sensor to the Gen 4 version. That’s actually not the latest version of Garmin’s in-house sensor technology. That’s Gen 5, which gives you added features like ECG heart rate measurements. This will cover continuous monitoring and tracking heart rate during exercise. You can also pair external heart rate monitors to it as well.

In terms of software features, there’s a lot that’s been added to the Forerunner 70 over the Forerunner 55. Along with bringing the UI up to date with other AMOLED-toting Garmins, you’re now getting more smartwatch features. You can set up smart alarms, view morning and evening reports for a summary of your day and recommendations for the following day.

There’s improved notification support for Android users, so now you can view more information being shared in notifications. A big one is the added Connect IQ support: previously, this was restricted to only downloading watch faces. Now you have full access to the storefront to download apps, watch faces and data fields.

There’s plenty that’s been upgraded on the tracking and training front too. You can now follow routes using breadcrumb-style navigation as opposed to the full maps you’ll find on pricier Garmin watches. Garmin has brought in a raft of its latest training metrics and features including Training Readiness, wrist-based running power, more strength-focused training support and this is a watch that’s compatible with Garmin’s Coach. That’s free access to Garmin’s training platform that now comprises running, cycling and strength training plans that can be synced over to the watch.

Features score: 4/5

Garmin Forerunner 70: Performance

Good GPS despite lack of dual-band
Smartwatch features work well across Android and iOS
Heart rate tracking solid with support for external sensors

In terms of tracking your runs, the Forerunner 70 does a sterling job like most other Garmins and not just for running. When I’ve used it for pool swims, indoor rows, treadmill runs and bike sessions, the tracking has been as solid as other Garmins I’ve tested.

Some will be disappointed that Garmin doesn’t include its latest multi-band GPS technology. As I’ve found when using Garmin’s watches with multi-GNSS setups, they still perform better than a lot of dual-band watches. I’d say it’s the same story for the Forerunner 70. It might get a bit more shaky in places with a lot of tall buildings for the GPS technology to deal with, but I’ve been using it alongside the Forerunner 170 and Garmin’s markedly more expensive Garmin Forerunner 970, and the 70 has more than held its own.

It’s a similar story with heart rate tracking. While you’re getting the older Gen 4 version of Garmin’s Elevate optical heart rate sensor technology, that doesn’t equal a bad performance. For steady paced runs and runs in some significantly hotter running conditions, the 70 held up well against Garmin and MyZone heart rate monitor chest straps. It can take a bit longer to match up when you’re easing off during interval work. Overall though, the 70’s older sensor gets the job done, with the option to pair a Bluetooth heart rate sensor to improve performance.

Where Garmin has really bolstered things on the 70 compared to the 55 is the influx of training insights and bringing it more up to speed in terms of smartwatch features. It’s great to see Training Readiness make the cut where previously Garmin had left this useful insight into your preparedness to tackle a tough session off from its more affordable watches. It’s also about the presentation of these features, which is something Garmin does better than the competition. Like the well integrated daily suggested workouts or helping you keep an eye on your recovery time.

While you’re not getting the best that Garmin has to offer in smartwatch features, the added AMOLED touchscreen and general changes made to the user interface does mean it operates better as a smartwatch than most other running-focused smartwatches. The stream of Glances (widgets) offer a nice snapshot of your data, morning and evening report summaries are great additions, while the music playback controls work well with third party music services like Spotify. Unlike the Forerunner 55, you do now have full access to the Garmin Connect IQ store and that means increasing your ability to personalise the watch software with the features, apps and data fields you care most about.

Sleep tracking has been a bit of a weakness for Garmin. Particularly when overreporting sleep duration and the time it’s taken to recognise when you’d fallen asleep. Things thankfully have gotten better and I count the Forerunner 70 in the 'good' camp of sleep trackers. I’ve been wearing it to bed with an Oura Ring 5 and core sleep stats have largely told a similar story about my night’s sleep. The now added sleep coach and recommendation features brings sleep more into the training equation as well as helping you think more about your recovery time between runs and other workouts.

In terms of battery life, you’re unsurprisingly not getting the best Garmin has to offer on that front. What you are getting is a watch that should hold for a week’s worth of training. If you’re using it with the always-on display mode while tracking outdoor runs, you’re going to get less than a week.

GPS battery numbers give you a good amount to play with as well. I found that an hour's worth of running in the best available GPS mode hit the battery by just shy of 10%. That doesn’t add up to the 16 hours promised.

Performance score: 4/5

Garmin Forerunner 70: Scorecard

(Image credit: Future / Mike Sawh)

I tested Hostinger Horizons - read what I thought of this commendable no-code app development platform for creating feature-rich web apps

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 07/02/2026 - 03:41

Hostinger is a pretty well-known name in the web hosting industry, and it has ventured into the no-code space. Hostinger’s no-code platform, Horizons, taps into the demand for web app builders, and uses AI extensively to allow anyone to spin up web apps without writing a single line of code.

In this review, we’ll examine its features, interface, ease of use, target use cases, and how it stands against competitors in the booming no-code space. We’ll also run a test prompt to create a straightforward web app, and judge its performance by how the app responds, as well as the time taken to generate it.

You can also take a look at our run-down of the best no-code platforms.

Hostinger Horizons: Features

Horizons operates through a simple AI chat interface. You just describe your app idea using natural language, and the platform’s AI will translate it into a working web app. Very helpfully, Horizons supports over 80 languages, which allows non-English users to build apps using the platform’s AI.

In addition to written prompts, you can converse with the platform using voice prompts, helping make Horizons more accessible. You can also upload user interface sketches and designs to the AI to ensure it understands your requirements.

Like most platforms, Hostinger allows you to publish your apps on a custom domain as well. In fact, Horizons also takes advantage of Hostinger’s infrastructure to offer web hosting, domain services, professional email, and other tools. This helps Horizons pitch itself as an all-in-one solution, which you don’t get with most other no-code platforms.

(Image credit: Hostinger Horizons)

While credits are required for AI generation, standard questions about the project you’re building are not charged. You can also edit text and images in the project without using AI credits, and if no-code is just something you’re using to save time but you have development skills, you can switch to the code and make manual revisions and tweaks in the visual editor.

Web apps created with Hostinger Horizons are responsive and mobile-friendly, which means they’ll work and look good on desktops, as well as on smartphones. That said, remember that web apps created with the platform can’t be published as native mobile apps on the Google Play Store, or the Apple App Store.

Hostinger Horizons: Interface and ease of use

Horizons has a straightforward interface, with an AI text box in the middle of the screen. Simply enter your prompt, or select from one of the listed example prompts.

It will analyze the prompt, break it down into tasks and tell you how it plans to approach the build before it spins it up. When it’s done, it will also show you a preview of what it will build. You can then make modifications, or just ask it to build the app as per the preview.

Horizons will helpfully suggest ideas to help extend the app. For instance, when I asked it to create an ecommerce web app, it suggested I improve it by connecting it to a database for real product data storage, add a shopping cart, and checkout functionality, implement user authentication, and more.

And you can roll out these features simply by asking the AI.

Whenever you use the AI to add new functionality, Horizons will also tell you how to test it. Some processes like adding social logins require some running around, but the platform does its best to guide you through the process with clear step-by-step instructions.

Hostinger Horizons: Integration and Extensibility

Horizons builds web apps in Node.js, and creates the necessary HTML, CSS, and JSS files.

You can use Horizons to fuse your app with third-party tools, for things like emails, payments, and user authentication. These integrations require varying levels of configuration beyond the Horizons tool itself, but these external features have improved considerably since the platform launched, and where necessary, Horizons does its best to lay out the steps for you.

Hostinger Horizons initially offered Supabase cloud-based database support, but this is no longer required. Instead, the platform stores data in the Horizons integrated backend.

(Image credit: Horizons)

You can also add a payment gateway, for instance, with Stripe or Razorpay. PayPal isn’t currently supported, but Horizons says you’ll be able to integrate any backend services to your app built on the platform, as long as the service has an API, and you provide the integration information Horizons asks for. For example, you can integrate authentication via Google OAuth.

That said, adding certain backend functionality might be easier than others, for the time being, as the platform is still under active development.

Hostinger Horizons: Deployment and maintenance

After your prompt is entered and the web app is ready, you need to deploy it to make it live. As with other no-code platforms, Horizons will publish the app with a random URL. By default, this will be to a Hostinger subdomain.

But, as usual, you can publish the app to your own custom domain as well. Also, you can unpublish your web app, and come back to it to tune it further, and republish it.

If you’d like to look at the code for your web app, you can use the Export function on the platform to download it. This will roll all the HTML, CSS, and other files into a zip file ready to download to your computer.

You can also ask the Horizons AI to help you add your web app to your existing website. It’ll recommend adding the app as an embedded component, but will also offer the option to include the app as an iFrame. As usual, it’ll generate the necessary code for both approaches, along with instructions on how to go about both procedures.

(Image credit: Hostinger)

Horizons also has a version control system, and you can undo a change, or revert to a previous version with a single click. Just like with Lovable, you can use the Horizons AI to help fix any errors.

However, Horizons can’t export your code to code sharing websites like GitHub, which is something you can do with alternatives such as Lovable. Also, while you can edit the code offline, there is no way to import it back to Horizons, and continue refining it with its AI.

If it encounters an error while building the app, the platform will usually give you the Ask to fix button. When pressed, the platform will analyze the error, and try to mend it on its own. You can also copy or describe the error to the AI, and ask it to help you solve it.

Hostinger Horizons: Creating a Crypto Price Comparison App

To understand how Hostinger Horizons can efficiently create a web app with no coding required, I’ve created a specific test prompt.

Using a single prompt that has also been tested on other no-code platforms, I requested the creation of a cryptocurrency price comparison tool. The aim of this is to display the current price of popular cryptocurrencies in USD, GBP, and EUR, when a specific budget is entered, pulling the data from a free API service. A default figure of $1000 should be displayed, and the tool should have a dark mode toggle and a refresh button.

(Image credit: Hostinger Horizons)

The prompt is as follows:

Build a tool that compares the price of a specific asset (like Bitcoin) against multiple fiat currencies simultaneously.

Functional requirements

API Integration: Connect to a free API (like CoinGecko or ExchangeRate-API).

Input Handling: A field where the user enters a "Budget" (e.g., $1,000$).

Dynamic Calculation: A list or table that automatically updates to show how much of the asset that budget buys in USD, EUR, and GBP.

Toggle Switch: A "Dark Mode" or "Refresh" toggle to test UI state management.

Running this in Hostinger Horizons demonstrated a few interesting points. First, the process was pretty quick, and generated within 5 minutes. However, the initial attempt crashed, so I retried and this completed within around 10 seconds (presumably just re-running the code, rather than regenerating). Testing the web app, I found it responded well, and delivered the correct information.

Using a task management tool (top on Ubuntu), I kept an eye on the process for my browser (Firefox) and saw that following the running of the prompt, the Resident memory (“res”) used by the process increased by around 300MB. This is within acceptable limits, and does not indicate that the AI used local processing – rather, that the code of the web app is being displayed (local processing would typically show an increase of 2GB or more).

The generated web app can be edited by clicking into the fields. Where a dotted border is applied, the field can be edited, with changes made and confirmed with a click of the OK button. You won’t see the revisions “live” however – instead, the preview needs to be refreshed. If you’re happy with the changes, the web app should be republished to see the revised live page.

Finally, Hostinger Horizons’ integration with the Hostinger hosting platform means that deployment is easy. I simply clicked the Publish button, and selected a domain to point it to. Instant publishing to existing hosting with Horizons is a major advantage over rival no-code tools.

(Image credit: Hostinger Horizons)Hostinger Horizons: Pricing and documentation

Hostinger Horizons was rolled out to a limited audience in February 2025, before its general availability on March 4, 2025.

Since then, all existing users with a Hostinger hosting subscription can use Horizons for free with a limit of five messages/day. This is enough to develop an idea over the course of few days, but if you need more in-depth no-code development, you will need a separate Horizons subscription in addition to the hosting plan (for deployment).

To get started, the Explorer plan is just $9.99 a month and offers 30 AI prompts/month. Next up is the Starter plan at $19.99/month, which comes with 70 AI prompts/month. Then there’s the $55.99/month Hobbyist plan with 200 messages, and the $99.99/month Hustler plan with 400 messages.

The number of messages has been reduced in each plan since launch, but on the positive side Hostinger regularly discounts these plans. If you need more AI messages, top-ups are available. These range from $4.99 for 10 AI credits to $499 for 1000, and again, these are often discounted.

You can publish 50 web apps with all the paid plans, and they all also include one month of free hosting, unlimited bandwidth, and 50 mailboxes with 1GB of storage each.

In terms of documentation, Horizons has several official guides that’ll handhold you from building your first app, to integrating it with other services such as Google AdSense. Besides illustrated text tutorials, Hostinger also has a bunch of instructional videos on YouTube. You also get 24/7 customer support with all the paid plans.

Hostinger Horizons: The competition

Hostinger Horizons is the newest entrant in the no-code web app builder market, and faces stiff competition from several well-established platforms.

For starters, there’s Bubble. While Horizons uses AI to generate web apps based on natural language descriptions, Bubble requires users to manually design and configure their apps. Although Bubble has a steeper learning curve than Horizons, it provides more flexibility for building custom web applications.

Then there’s Adalo, which can build both web, and mobile apps. It has a drag-and-drop UI, as well as a plethora of pre-built components to help you put together your apps. While Adalo does offer some AI capabilities, its strength is its mobile app-building capabilities.

(Image credit: Hostinger)

Horizons closest competition is with Lovable. Both platforms make extensive use of AI to create, edit, and debug web apps. However, Horizons is still very new to the markets, and doesn’t yet offer all the features you get with Lovable, such as the two-way sync with a GitHub repo.

But in Hostinger Horizons’ favor, it offers an integration with hosting that none of the competitors can deliver. It also stands out against other hosting companies, where the aim of no-code is purely to create a website template for a familiar backend like WordPress. Hostinger already offers this as an option, but Horizons puts it on par with Bubble, Lovable, and others.

Hostinger Horizons: Final verdict

Horizons’ use of AI to cover all aspects of app development, from creation, to editing, makes the platform truly democratic for everyone, including those with no coding experience. Our testing found that Horizons was fast, completed the job fully remotely using Hostinger’s cloud AI servers, and produced a web app that perfectly delivered the desired crypto pricing tool.

The platform’s support for multilingual and audio prompts makes it a good option for non-English developers or those with accessibility needs. Also, unlike other platforms it takes advantage of Hostinger’s infrastructure to offer an all-in-one solution to create and deploy your web apps.

Even though Horizons is relatively new, we would definitely suggest all existing Hostinger users to take Horizons for a spin. The platform is evolving rapidly, but since it doesn’t offer a free tier, it might be a good idea to give it some time to refine itself before you jump in to sign up.

Categories: Reviews

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub review: This sleek and durable dock transformed my two-port laptop into a capable desktop workstation

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 17:20

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: 30-second review

The Plugable USBC-10IN1E is a USB hub that, once plugged into your machine, usually a port-limited laptop, expands the port selection from one or two to 10.

In this test, I plugged the hub into several machines, including the Asus ProArt PZ14 - a tablet PC with only two USB-C ports that with the addition of the hub, turned a machine that required careful port rationing into a full desk setup with monitor output, Ethernet, keyboard, mouse, storage, and charging, and all connected through a single cable. The same result followed with the MacBook Air M3 and Pro M1 Max, for which the design matches perfectly.

The space-grey metal body of the hub gives it a clean aesthetic that matches Apple hardware, and at 109g and 216mm, it slips into any laptop bag neatly, although its length can be a little tricky to accommodate in a standard backpack pocket.

Connecting the hub to your chosen machine is easy enough with a single 17cm USB-C that enables you to tuck the hub neatly behind the machine. As I maxed out the ports during the test, I was also pleased to see that the port spacing along the hub's row of ports, which are all positioned along one side, enabled all ten connections to be used at the same time without the plugs blocking each other.

Through the test, the features that impressed me the most were the 2.5GbE Ethernet port that enabled fast wired network connections in the studio and office and the HDMI 2.1 output that enabled the hub to be used with my 4K monitors without reducing their potential resolution. For that alone, this is one of the best docking stations around.

The one surprise was that the SD card reader is only UHS-I rather than UHS-II, which features on the company's cheaper Plugable 9-in-1. If you’re a photographer offloading files from a Sony A7 IV, the reader works, but it is not the fastest option available; it’s still good if your laptop lacks port connectivity as standard.

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From $74
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from Plugable or Amazon

The Plugable USBC-10IN1E is priced at $84 USD and is available directly from Plugable's website, as well as retailers including Amazon.com, Best Buy, and Staples.

However, outside the US, I'm not seeing much availability at all.

Value: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: Specs

Connection: USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), 17cm/0.56ft
Video: HDMI 2.1 (4K 144Hz)
Power delivery: USB-C PD 3.1 EPR, 140W input / 125W output to host
Ethernet: 2.5Gbps
USB-C data: 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, data only)
USB-A data: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps, BC 1.2 charging) + 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
SD card reader: SD UHS-I + microSD UHS-I
Dimensions: 216 × 34 × 15mm
Weight: 109g
OS support: Windows 10/11, macOS 11+, ChromeOS 100+

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: Design

When I put the USBC-10IN1E next to most of the USB hubs that I regularly use, the one notable feature aside from the huge array of ports is that it’s noticeably longer, at 216mm; it’s roughly the width of a 14-inch MacBook. This length is able to contain all those ports, an amount that is usually restricted to either a desktop machine or, more commonly, a powered USB dock.

Taking the hub from the box and the styling is instantly recognisable with Apple; the main casing is space-grey metal and gives the hub a premium feel as well as ensuring that it feels good and durable.

Connecting the hub to your chosen machine, Mac, PC or ChromeBook is made through the 17cm cable that’s an integral part of the accessory and and therefore non-removable. I like this design as it means the hub is all together and you won’t lose the cable or mix it with another in transport.

In use, that cable is also long enough to tuck behind either the Asus ProArt PZ14 or MacBook Air M3, keeping the sides of the workspace clear.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Port spacing along the hub is well thought through, with all ten connections: two USB-C, three USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD, microSD, and the PD pass-through, all arranged so they can be occupied without the next cable blocking them. This isn’t always the case with compact hubs.

Through the test with SSDs, a monitor, controller, and several other accessories connected to the hub, did run warm under the load, the build of the hub with the aluminium casing was able to dissipate the heat well.

If you regularly plug accessories into your laptop and want more ports, then the Pluggable is a great option, especially with the simple design, plug-and-play nature and the fast wired network potential.

Design: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features

The Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub is a USB-C bus-powered hub with a 10Gbps bandwidth. This bandwidth is shared by the 10 ports, so each new accessory that’s plugged in takes a portion of that bandwidth, with the older USB-A 3.2 (Gen1) taking a small amount and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) having the potential to take all of it.

In reality, in use, it all balances out, and the range of ports opens up direct connections for a host of laptops that are notoriously limited on port space, often just offering a couple and one that is usually taken up by the power supply.

This hub offers a staggering 10, which includes an HDMI 2.1 port that supports up to 4K at 144Hz or 8K at 30Hz, though the available resolution and refresh rate depend on the host machine's video output capabilities. The ProArt PZ14 and MacBook Pro M1 Max were both tested at 4K 60Hz via the Lepow TriScreen Pro, which is the display's maximum resolution.

The HDMI 2.1 modes require DP 1.4 with DSC on Windows (12th Gen Intel and later) or macOS 26 with M1 Pro/Max, M3 or newer on Mac. If you need 4K 144Hz, checking that your host hardware meets this specification is a given.

One of the surprises for the hub is the inclusion of the 2.5GbE Ethernet port, which means that when connected to the UGREEN DXP4800 GT NAS during the test, the hub delivered approximately 150 MB/s over the network.

Pass-through charging at up to 125W output worked with the ProArt PZ14's 65W power supply plugged into the hub's PD port. The PZ14 charged normally throughout the test with the hub as the sole connection. The 140W EPR input requires a PD 3.1 EPR-compatible charger and cable to deliver the full 125W; with a standard 65W charger, the output is limited, but matched the laptop I had connected.

The two USB-C 10Gbps ports are data-only, which means that they can’t be used for video output. Video output is catered for by the HDMI.

A nice addition and quite common for a hub is the SD and microSD readers, although these are both UHS-I. When checking the website, I noted that the cheaper Plugable 9-in-1 ($49.95) includes a UHS-II SD reader, which, for photographers shooting on Sony A7 IV UHS-II cards, might be a better option despite the drop in ports.

As you’d expect from a hub of this type, there are no drivers needed on either Mac or PC, and during the test, the ProArt PZ14 (Windows 11 Home) and the MacBook Pro M1 Max (macOS) recognised all ports without issue.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Features: 4.5 / 5

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: Performance

As the hub is bus-powered, essentially it draws power from the host machine through the USB-C cable that’s a permanent fixture, there’s no need for any type of external power supply. Therefore, getting started simply involves plugging in, and then the hub is instantly recognised and ready for use,

Once connected, all 10 ports share that single USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) connection, which means that if you use all ports at the same time, then the bandwidth is split between almost all, with two exceptions.

The HDMI output uses a separate DisplayPort Alt Mode channel, and its bandwidth is not limited by USB activity, so even if all other ports are in use, you won't see any effect on the visuals on screen.

The Ethernet port also uses a separate controller channel. But the rest, the five USB data ports, two SD card slots, and PD pass-through, all share the 10 Gbps USB pipeline.

In practice, this means high-speed transfers when you plug several drives, readers and accessories are less than that that headline 10Gbps, but in real terms this isn’t usually an issue. On the MacBook Air, for example, I found that plugging power and a CFExpress Type-B reader into the hub, and then the Crucial X10 into the machine, offered the best performance when it came to transfer rates, compared to having both plugged into the hub.

Checking out the difference in performance, I transferred files to both, then downloaded those files to the internal SSD of the MacBook Air M3. Individually, copy one then the other, the rates were Crucial X10 Read: 868MB/s Write: 792MB/s, and the Lexar 1800x read: 88MB/s and Write: 76MB/s. With both in use, the speed Crucial X10 Read: 782MB/s Write: 771MB/s, and the Lexar 1800x read: 87MB/s and Write: 60MB/s. The actual drop in speed with two storage devices was minimal, and throughout the test, I found that the 1GbE bandwidth was more than sufficient for most day-to-day tasks.

I also discovered that some SSDs, such as the Seagate Five Vault and the LaCie Rugged Pro5b, had too great a power draw from the USB-C 3.2 Gen2 ports to be used and needed to be plugged directly into the machine. It’s also worth noting that even with a power supply connected to the pass-through port, this still did not enable these higher-demand drives to be directly attached.

The best approach is, of course, downloading one device at a time rather than running multiple transfers together, as this avoids that bandwidth bottleneck.

Having recently upgraded my network to 10Gbe, it’s great to see a hub like this use 2.5GbE Ethernet rather than the more standard 1GbE. This means that I can connect directly from the hub into my switch and then to the Ugreen DXP4800 GT.

This connection managed 150 MB/s, which was fast enough for some light network editing, although doing so does warm up the hub more than the other connection types when in use. Still, that heat is well handled and warm rather than hot.

The HDMI output worked as expected and enabled me to connect the hub directly into a Lepow TriScreen Pro monitor, with the visuals seeming stable through the test.

What did stand out was the cross-platform capability of the hub as it seemed to work identically on the MacBook Air M3 Max and the Asus ProArt PZ14.

Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Plugable USBC-10IN1E is a neat hub that enables port expansion for today's slimline laptops and just adds a convenient and easy way to connect multiple devices and accessories to those machines. The single body design and fixed cable make it easy to pop into a kit bag and take with you, or leave connected to your workstation, and the design is durable in the first instance and aesthetic in the other to be suited to both uses.

It can’t be stated enough how much more convenient it is to have a single cable that connects to the keyboard, mouse, monitor, Ethernet, charging, and storage to your machine, and the fact that it can be moved between the ProArt PZ14 and MacBook Pro M1 Max by unplugging and replugging a single connector just makes working across multiple machines that much easier.

The 2.5GbE Ethernet is a great feature for creative professionals, and if you look for a dedicated 2.5GbE adapter, then the price for a decent option and then for this isn’t too different. Then there's the HDMI 2.1 support for 4K 144Hz displays, which is again a step up from most other hubs of this type.

The UHS-I SD card reader is disappointing, especially as you’re paying more for the premium model, and it features a slower card reader than the cheaper version. Plugable also prove some great software additions for their range of Docks, and it would have been great to see an option that worked with the hub, primarily a one-click ejects all option for Mac users.

For the price, the USBC-10IN1E is a great value if you’re someone who regularly switches between machines or needs to expand a two-port laptop into a full desk setup. While it does have limitations compared with a powered dock, through the test, it proved to be one of the best single-cable hubs I’ve tested.

Should I buy the Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub?

Value

For $84, with 2.5GbE Ethernet, HDMI 2.1 and 125W pass-through, this offers exceptional value

4.5

Design

The space-grey metal build, decent port spacing, and 17cm cable make it a great option in the office or out.

Features

The 2.5GbE and HDMI 2.1 are surprising additions at this price; it’s just a shame that the SD slots are UHS-I rather than UHS-II.

4.5

Performance

The hub is able to balance the bandwidth well, and through the test, even when downloading from multiple devices, there was only a marginal drop in speed.

Overall

This is the best-spec’d bus-powered USB-C hub I have seen at this price and all at a great price for the volume of ports.

4.5

Buy it if...

You want a single-cable desktop hub.

The ASUS ProArt PZ14 has two USB-C ports. One cable into this hub provides a monitor, Ethernet, keyboard, mouse, storage, charging, and card readers.

You run a 2.5GbE NAS or network.

The 2.5GbE Ethernet specification is one that no other bus-powered hub at this price matches. For photographers and videographers working from a high-speed NAS, the step from 1GbE to 2.5GbE makes a huge difference.

Don't buy it if...

Fast SD card downloads

The UHS-I SD reader is slow compared with UHS-II, so if you use an SD card on a regular basis, you may want to look for an alternative, such as the cheaper Plugable 9-in-1 (approx. $50).

You use high-performance portable SSDs

All USB data ports share a single 10Gbps connection, so firstly, the bandwidth is split between each connected device. There are also limits on the power that can be drawn through the hub, so the likes of the LaCie Rugged Pro5’s power demands are too great for use with this hub.

Categories: Reviews

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair shows that for premium comfort you really do have to pay a premium price

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 15:00

One-minute review

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is a premium gaming chair which Razer cut no corners on when it comes to design.

If you've got the Razer Iskur V2 gaming chair, it might feel like no significant upgrades have been made to the base model, despite the significant price increase, but when you start to look below the surface there's some impressive new features tucked in its build to make it feel like a worthy investment.

It's got all the features you'd expect to see in a premium chair, such as in-built lumbar support, breathable material, 4D armrests, and quite an impressive seat tilt and recline function. You'll also find Gen-2 EPU leather with "CoolTouch" technology which is a game changer, especially for anyone who finds themselves uncomfortable with the standard faux leather so many gaming chairs are built from. All of these elements come together to create a chair that certainly puts comfort first.

However, due to its plethora of features, you are also expected to pay a premium for it. As a result, the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is not a budget-friendly chair, which is enough to put first time buyers off unless they've already committed to a Razer setup.

That said, I've spent over seven weeks with this chair as my primary seat, and can happily say that it does offer some premium comfort, even when closely compared to my faithful Corsair TC500 Luxe gaming chair.

There's a lot to love about the Iskur V2 NewGen, and no matter how you're using it, it always offers high-quality comfort. This is massively supported by the sheer amount you can tailor to your preferences, but the actual chair itself shows that a lot of care has gone into its design. Particularly in the materials used which help to justify its rather steep price tag.

(Image credit: Future)Price and availability

Costs $649.99 / £649.99 / AU$999.95
Available through Razer
5-year extended warranty

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen launched on February 13, 2026, and is by no means a budget-friendly gaming chair with its $650 price tag. Its price point certainly gives the impression that it's more like an investment than a casual purchase, and is bound to get any potential buyers questioning what sets it above the rest of chairs available at the same sort of point.

For this price, you are getting a very sleek, well-built chair that is bound to suit anyone with a Razer-oriented setup already, but there's definitely some comparison to take into account.

Especially when you've got chairs like the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition retailing at a similarly high $799 / £669 and the Corsair TC500 Luxe coming in cheaper at $499.99/£499.99. Two fantastic chairs offering the same level of features for a far more reasonable price.

But that's not to say that the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen doesn't feature anything to justify its rather generous price point. It's certainly built to be a more premium gaming chair, offering features like extra durable armrests, new technology lumbar support, an ultra wide seat base, and a breathable fabric that means you never have to awkwardly peel yourself off the chair, so it's the sort of seat you can use all day without feeling it after a few hours.

(Image credit: Future)Specs

Price

$649.99 / £649.99 / AU$999.95

Backrest dimensions

33.5 in / 85 cm (height) x 21.3 in / 54 cm (width)

Max user weight

299 lbs / 136 kgs

Max user height

200cm / 6 ft 6"

Seat width

17.7 in / 45cm (depth) x 15.7 in / 40 cm (width)

Warranty

5 years

Design and features

A sleek, comfortable chair
Available in four colourways
Razer embellishments are embroidered rather than printed

Razer always tends to nail their branding when it comes to hardware, so obviously the Iskur V2 NewGen follows suit. With a sleek black design, and iconic Razer green piping along the edge of both the seat and backrest of the chair, it certainly looks the part. You've also got the addition of embroidered embellishments on the front of the chair with the Razer logo behind where the memory foam cushion sits, and the text Razer logo on the back in the same green.

The main talking point of the chairs design is the snakeskin embroidered backrest and seat, which I really found myself admiring. I'm usually pretty impartial to additional flourishes like this, but had to appreciate the fact it wasn't your standard diamond or crosshatch embroidery we often see on gaming chairs. The Razer Gen-2 EPU leather the entire seat is made out of is worth praising too.

