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Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W: review

The Ugreen Nexode Power Bank has 165W of power and a 20000mAh, as well as a few features aimed at improving convenience.

In line with the range in which this power bank sits, the Nexode has a dark grey finish with black accents, making it slightly more interesting to look at than other power banks. The smooth matte finish also adds a hint of elegance, giving the impression that this is a premium product.

However, this belies the actual build quality of the Nexode. Despite its heaviness, some of the panels can flex slightly; they aren’t as solid as those you’ll find on many Anker power banks, for instance, which are some of the best power banks around in terms of construction.

Still, the Nexode should suffice for travel purposes. What’s more of an issue when traveling is just how bulky it is. It might have a relatively short length but it’s quite thick, and personally I would’ve preferred the compromise to be the other way around, as a thinner bank is easier to tuck away into a bag.

However, I did appreciate the rubber feet on the back panel. I haven’t noticed their absence on other power banks before, but seeing them here has made me realize how useful they are for protecting the bank and supporting surfaces from scratches. They also prevent the bank from sliding around.

The Nexode also has a large display, although unfortunately the readout is considerably smaller than the space appears to allow for. It’s also quite dim, which, combined with the reflective screen, can make it even hard to see.

The information it does provide, though, is quite useful. As well as the battery life percentage, there’s also estimated charging times for connected devices or the bank itself, as well as an indicator showing which connections are currently active and their wattage. Pressing the power button takes you to a second screen, where you can view the voltage and amperage of each connection, too.

Perhaps the standout feature of the Nexode, though, is the retractable USB-C cable. This is easy to use, although it does have a tendency to twist around, which can make it awkward to put back in. It’s also quite thin and doesn’t feel particularly hardy, but Ugreen does claim it can endure over 25,000 retractions and over 10,000 bends.

In addition to this cable, you also get two USB ports: one Type-A and one Type-C. Like the retractable cable, the latter port is both an input and an output, while the former is output only. Both USB-C interfaces are capable of receiving and delivering 100W each, although if both are used at the same time, the port will drop to 65W. The USB-A port delivers 33W maximum.

The Nexode also supports three-way charging, but in such cases the two USB ports drop to 10W, while the retractable cable retains its 100W capability. There’s also a trickle charging mode for charging smaller devices with more sensitive batteries, such as wireless earbuds and smartwatches, activated by holding the power button for five seconds.

Using the retractable USB-C cable, I managed to charge my Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4, which has a 57Wh battery, from 5% to 90% in under 90 minutes, before the Nexode depleted completely. This is quite fast, but it’s a shame it ran out before making it to 100%, and means you can’t even get one full charge out of it. Charging the bank itself from empty to full took about one hour and 40 minutes, which again is a respectable time.

The Nexode is expensive for a power bank, even one with this much power, retailing for $99.99 / £79.99 (about AU$150). The Anker Laptop Power Bank is about the same price, but has a greater capacity and two integrated cables. It’s also slightly thinner and better made than the Nexode.

We have seen it around for less than its original price, though, and if you can catch it in a sale, the Nexode might still prove a solid pick for charging your large devices.

(Image credit: Future)Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W review: price & specs

Price

$99.99 / £79.99 (about AU$150)

Capacity

20,000mAh

Total wattage

165W

Number of ports

3

USB-C

2 (1 x built-in)

Wireless charging

No

Weight

18.9oz / 535g

Power-to-weight

37.4mAh/g

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W?Buy it if…

You want plenty of power
Most modern laptops don’t need 165W to charge quickly, and the fast two- and three-way charging times are also welcome.

You want useful charging information
Aside from the usual battery percentage, the display on the Nexode also provides wattage, voltage, and amperage figures for each active connection.

Don't buy it if…

You want something thin
Personally, I prefer a power bank to be as thin as possible, as this makes it easier to pack away. Unfortunately, though, the Nexode is quite thick.

You want full laptop charges
The 20,000mAh capacity doesn’t cut it for multiple charges of large devices – sometimes not even one full charge, in my experience.

Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W review: Also consider

Anker Laptop Power Bank
If you’re after another high-power, high-capacity power bank, the Anker Laptop Power Bank is a stellar alternative. Not only does it feature a retractable USB-C cable like the Nexode, but it also features another integrated USB-C cable that acts as a carrying loop when not in use. It also has a better display and build quality, as well as being thinner, which I find makes it easier to transport. Read our full Anker Laptop Power Bank review.

National Guard members and federal law enforcement officers are patrolling the city as part of President Trump's effort to assert federal control over policing in the District.

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Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Aug. 18, No. 799.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for Aug. 18, No. 1,521

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Aug. 18, No. 533.

Blackview BV7300: 30-second review

Blackview is a thriving technology brand that initially specialised in rugged outdoor phones designed to support rugged lifestyles and survive demanding and challenging environments. Over the years, Blackview has expanded its product range to include mainstream smartphones, smartwatches, earphones, tablets, and laptops.

The Blackview BV7300 is a rugged smartphone designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who need a durable and reliable device. It features a reinforced frame and textured back for a secure grip, making it both tough and stylish. The BV7300 is equipped with dual camping lights and a 20MP night vision camera, ensuring safety and visibility in low-light conditions. Its super-large 15000mAh battery supports 45W fast charging, providing long-lasting power for extended use.

The device runs on Android 14 with DokeOS 4.0, offering a smooth and personalised user experience. With up to 18GB RAM and 256GB ROM, the BV7300 delivers powerful performance for various tasks. Additionally, it boasts IP68 and IP69K ratings for water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-810H certification for durability in extreme environments.

