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Omega-3 is known for its many health benefits, but should you take it regularly? Here's everything you should know about this compound.

It's one of the most famous rock songs ever — Bohemian Rhapsody — and now, for the first time, it's been translated with Queen's blessing into Zulu.

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Interested in mushroom gummies? Take these pros and cons from experts into account before pulling the trigger.

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE: Two-minute review

Here's a thing very few of the best wired earbuds offer, at least in the mass-produced consumer space: specialized tuning for each member of your band – yes, even the bass player. But that's what Beyerdynamic did at the very start of the year, releasing not one but four sets of IEMs tuned just slightly differently, in a bid to give each of your musician friends what they need.

The set I have under review here is the DT 72 IE, "for guitarists and singers". These IEMs boast a "subtly tuned bass" so as not to overwhelm during performance. The optimized frequency response here is also listed as between 200-500 Hz to compensate for the occlusion effect. This is a known issue wherein the perception one's own voice is too loud, hollow, or even boomy due to the ear canal's obstruction (with said IEMs, funnily enough) and the trapping of sonic vibrations within.

What of the rest of the range? DT 70 IE is billed as the set "for mixing and critical listening". DT 71 IE is "for drummers and bassists" with a sound signature that Beyerdynamic says "enhances low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones". DT 73 IE is the pair for the orchestral musician, pianist or keyboard player, with extra care taken on treble overtones (there's a subtle boost from 5kHz upwards).

I think it's fair to say that given the asking fee of whichever set you pick (which is $499, or anywhere from £431 to £479 in the UK, so around AU$900) these are IEMs for the successful musician – something emphasized by acclaimed jazz pianist, gospel artist and producer Cory Henry and Gina Miles (winner of The Voice Season 23) who both agreed to help showcase the new products in January of this year.

(Image credit: Future)

Am I qualified to give these singer-specific buds a thorough appraisal? I'd say so. It's been a while, granted, but I've performed in several big musicals, films, and a fair few gigs over the years, often with a trusty pair of cheap and cheerful Shure SE215 in (or hanging out of) my ears. Hey, I sang solo and covered leads, y'know…

The Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not like my old Shure workhorses, though, reader. This is what I would have bought myself if I'd been making something other than a lowly performer's wage, and/or had the promise of work engagements lasting for more than six months at a time. The latter is something not even the best of us regularly gets… and I was far from the best.

But let's put the delicate topics of coin and talent to one side. The DT 72 IE are very well made. The case is fabric but pocketable and holds its shape – the 1.4m cable will not tangle, is near-silent and comes with a 3.5mm termination and 6.35 mm adapter. The headshells are beautifully small. Your accessories are also resoundingly high-end: alongside the five pairs of silicone ear tips, you also get three in Comply memory foam (which I'll always go for, if they're offered). You even get a spare set of earwax guards and detailed instructions on how to switch them out, if and when the need arises.

You'll need to shape the ear hooks yourself, but once you take a moment to get it right, I found them very comfortable and also hardly noticeable (from a visual perspective) once in my ear. So far, so successful.

What about for sound? I fired up my FiiO M23 and a few of my old audition standards. Now, I had no access to the pro mixer, mic or gain stages I used to enjoy, back in the day – so full disclosure: I couldn't set any of that up. What follows is my analysis of the DT 72 IE as listening devices to analyze my own recorded vocals and also to record a quick demo – en route to a last-minute audition, say.

And, good grief, did I hear extra detail and even a bit of vib to be proud of in my own rendition of The Show Must Go On from 2018, sung as an aerialist/singer in a German Queen tribute show called We Are the Champions. All true, I promise.

It's as if guitar riffs and my voice has been plucked from the soundstage and held above the mix in a surgical layering system, like items to be admired (or admonished) aside from all else. It's exactly what your lead vocalist of axe man needs, to hone their craft and I wish I'd had them when performing every day. If I'd had the DT 72 IE, I might've realized I was just a touch flat when trying to reach "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer" on that cruise ship gig…

Any drawbacks to the DT 72 IE sonically? This is an analytical listen, rather than an exciting one. From a listener's perspective, things can feel just a little flat on occasion. This is because the bass injection has been pulled back and so, dynamically, tracks can feel just a touch uneventful. Beyerdynamic has expressed as much and offers another model for critical listening and/or mixing, but it's still worth stating for those who want something to lay down tracks with and to listen purely for the pleasure of doing so.

Personally, I love them. If your favorite aspect of recorded music is the lead singer and/or the guitar solos, you may have found the set of IEMs for you. No, they're not neutral – that's the whole point.

(Image credit: Future)Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Price and release date

• Released on January 23, 2025
• Priced $499 / from £431 (around AU$900)

It's important to state that the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not unique – IEMs pitched squarely at vocalists exist (from companies such as Moondrop, 64 Audio and even Sennheiser) and the 64 Audio U12t, for example, costs four times as much as the Beyer product you're reading about.

The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, however, (a popular choice among the musicians I know) cost around a fifth of the DT 72 IE's asking fee. So it really is a mixed bag…

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Specs

Drivers

Dynamic (closed)

Weight

3g per earpiece (without ear tip)

Frequency range

5Hz - 40kHz

Waterproof rating

None

Other features

No in-line mic, plenty of accessories

(Image credit: Future)Should you buy the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

What these earbuds are designed for has been beautifully achieved – no more, no less

5/5

Sound quality

If picking out the vocal or guitar is what you need, they deliver. If you want to listen casually, too, they may not be for you – but that's hardly fair

4.5/5

Design

Beautifully svelte earpieces and cable, only let down by the need to bend (and re-bend) the ear hooks yourself

4.5/5

Value

To call them 'mid-range' feels unfathomable, but the prices you can pay in this niche sector of the market are variable, to say the least

4/5

Buy them if...

You're a pro singer or guitarist – and you're good
Done OK for gigs recently and want to level up your art? I think these are a great professional product.

You have a smaller ear
I may well put these into our best earbuds for small ears guide, because they slip so happily into my smaller tragus and present no issues to my bijou ear canal.

Don't buy them if...

You want an all-round listen
These are not that product, despite their considerably gifted performance when it comes to vocals and midrange instruments.

Gigs haven't been plentiful lately
These are either a treat for the end of a lucrative run of shows or something for the muso not short of work in general. Those of us who don't know where (or from whom) the next paycheck is coming may sadly have to look elsewhere.

Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Also consider

This particular product is a tad niche for TechRadar (we're not a dedicated musician or performer site, as you'll know) but personal experience has taught me that Shure's 215 SE are often the entry-level option here, as are the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro – both of which are a lot cheaper than the model listed above.

Are they as good? No, that wouldn't be fair given the dearth in price – and that's the point I want make here: if you have the money, the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are very, very good for singers and guitarists.

(Image credit: Future)Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: How I tested

• Tested across two weeks
• Used at home, listening to my vocal recordings and regular testing tracks
• Predominantly tested using my iPhone (and hi-res Flac files on my laptop)

I had to go back to 2018 (the last time I sang professionally, and the year before I became a full-time audio journalist) in the name of testing the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE.