Not only does it feel like a high-quality product rather than the cheap, rustling pleather found on more budget friendly chairs like , but it's surprisingly cooling. Which was fantastic given a week of my testing with this chair was during a heatwave in the UK, so I really put this feature to the test.

This, paired with the dual-density, cold-cured foam seat cushion the product is quick to highlight on its store page, means that you're never stuck feeling a little sweaty in your seat.

(Image credit: Future)

To coincide with the high-quality material the chair is made out of, the armrests need to be highlighted too. My faithful Corsair TC500 Luxe has 4D omni-directional armsets, much like the Iskur, but my biggest pet peeve is that they don't lock into place. So, if you lean at an awkward angle, they'll move.

However, the Iskur V2 NewGen features the same style of armrest with the ability to lock them into place with the handy use of buttons found on the sides of each rest. Plus, the extra durable build means you don't have to worry about peeling or cracking, unlike something I faced with the Secretlab Titan Evo many moons ago.

You also benefit from the first addition of the Razer Hyperflex Lumbar Support system, which gives you a huge range of back support and is perfect for anyone like me who often finds themselves sat with shrimp-like posture when tethered to a desk for hours on end. This can be fully customised to your preferences too, courtesy of its 360 degrees swivel design.

The sculpted memory foam cushion is a nice touch for extra support, but I would've preferred if this was magnetic rather than relying on an elastic strap around the headrest of the chair. For $699, it would've definitely felt more luxurious to have a magnetic cushion, especially as that's what's included in the Corsair chair. It's also a shame to cover the embroidered embellishments on the chair with both the cushion itself and the elastic strap.

The Iskur V2 NewGen is also currently available in four different colourways: white, black, black and green, and a rather attractive Quartz. So, there is some level of flexibility to get a chair that perfectly fits your existing aesthetic. It's not as customisable as the covers you can get for the Secretlab chairs, but at least you don't have to pay any extra to get a colour.

(Image credit: Future)Comfort and performance

Lots of customisation options to suit how you sit
Ultra wide seat base lets you sit however you like
Breathable, cooling fabric actually makes a difference

When it comes to a gaming chair, the main factors that go into deciding whether it's good or not are: how comfortable it is to use for extended periods of time, and how much you can customise it to suit your sitting style and position.

Fortunately, the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen excels in customization. There are so many buttons and dials to make the most of, which is great for someone who constantly fidgets like I do. The back support also encouraged me to sit with generally better posture during all of my testing, which is something most people who work at a desk could benefit from.

One downside to its performance is that the back cushion, where the Razer Hyperflex Lumbar Support System is stored, moves around when you shift in your seat. It's not like those head or neck cushions that conveniently shift themselves into an uncomfortable position the second you decide to adjust how you're sat, but it does move with you when you move in the seat.

I'd rather have a solid backrest, like the Secretlab Evo NanoGen or even the Boulies Master Series gaming chair, but this feels like a pretty insignificant gripe in the grand scheme of things. At least it's not one of those lumbar cushions you just have to hope and pray stays in the same place.

The fabric really deserves a special shoutout too. During my testing, the UK was hit with a sweltering heatwave, so I really could put the breathable and cooling material of the chair to the test while I sat and worked away.

It's safe to say that there is actually a noticeable difference too, and I didn't find myself feeling uncomfortably clammy while sitting. Previously, I'd tested the Boulies Master series gaming chair in a rather hot flat, and definitely didn't find the same level of comfort when the temperature began to increase.

This meant I could quite happily spend hours sitting without feeling it or having to get up and walk around a bit. There's enough cushioning to make the chair comfortable, while still being firm enough to support you in all the right places.

This is definitely supported by the ultra-wide seat base which gives you enough room to sit with either your feet on the floor, or your feet on the chair if you want to embrace the terrible posture which I always tend to. But, I'd say it's safe to assume that you'd expect that level of comfort given the premium price tag.

(Image credit: Future)Assembly

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is easy to put together too. It's suggested as a two-person job on the instructions, but you really only need another set of hands to help position the seat base on the piston - the rest is quite easy to achieve solo.

All the tools you need are packaged delightfully, alongside a pair of gloves (or, Gamer Gauntlets as they're labelled in the box) to make sure you don't get any potentially nasty chemicals on your hands while building.

Not that I did. Again, because of its price tag, I'd expected there to be quite a few additional flourishes that would make assembly that little bit more challenging, but it was remarkably straightforward.

Should I buy the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen Gaming Chair?Buy it if...

You're happy to pay more for materials
The cooling features of the Razer chair are what really make it worth paying for. If you run hot, then you'll be familiar with the humbling act of peeling yourself out of your chair after a day at work or a gaming session, whereas this is something you can avoid entirely with the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen.

You have a funky way of sitting which requires more customisation
If you don't sit in the same position all day every day, having a little more support and customisation goes a long way. The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gives you the freedom to sit however you find comfortable, and gives you the opportunity to customise the seat to support that too.

Don't buy it if...

You rely on the comfort from a neck pillow
The neck pillow is an odd shape, and generally the rectangle cushions you get with gaming chairs are more comfortable. So if you rely on this feature for that added comfort, it might put you off the chair as a whole.

Also consider...

If you're not quite convinced by the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, we've got some alternatives you might want to check out.

Razer Iskur V2 NewGen

Corsair TC500 Luxe

Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen XL

Price

$649.99 / £649.99 / AU$999.95

$499.99 / £499.99 / AU$699

$849 / £719 / AU$1,199

Dimensions

33.5 in / 85 cm x 21.3 in / 54 cm

13in x 31.9in x 21.2in / 550mm x 800mm x 590mm

35in x 22in / 89cm x 56 cm

Max user weight

299 lbs / 136 kgs

264 lbs / 120kg

396lb / 180kg

Max user height

200cm / 6 ft 6"

6ft 2in / 188cm

16.5in / 41.9cm

Seat width

17.7 in / 45cm (depth) x 15.7 in / 40 cm (width)

23.22in / 59cm

22.8in / 58cm

Warranty

5 years

2 years

5 years

Corsair TC500 Luxe
The Corsair TC500 Luxe is a more affordable, but equally as lavish gaming chair with a wide seat base and plenty of in-built features to help you tailor your seat to your preferences. Much like the Iskur V2 NewGen, it doesn't have a lot of colour options, but if you're not fussy or you've got a more muted setup colour scheme, then it's a fantastic choice for a smaller price tag.

For more information, check out our full Corsair TC500 Luxe review.

Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen
The Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen is a similar price point to the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, and is praised for its comfort and soft materials. There's a lot you can adjust and play around with, and the XL size in particular is perfect for those who need a little more wiggle room when sitting.

For more information, check out our full Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen review.

How I tested the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair

Spent a month and a half testing the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen
Tested as my primary office chair for those two months
Used when working, gaming, and watching films to test comfort

I tested the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair over a month and a half-long period, keeping it as my only chair for work, gaming, and basically anything that required me to sit at my PC. During my testing period, I made use of all its features like the inbuilt lumbar support and adjustable armrests to keep a comfortable position while working, and then a more relaxed position when watching a film.

Regardless of what I was doing at my PC and how I was sitting, whether that was with my legs and feet on the base of the chair, cross-legged, or with my feet on the floor, I never found myself uncomfortable or struggled to sit for long periods of time. I was also able to closely compare it to my standard office chair, the Corsair TC500 Luxe, and it performed incredibly well. I've been struggling to find a competitor for my trusty Corsair TC500 Luxe, but the Iskur V2 NewGen certainly comes close.

GMKtec NucBox K17 review: A highly capable AI mini PC that balances performances for day-to-day office tasks

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 10:54

GMKtec NucBox K17 : 30-second review

The GMKtec NucBox K17 is one of those understated Mini PCs that can be summed up as your typical average mid-range machine designed for everyday use. While the grey outer, relatively compact sizing and design are all very run of the mill, GMKTec has actually done something quite special with this small machine; they pushed the technology inside and while this is an everyday machine, the components selected mean that it’s also well future proofed.

Inside is one of the latest Intel CPUs, and this is matched with an integrated GPU and NPU that provides plenty of processing power for both traditional applications and the latest AI models.

Out of the box, the build quality also feels good and solid, verging on premium considering the price. Checking over the body, there are plenty of ports on the front and back with venting slots helping to keep everything cool and running smoothly.

The processor combo is all new generation and sits in the midrange, but joining the latest releases are a few other interesting additions that you just don’t see on this level of mini PC. The first is that the second M.2 slot accepts PCIe 5.0 x4 SSD, and this sits alongside the existing 1TB PCIe 4.0 drive.

Installation for the second drive is straightforward; the drive screws into place, and once it's in place, the machine reboots, and it’s ready to format and use. The other major addition is the 2.5GbE Ethernet port, which was impressive in terms of speed when connected directly to a Ugreen DXP4800 GT NAS. My only reservation here is that the Wi-Fi antenna is easily displaced when removing the lid, and is almost impossible to reinsert.

Out of the box, Windows 11 Pro is installed and feels fast as I navigated around the settings and installed a variety of applications for the test. This performance was reflected with a Windows Experience Index of 8.7, one of the highest I’ve seen.

AI applications and functions are well handled with Copilot+ and local LLM inference via LM Studio, both performing well for a machine at this price. I ran a few questions through the models loaded on photography processes, and it managed to answer with reasonable speed.

Where the K17 started to show its limits was as I started some creative work: 16GB of fixed RAM becomes has limited reach in Premiere Pro and large Lightroom catalogues took a while longer than the more powerful machines I’ve been looking at recently, but still what it could do and the speed is still impressive and surpasses what I would have expected from a PC of this form factor a year ago.

Gaming was also good generally, but the Arc graphics do start to show their limits and premium games such as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, while very playable, did require settings to be dropped.

Two other points of note are that there is only a single USB4 port, and this is positioned on the front, with nothing equivalent at the rear, which means that you can only ever opt for a fast accessory such as an external SSD or an eGPU rather than connecting both.

The internal Wi-Fi antenna connectors are also very delicate, so when adding a second M.2 drive, disconnecting them even when you’re being careful seems to just happen, and then when it comes to reconnecting them, it’s incredibly difficult.

If you need a fast and reliable office machine, the K17 is one of the best mini PCs out there right now. I found it well specified with a range of features that have been designed to deliver the performance we expect from a work machine now, with plenty of updated extras that you don’t usually expect on a machine of this price, which will help future-proof it for a good few years.

GMKtec NucBox K17 : Price and availability

How much does it cost? From £469 / $619
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from GMKtec or Amazon

The GMKtec NucBox K17 is priced at $619.99 / £469.99 for the 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD configuration that I have tested here.

A 16GB/512GB configuration is also available at $559.99 / £469.99.

The K17 is now available direct from GMKtec, as well as on Amazon.com.

Value: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)GMKtec NucBox K17 : Specs

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 226V
GPU: Intel Arc 130V
NPU: Intel AI Boost, 40 TOPS
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD, second M.2 slot, PCIe 5.0 x4 capable, up to 16TB total
Front Ports: USB3.2 (Gen2) 10Gbps, USB3.2 (Gen1) 5Gbps, USB4, 3.5mm Audio
Rear Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 8K 60Hz and one 4K 60Hz, 2.5GbE RJ-45, 2XUSB3.2 (Gen1) 5Gbps, USB3.2 (Gen1) 5Gbps, USB2.0 480Mbps
VESA Mount: Yes
Dimensions: 5.02 by 5.00 by 1.75 in (127.5 x 127 x 44.5mm)
Weight: 1.01 lb (460g)
Power: 100W external power adapter
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

GMKtec NucBox M6 Ultra: Design

The K17 adopts the standard Mini PC design aesthetic and sets itself apart from similarly styled Mini PCs by featuring the green GMKTec power button. This button is set alongside a small array of ports, including a mix of USB-A and USB-C, which offer plenty of connection options for most accessories that you might want to quickly attach.

Size-wise, the machine is a touch smaller than some I’ve looked at recently, measuring 5.02 by 5.00 by 1.75 in (127.5 x 127 x 44.5mm) and weighing a relatively light 1.01 lb (460g), which makes it prime for VESA mounting behind a monitor or a dedicated mount to maximise your work surface.

Inside, there’s a powerful combination of CPU, GPU, and NPU, and to ensure there’s plenty of cooling, there are ventilation slots across the body, which are part of the larger cooling system that includes a large superconducting copper turbine fan.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

What really highlights this as a little more than your usual everyday Mini PC is the range of ports on the front and back of the machine. On the front, there are two USB-A ports, one USB3.2 (Gen2) 10Gbps and the other USB3.2 (Gen1) 5Gbps, then there's the single USB4 port that has DisplayPort support to connect a monitor, then there's a 3.5mm CTIA port for headphones and mic combos.

At the rear, there's the impressive 2.5GbE Ethernet port and two HDMI 2.1 outputs, one supporting 8K at 60Hz and the other 4K at 60Hz. The one design choice I do have to question is the fact that there isn’t a USB4 port on the back; there are two further USB-A, a USB3.2 (Gen1) 5Gbps and a USB 2.0 480Mbps and then two further USB3.2 (Gen1) 5Gbps ports.

Access to the inside of the machine is easy enough once the screws on the base are removed; however, it’s worth noting that the WiFi antenna connectors easily detach from the WiFi card and are really difficult to reconnect. When you take the back off the machine to upgrade the storage, it’s worth taking your time and really making sure that these don’t disconnect.

Design: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)GMKtec NucBox K17 : Features

The machines' specifications essentially lay out a base level list for mid-range office PC’s for the future. Most of the components, including the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, utilise next-generation technology, and the uplift in speed that the components offered enabled smooth and fast handling for general Windows navigation, Microsoft Office, and browser-based work.

Writing in Word, building presentations in PowerPoint and recording test results in Excel all felt fast, and with each app being responsive, this overall performance was reflected in the Windows Experience Index of 8.7. Just to put that in context, this is one of the highest scores recorded across recent mini PC testing, and also a reminder of how far this category has advanced in a short time. At the beginning of 2026, a more common score of 8.1 would highlight a decent machine in this respect.

The one weaker point for the processing combo of CPU, GPU and NPU is the Intel Arc 130V GPU, which is noticeably less powerful than the Arc B390; however, even with the lower scores that it gained, when you compare it with the last generation of integrated GPU, you can see just how much more powerful these new processors are.

Checking this out by playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Hogwarts Legacy, both ran at 1080p with low-to-medium settings, but graphical breakup appeared more readily than on higher-specified machines, and when switching to some video editing in Premiere Pro, the timeline render times occasionally slowed as video edits rendered out.

As this is using the latest processors, it’s fully equipped to deal with AI processing and requests with the NPU. This enables 40 TOPS, and this means that the combined AI figure with the CPU and GPU is 97 TOPS , impressive for a machine at this price.

In use, this is reflected with Copilot+ handling assistant requests quickly. I then decided to push it by downloading a local LLM, which I ran using LM Studio. After installation and setup, the local chatbot was able to answer a series of photography questions at a decent speed.

I then switched to some of the Adobe applications and again, using the AI-accelerated features in Photoshop, including generative fill, and Premiere Pro's timeline expansion, the small machine was more than powerful enough to handle some impressive alterations.

On the front is the single USB4 port, and in use, this delivered fast transfer speeds when tested with a Thunderbolt 4 device. What was a little disappointing was that this single USB4 was placed on the front, with nothing equivalent at the rear. If you want to use both an eGPU and fast external storage at the same time, then this just isn’t possible without the addition of a hub.

Then, as we look through the features, you start to see what really marks the K17 out against most others. Firstly, there’s the second M.2 slot, which takes a next-generation PCIe Gen 5 x4 SSD. Installing an SSD module is fast, taking a few seconds; simply screw the drive into place and format it after a reboot. If you’re thinking about running local AI workloads, video editing or coding environments, adding a high-speed second drive here is an easy upgrade, if at present a little pricy.

The other big surprise is the 2.5GbE Ethernet port, which offers a speedy connection as I connected the machine through the wired network to the dock and then to a UGREEN DXP4800 GT NAS. At 2.5 GbE, I was able to get decent transfer rates, which was especially useful as I downloaded images and video to the machine and then onto the NAS.

Through the test, I switch between wired and wireless connections and while the Wi-Fi tops out at 6E and the Bluetooth 5.2, they both offer solid performance for network and accessory connections. Bluetooth connected easily to wireless accessories.

Wi-Fi, however, was initially fast even with the slightly older 6E; however, after testing the installation process of the second M.2 slot, the small Wi-Fi antenna connectors became disconnected, and trying to reconnect them was near impossible.

Finally, on the feature front, it's the ability to connect to three displays via the two rear HDMI ports and the front USB4 port works; it’s not the neatest solution as cables poke out from the front and back; it might not be pretty, but it works.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Features: 4.5 / 5

GMKtec NucBox K17: PerformanceBenchmark scores

Crystal Disk Mark Read: 7045.28
Crystal Disk Mark Write: 6182.82
Geekbench CPU Multi: 9469
Geekbench CPU Single: 2619
Geekbench GPU: 25645
PC Mark Overall: 6855
Cinebench CPU Multi (Threads): N/a
Cinebench CPU Single (Threads): N/a
Fire Strike Overall: 7429
Fire Strike Graphics: 8551
Fire Strike Physics: 11509
Fire Strike Combined: 2953
Time Spy Overall: 3631
Time Spy Graphics: 3473
Time Spy CPU: 4897
Wild Life Overall: 24312
Steel Nomad Overall: N/a
Windows Experience Overall: 8.7

Starting out with the K17 requires running through the last few steps of the Windows setup, which, depending on your connection speeds, will take between five and ten minutes. As the machine loads for the first time, the speed of the boot and afterwards installation of applications and basic running all start to highlight the speed of the machine.

One of the features that instantly stood out to me was the number of connectivity ports around the body. I was able to quickly plug in a LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 and a CFExpress Type-B reader so that I could transfer files quickly.

Around the back, there were also plenty of ports so connecting a wired keyboard and mouse, along with the network and HDMI. I would have liked to have seen an additional USB4 on the back and an additional network port, but in an office situation, the port allocation and positioning actually make a lot of sense.

As I started to run the Microsoft Office suite and then the Adobe applications, it was apparent just how fast that initial load was, and working on large images within Photoshop, brush strokes and general edits were applied quickly. Part of the reason for this is the speed of the internal SSD.

When running the CrystalDiskMark test, it gained results of 7,045 MB/s read and 6,182 MB/s write, showing just how fast the PCIe 4.0 SSD is. What’s quite surprising is that this is not a PCIe 5.0 drive, and if you do need even more speed, then there's an empty second PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.

If you’re planning serious video editing, local AI workloads, or coding environments, then upgrading to the PCIe 5.0 second slot is a great idea, although performance for these more demanding applications will be limited by the 16GB of RAM.

Checking out the overall performance and the PCMark 10 Overall score of 6,855 sits below both the previously recorded Geekom A9 Max and Bosgame VTI-490, and as the PC is used for more demanding creative applications, the limits of the box do start to appear.

General office work, web browsing and everyday Windows tasks all felt as fast as any machine I have tested recently. However, those limitations started to become apparent when working with batches of images in Lightroom, as well as more complex Photoshop documents, or starting a bit of gaming, where the fixed 16GB of RAM and Arc 130V GPU really started to be put under pressure.

Looking at some of the other results and the Geekbench scores of 9,469 multi-core and 2,619 single-core show a good balance of performance for a mid-range Mini PC. In use, these scores translated into Lightroom and Photoshop when used for normal photographic work, running exceptionally well, and a slowdown in performance was really only noted during longer editing sessions using Premiere Pro.

As the chipset is AI-ready, I also installed a Local LLM inference, and this ran well but was slightly slower than the more premium machines, which wasn’t a huge surprise.

Photo and video editing in Lightroom, Photoshop and Premiere Pro were all well balanced, with occasional pauses during heavier processing in Premiere Pro. Long-form video editing is not what the K17 is designed for, especially with the limit of 16GB and no option to upgrade, but for short edits and social media content in applications like CapCut, particularly once the second M.2 slot is installed, the K17 is a great machine.

Gaming at 1080p with low-to-medium settings was more than playable across Hogwarts Legacy and several other titles tested. The Intel Arc 130V GPU is not as smooth as the higher-end GPUs, but for a machine retailing just above £500, it's still pretty good.

Overall, this is a great machine, but it does have its limitations, especially with the 16GB of RAM. Still, for general Windows use, browsing and office work, 16GB is more than sufficient. For more creative endeavours, Photoshop or Lightroom batch work, or any mid to long Premiere Pro editing sessions, a machine with at least 32GB of RAM would be a better option. For everyday work, this is one of the best mini PCs that I have used.

Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)GMKtec NucBox K17: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The GMKtec NucBox K17 is an easy machine to recommend for office and everyday productivity use, and an impressively future-proofed one, given the combined CPU, GPU, and NPU capabilities on offer at this price. It handles Windows, Microsoft Office, web browsing, and Copilot+ AI features extremely well, and the inclusion of a PCIe 5.0-ready second M.2 slot, alongside 2.5GbE Ethernet, future-proofs the technologies more than many other machines in this price bracket.

For creative work, the picture, while still good, is a little more limited. Lightroom and Photoshop both handle edits and files well, but when switching to video editing in Premiere Pro, the limitations of a fixed 16GB of RAM started to become apparent. If you're planning to use this primarily for creative work, a machine with at least 32GB of RAM would be the better starting point.

The single front-only USB4 port and the delicate Wi-Fi antenna connectors are the two minor issues. Neither are overtly bad, but the USB4 limitation will affect you if you want to attach fast storage and eGPU, and the Wi-Fi antenna issue will only be a problem if you are planning to open the case for an M.2 upgrade.

At $619.99 / £519.99, the K17 is excellent value for money and gets you a reliable, fast, AI-ready everyday mini PC for home or office use. While the RAM is fixed, there’s also plenty of scope for upgrades elsewhere, such as the USB4 for an eGPU. With the 2.5GbE network port, you can connect to fast NAS storage. Making this a great option for any office and those looking for a work-focused machine.

Should I buy the GMKtec NucBox K17?

Value

At $619.99/£519.99, this small work-focused machine balances performance with some of the latest technologies

Design

There’s no doubt it has a premium finish, and with the VESA mount and huge array of ports, it can be seen as practical rather than a design classic.

4.5

Features

An impressive list for a mini range Mini PC that includes PCIe 5.0 second M.2 slot, 2.5GbE, capable NPU and Copilot+, although the fixed 16GB RAM and WiFi reliability hold this back

4.5

Performance

Excellent everyday performance and Windows Experience score from PCMark and 3DMark show it’s provides the power where needed

Overall

An excellent everyday and lightly creative mini PC at a great price, best suited to office, AI and general use rather than serious video production.

4.5

Buy it if...

You want future-proofing

Fast 2.5GbE networking, a very capable NPU and the option for a PCIe 5.0 upgrade slot give the K17 a good amount of future-proofing for a machine at this price, making it a great option for office, browsing and Copilot+ AI use.

You want some upgradability.

The empty second M.2 slot accepts a PCIe Gen 5 x4 SSD, which will give the machine a huge boost in both SSD performance and capacity. There's also the ability to connect an eGPU, which again will significantly boost its creative potential.

Don't buy it if...

You need this for video editing.

16GB of RAM is a limit for video editing within Premiere Pro and will also limit the speed with large Lightroom catalogues. If you are looking for a dedicated creative machine, then it’s best to look for something with at least 32GB of RAM.

You need fast storage and an eGPU

With only one USB4 port on the front, you need to choose between fast external storage or an eGPU, rather than running both. A mini PC with dual USB4 or Thunderbolt ports will be a better option.

For more professional-grade desktops, we've tested the best business computers.

Categories: Reviews

‘It tracked flawlessly across every surface I tested’ — this Logitech productivity and gaming mouse I reviewed is almost as good as my all time fave, thanks to its sky-high 30,000 DPI and 8,000Hz polling rate

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 10:27

Keychron M6 8K review

The Keychron M6 8K intrigued me when I first laid eyes on it. The resemblance to Logitech’s MX Master mouse is immediately apparent. I’ve used one iteration or another of Logitech's flagship productivity mouse every day for the last three years; I don’t even want to know how many hours I’ve clocked up with one in hand. Let’s be real, Keychron hasn’t even tried to be sneaky about copying its homework. At $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$129, however, it does set itself apart because that’s nigh-on half the price of an MX Master 4.

For that money you still get the same general ergonomic shape with a sizable thumb rest, a horizontal scroll wheel, and a multi-function scroll wheel. At first glance, the body looks quite sizable, but it isn’t actually quite as chunky as some other ergonomic mice and I found myself shifting from my usual full palm grip into more of a hybrid fingertip-claw arrangement. It’s comfortable, but personally, it wasn’t quite as comfortable over longer work sessions as it would have been if I was able to fully grab the mouse with confidence. But mouse grip is a subjective thing, so I won’t hold it against the M6.

Build quality is generally good. Nothing creaks or flexes across the ABS shell; it just doesn’t quite carry the premium edge of some more expensive competitors. The matte coating across the entire mouse feels pleasant enough and handles fingerprints well, and it’s available in your choice of white or black.

At 86g, the Keychron M6 8K is one of, if not the lightest full-body ergonomic mice you’ll find on the market and this is apparent in general use. For reference, the M6 8K is just over half the weight of the MX Master 4 and felt noticeably hollow and almost insubstantial by comparison. Anyone transitioning from a lighter or gaming mouse will likely find this change less stark, but to me it lacked the reassuring density and planted feel a heavier weight brings.

The Huano Silent Micro switches do keep things quiet and have a noticeably soft feel to them. I found them a little mushy overall though, and on a few occasions I experienced what I think were missed inputs. I’m not entirely sure whether I'd actually physically fired a click that didn’t register on the switch, or that I’d failed to properly trigger the switch at all, but it seemed like I had to go back for another go every now and then.

Visually the upgraded metal scroll wheel is a nice touch and it comes with pleasantly clicky lateral inputs too. As you’d expect for a productivity mouse, there’s a free-scroll mode, which is useful for navigating long documents or pages but the experience isn’t as sleek as the one Logitech offers on the MX Master.

The scroll wheel is surprisingly loud in ratcheted mode, while the toggle button for switching to free-scroll is positioned too far back and requires quite a bit of force to activate. That’s good for preventing accidental switches, but it meant I found myself completely ignoring the free-scroll feature rather than repositioning my entire hand to reach the toggle. The MX Master's automatic switching between modes is a feature I didn't realize I relied on so heavily until it was gone, though that’s also the kind of feature that doubles the price of a product, I guess.

(Image credit: Future)

Within thumb’s reach on the side of the mouse are a horizontal wheel and a pair of additional buttons. This second wheel is really nicely positioned; close enough to need no thought to move your thumb to, but far enough out of the way to avoid accidentally rolling — though I'll admit I'm not much of a side-scroller on any mouse and didn't get much actual use out of it.

That pleasant positioning is also true of the two side buttons, which would usually be forward and back by default, though these don’t register at all in Safari. Both are fine in Edge and this isn't necessarily a Keychron-specific issue, as macOS has long been finicky with third-party mouse inputs. But other brands have cracked the code so it's a shame to see it missing here.

Where the M6 8K genuinely impresses and pulls ahead of more expensive rivals is in sensor performance. The PixArt PAW3950 meant the M6 8K tracked flawlessly across every surface I tested, including a desk mat, solid wood, my leg, the sofa, and even a glass window. Got a funny look from my neighbor checking that one. Keychron claims glass tracking at 4mm minimum thickness, and it delivered so no concerns for glass desk users.

DPI can be adjusted from 100 to 30,000 and polling rate from 125 to 8,000Hz, numbers that extend the Keychron M6 8K from just a productivity mouse into a genuine gaming option. At the higher end of those settings and coupled with the light overall weight, the M6 becomes super responsive and should keep up with every flick during intense gaming sessions. I settled on 1,200 DPI and 1,000Hz polling for daily work, which felt perfectly sharp. Both settings can be adjusted on the fly through customizable presets using physical buttons on the mouse, which is a great touch, or you can use the Keychron Launcher web app for more granular control.

That browser-based configuration software was a surprise highlight for me. It's feature-rich, cleanly laid out, and very familiar if you've used Keychron's keyboards. Personalization features like button remapping, sensor settings, macros, lift-off distance, and scroll acceleration are all accessible without installing a single background process. You can also check battery levels here, though you won’t need to do this often — it seems to sip on its 800mAh battery, so it’ll be weeks between charges at reasonable settings.

As if it’s come straight from certain German supermarket chains, the Keychron M6 8K is a good dupe of a more expensive mouse. It does a lot of things well, but perhaps most importantly, it’s at a price that lets you forgive the things that aren’t quite so good. The scroll wheel lacks the refinement of Logitech's implementation, the clicks can feel a little mushy, and Safari users will miss having a working back button. But the feel is great, the sensor is superb, the battery life is excellent, and the web app is near best-in-class for the segment. If you can't justify the MX Master 4's asking price, this is where you should look instead.

Keychron M6 8K review: Price & release date

The Keychron M6 8K has a list price of $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$129
It's often discounted, both directly from Keychron and via retailers
It's available in black or white

At $69.99 / £74.99 / AU$129, the Keychron M6 8K significantly undercuts the Logitech MX Master 4 ($119.99 / £119.99 / AU$199) that it’s clearly inspired by. You’ll find it both on Keychron’s own web store and from retailers, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for sales as I often saw it discounted while writing this piece. Make sure you’re picking up the right variant too. There’s also an M6 with a less responsive 1K sensor, though if you don't need 8K polling, you could save even more.