The BV7300's weaknesses include an odd low-resolution screen and a limitation to 4G comms, not 5G. And at 528g, this is a bulky phone to use for everyday use.

It is unlikely to be our top choice for rugged smartphones, but it offers excellent value for those who occasionally venture into challenging environments.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Blackview BV7300: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $280/£166
• When is it out? Available globally
• Where can you get it? Direct from the maker or via an online retailer

Available directly from the maker's own shop, the asking price is £166 in the UK and $279.99 for US customers, making it a substantially better deal in those countries that don’t apply tariffs to Chinese goods.

If bought via Amazon.com and with a coupon applied, it can be had for only $219.99, but the standard price is $249.99. UK customers can get it via Amazon for £170.

For those willing to wait for AliExpress to deliver, it can be found for less than £150 or $195.

Typically, I’d mention another phone that uses the same platform as the BV7300, but alas, it's almost unique to this device. The only other Android device using the G81 SoC is the Oukitel RT3 Pro tablet.

Based on the specification, this is a decent phone for what is the bargain basement end of recent rugged phones

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 4/5

Blackview BV7300: Specs

Item

Spec

Model

BV7300

Processor (SoC)

MediaTek Helio G81 (12nm), Octa-core (2×2.0GHz Cortex-A75 + 6×1.8GHz Cortex-A55)

GPU

Mali-G52 MC2

RAM

6GB (expandable up to 18GB with virtual RAM)

Storage

256GB eMMC 5.1

Expandable Storage

microSDXC (up to 2TB, shared SIM slot)

Display

6.67" IPS LCD, 720×1604 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate, 700 nits brightness

Rear Cameras

50MP (Samsung S5KJN1, f/1.8, PDAF) + 20MP (Sony IMX376 night vision, f/2.0)

Front Camera

32MP Galaxycore GC32E1

Video Recording

1080p @ 30fps (front and rear)

Operating System

Android 14 with DokeOS 4.0

Connectivity

Dual SIM (Nano), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, FM radio

Wireless Networking

Dual Bands: 2.4G/5.0GHz,802.11 ab/g'n/ac, BT 5.3

2G Bands

850/900/1800900(B2/B3/B5/88)

3G Bands

WCDMA: B1/B2/B4/B5/B8

4G Bands LTE-FDD

81/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B17/B19/B20B26/B28A/B28B/B66

4G Bands LTE-TTD

B40/B41/B38

Ports

USB Type-C (no 3.5mm headphone jack)

Sensors

Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Flashlight

800-lumen dedicated flood flashlight

Battery

15,000mAh Li-Po, 45W wired charging, 7W reverse wired charging

Durability

IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance, MIL-STD-810H compliant

Build Materials

Polycarbonate, TPU, Aluminium alloy

Dimensions

186.2 × 85 × 24 mm

Weight

528g

Blackview BV7300: design

• Built to last
• Large camping light
• No headphone jack

Blackview devices often feature sharp lines, reinforced corners, and textured surfaces that evoke a tool-like toughness. They look like they belong in a toolbox as much as a backpack. And, the BV7300 is no exception.

It has metal sides and buttons that, together with the rubberised bumpers, reinforce the rugged identity. These style aspects aren’t just decorative; they are a signal of durability, and this phone was made to operate in harsh environments.

The button layout is by-the-numbers, with the volume rockers and fingerprint-reading power button on the right, and the user-definable function button on the left.

In addition, the left side is also where the SIM tray resides, and it's one where you can use two Nano SIMs or one and a MicroSD card for additional storage.

The rear mounts the two cameras near the top and relatively central, making them easy to aim, but the majority of the back is taken up with a substantial camping LED.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

To diverge for a moment, many phones these days come with a substantial metal label stuck to them. This details the model, spec, IMEI number, serial number and various standards that the maker wishes to acknowledge. Do you leave these on, or do you peel them off?

Until now, I’ve always left them on, as the information might be necessary at some point and locating it could be crucial.

Why am I mentioning this? On the BV7300, the label is slapped over half of the camping LED, and therefore, it needs to be removed if you want to use that feature. I chose to leave it in place for my photographs, but if I were to use this device in anger, it would need to be removed.

The use of the back with the dual-element LED lamp also negates the possibility of wireless charging, but with a battery this big, that probably wasn’t a possibility.

What this design lacks is a headphone jack, although you could use an adapter with the USB-C port if you own one.

As is often the case with Blackview hardware, the BV7300 sells its robust credentials confidently and doesn’t stray away from the feature set that most of its customers expect.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design score: 4/5

Blackview BV7300: hardware

• MediaTek Dimensity 7300
• Odd resolution display
• 15000 mAh battery

The MediaTek Helio G81 is a mid-range SoC introduced in August 2024, designed primarily for budget-friendly Android smartphones with a focus on gaming and multimedia performance.

It has an older brother, the G80, that has basic AI features, and this chip added Enhanced AI (MediaTek NeuroPilot, Android NNAPI support), allegedly. It also sports  EIS (electronic image stabilisation), along with support for a 120Hz display. The makers, Mediatek, have also added the Helio G85, which is remarkably similar to the G81 used in this phone.

All the G8X series use dual A75 performance cores combined with six A55 efficiency cores to deliver both power and long battery life. They also all use the Mali-G52 MP2 GPU, which isn’t especially powerful, but is good enough for smooth video playback.

It’s a solid choice for rugged phones and budget gaming handsets, offering a good balance of efficiency and features without pushing into premium territory.

One potential improvement could be that this chip uses a 12nm FinFET (TSMC), whereas the latest Dimensity chips use 6nm and even 4nm. That limits how far its efficiency can go, and it also has a capped bandwidth by using LPDDR4x 1800Mhz memory.

