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innocn 40C1u: 30-second review

There's no doubt that out of the box, the Innocn 40C1U is instantly impressive with its huge 40-inch 21:9 aspect ratio screen that essentially dominates the desk once it's in place. Considering the price, I was quite surprised by just how well built the screen was, and it feels by no means cheap despite coming in at almost half the price of other monitors that are similarly specced and offering 5K resolution, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB colour spaces.

Getting set up and started was simple enough, although I would highly recommend having at least an extra pair of hands to manoeuvre the monitor into place. It's not overly heavy, but it's more the size that makes it a little difficult to place on your desk, and once situated in your workspace, it does dominate.

However, because the screen itself features a very thin bezel and the metal stand and design is relatively slimline, once it's pushed up against the wall, it blends in very nicely, still enabling plenty of room on a standard-sized desk for keyboard, mouse and other accessories and peripherals.

Getting started is as straightforward as with any monitor, with the option for either HDMI, DisplayPort or, in the case of this review, USB-C connected into either a MacBook Pro M1 Max or an Asus Prime-based PC.

As the monitor flicked to life, I felt that the factory calibration was overly warm, and sure enough, checking it out with Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra and running a quick screen calibration quickly highlighted how off the initial calibration colours were. Once the screen was cooled significantly, the visuals really started to look impressive.

Compared with some of the other monitors that I've looked at that also support DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, the one thing that was noticeable was the IPS screen lacked some of the depth of tone and colour of those more expensive screens, but if you're using this for pure productivity or media production, then that really isn't going to be an issue.

The other point is that the screen is limited to 100Hz, which to be honest at 5K is still impressive, but if you're looking at gaming and you need full depth of contrast and refresh rates, then this probably isn't the best option for you, and a curved screen of a similar size is going to give you a more immersive experience.

As I went through video editing in DaVinci Resolve and photo enhancement in Adobe Photoshop, the additional real estate definitely helps with the workflow, and I found myself using a large percentage of the screen for creative applications, whilst leaving my email browser open on the right-hand side so that I could quickly check and respond to emails. This is exactly as I would do with my two-monitor setup, but here it feels a lot cleaner with just this one single monitor.

As with any of the best business monitors, there are plenty of options to adjust the screen settings and a quick delve into the onscreen display enabled me to swap from standard RGB to Adobe RGB, so that I could quickly adjust the gamma of the screen, depending on the work I was doing.

As expected, the screen does also include speakers, although firstly these aren't greatly powerful and secondly they're extremely tinny, so if you have another form of speaker, even if that's just your MacBook Pro internal speaker, then this is going to have far better audio quality than the monitor itself.

By the end of the test, I was impressed by the quality of the screen considering the price. Whilst it might not really challenge more expensive Adobe RGB creative monitors from the likes of Eizo, ViewSonic or even Apple, for the price, what's on offer here is exceptionally good and will suit most creators and coders looking for a large-scale monitor with a high-quality, clear screen and decent refresh rate.

innocn 40C1u: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $799
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Widely available

The Innocn 40C1U is widely available and can be purchased at $780 directly from the innocn.com website by clicking here. It's also available via online retailers, including Amazon.com where it's currently $750 at time of review.

• Value: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)innocn 40C1u: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specifications

Screen Size : 40"
Resolution : 5K UWQHD (5120 x 2160 Pixels)
Display Technology : LCD
Aspect Ratio : 21:9
Refresh Rate : 100 Hz
Panel Type : IPS
Connectivity : Type C ; 2xHDMI2.0 ; DP1.4 ; 2xUSB-A ; USB-B
Brightness (Typical) : 350cd/㎡ (typ)

The price point is by no means high, considering what you're getting with this 40-inch monitor that supports Adobe RGB and a 100Hz refresh rate. When this monitor arrived, I was expecting it to be a little plasticky and limited in features.

However, from the outset, I was impressed by the overall build quality. The bezel around the outer edges is nice and slim, and when it's all assembled and sits on the desk, it has a modern aesthetic that will suit any design studio or coding office.

The huge 40-inch screen is flat, and actually, this is much better suited than curved screens when it comes to productivity. Those curved screens are better placed for gaming, giving you a more immersive experience, whereas a flat screen is better for laying out screens and for productivity, as there's no distortion of panels or the images you're adjusting.

Likewise, if you're typing, then having a purely flat screen is far easier to use. At 40 inches, it is huge; essentially, it'll give you a similar screen real estate to three 17-inch monitors placed side-by-side, but with no interruption along the horizontal, whilst the vertical is essentially the same as a 32-inch 16:9 monitor.

Considering the size, it's worth noting the pure scale of the monitor. It measures approximately 945mm x 420mm x 55mm in depth, and these measurements don't include the stand. The stand measures 230mm x 200mm for the base that sits on your desk, and the full height can go from as low as 460mm to 580mm, with a subtle tilt upwards and down as well as to the left and right, making it extremely easy to position. The monitor and stand come in at about 12kg.

There is the option for a VESA mount with the 75 x 75 fitting, but with that weight, you might find it a little tricky to mount, although it should fit most heavyweight TV mounts without issue.

When it comes to connectivity, there is a single USB-C (65W) to enable a maximum 100Hz refresh rate, then there are two HDMI 2.0 ports (100Hz max), a DisplayPort 1.4 (100Hz max), and also a few USB ports with two USB-A 3.0 ports and a single USB-B 3.0. It's also worth noting that there are speakers built into the monitor if you want a neat solution.

• Design: 5 / 5

innocn 40C1u: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Once the screen is on the desk, the 40-inch 21:9 aspect ratio is instantly impressive, and the fact that it supports a resolution of 5K QHD 5120 x 2160 pixels really does stand out. It's also good to note that it has a refresh rate of 100Hz.

As with the monitor's design, there are several connectivity options, including those highlighted above, but it's worth also noting that the USB-C port I mostly used throughout this test also offers 65W PD passthrough. This means that under general productivity use, when you're not pushing your computer too much, that's enough power to supply a MacBook Pro M1 Max to keep the battery topped up for an entire day. For most other laptops, that 65W is perfect, meaning you just need that single cable to your machine to both power it and supply the monitor with the visual data.

The standout feature aside from its pure 40-inch scale is the ultrawide colour gamut that enables rich, bright colours, especially suited to creative applications such as photography and video editing, but also good for general productivity. The monitor supports sRGB at 99%, DCI-P3 at 97%, and offers 16.7 million colours at 8-bit. It's a shame that there's no REC 709 option. So, for those looking for the best monitor for photo editing or the best monitor for video editing, in my experience this is a solid choice with an ultrawide screen.

The panel type used is IPS (In-Plane Switching), which means that from multiple angles, you get good, vibrant colour and sharp visuals. This makes it an ideal option for anyone working in a studio where several people might need to view the monitor throughout the day as you show work and collaborate.

During this review, I used the innocn 40C1u for video and photo editing as well as general productivity. That screen real estate is ideal for anyone focused on Excel, spreadsheets or word documentation. It means you don't have to quickly switch between applications as you can have them all sat side-by-side on the screen, making it far easier to work.