(Image credit: Future)Keychron M6 8K review: Specs

Sensor

PixArt PAW3950

DPI

100 - 30,000

Polling Rate

125 - 8,000Hz

Connectivity

Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless

Switches

Huano Silent Micro

Weight

86g

Battery

800mAh (up to 120 hours at 1KHz)

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Keychron M6 8K?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Dual scroll wheels and free-scroll mode, 8K polling, and tri-mode connectivity. The browser-based Launcher software is excellent.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Sensor tracking is flawless across surfaces including glass. Battery life is very strong at sensible settings. Silent switches are slightly mushy with occasional missed clicks.

4 / 5

Design

Ergonomic shape that's comfortable enough, but the lightweight feel and scroll wheel let it down.

3.5 / 5

Value

At roughly half the price of the MX Master 4, the M6 8K offers a remarkable amount of hardware for the money.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want MX Master features without the MX Master price
The M6 8K replicates most of Logitech's ergonomic productivity formula at nearly half the cost, and throws in 8K polling and a gaming-grade sensor for good measure.

You hate installing mouse software
Keychron Launcher runs entirely in the browser with no background processes. Configure everything you need, close the window, and forget about it.

You work and play on the same machine
The M6 8K’s sensor is equally at home slowly scrolling a spreadsheet as it is ramping up sensitivity for a quick firefight on your lunch break.

Don’t buy it if…

You jump between scroll modes often
The M6 8K's metal wheel is a little wobbly, its ratchet mode is loud, and the manual toggle for free-scroll is awkward to reach. If the scroll wheel is the feature you use most, spend more on the Logitech MX Master as it’s still in a league of its own.

You prefer a heavier, more planted mouse
At 86g, the M6 8K is noticeably light and will catch you off guard if you’re used to something with more heft. If you like your mouse to feel substantial and anchored on the desk, this featherweight approach won't suit you.

Keychron M6 8K review: Also consider

Logitech MX Master 4
The mouse that the M6 8K is clearly duping. It costs significantly more at $119.99 / £119.99, but you get Logitech's class-leading MagSpeed scroll wheel with automatic mode switching, superior build quality, the new haptic touch panel, and deep OS integration through Options+. If budget isn't the primary concern, it's still the productivity mouse to beat. Read our full Logitech MX Master 4 review.

MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K
If gaming is more your focus, the MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K ($99.99 / £59.99) offers a similar PixArt sensor and 8K polling in a lighter 66g symmetrical shell that's better suited to competitive play. It lacks the M6 8K's productivity features like the horizontal scroll wheel and thumb rest, but it's a strong pick for users who split their time between work and gaming. Read our full MSI Versa 300 Wireless 8K review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Keychron M6 8K

I used the M6 8K as a daily productivity mouse over multiple weeks, replacing my Logitech MX Master 4
I tested across multiple surfaces including a desk mat, solid wood, skin, and glass
I tested all three connectivity modes and evaluated the Keychron Launcher software on macOS

I used the Keychron M6 8K as my mouse for all tasks for a couple of weeks. It was primarily a direct productivity replacement for my daily-driver Logitech MX Master 4, so I used it across extended work sessions on macOS. My testing covered general workflows, gaming, surface tracking across varied materials, and multi-device connectivity. I evaluated the Keychron Launcher software for configuration depth and usability.

Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
First reviewed: July 2026

Categories: Reviews

I launched my amphibious friends to the beat in Rhythm Heaven Groove — it’s a great continuation of what came before and a wonderfully whimsical time on Nintendo Switch

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 07:00

The latest installment in Nintendo’s weird and wacky rhythm game franchise has finally landed with Rhythm Heaven Groove (known as Rhythm Paradise Groove in PAL regions). It’s a game that sticks closely to its foundations: there’s a simplistic control scheme, cartoonish art style, and a set of frankly surreal levels to sift through.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch
Available on: Nintendo Switch (also playable on Nintendo Switch 2)
Release date: July 2, 2026

That’s not to say that Rhythm Heaven Groove brings nothing new to the table, however. There are plenty of multiplayer minigames available, and there’s a new single player mode called Beatspell, which riffs on the RPG genre.

So, is the mix of classic Rhythm Heaven charm and new content enough to place this entry among the best Nintendo Switch games? Here are my thoughts after hours upon hours of testing my skills.

More of the same — but not in a bad way

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Let me begin by laying my cards on the table. I’m a long-time fan of the Rhythm Heaven series, and have poured a ton of hours into perfecting my timing on Rhythm Heaven (DS) and my personal favorite Rhythm Heaven Fever on the Wii.

I’m a sucker for the zany characters and goofy set of circumstances they find themselves in — whether that be dancing in tandem with a group of shrimp or playing badminton with a dog while piloting an airplane (yes, really).

And I’d argue that Nintendo — alongside codeveloper TNX — has re-created what made the series special effectively in Rhythm Heaven Groove. It’s a lot more of the same stuff we got before, but that’s by no means a bad thing.

A lot of the absurdism has been retained, and whether I was playing as a frog and launching my amphibian brethren off a lily pad or bouncing lemons off by biceps as a hard-core gym bro, I felt that the unorthodox appeal of what came before was still alive and breathing on Nintendo Switch.

Levels are, on the whole, pretty memorable, and while I found some to be less compelling — like using a massive hammer to crush cans, or sweeping the floor as part of a four-piece pop band — there’s plenty of personality, vibrant colors, and eccentric character designs to marvel at.

In the core solo levels, there’s a decent amount of variety too, even with the music, which spans a variety of genres, tempos, and styles. I found myself bopping my head to the tunes in Alien Alphabet — a level where you have to communicate with a chatty extra-terrestrial — as well as Hop N Slide — where you play as a computerised creature that has to jump and duck through hurdles — among many others.

If you want, you can even listen to the tracks in the Sound Studio menu, which fills out as you play through the game’s varying levels.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

I loved a lot of the core levels, but my favorite was Ribbit Rocket. I loved blasting other frogs into the stratosphere with my lily pad-launching skills. The vibrant environment, giant frog in the backdrop, and varied tempo of incoming amphibians kept things feeling fresh both visually and rhythmically.

But let’s talk a bit about gameplay, something that there’s understandably little to discuss around. Like its predecessors, Rhythm Heaven Groove keeps things outrageously simple.

Whatever mode you’re playing, you just have to press buttons — sometimes even just one — in time with the beat. Controls are responsive and there are visual and audio cues that help you to nail your timing. You’ll either get your rhythm spot on, a little off, or straight up wrong, and this will determine how well you do in a particular level or minigame.

In the main single player levels, you can earn medals by hitting almost every note faultlessly, and this really brought the perfectionist out of me. I felt almost compelled to get a medal in every level, including the remixes, which combine multiple levels together in one brilliant collage.

You occasionally get the option to go for Perfect in some stages, which can earn you an in-game reward. This can be infuriating — but in a way that’s addictive and oh-so satisfying when you pull off a flawless run.

One minor gripe I have is that there’s no option to restart within a level when going for Perfect. For some reason, you have to jump back to the main menu, re-enter and try again. It’s a minor frustration, sure, but when you’re trying to get in the zone it can feel a tad grating.

Speaking of menus, I was slightly surprised to find that they were quite bland. The main menu is just a list, there’s little visual flair or intrigue about it. Again, this is a nit-pick, but for such a vivid and charismatic title, I expected something a little less rudimentary.

The new stuff: the good, the bad, and everything in between

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Right, so despite a couple of small things, the core single player experience is very enjoyable in Rhythm Heaven Groove. But what new stuff can you sink your teeth into.

Well, perhaps the highest profile addition is the aforementioned Beatspell mode, which takes visual and gameplay inspiration from classic RPGs. By entering varying commands at different rhythms, you’re able to cast a handful of spells, including fire and water attacks, healing, and more. You must use your magic to defeat basic monsters as well as bosses, which have varying weaknesses and attack patterns.

You can level up your spells as you progress through each level, although these are reset at the beginning of each new area. It’s a neat idea, and I personally preferred to pour my points into attacking spells to defeat enemies faster — which helps you earn bonus points for a better star rating at the end of each segment. While beating your enemies is pretty easy, getting a high star rating requires consistently good timing, especially later into the campaign.

However, I wouldn’t say that Beatspell is the strongest mode ever. The levels feel pretty repetitive, and the narrative throughout the campaign failed to capture my interest. It’s very basic, and it doesn’t quite have the same quirky feel that the core levels exude.

Sure, there’s a bit more variation in terms of gameplay — you’re not restricted to one or two basic inputs and can approach levels how you see fit, but the music and enemies I encountered felt less charismatic than what the series typically delivers, making me less enthused about returning to levels and perfecting my score.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Still, some of the new additions show promise, and when my talented colleague and TechRadar Gaming Editor, Dash Wood, played the multiplayer minigames, he had an absolute blast. We loved everything here, from the catchy tunes through to the charming visuals and competitive feel, and I’m definitely going to be forcing a few friends and family members to duke it out with me.

There are more modes too, including Drum Lesson, the experimental Rhythm Toy Mode, and the Café, where you can take a break and receive tips. All in all, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy the beat-based fun in Rhythm Heaven Groove, and although I didn’t love Beatspell, the core experience alone had enough content to keep me entertained.

I liked most of the new additions overall, then, although I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator, named Lil’ Miss Reeds. This robotic character uses text-to-speech to read menus aloud, which is a neat touch in terms of accessibility, although the voice, in my view, is pretty annoying.

Luckily, you can turn text-to-speech off in a sub-menu, which I quickly did — but again, in spite of my dislike for the robo voice, it’s a thoughtful touch. Especially given that there’s an option to describe what’s on screen as well as reading text aloud.

One final point before I wrap up, which has been a fairly big topic of discussion for this title. Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has been out for more than a year now, Nintendo decided to release this entry as an exclusive on the original Switch. In my view, this is a very sensible decision: not only is the Nintendo Switch the best-selling console in history, opening one of the more niche Nintendo franchises up to a larger player base, but the game itself is hardly the most technically demanding.

And I found performance to be consistent throughout — there were no framerate hiccups, visuals looked vibrant and relatively sharp, and controls felt responsive too, whether I was playing on my TV or using wired earbuds in handheld mode (though the latter option will be best for perfectionists due to lower latency).

So, what do I make of Rhythm Heaven Groove overall? For me, it's a continuation of everything that made its predecessors tick. With a whimsical visual style, head-bopping tunes, and zany level design, there’s plenty of the oddball rhythmic fun that we’ve come to expect from this series.

Sure, Beatspell wasn’t my favorite, and the simplistic gameplay won’t be to everyone’s taste, but if you want a beat-hitting game that’s entertaining to dip into solo or with friends, this is an easy title to recommend.

Should you play Rhythm Heaven Groove?

(Image credit: Nintendo)Play it if…

You’re a certified rhythm game aficionado
Although Rhythm Heaven Groove is by no means the most challenging rhythm game out there, it takes quite a bit of dedication to perfect each level — and it’s incredibly satisfying when you pull this off. If you’re a fan of the genre, then I strongly suggest trying this one out, you’re sure to have a blast.

You’re a fan of the unorthodox
You could argue that the main draw of Rhythm Heaven Groove isn’t its gameplay or beat-matching, but instead, its bizarre lineup of characters and levels. If you want to blast through some surreal situations with robots, aliens, frogs, cats, and more, then you’ll have a weirdly wonderful time with this Nintendo Switch title.

Don’t play it if…

You want something with a lot of gameplay depth
The gameplay in Rhythm Heaven Groove certainly sits on the basic side, and in some levels you’ll simply have to tap a single button in time to progress. If you want something with a bit more depth, then this may not be for you.

You’re expecting an enthralling single player campaign
The new Beatspell mode acts as the new campaign mode, with a range of levels and an overarching narrative. While it adds a bit of variation into the mix, the mode lacks the charm and addictiveness of the core levels, and the story isn’t very engaging. I think the main solo rhythm games offer enough single player fun in themselves, but if you want something with more depth, then this may not be for you.

Accessibility features

There aren’t all too many ways to customize your experience in Rhythm Heaven Groove, although you can switch between a few Read-Aloud settings.

There’s the option to have the narrator Read words, read and describe what’s on the screen, or deactivate the narrator altogether.

(Image credit: Nintendo)How I reviewed Rhythm Heaven Groove

I spent around 10 hours playing through Rhythm Heaven Groove. During this time, I played through the main solo levels, the Beatspell campaign, and tried out the other side modes.

The majority of the time, I played the game in TV mode, with my Nintendo Switch 2 connected to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and my Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, I did also dip into handheld mode a fair few times, and connected up the Sennheiser CX 80U wired earbuds to enjoy the in-game music and sounds.

More generally, I’m a long-time fan of the Rhythm Heaven series and have reviewed many video games during my time here at TechRadar. This has included plenty of Nintendo exclusive games, like Kirby Air Riders, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and Drag x Drive.

Categories: Reviews

Bolt no-code review

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 04:58

No-code AI tools take a prompt in plain English (and other languages) and create a web app or other tool. Bolt is one such AI powered development platform, which launched in late 2024 and can create a web app based on your instructions without any need for coding tools or environment.

Various no-code development tools are currently available, but is Bolt able to compete with names like Replit and Base44? To find out, we tested its no-code capabilities with a straightforward prompt, assessed its features and pricing, and compared it with the competition.

For more options, you can also take a look at our list of the best no-code platforms.

Bolt: Features

Bolt will generate a web app based on a prompt you enter. This can be an outline you have finessed elsewhere, or something developed within a threaded, iterative conversation with the AI.

Several plans are offered by Bolt, each with an expanding raft of features. The free plan gives you the facility to commence both public and private projects, with 300K tokens each day. These are used with each AI interaction, depending on the scale of the request. 1 million tokens are awarded at the start of each month, and this doesn’t roll over.

Bolt's free plan gives you website hosting (with Bolt branding) for a project and a 10MB file upload limit – useful for sharing UI designs, for example. Also on the free plan, you'll get unlimited databases and support for 333,000 web requests (visitors).

The Pro plan gives you 10 million tokens by default and removes the Bolt branding. You also get custom domain support. Additionally, unused tokens will rollover to the next month.

A Teams plan adds team-level access management, granular administration controls, centralized billing, internal sharing, and support for private NPM registries. The Custom plan for enterprise scale projects adds further features such as SSO, audit logs, compliance, custom workflows, data governance policies and a dedicated account manager for 24/7 support.

Bolt: Interface and ease of use

A cursory look at several no-code tools will reveal a pretty standardized user interface not dissimilar to ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, with a prompt box awaiting text input. Bolt does boast a far slicker UI than some of its competitors, making it immediately enticing.

You can create an account with your own credentials, with the now-ubiquitous Google sign in, or with GitHub. The latter will make integration with the code collaboration platform slightly more streamlined.

Entering a prompt is simple, and the generation of a project is logged in the left-hand pane. It’s all very straightforward and intuitive, and consequently extremely easy to use. However, there is a potential barrier to getting the most out of Bolt.

This no-code platform requires a specific browser, either Google Chrome (or Chromium) Microsoft Edge, or Brave. It doesn’t work with Firefox, with any attempt greeted by the message “Your current browser doesn’t support key technologies that Bolt relies on.”

Bolt: Integration and extensibility

Creating a web app from scratch with a single prompt is only part of the challenge for no-code tools like Bolt. They also need to be able to offer integration with tools that make the web app work. These might be payment processing services, login authorization, databases, for example, and perhaps even cloud integration.

You might also wish to ensure the project is effectively managed by integrating a suitable tool.

(Image credit: Bolt)

Bolt has a number of options in this area, from database support with Supabase to error tracking with Sentry and AI meeting notes with Granola. Bolt’s creators have aimed to provide a tool for many eventualities, although it should be noted that Bolt doesn’t offer Stripe or Google authorization as connectors or integrations. Instead, these are available at the prompt level, by adding a phrase such as “Add Sign-In with Google to my application.”

Bolt: Deployment and maintenance

In addition to the integrations, Bolt can be synced with GitHub. This adds an important aspect to your project’s reliability, allowing the invitation of collaborators and for the code to be reviewed. Remember, this is a no-code platform, and while the projects it creates should work well, it doesn’t mean that the code is perfect. Having the option for GitHub is useful, as it means you can take what is essentially a bootstrapped web app and polish it with the help of others.

(Image credit: Bolt)

Completed projects can be published via Bolt with two clicks. A subdomain is assigned for the project to run in. The option to host your project on a custom domain can also be configured at this stage.

Creating a crypto calculator with Bolt

To gain some understanding about how effective Bolt is for no code app generation, we conducted a test to see how it handled a clear prompt to create a web app.

The web app was conceived as a cryptocurrency calculator, designed to display live conversion prices for a trio of fiat currencies and whichever cryptocurrencies are provided via the chosen API. Two free API options are presented (CoinGecko and ExchangeRate-API) which the AI should draw information from.

(Image credit: Bolt.new)

Here is the prompt we used:

Build a tool that compares the price of a specific asset (like Bitcoin) against multiple fiat currencies simultaneously.

Functional requirements:

API Integration: Connect to a free API (like CoinGecko or ExchangeRate-API).

Input Handling: A field where the user enters a "Budget" (e.g., $1,000$).

Dynamic Calculation: A list or table that automatically updates to show how much of the asset that budget buys in USD, EUR, and GBP.

Toggle Switch: A "Dark Mode" or "Refresh" toggle to test UI state management.

--

Bolt’s results with this web app were good, but not without some caveats. First and foremost, it took a little over 5 minutes to complete the task. Other tools we’ve seen have been able to generate a web app from the prompt in under 90 seconds.

In addition, Bolt went off-script, over delivering on the physical currencies provided in the web app. The prompt specifies just three: USD, EU, GBP.

Deployment is one-click, however, which means you can have a live no-code web app published in just seconds. You can view the generated web app here: https://multi-currency-asset-sipu.bolt.host/

(Image credit: Bolt)Bolt: Pricing and documentation

You can get started with Bolt for free, but for a more in-depth no-code experience, you will need to consider the Pro plan. This starts from $25/month ($18/month with annual billing) for a plan that gives you 10 million tokens. If that isn’t enough you can increase your bank of tokens, but this has a direct impact on the plan’s price. Options from 26 million to 1200 million tokens are available, with prices that increase along the way, topping out at $2000/month.

In scenarios where a lot of tokens are required, and multiple users require access to Bolt for no-code development or post-generation revision, there is the Teams plan. This is $30/month (working out at $27/month with annual billing), with a similar pricing structure for additional tokens.

Information about pricing or tiers for tokens isn't available for the Custom plan – this is aimed at enterprise-level businesses with more complex requirements.

Details about the plans and tokens can be found (along with other important information about Bolt) in the documentation. These are well written and seem to cover everything from creating a new project, editing it in your browser or opening it to collaboration on GitHub to importing from competing platforms like Lovable.

Bolt: The competition

If you searched for a list of AI no-code platforms, you would invariably come across Bolt. It is a strong option that stands out alongside the alternatives thanks to its striking user interface. However, we found faster and better no-code tools, such as Lovable, Hostinger Horizons, and Vercel v0.

They all deliver faster and/or stay on-script when a single prompt is entered. As that is our benchmark, it is important to highlight that Bolt isn’t hitting it. But Bolt does have strengths compared with the alternatives, not least the swift deployment of a live web and heavy GitHub integration.

However, we were impressed with the depth of Bolt's plans for large-scale teams.

Bolt: Final verdict

(Image credit: Bolt)

Bolt is slow, and has fewer AI tokens than competing tools in free mode. These refresh daily, but are restrictive. The 300K tokens daily limit isn’t enough to explore revisions and there is no trial option where you can enjoy the features of the Pro plan.

On the puls side, Bolt offers an excellent set of documentation, which can prove invaluable in helping you to shape the idea for a web app into a working project with all the necessary authentication, payment, database, and other features.

I’ve enjoyed using Bolt’s intuitive collection of tools, but unfortunately it doesn’t deliver a no-code web app as effortlessly and quickly as many of the alternatives.

Categories: Reviews

Replit no-code review

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 04:43

Replit has had an interesting development story, launching in 2016 as a platform for running code in a browser window (technology adopted by teaching platforms like Codecademy) and developing in 2018 into an AI coding platform. Unlike many other no-code tools, Replit also opens access to the underlying code, falling back into its evolution as a browser based IDE (Integrated Development Environment).

With this in mind, we looked at how it compares with other no-code platforms, taking into account features and plans, pricing, ease of deployment, and usability (standalone, and with documentation). With the help of a testing prompt, we used Replit to generate a straightforward web app, which helped us to evaluate the tool and rate it.

For more options, take a look at our full list of the best no-code platforms.

Replit: Features

One of the most interesting things about Replit is its dual purpose as both no-code generator and browser-based IDE. This makes it ideal for bootstrapped projects, where you need to get something ready for further development, but don’t have the time to import libraries, define parameters, and so on.

You simply enter the prompt, Replit generates a working project framework, and you can then dig into the code, making the necessary changes. Yes, Replit can create something more developed than a basic framework, but in both cases you can drill down and physically enter files within the browser. Replit also offers a quick redesign tool if you don’t like the way the CSS has been generated.

Daily credits for use with the AI agent, full database access, tools to create slides, videos, and animations, and the ability to publish a single project (with optional password protection) are included with the free plan.

The Replit Core plan adds collaborators, two simultaneous AI agents, unlimited workspaces and removes the “Made with Replit” badge from published projects, while Replit Pro adds 28 day database rollbacks, access to the most powerful AI models, and 10 simultaneous agents.

Replit: Interface and ease of use

Creating a project with Replit is pretty intuitive, requiring a simple prompt, typed or pasted into the box. You will find some template options – websites, animations, slides – that can speed things up if appropriate.

The UI feels a little less flashy than some competing tools, but everything is pretty much where you would expect to find it. All menu controls – settings and projects, for example – can be found on the left of the main screen. The same area is used when you’re in no-code mode, where responses are displayed, and you can ask further questions or tweak the results.

Replit: Integration and extensibility

Competing platforms offer a pretty long list of integrations that they support. It’s a bit trickier to ascertain what can be integrated with Replit, and whether the connection can be both ways, reliant on an API, or agentic. However, a check in the documentation reveals that Stripe integration is possible for payments (but not in the custom plans), as is Google OAuth.

Connectors for “Linear, Jira, Gmail, Slack, Discord” are listed within the Replit documentation.

Remember, you can dig down and edit the generated code with Replit, which means you should be able to manually add the desired integrations if they’re not already offered.

Replit: Deployment and Maintenance

Of all the no-code tools we’ve looked at, Replit is the slowest when it comes to deployment. This is not necessarily a bad thing, however. Usually, when you publish a no-code project with one of these platforms, it seems to take just a few moments before it goes live. With Replit, various checks are made, including a security scan, which are explicitly displayed via a progress screen.

I’m not suggesting rival tools don’t check the security of the web app and its suitability for hosting, but Replit makes this process a lot clearer.

(Image credit: Replit)

As already noted, anything created with Replit can be viewed within the platform’s IDE, and its code edited if necessary. This can save a lot of time when it comes to revising or troubleshooting your project, but if course is intended for developers, not newcomers using no-code to play with code for the first time.

Creating a crypto calculator with Replit

The entire point of a no code platform like Replit is that it can take straightforward instructions in plain English (or another supported language) and produce an application – a software tool of some sort – in a fraction of the time it would take to complete manually.

To explore what can be expected from Replit, we developed a prompt that clearly outlines the requirements for a cryptocurrency calculator web app. It should compare asset prices, connect to an appropriate free API, and support three standard currencies, USD, GBP, and Euro.

(Image credit: Replit)

We used the following prompt with each of the no code tools we’ve reviewed:

Build a tool that compares the price of a specific asset (like Bitcoin) against multiple fiat currencies simultaneously.

Functional requirements:

API Integration: Connect to a free API (like CoinGecko or ExchangeRate-API).

Input Handling: A field where the user enters a "Budget" (e.g., $1,000$).

Dynamic Calculation: A list or table that automatically updates to show how much of the asset that budget buys in USD, EUR, and GBP.

Toggle Switch: A "Dark Mode" or "Refresh" toggle to test UI state management.

Replit read the prompt and completed the no code web app in under 3 minutes. Its output along the way was pretty verbose, although geared to developers, relying on displaying command line interface instructions rather than something more suited to non-coders. However, this does usefully communicate the procedure that the tool follows, namely working on the backend first, then the frontend.

Upon completion, Replit also makes suggestions for revision. For example in this case, it offered “support for more assets by letting users search the full CoinGecko coin list.”

In addition, Replit supports various revisions, both to the code and to the user interface. Direct editing of the code is possible, while changes to the UI are limited within the Replit tool – it’s easier to make instructions via the AI assistant. That, of course, uses up credits, so finding the right balance is important.

Deploying the finished web app is slower than the competing platforms, but this is mainly due to a collection of checks that are made by Replit, which include ensuring the code is secure. You can publish with or without these checks. The project can be published to a custom domain, or use the auto-generated Replit subdomain.

(Image credit: Replit)Replit: Pricing and Documentation

The four plans, Standard, Replit Core, Replit Pro, and Enterprise, have their own pricing and features. If you’re just starting with no code tools, the Standard free plan is ideal, giving daily credits and support for one project.

Replit Core is $20/month, or the equivalent of $18/month if you pay upfront for 12-months. This includes $20 of monthly credits for the AI and supports up to 5 collaborators. Meanwhile, Replit Pro is $100/month (paying annually works out at $90/month), and has $100 worth of monthly credits and up to 15 collaborators and 50 viewers. There is the option to upgrade the credits to a different plan, potentially as much as $2,500/month of credits.

If the scale of the Core and Pro plans doesn’t meet your needs, the Enterprise-targeted custom plan is available. As is usual with such plans, a sales person will provide a demo, ascertain your requirements from the no code platform, and shape a quote that suits your budget, team, and scale.

An impressive resource of documentation is available via the docs.replit.com address, clearly explaining the scope, scale, and even the smallest steps about using Replit. This is a searchable resource, one that is split into tutorials and standard knowledge base docs, and aims to provide answers to everything. Anything that cannot be found within the docs can be directly queried with the AI assistant.

Replit: The Competition

The no-code market is getting busier, with tools like Lovable, Bubble, and Hostinger Horizons standing out as popular solutions for anyone who wishes to create an app without learning to code (or paying someone to do it).

In terms of generating a web app from the prompt, Replit didn’t deliver as quickly as most other no-code platforms, but still produced a working tool within 5 minutes. This is in contrast to Emergent, which took more than three times that duration.

Replit: Final Verdict

(Image credit: Replit)

Price-wise, Replit is in the sweet spot, and its features make it a good choice if you’re in the market for a no-code tool. It stands up against comparison with competing tools like Lovable, Hostinger Horizons, and Base44. It’s fast, and the generated web app looked good and was functional.

However, if you're specifically looking for a free tool, I would steer clear of Replit - if you have the need to get to grips with a project, the daily credit limit will slow you down. Instead, opt for Replit Core with an appropriate level of AI credits unless you need something with many more collaborators.

Overall, users shouldn't overlook what Replit really offers: almost instantaneous development bootstrapping with code you can dig into immediately via its native IDE.

Categories: Reviews

Easemate.ai review

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 04:13

Easemate.ai launched in 2025 with a simple pitch: one platform for everything AI.

It doesn't make you choose between a chat assistant, an image generator, or a video tool. You get all three, alongside study utilities, document readers, and image editing features. The range of supported models is equally wide, covering GPT, Gemini, Claude, DeepSeek, Grok, Kimi K2, and Qwen 3 on the chat side alone.

The creative side is where things get particularly ambitious. Easemate integrates image models including Nano Banana, Midjourney, Flux Kontext, GPT-4o, and Seedream, with a video catalogue stretching to Sora 2, Google Veo 3, Kling, Seedance, and Runway. Few platforms at this price point give you that many models in one place.

We've been reviewing B2B software and AI platforms at TechRadar Pro since 2012. Easemate sits in a crowded but useful category of multi-model AI aggregators that we've tracked closely. You can also check out our AI tool roundup for 2026 and deep dives into platforms like OpenClaw or Moltbook.

What is Easemate.ai?

Easemate.ai is a web-based AI platform that consolidates multiple AI models and task-specific tools into a single subscription.

Rather than routing you to one underlying model, it lets you switch between GPT, Gemini, Claude, DeepSeek, and others depending on what you need, without juggling separate accounts.

The platform divides its offering into four main areas: AI Chat, AI Study & Research, AI Photo, and AI Video. Within those, you'll find tools for ChatPDF, document summarization, math and science solvers, flashcard generation, image-to-video conversion, and YouTube transcript extraction.

It targets a broad user base (students, solo creators, freelancers, and small businesses) rather than positioning itself as a developer tool or enterprise solution. If you want a single dashboard that covers daily AI tasks without managing multiple subscriptions, Easemate's pitch is worth considering.

Easemate.ai: At a glance

Attribute

Notes

Underlying model(s)

Multi-model: GPT (various), Gemini, Claude 3 Haiku, DeepSeek, Grok 4, Kimi K2, Qwen 3 for chat; Nano Banana, Midjourney, Flux Kontext, Wan, Kling, Seedream and more for image/video

Best for

Students, solo creators, and small businesses needing all-in-one AI access

Distinguishing functions

Multi-model chat, ChatPDF, image generation, video generation, math/science solvers, AI writing tools, face swap, YouTube summarization

UI features

Browser-based interface, desktop and mobile (iOS and Android); no-login trial available for select tools

Subscription costs

Basic (free), Lite ($8.90/month intro, then $9.90/month), Pro ($19.90/month intro, then $24.90/month)

API pricing

No public API; consumer-facing platform only

Buy it if…

You want multi-model AI chat without juggling accounts. Easemate puts GPT, Gemini, Claude, DeepSeek, and Grok 4 in one place, which saves real time if you regularly compare outputs across models.
You need creative tools alongside a chat assistant. The combination of image generators and video models in one subscription is hard to match at Easemate's price point.
You're a student or researcher on a budget. The free tier includes 30 sign-up credits, daily check-in bonuses, and up to 200K AI chat tokens per day.