But this chip does support a screen with a 2520 x 1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, but unfortunately, that wasn’t what Blackview gave the BV7300.

The 6.67-inch IPS LCD has the curious resolution of 720 x 1604 pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate and a 700 nits brightness. That means it can’t display 1080p video at its full quality, and that includes the video captured by the primary camera.

If neither the screen nor the SoC are the star of this show, what is? Possibly the battery, which has a capacity of 15000mAh, is mostly responsible for this phone weighing more than 500g.

If you aren’t put off by such a bulky device, that’s plenty of battery capacity, and it can be shared with other devices using reverse charging.

When we get to the benchmarking, it will become evident that those comments are foreshadowing, in many respects.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Hardware score: 4/5

Blackview BV7300: cameras

• 50MP and 20MP sensors on the rear
• 32MP on the front
• Three cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Blackview BV7300 has three cameras:

Rear camera: 50MP Samsung JN1 primary, 20MP Sony IMX376 Night Vision
Front camera: 32MP Galaxycore GC32E1-WA1XA

I wasn’t expecting much considering the cost of this camera and its inevitably tight production budget. But the 50MP Samsung JN1 primary is a workmanlike sensor that, in good lighting conditions, can deliver some decent quality images.

I’d recommend that, unlike me, you disable the AI and HDR functionality, as it tends to oversaturate the colours to the point of making some captures pop-art.

The JN1 is a decent, if now slightly old, Samsung sensor that uses pixel-binning to create generally good 13MP captures from its 50MP source data.

Its limitation is that it isn’t great in low-light conditions, resulting in blurry and grainy results. Blackview's answer to that was to make the second sensor the 20MP Sony IMX376, which is a specialist Night Vision camera.

What’s mildly confusing is that within the Android camera app, there are ‘Night’ and ‘Night Vision’ modes, with the first being an AI-enhanced EIS mode that uses the Samsung JN1 but longer exposure times.

Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) is a technology used in the context of the MediaTek Helio G81 System on Chip (SoC) to reduce blurriness and shakiness in videos and images. EIS works by using software algorithms to compensate for small movements and vibrations during video recording or photography. This is particularly useful for handheld shooting, where even slight hand movements can cause noticeable shake in the footage.

While EIS helps, it's not the same as optical stabilisation, and the results are a bit mixed. If you truly want to take images in low light, the MX376 is a much better choice as it uses IR flash to bathe even the darkest locations in light that the sensor can see and generate an image from. It’s only B&W, and the images are in 20.2MP resolution.

Using this mode, you should be able to capture nocturnal creatures if you turn the screen brightness down and stay quiet enough that your presence isn’t an issue.

As a camera system, the BV7300 is better than I expected, but it's also worth noting that it is a budget device. So you get a Pro mode, panoramas, time-lapse, document shooting and even AR stickers. But equally, the best video resolution is ‘high’, which translates into 1080p when you’ve recorded something.

When you consider that the Samsung ISOCELL JN1 is capable of 4K at 30fps, that’s an intentional omission.

It's normal at this point in my phone reviews to moan that the makers only support Widevine L3 video encryption, reducing the quality of streaming to only 480P from most of the big streaming brands.

However, since the best resolution this display can support is only 720p, it’s probably not an issue in the greater scheme of things.

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(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Camera score: 3.5/5

Blackview BV7300: performance

• Not 3D game-friendly GPU
• Decent battery performance

Phone

Blackview BV7300

Doogee Fire 6 Power

SoC

Mediaktek Helio G81

Unisoc T606

GPU

Mali-G52 MP2

Mali G57 MP1

Mem

N/A

N/A

NPU

6GB/256GB

8GB/256GB

Weight

528g

430g

Battery

15000

15500

Geekbench

Single

446

391

Multi

1469

1368

OpenCL

218

460

Vulkan

361

461

GFX

Aztec Open Normal

5.5

5.5

Aztec Vulkan Norm.

4.8

4.8

Car Chase

3.2

5.4

Manhattan 3.1

4.9

8.8

PCMark

3.0 Score

7391

7790

Battery

30h 40m

31h 18m

Charge 30

%

16

13

Passmark

Score

6767

6289

CPU

3268

2947

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

789

1479

Slingshot Ex. OGL

490

985

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

504

976

Wildlife

226

432

Nomad Lite

N/A

49

It wasn’t easy to find a phone I’d reviewed recently that was comparable to the BV7300, because most that use the Helio G99 or one of the Dimensity series MediaTek SoCs are significantly more powerful than the G81 used here.

Eventually, I chose the Doogee Fire 6 Power, and its underwhelming Unisoc T606 SoC to be something to compare.

Performance-wise, these phones are closely matched, both in CPU and GPU speeds, and neither is a phone you would pick to play 3D games on.

What ultimately divides them is that the BV7300 only comes with 6GB of RAM, and the Nomad Lite test refuses to run with less than 8GB. And, I did try RAM expansion mode, and that 3D Mark test wants real memory, not mapped storage.

Where both phones excel is in respect of battery capacity and running time, with the Fire 6 being a little better because it has 500mAh more battery at its disposal. I worked out the running time per mAh, and the Blackview has a tiny advantage, although it’s also nearly 100g heavier for that win.

Overall, this isn’t a phone that anyone wanting high performance would gravitate towards, but if you want a rugged phone that can take reasonable pictures and last at least four working days without a recharge, then the Blackview BV7300 might be for you.

• Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Blackview BV7300: Final verdict

Looking for an affordable phone that can withstand some abuse, whether on holiday, a building site, or in the jungle? Then the Blackview BV7300 might fit the bill.