I revisited a time when money was tight but professional fulfilment was plentiful. I had work! Lots of it – and I also had a post-grad degree to pay for. I listened to both my own vocals (even the ones recorded quickly as voice memos on my iPhone, to learn a tricksy harmony line in rehearsal) and then to everything from Melissa Etheridge to Ginuwine – both of whom I love for what they've given to music.

And know this: the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE were never uncomfortable and always enlightening during my testing.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: August 2025

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An angry mob set fire to a local parliament building in an Indonesian provincial capital, leaving at least three people dead and five others hospitalized, officials said.

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• European banks freeze PayPal transactions after fraud system failure sparks disruption
• Merchants face delayed payments as billions in PayPal direct debits halted
• Suspicious surge forces lenders to suspend PayPal activity across Germany and Europe

European banks temporarily froze PayPal transactions worth billions after fraud system failure triggered widespread suspension of direct debits and delayed payments for online merchants and customers.

A number of German lenders, including Bayerische Landesbank, Hessische Landesbank and DZ-Bank, reportedly halted direct debits linked to the online payment platform after detecting suspicious activity.

German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung said the total amount involved could exceed €10 billion.

"Temporary service interruption"

The issue appears to have started late last week when PayPal submitted a wave of direct debits to banks without filtering them through its fraud checks.

That led to an unusual surge in transactions that looked suspicious or potentially fraudulent.

The banks’ own systems flagged the irregularities and many decided to freeze all PayPal activity for a period.

A spokesperson for PayPal confirmed the disruption, saying, “PayPal had a temporary service interruption that impacted certain transactions from our banking partners and possibly their customers. We quickly identified the cause and are working closely with our banking partners to ensure all accounts have been updated.”

On PayPal’s help page, a bright red banner currently says: “Over the weekend, we experienced a temporary service interruption that resulted in transactions being delayed for a small number of accounts. The issue has since been resolved.”

The German Banking Industry Committee noted that irregularities were observed on Monday and that individual institutions responded accordingly.

For merchants, the freeze meant payments did not arrive on time, even though customers still held onto their money. Insiders told SZ that reconciling the affected transactions could take days.

The scale of the disruption and the temporary freeze of payments underlines the risks of failures in systems that process such a large share of online commerce.

The new problem comes shortly after PayPal was linked to the appearance of millions of stolen account details on the dark web. That case was tied to past breaches rather than a fresh attack, but it still raises questions about the safety of online accounts.

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One of the hardest 'skills' in photography is often staying motivated to keep shooting. Once you've learnt the fundamentals, how do you keep that spark of beginner enthusiasm? It can be easy to fall into a rut and stop shooting completely. That's what happened to me, so a few months ago I took the nuclear option and gave my old Fujifilm X-T3 an infrared conversion.

There were definitely simpler, cheaper alternatives, but I justified the decision in a few ways. Firstly, my old X-T3 was gathering dust and I needed to either sell it or give it a new lease of life. Secondly, I have a bad habit of throwing money at creative blocks and couldn't justify buying any more lenses. But most importantly, I live in the UK and was summertime was on the horizon.

1/2000s at f/8, ISO 160. I soon learned that darker leading lines usually work best with infrared photography. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

Photographers often recoil from the summer like vampires because of the harsh light and ludicrously early sunrises. But this is actually the season where infrared photography shines. Sunlight is bursting with 'near-infrared' light, whose wavelengths are invisible to the human eye. Yet with the right kit, you can capture this light – and see the world in new and strange ways.

It's still early days for my infrared adventure, but I'm very glad I took the plunge – and if you're similarly looking for a refreshing vacation into the surreal, then it could be for you too...

Instant snow mode

Infrared photography is, like astrophotography, a world unto itself. You could spend days learning the theory of 'false color', 'channel swapping' and 'hot spots' without even taking a photo. I wanted to keep things simple, so I took the easiest route.

There are broadly two kinds of infrared photography and two ways to get into it. The psychedelic kind, which was big on 1960s albums covers, is 'false color'. It's called 'false' because the human eye can't see infrared light, so color is added using editing techniques – and the results can be very strange indeed.

1/1000s at f/9, ISO 160. I've shot in London's Richmond Park many times, but it was refreshing to get infrared's almost graphical take on the cycling hotspot. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

For me, pink trees and blue grass is just too big a leap into the strange, so I leaned towards black-and-white infrared photography. This still has the surreal element of glowing leaves and dark skies, but without going full Salvador Dali. Plus, as someone who doesn't typically shoot in monochrome, it gave me a bonus challenge.

So how do you start an infrared adventure? The cheaper and arguably more sensible option is to use lens filters, which you can buy from the likes of Hoya and Urth. But the downside is that these drastically cut the amount of light coming into your lens, so you usually have to use a tripod and long exposures.

This didn't really work for me, because the big appeal of infrared was the simplicity – heading out at a reasonable hour on a sunny day and shooting black-and-white. So I took the other option of converting an old camera.

1/800s at f/8, ISO 160. Complex scenes don't always work well in infrared photography, but high-contrast light helps – and the XF70-300mm lens works well with IR cameras. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

Being based in the UK, I found Protech Photographic, who converted my Fujifilm X-T3 for £300 (around $410 / AU$620).

The likes of Kolari offer a similar service in the US, though I can't vouch for the quality. The DIY route is also possible, but definitely not for the faint-hearted (or ham-fisted).

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1/640 at f/8, ISO 160. I'd like to return to Petworth Park in the UK as it's a bit of a goldmine for IR photography. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)Image 2 of 5

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(Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)What is infrared?

(Image credit: Shutterstock / petrroudny43)

Infrared has a longer wavelength than 'visible light', which is what the human eye can see. The world reflects infrared light differently, which is why trees glow and skies darken. Most IR-converted digital cameras capture 'near infrared' light, rather than the extreme end that's used by thermal cameras or night vision.

Before you get to go out and become obsessed with glowing trees, there is one final decision – what kind of IR conversion you want. These are categorized in wavelengths (measured in nanometers) and you'll need to choose the right one to match your preferred style of photography.

They start at 590nm and go up to 'full spectrum', but 720nm is often the most popular for black-and-white IR snapping because it strikes a good balance between letting through infrared light without going too extreme – so that's what I went for.

Beginner fun

So why bother with all of this? I've found infrared to be the spark I needed to get me shooting again and thinking about snapping in new ways. For me, it’s been like discovering a new guitar tuning – it doesn’t instantly make you ‘better’ in any way, but it does (quite literally) help you see something familiar in a new light.

Infrared naturally comes with its own pitfalls and learning curve. When I first looked through my viewfinder – using Fuji’s monochrome film simulation to preview the final image – everything looked incredible. It was like waking up to fresh snow, except snow rarely looks as good in photos as it does in real life.

1/800s at f/9, ISO 160. Having a darker anchor point definitely helps with infrared photos on bright days. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

I took reams of bad shots of glowing trees (an effect called ‘halation’) before I started to understand infrared’s strengths.

Good black-and-white photography comes from understanding luminosity and contrast, and infrared flips the world upside down. Bright skies turn black, and tree foliage glows. It takes a while to lock your eye in, but that’s part of the fun. It gives you a taste of that beginner joy again.