Don't buy it if…

You need consistent professional image or video output. Users report a "prompt drift" issue where the platform ignores specific instructions, alters faces, or changes scenes unexpectedly.
Reliable customer support matters to you. Support is online-only and has drawn criticism for being slow to resolve credit-related problems.
You want granular model control. Access to Veo 3 and Sora 2 comes through Easemate's own interface rather than direct API access, which limits parameter customization.

My time with Easemate.ai

Getting started on Easemate.ai is frictionless. The platform lets you try select tools without an account, and signing up takes under a minute. Once logged in, the 30 free credits appeared immediately, and the interface guided me clearly toward the main tool categories. For a platform with this many features, the navigation stayed surprisingly tidy.

Where I hit friction was in creative generation. I ran several image prompts through Nano Banana and Flux Kontext and found outputs solid roughly two-thirds of the time. There were noticeable cases where the platform deviated from my descriptions, and rerunning the same prompt sometimes produced very different results. Video tools showed similar inconsistency.

The value case is real at the Lite tier, though. For $8.90 in the first month, rising to $9.90 after that, you get 1,200 credits, access to up to 120 images and 60 videos per month, and multi-model AI chat. That's a fair deal for casual creative work or students managing multiple AI tasks, as long as you aren't expecting the precision of a dedicated tool.

Easemate.ai: Features

The AI Chat section covers GPT (multiple versions), Gemini, Claude 3 Haiku, DeepSeek, Grok 4, Kimi K2, and Qwen 3. For most conversational tasks (drafting, translating, summarizing), having that range in one tab is useful. The daily free token limit of 200K is also more generous than most comparable platforms.

The study and research tools are well-executed and clearly the original backbone of the platform. Math, physics, and chemistry solvers work step-by-step, making them practical for students rather than just returning a final answer. Flashcard and quiz generators, mind maps, and AI Scholar round out a toolkit that serves academic workflows more carefully than most multi-purpose AI platforms do.

On the image side, the model selection is broad: Nano Banana, Midjourney, Flux Kontext, GPT-4o, and Wan 2.5 are all accessible on paid plans. Nano Banana produces good commercial-style images; Flux Kontext handles text-in-image prompts reasonably well. The consistency problem persists, particularly with prompts involving specific faces or complex scenes.

Document tools perform well. ChatPDF, Chat Doc, and Chat PPT let you upload files and query them conversationally, with OCR support for scanned content. The YouTube summarization tool is a genuine highlight: paste a link and get structured notes with timestamps, which worked better than expected in testing.

Easemate.ai: User experience

The interface is clean and well-organized. Tool categories sit in a top navigation bar, each expanding into a dropdown with clearly labeled options. First-time users shouldn't need a tutorial to find their way around, and the browser-based experience works consistently across devices.

The credit system is where the UX gets murky. Different tools consume different credit amounts, and it's not always clear how many you're spending before you generate. A failed generation still costs credits, which user reviews flag repeatedly. Easemate's team has acknowledged this in public responses, but the system itself hasn't changed.

Easemate.ai: Customer support

Easemate offers support via email at support@easemate.ai and through a help portal on the website. There's no live chat, phone line, or priority tier for paid subscribers. Documentation covers pricing and credits at a surface level but doesn't go deep enough for troubleshooting edge cases.

User perception is mixed. As of early 2026, Easemate held an overall rating of 2.0 to 3.0 out of 5 stars with most review aggregators, with positive feedback on ease of use offset by complaints about reliability and support responsiveness. More recent reviewers show a wider range of experiences — solo creators praise the video output quality, while others report credits consumed by failed generations with no satisfying resolution.

(Image credit: Easemate)Easemate.ai: Pricing

Basic (free): 30 sign-up credits, daily check-in bonuses, up to 200K AI chat tokens per day, limited image and video access
Lite ($8.90/month intro, then $9.90/month): 1,200 credits, up to 120 images and 60 videos per month, full model access; annual billing drops this to $7.49/month intro, then $8.49/month
Pro ($19.90/month intro, then $24.90/month): 3,000 credits, up to 300 images and 150 videos; annual billing drops to $16.90/month intro, then $20.9/month

The free tier is actually usable for light AI chat and occasional image generation — it's not a locked demo. Lite is the sweet spot for individuals. Easemate also sells one-time credit packs that never expire, ranging from 500 credits at $4.90 up to 15,000 credits at $104.90, with discounts of 10–30% depending on bundle size. There's no API access or developer-tier pricing.

Easemate.ai alternatives you should consider

ChatGPT Plus: At $20/month, you get GPT-4o, o4-mini, and DALL-E 3 in a more mature, reliable environment. A better choice if text generation and image creation are your primary needs.
Perplexity Pro: Covers multi-model chat with web search grounding and document uploads. Weaker on creative generation but more dependable for research-heavy workflows.
Adobe Firefly: Produces commercially safe, high-consistency image output with better prompt fidelity than Easemate's image tools, though it lacks the platform's broad AI chat and video coverage.

How I tested Easemate.ai

Tested AI chat tools across GPT, Gemini, Claude, and DeepSeek for writing, summarizing, and translating tasks, comparing output quality and response speed across models.
Generated images and video clips using Nano Banana, Flux Kontext, Kling, and Veo 3 with a range of prompt types to assess consistency and prompt adherence.
Used document and study tools, uploading multi-page PDFs and PowerPoint files to test ChatPDF accuracy, and running math and science problems through the step-by-step solvers.

My testing involved hands-on use of Easemate.ai across its four main tool categories over several sessions, combined with a review of third-party user feedback on Trustpilot and review platforms to benchmark real-world reliability against my own observations. Pricing details were verified directly against the official Easemate.ai pricing page.

Categories: Reviews

I expected to hate Enola Holmes 3, but the new Netflix movie and Millie Bobby Brown are incredibly entertaining — despite some laughable flaws

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 07/01/2026 - 02:00

When I think of Enola Holmes, one word springs to mind: naff. Average, run-of-the-mill, mundane, as our friends across the world might put it instead.

It's been four years since the sequel and six years since the original movie came to Netflix, and I have no bearing on where it sits culturally. As an avid internet user in my pre "I have a job reviewing film and TV" days, the Millie Bobby Brown-led franchise felt like a complete flop. But look at the trilogy from a critic's perspective, and it's been a solid entry into the streamer's canon.

Watching Enola Holmes 3, I finally get it. As Sherlock's little sister takes on her wildest case — Sherlock (Henry Cavill) himself being kidnapped — I understand the brief writer Jack Thorne is trying to fulfil... a harmless one.

Suitable for all the family thanks to its genuinely fun and compelling (though not exactly unexpected) narrative, Enola Holmes 3 has all the hallmarks of a solid three-star movie. In fact, it's the most three-star movie to ever three-star.

Can you guess the ending? Yes. Do you care? Probably not. Will you look at your phone occasionally while streaming it, or maybe get started on those pesky household chores you keep putting off? I'd put money on it. Will you lose the storyline or interest if you suddenly pop out to make a coffee and keep the TV running? Not in the slightest.

It's safe storytelling at its most entertaining, and I felt a little like I imagine a baby does when a sensory YouTube video presents them with dancing fruit. Gripped, unmoving, but ultimately numb to what's actually going on.

Enola Holmes 3 must have been an actor's dream working holiday — like Mamma Mia! without the singing

If you have an account on X/Twitter or Instagram and are into pop culture, you have probably seen the pictures of the cast wrap party for the 2008 movie version of Mamma Mia! — which involved the likes of Meryl Streep and Colin Firth getting drunk and doing karaoke in Croatia.

In my mind's eye, Enola Holmes 3 had the same effect on its cast. Set and filmed in Malta, the exciting action sequences, picturesque heartfelt scenes walking along the coast, and frequent galivanting around the capital Valette likely amounted to a similar jovial spirit (and imagine a wrap party abroad with a Netflix budget).

The cast is just as stoic as they ever have been, with standout Helena Bonham Carter as a vagrant outsider, a veritable thrill. They're having fun, so we're having fun along with them, with the ingenious use of animated title cards to explain Sherlock lore, a shrewd interactive touch.

It's not particularly taxing or sophisticated as far as storytelling is concerned, but the existence of this IP wouldn't work if it tried to be. Let's stick with tried and tested easy-on-the-eye action, please.

Netflix needs to stop casting actors with 'iPhone face' in its period dramas

(Image credit: Netflix)

Before I come to my main gripe, let me make clear that Millie Bobby Brown is a) beautiful and b) absolutely doesn't deserve to have her appearance critiqued by the internet.

Instead, I wish that the costume and make-up departments had paid closer attention to its continuity, particularly around 'iPhone face' (the theory that someone cast in a period drama has clearly seen an iPhone).

As Brown has matured over the last six years, it's understandable that she'd want make-up that matches where she is in life. The result is that, unlike the previous two movies, she's got a full face of easily identifiable foundation, contour, and lip liner, which definitely wouldn't have been the case in the late 1800s.

Add to this that wider shots show Brown wearing gel acrylic nails — whereas close-ups show her slightly dirtied yet authentic natural nailbeds — and the illusion of a genuine period drama is ruined.

Continuity seems to be a wider issue across Enola Holmes 3, such as shots spliced together in a single scene not properly keeping track of whether someone's eyes have just been opened or closed. Much like the harmless safety of the narrative, it's this lack of attention to detail that keeps the franchise cocooned in its middling category, though armchair detectives might enjoy trying to spot said mishaps.

Still, it all adds to the light-hearted spirit of the piece, doesn't it? How likely is it that Sherlock, the Sherlock Holmes, could really be kidnapped anyway? Just roll with it, as the saying goes.

Categories: Reviews

WD Red Plus 4TB review: The WD40EFPX is a reliable NAS hard drive small business users might buy on price alone

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 17:20

Following up on my review of the Seagate IronWolf 8TB, for balance purposes, it's good to look at what WD is selling into the same retail space.

The WD40EFPX is the model I’ll be looking at in this review, and it has an especially interesting history I’ll dive into in depth. This specific model was first introduced on 14 September 2022, representing one of WD's more recent iterations in the Red Plus line-up. It ships with a significantly upgraded 256MB cache compared to the 64MB of the original WD40EFRX.

The WD40EFPX uses CMR technology rather than SMR, which is particularly significant in RAID environments. CMR drives deliver superior performance during array rebuilds and avoid the write cliff issues that plague SMR drives under sustained workloads.

It runs at 5400 RPM, connects via SATA 6Gb/s, and is rated for NAS systems with up to 8 bays. The workload rating is 180TB per year, suited to backups, file sharing, media streaming, and similar tasks in compact tower NAS units. The 4TB model uses air rather than helium as the internal atmosphere, unlike the higher capacity 12TB and 10TB designs that use helium and not air.

The 4TB model sells for just under $200, whereas its Red Pro brother is closer to $300. That might seem like a good deal, but in December of 2025, it was $150. That said, it’s $20 less than the Seagate IronWolf 4TB.

If you are buying lots of drives, then you would be better off investing in larger capacities that lower the cost per TB, but for a four-bay NAS where 12TB of RAID 5 space is enough, then these might be the smart option.

In performance and durability terms, the WD40EFPX isn’t the best NAS drive we've tested, but it gets the job done.

WD Red Plus 4TB: PriceWD Red Plus drives

Model

Capacity

Cache

Dollar Cost

Cost Per TB

WD40EFPX

4TB

256MB

$194.99

$48.75

WD60EFZX

6TB

128MB

$325.00

$54.17

WD60EFPX

6TB

256MB

$332.50

$55.42

WD80EFPX

8TB

256MB

$303.03

$37.88

WD100EFGX

10TB

512MB

$389.99

$39.00

WD120EFBX

12TB

256MB

$669.99

$55.83

WD120EFGX

12TB

512MB

$509.00

$42.42

This is as complete a list of current Red Plus models as I could assemble. I left out the old 1TB, 2TB, and 3TB models because they’re just old stock, and I also didn’t include the 8TB WD80EFZZ (128MB cache) since it appears to be discontinued.

As is evident from the cost per TB, the best value is the 8TB WD80EFPX, and the worst is the 12TB WD120EFBX, which uses helium where all other drives use air. The 4TB model isn’t a bargain, especially when you consider that only a few months ago it could be found for less than $150.

All the prices quoted here are from Amazon.com, and it may be possible to find these drives cheaper elsewhere.

The typical asking price for the Seagate 4TB IronWolf is $219, or that’s what B&H Video wants for one. This is $1 more than the Toshiba N300 4TB from the same retailer, and it’s a 7200RPM drive.

Overall, the WD Red Plus 4TB seems competitively priced, if that’s something you can actually say about drives in the current economy.

(Image credit: Western Digital)WD Red Plus 4TB: Design

Red Plus drives are available from 1TB up to 14TB. The 4TB WD40EFPX sits at the lower end of the range. With these smaller capacities, air-filled construction is standard. Drives pushing into double figures move to helium-sealed designs and, at higher capacities, step up to 7200 RPM class motors.

The Red Plus sits below the Red Pro in the family hierarchy. Red Pro is rated for up to 24-bay systems and carries a 300TB per year workload rating, while Red Plus covers systems with up to 8 bays.

From an external design perspective, there isn’t much to talk about here – it’s a 3.5-inch SATA mechanism that we’ve seen on computers for over twenty years. Most of the more interesting aspects of this design are inside and have WD buzzwords attached to them.

These include an adaptive compensation system with a shaft fixed on both sides, and three-dimensional balancing minimises the negative effects of vibration, particularly in multi-drive enclosures, called 3D Active Balance Plus. Other drive makers have something similar, but call it something else.

WD Red drives also include a multi-axis shock sensor that automatically detects subtle shock events and dynamic fly-height technology, allowing each read/write function to compensate and protect data. I suspect that was originally designed for laptop drives, but anything that avoids the heads from coming into contact with the recording surface is useful.

But the best feature of these drives isn’t a physical feature; it's software.

NASware 3.0 enables seamless integration, robust data protection, and optimal performance for NAS systems operating under heavy demand. It fine-tunes drive parameters to match NAS system workloads for optimum performance. This firmware also includes NAS-specific time-limited error recovery settings, optimised spin-up timing to reduce array-wide power surges, and adaptive thermal throttling.

So how does this hardware compare to its primary competitor, the Seagate IronWolf 4TB (ST4000VN006)?

These two drives occupy the same market position and share a remarkably similar specification sheet. Both run at 5400 RPM, use a SATA 6Gb/s interface, carry a 256MB cache, and are rated for up to 8-bay NAS systems. Both use CMR recording and carry a 180TB per year workload rating. MTBF on both is rated at 1 million hours, and both carry a 3-year warranty. They are literally brothers from different mothers.

Active power draw is 4.7W for the WD40EFPX and 4.8W for the ST4000VN006. IronWolf idle power is 3.96W, and standby drops to 0.5W. WD does not publish a specific idle figure prominently for the WD40EFPX, though the drives behave comparably in practice.

The difference is negligible in a real-world NAS. Across a four-drive array running 24/7 for a year, the delta between these two drives would amount to pennies on an electricity bill. Power is effectively a tie.

The WD Red Plus is consistently described as quieter than the IronWolf in real-world NAS deployments. Both drives include rotational vibration sensors at the 4TB capacity level. However, my testing consistently placed the Red Plus as being the quieter drive, and this aspect could be extra useful in home and near-desk environments.

But what NAS customers are most interested in is reliability because, as I can attest, having drives fail in a working NAS can be stressful.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The WD Red Plus carries a non-recoverable read error rate of 1 in 10^14, while the IronWolf quotes 1 in 10^15. The IronWolf's figure is ten times lower, meaning statistically fewer uncorrectable errors per bits read. In practice, this rarely matters at the 4TB capacity level, and real-world failure rates across both brands are broadly comparable.

Real-world failure data from Backblaze between 2022 and 2024 shows WD Red Plus 8TB and above models carrying an annualised failure rate of approximately 1.4 to 1.8%. Comparable IronWolf figures tend to hover in a similar bracket, making reliability broadly comparable across the two brands. I haven’t got data for the 4TB models, but since they are similar enough to the 8TB models, it’s not unreasonable to assume that the hardware has much the same reliability.

There are, however, a few performance differences I’ll mention later, and Seagate has a health management system.

IronWolf drives include IronWolf Health Management, which works with leading NAS systems to provide prevention, intervention, and recovery recommendations to ensure peak system health. It is enabled on Synology, QNAP, Asustor, and other major platforms. It provides drive health telemetry beyond standard S.M.A.R.T. data, giving users early warning of potential issues.

IronWolf also includes three years of complimentary Rescue Data Recovery Services, with an industry-leading recovery rate of 95% in the event of accidental data corruption or drive damage.

WD Red Plus has no equivalent to either of these features. There is no bundled data recovery service and no proprietary NAS health management system beyond standard NASware 3.0 and S.M.A.R.T. compatibility.

In WD’s defence, many NAS makers are introducing their own AI logic to monitor drive health, regardless of brand, but IronWolf Health Management is one of the reasons these drives have been so successful.

To understand more about this drive, let’s cover the lineage that brought us to the WD40EFPX.

WD Red Plus 4TB: History of the Red Plus range

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The WD Red NAS HDD series arrived in 2012. It was a direct response to the growing popularity of home and small business NAS systems. Regular desktop hard drives were designed with single-use deployment in mind, and NAS use demanded something different.

Faster read and write speeds, higher workload tolerance, and suitability for multi-drive, always-on environments.

The WD Red line launched with 1TB, 2TB, and 3TB models. The 4TB variant expanded the range, giving home users and small businesses the full 4TB maximum for up to five-bay NAS units. The original 4TB model carried the model number WD40EFRX.

A unit manufactured in September 2013 used a Marvell 88i9446-NDB2 dual-core drive controller, a Hynix 64MB DDR2 cache IC, and NASware 2.0 firmware. Western Digital described the rotational speed as "IntelliPower" rather than publishing an RPM figure — a marketing term that obscured what was, in practice, a variable-speed 5400 RPM class design.

The drive shipped with TLER (Time Limited Error Recovery) enabled from the factory, which was an important distinction from consumer desktop drives. It made the WD Red family genuinely RAID-compatible, something that mattered greatly in multi-bay arrays where a drive that spins on an error for too long can be rejected by the RAID controller.

Over the following years, WD evolved the NASware firmware, introduced new form factors, and added the WD Red Pro tier for more demanding environments. The original WD Red remained the affordable CMR option for home and SOHO users throughout this period, and the WD40EFRX remained in the lineup for several years.

A key hardware progression during this era was the increase in cache size. Across the Red Plus lineup, cache memory has grown from 64MB in early models to 256MB in current ones. The WD40EFRX shipped with just 64MB, which by today's standards looks overly modest.

Then came the most significant and damaging chapter in WD Red history, and this directly shaped how the Red Plus line came into existence.

Western Digital began shipping SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) drives from early 2017, but declined to disclose this to customers, even when directly asked. The EFRX suffix was quietly retired and replaced by the EFAX suffix. What buyers did not know was that the new drives used a fundamentally different recording method.

The larger EFAX drives at 8TB and above remained CMR. The smaller capacities at 6TB and below transitioned to SMR. EFRX drives were removed from production pipelines.

Users began experiencing problems adding the new WD Red NAS drives to RAID arrays. SMR drives were not intended for random write workloads, and NAS rebuild operations like resilvering in ZFS terminology use exactly that kind of sustained random writing.

RAID resilvering tends to overload the cache on SMR drives, sending them into minutes-long pauses. Faulty firmware on the WD40EFAX also caused drives to return IDNF S.M.A.R.T. errors under intensive workloads, which RAID controllers typically interpreted as drive failure.

All my NAS were once populated with these drives, and successively they died like dominoes, until none of them survived. What annoyed me, and others, was that while internally WD knew why the death rate on these drives was high, sales staff were still pushing the line that all WD drives were CMR and that the company would make it "very clear" if SMR technology were used.

In 2020, consumers discovered what was happening. A class action lawsuit followed in the United States. The lawsuit alleged that WD had surreptitiously introduced SMR technology into WD Red NAS drives without disclosure, in an effort to reduce costs while keeping the selling price unchanged.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

In an attempt to mitigate the fallout from this sorry exercise, a structural reorganisation of the entire Red lineup was performed by WD.

The WD Red name was retained for device-managed SMR drives across 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, and 6TB capacities, and it was positioned as suitable only for lighter SOHO workloads. A new WD Red Plus brand was created to cover all CMR drives across all capacities from 1TB to 14TB. WD Red Plus was specifically aimed at more write-intensive workloads, including ZFS.

WD described Red Plus as "the new name for conventional magnetic recording (CMR)-based NAS drives in the WD Red family." Critically, the WD40EFRX model number was retained and repurposed as the WD Red Plus 4TB, allowing existing owners to verify that their older drives were CMR by checking the model-number suffix.

During the transition period, WD Red Plus devices were sometimes delivered with a "WD Red" label, but the model number confirmed the CMR identity. This caused ongoing confusion in the channel.

Following the rebrand, there were two 4TB model numbers for Red Plus drives.

The WD40EFZX appeared as a transitional model, shipping with a 128MB cache and confirmed CMR recording. It was described as a 5400 RPM SATA 6Gb/s CMR drive with NASware 3.0 technology and an MTBF of up to 1 million hours.

Alongside that is the focus of this review, the WD40EFPX. As I’ve already mentioned in the introduction, this drive ships with an upgraded 256MB cache and uses CMR technology rather than SMR and has the same 5400 RPM rotational speed.

These drives closed the chapter on the hidden SMR debacle, and as a result, WD’s standing with those deploying NAS storage has recovered.

WD Red Plus 4TB: Performance

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Testing drives for NAS use is fraught with problems because NASes are configured to hide the actual performance speeds from you, using their memory as a cache.

As an example of this, I connected a single WD40EFPX to a TerraMaster F4-425 Pro, accessed it over a 2.5GbE LAN, and achieved read/write speeds of 296 MB/s.

As this drive is rated by WD at 180 MB/s, those numbers are plainly artificial.

Therefore, ironically, rather than using a NAS to evaluate the speed of this drive, I resorted to testing it on a regular PC.

Here are my results:

Drives

WD Red Plus

IronWolf

Part No.

WD40EFPX

ST4000VN006

Capacity

4TB

AJA

Read

MB/s

187

190

Write

MB/s

179

185

ATTO

Read

MB/s

206.24

192.35

Write

MB/s

197.35

191.76

CrystalDiskMark Default

Read

MB/s

201.23

200.77

Write

MB/s

208.26

199.33

CrystalDiskMark RealWorld

Read

MB/s

212.46

200.22

Write

MB/s

204.42

199.11

PCMark

Score

801

677

Bandwidth

MB/s

124.49

103.69

MS Winsat

Random 16 Read

MB/s

1.71

1.6

Sequential 64.0 Read

MB/s

168.53

158.16

Sequential 64.0 Write

MB/s

204.65

190.5

Read Time with Sequential Writes

1.385

1.946

Latency: 95th Percentile

12.685

34.685

Latency: Maximum

64.723

62.341

Average Read Time with Random Writes

5.267

9.898

When you ask the sorts of questions that AJA, ATTO and CrystalDiskMark have the answers, then the Red Plus 4TB is remarkably similar to the IronWolf 4TB, with perhaps a tiny edge to the WD drive. That said, those results are all within variance and hardly conclusive.

PCMark and Winsat come down more on the Red Plus side, and it’s especially interesting that read time with sequential writes is lower on that drive than the IronWolf. And, that extends into latency, which is generally better on WD.

With time short for testing, I wouldn’t call these results definitive and on a different PC, they might be entirely reversed.

But they do strongly suggest that the slight price premium that WD is asking might be worth it, although there isn’t any practical way of testing the resilience of the drive over the long run. And that’s specifically where customers have had an issue with this brand previously.

WD Red Plus 4TB: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

If Western Digital could move on to Nasware 4.0, or something that brings it closer to the Health Management technology that Seagate already has, then they might see a migration back to the days before they tried to slide SMR drives past their customers.

Because the Red Plus is a bit quicker than the IronWolf equivalent, even if it costs proportionally more.

But frankly, the cost of NAS drives of this capacity is way too high to actually encourage people to buy them, even if the underlying technology seems sound.

To paraphrase Monty Python, if Nvidia and the AI evangelists hadn’t artificially nailed storage to its perch, drives of this capacity would be pushing up the daisies by now.

But instead, we have the indefensible exercise in which Seagate, WD and Toshiba profit massively from phantom demand, and every day is Christmas at their factories.

If you must buy drives for a deployment, then go with the 8TB and 10TB models, as they offer the best value, if that means anything when HDDs are nearly as expensive per TB as you could buy SSDs capacity at one point in the past two years.

For more storage solutions, we've reviewed the best NAS devices.

Categories: Reviews

I tested it, and Astell & Kern’s new pocketable smartphone DAC is a clear winner for detail, marred just slightly by bantamweight bass

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 16:30

Astell & Kern AK HC5: two-minute review

Astell & Kern builds some outstanding digital audio players, and the company also knows how to charge us for them. But it’s taken pity on those of us without the wherewithal, and has developed this HC5 headphone amp/DAC.

It is a portable device intended to transform your bog-standard smartphone into a viable source of hi-res audio for anyone with the wired headphones good enough to take advantage of it. With high-end AKM digital-to-analog conversion components on board, Astell & Kern’s ‘digital audio remaster’ and ‘high driving mode’ technologies included, and both balanced and unbalanced headphone outputs, the HC5 is specified to get the job done. It also features half- a-dozen digital filters, as well as a huge range of volume adjustment and some slightly imprecise-feeling physical controls that serve to undermine the robust and tactile overall nature of the device just a little.

In operation, the Astell & Kern is slightly lightweight at the bottom of the frequency range — it doesn’t have quite the heft or substance that it really should have, and can lack a little apparent punch as a result. In every other meaningful respect, though, it’s a very accomplished device indeed. It’s dynamic, lavishly detailed, creates a large and well-organised soundstage, and communicates through the midrange like nobody’s business.

If you want to turn your humble smartphone into a device that bears comparison with some of the best three-figure digital audio players around, and if you have suitable headphones too, then you ought to be after one of the best DACs around. And you should absolutely hear the Astell & Kern HC5.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Astell & Kern AK HC5 review: Price & release date

The Astell & Kern HC5 headphone amp/DAC launched at the very end of 2025 and hit shelves in January 2026.

In the United Kingdom it sells for £399. You’ll need to part with more like $489 in the United States, while in Australia the going rate is around AU$779.

This makes it a reasonable (rather than 'cheap') option, of course — at only $85 / £85 (or around AU$120) the iFi Go Link 2 Max would be an example of something more affordable, while the $4,499 / £4,499 (around AU$8,999) iFi iDSD Phantom (albeit a desktop solution) proves this A&K is hardly at the costly end of the market either.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Astell & Kern AK HC5 review: Features

AK4191EQ digital processor
AK4499EX DAC- 32bit/768kHz; DSD512
Granular volume control

Apparently this is the first time that AKM’s flagship AK4191EQ digital processor and AK4499EX digital-to-analog converter have appeared in a product as small and as relatively affordable as this one. AKM suggests that splitting the d-to-a decoding into two stages preserves signal integrity — and Astell & Kern agrees. Mind you, that hasn’t stopped Astell & Kern bolstering the AKM chipset with its own ‘DAR’ (digital audio remaster) upsampling technology; it functions with both PCM and DSD content, increasing the sampling rate by quite a degree, and it can be switched off if you so desire. The upshot, though, is a DAC that supports 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 resolutions.

Astell & Kern’s ‘high driving mode’ technology is also making its debut appearance in an affordable product. The horizontal op-amp layout helps keep the physical size of the HC5 to a minimum, but also allows for significant driving power. It's worth bearing in mind, though, that the HC5 has no power supply of its own, and the prodigious amplification power it can muster will cut into the battery life of your source player more than somewhat.

There are a total of six digital filters for the user to explore, but this is the extent to which you get to influence the sound of the Astell & Kern. Perhaps oddly, there’s no sign of the EQ adjustment that’s commonplace on quite a few of the HC5’s nominal rivals.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Astell & Kern AK HC5 review: Sound quality

Open, revealing and organised sound
Dynamic and detailed in more-or-less equal measure
Bantamweight rather than heavyweight where bass is concerned

The proof that the digital-to-analog conversion abilities of your smartphone or laptop are pretty rotten can be found in the number of extremely affordable USB DACs that are on sale now — TechRadar has rounded up the best of them, as I've previously alluded to.

But there’s no denying that spending $489 / £399 (or equivalent) on an Astell & Kern HC5 takes the sound of your laptop or smartphone to another level entirely. Provided you have the headphones to properly exploit its talents, anyway.

Load up a 24bit/48kHz FLAC file of Off Course by Oh Sees and all will rapidly become clear. When it’s dealt with by the HC5 the recording is more open and spacious, and yet somehow more singular and unified at the same time. The soundstage from which it comes is big in every direction, and the spaces and silences on it suddenly become almost as significant as the actual occurrences. Each participant has more than enough room in which to operate without crowding any other.

There’s real positivity and energy to the way the Astell & Kern delivers the recording, a sense of engagement and enthusiasm which is strongly at odds with the sound served up by a bog-standard smartphone. But at the same time the presentation is poised and balanced despite its direct and upfront nature — there’s never any suggestion the HC5 is not fully in control. This authority is especially apparent at the bottom of the frequency range, where the attack and decay of bass sounds is observed with such care that rhythmic expression is always confident and naturalistic. Down at the bottom end is where the Astell & Kern’s most significant shortcoming lurks, though. Just like the rest of the frequency range, the low end is lavishly detailed where timbre and texture are concerned — there’s more than enough information revealed and contextualised to let you know you’re getting a very full account of a recording. But there’s an appreciable shortage of body and substance to the low frequencies the HC5 generates. It can dig respectably deep but it doesn’t hit as hard, or with as much weight, as is ideal.