There isn’t much about this phone that stands out, other than perhaps the battery life and the price, but for some, having a phone that can get wet and be dropped and still work is the critical requirement.

The BV7300 ticks that box, even if it makes it less than lightweight, and in a company scenario, you are unlikely to take flak for going over-budget.

Should I buy a Blackview BV7300?Blackview BV7300 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Cheap and chunky

4/5

Design

Heavy, but designed to take abuse

4/5

Hardware

MediaTek Helio G81, odd screen, big battery

4/5

Camera

Two rear sensors but only 1080p video

3.5/5

Performance

Budget phone performance but good battery life

3.5/5

Overall

A practical device if you don't mind the weight

4/5

Buy it if...

You need an outdoor phone
The BV7300 is built to handle drops, even into water, as long as it doesn't go too deep or stay submersed too long. Clumsy people need phones like this.

Battery life is critical
Being able to run continuously for more than thirty hours suggests that it should take most people through four working days without a recharge. Or, longer if you aren’t always on it.

Don't buy it if...

You travel light
At over 500g, this isn’t a lightweight device; ideally, it must be mounted to your belt or a vehicle. If your role involves extended walking, you might regret buying this phone.

You need more memory or performance
This is probably the least powerful phone I’ve seen since the Doogee Fire 6 Power, and that one wasn’t impressive. If you use demanding tasks, of 5G, then perhaps this isn’t for you.

Also Consider

Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro
Another practical, rugged design with an inbuilt camping light, night vision camera and about half the battery capacity of the Blackview BV7300. But it's also much easier to carry, and they make a 20T Pro model with thermal imaging.

Read our full Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro review

Doogee Fire 6 Power
A low-power rugged phone with a similar spec to the BV7300, but with 8GB of RAM, and it's 98g lighter. In many other respects, it’s very similar to the Blackview.

Being less heavy, but with a battery almost the same size, hints that it might not be as robust as the BV7300. Although I don't have evidence to support that assertion.

Read our full Doogee Fire 6 Power review

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

Air Canada will resume flights Monday evening, claiming the union illegally directed flight attendants to defy a return-to-work order.

(Image credit: Graham Hughes)

Dynabook Protege X40-M: 30-second review

Checking through the specifications of the Chuwi GameBook 9955HX and the CPU and GPU both hint at a high-performance laptop, just without the usual astronomical high price. Checking over the machine highlights the balance Chuwi has struck with the design and quality of the materials. While they might not match the likes of the Asus ProArt P16 and other high-end creative and gaming laptops, it still offers a good overall build quality.

Unlike other gaming laptops, Chuwi has really kept the design aesthetics reserved, so like many of the best business laptops, this machine will look equally at home, in the office, or design studio as it would in a gaming environment. With a sleek, plain top, a good array of ports around the sides and back, and the only hint that this is something different from your standard office laptop being the honeycomb design on the base.

Several key features instantly appeal when you open up the GameBook 9955HX. First and foremost is the large screen and full-size keyboard with a number pad on the right, making it ideal for anyone scouting for the best laptops for photo editing or the best laptops for video editing.

Getting into the use, Windows 11 Pro runs smoothly from the outset, with the CPU and GPU combo alongside the 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD providing all the speed you need for all standard applications, which is proven through the PCMark scores.

Content creation, again using Premiere Pro, Adobe Lightroom, and Photoshop, showed the machine had absolutely no issues with editing 4K and even some 8K video, although expansion storage was needed. With two USB Type-C ports, you get a relatively fast connection to the machine. This is the first highlight where cost has been cut, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 used over the faster USB Type-C interfaces, meaning you only get 10GB/s, considerably lower than the later USB4 that you'd expect to see on a machine with these specifications.

However, the reduction in USB interface generation is one of the only areas where the specifications have been pared back. Internally, there is space for additional RAM and increased storage, including the PCIe 5 M.2 slot and fast connection through Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity options, both of which are tried and tested rather than being the latest generation.

Overall, the test showed the machine put in a great performance, with an easy access turbo power option, when you're connected to AC power, to accelerate the CPU and GPU further, giving a boost when playing games, especially. There is little not to like about the raw performance of this GameBook.

When you consider the price and what's on offer, it's hard not to be impressed with what Chuwi has managed to offer at this price.

Chuwi GameBook 9955HX: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? £1804
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Widely available

The Chuwi GameBook is available directly through the Chuwi website for £1,804, which, considering the specification including 32GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive, is exceptional value for money.

• Value: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Chuwi GameBook 9955HX: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specifications

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (16 cores, 32 threads, up to 5.4GHz)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU (12GB GDDR6)
RAM: 32GB DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 16GB, dual channel, upgradable to 64GB)
Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD (supports two M.2 2280 slots, one Gen4, one Gen5, upgradable)
Left Ports: 2.5G RJ45 LAN, USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supports 100W PD charging), 3.5mm audio jack
Right Ports: USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, Kensington lock slot
Rear Ports: HDMI 2.1 Port (Support 4K@120Hz), USB 3.2 Gen 2, Mini DP (DP2.1a, UHBR20 80Gbps)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Audio: 2W stereo speakers, Dual microphone array
Camera: 1080p IR webcam (supports Windows Hello, with physical privacy cover)
Size: 356.7 x 253.8 x 21.4 mm
Weight: 2.3kg
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: 140W USB-C power adapter

Removing the Chuwi GameBook 9955HX from the box, the first thing that strikes you, especially at this price point, is just how good and robust the laptop feels, with the monitor protected in an aluminium casing, while the main body is made from a similar colour, high-impact plastic. While it doesn't give quite the same premium feel as some other laptops, it is nevertheless of decent quality.