Once I'd got going, my other question was simply – what is the actual point of infrared photography? That's taken a bit longer to work out. There’s nothing wrong with taking surreal, pretty photos for the sake of it, but my best images came when I started to see scenes that worked with infrared's strengths – and that was helpful in a few particular cases.

Embrace the weirdness

I’d been looking to shoot a photogenic group of petrified oak trees in Essex, England which date back to around the year 900. The place definitely has an eerie atmosphere that apparently inspired the Martian landing scene in The War of the Worlds.

Shooting in early summer wasn't ideal, but this is where infrared can help – and it's also a good match for scenes that already have an otherworldly look. If your subject is dark and striking, then bright foliage can help support it and also bring out the 'personalities' of trees, if that doesn't sound too new age.

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1/500s at f/10, ISO 160. This is another scene I'd like to return to in different light, although the ancient trees are understandably protected now so a zoom lens like the XF70-300mm is a must. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)Image 2 of 7

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Once I'd photographed almost every tree in south England, I found that infrared can also work in urban scenes too. Two places I wanted to try were London's Canary Wharf (a financial district that feels a bit like The Truman Show) and the Wimbledon tennis championships.

Because glass blocks most near-infrared light, any windows in your infrared scenes tend to go dark or black. That can be helpful if you're trying to capture intimidating skyscrapers in a financial capital, and also helps to strip out clutter and distractions.

Most windows turn black in infrared photography because glass absorbs or reflects the light, which can make buildings look more intimidating. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

The other benefit of urban IR snapping is that it helps tease out the strangeness of places that are a bit too man-made. The classic combo is bright foliage next to dark windows or water, but some materials reflect infrared light in surprising ways – and that can help add a slightly sci-fi look, if that's what you're going for.

Another fun side quest is finding pops of vegetation to highlight certain parts of a cityscape. I still haven't found my perfect combo of light and skyline, but even a backlit scene can like the one below (not traditionally great for infrared) can benefit from its slightly dreamy feel.

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1/3200s at f/5.6, ISO 160. Backlit scenes don't typically work well in infrared as the style thrives on high contrast, but you can get a slightly dreamy feel. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)Image 2 of 4

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I also saw the Wimbledon tennis championships as a good infrared challenge because I've never been particularly happy with the 'normal' shots I've taken there. It's hard to avoid falling into the strawberries-and-cream clichés, as it's such a bright and cheery place. But does Wimbledon have a dark side?

Okay, 'dark' is a bit strong, but for some players (as this year's women's final showed), the place probably feels pretty intimidating – and as a punter it feels like there are large sections of the grounds that are cordoned off for a special few. Infrared can even make anything look creepy with the right light, but it was fun to tease out a side of Wimbledon I hadn't previously captured.

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Shooting the Wimbledon tennis championships in infrared gave me some different shots to my previous visits, and it helps that everyone dresses in white. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)Image 2 of 7

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Unfortunately, I realized too late that the end of a day, when most people have stumbled out of Wimbledon in a champagne-induced daze, is ideal for infrared. You don't always have to shoot around midday – a low sun casting deep shadows also creates the contrast that's great for black-and-white, so I'll definitely return to make more of that.

Glass ceiling

I'm still learning the infrared ropes, but if you're looking to try it out there are a few important things I've learned over the past few months.

One is lenses. Not all lenses play nicely with IR-converted cameras, as the coatings, materials and glass can interact differently with infrared light – which can create the dreaded 'hot spots' (bright circles in the middle of your photos). I found Rob Shea's crowd-sourced guide to X-mount lenses to be a helpful starting point, and he also has guides for Canon and Nikon.

I mostly used Fujifilm's Monochrome film simulation on my X-T3 to get a preview of black-and-white shots in the field, while shooting in raw for editing. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

I also asked Fujifilm for some guidance. It told me that its internal tests found the XF18-135mm and XF50-140mm to be great performers among its zooms, while for primes the XF30mm macro, XF50mm f/1, XF35mm f/2 and XF50mm f/2 are all highly rated (and I can vouch for the latter two). Older lenses are often best it seems, as the newer XF33mm f/1.4 gave me bright hot spots.

What about editing? The benefit of shooting black-and-white infrared photos is that this is a whole lot simpler than color. My converted Fujifilm camera came with a custom white balance already set, so I just shot in Fuji's monochrome film simulation to give me an idea of the final shot. Because you're often out in the middle of the day, it's very much a fun, point-and-shoot experience – just what I was looking for.

1/640 at f/5.6, ISO 160. Simple scenes with bright foliage and a black sky are ideal for infrared photography. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

I then just used Lightroom Classic to edit the raw files, though any of the best photo editors will do. Those raw files will look a muddy brown to start with, so it's then just a case of applying a profile to bring out the infrared goodness. I found Adobe's built-in B&W ones (go to Profile > Browse) generally did the trick, with B&W 01-04 usually being a good starting point.

One thing I have struggled with is pushing my edits harder towards infrared's natural sense of drama. I usually go for natural, subtle edits, but infrared raw files are crying out for a strong blast of contrast with deep blacks and bright highlights. If you're too careful, shots can end up with a flat, 'grey soup' look, so that's something I'm looking to improve. I'd also like to embrace infrared's abstract potential a lot more.

What is infrared good for?

After a few months with my IR-converted X-T3, and many mistakes, I've started to get a taste for what works best with infrared photography.

One lesson is that simplicity is everything. Choosing an uncluttered scene with a strong anchor is a good idea for all types of photography, but it's essential for infrared photos – otherwise that glowing scene that looked great in your viewfinder will look like post-snow slush.

1/400s at f/8, ISO 160. I tried this tribute to Bill Brandt's classic shot of the Cuckmere River in the UK, which instead has a white river surrounded by a black landscape. Rivers make good subjects as, like windows and the sea, they go dark in infrared. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

I also found that thinking about depth is even more important than usual. Again, using leading lines and layers is nothing new, but many shots that would have typically worked in standard color just fell flat in infrared.

Infrared is also at its most fun when it amplifies a subject or feeling that's already in a scene, rather than just flicking on the 'surreal' switch for the sake of it. In my never-ending quest for scenes that work, I took a trip to the Seven Sisters cliffs on England’s south coast. It ticks a lot of boxes – bright, white cliffs next to a black sea – and while definitely a photographic cliché, was a fun place to shoot.

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The white cliffs at Seven Sisters in the UK are an obvious subject for infrared, so I couldn't resist popping down to its popular postcard scenes. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)Image 2 of 4

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Fortunately, a random patch of mist – not something you typically get in the middle of the day – came in to add some extra drama and I found that ethereal scenes are IR's bread and butter.

Unfortunately, infrared cameras also aren't particularly flexible if you want to also take a traditional street photo, so you may need to rock two cameras on some trips.

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Mist isn't so common in the middle of the day in the UK, which is the ideal time for infrared snapping, but it can help simplify a scene even more. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

But once my initial wave of infrared obsession had subsided – and it does come in waves – my main lesson was to stop looking for big, theatrical scenes and to try to find ones that suit infrared's ability to make the everyday look a bit weird and Hitchcock-like.