Otherwise, though, the frequency response is just as pleasing and convincing as everything else about the Astell & Kern. It’s articulate through the midrange, communicating the attitude and intention of a voice every bit as willingly as it reveals the details of tone and technique. The top of the frequency range is bright and similarly detailed, but carries enough substance along with it to prevent it sounding thin or aggressive — and this is true even if you like to listen at considerable volume.

There’s ample dynamic headroom available for when the attack or intensity or simple volume of a recording ramps up, and a similar facility with the less obvious (but no less important) dynamics of harmonic variation. It’s not enough for the HC5 to identify and reveal the most fleeting, most minor details in a recording - it is able to put them into the sort of context that means they serve as part of an overall picture, rather than treating them like some kind of academic exercise.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Astell & Kern AK HC5 review: Design

64 x 32 x 16mm (HxWxD)
Aluminium construction
46g

There’s ‘portable’ and then there’s the Astell & Kern HC5. Unlike quite a few nominal rivals, (some of which look like hip flasks) this headphone amp/DAC is sufficiently small (64 x 32 x 16mm, HxWxD) and light (46g) enough to be taken out even by those not wearing a coat with sturdy pockets, or carrying a bag of some kind.

The aluminium construction is impeccable, the proportions are almost instinctively suitable for a palm, and those concave sides only add to the tactility. Obviously Astell & Kern is a past master at this sort of thing, but it’s nice to be reminded it can do it for a £400 product as readily as it can for something costing £4K.

Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Astell & Kern AK HC5 review: Usability & setup

Supplied with USB-C and Lightning cables
Clear, legible display
Physical controls feel imprecise

At one end the HC5 has a USB-C input — it’s supplied with both USB-C / USB-C and USB-C / Lightning cables, so you should have no problem connecting your source of music. At the other there are 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs.

Next to the USB-C input there’s a relatively large, knurled dial that takes care of volume — the HC5 features a frankly excessive 150 steps for ultra-granular control. It feels just slightly wobbly and a little less premium than the main body of the device.

That’s also true of the little button on the side of the HC5 that is basically your control for everything that isn’t volume; it feels just fractionally imprecise. Thankfully the display it works in conjunction with, which occupies fully half of the front of the device, is crisp and bright and legible. Here’s where you’ll turn the digital audio remaster algorithm on or off, and choose between the six available digital filters — and this, in essence, is what constitutes ‘set up’ where the Astell & Kern is concerned.

Usability & setup score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Astell & Kern AK HC5 review: Value

It's a very little product
…but that is one of its biggest strengths
It more than levels up your phone's audio without you noticing it's there

If — and it’s quite a big ‘if’ — you have wired headphones capable of taking advantage of the HC5’s unarguable sonic abilities, and if you have a streaming service subscription that includes lots of hi-res content, then there’s no arguing with the difference the Astell & Kern can make to your portable listening experience. Which has to count as ‘value’ in anyone’s language, doesn’t it? OK there are cheaper devices out there too, but none look or feel quite as good as this one — and there are also much more expensive ones out there…

Value score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy the Astell & Kern AK HC5?Buy it if…

You own good wired headphones
Because no good can come of plugging them straight into a smartphoneView Deal

You have access to truly hi-res content
The HC5 can deal with the biggest real-world resolutions aroundView Deal

You think ‘portable’ should mean ‘portable’
Small and palm-sized, the A&K can genuinely go anywhere without becoming a burdenView Deal

Don't buy it if…

Your headphones are on a 6.3mm jack
You’ll need an adapter to use them with the HC5View Deal

You place a lot of value on the physical interface
The feel of the physical controls isn’t as premium as it might beView Deal

Your source player doesn’t have huge battery life
The A&K uses your player’s power, and quite a bit of itView Deal

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Astell & Kern AK HC5 review: Also consider

Where price and performance is concerned, the most obvious rival to the Astell & Kern HC5 is the Chord Mojo 2. In absolute terms it probably has the edge over the HC5, and its EQ adjustment facility is worthwhile too — but it stretches the meaning of the word ‘portable’ quite a distance…

How I tested the Astell & Kern AK HC5

At one end I connected the Astell & Kern HC5 to an Apple iPhone 15 Pro, a FiiO M15S digital audio player, and an Apple MacBook Pro — this way I was able to access a whole lot of content of various genres and resolutions, and also to assess the device’s performance against the extremely impressive D-to-A abilities of the FiiO DAP.

At the other end I connected a pair of Austrian Audio The Arranger open-backed over-ear headphones to the 3.5mm unbalanced output and a pair of Sennheiser IE900 in-ear monitors to the 4.4mm balanced alternative.

Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee
First reviewed: July 2026

Categories: Reviews

TerraMaster F4-425 Pro NAS review: An improvement on predecessors, but falls short of what others are bringing to the same party

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 15:10

TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: 30-second review

TerraMaster has been making NAS hardware long enough to know that the upgrade cycle is everything. The F4-424 Pro arrived in early 2024 with a strong hand: an Intel Core i3-N305, 32GB of DDR5, and a build that put competitors under genuine pressure. Two years on, the company returns with the F4-425 Pro, and the result is a more complicated story than a straightforward generational step forward.

On the hardware side, the headline changes are meaningful. Dual 5GbE replaces the F4-424 Pro's dual 2.5GbE, which doubles the theoretical single-client throughput ceiling. The M.2 slot count increases from two to three. Both are welcome improvements that justify the refresh.

But there is a wrinkle. The processor moves from the Core i3-N305 to the Intel N350. The N350 is also an 8-core chip, and its maximum burst clock of 3.9GHz fractionally exceeds the N305's 3.8GHz. The difference is that the N350 is an Atom-architecture Alder Lake-N part rather than a Core-class one. Per-core performance and integrated GPU capability are both lower. The advantage is better power efficiency, but some will see this as a retrograde step.

The other major story for this platform is TOS 7. TerraMaster has rebuilt its operating system around an AI-first philosophy, with the OpenClaw assistant promising natural language control over 90% of common configuration tasks. That skirts the whole AI backlash, and those who don’t want to chat with their NAS, but equally, there are some that will embrace these features.

At £639.99, the F4-425 Pro sits in a remarkably competitive bracket. The Ugreen DXP4800 Pro offers a Core i3-1315U and a single 10GbE at £689.99. The Ugreen DXP4800 GT delivers dual 10GbE and ECC memory support at £589.99. The TerraMaster undercuts or matches both on M.2 count and brings a genuinely new OS story to the table. Whether that is enough depends on what the buyer most needs, but on spec alone, this isn’t one of the best NAS in this sector.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From $680/£586
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Direct from TerraMaster or through an online retailer

The F4-425 Pro launched on 23 June 2026, available direct from TerraMaster, as well as retailers including Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and B&H Photo.

At the time of review, the 8GB model is priced at $640 / £640 from TerraMaster and Amazon. Online retailer B&H Photo wants $644.99. And all these prices are without drives, obviously.

One curiosity is that although the F4-425 Pro spec is for a system that uses the Intel N350 and comes with 16GB of RAM, TerraMaster also has a second SKU with the N305 CPU that its predecessor used, and 8GB of DDR5. This lower spec model is priced at $559.99.

The top SKU price matches the F4-424 Pro's UK debut cost, interestingly.

For the purpose of this review, we’ll focus on the N350 model, since that was the one that TerraMaster supplied us.

Given the price is similar to its predecessor, the networking upgrade from 2.5GbE to 5GbE and the additional M.2 slot make this solution an attractive option over the F4-424 Pro, even if neither is exactly a bargain.

What seems odd is that the release of the F4-425 Pro hasn’t made the previous F4-424 Pro any cheaper, unfortunately. More than a disappointment for budget-conscious buyers, TerraMaster is asking $687.99 USD for that previous design.

That pricing suggests TerraMaster thinks it's competing with itself to some extent, but recent releases in this NAS space strongly contradict that notion.

Ugreen had the DXP4800 Plus, added the DXP4800 Pro and now the DXP4800 GT.

Direct from Ugreen, the DXP4800 Plus is $583.99, the DXP4800 Pro is $639.99, and the new DXP4800 GT is on sale for $527.99. Given that all of these have more powerful processors than the TerraMaster F4-425 Pro, and the DXP4800 Pro has a 10GbE LAN port, TerraMaster's pricing seems oddly out of touch.

As this is a NAS review, it’s the law that I must mention Synology, even if this company has all but abandoned the SOHO NAS space. After an implausibly long delay between releases, Synology launched the Synology DS925+, a NAS that’s powered by the ancient AMD Ryzen V1500B. Oddly, given this brand's history, it is the cheapest option at $511.99. However, the DS925+ comes with only 4GB of RAM, its dual M.2 slots accept only Synology-branded modules, and the best LAN ports are only 2.5GbE.

Given these alternatives, and some others I’ve not mentioned, the F4-425 Pro seems overpriced and underspecced, a phrase I thought I’d never use in reference to TerraMaster hardware.

Value: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

Intel N350 8-core 8C / 8T (Gracemont E-Cores)

GPU:

Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs)

RAM:

16GB DDR5 non-ECC SODIMM, expandable to 32GB via SO-DIMM swap

SATA Storage:

4x 3.5/2.5-inch SATA III

M.2 Storage:

3x M.2 NVMe (both PCIe Gen 3 x1

Ports:

3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)

1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)

1x HDMI 1.4

Networking:

2x 5GbE RJ45

OS:

TOS 7

File Systems:

EXT4, Btrfs

Maximum Capacity:

152TB (4x 32TB + 3x 8TB M.2)

RAID Modes:

TRAID, TRAID+, RAID 0/RAID 1/RAID 5/RAID 6/RAID 10

PSU:

12V 7.2A 90W external

Power Consumption:

45W under full SATA Load

Dimensions:

186 x 277 x 277 mm

Weight:

2.9kg (including PSU, but without drives)

Warranty:

2 Years

TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: Design

Standard TerraMaster Case
No lockable trays
Dual 5GbE LAN
Triple M.2 slots

The F4-425 Pro continues the black motif TerraMaster adopted with the 424 series, and I do prefer this look to the all-silver devices of the past.

The outer shell gives the chassis a denser feel than the silver-and-aluminium aesthetic of earlier TerraMaster NAS units. The front face is clean and largely featureless: four drive bays with activity LEDs behind a pattern of small holes, and TerraMaster branding on each bay.

Even without drives, this is a hefty item measuring 186 x 277 x 277 mm with a net weight of 2.9kg. That is compact for a four-bay unit, which is marginally smaller than the same type from Ugreen or Synology.

Drive installation remains tool-free for 3.5-inch mechanisms. But 2.5-inch mechanisms still require screws to seat, and aren’t the best design I’ve seen.

Firstly, there is no lock to stop an accidental press from disconnecting a drive. And, given how long TerraMaster has been making NAS, you’d think that trays with numbers on them might have made it onto its devices.

Admittedly, TerraMaster does provide labels for you to stick on the drive facias, but since they took the time to emboss "TERRAMASTER " onto the plastic fronts of the trays, you think they could also put 1, 2, 3, and 4 on them.

I can’t recall when I first complained about the lack of tray locks on TerraMaster NAS, but it was so long ago and so often repeated that its failure to fix this is evidently not unintentional.

Another place where TerraMaster does its own thing is with respect to the M.2 slots, where this new model has three and not the two that the F4-424 Pro came.

On Synology and Ugreen NAS, the M.2 slots are accessible behind a panel held in place with a couple of screws. But here, there are four screws to remove, and then the entire outer shell of the case slides off. This does provide great access, but I suspect this was done as a cost-saving measure, mostly.

Having three M.2 slots sounds wonderful for those with spare NVMe drives to populate them, although that’s tempered slightly by their PCIe Gen3x1 bandwidth allocation. But what I found slightly shocking inside is that the 16GB DDR5 SODIMM is in a single slot. Therefore, if you want to upgrade the RAM to 32GB, you will be forced to remove the existing 16GB module. I’ll talk more about memory later, because the memory controller on the N350 has some odd features.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Moving on to external hardware features, having reviewed the latest Ugreen NAS recently, the number of ports on the F4-425 Pro seems on the low side.

On the front is a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, and there is no card reader of any variety. The rear has another two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, both of which are 10Gbps, and a single USB-C that is also the same USB spec. And, there are two 5GbE LAN ports and a single HDMI output.

There is no USB4 or Thunderbolt, and no PCIe slot to add a 10GbE card. You can channel-bond the two 5GbE ports, but there aren’t many switches that support 5GbE at this time.

Cooling is provided by a 120mm system fan that sits centrally at the rear. In smart mode, it adjusts speed to drive temperature. TerraMaster quotes 20.9dB(A) at standby with four SATA drives fitted, which is a quiet figure. And, this system is quiet in typical use.

Overall, my takeaways are that this platform is better in some respects than the N305-based F4-424, but each enhanced feature comes with a caveat, it seems.

Design: 4 / 5

TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: Features

Different CPU
Single PCIe lane M.2 slots
Maximum of 32GB
5GbE LAN ports

Due to Intel's endless rebranding, the chip in the F4-424 Pro was a Core i3 N305, whereas the one in this NAS is a Core i3 N350. So like Thor in Ragnarok, it lost an eye, but gained something else.

In reality, these chips are remarkably similar, since they both use eight Gracemont E-Cores, have an identical 6MB cache, and a single memory channel for DDR5 memory.

But there are two important differences, the first being that the N350 is capped at 7W of base power, not the 15W of the N305. And to conserve power, the N350 can drop the base clock to only 100 MHz when the system is idle. There are also some enhancements to the GPU clocks to deliver a little more speed, but the Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs) doesn’t have gaming potential.

The switch to this architecture over the previous one focuses on making this NAS quieter, less power-hungry, and cooler. That makes perfect sense, even if it's slightly at odds with the headlong charge towards AI that TOS 7 is mustering.

What the processor change doesn’t address is that this platform is pinched for PCIe lanes, since both the N305 and N350 have only nine PCIe 3.0 lanes.

That goes some way to explain why the M.2 slots are only single-lane and can only achieve roughly 1GB/s, irrespective of what modules you put in them. As a side note, with these performance restrictions, there seems little point in using expensive NVMe drives in this system.

If we assume that each of the M.2 slots gets a lane, and each of the 5GbE LAN ports another one, and the SATA ports one lane, and the USB another four, then that’s ten, and we only have nine lanes. That infers a PCIe switch is used in this system, because otherwise the number of lanes and the systems that use them don’t stack up.

To be clear, it’s not like the NAS is massively over-subscribed on PCI bandwidth, but if you fill every port and slot, something is going to give at some point.

There is also something of an oddity with the memory model of this NAS. If you head over to Intel and look at the specifications for the N350, you might notice that Intel states the maximum amount of memory this processor supports is 16GB. Well, that appears to be wrong, because you can put 32GB in this NAS, and it will work. You can’t add any more, and because it has only a single memory channel and SODIMM slot, you can’t use two 16GB modules.

If you want more memory, you need to take the next rung up on the processor ladder. The Ugreen NASync DXP4800 Pro uses an Intel Core i3-1315U, and that has dual-channel memory enabling it to address 96GB.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Dual 5GbE is one of the most consequential hardware changes over the F4-424 Pro. With link aggregation configured on a managed switch, the aggregate theoretical bandwidth reaches 10Gbps. Single-client throughput sits at up to 625MB/s per port, compared to 312MB/s from the F4-424 Pro's 2.5GbE ports. For 4K video workflows, large file transfers, and multi-user small office environments, that improvement is tangible.

However, it begs the question of why they didn’t simply combine the bandwidth and offer a single 10GbE port in the first place? If anyone wants another 2.5GbE line, perhaps for a network failover option, USB adapters that can use the 10Gbps USB-A ports are inexpensive.

The absence of a 10GbE port will disappoint buyers who want the maximum headline figure. The Ugreen DXP4800 Pro provides single-port 10GbE at $719.99, and the DXP4800 GT provides dual 10GbE at $559.99. TerraMaster is positioning 5GbE as a practical middle ground that delivers meaningful real-world improvement without requiring expensive 10GbE switching infrastructure. That argument has merit for some buyers, although 5GbE network switches that support channel-bonding aren’t especially common.

From a hardware perspective, the new N350 isn’t a huge move from the N305 used on the previous generation. What’s different here is that this hardware is better at managing power, heat, and the limited PCIe lanes available to it.

In a straight compute fight, the N305 might be better, but for running 24/7 through a hot summer, the N350 has some advantages that it might need.

Features: 4 / 5

TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: Software

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

TOS 7
OpenClaw AI
Subscription apps

TOS 7 is what TerraMaster is staking the F4-425 Pro's reputation on. Earlier TOS releases were functional but acknowledged as trailing Synology DSM and QNAP QTS in polish and app ecosystem depth. TOS 7 does not try to close that gap incrementally. Instead, TerraMaster has chosen to reframe the competition around an AI-first workflow that neither Synology nor QNAP currently matches.

The OpenClaw assistant is the visible centrepiece. A single click from the app centre installs it, after which the user can issue natural language commands for the full range of administrative tasks: RAID configuration, user account management, backup scheduling, security setup, and file management. The theory is compelling. A buyer who understands that they need a NAS but has never configured one could set up a working system through conversation.

Except there is a huge hole in this plan, since the buyer needs to understand how to install and configure OpenClaw, use LLMs and their API keys. And, those require you to fund your API of choice to accept those messages from OpenClaw, unless you have the expertise to run your own local models using Ollama, and direct OpenClaw to use that.

If you are willing to use AI but not pay for it, the fun doesn’t typically get started.

I tried my best to get the OpenClaw beta to run on this hardware during one of the hottest afternoons of the year, but failed miserably. I got Ollama installed as a Docker container and even loaded a model to use for local access, but I couldn’t get OpenClaw to work with it. Maybe on a cooler day, with better documentation, I could manage this, but given the level of personal experience I brought to this problem, it isn’t something anyone new to AI would want to embrace.

NAS manufacturers have a history of ambitious AI and automation claims that perform well in demonstration scenarios and inconsistently in everyday use. TOS 7 has been in development for over 300 days, according to TerraMaster, but that development timeline says nothing about robustness across edge cases, network configurations, and drive combinations that real users will bring to the table.

And having a tool like OpenClaw running on the NAS, with the ability to create users, shares, and folder structures, and to delete things, might not be as wonderful as it first seems.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Ignoring TerraMaster's attempt to board the AI hype-train, the foundation platform for TOS 7 is solid. Docker and virtual machine support carry forward from TOS 6. The backup suite is comprehensive. Plex and Emby are available from the app centre.

DLNA compliance means out-of-the-box compatibility with smart TVs and media players without any configuration. HyperLock WORM protection addresses compliance requirements for business users. The security baseline, including AES folder encryption, OTP authentication, and the firewall, is mature.

Where TOS has historically needed work is in surveillance capabilities and app ecosystem depth. Whether TOS 7 addresses the Surveillance Manager's lack of a dedicated client with timeline and event marking is a specific testing priority.

There isn’t any debate, this is the best version of TOS yet, and it still has a few features that other NAS brands still haven’t delivered. One I especially like is the TRAID hybrid array model, which allows mixing drives of different sizes and yields more resilient capacity.

Only Synology offers anything comparable, and users of QNAP, Asustor, and Ugreen would gladly welcome such a feature.

A feature that none of those brands might embrace is that the HDMI port on this machine is effectively unused. It’s been a decade since TerraMaster first launched a NAS with an HDMI port on it, and in my review of that equipment, I commented that the port needed support by first-party apps for media playback.

Ten years on, the HDMI port remains useful for TerraMaster production staff to check whether the systems are booting correctly, but is of almost zero use to their customers. Everyone else integrates their HDMI if they have it, but TerraMaster stubbornly refuses to. There are some nefarious ways to get the HDMI to work using Virtual Machines, but that this annoyance was left to fester for so long is incredibly poor.

The other issue that TOS 7 doesn’t address is TerraMaster's somewhat confused approach to the first- and third-party application ecosystem.

Software: 4 / 5

TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: Performance

Efficient system
Balancing speeds

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

When a NAS has four SATA bays, it effectively constrains its peak transfer performance to or from that array. Even with the fastest possible option, RAID 0 on four drives, with each NAS drive being like the WD Red Plus models I used for testing, the total array is only capable of four times the 199MB/s limit for those drives. That’s 796MB/s. which wouldn’t saturate a single 10GbE LAN port, if the F4-425 Pro had one.

More realistically, the RAID mode of choice is likely to be one with redundancy, reducing performance to 597MB/s, which fits rather neatly with what I’d expect from a 5GbE transfer.

But this NAS has two LAN ports, and without any enhancements, using channel bonding of the two 5GbE ports is unlikely to help the total amount of data read or written.

The only way to make things run faster would be either to use SATA SSDs, or NVMe storage, or use the M.2 for caching. I used the latter and was able to get more throughput.

One interesting bit about the M.2 slots and using them for caching on this system is that, typically, for read and write caching, two SSDs are required. But not on TOS 7, which will allow you to use a single SSD for both read and write caches. If you are wondering why others haven’t followed TerraMaster’s example, when you choose to do that on this NAS, you get plenty of warnings about how this can go wrong.

I tested a Crucial P5 500GB, and it achieved an NAS score of 859 MB/s. Therefore, to saturate both 5GbE LAN ports would probably require two NVMe drives in a RAID 0 configuration.

The lesson here is that even with all your storage ducks in a row, it might prove challenging to deliver sufficient performance for the dual 5GbE LAN ports unless you use caching liberally.

Performance: 4/5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)TerraMaster F4-425 Pro: Final verdict

My views on the F4-425 Pro are a little mixed. It’s easy to get distracted by the all-singing and dancing TOS 7, and gloss over some of the obvious misplays. What I liked most was how efficient this platform can be, something that often gets overlooked when talking about machines that can run for months or years without ever stopping.

But the yin to that yang is that there isn’t a huge amount of power to throw at Docker containers or AI, and that’s where many brands are taking their devices.

I’m also confused why this machine ended up with two 5GbE LAN ports when its competitors are delivering 10GbE. The internal M.2 slots and the four SATA drives are all geared towards supporting a single 1GB/s data flow, so why would you split it into two?

And, for the billionth time of asking, where are the drive tray locks, the apps that can output via HDMI, and better ports than USB 3.2? After ten years of NAS development, two of these questions are long overdue for an answer.

Don’t get me wrong, there are good things here for those who don’t need computational power on the NAS and like cool running, but it feels like TerraMaster is trying to put off the evil day when its next NAS will need to deliver hardware with a wider appeal than the F4-425 Pro.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Should you buy a TerraMaster F4-425 Pro?

Value

Not a great spec considering the price

3.5 / 5

Design

Old enclosure, and no bay locks or numbers

4 / 5

Features

Thre M.2 slots and dual 5GbE LAN

4 / 5

Software

TOS 7 is mostly great

4 / 5

Performance

Constrainted by Gen3x1 M.2 slots and 5GbE LAN ports

4 / 5

Overall

AN efficient four-bay, but hardly excisting

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want something flexible
Four drive bays have enough capacity to hold plenty of data, and the dual 5GbE LAN ports can distribute it effectively. And, potentially, it could be used to run an AI Agent.

You want minimal power consumption
The CPU in this NAS is nearly as power frugal as an ARM processor, but can still run X86 code.
Those looking for a small four-bay NAS that can stay cool when the going gets hot should take a closer look.

Don't buy it if...

You want Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt and USB4 ports enable connecting fast external SSDs or HDDs to add even more storage. If you want Thunderbolt ports or PCIe expansion, then the F4-235 Pro isn’t for you, as it only has USB 3.2.

You need TOPS
Those working on local LLMs often need TOPS, or Tera Operations per Second. And, depending on the processor, and if it has an NPU (neural processing unit), the performance for AI is often rated in TOPS. The N350 is rated at only 2 TOPs, which is way below what the latest Intel and AMD mobile processors offer. They often achieve over 100 TOPS. View Deal

For more storage solutions we've tested the best NAS hard drives around

Categories: Reviews

HyperDrive Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock review: An imperfect docking station that's built to last with one feature that might surprise you

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 13:35

HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: 30-second review

While docking stations are rarely the most glamorous pieces of hardware on a desk, they do offer a generation shift in connectivity that can completely transform a professional workflow. That’s the thinking behind HyperDrive Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock. Take a single Thunderbolt 5 uplink cable, and with it convert a premium laptop or professional mini PC into a modular, desktop-class powerhouse.

Historically, compact Thunderbolt docks forced users to accept a hierarchy of compromises-sacrificing networking speeds, capping host charging, or forcing external storage enclosures to occupy precious downstream ports. Hyper systematically eliminates these constraints. Built around Intel's newest Barlow Ridge controller, the dock shifts dynamically between a symmetrical 80Gbps bidirectional layout and an asymmetrical 120Gbps downstream pipeline for monstrous multi-display or high-refresh configurations.

What elevates the HyperDrive Next over its closest competitors, like the Ugreen Maxidok 10-in-1, is its inclusion of premium internal features. Rather than reserving professional-grade utilities for a giant, corporate-sized footprint, Hyper fits an active-cooled M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4 slot and a 2.5GbE LAN port directly into this rugged chassis.

One snag is that at $399.99, which seems excessive for a dock with this number of ports. But for digital creatives, video editors, and engineering professionals seeking maximum bandwidth and a clutter-free desk, it might be worth it.

It also suffers from some of the same performance issues that I noticed on the UGREEN Maxidok 17-to-1 TB5 dock, and it doesn’t offer any native HDMI or DisplayPort outputs. That last limitation means that if you want to connect monitors, you will need to buy Thunderbolt to HDMI/DP adapters, and those aren’t cheap.

Because of some of these points, the HyperDrive Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock isn’t a candidate to join our best docking station collection. But it might be the right specification for some customers.

HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: Price & availability

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

How much does it cost? $399/€348.75
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Direct from the HyperShop, Amazon.com, and authorised pro-audio/video retailers like B&H.

The HyperDrive Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock is available direct from Hyper, as well as retailers such as Amazon and B&H Photo.

The device sits firmly in the premium tiers of enterprise and prosumer desk hardware. At $399.99, it is explicitly targeted at those who can monetise the massive leaps in transfer speeds and potential display throughput.

When positioned against the broader marketplace, this is on the edge of the premium space for a dock that, in theory, has the features to justify it. For context, smaller "halfway house" Thunderbolt 5 docks like the Ugreen Maxidok 10-in-1 retail closer to $300 but cut out the internal storage slot, drop networking to standard 1GbE, and cap individual laptop charging to 100W.

To get equivalent feature parity from alternative brands, you typically have to move to massive 17-in-1 enterprise enclosures that carry bulkier footprints and larger PSUs.

The competitive landscape is interesting, since many makers still consider TB5 technology to be high-end rather than consumer products.

The key players that make this level of hardware are Anker, CalDigit, Kensington, OWC, and Ugreen.

However, at this time, only CalDigit, Kensington and UGREEN offer a dock with an M.2 slot

One that many will gravitate to is the CalDigit TS5 Plus, a dock that sports a 10GbE LAN port and 140W power profile. That 20-port option doesn’t have an M.2 slot, and it costs $499.99/£469.99 on Amazon.com.

I did notice that the Kensington SD7100T5 EQ Pro isn’t globally available, but it can be bought in the USA, if you have $449.99 burning a hole in your pocket. It’s a fully featured dock with three TB5 downstream ports, an M.2 slot, and a 2.5GbE LAN port.

The most recent arrival is the Ugreen Maxidok 17-to-1, a slightly cheaper option at $390, but it does have a DisplayPort output, M.2 and 2.5GbE LAN port.

While only undercut by the Ugreen Maxidok, the HyperDrive Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock is only a ten-port dock, and if it didn’t have the M.2 slot, I’d be comparing it to the likes of the Maxidok 10-to-1 option that costs only $250.

I should also point out that to make the most of this dock, you need Thunderbolt 5, though it will work with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4 and even USB-C.

Buying this dock with a Thunderbolt 4 machine means paying a premium for capabilities you cannot yet access. The hardware is forward-looking, but the investment only pays off when the host catches up.

If you aren’t planning to upgrade to a machine with Thunderbolt 5 technology, then this hardware's best feature will mostly go unused.

Value: 4 / 5

HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: Specs

Feature

Specification

Model

HD2801GL

Thunderbolt Protocol

Thunderbolt 5 (Intel Barlow Ridge JHL9580 controller family)

Upstream Host Port

1x TB5 rear, 140W EPR PD 3.1 pass-through

Downstream TB Ports

2x TB5 rear, 1x TB5 front

USB-A Rear

2x USB-A 10Gbps (4.5W each)

USB-A Front

1x USB-A 10Gbps 4.5W, 1x USB-A 10Gbps 7.5W

Network

1x RJ-45 2.5GbE

Audio

1x 3.5mm TRS/TRRS combo

Power Supply

DC 20V 180W external power brick

M.2 Expansion Slot

Full-size M.2 PCIe Gen 4 x4 / Gen 3 (NVMe or PCIe M.2 module)

Max NVMe Capacity

Up to 16TB

AI Module Support

Yes (compatible PCIe M.2 modules including inference accelerators)

Thunderbolt Share

Yes (dual-PC direct sharing without network)

Display Output Windows

3x 4K 144Hz or 8K 144Hz

Display Output macOS

3x 4K (M5 Pro/Max only) or 2x 4K (other Mac configs)

Bandwidth

80Gbps symmetric / 120Gbps display boost

Power Button

Yes (front panel)

Security Slots

Nano Kensington and standard Kensington

Dimensions

19.4 x 7.8 x 5.2 cm (L x W x H)

Materials

75% recycled PCR plastic and aluminium

Warranty

2 Years

HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

3x TB downlinks
No HDMI or DisplayPort
M.2 slot on the underside

The success or failure of this design hinges on whether you intend to use a monitor attached to the dock. The cable/adapters to do this aren’t expensive, but they are an extra expense, and it would have been nice if Hyper had included at least one with the dock.

The design of this dock reminds me of others made by StarTech and OWC that use the same extruded aluminium tube with capped ends.

It’s not horrible, and it feels remarkably robust, but it's also not cutting edge or especially refined.