When it comes to size and weight, because this is a gaming-focused PC requiring lots of cooling for the powerful CPU and GPU, the size and weight are slightly heavier than many work-focused laptops. It measures 356.7 x 253.8 x 21.4 mm and weighs in at 2.3kg.

Despite all that processing power and features, it's still a relatively decent-sized machine and more than portable, as I found during the process of this test.

Looking over the body of the laptop, there's a good rubber bar on the base along with two small feet to keep it securely in place on the desktop, and there's a good amount of venting on the bottom and across the back of the machine, ensuring that the powerful CPU/GPU combo stays cool.

On the left-hand side, you have a LAN port with an ingenious flip-down door design that helps partially protect the port and integrates with the design of the case. This network port is joined by a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port that enables 100W of PD power for charging when the laptop is off, and a USB Type-A Gen 1 port, alongside a standard 3.5mm audio jack.

Alongside venting at the back, there's also a USB Type-C port at up to 140W PD power again when the power is off, a mini DP 2.1 and an HDMI 2.1 port enabling 4K at 120Hz, and finally, on the right-hand side, there are two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and a lock slot for securing the laptop if needed.

Opening up the lid reveals the 16-inch, 2.5K (2560 x 1600), IPS, 300Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits brightness 16:10 screen that offers a clear display for office work, content creation, as well as gaming.

One of the big features for anyone looking at this laptop for work, as well as content creation and gaming, is the full-size keyboard, even down to the four cursor keys, all full-sized with a handy numeric pad, which is slightly reduced in size, giving plenty of control and input options. While the keyboard is of decent quality, it doesn't quite have the same precise actuation that you would find with some of the more premium models.

Still, that's not to say it doesn't feel good to type on, and it is responsive. Likewise, the trackpad is a decent size and supports gesture control, again, of a decent quality, but doesn't quite have the high-end premium feel you might expect with some of the more premium laptops.

One final design feature to point out is across the top bar of the laptop, alongside gaming detailing. There is the power button, and next to this is the turbo button, which gives the laptop a power boost for gaming and other applications that need a little bit more grunt from the CPU and GPU, with an Office, Balanced and Turbo mode.

• Design: 4 / 5

Chuwi GameBook 9955HX: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Featuring an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX CPU with 16 cores, 32 threads, 64MB cache and up to 5.4GHz clock speed within Zen 5 architecture, this mobile CPU is an ideal fit if you're looking for a laptop that can handle high-demand applications and games. It's supported by an impressive GPU in the form of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti laptop GPU, which features 12GB of GDDR7 VRAM, 140W TGP, 1406 AI TOPS, and supports full ray tracing.

Complementing the CPU and GPU is the dual-channel SODIMM RAM, and the standard machine comes equipped with 2×16GB DDR5 5600MHz modules, but you can expand this up to two 32GB sticks if required. Access to the inner workings is through the base with 11 screws needing to be removed before the base of the machine can be lifted away. From there, the layout is extremely neat and easy to work with.

For storage, the machine features two slots and comes pre-installed with a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, placed in the PCIe 5.0 slot. You can also add a second M.2 2280 PCIe SSD card into the secondary slot, which is a PCIe 4.0 slot. Ideally, you buy yourself a PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280 module and insert that into the PCIe 5.0 slot to make the most of that additional speed, and place the operating system onto the PCIe 4.0 slot.

Powering the machine is a 77.77Wh battery that offers 15.4V and 5,050mAh capacity. While this is impressive considering the power draw, used for high-end gaming or content creation, battery life is going to be rather limited.

However, there has to be a balance between the size of the machine and the battery used, with a 140W AC power supply for high-demand applications. It's probably worth swapping over to AC power rather than using the battery. It's also worth noting that while there are two USB-C ports that enable PD power, this is only for use when the machine is off.

Connectivity options are as described previously, with a good range of ports, although the USB Type-C port is an older generation USB3.2 Gen 2 rather than USB4.

As you'd expect, there is a webcam built in, supporting Windows Hello face recognition. One feature I like here is that there's a physical privacy cover. It can be slid across the camera, and once it is down, the camera shows a red cover to highlight the status.

For gaming and content creation, there are two relatively powerful two-watt speakers and a dual mic on the camera. These are all of decent quality, although nowhere near the depth or clarity of sound you would expect from a premium model.

All in all, considering the price point, the features are well balanced, giving you all the power you need for high-demand applications and games, while balancing out some features, such as the USB interfaces, to manage overall cost.

• Features: 4.5 / 5

Chuwi GameBook 9955HX: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Benchmarks

CrystalDiskMark Read: 5538.97
CrystalDiskMark Write: 5208.69
Geekbench CPU Multi: 18134
Geekbench CPU Single: 3220
Geekbench GPU: 150671
PCMark Overall: 8367
Cinebench CPU Multi: 32863
Cinebench CPU Single: 2175
Fire Strike Overall: 35793
Fire Strike Graphics: 40250
Fire Strike Physics: 37287
Fire Strike Combined: 18934
Time Spy Overall: 15855
Time Spy Graphics: 16763
Time Spy CPU: 12135
Wild Life Overall: 40003
Steel Nomad Overall: 3743
Windows Experience Overall: 8.1

The Chuwi GameBook 9955HX impresses first and foremost with the speed at which Windows boots up from cold, enabling you to load up apps and get started in a couple of minutes if not less. All Microsoft Office applications run smoothly, and if you prefer Google Docs, the wireless internet connection using Wi-Fi 6 is good and robust, with the option to hardwire into the network if you prefer. From a work perspective, this machine provides a solid foundation for standard administration software.