The 100Hz refresh rate is great to see for a creative-based monitor and will enable you to watch most videos smoothly, whilst also allowing you to play many games, although the 100Hz is a little low for competitive gaming.

Overall, for modern design, creativity and productivity, the features of the innocn 40C1u are well balanced with a good choice of colour gamut depending on the type of work you're doing and a good range of resolutions all the way up to that 5K QHD.

• Features: 4 / 5

innocn 40C1u: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

From the outset, the innocn 40C1u was quick and easy to set up despite its large size, and whilst it is heavy, one person should be able to manoeuvre it relatively easily, although an extra set of hands is always helpful with a monitor of this size, especially when mounting it to the stand.

The stand was exceptionally simple to attach, is a really good quality metal build, and offers strong support. One of the issues I was worried about with a monitor of this width was wobble when typing on the keyboard, but thankfully, the stand and base are heavy enough to reduce vibration of the screen when working.

The aesthetics of the monitor are also spot-on, with nice slim bezels and a dark matte black finish that just gives it a really good premium feel despite its relatively low price point.

Starting the monitor up, the first thing I noticed was just how warm the colours looked. Flipping through the onscreen display options, I went from the standard mode to sRGB and then onto Adobe RGB, but still wasn't satisfied that the colours had been calibrated correctly, at least not for the environment I was in.

Everything looked overly warm, which might be fine if you're watching multimedia, but if you're doing colour-critical work, you need accuracy, especially with a monitor sold for creative use. This adjustment could be done directly using the onscreen display, which is relatively easy to navigate with plenty of options. The navigation buttons are under the bottom right-hand side of the screen.

Under the professional settings, the CT settings were set to 'Warm'. This could be quickly adjusted to 'Natural' which gave a much better look, however I found that these colour settings still weren't exactly as I wanted, so I was pleased to see that there was a user-defined mode, and through there I could adjust the RGB just to cool down some of that warmth with the blue slider.

The adjustment was small but made a big difference to the quality of the colours displayed on the screen. To ensure the monitor was completely calibrated, I ran it through the Datacolor Spyder X2 Ultra to fully calibrate it to the ambient colour temperature of my environment. Once done, the colours and tone of the screen instantly became far more balanced and ready for content creation.

As I used the monitor for editing, work documents, browsing the internet, watching YouTube videos (when I should have been working), and editing video in DaVinci Resolve, I was impressed with the overall sharpness of text, detail in images, and superb colour accuracy.

Visually, without hardware analysis, the screen looked superb and really highlighted the strengths of an IPS screen for creative and productivity work. OLED screens might give you more impact for blacks and contrast, which is good for gaming, whereas for pure productivity, an IPS screen is often a better option, with decent coverage of sRGB, Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 colour spaces.

For creative and productivity use, the screen excelled, and I was impressed with most aspects, especially the resolution that enabled so much real estate for applications. It essentially feels like much the same as my three 27-inch monitors side-by-side, but it takes up less space and has no bezels between each section. From a practical point of view, it also means there are fewer cables needing to be plugged into the PC and the power socket.

One area worth highlighting is the built-in speakers, which are tinny and underpowered. They also seem to be mono and biased to the left-hand side of the monitor. They are okay for video calls or the odd YouTube clip, but the audio quality doesn't match the quality of the screen, and I switched to my MacBook Pro's internal speakers or my Fostex 6301B speakers.

During testing, I ran the monitor quality tests in Spyder X2 Ultra to check screen uniformity, colour accuracy and contrast, along with a few other tests. For a monitor of this size, it performed exceptionally well.

The first tests were run in standard mode, and as expected, the overall monitor rating was modest at 3.0. However, after calibration and switching to Adobe RGB, results were far better, with gamma response and contrast both scoring 5/5, and Adobe RGB colour accuracy scoring 4.5/5, making this a solid option for photographers, with an overall score of 4/5.

It's worth noting that luminance uniformity across the screen was fair, with about a 10% variation from the base across different parts of the screen, with the best uniformity in the bottom right and the brightest area in the top left. Visually, you wouldn't really notice the difference.

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)innocn 40C1u: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At the end of the test, I was impressed with the quality, from the high-quality build, thin bezels and aesthetic styling, to the fact that this monitor would sit perfectly in any high-end studio without issue. While the monitor comes in at the budget end of the creative monitor market, there's nothing cheap about the look and style, and in fact, it feels more premium than some more expensive monitors, including two high-end models I use in the studio.

When it comes to connectivity, there's a good selection from USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort, meaning that almost any machine you want to plug in should be catered for. It's worth noting that whilst there is a DP and a USB-C cable in the box, there is no HDMI cable.

In use, that extra real estate and 21:9 aspect ratio are a real benefit, especially for creative work. As I'm presently editing a film at 21:9 using anamorphic lenses, the ability to watch that footage at full resolution and aspect ratio really adds to the cinematic depth of the piece I'm working on.

I also like that once calibrated, the monitor's onscreen colours matched the output on our printers, with a very good match on tone and contrast.

Where this monitor falls short is with gaming and some media playback. While TV programmes and films look fine, the 100Hz refresh and lack of deep blacks you get from OLED will be a limitation for gaming. In all other situations, this monitor is spot-on and an ideal option for content creators and anyone looking for additional real estate for productivity.

Should I buy a innocn 40C1u?

Value

Very good considering the screen size, resolution and build quality

5

Design

A slimline design makes this large monitor seem less dominant in the office

4.5

Features

A good balance of features considering the price, just let down by weak built-in speakers

4

Performance

Generally superb performance with some variation in screen luminosity, but otherwise superb colour tone and vibrancy

4

Overalls

A great all-round monitor for content creators and productivity, but less suited to gaming

4

Buy it if...

You want a single massive screen for creative work

Which da Vinci would solve the open? The fact that everything was clear and easy to see on one huge screen with plenty of real estate to make adjustments just made the workflow that much easier.

You want accurate colours and wide colour gamut coverage

Adjusting images on this large screen was far easier, being able to see the image at 100% and knowing that the Adobe RGB colour space was showing you accurate onscreen colour that will be reproduced elsewhere.

Don't buy it if...

You have a small or shallow desk.

The desk in my main studio is rather small, and the size of this monitor is almost a meter, completely dominating the space.

You want ultra-high refresh rates for competitive gaming

100 Hz is a pretty good refresh rate for creativity, when it comes to gaming, you really do need to push that to at least 144 Hz to get smooth action graphics.

For more top picks, we've reviewed the best ultrawide monitors.

• A new report outlines changes to the Apple Watch 12
• We could get new sensors and an exterior redesign
• The wearable won't be launching until September 2026

It looks likely that the Apple Watch 11 will be unveiled sometime next month, if Apple sticks to its usual schedule, but a new report suggests that its 2026 successor is going to feature a pretty significant redesign.

This tip comes from a report in DigiTimes (via MacRumors), based on supply chain sources, although we don't get too much information about what it might involve – and this isn't a device that has changed much in terms of its looks through the years.

The article does mention an increased number of sensors, presumably for more accurate health and fitness tracking, or perhaps to add to the metrics that can be tracked. These additional sensors may form part of the redesign.