1/800s at f/8, ISO 160. A random phone box in a lavender field felt like a good match for infrared's naturally surreal look. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

For example, I found the phone box in the lavender field above, which I probably wouldn't have shot with a normal camera – yet it felt like it benefited from IR's surreal touch.

A break from the old

There are countless photography projects that can help you rediscover your snapping spark, many of which are less expensive than giving your camera an infrared conversion.

But if, like me, you have an older camera that's been gathering dust and isn't your main body, then an IR conversion can be a good way to breathe new life into it – and your photography.

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1/800s at f/7.1, ISO 160. Humans turn a ghostly white in infrared, but some animals look closer to normal. (Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Mark Wilson / Future)

Now that autumn is coming around again in the UK, I can feel the lure of 'normal' photography coming back again. There's also a good chance that, in a few years, I'll look back at my infrared experiments and wonder what I was thinking.

But I also feel rejuvenated by my vacation from the usual worries about 'accuracy', color theory and pesky tripods. A quote I recently saw from Outkast's André 3000 summed it up for me, when he told Rolling Stone about his recent musical experiments: "I'd rather go amateur interesting than master boring".

It's been to fun to hit the reset switch and be a complete beginner again, and that's made the cost of converting my camera feel like something of a bargain.

Do you have an infrared camera or been tempted to give it a go? Let us know in the comments below.

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Rich Girl Nation: Taking Charge of Our Financial Futures.'/>

Experts answer a round of finance questions from NPR's audience, including how to financially support a friend with Stage 4 cancer and how to stop paying for your parents. 

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This past week, AI darling Nvidia reported blockbuster financial results that beat analysts' expectations. But investors weren't impressed and the stock price dropped.

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The west London rivals face off at Stamford Bridge.

While it doesn't come as a surprise, the drama has been fully kicking off in Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Without giving too much away, episode 5 of the Starz show followed Julia (Hermione Corfield) losing her carefully assembled allies after the spilling of secrets, Henry's (Jeremy Irvine) little hope that he has left starting to slip away, and Ellen (Harriet Slater) and Brian (Jamie Roy) having a lovely time celebrating Beltane. Lucky for some.

We've still got no idea how, or if, the original Outlander cast are going to directly cross-over with Outlander: Blood of My Blood (though it is technically possible), and with another five episodes still to go, we can't rule anything out. But when I had a chance to ask Irvine and Corfield exactly what that might be, surprises are coming much sooner than we first thought.

Next week's episode 6 is going to be a particularly challenging one – both for us watching and when the cast initially filmed it. Outlander: Blood of My Blood fans should particularly keep an eye on on Julia, who's about to have "one of her biggest episodes."

Julia has her most challenging moment yet in Outlander: Blood of My Blood episode 6

The full cast of Outlander: Blood of My Blood. (Image credit: Starz)

"That was a big one for us. We both sort of hit rock bottom," Irvine tells me, gesturing to Corfield, "You really had a tough one."

"I did. She goes through a lot of that episode," she replies. Corfield had previously explained to Collider, “Episode 6, for me, was one of my biggest episodes, I would say. It's quite contained. That was a real acting exercise. After I finished that week of filming, because I think we just did it all in one week, because it's basically one massive scene, I got to the end of that week, and I went, ‘Oh, I feel like I've really left it all on the floor.’

"And I think that settled me into it. Because I think when you have something that's got a real rich acting exercise piece, then I think once you've done it, you feel such satisfaction and you're like, ‘Woohoo, I've done it.’”

Irvine continues in our conversation, "It's rare to see Hermione looking tired, but at the end of that week was a different story. The scenes that tough, they're often the ones that we enjoy the most. You get to do proper acting."

What on earth any of this means for the next episode of Outlander: Blood of My Blood remains to be seen. We've seen Henry and Julia both be pushed to the brink individually, but with their blossoming love built on such strong foundations (I'm still not over the love letters), it feels unlikely that the pair will split.

However, it's entirely possible. We know Claire (Caitriona Balfe) has already been born by this point in time, and that's prompted a slew of fan theories that may actually have some weight to them.

Popular theories currently include meeting Claire’s parents in Outlander season 8, which wrapped filming in September 2024, Julia’s baby (not Claire) being somebody we’ve already met in the main show, and Jamie’s dad Brian being more closely linked to the pair than we’ve been led to believe.

Will we see any of these in episode 6? Unlikely, but I bet Julia's unspoken challenges leads us directly into the drama of season 2.

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• I asked a major Netflix star if you should ditch the streaming service for Hallmark+’s romance dramas, and the answer might surprise you

• Opposition against the controversial child sexual abuse (CSAM) scanning bill is growing ahead of a crucial meeting on September 12
• The Danish version of the so-called Chat Control bill could be adopted as early as October 2025 if an agreement is found
• Experts are concerned about the negative impact the bill will have on citizens' communications privacy and security

Opposition against the controversial child sexual abuse (CSAM) scanning bill is growing among EU state members, just days away from a crucial meeting.

On September 12, the EU Council is expected to share its final positions on the Danish version of the so-called Chat Control. The proposal, which has attracted strong criticism so far, aims to introduce new obligations for all messaging services operating in Europe to scan users' chats, even if they're encrypted.

Both the Czech Republic and Belgium have now reportedly passed from being undecided to opposing the proposed law, according to the latest data, with the latter deeming the bill as "a monster that invades your privacy and cannot be tamed." They add to Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland in criticising the proposal's mandatory detection and encryption provisions.

The list of supporters is still much longer, though, counting 15 member states at the time of writing. These include crucial countries like France, alongside Italy, Spain, Sweden, Lithuania, Cyprus, Latvia, and Ireland.

Crucially, French MEPs said they could "basically support" the draft, a source with knowledge of the matter told TechRadar. While Germany, another decisive vote to either block or back the bill, may be considering abstaining from taking a position. This is something that will weaken the Danish mandate, "even if the Presidency gets the required votes to pass," explains TechRadar's source.

What's at stake for European's encrypted communications?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

First unveiled in 2022, the Chat Control proposal has never been so close to becoming law, with a vote set to take place on October 14, 2025, and the majority of EU member states currently being its supporters.

On a more practical level, this means that the EU could be scanning your chats by October 2025 – no matter if they are encrypted.

The major point of contention, in fact, is the provisions around encryption, which is the technology responsible for keeping our communications private and secure. The likes of WhatsApp, Signal, ProtonMail, and even the best VPN apps all use encryption to scramble the content of users' messages into an unreadable form and prevent unauthorized access.

If the Danish Chat Control text passes, all the multimedia files and URLs you sent via WhatsApp and similar services would have to be mandatorily scanned in the lookout for CSAM materials. Crucially, government and military accounts will be exempt from the scanning.

While the proposal mentions that cybersecurity and encryption should be "protected in a comprehensive way," a wealth of experts, including tech developers, cryptographers, and digital rights advocates, have been warning that, as it's intended, mandatory scanning cannot be done without weakening encryption protections. This will also make everyone de facto more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

At the time of writing, only seven countries remain undecided, namely Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Romania, and Slovenia.

If you're worried about this proposal and wish to put pressure on your country's MEPs, this website helps you do so within a few clicks.