The HyperDrive Next TB5 dock is a horizontal desktop slab measuring 19.4 x 7.8 x 5.2 cm. It is compact without being cramped, and the low profile keeps it unobtrusive on a crowded desk.

What struck me first was how heavy it is, with the dock weighing an impressive 1.88kg (4.12 lbs). If you’ve had a dock that someone has knocked off your desk with their elbow in passing, this is not that type of dock. And, brushing this one at speed might result in a trip to the doctor.

Construction uses a mix of aluminium and recycled PCR plastics. Hyper states that 75% of the dock body is composed of post-consumer recycled material. The aluminium elements serve a thermal purpose as well as an aesthetic one, helping dissipate heat during extended running.

The front panel carries one TB5 downstream port, two USB-A ports at 10Gbps, a 3.5mm audio combo jack and a power button. The physical power button pays dividends in daily use. Powering the dock on and off without unplugging the host cable is a small convenience that quickly becomes an expectation.

Having a TB5 downlink on the front is nice, although some might get confused and think that it is the uplink.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The rear carries the host TB5 port, two further downstream TB5 ports, two USB-A ports, the 2.5GbE RJ-45 port, the DC power input and dual Kensington lock slots. The two-slot security provision, one nano and one standard, is a welcome professional-grade addition.

If you haven’t clicked already, Hyper traded away the dedicated monitor connection for the third TB5 downlink, meaning you will need adapters to connect any type of monitor.

The M.2 expansion bay is accessed via a removable panel on the underside of the chassis. Fitting a drive is straightforward. The bay supports full-size M.2 2280 modules at PCIe Gen 4 x4 or Gen 3 speeds, but it can also accept smaller M.2 form factors. Hyper also formally supports compatible PCIe M.2 accelerator cards here, including inference hardware such as the Hailo-8.

I’ll be frank and say that before Hyper mentioned such functionality, I was unaware that AI acceleration in the M.2 form factor was even a thing, but apparently it is, and this dock supports it.

Design: 4 / 5

HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: Features

TB5 Bandwidth
M.2 Slot
140W charging

Thunderbolt 5 offers 80Gbps symmetric bandwidth, handles simultaneous data, display and power delivery. When the host machine supports bandwidth boost mode, that figure rises to 120Gbps on the display path, enabling the full triple 4K or 8K output scenarios.

Display support is platform-dependent. On Windows and on the MacBook Pro M5 Pro or M5 Max, three external displays run at up to 4K 144Hz or a single 8K at 144Hz. Other macOS configurations and Chrome OS devices are limited to two extended displays. This reflects the display engine capabilities of those platforms rather than any shortcoming in the dock itself.

Unless you have a Thunderbolt-capable display, you will need appropriate cables or adapters to connect screens, and as many of these use the USB-C protocol, results may vary.

On a more positive note, Thunderbolt Share is the feature that sets this dock apart from most competition. Connecting two computers via TB cables allows direct file, peripheral and control sharing at speeds Hyper claims are up to 64 times faster than Gigabit Ethernet. No network infrastructure is needed. A work Mac and a personal Windows machine can share a keyboard, mouse and monitor without touching a cable.

That’s especially useful if you have a desktop computer and a laptop, since it avoids the need to buy yet another gadget to attach them simultaneously.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The M.2 slot deserves its own discussion. PCIe Gen 4 x4 bandwidth through a TB5 connection is theoretically sufficient for any current NVMe drive to operate near its rated speeds. The slot also supports PCIe-based AI accelerator modules. A Hailo-8 or similar inference card installed here allows a laptop to run local AI workloads without a desktop GPU.

Power delivery reaches 140W via EPR PD 3.1. This is the highest common tier for laptop charging, sufficient to keep high-performance MacBook Pros and demanding Windows workstations topped up even under load. The physical power button on the front allows the dock to be cycled without disturbing the host cable connection.

Port count totals ten across the front and rear. All four USB-A ports run at 10Gbps. Dual Kensington lock slots in nano and standard formats reflect Hyper's targeting of professional and enterprise environments.

Features: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: Performance

Intel created performance issues
140W power dilemma

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

I ran into issues with this dock, and they were identical to those I previously experienced on the Ugreen Maxidok 17-to-1, hardware built on the same Intel Barlow Ridge controller.

That suggests neither Ugreen nor Hyper is the culprit in these cases, and that there is an issue with the controller's bandwidth allocation to both the 2.5GbE LAN port and the M.2 slot.

In both cases, neither interface performs as it should, reducing file transfers over the LAN port to about 60% of what I would normally expect and making the Gen4x4 appear to be a Gen3x4 or Gen4x2 slot.

And, like the Ugreen dock, I was able to get the full 2.5GbE LAN experience by plugging an inexpensive $26 USB to Ethernet Adapter 2.5GbE into the dock. Which means that it allocates less bandwidth to the LAN port than it does to 10Gbps USB Type-A ports.

The issue appears to be the same with the M.2 slot, and again, I was able to get better performance from a Corsair EX400U USB4 external SSD attached to one of the TB5 downlinks than I was for a Gen4 drive installed in the M.2 slot.

Those are issues it inherited, it appears, but there are some others that I need to mention that were choices Hyper made.

These relate to the power distribution, as this dock only has an 180W PSU, yet it claims it can charge at 140W. It can probably charge at 140W, assuming none of the other ports is drawing power. But if the M.2 is occupied, and something is pulling 15W from each of the Thunderbolt downlinks, there is a mathematical problem with getting those numbers and the overhead of running the dock from a total of 180W.

It’s interesting to note that other flagship docks come with 240W or even 330W in one case to avoid the power pinch, but not this one.

I feel bad talking about the performance issues on this dock because I don’t think the maker can be blamed, but equally, anyone handing over $400 for one of these needs to know what to expect.

Performance: 3.5 / 5

HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The HyperDrive Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock is a strong entry into a rapidly maturing market. Hyper has delivered on the headline promises of TB5 bandwidth, triple 4K display output, Thunderbolt Share connectivity, a built-in M.2 expansion slot and 140W EPR charging. However, the devil is certainly in the details of many aspects.

The performance ceiling of the M.2 slot and the 2.5GbE port under load is a real limitation. But the context is that these shortfalls have appeared consistently across every dock built on the Intel Barlow Ridge TB5 controller family. They are not a Hyper problem; they are an Intel architecture problem. Buyers who understand that tradeoff will find this dock a genuinely capable daily driver, if it fits their specific workflow.

At $399.99, the dock is priced in the thick of the premium TB5 segment. The built-in M.2 bay and Thunderbolt Share support give it a differentiated position, but the lack of at least one dedicated monitor connection or any card slots could be showstoppers for some.

But for others, the inclusion of three TB5 downlinks opens up the dock to be a highly flexible option.

HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock: Report card

Value

Not the cheapest TB5 dock with M.2, but hardly expensive.

4 / 5

Design

Solid and chunky, but with limited ports for a flagship design

4 / 5

Features

Offers 140W charging, but it probably shouldn’t

4 / 5

Performance

Marred performance on LAN and M.2 courtesy of Intel

3.5 / 5

Overall

For those who want TB5 downlinks, this is an attractive dock

4 / 5

Should I buy a HyperDrive Next TB5 Dock?

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Buy it if...

You have Thunderbolt 5
If you have the right ports, you can extract levels of performance from this dock that TB4 and USB4 could only dream. And, it can also handle dual 8K video, should you have the monitors and adapters to connect.

You have TB5 peripherals
With three TSB5 downlinks, this dock is aggressively positioned to exploit them. These include TB monitors and external storage. But if you want to use the Thunderbolt Share feature, that will immediately remove one of those ports from general use.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need true M.2 NVMe Gen4x4 performance
The Intel controller architecture cannot sustain those figures under simultaneous load, unfortunately. Either get a TB5 external SSD or connect a USB4 SSD directly to your PC, which will deliver better results.

You need more than 140W charging
The maximum amount of power that the TB5 uplink port on this dock can deliver is 140W. If you need more than that for other ports, then you might need to connect a dedicated PSU to your laptop or find a more power-capable design, like Ugreen's flagship 17-to-1 model.

Also consider

Ugreen Maxidok 10-to-1 TB5 dock
Fewer ports but the same underlying TB5 technology, and a much lower price. The 10-to-1 dock offers two TB5 downlink ports and a single HDMI monitor output at only 60% of the price of its 17-to-1 big brother.

Check out my Ugreen Maxidok 10-to-1 TB5 dock review

Categories: Reviews

I spent a month with the Motorola Razr Plus 2026, and it's a great flip phone with a worryingly short lifespan

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 12:18

Motorola Razr Plus 2026: Two-minute review

The Motorola Razr Plus 2026 (or Razr 70 Plus, as it's known in some regions) is as puzzling as it is pleasing to use. On the plus side, it boasts a sturdier hinge, all-day battery life thanks to its 4,500mAh cell, two displays that are easily visible in direct sunlight, and a main camera that takes stunning portrait photos that are sure to impress your friends and family.

But Motorola made some odd decisions with the Razr Plus that I'm still scratching my head over. In the US, it costs $100 more than its predecessor, which, given the rising cost of pretty much everything right now, might make sense on its own. However, Motorola used the same processor in this new model as it used in the previous two generations of the Razr Plus family. And while it's still snappy and can handle everyday tasks and some gaming with ease, paying more for the same ol' tech doesn't sit right.

What's more, Motorola is promising Razr Plus 2026 owners three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates, both of which trail Samsung and Google's seven-year guarantee.

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

The camera setup is a mixed bag. Motorola removed the telephoto camera and replaced it with an ultra-wide shooter. If you take a lot of wide-angle photos, you'll be smitten. However, if you ever find yourself wanting to zoom in on anything — your kid's performance at school or a sign across the room — you're sure to be disappointed.

Ultimately, the Razr Plus 2026 is an excellent clamshell flip phone that is incredibly fun to use, but its recycled hardware places it in an awkward position. If you want a phone that will confidently turn heads, give you an intuitive cover screen experience, and last all day, it delivers — just don't expect it to keep up with the fast-evolving world of on-device AI a few years down the road.

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Price and availability

12GB + 256GB for $1,099 in the US
12GB + 512GB for £1,000 in the UK
Not available in Australia

The Motorola Razr Plus launched on May 21, 2026 and is available to purchase from Motorola directly. In the US, it's also available at third-party retailers like Amazon, but only in a single configuration of 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, for $1,099. That's a price increase of $100 over last year's model.

In the UK, Motorola sells a slightly different configuration of the Razr Plus, known as the Razr 70 Plus. It also comes with 12 GB of RAM, but doubles the storage to 512GB for £1,000.

At the time of writing, the Razr Plus 2026 is not available in Australia.

For reference, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE cost $1,099 / £1,049 / AU$1,799 and $899 / £849 / AU$1,499, respectively, while the cheaper Razr 2026 and Razr Ultra 2026 cost $799.99 / £799.99 and $1,499.99 / £1,199.99, respectively.

In other words, the Razr Plus 2026 is in the middle of the pack in terms of price. It's not the most expensive flip phone you can buy, but it's far from cheap.

Value score: 3 / 5

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Specs

Here's a breakdown of the Motorola Razr Plus 2026's key specs:

Dimensions:

Closed: 3.5 x 2.9 x 0.6 in
Open: 2.9 x 6.7 x 0.3 in

Weight:

189g

Display:

Cover display: 4-inch AMOLED
Main display: 6.9-inch AMOLED

Resolution:

Cover display: 1272 x 1080
Main display: 1084 x 2640

Refresh rate:

Cover display: 165Hz
Main display: 165Hz

Peak brightness:

Cover display: 2,400 nits
Main display: 3,000 nits

CPU:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

256GB

OS:

Android 16

Cameras:

50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide

Selfie Camera:

32MP

Battery:

4,500mAh

Charging:

45W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wireless

Colors:

Pantone Mountain View

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: DesignFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason Cipriani

New titanium hinge is more durable
Mesh pattern on the back adds some grip

The 2026 version of the Motorola Razr Plus is available in one color: Pantone Mountain View. That's a fancy name for what I'd consider forest green. Although, because of the flip design, the color of the phone doesn't dominate the overall aesthetic, with the back panel (when closed) and the frame of the phone being the only areas that show off any sort of color. The rest of the phone is black — well, until you wake it up and realize it's all screen.

The back panel features a textured pattern Motorola is referring to as a "woven jacquard-inspired finish." The woven pattern adds some much-needed grip to the back of an otherwise slick phone. You won't find any MagSafe-like support on the Razr Plus, nor does it support Qi2 wireless charging. Instead, you'll get 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging for topping off your smartwatch or wireless earbuds.

It's been a few years since I last used a foldable phone that flips instead of opening like a book, and I've definitely missed using a clamshell phone. When it's closed, its compact size doesn't feel overly bulky in my pocket like my iPhone 15 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

When closed, the Razr Plus fits almost perfectly in the palm of my hand, allowing one-handed use of the front display. The volume buttons, along with the lock/wake button that doubles as a fingerprint sensor, are easily accessible, making unlocking the phone or adjusting the volume while listening to music or streaming a YouTube video a breeze.

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

I do wish the front screen wasn't broken up by the two camera lenses in the bottom right corner, but that's a byproduct of this form factor.

When opened, the phone is narrower and taller than my iPhone 15 Pro Max and Pixel 10 Pro XL, which means there's a bit of a learning curve at first. I found it difficult to reach the top third of the screen or so when using the phone one-handed. The taller aspect ratio also puts the volume controls and that fingerprint sensor higher up on the right side of the housing. This positioning isn't a deal-breaker, by any means, but it does take some getting used to.

There's a new titanium-reinforced hinge in this year's model, and while I can't speak to how much more durable it is than previous hinges in the Razr line, I can say it feels smooth and sturdy.

The USB-C charge port, capable of charging at up to 45W, is located on the bottom of the phone, as is common practice for all modern smartphones.

The Razr Plus has an IP48 rating, meaning it'll survive an accidental swim in a pool or bathtub. It'll also stand up to pocket lint and everyday debris, but don't drop it at the beach — the sand could wreak havoc.

The Razr Plus doesn't break the design mold for a clamshell-style flip phone, and adapting to the taller design takes some time, but it's a phone that's sure to garner some attention whenever you pull it out and flip it open.

Design score: 4 / 5

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Displays

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

Plenty of brightness, inside and out
Two displays are better than one

The Motorola Razr Plus has two different displays. When closed, the front of the phone features a 4-inch AMOLED cover display with a resolution of 1272 x 1080, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2,400 nits. All of that distills down to a compact screen that looks clear, crisp, and is easy to see in direct sunlight.

As I said earlier, my biggest gripe is that even though the cover display is listed at 4 inches, you don't get to take full advantage of that space because the dual-camera lens setup in the bottom-right corner gets in the way.

Still, I rather enjoyed quickly checking my email or scrolling through my Reddit feed while waiting in line at a food truck. I didn't enjoy typing out long messages on a cramped keyboard, but it was nice to send a quick yes/no or short message without opening the phone.

On the inside is a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, with a 1084 x 2640 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. That peak brightness is on par with the likes of the Pixel 10 Pro XL and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and beats out the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7's 2,600-nit peak brightness. At those levels, you should have no issues seeing the display in direct sunlight.

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

The inner display uses LTPO technology to adjust the refresh rate all the way down to 1Hz when you're looking at a webpage or reading an email, and all the way up to 165Hz when you're gaming or quickly scrolling a social feed.

There's a noticeable crease in the screen that's easily seen and felt as you tap and swipe across the display. But doesn't get in the way or completely distract from the overall experience — in fact, after a few days, I rarely even thought about its presence.

Specifications aside, the inner screen looks sharp, with deep blacks and bright, vivid colors. The surrounding bezel is thin and sits slightly higher than the screen panel itself. That means there's a slight lip around the edge, similar to the raised border of a phone case.

Display score: 4 / 5

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Software

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

Comes with Android 16
Will only get 3 years of OS updates
5 years of security updates

The Motorola Razr Plus runs Android 16 with Motorola's custom Hello UI skin layered on top, adding customizations and features. I'm a big fan of Google's Pixel lineup and the clean Android experience it offers, but I also appreciate when phone makers like Motorola tweak Android and add to the overall experience.

Google Gemini is baked into the Razr Plus, of course. You can easily access the AI service using your voice or through the Gemini app. It's confusing to me, then, that Motorola has its own Moto AI app on the Razr Plus that duplicates a lot (if not all?) of what Gemini brings to the table.

Inside the Moto AI app, you can use Image Studio to create images from scratch and make stickers to use in your messages. There's also a feature that catches you up on your missed notifications, a playlist creation feature, and even a note-taking transcription service.

I totally get the desire to add AI to all the things right now, but as someone who regularly uses Gemini across all of my devices, I don't want to start investing my time (and data) into another AI tool.

Moto AI aside, my long-standing favorite tweaks Motorola makes to Android are present: Gestures. I love being able to twist my wrist a couple of times and launch the camera app, for example. I wish more phones had a similar capability.

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

With the cover screen, Motorola effectively manages two different home screens. There's, of course, the internal screen, but instead of just duplicating and shrinking it down to fit the cover screen's size, it's an entirely different experience. You can add apps to a dedicated app drawer, manage calendar or weather panels (basically widgets) you swipe between, and even take pictures of video right from the front of the phone. It's all super easy to understand and intuitive to navigate.

Motorola promises three years of major OS updates and five years of security updates for the Razr Plus, falling well short of Google and Samsung, both of which promise seven years of OS updates and security patches to their respective foldables. Motorola's equivalent commitment is disappointing, even more so when you consider the nearly $1,100 price tag of the Razr Plus 2026.

Software score: 3 / 5

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

50MP main camera
50MP ultra-wide camera
No telephoto camera this year

The two camera lenses that break up the front display I've complained about a few times already are a 50MP wide camera and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. On the inside is a 32MP hole-punch selfie camera.

For the 2026 version of the Razr Plus, Motorola did away with the telephoto lens and replaced it with an ultra-wide camera. When I first read about the lack of a telephoto lens, I didn't give it much thought — until I actually started taking pictures and realized just how much I was going to miss it.

When I took the Razr Plus to an Alex Warren concert at an outdoor amphitheater, I was really disappointed as I tried to zoom in on the stage and saw nothing but out-of-focus blobs.

Future / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason Cipriani

The first few selfies I took using the main camera and the front display as a viewfinder didn't leave me overly impressed, either. Each one was muted and downright blurry.

It wasn't until a night out with my family, as we waited for our dinner to arrive, and I started taking portrait photos of everyone, that I realized just how much potential the Razr Plus 2026 has as a camera phone.

Future / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason Cipriani

Every portrait shot was clear, crisp, and had ample color saturation. You could make a case that the colors are a little too saturated and unnatural-looking, but that's nitpicking. Every person at the table wouldn't stop talking about how good the photos looked, and I was equally impressed.

Then I started taking pictures of our pizzas as they arrived, and I saw that same blurry, out-of-focus look start to creep into some shots. Maybe it's user error? Maybe the camera is just finicky.

Future / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason CiprianiFuture / Jason Cipriani

The ultra-wide camera has a 122-degree field of view, which was more than enough to capture the entire amphitheater and the audience. However, if you look at the edges of the picture, you'll see it gets blurry and out of focus, while the back of my son's head is perfectly in focus.

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

Overall, then, the Razr Plus' camera setup is mixed. It's impressive when taking portrait photos, and occasionally when taking normal photos. But replacing the telephoto camera with an ultra-wide shooter feels like a step backward from last year's model — the ability to zoom and take high-quality pictures feels like a must-have in 2026, and the Razr Plus 2026 can't deliver.

Camera score: 3 / 5

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

It's plenty fast... for now
Same exact processor used in the previous two models

Probably the most controversial thing Motorola did with the 2026 Razr Plus is stick with the exact same processor it used in the 2024 and 2025 Razr Plus, while also raising the price of the new phone by $100. Motorola even kept the memory at 12GB and storage at 256GB across all three generations.

In all fairness, the processor — the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 — is no slouch. Over the last month, I haven't noted any glaring performance issues. I've been able to move between apps and multitask, and the Razr Plus kept up with whatever paces I put it through. That often meant watching a YouTube video in picture-in-picture mode, while checking my email, texting my wife, or browsing the web in Chrome. Doing a few laps in Asphalt: Legends also presented no issues (and was actually quite fun).

With AI as a whole at the forefront of almost every tech-related conversation right now, the Razr Plus would surely benefit from an upgraded processor, but I digress.

Just know that if you opt to pick up a Razr Plus, you shouldn't expect any performance issues today — but with an already aging chipset, there's no promise that it won't start showing signs of its age as Android and Motorola's Hello UI software continue to evolve.

For those interested, here's a summary of the Razr Plus' benchmark scores:

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 benchmark scores

Motorola Razr Plus 2026

Geekbench 6 single-core

1835

Geekbench 6 multi-core

4476

3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Best

2202

3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Low

1660

3D Mark Solar Bay

5110

Performance score: 3 / 5

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Battery

(Image credit: Future / Jason Cipriani)

4,500mAh battery
45W wired charging
All-day battery life

Tucked inside the thin housing of the Razr Plus is a 4,500mAh battery, which Motorola promises will deliver over 31 hours of use.

From my testing, I'd say that's only slightly more than what you get in everyday use. I was routinely able to go an entire day of doom scrolling, bouncing between basically any social media app you can name, chatting with friends in Slack, managing my inbox, and texting my wife and kids without needing to charge.

Like most people, I find it's second nature to plug in my phone as I get ready for bed and start the next day with a full charge. On several occasions, I forgot to plug in the Razr Plus, but instead of waking to a phone that had turned off, I found anywhere from 20% to 30% of its juice left.

When you run out of juice, though, using a 45W wall adapter will net you a 20% charge in 15 minutes. A full charge from a completely drained tank, meanwhile, took around 1 hour and 35 minutes in my testing.

As mentioned earlier, there's no MagSafe-equivalent wireless charging feature, nor does the Razr Plus support Qi2. However, you can wirelessly charge at 15W or charge another device using reverse wireless charging at 5W. You won't want to use the latter feature to charge another phone; it's incredibly slow and inefficient.

Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Motorola Razr Plus 2026?Motorola Razr Plus 2026 scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

A $100 increase year-over-year for old tech.

3 / 5

Design

An upgraded hinge, IP48 rating and a very usable front display are all welcome features.

4 / 5

Displays

The front and inner displays look great, even in direct sunlight.

4 / 5

Software

Three years of OS updates falls well short of industry standards.

3 / 5

Camera

Swapping the telephoto camera out for an ultra-wide isn't ideal, but the main camera takes solid pics.

3 / 5

Performance

The older processor powers through daily tasks with relative ease.

3 / 5

Battery

It just keeps going and going and going.

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a compact foldable phone
The cover display is fully functional, allowing you to triage your messages or quickly check your calendar, then it opens to a full-size smartphone that fits easily in your pocket. Win-win.

You want all-day battery life
The 4,500mAh battery provides more than enough power to get through a full day of use and then some.

You want high-quality portrait photos
If you primarily take portrait photos of friends and family, then this phone will be your jam.

Don't buy it if...

You want the latest tech
Motorola's reuse of a processor from 2024 is sure to show signs of its age as we move further into the AI era and Android continues to evolve.

You want a telephoto lens
Do not get the Razr Plus if you routinely zoom in and take photos. It just doesn't do a great job at a distance.

Motorola Razr Plus 2026 review: Also consider

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
If you want a foldable flip phone, Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 7 offers a similar experience to the Razr Plus, but with Samsung's software (love or hate it) and a front display that's just as useful.

Read our full Samsung Z Galaxy 7 Flip review

Motorola Razr Ultra 2025
Last year's Moto Razr Ultra checks a lot of the same boxes as the 2026 Razr Plus, but adds in a better processor, more memory, and more storage. However, it too lacks a telephoto lens.

Read our full Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 review

How I tested the Motorola Razr Plus 2026

I lived with the Razr Plus 2026 for over a month. I used Android's restore tool to transfer over accounts and apps from my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, then signed into the apps I use every day — Slack, Fastmail, Reddit, Mastodon, YouTube, Facebook, Immich, Instagram, and Gemini, to name a few.

I used the Razr Plus as I would my own personal phone throughout each day and over the weeks, taking pictures, watching YouTube, listening to music, and doing all of the other mundane tasks one does on a phone, being sure to take note of my overall impressions along the way.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2026

Categories: Reviews

GMKtec EVO-T2 review: An impressive AI mini PC that goes some way to addressing the imbalance between the best Intel can offer over AMD

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 09:20

GMKtec EVO-T2: 30-second review

Mini PCs rarely arrive with fanfare. The GMKtec EVO-T2 is an exception. It debuted at CES 2026 with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan visiting the booth, testing the unit in person and signing a prototype. His signature wasn’t on my test version, and you can imagine my disappointment.

That kind of endorsement is unusual for a compact desktop from a Chinese OEM, and it signals something real. This is not a routine refresh.

At its core sits Intel's newest Panther Lake architecture. The Core Ultra X7 358H is built on Intel's own 18A process node, making the EVO-T2 one of the first consumer products to ship that fabrication technology at volume. The question every reviewer has to answer is whether the real-world performance justifies a price tag that sits above £1,500 for the standard retail configuration.

The review unit supplied by GMKtec uses the Core Ultra X7 358H with 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, but some SKUs offer the Core Ultra X9 388H for those willing to pay extra.

What GMKtec has here is cutting-edge Intel technology that’s ideal for power users, AI LLM fans, and creatives, all in a remarkably compact package that doesn’t cost a fortune.

With so few brands offering products with Panther Lake silicon, this is easily one of the best Mini PC machines available today.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)GMKtec EVO-T2: Price and availability

How much does it cost? $1899/£1521/€1,700
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Currently, this machine can be obtained directly from GMKtec

The GMKtec EVO-T2 is available direct from the GMKtec US and GMKtec UK websites. I'm also seeing a configuration on Amazon.com.

There appears to be plenty of confusion about the pricing of these products on the GMKtec website, and pricing on Amazon seems only to compound things.

The USA pricing for the X7 is $1,899 for the standard model, but oddly $3,299.99 for the 853GB model. That second price is obviously a mistake, and I’d assume that’s the dollar pricing for the X9 version.

What I can say with some certainty is that on the GMKtec UK website, there are four SKUs: two X7 and two X9 models. And, the X7 358H design with 64GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, as per my review, the hardware is £1,520.99.

There is another X7 version with an 853GB drive, which I’m going to assume is a special partition for running LLMs, and it sells for £1,629. There are two corresponding X9 388H models, which are both priced at £2999.99, curiously. That seems like a ridiculous markup for only a few hundred MHz extra across a couple of clock settings, but that’s what they’re asking.

As a slight sweetener, UK customers are being offered a code that gets them a further £60 off at the time of writing.

European prices are €1.699,99 for the X7, with no X9 stock currently available.

Comparing these prices to anything else is a fraught exercise, since this is the first Mini PC to use this platform, even if Asus has a new NUC 16 Pro planned that uses this chip. And, Minisforum has a new AI X1 Pro model in the pipeline that uses an advanced AMD chip using its Gorgon Point core.

What I might point out is that the GMKtec EVO-T1, which uses the Arrow Lake Core Ultra 9 285H, is only $1,279.99 with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, but it can also be bought barebones with no memory or storage for close to $900.

From a performance perspective, the GMKtec EVO-X2 Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is more powerful, and that, with 64GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, is only another $100 more.

On that basis, the EVO-X2 seems to be a better value than the EVO-T2. And, GMKtec offers a 128GB version of the EVO-X2, for those wishing to blow $3,299.99 on one.

The big issue here is patently the cost of memory, and these platforms all need the faster soldered modules that are currently 400% more than they were only months ago.

I’ve given this a score of 4 out of 5 since you can’t get this hardware anywhere else at this time, and when Asus and Minisforum do come to market, they’re unlikely to undercut GMKtec's price.

Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)GMKtec EVO-T2: Specs

Model

Intel Core Ultra X7 358H

Architecture

Panther Lake (Intel 18A process)

Cores / Threads

16 cores (4P + 8E + 4LP-E)

P-core Boost

Up to 4.8 GHz

E-core Max

Up to 3.5 GHz

LP-E Core Max

Up to 3.3 GHz

L3 Cache

18MB Intel Smart Cache

TDP Range

25W base / 80W Maximum Turbo Power

AI Performance

Up to 180 TOPS combined (CPU + NPU + GPU)

NPU

NPU 5 (50 TOPS INT8)

Integrated GPU

Intel Arc B390 (Xe3 architecture, TSMC N3E tile)

GPU Cores

12 Xe3 cores

GPU Clock

Up to 2.5 GHz

Display Support

4x 4K via HDMI 2.1 x2 and USB4 x2

RAM

64GB LPDDR5X-8533 soldered

SSD

1TB NVMe

M.2 Slot 1

PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280

M.2 Slot 2

PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280

Max Capacity

Up to 16TB combined

AI SSD

Phison aiDAPTIV+ pseudo-memory extension

USB4 Front

1x 40Gbps with 100W Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alt Mode

USB4 Rear

1x 40Gbps

USB-A

2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB 2.0

HDMI

2x HDMI 2.1 (rear)

DisplayPort

1x DisplayPort 1.4 (rear)

Audio

1x 3.5mm combo jack

OCuLink

1x OCuLink Gen4x4

Ethernet

1x 2.5GbE and 1x 10GbE

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.4

Operating System

Windows 11 Pro

Cooling

Ice Storm 3.0 active cooling with RGB fan

Power Modes

Silent 35W | Balanced 45W | Performance 60W | Max 80W

PSU Wattage

148.2W

Dimensions

Approx. 103 × 98 × 32 mm

Weight

1273g including PSU

GMKtec EVO-T2: Design

Same enclosure as EVO-T1
Easy internal access
No memory upgrades

The case of the EVO-T2 is oddly familiar, as it seems relatively unchanged from the EVO-T1 that I reviewed in August of 2025.