In the past we've heard rumors of an Apple Watch with a camera and an Apple Watch with a touch-sensitive glass frame, but these potential upgrades aren't specifically mentioned in the latest reporting from DigiTimes.

Battery boost

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Image credit: Future)

The new article also mentions improved power efficiency too, which hopefully means we can look forward to better battery life with the Apple Watch 12, and perhaps the Apple Watch Ultra 4 (the Apple Watch Ultra 3 should arrive this year).

In terms of this year's model, the report does say that the Apple Watch 11 will be getting some Apple Intelligence features. However, based on what we've seen of watchOS 26, it seems likely that these will mostly be managed on a connected iPhone.

Given what DigiTimes is predicting for 2026, it seems the Apple Watch 11 might be a more minor upgrade. The publication does have a mixed track record for Apple gadget predictions though, so bear that in mind.

We'll no doubt get plenty more leaks and rumors about the Apple Watch 12 over the course of the next year, but before that we've got the Apple Watch 11, which should appear alongside the iPhone 17 handsets at some point in September.

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• DaaS could be more effective than laptops for 95% of workers by 2027
• Hosted machines are twice as popular as they were in 2019
• DaaS spending could grow to $6bn by 2029

New Gartner research has suggested hosted PCs, otherwise known as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), are now cheaper to operate than on-prem business laptops.

By 2027, Gartner expects DaaS to be cost-effective for around 95% of the workforce, up from 40% in 2019, with more users set to use hosted machines as their main workspace as a result (20%, compared with 10% in 2019).

However, for the time being, most organizations only deploy DaaS to a minority of employees to assist with securing remote work. But a growing emphasis on cost, operational efficiency and sustainability could change this.

More companies are considering DaaS

Gartner predicts DaaS spending to grow from $4.3 billion in 2025 to $6.0 billion in 2029, thanks to the fact that the total cost of ownership has now dropped below laptops for many use cases, especially with thin clients.

"DaaS solutions allow remote workers, offshore workers, third-party employees, contractors, frontline workers and office workers to access virtual desktops hosted in the cloud," Gartner explained.

Microsoft was rated as a top leader, with strengths in digital workplace, cloud and AI, and products including Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 and Microsoft Dev Box.

For Microsoft in particular, Gartner estimates that 60% of its DaaS clients belong to mid-sized organizations (100-4,999 employees), with larger companies (5,000+ employees) accounting for 30% and just 10% coming from smaller orgs (up to 99 employees).

"Gartner rarely speaks to an organization that is planning to deploy a new on-premises VDI solution. Net-new deployments are almost exclusively using DaaS, and on-premises deployments are either migrating to DaaS or moving to a cloud control plane, except for a few land-locked use cases," the company concluded.

Looking ahead, businesses are now looking into the cost-efficiency benefits of DaaS with scaling opportunities further amplifying the potential savings.

However, as a relatively small portion of the overall PC market that's in its early stages with limited regulation, there raises some questions around vendor lock-in and licensing complexity, meaning that early adopters could have to put up with headaches until regulators weigh in.

Via The Register

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Immigration arrests falter in July after a big push for mass deportations in June. Activists in sanctuary jurisdictions hope their resistance plays a role.

(Image credit: Martin Kaste)

Campfire Audio Relay: Two-minute review

Campfire Audio of Portland, Oregon is not, on the face of it, the most likely company to start competing in the portable USB headphone amp/DAC market. After all, this is a company that revels in doing things its own way, and with a product like this, there’s little scope for individualism.

So the Relay is an unremarkable-looking device by the company’s standards, but it’s certainly compact and well-made enough to compete. Between its AKM 4493 SEQ DAC chip with wide file and resolution compatibility, and its choice of balanced or unbalanced analog outputs, though, it’s specified to a high standard, too. Its basic user interface doesn’t give any indication of the resolution of the file that’s playing, though, which looks a bit remedial against its most obvious and most capable rivals.

In action, the Relay is a revealing, organized, nicely unified listen, one that’s endlessly forthright for better or for worse. Its upfront nature suits some recordings much more than it suits others, it must be said, and while there’s always a market for a hefty dose of sonic excitement it’s not the sort of attitude that automatically lends itself to long listening sessions.

One of the best portable DACs around? Maybe more 'best of the rest', but certainly one to consider if you can road test it first.

Oh, it's red and no mistake (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Campfire Audio Relay review: Price and release date

• Release date: July 2025
• Price: $229 / £229 / AU$399

The Campfire Audio Relay USB headphone amp/DAC is on sale now, and in the company's native United States it costs $229. In the United Kingdom it's £229, while in Australia it goes for AU$399.

Of course, it’s not as if the Relay is your only choice. We’ve heard and enjoyed alternatives from the likes of Audioquest, Helm and iFi lately, so the Campfire Audio has some stiff competition.

Campfire Audio Relay review: Features

• AKM 4493 SEQ DAC
• Balanced and unbalanced outputs
• DSD and PCM 32bit/768kHz

Products such as this tend to have quite a restricted feature-set. And while this is also true of the Relay, what it’s got is right on the money.

Digital audio information comes in via the USB-C 2.0 slot on the top of the device. From there it’s delivered to an AKM 4493 SEQ DAC chipset that Campfire Audio alighted on for its “analog warmth” and “incredible tonality”. It’s capable of dealing with DSD and PCM content of up to 32bit/768kHz resolution, which really should be plenty.

Once the AKM has converted it, the analog information is output via one of two low-noise, high-output drivers – one feeds a single-ended 3.5mm output, the other a 4.4mm balanced alternative, both of which are on the bottom of the Relay.

Features score: 5 / 5

Note the 'wings' (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Campfire Audio Relay review: Design

• 57 x 23 x 10mm (HxWxD)
• Aluminum casework
• Only one finish available

In an admirable show of restraint, Campfire Audio has delivered a portable USB headphone amp/DAC that’s identifiably a portable USB headphone amp/DAC. It can’t have been easy – remember, this is a company that takes every opportunity to go to town where the design of its products is concerned.

About the Relay's only flourish is a little bit of angularity and asymmetry to the anodized aluminum casework. Campfire Audio provides a microfiber cloth and padded pouch to keep the finish in tip-top condition.

The casework itself is a usefully tidy 57 x 23 x 10mm (HxWxD) and the rear panel (which is made of plastic) features a little window affording a glimpse of the AKM DAC chip.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Everything in its right place… (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Campfire Audio review: Sound quality

• Forward, direct presentation
• Good tonal balance
• Endlessly upfront audio balance can be fatiguing

Connected to an Apple MacBook Pro via USB-C and with a pair of Sennheiser IE900 IEMs inserted to the 4.4mm output, the Campfire Audio Relay proves – not especially surprisingly – to offer a considerable improvement over the audio performance the laptop can muster by itself. In some ways, the upgrade is quite dramatic.