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• Worried about Chat Control? This website can help you get your say
• FTC calls on big tech to resist UK and EU demands to weaken encryption and censor content
• Chat Control 2.0? Experts urge the EU not to undermine encryption with new ProtectEU plan

This week Apple teased the iPhone 17 launch, and Flipepr Devices disputed claims its tech is helping people steal cars.

To catch up on all this, and five more of the week's top tech news stories scroll down for the latest iteration of our weekly ICYMI recap.

Next week is IFA and we're sure to see some big announcements there (perhaps even from Samsung) so be sure to check back for next recap in seven days.

7. Could Eternals tease doom for Doomsday?

(Image credit: Disney/Marvel Studios)

Eternals was the 2021 Marvel movie that instantly flopped, with fans and critics alike criticizing its rushed character development over a shorter runtime. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, director Chloe Zhao claimed having unlimited money and resources was “actually quite dangerous,” adding it prepared her for upcoming November release, Hamnet.

But what if the same logic could be applied to Avengers: Doomsday? It’s the movie moment of the decade for the MCU, so of course the studio is throwing caution to the limitless wind, even if it doesn't make sense looking in from the outside. In dangerous entertainment times and seemingly no limits on what happens when making Doomsday, Zhao's comments should perhaps be heeded as a warning.

• Read more: Eternals’ director notes the ‘dangerous’ lack of limitations in Marvel movies

6. A new solar powered security cam debuted

(Image credit: Swann)

If you like the idea of having a smart security camera watching over your home, but you don’t like the thought of taking it down to charge, Swann has the solution. The Swann EVO Wireless Solar can keep running with just 45 minutes of sunlight per day, and is weather-resistant so you can mount it just about anywhere. There’s no need to pay a subscription fee either, because all your videos are stored locally on an SD card. Now that’s smart.

It’s not the cheapest home security camera around, but once you factor in the solar panel and absence of monthly membership fees to watch your videos, its price tag of $129.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.95 looks very reasonable.

• Read more: Swann's new camera stays charged with just 45 minutes of sunlight per day

5. Samsung’s next Unpacked got a date

(Image credit: SAMSUNG)

We sometimes worry for the folks over at Samsung HQ. In 2025, the company has hosted separate launch events for the Samsung Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Edge, and new Galaxy Z foldables, and it looks like we’re getting one more Galaxy showcase before the year is out.

Coinciding with IFA 2025 on September 4, Samsung’s next “Galaxy Event” will see “premium AI tablets” and “the newest member of the Galaxy S25 family” enter the fold. That almost certainly means the Galaxy Tab S11 series and the Galaxy S25 FE are just around the corner, and thanks to several leaks and rumors, we think we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from all three new devices.

• Read more: Samsung’s next big phone and tablet launch is on September 4

4. Flipper Devices responded to car theft claims

(Image credit: Flipper Zero)

Could a $200 device be the next big thing in car theft? One report discovered underground hacker networks are selling Flipper Zero software patches that can unlock all manner of cars – even major brands like Ford, Audi, and Volkswagen.

The "multi-tool device for geeks" is intended for security researchers to demonstrate vulnerabilities responsibly, but some bad actors are misusing the device to mess with Tesla charge ports, change traffic lights, and now seemingly hack into cars – though the silver lining is the reports says the exploit can only open a car, you can’t yet drive off with it.

Flipper Devices did reach out to us with a statement saying, “We are not aware of any officially confirmed cases of theft using a Flipper Zero.” and to dispute claims these hacks are even effective as the Flipper Zero lacks the “hardware to suppress the radio signals, which would be necessary to crack systems that properly utilize rolling codes” like a keyless entry system.

• Read more: New Flipper Zero craze sees car thieves use cheap hacking device

3. DJI launched a new mic

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

DJI unveiled the Mic 3, the latest premium release in the company’s popular wearable wireless microphone range. It comes just 18 months after the DJI Mic 2 and it will supplant its predecessor at the top of TechRadar’s best wireless microphone guide thanks to some meaningful design and performance updates.

Our Cameras Editor Timothy Coleman only recently bought the Mic 2 and loves it, so he was a little skeptical about the need for a new model. After receiving our review sample of the DJI Mic 3, though, it only took him a few seconds to see why people might want to upgrade, and he admits to having a tinge of regret about the timing of his purchase.

The two models both record 24-bit and 32-bit float audio, but the Mic 3 has a smaller, tidier design, better battery life and a raft of audio upgrades, including timecode support, two-level noise cancellation, and improved transmission range. Put simply, the DJI Mic 3 sets the bar for tiny wireless mics.

• Read more: The small and mighty DJI Mic 3 is a major improvement on its predecessor

2. Google told us what it isn’t making

(Image credit: Google)

We might have just been treated to six new Pixel devices – including four new phones – but if you were desperate for a flip foldable or a successor to the Pixel Tablet then you’ll need to keep waiting.

Google's Vice President of Devices and Services Shakil Barkat confirmed that there are no plans for a Google flip foldable to join the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Barkat also ruled out a smart ring, and says the Pixel tablet series is on pause until a "meaningful future" can be figured out for the product category.

The status on smart glasses, meanwhile, is "TBD".

• Read more: Google explains why it isn't making you a Pixel Flip phone

1. Apple set the iPhone 17 launch date

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

We’ve all been expecting an Apple event in September, and the Cupertino-based technology giant has just made it official by sending out invites for a special event on September 9, with the tagline, “Awe dropping”.

It’ll start at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST on September 9, 2025 (3am September 10 AEST) at Apple Park, and we’ll be covering it from the ground to break down all of the biggest announcements as they happen.

Judging by the rumors and what Apple has shown off at previous September special events, we’re expecting the iPhone 17 lineup – including the all-new, super-thin iPhone 17 Air – new Apple Watches, and even AirPods. So as always you won’t want to miss it!

• Read more: iPhone 17 launch date official as Apple sends out invites for ’Awe dropping’ event

Oukitel WP210: 30-second review

Having seen a few rugged phones, they typically fall into one of two categories: either being excessively bulky to achieve extended battery life, or lightweight with less longevity and features.

Curiously, the Oukitel WP210 strikes a sweet spot between these two positions, making it appealing to a few distinct user groups who might be drawn to its blend of ruggedness, performance, and sleek design.

At a weight of 311g and with a relatively slim 13.7mm profile, sized like a standard phone, this is a design that manages to hide its rugged credentials effectively. Yet it still manages to deliver its IP68 / IP69K / MIL-STD-810H ratings, enabling it to handle harsh environments and even submersion.

From an aesthetics angle, this is a rugged phone that isn’t trying to be a Sci-Fi prop or project a military resilience; its carbon-fibre accents, matte polycarbonate shell, and metal frame give it a modern industrial look.

Available in red, black and grey, for a rugged phone, this design is classy while being understated, which is something many business customers will like. It’s styled to appeal to both outdoor adventurers and business professionals - rugged, but not overbuilt.

It features a high-end MediaTek SoC, making apps and the interface slick and responsive. It comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but alas, no Micro SD card expansion beyond that capacity. The 6.7-inch OLED display delivers intense colours and brightness, while the rear camera cluster features the 108MP Samsung S5KHM6, capturing high-quality images and videos.