The EVO-T2 continues GMKtec's established squared, compact form factor. The chassis uses a precision surface finish and houses what GMKtec calls its Ice Storm 3.0 cooling system, an active solution with a visible RGB fan. It sits comfortably on a desk or mounts via VESA behind a monitor.

Port placement is well considered. The front panel carries the USB4 port with 100W Power Delivery alongside two USB-A 3.2 connections and one USB-A 2.0. These are the ports users reach for most often, and they are exactly where they should be. The rear houses the second USB4, dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, dual Ethernet, the OCuLink port and the audio jack.

That rear panel is dense. It rewards deliberate cable planning rather than improvisation. Quad 4K display support is a genuine differentiator at this size. Creative professionals and multi-monitor users will appreciate having that headroom without needing an external dock.

This hints that the EVO-T2's connectivity specification is exceptional for the category.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Dual Ethernet with 2.5GbE and 10GbE ports on a machine this small opens it to homelab, network-attached storage and professional networking roles that most mini PCs cannot fill. The 10GbE port alone makes this worth serious consideration for anyone who moves large files regularly.

Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 cover wireless needs for the foreseeable future. The front-panel USB4 port carries 40Gbps bandwidth and supports Power Delivery at 100W, which is genuinely practical for desk setups where the EVO-T2 acts as a hub. DisplayPort Alt Mode via USB4 adds display flexibility beyond the two HDMI outputs and the dedicated DisplayPort at the rear.

The OCuLink Gen4x4 port provides a direct PCIe pathway to external GPU enclosures without the bandwidth constraints of USB4. For users who plan to add a discrete GPU later or need GPU-accelerated compute for specific workloads, this is a meaningful long-term expansion option, though not all systems include it.

Internal access requires removing the feet and then four screws. It’s not difficult, but it might have been easier. Inside, you can access the three M.2 slot positions, two already being occupied by the Wi-Fi 7 adapter and the 1TB NVMe drive. One oddity about the two M.2 slots allocated for storage is that the one GMKtec filled with the supplied Gen4 drive is the PCIe 5.0 slot, leaving the PCIe 4.0 slot free. That seems silly, but this isn’t the only mini PC maker doing these things.

For testing, I moved the provided drive to the Gen4 slot and put a Gen5 drive in a slot where it works best. And, if anyone buys one of these, I’d recommend doing that and cloning the drive to the Gen5 module. I’d also suggest you get a Gen5 drive with a heatsink or add one before installation.

There are no memory upgrade options, because all the memory here is soldered to the mainboard.

Design: 4 / 5

GMKtec EVO-T2: Features

Intel Core Ultra X7 358H
Soldered memory
180 TOPS AI

Panther Lake is easily Intel's most architecturally interesting mobile platform in years. The Core Ultra X7 358H uses a chiplet design built across three separate tiles. The compute tile is manufactured on Intel's 18A process and incorporates RibbonFET gate-all-around transistors alongside backside power delivery using PowerVia technology. Intel states this reduces voltage drop by around 30 per cent and improves transistor density over the prior generation.

I have a not-unreasonable feeling that this was what the 100 series was meant to be from the outset, and not what actually arrived.

The processor carries 16 cores across three tiers. Four Cougar Cove performance cores handle peak single-threaded workloads and boost to 4.8 GHz. Eight Darkmont efficiency cores manage sustained parallel tasks. Four low-power efficiency cores handle background activity.

It is a sensibly layered approach, and the trickle-down from mobile laptop silicon means the EVO-T2 benefits from extensive driver and platform maturity work done for notebook OEMs.

The gap between the X7 358H and the flagship X9 388H is modest in practice. The 388H adds 0.3 GHz of peak boost. For most productivity and AI workloads, the difference will be within the margin of thermal variation. The X7 is the right choice for a machine where value matters.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The soldered RAM configuration is the most significant design decision to understand before purchasing. Retail units ship with 64GB of LPDDR5X-8533. The review unit carries 16GB. Neither configuration can be upgraded after purchase. Buyers who anticipate needing more capacity should look at the GMKtec EVO-X2, which uses AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with up to 128GB of unified memory.

Soldered LPDDR5X enables the higher bandwidth speeds that integrated graphics depend on heavily. The Arc B390 needs fast, wide memory access to perform at its best. The trade-off is permanent capacity. For most professional workflows and AI tasks at the 64GB retail tier, the ceiling should be workable for several years.

Storage is considerably more flexible. The primary M.2 slot runs PCIe 5.0, offering sequential read speeds above 10 GB/s with compatible drives. The secondary slot is PCIe 4.0, still capable of strong throughput for a second drive or overflow storage. Combined capacity can reach 16TB, which opens the machine to NAS-adjacent roles that most mini PCs cannot consider.

GMKtec's headline claim is 180 TOPS of combined AI performance across the CPU, GPU and NPU. The NPU alone contributes 50 TOPS, which represents a meaningful step up from prior Intel generations. The remaining compute performance is divided between the Arc B390 and the CPU cores themselves.

The 180 TOPS figure is a heterogeneous combined total. Real-world AI workload distribution depends heavily on the framework and the model. Not all applications can efficiently split inference across three compute blocks simultaneously. The NPU handles fixed-function acceleration well. More general local inference typically leans more on the GPU or CPU, depending on quantisation level and context window size.

The aiDAPTIV+ AI SSD technology developed with Phison is worth mentioning. It extends available memory by intelligently paging model data between DRAM and NVMe storage. GMKtec claims this allows the EVO-T2 to run models with up to 70 billion parameters locally. For a machine with 64GB of RAM, that is an extraordinary claim. The paging mechanism will introduce latency penalties for data not resident in DRAM, and the practical throughput impact under sustained inference loads has not been verified by me, since I don’t have an aiDAPTIV+ AI SSD.

One thing that did make me wonder about the design of the EVO-T2 was that GMKtec claims that the USB4 port on the front can push out 100W for recharging a laptop. As the PSU is only rated at 148.2W and the system could take 60W, there appears to be a voltage shortfall in that calculation.

Overall, the X7 358H is a dramatic uplift from the 200 series chips that came before it, although AMD has such a significant lead with its Ryzen AI 395 series that it's perhaps too much to ask in one generational change.

Features: 4.5 / 5

GMKtec NucBox EVO-T2: Performance

Mini PC

GMKtec EVO-T2

Bosgame M5 AI

CPU

Intel Core Ultra X7 358H

AMD Ryzen AI 395 Max

Cores/Threads

16C 16T

16C 32T

RAM

64GB LPDDR5X 8533

128GB DDR5

SSD

512 GB KINGSTON OM8TAP4512K1-A0

2TB Kingston OM8PGP42048N

Graphics

Intel Arc B390

Radeon 8060S

3DMark

WildLife

45211

70014

FireStrike

14394

26917

TimeSpy

7621

11317

S.Nomad

6172

11201

Cine24

Single

123

115

Multi

1029

1879

Ratio

8.34

16.32

GeekBench 6

Single

2849

2981

Multi

16286

17882

OpenCL

56978

101915

Vulkan

64187

90384

CrystalDisk

Read MB/s

5047

4083

Write MB/s

4498

3639

PCMark 10

Office

10645

9056

WEI

Score

8.9

9.6

Normally, I compare AMD and Intel Mini PCs against their ilk. But as this is a flagship design of a new silicon generation, and the best Intel has to offer, I thought it would be useful to compare it to the top-of-the-line AMD platform.

For those who like the fine details, the EVO-T2 was set into ‘Performance’ mode in the BIOS, rather than balanced or silent. According to GMKtec, there should be a mode above this that consumes 80W, but it was missing from my BIOS. Therefore, it might be possible to get even more out of the EVO-T2, and the BIOS certainly has plenty of features for overclocking some aspects.

The Arc B390 GPU is the headline graphics story in Panther Lake. It uses twelve Xe3 cores built on TSMC's N3E process and clocks up to 2.5 GHz. Intel positions it as delivering 76 per cent more performance than the Arc 140T from the previous Arrow Lake generation and 82 per cent more than AMD's Radeon 890M found in Ryzen AI HX 370 platforms. As usual, Intel ignores the Radeon 8060S in the Ryzen AI 395 Max, which is its true competitor.

And, as the results show, B390 might make Arc 140T and Radeon 890M look poor, but it still can’t run with the Radeon 8060S, not even close.

Obviously, you could use the OcuLink port to add a discrete GPU, but that’s the only way that the EVO-T2 would compete with a Bosgame M5 AI.

And, while all those extra cores in the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H CPU do boost the multi-processing considerably, it still falls short of the AMD Ryzen AI 395 Max.

It did well in the PCMark score, and it also had a better SSD than the Bosgame machine. I inserted a Crucial P510 Gen5 drive into this hardware, and it delivered 10,587MB/s reads and 8,977MB/s writes in the Gen5 M.2 slot, so it could be dramatically better with a small investment.

Overall, Intel is moving in the right direction, but AMD don’t need to worry yet.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)GMKtec EVO-T2: Final verdict

(Image credit: GMKtec)

The EVO-T2 is an impressive piece of equipment that exploits the dramatically better silicon Intel has released with Panther Lake. However, given the modest differences between the X7 358H and the X9 388H, I wouldn’t be rushing to spend the extra on the top model unless money isn't a concern for you.

Where this rig excels is in providing a punchy platform for software development, video editing and running AI LLMs. It would have been nice to have seen Thunderbolt 5 ports on this PC, but the cost of adding this feature appears to be putting mini PC makers off.

At least it has USB4 and an OCuLink port if you want more GPU power.

But the focus here is foremost AI, with GMKtec even deploying a version of OpenClaw to the desktop along with Herdman. While there are free tokens to be had, these are a portal to monthly subscription packages for those who want to fully exploit AI agents.

That seems slightly at odds with the premise of having hardware like the EVO-T2 that can run powerful local AI at no other cost than electricity, and your time to get it trained in your workflows. But agents will always come with extra costs, regardless of where they are launched from.

Getting back to the hardware, this is an exceptional piece of gear that nearly brings Intel back up to AMD’s current level. Although with new AMD hardware soon to launch, this might prove to be a false dawn for them.

What it comes down to here is the price, since all memory and storage costs are artificially inflated.

For those who, for whatever reason, don’t trust AMD, then this is quite clearly the best Intel mini PC technology available, especially for those running local LLMs.

Should you buy a GMKtec EVO-T2?

Value

Not cheap, but with this spec it was never going to be

4 / 5

Design

EVO-T1 revisited, but it does have a Gen5 M.2 slot

4 / 5

Features

New CPU technology, new GPU, and plenty of TOPS

4.5 / 5

Performance

New CPU technology, new GPU, and plenty of TOPS

4.5 / 5

Overall

A little powerhouse with so many uses

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want power in a small package
This is an excellent choice if you want a compact, quiet desktop that handles everyday tasks and Copilot+ AI features without any cloud dependency. But this system is also ideal for a mini server, hardware firewall and a dozen other tasks.

You want local AI
This is the pinnacle of AI-focused mini PCs available today, and with 180 TOPS of combined compute to suit your workload, the only limitation is memory.

Don't buy it if...

You need more than 64GB of RAM
As the memory in this system cannot be replaced, the 64GB of memory you get out of the box is as much as it will ever have. Whether for LLMs, video editing, or heavy virtualisation, the stock RAM is soldered and permanent, which might not be sufficient for the largest models.

Cost is a concern
The review hardware isn't cheap, and the X9 model is insanely expensive. There are powerful systems based on older technology that you can get for cheaper than the EVO-T2,

Also Consider

Bosgame M5 AI
A massively powerful Mini PC platform that uses the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, with sixteen cores and thirty-two threads. There are two variants with 96GB and 128GB memory, respectively, and 2TB of storage.

Until Gorgon Point silicon arrives, this is the most powerful processor and integrated GPU combination. And, the 96GB model is only slightly more expensive than the X7 version of the EVO-T2.

Read my full review of the Bosgame M5 AI here.

Minisforum UM790 Pro
A powerful AMD system using a Ryzen 9-class processor, supported by the Radeon 780M GPU. Targeted towards creatives and gamers, the expandable memory and dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSDs allow you to boost performance according to your requirements, with the standard version already delivering remarkable capabilities.

Check out our Minisforum UM790 Pro review

For more professional hardware, we've reviewed the best business computers.

Categories: Reviews

I tested the Huawei MatePad Pro Max, and I wish this iPad Pro-rivaling tablet had the software to match its excellent hardware

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 08:37

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: One-minute review

The Huawei MatePad Pro Max is the world’s thinnest 13-inch+ tablet, and rivals the 13-inch iPad Pro (2025) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for portable power. It’s lighter than both of those competitors, and offers a stunning display on which to make use of its impressive performance credentials.

You’d be forgiven, then, for thinking Apple and Samsung might be looking nervously over their shoulders. The MatePad Pro Max is beautifully made, and I prefer its design to that of Apple’s best iPads. Early signs suggest this could be one of the best tablets around. Yet like its smaller sibling, the Huawei MatePad 12X, this slate is almost impossible to recommend in a practical sense. More on that in a moment.

The 13.2-inch display comes with Huawei’s PaperMatte technology. Not only does this make it feel lovely to touch, but it also has fantastic anti-reflective properties. I can sit outside in the sun and still easily use this tablet.

It’s great for video streaming and gaming, with enough grunt under the hood to run PUBG Mobile on high graphical settings without signs of slowdown.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s a keyboard case included in the box — something you don’t get from Apple or Samsung — which helps to boost the productivity credentials of this slate. And you also get a 100W charging block, allowing you to replenish over 60% of its battery in under 30 minutes.

Battery life is solid, with many hours of use possible — around eight hours of continuous online gaming, for example — and reverse charging means you can use the tablet to top-up your phone. Even the cameras are better than some rivals’.

Huawei’s own Harmony OS software is similar to iPadOS and Android, and it’s intuitive to use for the most part. But it’s in the company’s App Gallery where the real issue with this slate lies. With no access to Google Mobile Services (GMS), the MatePad Pro Max has a severe lack of mainstream apps.

That means no Google apps, no Meta apps (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Threads), and no X (formerly Twitter), ChatGPT, Claude, Spotify, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Amazon, and more.

This unfortunately means that, even with its excellent design and display, solid battery life, and premium performance, the Huawei MatePad Pro Max is only going to work for a small subset of users with very specific needs that don’t rely on major applications.

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: price and availability

Release June 30, 2026 in the UK
Price starts at £999 — cheaper than Apple and Samsung rivals
Includes keyboard case
Not available in the US or Australia

The Huawei MatePad Pro Max starts at £999.99 (around $1,300 / AU$1,800) and, unlike rival tablets, it comes with a keyboard case and 100W charging block in the box.

That’s comfortably cheaper than the 13-inch iPad Pro (starting at £1,299) and the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (starting at £1,269), for hardware that’s just as good, if not better. But it’s the lack of mainstream apps that hampers this tablet’s value proposition.

The MatePad Pro Max is available now on the Huawei UK website. As with many Huawei devices, the MatePad Pro Max is not available in the US or Australia.

Value: 4 / 5

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: specsHuawei MatePad Pro Max specs

Weight

499g / 509g

Display

13.2-inch, OLED (3000 x 2000), PaperMatte

Operating system

HarmonyOS 4.3

Chipset

Kirin T93 Pro

Memory (RAM)

12GB

Storage

256GB / 512GB

Battery

9,760mAh

Charging

66W wired

Cameras

50MP rear, 12MP front

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB Type-C 3.1

Colors

Blue, Space Grey

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: displayFutureFuture

Brilliant, colorful OLED screen
Works great in bright sunlight
PaperMatte finish feels premium

I love the 13.2-inch display on the MatePad Pro Max. My model comes with the firm’s PaperMatte technology, providing a slick, smooth feeling under the finger and a screen that’s still brilliantly visible in bright sunlight.

The OLED panel pumps out punchy colors, while the 144Hz refresh rate keeps scrolling and gameplay feeling smooth.

The screen comfortably goes toe-to-toe with those of the iPad Pro 13-inch and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, with the Huawei’s display even boasting a higher resolution (3000 x 2000) and pixel density (273ppi) than those of its two mainstream rivals.

Peak brightness matches the iPad and Galaxy Tab at 1600 nits, and the MatePad Pro Max also has the slimmest bezels of the three, giving it an impressive 91.4% screen-to-body ratio.

All this means you get a superb viewing experience with this tablet. Whether I was watching 4K videos or playing PUBG with the graphics turned way up, it was a visual feast for the eyes.

Display: 4.5 / 5

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: designFutureFutureFutureFuture

Sleek premium design
Thinner and lighter than Apple and Samsung rivals
Keyboard case included, but design could be better

It’s not just the screen that looks great on the Huawei MatePad Pro Max, with this tablet also packing a seriously slim design.

At just 4.7mm thick, you’d be forgiven for thinking it might feel a little fragile — but worry not. The metal unibody chassis is solid and the build quality is top-notch — as it should be for the price — and if the Huawei brand was scrubbed off, I reckon I could convince a few people this was the new iPad design. That’s how good the MatePad Pro Max looks and feels.

There’s still that 13.2-inch screen to squeeze into the chassis, but with super-slim bezels, Huawei has managed to keep the dimensions of this slate to the absolute minimum, at 289.3 x 196.3mm.

These numbers make the MatePad Pro Max the world’s thinnest 13-inch+ tablet — a niche title, sure, but a win for Huawei nonetheless.

And for a big screen tablet, the MatePad Pro Max is light too, tipping the scales at 499g (or 509g with the PaperMatte display). That’s lighter than the 13-inch iPad Pro (579g) and the (admittedly larger) Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (692g).

That meant I was able to hold the MatePad Pro Max comfortably for multiple rounds of PUBG Mobile without the tablet feeling taxing in my hands.

There’s a fingerprint scanner built into the power key on the top edge of the slate, and it recognized my digit quickly, promptly unlocking the tablet. If anything, this scanner performed better than Touch ID on my iPad Air (2022).

FutureFuture

I like the placement of the MatePad Pro Max’s 12MP front-facing camera; it’s in the middle of the top landscape side of the screen, nestled into the super slim bezel, meaning no annoying notch in the display. However, with Teams, Zoom, WhatsApp, and Google Meet all unavailable in Huawei’s App Gallery, the number of video calls you’ll be doing on the MatePad Pro Max might be limited.

The inclusion of a keyboard case in the box is good to see, as it means you don’t have to spend more money on the accessory, and unlike the one that came with the MatePad 12X 2025, this one has a trackpad for easier navigation.

It features a series of useful touchpad controls. Swipe three fingers up to return home, three fingers from side to switch apps, and three fingers up and hold to enter a multi-task view. It makes the tablet far more user-friendly when in this laptop mode.

It’s not as well designed as Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad, though. The movement required to magnetically lock the tablet in place when opening it up isn’t the smoothest, with a slightly confused double-hinge design on the case. Even after weeks of use, I still hadn’t mastered the movement each time I opened it up.

FutureFutureFuture

The good news is this keyboard case doubles as a protective case, which is always welcome when you’re spending big bucks on a premium tablet, although the slate’s productivity is severely hampered by the limited app selection.

If you want greater creative control, Huawei sells the M-Pencil Pro stylus separately. It magnetically clings to the top landscape edge of the MatePad Pro Max, with an oval pad that guides its placement. There’s also a dedicated space for it in the keyboard case, keeping it safe if you slide the tablet into a bag.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: softwareFutureFuture

Major limitations when it comes to apps
App Gallery is missing many big names
Interface is clean and intuitive

As good as the hardware is on the Huawei MatePad Pro Max, it’s hampered by a heap of software-related trouble. The Trump administration placed the Chinese brand on the 'entity list' back in 2019, which effectively banned Huawei from using any Google products or services on its devices.

That means the MatePad Pro Max does not have access to Google Play Services, the Play Store, or any Google applications; there’s no Drive, Maps, YouTube, Photos, Gmail, Gemini, and so on.

Instead, we get Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4.3 operating system and the firm’s App Gallery store, where you can download applications. The trouble is, the app selection here is extremely limited.

As I’ve mentioned, there are no Google apps, but other major players are missing too, including Meta’s suite of apps (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Threads), X (formerly Twitter), ChatGPT, Claude, Spotify, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Amazon, and more.

Some big names you can download and install from Huawei’s App Gallery include Snapchat, TikTok, CapCut, Temu, and Telegram. You can also get Microsoft 365 and Outlook if you’re looking for established productivity tools.

Some of these services are available via the web browser. I was able to watch YouTube videos, access social media, and browse Amazon just fine — but some things are blocked entirely, such as editing Google Drive documents.

It means you’ll need to carefully consider whether the MatePad Pro Max will be able to deliver what you need from a tablet.

(Image credit: Future)

Huawei does offer some apps of its own to help ease the lack of established names on the App Gallery. Petal Maps, as the name suggests, is its version of Apple and Google Maps. There isn’t a satellite or street view, although you do get navigation and live traffic data.

It’s serviceable enough, but lacks the features of its established rivals, and that’s the case for many of Huawei’s own apps. The Notes app is a basic word processor, while NotePad is designed more for quicker things — similar to Google Keep. If you’re used to the big-brand apps, though, you’ll find the ones on the MatePar Pro Max aren’t as encompassing.

Huawei’s HarmonyOS interface isn’t all that different from iPadOS and Android, with a familiar look and feel, meaning there’s no real learning curve when it comes to using the tablet. It’s pretty slick under the finger, although it doesn’t have the same level of zip and polish as Apple’s iPad Pro slates.

Software: 2 / 5

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: performance

(Image credit: Future)

Kirin T93 Pro chipset and 12GB of RAM
Can handle games on high graphics settings
Impressive speakers offer surround sound

The Huawei MatePad Pro Max is powered by Huawei’s own Kirin T93 Pro chipset and is ably assisted by 12GB of RAM.

The result is a powerful tablet that could handle everything I threw at it, from social media, web browsing, and downloading large applications, to high-def gaming, sketching with the M-Pencil Pro, and 4K video playback.

Even with multiple applications running together, and utilizing the multi-tasking side-by-side view, there were no significant signs of slowdown. PUBG Mobile, on high graphical settings, loaded quickly and ran smoothly, ensuring my Winner Winner Chicken Dinner streak remained intact.

And during my long PUBG sessions, another positive was the MatePad Pro Max’s ability to keep itself relatively cool, with the slate boasting excellent heat dissipation.

I didn’t have any noticeable performance issues during my testing time, but the slate doesn’t feel as slick as the iPad Pro 13, which feels better optimized for the Apple-made chip inside.

Another impressive aspect of the tablet is its six-speaker system, which delivers a convincing surround sound experience. The bass is weak, as is expected from a tablet that’s so thin, but audio quality is otherwise very good. The speakers are better than the ones on my iPad Air, for what it’s worth.

The M-Pencil Pro stylus is really comfortable to use on the MatePad Pro Max. It glides nicely across the screen when handwriting notes, and it’s comfortable to hold for extended sketching sessions. The tablet itself isn’t brilliantly designed for note-taking, though. Place it on a flat surface, and the rear camera bump means the tablet rocks annoyingly as you move the M-Pencil around the screen.

Pop it in the keyboard case, and the angle the screen sits at isn’t natural for handwriting or sketching either. You can fold the tablet back on the case and place it on a desk, which provides you with a steady surface, but if you forget it, then you’re back to a wobbly mess.

Now, I’d never recommend someone use their tablet as a camera — they’re big, bulky, and usually no better than the smartphone in your pocket at taking pictures. However, the 50MP rear camera on the MatePad Pro Max is one of the better ones I’ve used on this form factor.

It offers 5x and 10x zoom with only minimal quality degradation, and in good light outdoors, it’s capable of taking some nice shots. It’s the size of this 13.2-inch slate that hampers the experience — it’s cumbersome to hold up and take around with you versus your phone.

Performance: 4 / 5

Huawei MatePad Pro Max review: battery

(Image credit: Future)

9,760mAh high-silicon anode battery
100W Turbo Charge plug included in the box
Replenish over 40% in 20 minutes

Battery life on the Huawei MatePad Pro Max is solid, but not quite category-leading. You get a 9,760mAh high-silicon anode battery, which is actually smaller than the cell found in the iPad Pro 13 (10,290mAh).

That shouldn’t be a worry, though. I played PUBG for two hours on high graphics settings, and the MatePad Pro Max lost 20% of its charge in that time.

If we extrapolate that out, it means you’re looking at at least eight hours of demanding gameplay on a single charge — great news for gamers and those looking to perform intense productivity tasks on the slate.

You’ll get much longer if you’re only using the tablet for occasional web browsing, social scrolling, and the odd video stream, though. I’d feel comfortable taking the MatePad Pro Max on a long-haul flight, for example, as the battery should remain solid.

Huawei has packed in 66W charging too, to help replenish the large battery. And it was great to find a 100W Turbo Charge block included in the box, meaning I didn’t have to dig out my own. Apple and Samsung don’t include this with their tablets, so well done, Huawei.

During my charging tests, I was getting around 10% battery returned after 5 minutes, 20% after 10 minutes, and 45% in just 20 minutes. After 30 minutes, the MatePad Pro Max had replenished 65% of its battery — a useful result if you’re looking for a quick top-up before heading out.

Another handy feature is the tablet’s reverse charging capabilities. If you find your smartphone is running low on juice, you can connect it to the MatePad Pro Max via USB-C cable, and the tablet will provide your handset with a top-up.

Battery: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Huawei MatePad Pro Max?Huawei MatePad Pro Max scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Cheaper than its Apple and Samsung rivals, plus you get a keyboard case and 100W charging block in the box. It’s a good package, but the software shortcomings mean it’s not 5/5 in terms of overall value.

4 / 5

Display

Gorgeous display with excellent anti-glare finish makes it easy to use outdoors in sunlight. Bright, crisp, and colorful, with very slender bezels.

4.5 / 5

Design

Premium metal chassis that’s wonderfully thin and light, making it easy to slip into a bag. The front-facing camera smartly tucked into the landscape bezel is a nice touch.

4.5 / 5

Software

This is the MatePad Pro Max’s Achilles heel, and could well be a deal breaker for many. The lack of Google Play services and an App Gallery store missing so many big names makes it severely limited versus the Apple and Android competition.

2 / 5

Performance

There’s plenty of power under the hood for gaming, social scrolling, emails, and video streaming. It’s not quite as lightning fast under the finger as Apple’s latest M-powered iPad Pros, but there’s enough for most users.

4 / 5

Battery

Solid battery life can offer eight hours of gaming at high graphics settings, while the 66W charging can replenish it blisteringly quickly. Reverse charging is a handy extra, allowing you to top up your phone.

4 / 5

Buy it if

You want a beautiful, big-screen slate
The Huawei MatePad Pro Max offers up a premium build that’s pleasingly thin and light, while the display is something to marvel at — it’s great for video streaming and gaming. I loved being able to comfortably use the tablet outdoors in the sun, as its anti-reflective screen works a treat.View Deal

You want to take photos with your tablet
Cameras on tablets tend to be more of an afterthought than a standout feature, but the MatePad Pro Max doesn’t do a bad job here. If you have a high-end smartphone, that will still be better than this tablet, but if you’re someone who wants to take pictures with your slate, this is a decent option.View Deal

You need a tablet that charges quickly and charges your phone
With the 100W charging block included in the box, you’ll get 65% battery returned to the slate in just half an hour. Even a 10-minute charge gets you 20%, which is handy if you notice you could do with a bit extra in the tank before heading out the door. Plus, connect your phone via USB-C cable to the MatePad Pro Max, and it’ll charge your handset too.View Deal

Don't buy it if

You want access to all your apps
Huawei’s limited App Gallery means there are numerous big-name apps that simply aren’t available on the MatePad Pro Max, and that severely limits the productivity and entertainment value of this tablet. You’ll have to look elsewhere to guarantee you’ll get all the apps you need.View Deal

You want a premium keyboard case
Huawei has upped its keyboard case game here, and the fact that it’s included in the box is a massive win. Yet, the dual hinge design is awkward to use, and the keys feel a little stiff under the finger. Apple’s Magic Keyboard, while considerably more expensive, provides a better all-around experience — though you’ll have to buy a pricey iPad as well.View Deal

Also consider

If you're not sold on what the Huawei MatePad Pro Max has to offer, there are a handful of similarly priced alternatives to consider.

iPad Pro 13-inch (2025)
The iPad Pro is still the gold standard in the tablet world, combining premium design, a gorgeous display, and the most comprehensive app library for this form factor. Sure, it’s expensive, as are the keyboard and Pencil accessories, but you really do get what you pay for — and there are no restrictions on apps here.

Read our review of the smaller iPad Pro 11-inch (2025)

Samsung Galaxy S11 Ultra
If you’re after a big-screen Android tablet with access to Google’s full suite of services, the 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is an impressive slate. While it’s an improvement over its predecessor, the MediaTek chipset used here is disappointing. That said, if you want a tablet to play a lot of games, is easy to work on, or want a bigger screen to sketch, doodle, and noodle around with AI, the S11 Ultra fits the bill.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review

How I tested the Huawei MatePad Pro Max

Tested over several weeks
Played games, browsed the web, scrolled social, snapped pictures
Also tested the keyboard case and M-Penci Pro stylus

I used the Huawei MatePad Pro Max as my main tablet for several weeks, testing out its core features, app availability, and performance.

I played a variety of games, watched 4K HDR videos, snapped photos, ran battery and charging tests, and performed various day-to-day tasks, including web browsing, scrolling social media, and checking emails.

The keyboard case, which is included in the box, was also tested with emails, word processing, and general UI navigation. I was also sent the M-Pencil Pro (and optional extra), and spent time jotting down handwritten notes and sketching cartoons.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2026

Categories: Reviews

8849 Tank 5 review: A fast-charging, heavyweight rugged phone with an incredible projector

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 08:10

8849 Tank 5: 30-second review

The Tank 5 represents the most complete version of a concept that 8849 has been refining for several generations. Where earlier models asked buyers to accept trade-offs between size, battery and projector quality, the Tank 5 attempts to resolve all three at once. The result is something that genuinely has no mainstream equivalent.