A 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of My Crud Princess by No Joy delivered by the Tidal app illustrates the point explicitly. The Relay is a forward, very positive listen that’s able to reveal a lot of detail in the recording – it has a good facility for giving even the more transient, fleeting occurrences the correct amount of weighting and puts them into convincing context. Its presentation is reasonably spacious (though its direct character means there’s not the greatest amount of ‘front/back’ space on the otherwise well-defined soundstage), and it ensures every element gets the sort of elbow room it needs in order to express itself.

The tonal balance is judicious, even if Campfire Audio’s suggestion that it’s “incredible” is stretching things a bit. Frequency response, too, is very nicely judged. From the top of the frequency range down to the bottom, the Relay is even-handed and plays no favorites. Low-frequency stuff is deep and solid, with good shape to bass sounds and sufficient control to attack that momentum levels are high and rhythms are described naturalistically.

The impressive control of attack and decay applies throughout the frequency range, in fact, which allows the Relay to present recordings of all types in a convincingly unified manner. It’s especially adept through the midrange, where voices in particular are packed with information regarding character and attitude as well as tone and texture.
Problems, such as they are, stem from the Campfire Audio’s default attitude of drive, attack and endless positivity. This direct and unequivocal nature is quite exciting on first acquaintance, and undeniably so when you’re listening to something like Da Funk by Daft Punk, but over time it’s a stance that can become quite wearying.

‘A good time all the time,’ can take its toll, and the Relay’s inability to relax or even ease back just a little, even when playing something as pastoral as Peter Broderick’s And It’s Alright, means you’re likely to become fatigued sooner rather than later.

Sound quality score: 4 / 5

The bulk of my testing was done with the Sennheiser IE900 or the Austrian Audio 'The Composer' (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Campfire Audio review: Usability & setup

• Wide compatibility with source players…
• Although earlier Windows devices will require a driver
• Rudimentary user interface

On the front panel there’s a company logo that glows red when the Relay is operating, and blinks in a shade of lilac when any changes are made via the control buttons.

There’s one button on the right edge of the Relay - it deals with ‘play/pause’, ‘skip forwards/backwards’ and can toggle between ‘high gain’ and ‘low gain’. Two buttons on the left edge handle ‘volume up’ and ‘volume down’ - press and hold both at the same time and the device begins to cycle through its six different filter settings.

Campfire Audio recommends filter #5 (super slow roll-off) for optimal performance, which does rather make me wonder what the point of the other five settings is. It also recommends setting the volume of your source device to ‘maximum’ and then using the Relay to control volume – it has 60 volume increments, so you shouldn’t have too much difficulty getting to exactly the output level you’d like.

The company includes a 6cm length of braided, branded USB-C to USB-C cable to connect the Relay to your laptop or smartphone. The Relay is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Android and iOS devices, though Windows 7/8 will require a driver to be downloaded.

Usability & setup score: 4/5

This white light (for aptX Lossless) was oddly hard to come by when using sources able to handle it… (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Campfire Audio Relay review: Value

This is a lot of money for not much stuff, it’s true, but the effect this minimal amount of stuff can have on the music you’re listening to can be quite profound.

Value score: 4/5

Note the new 'rails' on the casework to help with cooling (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should you buy Campfire Audio Relay?Buy it if...

You have an ordinary laptop or smartphone
The Relay will turn it into a viable source of music.

You own some half-decent headphones…
…especially if they have a 4.4mm balanced connection option. The Campfire Audio will absolutely help make the most of them.

You like an upbeat kind of sound
There’s a perkiness and a forwardness to the Relay’s interpretation of music that's bordering on the relentless.

Don't buy it if...

Your iOS device has a Lightning connector
Campfire Audio says, “Lightning connection features a power-limiting mechanism that restricts the performance of your Relay.”

You’re interested in knowing the resolution of the file you’re listening to
You can find out, of course, but only by looking at your source player. The Relay won’t tell you.

You’re no Henry Ford
You can have any colour of Campfire Audio Relay you like as long as it’s black.

Campfire Audio Relay review: Also consider

Helm Audio Bolt
The Helm is not quite as impressively specified as the Relay, but it’s a very effective little device nevertheless. And it’s usefully cheaper than the Campfire Audio.
Read our in-depth Helm Audio Bolt review to learn more

iFi GO Link Max
More affordable still is the iFi GO Link Max, and on a pound-for-pound basis it remains the best USB headphone amp/DAC around. iFi knows exactly what’s what where products like this are concerned.
Read our full iFi GO Link Max review

iFi makes strong design choices and you love to see it (Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)How I tested the Campfire Audio Relay review:

• Various headphones
• Various audio file types and sizes
• Various sources of music

I didn’t use it all day every day, but I kept the Campfire Audio Relay connected to either my FiiO M15S Digital Audio Player or my Apple MacBook Pro for well over a week, which is more than enough time to establish what it’s capable of.

I listened to lots of different types of music, in various file types and of lots of different resolutions, and I listened both indoors and outdoors.

I used expensive IEMs via the 4.4mm balanced output and absolutely bog-standard over-ear headphones connected to the 3.5mm unbalanced output.

• Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2025

• DeepSeek delays R2 launch due to persistent technical difficulties with Huawei Ascend chips
• Nvidia H20 systems remain more reliable for AI training than domestic Ascend hardware
• Alibaba’s Qwen3 exploits DeepSeek’s delays, incorporating core algorithms while improving efficiency and flexibility

Chinese AI giant DeepSeek has apparently encountered unexpected delays in releasing its latest model, R2, after facing persistent technical difficulties with Huawei’s Ascend chips.

The company had been encouraged by Chinese authorities to adopt domestic processors instead of relying on Nvidia’s H20 systems, which are generally regarded as more mature and reliable.

Despite Huawei engineers being on-site to assist, DeepSeek could not complete a successful training run using Ascend chips - and as a result, the company relied on Nvidia hardware for training while using Ascend for inference tasks.

Technical challenges delay R2 development

The R2 launch, originally scheduled for May 2025, was postponed due to these technical obstacles and longer-than-expected data labeling for the updated training dataset.

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the model’s progress, emphasizing the need for additional development time to produce a model capable of maintaining DeepSeek’s competitive edge.

Meanwhile, competitors like Alibaba’s Qwen3 were able to take advantage of this delay, as it has incorporated DeepSeek’s core training algorithms while improving efficiency and flexibility, showing how rapidly AI ecosystems can evolve even when a single startup struggles.

Beijing’s broader push for AI self-sufficiency has placed pressure on domestic firms to adopt local hardware.

In practice, however, this strategy has revealed gaps in stability, inter-chip connectivity, and software maturity between Huawei chips and Nvidia products.

Developers continue to play a crucial role in shaping the success of AI ecosystems - Nvidia has emphasized maintaining access to Chinese developers is strategically important, warning that restricting technology adoption could harm economic and national security interests.

Chinese AI companies, meanwhile, must balance government pressures with practical realities in developing and deploying LLMs.

Despite these setbacks, DeepSeek’s R2 model may still be released in the coming weeks.

The model is likely to face scrutiny regarding its performance relative to rivals trained on more mature hardware, offering a clear example of the tension between political ambitions, technical capability, and real-world AI deployment.