Having high-end features such as these comes at a cost, but in this design, the asking price from Oukitel is only $399.99 for US customers, which seems like a bargain.

While it might not be the best rugged phone I've tested, it's certainly one of the best value devices in its category.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Oukitel WP210: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $400/£311
• When is it out? Available globally
• Where can you get it? Direct from the maker or via an online retailer

Oukitel sells the WP210 directly, though not in all regions. Currently, US customers can get it directly for $399.99.

However, it isn’t shown on the UK, French or German sites. I'm also seeing it on Amazon.com for $499.99 and Amazon.co.uk for £351.49. Worldwide, it's available via Aliexpress, too.

The obvious competitors for the WP210 are the Ulefone Armour 30 Pro and its bigger brother, the WP300.

The Oukitel WP300 has a higher battery capacity, but less RAM, a less powerful SoC, and a lower-quality camera. And, it costs almost the same price. The selling point of the WP300 is its detachable second screen, which doubles as a watch.

The Ulefone Armor 30 Pro features a heavier design at 509g, offering more battery capacity and 16GB RAM, but it comes with a less powerful SoC and a lower-quality camera. If you need longer running, it's an alternative, but it doesn’t offer the same performance levels as the WP210.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 4/5

Oukitel WP210: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

MediaTek Dimensity 8200 (Octa-core, up to 3.1GHz)

GPU:

Mali-G610 MC6

NPU:

MediaTek NPU 580

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

512GB

Screen:

6.7-inch AMOLED,120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass 5

Resolution:

1080×2412 pixels

SIM:

2x Nano SIM (no TF)

Weight:

311g

Dimensions:

163.6 × 77.85 × 13.7 mm

Rugged Spec:

IP68 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H Certification

Rear cameras:

108MP Samsung S5KHM6 + 2MP GalaxyCore GC02M1 macro + 0.3MP depth

Front camera:

32MP Sony IMX615

Networking:

WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

OS:

Android 15

Battery:

8800 mAh battery (Max 45W charge wired, 10W reverse)

Colours:

Red, Black, Grey

Oukitel WP210: design

• Solid construction
• No headphone jack
• Lacks TF card expansion

What’s great about this phone design is how relatively normal it feels to use. It’s a classic modern Android phone-sized device, slightly thicker than a standard smartphone.

The metal banding about the outside feels solid and secure, and Oukitel provide it out of the box with a solid plastic bumper already mounted.

From a button perspective, there is nothing to see here. It’s the standard layout, featuring a power and audio rocker on one side and a user-customizable button on the other. In this respect, it’s a design that most people could simply pick up and use, rather than needing to adapt.

One nice feature on a phone this affordable is that the fingerprint reader is embedded under the screen, rather than being located on the power button. This makes the phone much easier to use for left-handed users.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

There are a few oddities which aren’t normal, and one of these is that there is no headphone jack, sadly.

However, there is an IR blaster on the top edge, the usefulness of which is undermined by the fact that no corresponding app is provided for its use. I suspect this should have been in the Oukitel Toolbox, but it might work with third-party tools.

Unusually, the SIM tray is next to the USB-C port on the bottom edge, and not the left side. It can accept two Nano SIMs, but it does not have a MicroSD card slot in the tray.

That’s the single biggest disappointment for those who use extra storage, even if Oukitel did give the phone 512GB of space to cushion that blow.

Overall, the WP210 appears designed not to push anything too radical on the customers, and except for the missing MicroSD functionality, it hits all the key areas that most people are looking for in a rugged phone.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design score: 4/5

Oukitel WP210: hardware

• MediaTek Dimensity 7050
• 16000 mAh battery

The MediaTek Dimensity 8200 is a powerful mid-range system-on-chip (SoC) designed to deliver impressive performance and efficiency for smartphones. It features an octa-core CPU, combining high-performance Cortex-A78 cores with energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores, along with a Mali-G610 MP6 GPU for enhanced graphics capabilities.

When compared to other mid-range SoCs, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, the Dimensity 8200 holds its ground with competitive benchmark scores and efficient power consumption. While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 may have a slight edge in memory bandwidth and higher clock speeds, the Dimensity 8200 offers a balanced performance that caters to both everyday tasks and demanding applications .

Overall, the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 is a solid choice for those seeking a capable and efficient SoC in the mid-range smartphone market, and I’ve seen it previously in the Oukitel WP200 Pro, which, on specification, bears an uncanny resemblance to the WP210.

The WP210 appears to be an externally redesigned WP200 Pro, which, from an economic perspective, makes perfect sense. But the WP200 Pro cost $200 more when it was launched.

Another common feature of the WP200 Pro is the 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, which is rated at 500 nits and features a 120Hz refresh rate.

This display technology offers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, enhancing the visual experience for users. Additionally, the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, ensuring durability against scratches and impacts. The high refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and fluid animations, making it ideal for both everyday use and gaming. Overall, the OLED display on the WP210 combines durability with impressive visual quality, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a rugged yet visually appealing smartphone.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The last feature I wish to talk about is the battery, which, by rugged phone standards, is on the modest end of the spectrum. 8800mAh is still about twice what a typical phone has, and as we’ll see later in the benchmarks, it provides decent longevity.

The charging capability is 45W using the included charger of that exact specification, and charging takes about 2.5 hours. It can reverse charge at up to 10W, although in the Oukitel marketing material, it's shown doing this using an addon that then wirelessly charges a tablet. Given that the tablet would undoubtedly have a USB-C port, that would be an idiotic thing to do, as it would further reduce the efficiency of the power transfer.

There isn’t any wireless charging in the phone, even if it looks like the designer made the underside of the phone intentionally flat for that purpose.

To summarise, the SoC is punchy, the screen is lovely, the battery is big enough for the job, and it charges reasonably quickly.

• Hardware score: 4/5

Oukitel WP210: cameras

• 108MP, 2MP and 0.3MP sensors on the rear
• 32MP on the front
• Four cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Oukitel WP210 has four cameras:

Rear camera: 108MP Samsung S5KHM6SX , 2MP GalaxyCore GC02M1 macro, 0.3MP Galaxy Core GC032A
Front camera: 32MP Sony IMX615

This is the identical camera configuration as the WP200 Pro, with the main sensor being the 108MP Samsung S5KHM6SX. This 1/1.67-inch format, 108 MP stacked imager boasts a 0.64 µm pixel pitch, ISOCELL 2.0 technology, and Nonacell Bayer RGB colour filters, according to Samsung.

With a whopping 108 megapixels, this sensor is capable of producing incredibly detailed images or can effectively pixel bin to achieve vibrant colours and HDR contrast. The results, especially in outdoor lighting, can be impressive; however, there are times when the focus system appears to target the wrong object in the shot.

One downside is the absence of optical zoom; instead, the digital zoom transitions can feel quite jarring. The rear camera also lacks wide or telephoto sensors, relying on a somewhat lacklustre 2 MP macro sensor and a 0.3 MP sensor for depth effects. Therefore, the main sensor shoulders the majority of the photographic responsibilities. On a positive note, Oukitel has included a comprehensive camera application that features a full PRO mode for manual controls, alongside options for timelapse, slow-motion, night views, and panoramas.