Through tests for Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, all applications loaded quickly, and with a large 16-inch screen in decent resolution, it's easy to navigate and update multiple documents and presentations with ease.

One of the things that stands out is the full-size keyboard. When you are used to using a MacBook Pro or similar high-end premium laptop with a reduced keyboard, the fact that it has the number pad, full-size cursors, and access to the F keys at the top just makes workflow much easier without having to use key combinations.

Moving on from the base applications and starting to look at content creation options, I loaded up Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop and Lightroom to see how the machine would handle an 8K video shot on a Canon EOS R5C and Sony A7 IV. The performance was superb. However, the one-terabyte SSD quickly filled up, and I was pleased to see that I could quickly pop in a secondary SSD, boosting internal storage up to 3TB.

For ease, this was installed in the secondary PCIe slot, enabling transfer rates of up to 5,000MB/s when benchmarked in CrystalDiskMark.

During the test, I checked the USB-C port transfer rate when connected to an external SSD, using a Lexar Armour 700 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 drive. The port managed just under 1,000MB/s transfer rate, with a score of 976.27MB/s read and 968.92MB/s write, showing that this is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, while not the fastest, it still delivers decent transfer rates if you need to use an external drive for video or images.

When it came to render speed from Adobe Premiere Pro, the RTX 5070 Ti did the brunt of the processing, reflected in the Cinebench scores with a CPU multi score of 32,863 and single CPU score of 2,175, which are within the range for premium creative and gaming laptops.

As testing continued, I was able to batch edit multiple images shot on the Sony A7 IV within Adobe Bridge and Photoshop, as well as apply quick changes and organise files within Adobe Lightroom. The machine rendered thumbnails and effects quickly. I was impressed with the quality of the screen, which I didn't expect to be quite as good for a laptop that's firstly gaming and secondly at this price.

Checking the quality of the screen with DataColor Spyder X2 Ultra, it was awarded an overall rating of 4.5, which is very good, scoring maximum points on both gamut and contrast, while the white point and colour uniformity both came in at 4.5. While colour accuracy was slightly down, this isn't a creative-focused laptop, but with a colour accuracy of 4, it still displayed sRGB at 100%, Adobe RGB 79%, and P3 at a respectable 81%.

Essentially, for workflow, gaming, and multimedia playback, this monitor is high quality; however, if you are looking to use this machine for critical creative work, you need to be mindful that the colours won't be 100% accurate.

For gaming, this is where it really comes into its own. While it can't compete with a dedicated desktop gaming machine, the performance afforded by the AMD Ryzen 9 HX CPU and GeForce RTX really does make it stand out, with some of the fastest benchmarking results I have seen for a laptop of this type, including a Wild Life overall score of 40,003, Fire Strike at 35,793, and Time Spy at 15,855. These are in line with premium laptops that can cost almost double what you'd pay for the Chuwi GameBook.

When it comes to performance, the display, keyboard and touchpad layout are all well considered, and while the fans do kick in under load, considering the price, that is more than acceptable.

Alongside all the hardware is the Chuwi Easy Care maintenance application, which is an in-depth dashboard for your system. It enables you to monitor the machine, the use of internal memory, and gives you access to easy driver updates, system optimisation, and the health of the system.

There are also three different power modes: Office, Balanced and Turbo, two of which can be activated when on battery power, with the third only accessible when plugged into the AC main power. The first mode is Office, taking the CPU right down to minimum, conserving power, so if you're commuting or working on battery, you can maximise battery life.

Then there's Balance, which balances CPU and fan power but gives a bit more performance, and Turbo, which can only be used when plugged into AC power and boosts overall performance, making it ideal for content creation or gaming. The most significant performance boost is when you push the turbo button, running a side-by-side test with 3D Mark Fire Strike on Office mode, it scored 34,958, switching to Balanced produced a score of 35689, and Turbo mode produced 37,417 at each stage, marking a noticeable change in performance.

What I also like is that you can go into the BIOS and select which power mode to use as default, so if you always game, you can leave it in Turbo mode, though once you're unplugged from AC, it will switch to Balanced. If you mostly work on office documents, select Office mode to maximise battery, and if you do a bit of everything, Balanced would be the one to set as default.

Chuwi has put the work into making this extremely usable, and the BIOS is testament to this. It looks modern and, for once, is easy to navigate with all the options and settings clearly laid out, and if you need to swap boot drives, change default performance modes, or anything else you'd usually do in the BIOS, it's all here and easy to find.

At the end of the test, I am impressed with just how good this laptop is for the price, its performance puts it well within the premium laptop range, yet while it's expensive, it's far cheaper than other laptops with similar specifications, and the fact that it includes some of the latest technology means that it's great for gaming and office work, as well as content creation, although you do need to check the colour accuracy for critical creative work.

• Performance: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Chuwi GameBook 9955HX: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

If you were to write a wish list for a high-performance laptop, the GameBook 9955HX pretty much hits almost every point. It has a large 16-inch screen which is beautifully uniform, with a slightly matte finish making it extremely viewable, and the large keyboard just makes it easy to use for office applications and gaming.

Connectivity options might be a little limited in comparison with premium laptops, for example, downgrading to USB 3.2 Gen 2 rather than USB4, but still, with a 1,000MB/s average transfer rate, it's decent.

The different power modes take it from Balance, Office to Turbo, essentially giving the machine a huge boost in power, making it ideal as you swap from low-to mid-demand applications, across to higher, and the machine just gives you that additional power needed to complete tasks that would otherwise be time-consuming on a slower machine, though there is a sacrifice in battery life.