Via Arstechnica

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Wix

Wix offers a fast yet flexible way to build your site. You get thousands of templates, an easy drag-and-drop editor, and powerful security. AI tools make setup super simple. We can see why many businesses prefer its features and freedom to customize.

Pros

• Huge template library
• Flexible drag-and-drop editor
• Powerful built-in features
• AI site builder
• Strong app market

Cons

• Higher monthly price
• Can’t change template later
• Overwhelming choices
• No email support
• Slower performance at times

Weebly

Weebly makes website building simple for everyone. It’s very affordable and its editor is easy to learn. You get free ecommerce on the basic plan, although many design features are limited as Weebly has not received updates since its acquisition by Square.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Unlimited free plan
• Free ecommerce option
• Simple drag-and-drop editor
• Easy setup process

Cons

• Fewer template choices
• Outdated design features
• Limited customization
• Mobile editing not supported
• Rarely updated platform

Building a business website today is simpler than ever. We have many accessible no-code platforms at our fingertips, designed for people who aren't coding experts. These website builders let anyone create a functional and good-looking site without needing to learn how to code.

Wix and Weebly are both popular options for beginners in 2025. But the differences matter quite a lot. Wix has endless features, flexible editing, and strong AI tools. Weebly is affordable and easier for small shops, but many features feel outdated. We’re going to break down what’s great, what’s not, and help you choose the best fit.

Wix vs Weebly: A detailed breakdown

Feature

Wix

Weebly

Starting price: USD/month

$17

$10

Free plan: Yes/No

Yes

Yes

Templates

2,000+ highly customizable

50+ basic options

Editor type

Flexible drag-and-drop, AI builder

Simple drag-and-drop

Ecommerce features

Advanced (paid plan needed)

Free on basic plan

Mobile editing

Yes

No

SEO tools

Advanced and customizable

Basic guides only

Customer support

Solid, but no email support

24/7 only on premium

Apps/Integrations

800+ options

350+ options

AI features

Yes, AI website builder

None

Customization

High design freedom

Low customization power

Performance

Sometimes slow

Fast, but very basic

Both Wix and Weebly are designed with ease of use in mind. However, Wix may have an edge when it comes to user-friendliness. The platform features an intuitive editor that makes it easy to add content and design your website exactly how you want it. Weebly’s editor is also straightforward to use, but it doesn’t offer quite as much flexibility as Wix.

When it comes to templates, both Wix and Weebly offer a good selection of modern and professional- designs. However, Wix arguably has the edge when it comes to template quality and variety. So, if you’re looking for more choices when it comes to designing your website, Wix is the better option.

Additionally, Wix and Weebly offer a good selection of features to help you build a professional-looking website. However, Wix offers more advanced features than Weebly, such as an app market, password-protected pages and the ability to sell products on your website. 

Wix vs Weebly: Features

Weebly has a traditional drag-and-drop interface that's easy to use but very restrictive. Meanwhile, Wix uses a more modern approach that relies on AI, templates, and drag-and-drop components to help you create websites. Weebly offers about 500 templates while Wix has over 2,000. Also, Wix's templates are more recent, with better design and accessibility.

Wix and Weebly both offer a wide range of features, including e-commerce, contact forms, and social media integration. However, Wix tends to have way more unique and innovative features, such as the Wix App Market and the Wix AI.

Weebly has an HTML/CSS editor for advanced customization, but very limited built-in flexibility. Wix also has an HTML/CSS editor, but it's also got many more tools for no-code development plus more recent updates to its platform. However, Weebly does have a fully free starter plan with no time restrictions and functional ecommerce features, which is absent with Wix. This is incredibly rare since most no-code tools charge for ecommerce features.

So, which platform is better? Wix has the clear higher ground here, but if youjust want an easy-to-use platform with a generous free plan, Weebly is a good choice. Just know that you won't have as much room to grow once you decide to upgrade to paid tiers for better scalability.

Wix vs Weebly: Ease of use 

Weebly is known for its ease of use. The platform’s editor makes adding content and creating pages simple. You can drag and drop elements onto your pages with ease, plus you don’t need any coding skills to create a top quality website. Since the options here are very limited, you could say that this platform is a better playground for beginners who haven't used these tools before.

Wix also has an easy-to-use editor, but it is not as simple as Weebly’s. Wix’s editor can be a bit confusing and overwhelming for first-time users, since it packs way more into its interface. It takes some time to get used to the platform, but once you do, you can create stunning websites that won't be possible with Weebly.

Wix vs Weebly: Support

Wix delivers solid support. It’s got a huge help center, tons of video walkthroughs, live chat, and phone support for premium users. Our experience shows answers are quick, especially if you pay for their higher plans. The only catch: you can’t get direct email support anymore. Social channels step in for fast fixes.

Weebly covers the basics with a detailed knowledge center and community forums. Most help comes from help articles or the integrated support button. You get live chat and phone support, but only if you pay for their upper plans. Free users might wait longer for help.

In general, Wix offers better customer support than Weebly. Both platforms are good at providing timely and helpful assistance when you need it, but the former is more complex and therefore features a more efficient support ecosystem.

Wix vs Weebly: Pricing and plans

Wix and Weebly both start free if you just want a basic site. Wix’s paid tiers begin at $17/month and go up to about $152/month. The most entry-level plan (Core) is $17/month, still giving you plenty: custom domain, lots of storage, and basic ecommerce tools. Want better features or top analytics? You’ll pay more.

Weebly makes pricing simpler. Paid plans are $10/month (Personal), $12/month (Professional), and $26/month (Performance). Even the cheapest one lets you sell products online for free, which is rare. You get fewer templates and not as many add-ons, but the website works.

We’ve found Wix offers much more for businesses wanting features and flexibility, but costs add up faster. Weebly saves you money and lets you try e-commerce without risk, yet it isn’t as robust. Serious businesses or those needing growth tools should spend for Wix, while smaller shops or simple sites will be happy with Weebly.

Weebly wins for budget users, Wix for those needing a richer site and more features.

Wix vs Weebly: Final verdict

Wix is the clear winner for 2025. It brings advanced features, powerful AI tools, and unmatched freedom to customize your site. We’ve seen Wix consistently improve its platform, staying ahead with fresh updates and solid support. If you want the best website builder for creative control, design, or scaling your business, Wix is your go-to.

Weebly still deserves a look, especially for beginners and budget-focused users. Its free eCommerce features and simple editor make it ideal if you just want a functional site with no fuss. We can say Wix wins for most, but Weebly is better if affordability and fast setup matter most to you.

Wix vs Weebly: FAQsWhich builder is easier for beginners — Wix or Weebly?

Weebly takes the crown for ease. Its editor keeps things simple, guiding you through site creation step by step. You don’t need any web know-how. Wix is more powerful but can feel overwhelming if you’re brand new to site building. Wix’s new AI builder does help, but Weebly still wins for pure UI simplicity.

Can I sell online using Wix and Weebly’s free plans?

Weebly lets you start selling products with its free plan. You get solid ecommerce basics without spending a cent. Wix, on the other hand, requires you to upgrade to a paid plan before you can open an online shop. This gives Weebly a big edge for budget-conscious sellers starting out.