What I would avoid is a feature that the user-defined button offers, which is to switch into underwater mode. While this phone is rated for full submersion for a limited time period, it's only to a depth of 1.5M, and that could be difficult to control in the ocean or even a pool.

Under the right conditions, images taken are decent, though they might not stand out as extraordinary. But given the price point of this device, the main sensor is a practical choice that is better than some phones that use 50MP sensors.

On the front, the choice of a 32 MP Sony sensor for selfies might seem excessive, especially since it only records at 1080p. It raises questions about the need for such high resolution for 1080p video, but this sensor does manage to capture good-quality images for those who enjoy digital self-portraits.

It's worth noting that this phone lacks Widevine L1 video encryption, offering only L3. This limitation means that when streaming from primary services like Netflix or Disney+, you'll only have access to 480p resolution, even with a fast 5G connection.

In short, the cameras are probably better than one might have anticipated, but they lack the optical focus and stabilisations that premium phones offer these days.

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• Camera score: 4/5

Oukitel WP210: performance

• Decent SoC
• GPU is game-friendly
• Big battery

Phone

Oukitel WP210

Ulefone Armor 30 Pro

SoC

Dimensity 8200

Dimensity 7300X

GPU

Mali-G610 MC6

Mali-G615 MC2

Mem

MediaTek NPU 580

MediaTek NPU 655

NPU

12GB/512GB

16GB/512GB

Weight

311g

509g

Battery

8800

12800

Geekbench

Single

1246

1030

Multi

3968

3269

OpenCL

4310

2509

Vulkan

4736

2502

GFX

Aztec Open Normal

73

36

Aztec Vulkan Norm.

57

42

Car Chase

60

36

Manhattan 3.1

114

61

PCMark

3.0 Score

13970

11282

Battery

22h 44m

26h 38m

Charge in 30 mins

%

26

42

Passmark

Score

16455

14377

CPU

8490

7142

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

Maxed Out

7238

Slingshot Ex. OGL

Maxed Out

5446

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

Maxed Out

3814

Wildlife

6023

3284

Nomad Lite

625

360

I chose the Ulefone Armor 30 Pro as the phone to compare with the WP210, because it's roughly the same price, has a similar profile and also has plenty of RAM and storage.

However, what the 30 Pro lacks is the Dimensity 8200. It uses the Dimensity 7300X instead, and the difference is striking in terms of performance. In many graphical tests, the WP210 is twice the speed of the Armor 30 Pro, and even in pure computing benchmarks, it has about a 20% edge.

Where the Armor 30 Pro is advantaged is with its battery capacity, which is 45% bigger.

However, the flip side of that win, and its increased longevity, is that it takes twice as long to charge the battery, and the battery life wasn’t 45% longer. When you also consider the weight difference, the WP210 is a much better option unless total running time is your only criterion.

Overall, the WP210 delivers the same excellent user experience as its WP200 Pro brother, with the exception that it has more storage and RAM. But the price difference between them makes the WP210 a better value, as it does in comparison to the Ulefone Armor 30 Pro.

• Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Oukitel WP210: Final verdict

There is plenty to like in the WP210, as it manages to magically provide a decent battery life and a punch processor without being the size and weight of a house brick.

Those aspects, along with the OLED screen and 108MP camera, should bring the WP210 plenty of attention, and the mid-range pricing should seal the deal.

I don’t understand why Oukitel left the SD card option from the card slot, or why this is a dramatically more powerful phone than the WP300, but these are mysteries that only the designers at Oukitel could answer.

Overall, for those who want a well-built mid-range rugged phone, you could do substantially worse than the WP210, which surprised this reviewer at numerous points.

It’s also an excellent choice for anyone who fancied the WP200 Pro but didn’t like the price, as it is roughly the same phone with less storage and RAM for a significant cost reduction.

If there is a question mark over this device, it’s the level of support that Oukitel is likely to provide throughout the product's life. My review phone came with Android 15 installed and a June security update, but it’s worth flagging the trade-off between upfront cost and lifecycle reliability. Only time will tell, but Oukitel is not known for timely Android version upgrades or regular security patches, and its customer service is also not a strong point.

These points are equally applicable to the majority of Chinese rugged phone makers; however, it's worth noting that two to three years is the typical life cycle of these products, and beyond that point, they are often no longer supported.

Should I buy a Oukitel WP210?Oukitel WP210 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Affordable for a phone with these specs

4/5

Design

Not much heavier than an ordinary phone, but rugged and well-featured

4/5

Hardware

Gorgeous OLED screen, 512GB of storage, but no TF expansion

4/5

Camera

Excellent main sensor, slightly undermined by a lack of anti-shake on video capture

4/5

Performance

GGreat performance and decent battery life

4/5

Overall

A practical and effective design that many will love

4/5

Buy it if...

You need an outdoor phone
The WP210 is a robust design that can withstand being dropped 1.5M and exposure to water. This makes it ideal for outdoor occupations, adventure vacations and those who are inherently clumsy.

You carry lots of data or apps
With 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, this phone is ideal for those who like to carry data and install numerous apps. However, there is no TF card expansion beyond that capacity.

Don't buy it if...

You want more than 512GB storage
Without a TF card (Micro SD card) expansion, you can’t expand the internal capacity of this phone beyond its default 512GB. You could connect an external SSD, if it takes less than the 10W of power output of the USB-C port, but that’s less than an ideal option.

You want WiFi 7
The MediaTek Dimensity 8200 used in the WP210 supports 5G comms and WiFi 6, but it doesn’t connect using multiple bands over WiFi 7. That would require the Dimensity 9200, a chip that isn’t in this phone.

Also Consider

Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro
Another practical, rugged design with an inbuilt camping light, night vision camera and about 25% more battery capacity than the A56. It’s also dramatically cheaper, but conversely, the cameras aren’t as good, and the SoC isn’t as powerful. For those needing a cheap, tough phone, the Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro might be a good choice.

Read our full Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro review

Oukitel WP300
Another dial display phone, but with this one, the small second screen is detachable and becomes a smartwatch. It costs more than the WP210, but it has a bigger battery that gives it extended running time.

Read our full Oukitel WP300 review

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

Whether you’re toasting breakfast or baking cookies for dessert, one of our top picks is sure to be a perfect fit for your kitchen.

A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from carrying out speedy deportations of undocumented migrants detained in the interior of the United States.

(Image credit: Fran Ruchalski)

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 30.

If there’s any one word that describes the Macan EV, it’s refined. Porsche hit the ground running in 2019 with the release of its first modern electric, the Taycan – an expensive sports car that quickly proved legacy automakers could readily compete with Tesla on its own terms. That release also gave Porsche an advantage over other automakers in the then-burgeoning mainstream EV market, allowing them to refine their electric offering before other major car companies would even announce plans for electrification.

