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An image of Hornet from Silksong engulfed with rage.
Product Reviews

Here’s every game that Silksong’s surprise release has delayed as indies scramble to escape its powerful aura

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“From the town of Lincoln, Nebraska, with a sawed-off .410 on my lap,” Bruce Springsteen crooned in his magnificent 1982 ballad Nebraska. “Through to the badlands of Wyoming, I killed everything in my path.” The Boss was of course relating the tale of infamous mass murderer Charles Starkweather, but he might as well have been talking about Hollow Knight: Silksong, the upcoming metroidvania that has now claimed at least eight victims since its surprise release date announcement earlier this month.

Nobody’s actually getting murdered here, to be clear: When I say “victims” I mean “other videogames,” and by “claimed” I mean that Silksong’s looming launch has led those games to adjust their own release plans so as not to be caught in the blast radius. It’s been quite a show, and while this sort of release date scramble isn’t unprecedented—Starfield made something of a mini-splash a couple years ago—I haven’t seen this kind of fracas since Cyberpunk 2077 started throwing elbows back in 2020.

How much of a difference moving away from Silksong will really make is a matter of debate, and it’s possible that some games are using it as cover for delays that are primarily driven by other considerations. But Silksong is the current king of Steam’s most wishlisted chart—beating out games like Borderlands 4 and Battlefield 6—so it’s understandable that pretty much every other unreleased PC game in proximity might want to take a little pause.


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Also worth remembering that there’s no way to know how these things will ultimately work out. Back in 2023, PC Gamer editors Wes Fenlon and Jody Macgregor dared contemplate the possibility that Baldur’s Gate 3, which had moved its release date up a month to avoid Starfield, might actually be the better game. And we all know what happened there.

Anyway, with all that laid out, here’s our list of all the games that have been delayed by Silksong. We’ll add to it as necessary, although with Silksong now just over a week away, the bodies may stop dropping soon. Metaphorically, that is.

In the order we noticed them:

The Balatro-like slot machine game said, literally, “Silksong lol” and moved from September 3 to September 26.

🚨GAME DELAY 🚨
due to Silksong (can’t wait to play) launching just a day after CloverPit, we decided to delay our release
our new release date is 26th Sept
we poured our hearts into our little game, so we want to give it the best possible shot. thanks for understanding!!

— @panikarcade.bsky.social (@panikarcade.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-08-27T18:31:53.272Z

Stomp and the Sword of Miracles

A Kickstarter had been planned for September 12, with a demo launching on Steam on August 29, “giving it a little boost beforehand,” but both have been delayed to an unspecified date. Developer Bee Braun said they “feel like a little krill trying to not get eaten by a blue whale.”

Head’s up – the Stomp demo has had to be suddenly delayed. I’ll keep you all updated when I know what the plan is.

— @frogteam.games (@frogteam.games.bsky.social) 2025-08-27T18:31:53.251Z

Faeland

More than seven years after a successful Kickstarter, Faeland was set to launch on September 9. No longer: “We’ve poured years of work and love into Faeland, and we want to make sure it arrives at a time when it can receive the attention and care it deserves.” A new date hasn’t been announced but is “coming soon.”

(Image credit: Talegames)

Aeterna Lucis

The sequel to the well-received metroidvania Aeterna Noctis was aiming for a September release but is now coming sometime in 2026. Aeternum Game Studios pointed the finger at Silksong, but also acknowledged that it still doesn’t have the devkits it needs for a simultaneous release on all next-gen platforms. Kind of a straw that broke the camel’s back situation.

(Image credit: Aeternum Game Studios)

The hit multiplayer climbing game is not delayed because it’s already out, but it’s feeling the heat anyway.

sent by a friend over d’cord…

— @glitchypsi.xyz (@glitchypsi.xyz.bsky.social) 2025-08-27T18:31:53.286Z

After initially signalling that it was ready to throw hands with Silksong, publisher Ysbryd had some vivid second thoughts: “We would not be doing Demonschool any favors by wading into waters we can clearly see are blood red.” It’s now set for November 19, a longer-than-most delay because October is crowded as hell too.

Anyway:

— @necrosoftgames.com (@necrosoftgames.com.bsky.social) 2025-08-27T18:31:53.309Z

The cozy life sim about, well, a little witch in the woods has pushed its 1.0 release date back from September 4 to September 15. “Silksong is a game we look up to with awe as developers, and eagerly anticipate as players,” Sunny Side Up wrote. “Given its immense influence, we fear that launching Little Witch in the Woods on the same day would not only dishearten our dedicated team but also disappoint our devoted audience.”

Very sad. (Image credit: Sunny Side Up)

Bennett Foddy’s open world failson walking simulator has also stepped back, from September 8 to September 23.

Baby Steps | Now Releasing on September 23 – YouTube

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And finally, at least for now:

Moros Protocol

The sci-fi shooter has scrapped its planned September 4 release and will instead drop on September 18, “to ensure that the game releases under the best conditions for success.” Which is to say, nowhere near Silksong.

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Cheetahs Feast and Sloths Snooze in These Stunning Wildlife Photographer of the Year Entries
Product Reviews

Cheetahs Feast and Sloths Snooze in These Stunning Wildlife Photographer of the Year Entries

by admin


Can you spot the second coyote in the image above? It may look like this amber-eyed pup is peering out from beneath his own tail, but that’s actually his sister’s. The Natural History Museum in London released this illusionary photo in a sneak peek of some of the best submissions for this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The jaw-dropping images, selected from a record-breaking 60,636 entries, feature cheetahs, jellyfish, slime molds, and so much more. But let’s not forget the humans behind the lens. Some went to great lengths to get the perfect shot. For “A Tale of Two Coyotes,” California-based photographer Parham Pourahmad tracked this pair of siblings for hours across the rocky hillside of Bernal Heights Park, San Francisco, snapping a picture at the exact moment the sister’s black-tipped tail hung low over her brother’s face.