Is Wix worth the higher price compared to Weebly?

If you want rich features, AI design, and lots of customization, Wix’s extra cost is justified. We know Wix isn’t cheap, but you get great value. Weebly remains the budget pick, especially for small sites or basic shops. But for most businesses aiming to grow, Wix pays off over time. For personal projects or local shops, Weebly keeps things very affordable.

Which platform offers better design flexibility?

Wix is far more flexible. Its editor lets you move anything, anywhere, no grid lock or restrictions. You can pick from thousands of templates and tweak every detail. Weebly’s templates are fewer and its editor keeps you within the lines. If creative freedom matters, Wix is the choice.

How do support options compare in 2025?

Wix covers more ground with live chat, a massive help center, and phone support for paid users. You get help quickly and there are tons of video tutorials. Weebly offers basic help articles and community forums. Premium users get phone and chat support, but free users might wait longer. Wix is faster and more complete for most support needs.

• The best web hosting service will accompany your top quality website builder to create the perfect site

You can stream the Marvel flick later this month.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #1300).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• F

• A

• D

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1301) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1301, are…

• FUNGI
• AMITY
• DRIER
• CHECK

Another day where I struggled to find my final word and thought about entering an incorrect one – it was going to be “admit” – just to keep the game moving and attempt to turn a few letters green.

AMITY was an experiment as it sounded like a word (as well as the town in Jaws) but it turned out to be correct (it means friendly relations).

Daily Sequence today (game #1301) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1301, are…

• PUFFY
• WEIGH
• SHEIK
• STRIP

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1300, Saturday, 16 August: OWING, QUAKE, SLIDE, ELITE
• Quordle #1299, Friday, 15 August: WHALE, PRISM, DRAKE, TEPEE
• Quordle #1298, Thursday, 14 August: LAPEL, IDIOM, RENEW, LIVER
• Quordle #1297, Wednesday, 13 August: CACTI, HOMER, EMAIL, ALBUM
• Quordle #1296, Tuesday, 12 August: SPOOL, TITLE, JAUNT, OVINE
• Quordle #1295, Monday, 11 August: ADULT, BROOM, PURER, CRUEL
• Quordle #1294, Sunday, 10 August: SCRUM, PIPER, TROLL, SPORE
• Quordle #1293, Saturday, 9 August: NOOSE, INLET, ELEGY, VIRUS
• Quordle #1292, Friday, 8 August: KNEEL, KINKY, RALPH, BOOZY
• Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
• Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY
• Quordle #1289, Tuesday, 5 August: ROAST, SLICK, AUDIT, BILLY
• Quordle #1288, Monday, 4 August: MACAW, SINCE, COLON, CHIRP
• Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
• Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
• Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
• Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
• Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
• Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #797).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #798) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• PRESS
• CLOSE
• WELCOME
• STAMP
• OPEN
• SPEECH
• HANDY
• ADDRESS
• PETITION
• ENVELOPE
• PUSH
• ACCESSIBLE
• NAME
• NEARBY
• ASSEMBLY
• EXIT

NYT Connections today (game #798) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Local places
• GREEN: Put it in the post
• BLUE: Seen at an entrance 
• PURPLE: Protected by the US Constitution

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #798) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
• GREEN: NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER 
• BLUE: WORDS ON A DOOR 
• PURPLE: FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #798) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #798, are…

• YELLOW: CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ACCESSIBLE, CLOSE, HANDY, NEARBY
• GREEN: NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER ADDRESS, ENVELOPE, NAME, STAMP
• BLUE: WORDS ON A DOOR EXIT, OPEN, PUSH, WELCOME
• PURPLE: FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS ASSEMBLY, PETITION, PRESS, SPEECH

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 mistake

I made one mistake today and it came from rushing to put together a quartet before properly considering all 16 tiles. 

Thinking I was collecting words linked to pressure on an opposing team, I grouped together PRESS, CLOSE, PUSH and ADDRESS.

I abandoned this pursuit and studied the board a bit more carefully immediately seeing NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER and then FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS, something I’m surprised warranted being a purple group.

The oddity of the round for me was completely overlooking the yellow group – something on reflection I really should have seen ahead of anything else.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, August 16, game #797)

• YELLOW: INTREPIDITY FORTITUDE, GRIT, PLUCK, RESOLVE
• GREEN: RENOVATIONS CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS, UPGRADES, WORK
• BLUE: TROUNCE CREAM, CRUSH, ROUT, SHELLAC
• PURPLE: KINDS OF SOFT/LIGHTWEIGHT PAPER CREPE, ROLLING, TISSUE, TOILET

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #531).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Think again!

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• TINT
• GRAIN
• STEER
• FILTH
• TRIVIA
• TUNA

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 6th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #532) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #532, are…

• CREATIVITY
• FEELINGS
• SPONTANEITY
• INTUITION
• SPANGRAM: RIGHT BRAIN

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

The day after giving us the theme of left brain with a spangram running down the left of the puzzle, today Strands followed it up with RIGHT BRAIN. 

Activities associated with this side of our brains are those that involve visual-spatial processing and imagination, whereas the left involve logical, analytical, and sequential processing (I engaged the center of my brain – which I like to call 'Google' – to bring you these facts).

Despite the tricky words – SPONTANEITY always trips me up – this was a relatively easy puzzle to complete, but a worthwhile exercise all the same, as it’s always nice to be reminded about the wonder of our brains and the multitudes they contain.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, August 16, game #531)

• LOGIC
• ANALYSIS
• LANGUAGE
• NUMBERS
• ORDER 
• REASON
• SPANGRAM: LEFT BRAIN

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

The Balanguera kick off their title defense at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.

Pep Guardiola's men kick off the new season at Molineux.

The popular chatbot can offer a second opinion but it's still far from perfectly accurate, according to an OpenAI exec.

The world got a glimpse of Marwan Barghouti for the first time in years in a video of a far-right Israeli minister berating him.

(Image credit: Bernat Armangue)

The MIT researchers believe their work could usher in a "second golden age" for antibiotic development.

Ulefone Armor X16 Pro: 30-second review

I started this test not overly taken with the colour scheme of this phone, although I did really like the textured surface on the back as well as the overall aesthetic. It was more the brown, gold and black colour scheme; however, I was pleased to see that alongside this colour profile, there is also a pure black version, which looks amazing.

As I looked through the specifications, it came with all the usual rugged credentials, which is great to see, meaning that I could drop and submerge the phone in water as I pleased. Whatever the conditions, I could be sure that the phone would survive, making it a great option for use in the field on photographic projects.

The only issue is that this is the middle of summer, and outside temperatures are topping 30 °C, so there are few puddles to drop the phone into. I did my best to drop the phone, finding what was left of a stream of stream in order to test just how waterproof it was, alongside the usual performance test using various Google applications, media creation and games to test out the full spectrum of uses for the mobile phone.

From the outset, it was apparent that for general use, this phone was perfectly optimised. What I really liked was the large screen, which had a decent brightness up to 900 nits, meaning that even in the abnormally bright conditions we have here in the UK at present, scrolling through documents and reading content online was possible. Whilst the screen is reflective, that brightness just cuts through the reflections enough to easily make out what is on screen.