Across the board, I've been impressed with the build quality, hardware, upgradeability, and performance. Chuwi has also included their own health management software in the form of Chuwi Easy Care to enable you to keep an eye on the overall health of the machine. If you go into the BIOS, there is a comprehensive set of options that look easy to navigate and understand, with a modern design that is a breakaway from what is more ordinarily seen on most other laptops.

As a complete solution, the GameBook is a solid option that's well priced, powerful, and offers enough to satisfy all types of users.

Should I buy a Chuwi GameBook 9955HX?

Value

Exceptional value for money for top-of-the-range CPU/GPU, usually at a much greater price

5

Design

The design is a little mixed, with a high-quality monitor casing, coupled with a plastic main body

4

Features

Has a good range of features that help to balance the cost of components with performance

4.5

Performance

With three easy-to-access power modes, you can adjust how the machine performs to suit your needs

5

Overall

Exceptional value for money with performance you expect from a premium laptop

5

Buy it if...

You want a high-performance machine on a budget.

It's hard to believe you get as much as you do for the price. While it is still an expensive machine compared with rivals, it is considerably less expensive.

You want lots of storage capacity.

There are 2 x M.2 2280 SSD slots in the machine, one of which is a PCIe 5.0, giving flexibility over the internal storage, which is easily upgraded.

Don't buy it if...

You need fast external storage.

While there is USB-C, it is only USB 3.2 Gen 2, offering a maximum of 10GB per second, which might not be fast enough for some working in the creative sector.

You need colour accuracy.

While the monitor is very good when it comes to colour gamut, it is limited and really aimed at games, multimedia and general use rather than critical creative accuracy.

For more top choices, we've reviewed the best laptops for work and gaming.

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Anthros Chair V2: One-minute review

The Anthros V2 Chair is, as the name would imply, the second iteration of Anthros' gaming chair. Geared towards both desk workers, whether in-office or remote, and gamers alike, it is a complicated product, with more knobs and levers than your local knob-and-lever factory.

It also promises to ‘fix your sit’ which, if true in its promise, would be life-changing for anyone that struggles with posture or back pain.

There's one caveat, however; this baby is expensive. With the base model sitting at a list price of over $2,000, before any of the optional bells and whistles you can add on, such as materials, colours, and even arm rests which come as extras, you'd be forgiven for hoping this chair might make you breakfast and do the laundry for you while you're at it.

For context, this is far more expensive than our current favorite premium pick, the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody, and you could also buy three Branch Verve chairs for the same price, too (roughly).

Everything about the chair screams premium, though, from the materials used to the build quality of every component. I could never bring myself to spend this much money on a chair, but since I'm at my desk for a minimum of eight hours every day, comfort and back support are essential. And I'm not sure you're going to find it anywhere better than with the Anthros V2 Chair.

(Image credit: Future)Anthros Chair V2 review: Price and availability

• $2,146 / Around £1,600 / Around AU$3,300
• Price doesn’t include extras - even armrests
• More expensive than the Herman Miller X Logitech Embody

Outside of the astronomical price tag, what are you actually getting with the Anthros V2 Chair? How could it possibly be worth that much? Well, according to Anthros themselves, it's all about the technology behind it, and how it's "engineered to relieve pain". The seat features a contoured cushion that utilises 'Cloudtex' and 'Cloudfloat' technology, as opposed to traditional office and gaming chairs, which are usually flat.

This is part of what makes the Anthros V2 Chair so comfortable to sit in for extended periods, and in my experience with it over the last four months, it works. Compared to my previous office butt-rest, which was a bog-standard gaming chair from a relatively cheap brand compared to some of the premium offerings in that department, this has been like night and day.

The seat isn't everything, though, as the Anthros V2 Chair promises plenty of lumbar support, and this comes from two areas. The back rest is in two segments, which are "designed to promote an optimal ’S’ curve of the spine by supporting the pelvis", according to the official site. Both are controlled individually with knobs underneath the seat, so you can position them as you see fit. It'll feel slightly uncomfortable at first, but the idea is that the chair makes you unable to slouch by keeping your spine upright.

An important note to make folks aware of is, at the time of writing, the Anthros chair is only sold on a US-facing website, but shoppers from outside the United States can still order it with international shipping.

Anthros V2 Chair review: Specs

Price

$2,146 (around £1,600 / AU$3,300 plus shipping from the US)

Dimensions (L x W x H)

28 x 18.3 x 43.7in (45.7 x 46.6 x 110.9cm)

Max user weight

300 lbs (136kg)

Seat width

19.8in (50.3cm)

Warranty

12 years

Finish

Athlon performance fabric

Anthros Chair V2 review: Design and aesthetics

• Premium feel…
• Except one minor part
• Lacks a headrest

I've talked about the cost a lot because of how jaw-dropping it is initially, but I also must stress how it isn't completely unjustified. Every part of this chair is high quality, from the swivel base to the seat cushion, back panel, arm rests, and the control knobs.

All of the mandatory parts for the chair feel excellent, but the one exception to this is the footrest. They've currently dropped it from $199 to $49, which the skeptic in me would assume is because they've had feedback that it's so underwhelming and cheap-feeling compared to the rest of the chair. It's plasticky, lacks many adjustments such as the ability to raise or lower it, and it can't even be locked at a specific tilt angle. Save your cash and pick one up from another manufacturer.

There's also no headrest on the Anthros V2 Chair, which some folks may find frustrating. It put me off at first, but after a while, you don't miss it. It's easier to stay awake and alert without a headrest, and while I'd like an optional headrest attachment to use when I'm reclining and playing video games with a controller, it's a small thing to lose when I feel better in my posture and more attentive during the working day.