There is a very specific kind of person the 8849 Tank 5 is made for. They work far from mains power. They need a phone that survives punishment. And occasionally, they want to project something onto a wall, a tent, or the side of a cliff face. For that person, no mainstream smartphone comes close.

Where previous models asked buyers to accept mid-range processors and modest projection quality, the Tank 5 brings flagship silicon to the category for the first time. The MediaTek Dimensity 9400e is a genuine top-tier chip in 2026 terms, and finding it in a device this rugged at this price is a pleasant surprise.

The headline numbers are hard to ignore. A 17,600mAh battery. A 3K AMOLED display peaking at 3000 nits. A 2K TI DLP projector with 220-lumen output and laser autofocus to four metres. Triple 50-megapixel rear cameras. Android 16 out of the box. On paper, this reads like a wish list written by someone who spends more time on a mountainside than in a meeting room.

The catch, as ever, is the physical reality. At 715 grams and nearly 34 millimetres thick, the Tank 5 is not a device you slip into a jacket pocket. It is a tool. And like any serious tool, it rewards the user who actually needs what it offers.

Is this one of the best rugged phones? That entirely depends on what features you value. For those who don’t care about size and weight but want battery capacity, exotic features and colourful display, this is certainly a contender.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)8849 Tank 5: price and availability

How much does it cost? $900/£697/€809
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Direct from the maker or via an online retailer

The Tank 5 launches at $999.99 in pre-order configuration with the standard retail price listed at $1,599.99. However, now that those numbers have come down somewhat, with the US pricing at $899.99. In the UK, it’s £696.87, and across Europe it is €808.52, direct from the 8849tech website.

To put that into perspective, the Tank X launched at $549.99 early bird against a $1,049.99 RRP. The Tank 5, therefore, represents a substantial step up in cost, but is justified by improvements in specification.

Currently, the Tank X costs $699.99 from Amazon.com and £599 via Amazon.co.uk, making the Tank 5 pricing less of an uplift for those in the UK.

When considering alternatives, it's worth noting that remarkably few phones have a projector, and none of them has one with the same specification as the DLP unit in this phone.

Other than the Tank X and Tank 4 Pro by 8849, rugged phones with projectors include the Ulefone Armour 34 Pro Plus and Oukitel WP100 Titan. From Amazon.com, the Tank 4 Pro is $789.99, and the Ulefone Armor 34 Pro Plus is $594.99. The Oukitel WP100 Titan isn’t available from Amazon, but can be bought directly from the makers for $869.99.

The cover these in a spec comparison, the Tank X offers a slower Dimensity 8200 SoC and a lower resolution 1080p projector. The Tank 4 Pro only has a Dimensity 8300 SoC, but only a 720p projector. And the Ulefone Armor 34 Pro has the slowest processor, with a Dimensity 7300, and a weird projector resolution of 854 x 480. And finally, the Oukitel WP100 Titan has the same processor as the 34 Pro, and the same odd resolution to its 100 lumen projector.

Most of these have more battery capacity than the Tank 5, but critically, their projectors don’t come close to being a match.

Based purely on value for money, the 8849 Tank 5 is a winner.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Value score: 4.5/5

8849 Tank 5: Specs

Item

Spec

Processor

MediaTek Dimensity 9400e, 4nm, octa-core (1x Cortex-X4 at 3.4GHz + 3x X4 at 2.85GHz + 4x A720 at 2.0GHz)

GPU

Immortalis-G720 MC12

RAM

18GB LPDDR5X (plus 18GB virtual)

Storage

512GB UFS 4.0, microSD expandable to 2TB

Display

6.73-inch AMOLED, 3200x1440px (3K), 120Hz, 3000 nits (local peak), Panda Glass

Main Camera

50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN1, PDAF, f/1.8, 4K30fps

Telephoto

50MP, 3x optical zoom, OIS

Night Vision

50MP with 4x infrared LEDs

Front Camera

32MP OmniVision OV32B40, f/1.7, 1080p video

Battery

17,600mAh dual-cell

Charging

120W wired (full charge approx. 90 min), 25W reverse charge

Projector

TI DLP, 2K resolution, 220 lumens, 4m laser autofocus, 4-point keystone correction

Android 16

SA/NSA, including bands n77/n78

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)

Bluetooth

5.4

NFC

Yes

SIM

eSIM + Dual Nano SIM

GPS

Dual-frequency L1+L5, multi-constellation

USB

USB-C (DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode)

Rugged Rating

IP68, MIL-STD-810H

Dimensions

177.1 x 87 x 33.8mm

Weight

715g

Colours

Black

8849 Tank 5: Design

Thick and heavy
Vents for projector on both sides

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Pick up the Tank 5, and the sheer physical commitment of it registers immediately. At 177.1 x 87 x 33.8mm and 715 grams, this device sits somewhere between a phone and a piece of site equipment. The chassis combines brushed metal plates, rubberised TPU corner armour and polycarbonate panels, and the build quality throughout is excellent. Seams are tight. There is no flex anywhere. It feels, correctly, like something engineered to survive conditions that would end a normal phone's life in seconds.

The layout of the Tank 5 is dictated by one thing above all others: cooling. The projector needs active thermal management, and the ventilation grille that serves it runs across a significant portion of the left frame. That grille is not a cosmetic addition. It is a structural constraint, and it shapes where every other control can go. The volume controls and shortcut buttons sit above it, pushed into the upper corner.

Below it, separated by a visible gap of bare metal, sit red and silver programmable buttons. The vent physically cleaves the left side into two distinct groups. It is an honest piece of industrial design. Nothing is where it is by accident, but you need to be careful where you place your fingers when the projector is running.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The right side tells another story. A second vent grille occupies the upper portion, again serving the projector cooling system, and below it, the frame is noticeably cleaner with only a single large silver power key with its integrated fingerprint sensor. The visual contrast between the two sides is immediate. Where the left side is busy by necessity, the right side breathes.

The rear is where the Tank 5 makes its most direct statement of intent. The camping light bar dominates the centre of the chassis, a wide rectangular strip that illuminates with 1200 lumens and RGB warning modes. Above it sits the camera module, with two main lenses at the top right, the night vision lens below left and four infrared LEDs in a horizontal strip. The "TANK PROJECTOR INSIDE" text sits between the camera cluster and the lamp, which is either endearing or unnecessary depending on your tolerance for that kind of thing. The projector aperture itself is at the top edge, along with another flashlight and the SIM card slot.

Compared to the Tank X, the Tank 5 is a more resolved design. The Tank X was 91.8mm wide and 750 grams. The Tank 5 pulls back to 87mm and 715 grams. Those numbers sound modest, but the difference in hand is real. The Tank X sat at the outer limit of a comfortable two-handed span. The Tank 5 comes back just enough to feel deliberate.

What has not changed is the fundamental reality of the form factor. This is not going into any conventional pocket. A jacket chest pocket, a belt holster or a vehicle mount is the practical answer for daily carry. That is the honest consequence of fitting a projector, a 17,600mAh battery and an active cooling system into a single chassis, and the Tank 5 makes no apology for it.

Design score: 3.5/5

8849 Tank 5: Hardware

MediaTek Dimensity 9400e
AMOLED display
17600 mAh fast charge battery

The Dimensity 9400e is an important specification decision. Most rugged phones at this price use mid-range silicon from three to four years ago. The Tank X stepped up to the Dimensity 8200, and that was already a significant advance. The 9400e goes further still, using a 4nm process with Cortex-X4 architecture.

The 'e' suffix indicates a slightly binned or optimised version of the full 9400. In practice, real-world performance at this specification level is well beyond anything a rugged phone buyer has previously been able to access at this price point. The comparison with the Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU is also notable for mobile gaming and sustained workloads.

The Tank X, launched in February 2026, was the first 8849 device to achieve 1080p DLP projection at 220 lumens. The Tank 5 carries that hardware forward and adds 2K output with laser autofocus rated to four metres. That four-metre figure is a meaningful practical upgrade, because how far away from the wall you can get dictates the size of the projection. Earlier models topped out at three metres, and the keystone correction has been expanded from two to four points. What this means in practice is a more practical outdoor cinema experience.

The 220-lumen figure also requires context, as it's extremely competitive within this product category, where some devices can only manage 100 lumen. The Ulefone Armor 34 Pro, a direct rival, managed 150 lumens at a lower resolution. However, any projector of this size still demands reasonable darkness for a clear image. The spec sheet implies more than the physics can deliver in daylight, as it needs to be twilight outside or in a shaded room for a good experience. But, this is more than any other brand is currently offering.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

My only complaint about the projector is that not long after it is activated, the cooling fan starts up and can be a little noisy. This won’t be a problem if you are projecting an action blockbuster, but it isn’t ideal for anything with quiet audio and dialogue.

Earlier Tank models used AMOLED panels, but the Tank 5 moves to a 3200x1440 native resolution. The 3000 nits peak brightness is a headline figure borrowed from premium consumer phones, and the results are spectacular.

Considering how good the display is, that 8849 went with Panda Glass to protect it, and not stronger Gorilla Glass Victus is disappointing.

That choice looks entirely cost-driven, but conversely, the battery technology used in the Tank 5 doesn’t hold back.

Seventeen thousand six hundred milliamp hours is a substantial number, even by rugged phone standards. The Tank 4 used an 11,600mAh cell. The Tank X brought the 17,600mAh configuration back after the Tank 3 and Tank 3 Pro sat at around 23,800mAh. The Tank 5 pairs that 17,600mAh capacity with 120W charging, which can be recharged in just over 90 minutes, incredibly. It does this by using a dual-cell design, so it works like two 8800mAh batteries.

The addition of 25W reverse charging makes the Tank 5 a practical field power bank. At that capacity, it can top up a standard 5000mAh smartphone three times over. For field workers and outdoor users, this is a genuinely compelling capability, even if you lose some of the capacity in the transfer.

Another full-cream feature is Wi-Fi 7. Most rugged phones ship with Wi-Fi 6 at best. The inclusion of eSIM alongside dual nano SIM slots gives the Tank 5 flexibility that neither predecessor offered. For travellers, the combination of eSIM, dual-frequency GPS and extensive 5G band support is a strong package. The addition of eSIM also means you can ditch one of the physical Nano SIMs, fit a MicroSD card in the tray, and still have two network services.

With a few minor exceptions, the specifications of the Tank 5 place it in the premium rugged phone bracket.

Hardware score: 4.5/5

8849 Tank 5: Cameras

50MP main + 50MP telephoto + 50MP night vision
32MP on the front
Four cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The 8849 Tank 5 has four cameras:

Rear camera: 50MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KGN1SP, 50MP OmniVision OV50C40, 50MP OmniVision OV50D40
Front camera: 32MP OV32B40

The camera cluster on the Tank 5 is a significant rethink compared to what came before it. On the Tank X, the three sensors were arranged in a vertical strip, with the 8MP telephoto the obvious weak link in the lineup.

The Tank 5 design addresses this directly with all three rear sensors now 50 megapixels, and this is a much more balanced package.

The two primary lenses sit at the top right of the module in a paired arrangement, noticeably larger than the sensors below. The night vision camera sits below and to the left, with the four infrared LEDs arranged in a horizontal strip beneath it. It is a purposeful, asymmetric layout that prioritises the main imaging hardware without pretending everything is equal.

The main sensor is a Samsung ISOCELL GN1 with phase detection autofocus. That’s a well-regarded chip with a strong track record on mainstream flagship devices. It is a genuine step up from the Sony sensor used on the Tank X, which, while capable, was hampered by the overall image processing pipeline more than the sensor itself. The GN1 brings improved low-light capture and better dynamic range handling. It might not be the 108MP sensor we’ve seen elsewhere, but the arrangement is decent and effective.

The caveat to this choice is that, while there is a PRO mode in the camera application, there are relatively few other special modes or HDR. This camera doesn’t do panoramas or slow motion, though it can do timelapse and super-resolution.

Video capture can be in resolutions up to 4K, but there is no control over the framerate, irrespective of the capture resolution.

The telephoto upgrade is the most important change for practical use. Going from 8MP to 50MP with optical image stabilisation transforms what the camera can do at a distance. The Tank X telephoto was essentially a crop tool dressed up as a lens. The Tank 5 telephoto is a genuine optical system with 3x zoom, and OIS means it remains usable in the kind of low-stability field conditions this phone is designed for. Hiking, construction sites, and vehicle-mounted use. All of these benefit from stabilisation in ways that a rugged phone buyer will actually notice.

The night vision camera is the one area where the upgrade is less straightforward. The Tank X used a 64MP OmniVision sensor for its night vision work, paired with four IR LEDs. The Tank 5 drops to a 50MP sensor for that role, but it's just as effective. The megapixel reduction is not inherently a problem, as night vision performance depends far more on sensor size, IR LED power, and processing than on raw resolution.

The front camera remains unchanged from Tank X, a 32MP with an OmniVision OV32B40 sensor and an f/1.7 aperture. A competent selfie and video-call solution by definition.

What the cluster cannot do is match a photography-focused flagship. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or Pixel 9 Pro operate in a different league for computational photography, colour science and video processing.

That comparison is not unfair, but it is also largely irrelevant. The Tank 5 camera system is built for documenting field conditions, capturing evidence, seeing in the dark and shooting at range from an unstable platform. On those terms, it is well-equipped, and the results are better than those of some phones with more megapixels to play with.

One disappointment is that with a camera that can capture 4K video, and play that back nicely on the AMOLED screen, you won’t be using that display to see high-quality streams, because 8849 wouldn’t pay for Widevine L1 encryption.

8849 Tank 5 Camera samplesMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark Pickavance

Camera score: 4/5

8849 Tank 5: Performance

4nm SoC
Premium performance

Phone

8849 Tank 5

8849 Tank X

SoC

MediaTek Dimensity 9400E

MediaTek Dimensity 8200

GPU

ARM Immortalis-G720 MC12

Mali-G610 MC6

NPU

MediaTek NPU 790

MediaTek NPU 580

Memory

16GB/512GB

Weight

750g

Battery

17600

Geekbench

Single

2097

1260

Multi

6536

3939

OpenCL

12943

4056

Vulkan

14916

4517

PCMark

3.0 Score

18477

15637

Battery

32h 25m (14%)

32h 48m (20% left)

Charge 30

Passmark

Score

25227

17045

CPU

11866

8623

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

Maxed Out

Slingshot Ex. OGL

Maxed Out

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

Maxed Out

Wildlife

Maxed Out

6343

Nomad Lite

1820

632

With so few competitors in this niche, it seemed logical to compare this 8849 to its predecessor, the Tank X.

And what we quickly learn here is that the Dimensity 9400e is a beast compared to the Dimensity 8200, outperforming it in every respect. The most sobering score is the 3DMark Nomad Lite performance, where it is nearly 300% better at this demanding benchmark.

But the other takeaway here is that you can have a more powerful SoC, without it impacting the power consumption dramatically. With the same battery capacity, the running time is remarkably similar to that of the Tank X, even though it does more over that time.

But where the Tank 5 really shows the most dramatic improvement is in the recharging of the battery, which took hours on the Tank X, and can be done in close to 90 minutes on the Tank 5. In just thirty minutes, being able to recover 46% of the battery is excellent.

Overall, the Tank 5 is a top-tier performer for whatever apps you wish to install.

Performance score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)8849 Tank 5: Final verdict

The 8849 Tank 5 is the most technically accomplished rugged projector phone yet made. It takes the Tank X's headline concept and delivers a genuine performance upgrade at every level. The Dimensity 9400e is fast. The 3K AMOLED display is bright. The 17,600mAh battery is enormous. The projector is now 2K capable with laser autofocus at four metres.

None of that comes without compromise.

The device is very heavy, and the projector still benefits from darkness, whatever the spec sheet implies. And the lack of a published software update policy is a concern worth flagging for any buyer planning to keep this device for several years.

For the specific buyer this device is designed for, the Tank 5 is a compelling proposition. It does things no other phone can match in a single chassis. That remains, as it has been throughout the Tank series, both its greatest strength and its clearest self-selection filter.

Yes, it might have the ideal characteristics to make a decent boat anchor, but when you pack this much technology into a phone, it was never going to be lightweight and slim.

Should I buy a 8849 Tank 5?8849 Tank 5 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Probably the right price for a phone with such high specs.

4.5/5

Design

Thick and heavy, but nicely finished and presented.

4/5

Hardware

Excellent SoC, gorgeous AMOLED display and fast charging battery

4.5/5

Camera

Practical sensors for those recording for the workplace

4/5

Performance

Powerful Dimensity 9400e and full charge in 90 minutes battery

4.5/5

Overall

Best phone with a projector so far

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You love adventure
This is the perfect device if you work or adventure in environments where battery life is critical and multi-day use without a charger is a regular requirement. I’m not sure you would want to hike with hardware this heavy, but for a rugged device for capturing images and video and then projecting them, it's exceptional.

You carry lots of data or apps
With 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, this phone is ideal for those who like to carry data and install numerous apps. And, if you give up a SIM card slot, you can add a MicroSD card for even more space.

Don't buy it if...

You travel light
For some, a phone weighing more than 700g is a practical dealbreaker, and it's so big that it won't easily fit in a pocket. It could be a serious issue if you fall into water.

You don't need a projector
The cost of this device is tied to its feature set, and so if you don't want the projector, there seems little point in buying this. Other rugged designs with this SoC, memory and storage are available for less than 8849 is asking for the Tank 5.

Also Consider

8849 Tank X
A predecessor to the Tank X. It features a less powerful SoC, a lower resolution and brightness projector, but the same battery capacity. The biggest weakness of this design is how slowly, compared to the Tank 5, the battery recharges. However, it is a little cheaper for those looking to save money.

Check out my full 8849 Tank X review

ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola
The ThinkPhone 25 offers a powerful SoC, robust package, practical form factor, high-quality camera sensors and decent battery life at a mid-range price point. But, it’s not available in the USA, sadly.

Read our ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola reviewView Deal

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

Categories: Reviews

Lofty CRM review 2026

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 06/30/2026 - 05:24

As a realtor-focused customer relationship management (CRM) platform, Chime, now known as Lofty, aims to streamline the entire lead-to-deal process. Its intuitive interface and all-in-one feature set make it a compelling option for realty businesses looking to grow their pipelines and close more sales.

Lofty's key capabilities span lead generation, contact management, and deal tracking. The platform offers an IDX website builder, AI-powered marketing automation, and a mobile app for on-the-go access. While these comprehensive features may come with a learning curve, they enable realtors to qualify leads, prioritize follow-ups, and gain visibility into team performance metrics.

During my review, I found it to be a robust CRM platform for realty teams wanting to consolidate their tech stack. Regular product updates, good user feedback, and a niche focus provide strong evidence of Lofty's customer-centric approach. For growing realtor businesses, Lofty warrants strong consideration.

Lofty CRM core capabilities You can easily navigate across Chime CRM’s extensive feature list from desktop and mobile.Chime CRMChime CRM’s ad targeting tool works across many major platforms, including Google and Facebook.Chime CRMTo increase your close rate, let Chime CRM’s Smart Suggestions recommend the next best step.Chime CRMConveniently, your IDX website builder is in the same place as your customer data.Chime CRM

Lofty's core CRM capabilities strike me as quite robust, well-suited for the needs of most real estate businesses. It covers all the essential features you'd expect in a comprehensive CRM system.

For contact management, Lofty offers solid lead generation and capture tools. The AI Assistant can automatically match new leads to appropriate listings and set up customized property alerts based on their behavior. This intelligent lead nurturing helps keep prospects engaged.

I was impressed by Lofty's pipeline tracking capabilities as well. The platform provides a good overview of your sales pipeline, with visual reports on the status of deals. You can create customizable "Smart Plans" to automate workflows and keep transactions moving smoothly.

Another standout is Lofty's forecasting algorithm, which uses agent performance data and historical trends to predict future sales. As an analyst, I always appreciate a CRM that offers strong reporting and analytics. Lofty lets you monitor key metrics like volume, closings, and revenue in real-time.

For agents frequently in the field, Lofty's mobile app is indispensable. It provides access to critical CRM features on the go, including the ability to contact leads and use the built-in Power Dialer.

If I had to critique Lofty, I'd say the depth of its sales analytics could be stronger compared to some enterprise-grade CRMs. But for most real estate teams, it likely provides ample insights to optimize performance.

Overall, Lofty appears to be a well-rounded CRM platform. By combining essential contact management, deal tracking, and reporting capabilities with industry-specific features, Lofty positions itself as a solid contender in the real estate CRM space. While it may have some room for improvement, Lofty's core functionality is more than enough for most agencies.

How easy is Lofty CRM to use?

Having the property market at your fingertips with the IDX website builder can help win deals more quickly. (Image credit: Chime CRM)

Lofty CRM shines with its clean and intuitive UI that even CRM novices can navigate with little training. The well-organized layout and ample white space make it simple to find the tools and data you need. Performing essential tasks like updating contacts or placing a call only requires a few clicks.

Lofty's mobile app brings the desktop version's core functionality to your smartphone, enabling agents to work efficiently on the go. This accessibility is a huge plus for busy real estate professionals constantly juggling client meetings and property showings.

The CRM offers a solid range of customization options, letting you tailor dashboards, reports, and workflows to match your unique business processes. However, it may take some time to fully explore and configure these features to optimize your setup.

To smooth the onboarding process, Lofty provides helpful training videos that walk new users through the basics of the platform. These resources can significantly reduce the learning curve and help your team hit the ground running.

That said, given its extensive capabilities, it's realistic to expect an adjustment period as you get acquainted with all the bells and whistles. Mastering advanced features and fine-tuning automated sequences will likely require some trial and error.

In my experience, most users can become comfortable with Lofty's core functions within a couple of weeks. But reaching peak proficiency and fully customizing the system to your needs may take a month or two of consistent use.

While not without a learning curve, Lofty CRM's thoughtful design and educational resources make it an accessible, user-friendly choice for real estate teams. With a bit of practice and exploration, you'll be leveraging this powerful tool like a pro in no time.

Integrations

Lofty offers several pre-built integrations out of the box with popular real estate tools and services. This includes lead capture and parsing integrations with Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com, email integrations with Gmail and Exchange, calendar sync with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook, and transaction management tie-ins with Brokermint, Dotloop, and Skyslope.

The CRM also integrates with marketing automation and video tools like BombBomb, MailChimp, Cloud CMA, and Dubb. Based on my experience, most of the key applications real estate teams would need seem to be supported natively.

For more custom integrations, Lofty does offer an API. However, documentation on its full capabilities is limited. The main use case highlighted is accessing queue and agent availability data from the Lofty support desk. While useful, this is a fairly narrow integration scenario.

Where Lofty really shines is its support for iPaaS tools like Zapier. Using Zapier, you can connect Lofty with 1000s of other web apps and automate data syncing and workflow steps between them. I found several examples of real estate teams using Zapier to integrate Lofty with tools like ClickFunnels for lead capture and Roomvu for lead qualification.

So while Lofty's custom API is lacking, the combination of pre-built integrations with key industry tools and extensive Zapier support makes it a very extensible platform overall. It should meet the integration needs of most real estate businesses without heavy technical lifting.

How good is Lofty CRM support?

Lofty CRM provides several live support channels, including phone and email, but it seems to lack a live chat option based on my research. While they do offer a knowledge base with articles and tutorials, there doesn't appear to be an active user forum or community for peer-to-peer support.

Where it really struggles is in the quality and responsiveness of the customer service. Many user reviews mention slow response times, with support agents often just reading from scripts rather than providing personalized assistance. Some customers report waiting weeks to get critical account issues resolved.

Lofty touts a 96% customer satisfaction rate on its website, but that figure seems suspect given the numerous complaints I came across on sites like TrustRadius and G2. On TrustRadius, Lofty's support is ranked poorly compared to other major CRM brands. One reviewer called their service "awful" and said it made the platform nearly impossible to use.

Reddit contains several threads with users venting frustrations about Lofty's "atrocious" and "joke" of a support experience. Agents apparently say anything to get people off the phone without actually resolving problems. Tax issues and account lockouts are cited as common issues that linger unaddressed.

I think Lofty has built a powerful CRM product, but they have seriously dropped the ball when it comes to backing it up with quality customer service. For a tool that is so critical to a business's operations, I would have major concerns about relying on Lofty based on these support shortcomings.

Response and resolution times are clearly well below industry standards, and the lack of live chat and community forum options is disappointing for a modern SaaS company. Until Lofty makes major investments in expanding and upleveling their customer service, I would be hesitant to recommend them over competing CRM platforms with better reputations for support.

Lofty CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Core

Premier

Business

Price

$449/month

$700/month

$1500/month

Best For

Individual agents starting with CRM tools

Small teams needing enhanced collaboration

Larger teams requiring comprehensive features

Features

Basic lead management

Email marketing

Mobile app access

API access

Advanced reporting

Team collaboration tools

Dedicated customer support

AI-driven insights

Custom integrations

Limitations

Basic features only, limited support

Limited advanced features, higher cost

Complex setup, requires training

Lofty offers three main pricing plans to suit different types and sizes of real estate teams. The pricing model is subscription-based, with a monthly fee that varies depending on the plan and number of users.

The starter "Core" plan is priced at $449 per month (plus a $500 one-time setup fee) and is designed for solo agents and small teams just getting started with a CRM. It includes core CRM features like lead management, marketing automation, and an MLS-connected IDX website.

The most popular "Premier" plan starts at $700 per month for up to 15 users (with a $1,000 onboarding fee). Additional users can be added for $25 each per month. This plan unlocks advanced capabilities like custom dashboards, API access, and dedicated support.

For larger teams, the "Enterprise" plan starts at $1500 per month for up to 100 users, with each additional user costing $12/month. It offers the full suite of Lofty features plus extras like white-labeling and a dedicated success manager. The Enterprise plan also has a one-time $2000 setup fee.

On top of the base subscription fees, there can be additional charges for certain premium add-ons and integrations, like advanced analytics or third-party data enrichment services. The costs for these extras are not openly published. In addition, mandatory onboarding fees can add up significant;y. For instance, the Core plan is typically accompanied by a $500 upfront fee, while the Premier setup fee is usually $1,000 upfront.

Lofty does not offer a free plan or a self-service free trial, primarily because setting up the platform requires linking real-time local MLS data feeds and configuring custom website builds. Instead, potential customers must book a personalized tour with a solutions advisor to receive a custom quote and negotiate contracts. Discounts are typically available if you opt for annual billing upfront, which generally shaves about 10% off the total cost.

Overall, while not the cheapest option on the market, Lofty's pricing seems reasonable given the comprehensive feature set and strong track record with real estate professionals. The tiered plans provide flexibility to accommodate different team sizes and budgets. But the lack of transparent pricing for enterprise-grade features and add-ons is a bit disappointing.

Potential buyers will definitely want to take advantage of the free trial and get a custom quote to determine the true long-term costs for their specific needs before signing up. For smaller teams and solo agents, there may be more affordable alternatives to evaluate as well.

How we tested Lofty

Evaluating Lofty (formerly Chime) utilizes our a distinct CRM testing framework compared to standard, standalone SaaS solutions. Because Lofty unifies contact management, front-end client-facing websites, and active AI into a single ecosystem, I made sure to put the platform through a stringent testing protocol designed to push its functionalities to the limit.

My hands-on evaluation took into account Lofty's native Content Management System (CMS), where I tested the front-end user experience by executing mock property searches. I also looked at Lofty's tech stack integration and audited its onboarding architecture - all taking into account the full cost of ownership.

Lofty CRM review: Final verdict

Lofty, formerly called Chime, is a robust real estate CRM platform that combines essential contact and deal management features with advanced marketing automation and analytics tailored for the industry. In reviewing it firsthand, I was impressed by the breadth and depth of its feature set.

That said, Lofty is best suited for growth-focused real estate teams and brokerages seeking a fully-featured industry-specific CRM to manage their businesses. Budget-conscious solo agents may find it a bit overkill.

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Garmin Forerunner 70 review: Substantial upgrades that come at a cost

I tested Hostinger Horizons - read what I thought of this commendable no-code app development platform for creating feature-rich web apps

Plugable 10-in-1 USB-C Hub review: This sleek and durable dock transformed my two-port laptop into a capable desktop workstation

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair shows that for premium comfort you really do have to pay a premium price

GMKtec NucBox K17 review: A highly capable AI mini PC that balances performances for day-to-day office tasks

‘It tracked flawlessly across every surface I tested’ — this Logitech productivity and gaming mouse I reviewed is almost as good as my all time fave, thanks to its sky-high 30,000 DPI and 8,000Hz polling rate

I launched my amphibious friends to the beat in Rhythm Heaven Groove — it’s a great continuation of what came before and a wonderfully whimsical time on Nintendo Switch

Bolt no-code review

Replit no-code review

Easemate.ai review

I expected to hate Enola Holmes 3, but the new Netflix movie and Millie Bobby Brown are incredibly entertaining — despite some laughable flaws

WD Red Plus 4TB review: The WD40EFPX is a reliable NAS hard drive small business users might buy on price alone

I tested it, and Astell & Kern’s new pocketable smartphone DAC is a clear winner for detail, marred just slightly by bantamweight bass

TerraMaster F4-425 Pro NAS review: An improvement on predecessors, but falls short of what others are bringing to the same party

HyperDrive Next Thunderbolt 5 Dock review: An imperfect docking station that's built to last with one feature that might surprise you

I spent a month with the Motorola Razr Plus 2026, and it's a great flip phone with a worryingly short lifespan

GMKtec EVO-T2 review: An impressive AI mini PC that goes some way to addressing the imbalance between the best Intel can offer over AMD

I tested the Huawei MatePad Pro Max, and I wish this iPad Pro-rivaling tablet had the software to match its excellent hardware

8849 Tank 5 review: A fast-charging, heavyweight rugged phone with an incredible projector

Lofty CRM review 2026

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