I also found the 5G connection was good and robust, and whilst most of the test was carried out on a 4G connection, popping up to the local town of Salisbury proved that it could cope with good, fast network connections, providing decent transfer rates and speeds.

Call clarity also seemed good. Even when used out in the New Forest, where there was little to no signal, voice calls came through clearly, and I was impressed by the clarity of the small internal speaker.

That speaker proved to be exceptionally good for watching back media and listening to music, although it isn't quite the quality of a decent consumer smartphone.

One area that suffered slightly was gaming, as highlighted by the benchmarking results. Through all of the 3DMark benchmarks, including Steel Nomad, Wild Life and Sling Shot, frame rates were slightly reduced compared with more expensive models with many of the more intensive games highlighting the mid performance GPU. Need for Speed: Asphalt ran absolutely fine; however, if you want to play Call of Duty, this might not be the best option for you.

For the most part, performance was excellent. One area that really stood out was the cameras, which were lower in megapixels compared with many rugged smartphones that top out at 200 million pixels. Here, the 64 million-pixel Sony-backed camera produced excellent results, far better than I would usually expect. Crossing over to video, the clarity of the visuals was equally impressive.

The audio quality of the video recordings varied greatly depending on whether you were recording with the rear or front camera. Oddly, filming with the rear camera captured far better vocals than when using the front-facing selfie camera.

Overall, after using this phone for a few weeks, I was generally impressed by the overall performance - it's up there with the best rugged phones I've used. As long as you are thinking about using this for work situations where a standard consumer phone would struggle due to the physical demands placed on them, or alternatively it's a great option for adventuring.

Ulefone Armor X16 Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $279 / £206
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Widely available

The Ulefone Armor X16 Pro is widely available and can be purchased at US$279 / £206 from the Ulefone official site by clicking here.

I'm also seeing with major online retailers including Amazon.com for $230 at time of review, and £230 on Amazon.co.uk.

• Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Ulefone Armor X16 Pro: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specifications

CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 6300
Graphics: Mali-G57 MC2
RAM: Up to 16 GB (plus 8 GB extended virtual)
Storage: 256 GB ROM, microSD up to 2 TB
Ports: USB-C (33 W), dual-SIM slot, Waterproof-plugged ports for charging/audio
Connectivity: 5 G, dual-SIM, IR blaster, NFC & Google Pay
Audio: Mono speaker (rugged) + front camera microphone
Camera: Rear 64 MP (Sony IMX682, f/1.9), 25 MP night vision (Sony IMX550), 2 MP macro; Front: 16 MP Samsung
Size: 173.78 × 83.4 × 17.95 mm
Weight: 394.5 g
OS: Android 15 with Google Gemini AI assistant, AI Recorder, Widevine L1
Accessories: 33 W charger included, optional rugged case/holster/mounts available

The design of the Ulefone Armor X16 Pro really stands out, with its textured back, brown and gold accents, and an aesthetic that is also available in pure black. It gives a slightly sci-fi-inspired and decidedly rugged look inline many other rugged smartphones on the market.

I have to say, this particular phone feels a lot more comfortable in the hands. Although it’s still quite wide and large, it is a decent proportion for most people’s grip.

The weight is also well balanced considering the size of the internal battery and the robustness of the device, which makes it far more usable than many of its larger alternatives.

In terms of size and weight, measuring 173.78 × 83.4 × 17.95 mm, it can easily slip into a jacket or pocket without adding too much bulk. Considering it weighs 394.5 g, it isn’t overly heavy either.

On the front, the phone is dominated by the large 6.56-inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Integrated into the screen is the selfie camera, which offers a 16 million-pixel sensor, perfect for video calls and vlogs.

On the back, the octagon-shaped cluster of cameras features a 64 million-pixel main camera, a 25 million-pixel night camera and a 2 million-pixel macro camera. There’s also a built-in LED flash, which is handy when camping, as well as a standard camera light.

One of the main features of any rugged smartphone is its rugged credentials, and the phone offers IP69K, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H certification, meaning that it is waterproof, dustproof and drop proof, as tested in this review.

It’s also nice to see that outputs such as the 3.5 mm headphone socket and USB-C data/charging port are both covered with secure rubber flaps.

On the left-hand side of the handset, as you look at the screen, there is a TF/SIM card slot with space for two SIMs and a microSD card to expand storage. Below this is a customisable button that you can assign to different apps. Over on the right-hand side are the volume toggle, power button and biometric fingerprint recognition button. That’s all, keeping it nice and simple.

• Design: 5 / 5

Ulefone Armor X16 Pro: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Armor X16 Pro sits at the entry level of rugged smartphones, yet despite that, it packs in plenty of features to suit most people looking for a phone that can survive more than a standard consumer unit.

Some of the key features highlighted by Ulefone for this smartphone include a dedicated flashlight, which is great if you’re working outdoors and need a torch to throw a decent spread of light.

Powering the phone is a 10,360 mAh battery that offers 33 W fast charging and 5 W reverse charging, so not only does it power the phone, but it can also give other devices a boost.

Inside there’s a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 eight-core CPU with a 6 nm advanced process and clock speed of up to 2.4 GHz, including Cortex-A76 gaming cores. This is partnered with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. There’s also up to 16 GB of RAM, 8 GB on board and a further 8 GB accessible through dynamic RAM.

For storage, there’s 256 GB of ROM, which can be expanded up to 2 TB using a separately purchased microSD card.

On the back of the phone is the octagon design cluster of cameras detailed in the Build and Handling section, offering decent quality far beyond most other smartphones of this type.

Dominating the front of the phone is the 6.56-inch IPS display with a 720 × 1612 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate and 910 nits of brightness. This is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which in testing proved to be exceptionally tough.

Tying all the hardware together is Android 15. The version on this phone is relatively lightweight, so it’s not bogged down by proprietary apps, and also features the latest Google Gemini, so you can use the phone’s AI potential, including the AI Recorder, which is a handy additional feature.

Surprisingly this phone is also Widevine L1 certified, meaning it has full digital rights management certification, enabling you to stream higher quality from major providers such as Disney+ and Netflix. For an entry-level rugged smartphone, the visuals and audio quality are surprisingly good.

• Features: 3.5 / 5

Ulefone Armor X16 Pro: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Getting started with the smartphone, the first thing I did was check the reception quality. Putting it side-by-side against an iPhone 15 Pro on the Vodafone network, the Armor X16 Pro actually proved to have better reception with four bars over the iPhone’s three.

When it came to browsing the internet, where the iPhone 15 Pro was slow to respond, page load speed on the Armor X16 Pro was relatively fast.

Using both 4G and 5G networks, the Armor X16 Pro proved to be exceptionally robust. Making voice calls demonstrated how clear the audio quality was, both from my perspective and to my caller, clear and crisp in both directions.

Starting with basic performance tests, I opened Google Docs and reviewed this part written document. It was easy to read through the text on the bright, clear screen. While the resolution is lower than I’ve come to expect from many smartphones, the text was still very clear and readable.