(Image credit: Future)Anthros Chair V2 review: Comfort and Adjustability

• Comfy for long periods
• You can feel a difference in your posture
• Somewhat of a learning curve

As mentioned earlier, the motto for the Anthros V2 Chair is that it will "fix your sit", but doing that requires comfort. I am extremely happy to report this is by far the comfiest chair I've used for long periods… although I didn't think that at first. It takes some getting used to because if you're using it correctly, you'll have the lower back section pushing into you. If you let it shape your back, then over time, your posture should improve.

Anthros are well aware that purchasing such an expensive chair is an investment, so you're offered a video call with one of their on-staff therapists to "learn more about the chair and how it can specifically help you".

I spoke with Anthros’ Ambassador Community Director, Ashley Williams, for 20 minutes or so, alongside carrying out this review, learning a little more about the science behind it, how they went through iterations of the product, and what it looks like underneath the shell. She also helped me set up all the various configurations to perfectly suit my height and desk setup, such as where the arm rests sit, how far forward the lower back support should be, and more.

(Image credit: Future)

That customer service goes a long way, so even though the chair was provided free of charge for review purposes, knowing that service is available to anyone who buys the chair - or who wants to discuss the product prior to purchase - it's the sort of support you value. It's especially helpful when you consider how many knobs and adjustments the chair has, which means it has a slight learning curve, and referring to the manual is required until you learn which part tweaks each aspect.

Four months in and I'm thoroughly impressed. If I'd spent upwards of $2,000 on the chair, would I feel the same? I'm not sure, but that's because that's a lot of money for me. If you're lucky enough that this wouldn't be such a financial investment, this is one of the best chairs on the market for long-term ergonomic support.

(Image credit: Future)Anthros Chair V2 review: Assembly

Putting it all together is a painless experience, entirely feasible to do by yourself, and you'll be done in under an hour.

However, this comes with a caveat. Everything with the assembly went flawlessly until the very final step, which is to install the upper back cuff.

This plastic cover for the upper back hinge refused to go on, no matter how hard I tried, so I put it down for a few days. I came back to it later, and it eventually clicked into place, but be prepared to use some serious force.

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(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Anthros Chair V2?Buy it if...

You struggle to sit for extended periods in other chairs and experience back pain
This is the comfiest long-term gaming chair I've used, and from reading the experience of other's online, folks with more severe issues than mine with their back applaud the Anthros V2 Chair for fixing their problems.

You have the money to spend on a chair this expensive
Again, it's not cheap. Even a Herman Miller, albeit still expensive, is cheaper than the Anthros V2 Chair. But if you have the cash to splash, you can't go wrong, and you certainly won’t regret it.

You want to fix your posture
Fixing your posture with the Anthros V2 Chair still requires some effort and thought, but the upper and lower back supports are enormous tools to help with that.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You don't use a chair for most of your working day
If you're not mostly sedentary during your job, the Anthros V2 Chair is probably overkill, and you can find comfort in something cheaper.

You're unsure whether you can safely afford it
Don't bankrupt yourself just for the sake of a comfy chair. There are other, cheaper options available - and remember, even the armrests will cost you extra.

Anthros Chair V2: Also consider

If the Anthros V2 Chair hasn't sunk its claws into you or it's out of reach financially, consider one of these other desk chairs that promise similar results.

Anthros V2 Chair

Herman Miller x Logitech Embody

Branch Verve

Price

$2,146 (around £1,600 / AU$3,300 plus shipping from the US)

$1,795 / £1,496

$549 (about £495, AU$860)

Dimensions (L x W x H)

28 x 18.3 x 43.7 in (45.7 x 46.6 x 110.9 cm)

29 x 29.5 x 45 in (73.7 x 74.9 x 114.3 cm)

27 x 27 x 37 to 41 in (68.6 x 68.6 x 104.1 cm)

Max user weight

300 lbs (136kg)

300 lbs (136kg)

300 lbs (136kg)

Seat width

19.8in (50.3cm)

29.5in (74.9cm)

16.5in (41.9cm)

Warranty

12 years

12 years

7 years

Finish

Athlon performance fabric

100% polyester fabric

3D knit polyester fabric

Herman Miller x Logitech Embody
Herman Miller has long been considered the king of office and gaming chairs, having built their brand reputation over the course of many years. While Anthros is coming for a slice of the pie, the Herman Miller Embody is perhaps the cream of the crop from the gaming chair competitor. It's a little cheaper than the Anthros ($1,795), it comes pre-assembled, looks seriously slick.

For more information, check out our full Herman Miller x Logitech Embody review

Branch Verve
For a non-gaming office chair alternative, the Branch Verve is far, far cheaper than the Anthros V2 Chair, coming in at $549, yet still boasting plenty of ergonomic features and an attractive design. There's a reason it's rated our best office chair of 2025, and it isn't just because it has a much cooler name than the Anthros.

For more information, check out our full Branch Verve review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Anthros Chair V2

• Used regularly for almost four straight months
• Worked from it during the day, usually locked into the upright position
• Often gamed from it in the evening, reclining with a controller in hand

I can never see myself going back to any other seat or gaming chair after using the Anthros V2 Chair for so long. My back feels better for it, and I'm looking forward to experiencing some more of the long-term benefits. As explained above, it'll take a little while for you to start feeling positive changes, but it's well worth sticking with it.

I work 9-5, typing and using my computer as normal, then recently I've started playing Rematch in the evenings on PC, for which I use an Xbox controller. I adjust the tilt and recline, keeping the back supports in the same position, so my spine still fits into that S shape.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed: August 2025

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