Conversely, the electric Macan arrived in early 2024 (late 2024 for Australians) to drastically different market conditions – interest in Tesla’s cars was feigning, particularly with challengers from China offering competitive products, with such market conditions carrying through to today. Indeed it feels like Porsche and similarly established automakers are now the ones playing defense, with Chinese rivals like Polestar, Xpeng and IM ready to snatch up the market of drivers excited about electrification now that the tech has progressed a bit, prices have come down and charging infrastructure is a bit further along.

These brands offer models that are competitively specced and priced to the Macan Electric… though they do all lack one key thing: they’re not Porsche.

Porsche Macan EV specs

Specs

Porsche Macan Electric

Country of manufacture

Germany

Price

Porsche Macan Electric: $78,000 / £68,500 / AU$128,400

Porsche Macan 4 Electric: $81,600 / £71,200 / AU$134,400

Porsche Macan 4S Electric: $88,000 / £76,900 / AU$149,300

Porsche Macan Turbo Electric: $109,500 / £96,900 / AU$184,400

Range

Porsche Macan Electric: 315mi (EPA) / 333mi – 398mi (WLTP) / 536km – 641km (WLTP)

Porsche Macan 4 Electric: 308mi (EPA) / 320mi – 380mi (WLTP) / 516km – 613km (WLTP)

Porsche Macan 4S Electric: 288mi (EPA) / 318mi – 376mi (WLTP) / 512km – 606km (WLTP)

Porsche Macan Turbo Electric: 288mi (EPA) / 321 mi – 233mi (WLTP) / 518km – 590km (WLTP)

Battery size

100kWh

Power / torque

Porsche Macan Electric: 250kW / 563Nm

Porsche Macan 4 Electric: 285kW / 650Nm

Porsche Macan 4S Electric: 330kW / 820Nm

Porsche Macan Turbo Electric: 470kW / 1,130Nm

Maximum charging capacity

11kW (AC) / 270kW (DC)

Quoted recharge speed (DC)

10% to 80% in around 21 minutes

Drivetrain

Porsche Macan Electric: RWD

Porsche Macan 4 / 4S / Turbo: AWD

Dimensions

4,784 x 1,938 x 1,623cm (L x W x H)

Boot capacity

540L / 1,348L including rear seating

The electric experience, refined

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

A big touchscreen, heads-up display and minimalist, digital-first user interface aren’t innovative things in the automotive industry anymore, not even for a luxury automaker like Porsche. Tech like this has simply become synonymous with EVs, and is now a bit of a heel when done poorly. This is why I’m so thrilled with the Porsche Macan EV – because it’s not just utilising all these things, it has mastered them.

The infotainment system in the Macan EV feels thoughtful. Text is rightly sized, icons aren’t too small for a fingerpress, and indeed there are enough physical controls (for things like air conditioning) for the car to properly be driven without ever needing to tap the screen.

The inbuilt navigation app is well-made and can be relied upon, though with the car’s well laid-out interface, it’s no hassle to connect your phone and fire up Android Auto or Apple CarPlay – though with the former, I found my phone would often be quite laggy when placed on the Macan’s wireless charging pad.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

One of the most impressive parts of the Macan’s dashboard is its concave instrument cluster. The screen behind the steering wheel is curved, giving it depth and ultimately making it look a lot better than similar digital clusters from other automakers. The screen can be adjusted to include up to three gauges, or it can simply be switched to portray a speed indication and a live map, giving you easy, glanceable directions on the road. It’s by far my favourite instrument cluster of any EV – or even any car – I’ve tested.

The heads-up display is the icing on the cake. In cruise control, the display will demonstrate the lines of distance you have between the car in front of you and yourself, which it will maintain like any other car with adaptive cruise. It’ll also visualise the lines it can currently see on the sides of the road – helpful for making sure lane assistance is enabled on a poorly-marked road.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Driving dynamics of the Porsche Macan are, as you’d expect, brilliant, with the car offering punchy acceleration and great road handling. It’s quite a big car and its turning circle suffers as a result, but it’s a brilliant vehicle regardless for comfortable travel in and out of town. It’s quite wide and has big 22-inch wheels, so if your idea of a Porsche is a low-to-the-ground track toy, I think you’ll be mostly disappointed with the electric Macan – though you won’t mind its exceptional handling, and with a lot of boot and rear seating space, it’d definitely be a comfortable car for holidaying.

Range and recharging speed are also a non-issue, with the gigantic 100kWh battery capable of facilitating a weekend-away’s worth of driving. A 270kW DC recharging capacity is also right for the price, though considering rivalling Chinese EVs in the luxury segment are besting this (or even EVs well below the luxury segment – the Xpeng G6 is half the Macan’s price and capable of 280kW) I’d note that this may seem unimpressive at some point in the near future. Not too near, though, as public DC chargers tend to max out at 350kW, and any greater capacities would require major infrastructure changes.

One last thing worthy of note. Thanks to having smaller motors, many electric cars are able to provide additional storage space under the bonnet. The Macan has a useful amount of under-bonnet space, but it outdoes other automakers by having a dedicated bonnet-open button on the keyfob. This gives the space actual utility, showing up other automakers that offer the space but lack an easy way to pop the hood. Cool!

But is it enough?

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

A starting cost of $78,000 / £68,500 / AU$128,400 is going to be unreachable for most people and will no doubt keep many buyers away from the Macan – though I think it's unlikely that Porsche will change this any time soon. Porsche has earned the right to price the Macan like this: every aspect of the car is luxurious – although there are aspects that some potential purchasers may think are a bit much.

Similar to the preceding Taycan, there are charging ports on both sides of the car with only one equipped for fast DC charging. These ports open with the most overdesigned doors I’ve ever seen – via rolling motors that slide the ports open and closed. I think this is just unnecessary, even for a luxury car: it adds mechanical complexity to open the doors, which could break one day. A pop-open door will do.

Additionally, some of the more expensive Macan trims feature a third touchscreen display positioned in front of the front passenger seat for its occupant. It’s a cool idea, I guess, to give your passenger control over stuff like music playback from a convenient screen in front of them, but I don’t really see the point, especially with music streaming apps able to play music in groups, with multiple phones controlling the current song – it just seems excessive.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Moving onto the unexpected, I encountered a critical operating system freeze when starting the car one morning. The infotainment system locked up on the Porsche logo and I couldn’t interact with it, and needed to manually reset it. I’ve encountered this with cars in the past and it’s never not annoying, but I was kind of shocked to have dealt with it in such an expensive car.

Apart from these things, I don’t really think there’s much to dislike about the Porsche Macan Electric. The company has worked really hard to polish this car to a point of undeniable quality.

Should you buy the Porsche Macan Electric?

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

It’s easy for me to recommend something as expensive as the Porsche Macan Electric, but obviously it’s not for everyone. It has an unrivaled level of quality, and among luxury electric SUVs, it very much deserves to be at the upper-end of the market. My colleague Leon Poultney went hands-on with the Macan electric a bit before me and argued that it would be a shame if Porsche scaled back its EV ambitions when cars like the Macan feel so mastered – and I very much agree: Porsche has nailed the assignment and I think it offers some really special cars in the electric space.

If you’re chasing a similar level of quality, I’d recommend to you both the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, Audi Q6 e-tron or the BMW iX. Generally speaking, these cars each compete with the Macan Electric while also undercutting it on price.

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