One thing I noted was that as you scroll, the quality of the screen stands out. With plenty of adjustment over brightness, tone and clarity, it offers exceptional viewing for a phone at this level.

Exploring the options and settings, I was impressed with the ease of use and the speed with which the phone navigated Android 15’s menus. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU provided plenty of performance for general use.

Pushing performance further, I used Lightroom to adjust images I had taken during a work outing. The clarity of the images was impressive, and unlike some phones I’ve used in the past that struggle when applying effects, the Armor X16 Pro handled it with relative ease. The screen clarity also made the adjustments easier.

Using CapCut to quickly edit video content shot with the phone, I was again impressed with the speed. Although CapCut is highly optimised for mobile, some phones still struggle. For basic edits, the phone handled 1080p video without issue. Pushing to 4K and adding graphics, the phone began to slow down, and the limits of its processing power became apparent.

Gaming performance followed a similar pattern. Need for Speed: Asphalt ran perfectly smoothly, but Asphalt 9: Legends, Call of Duty Mobile, and PUBG Mobile all began to drop in graphics quality. This was reflected in the 3DMark scores, Steel Nomad Light: 145, Wild Life: 4,137, and Sling Shot: 3,657.

While these scores aren’t particularly high, they are in line with most rugged smartphones. What gives this phone a slight edge is its exceptionally high read speed of 1,246 MB per second.

Benchmarks

Disk Speed Test Read: 1246 MB/s
Disk Speed Test Write: 347 MB/s
Geekbench CPU Single: 731
Geekbench CPU Multi: 1975
Geekbench GPU: 1401
3D Mark Steel Nomad Lite: 145
3D Mark Wildlife: 1373
3D Mark Slingshot: 3657

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Ulefone Armor X16 Pro: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

After using the phone solidly for a few weeks, I’ve been really impressed, firstly by the build quality and the comfort of using this phone. It is far more usable and ergonomic than many other rugged smartphones.

Secondly, the battery life was exceptional for the size and weight. At the start of the test, I charged it to 100%, and after three weeks it had only dropped to 25%, highlighting just how robust that internal battery is, although I wasn’t in full use all the time.

Overall, the battery performance was excellent, and the fact that I could reverse charge my iPhone using the 5 W reverse charging feature was very handy.

The standout features for me were the cameras. I wasn’t expecting the clarity of images that the 64 million-pixel main camera produced. The stills were great, and the video capture was equally impressive. Coupled with some wireless mics, it’s a great option if you need to capture video out in the field, perfectly suitable for most social media platforms.

When editing media using CapCut or Lightroom, I was impressed by the performance of this mobile phone. Considering that it’s at the entry level of the rugged phone market, it performs surprisingly well.

At the end of the test, having submerged the phone in water, dropped it from a height and tested it in the field, I’m surprised at how inexpensive this rugged smartphone is. While graphics performance and for that matter the screen resolution is at the lower end of the scale, for Google Docs and multimedia content, it works absolutely fine.

If you’re looking for a decent rugged smartphone for work and you don’t want to spend too much, then this is a great option. Likewise, if you’re heading off on an adventure, and need a solid phone with good battery life that’s isn't too heavy then again this also an ideal solution.

What really makes it stand out for me is the quality of the camera. While it can’t rival premium smartphones, it’s still decent enough to satisfy most people who want to take great images. The Armor X16 Pro is one of the best-performing budget rugged smartphones out there today.

Should I buy a Ulefone Armor X16 Pro?

Value

Excellent value for money and a great option if you need a simple, rugged smartphone.

4.5

Design

Stylish design with a textured surface that makes this one of the most comfortable rugged smartphones to hold.

4

Features

Decent range of features, with the camera and battery life being the standout.

3.5

Performance

Considering the entry-level price tag, this phone packs a decent amount of power for day-to-day tasks.

4

Overalls

Excellent rugged smartphone that provides power for everyday use, but is limited for higher-end gaming.

4

Buy it if...

You want a great option for working outdoors

The price, build quality, and the fact that it can stand up to all sorts of conditions make this a cheap and well-balanced option for anyone working outdoors.

You want a tough backup phone

The large capacity battery in a relatively small and lightweight form makes this a superb option to take as a main or backup phone if you’re heading off on an adventure.

Don't buy it if...

You need a phone for gaming.

While you can play many games at moderate quality, if you want to play anything that relies heavily on graphics processing, you should consider another option.

You need something small and lightweight.

While in this review I’ve said this is a small and relatively lightweight rugged smartphone, compared with general consumer phones, it is still larger and more bulky.

For more durable devices, we've tested and reviewed the best rugged laptops and best rugged tablets.

• James Gunn has dropped a big hint about Supergirl's age rating
• The DC Studios co-CEO indicated that "everyone" will be able to see it
• Gunn's comment suggests it'll have a similar rating to Superman

James Gunn had dropped the biggest hint yet over Supergirl's age rating – and, if you were expecting it to a mature movie, you'll be disappointed.

Speaking as part of a roundtable attended by TechRadar to promote Peacemaker season 2, Gunn heavily implied that the Milly Alcock-starring DC Universe (DCU) film won't be as age-restricted as some viewers might have expected. Instead, Gunn indicated that it'll fall within the same bracket as Gunn's Superman movie, which carried a PG-13 rating in the US and a 12A classification in the UK.

As part of a wider answer about how each DCU Chapter One project's age rating is determined, especially in a shared cinematic world where characters from R-rated productions could appear in more family-oriented ones and vice versa, Gunn replied: "I think it's exciting to be able to tell different stories for different groups of people.

"So, you know, Superman was for everyone. Peacemaker is for an adult audience. Supergirl will be for everyone. We have the Krypto shorts [included on Superman's forthcoming physical release] that are for children. Then, we have Clayface, which is an R-rated horror film. So, I really like the idea of telling truly different tales within a singular universe."

Have you seen #Superman in theaters yet? pic.twitter.com/p4s60RWBXdAugust 9, 2025

Supergirl, which was known as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow until Gunn confirmed its shorter title in June, will be the next DCU film that flies into theaters. Supergirl's official release date was confirmed in June 2024, and it'll make its global theatrical debut on June 26, 2026.

We haven't had to wait for our first glimpse of Alcock in Gunn and Peter Safran's new-look DC comic-book universe, either. In January, the movie's first image showed Alcock's Kara Zor-El in a place that'll be very familiar to DC comic fans. Then, after teasing that Superman would include characters Gunn hadn't publicly revealed yet, one of the DCU film's final scenes included a crowd-pleasing cameo from Alcock's Kryptonian – and that 30-second teaser was all I needed to have full confidence in the DCU's Supergirl movie.

Following Kara's all-too-brief appearance in her cousin's latest big-screen adventure, Supergirl's first poster revealed a near-full first look at her superhero costume, and put a rebellious spin on Superman's 'Look up' tagline. If you were expecting her to be a squeaky clean as Clark Kent/Kal-El, you're sorely mistaken.

For more on the DCU's next silver-screen project, check out my dedicated guide on Supergirl and then find out why Jason Momoa's Lobo is such a vital part of its story.

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