Judges will whittle the photos down to 100 for display in the museum’s exhibition, with the Grand Title, Young Grand Title, and category winners to be announced on October 14. Here are some of the most favored images so far. Scroll through to take a walk on the wild side without leaving your seat.

“Jelly Smack Summer” by Ralph Pace

A smack of Pacific sea nettle jellyfish in Monterey Bay © Ralph Pace

Speaking of doing anything to get the shot, Ralph Pace deserves some serious kudos for this one. The California-based underwater and environmental photographer slathered every inch of his exposed skin in petroleum jelly before swimming through this group—or “smack”—of Pacific sea nettle jellyfish in Monterey Bay.

This provided a layer of protection against the jellys’ sting. What feels like a bee sting to humans is deadly for the Pacific sea nettle jellyfish’s prey. This species hunts tiny drifting sea creatures by trailing its frilly, stinging-cell-laced tentacles, paralyzing any prey they touch.

“Inside the Pack” by Amit Eshel

A pack of Arctic wolves on Ellesmere Island in Canada © Amit Eshel

To create “Inside the Pack,” wildlife photographer Amit Eshel, from Israel, endured temperatures as low as -31 degrees Fahrenheit (-35 degrees Celsius) on Ellesmere Island in Canada, The Guardian reports. Eshel laid down on the frozen tundra and allowed an Arctic wolf pack to creep close enough to smell his breath before snapping the photo.

“Through this photograph, I wanted to highlight how the behavior of these stunning animals challenges the negative reputation and “Wolf Hate” culture that often arises from misunderstanding, myths, and folklore stories passed down through generations,” Eshel wrote in an Instagram post.

“No Place Like Home” by Emmanuel Tardy

A brown-throated three-toed sloth clings to a fence post in El Tanque, Costa Rica © Emmanuel Tardy

French wildlife photographer Emmanuel Tardy waited patiently for the crowds to disperse along a roadside in El Tanque, Costa Rica, before taking this photo. Traffic slowed to a crawl as a brown-throated three-toed sloth lumbered across the road and then clung to a fencepost—the first tree-like thing it saw.

Sloths usually keep to the lush canopy of the jungle, but as deforestation increasingly fragments their habitat, more of them are forced to move around at ground level. The Costa Rican government is working with conservation groups to establish aerial bridges that will help sloths navigate the thinning treeline.

“Rutting Call” by Jamie Smart

A red deer stag bellows in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, U.K. © Jamie Smart

This photo by U.K.-based wildlife photographer Jaime Smart captures a red deer stag mid-mating call in Leicestershire’s Bradgate Park. At just 9 years old, Smart had to stretch and make herself tall to see over the high grasses and capture a clear view of the stag.

Each year, red deer stags gather in Bradgate Park to compete for females. Their rutting calls are deep and guttural, resonating across distances up to two miles. The frequency and intensity of their bellowing can indicate the stag’s size and strength, making it a critical part of the mating ritual.

“Slime Family Portrait” by Kutub Uddin

Slime molds grow on a tree in Slindon Wood, West Sussex, U.K. © Kutub Uddin

When photographed at macro scale, these creatures resemble bizarre, Seussian trees. They’re actually slime molds—amalgamations of single-celled amoeba-like organisms that come together to feed and reproduce.

The molds were growing on an actual tree in Slindon Wood, West Sussex, when they caught the eye of U.K.-based photographer Kutub Uddin. His photo shows their bulbous, blueberry-like reproductive parts perched atop stalks only a couple millimeters wide, next to a tiny yellow insect egg.

“Deadly Lesson” by Marina Cano

Three young cheetahs proudly display the dik-dik they captured in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve. © Marina Cano

When learning to hunt in the Kenyan Savannah, teamwork makes the dream work. Spanish wildlife photographer Marina Cano captured this image of three young cheetahs showing off their prize after catching a Günther’s dik-dik in Samburu national reserve.

The deadly cats wasted no time tearing into their meal, chowing down soon after Cano snapped the photo.

“Toxic Tip” by Lakshitha Karunarathna

A lone elephant walks across a waste-disposal site in Ampara, Sri Lanka © Lakshitha Karunarathna

Lakshitha Karunarathna, a wildlife photographer from Sri Lanka, has documented the conflict between people and the island’s roughly 7,500 elephants for years. In this heart-wrenching image, a lone Asian elephant crosses a waste-disposal site in Ampara.

Elephants are increasingly foraging for food among Sri Lanka’s open trash dumps. About 20 elephants died over the course of eight years from consuming plastic waste at the dump in Ampara’s Pallakkadu village, the Associated Press reported in 2022.

“Special Delivery” by Bidyut Kalita

A potter wasp carries a green caterpillar home to its larvae in Goalpara, Assam, India © Bidyut Kalita

Bidyut Kalita, a macro wildlife photographer from India, snapped this stunningly detailed photo of a potter wasp in his hometown of Goalpara, Assam. The wasp clutches a bright green caterpillar between its mouthparts and legs, carrying it home to its developing larvae.

Aptly named potter wasps build tiny, vase-shaped nests of clay and stock them with paralyzed prey to feed their young. When Kalita spotted this one, he wedged a door open to allow it to fly into the room, snapping a photo at the perfect time.

“Fragile River of Life” by Isaac Szabo

A female longnose gar spawns in a Florida river © Isaac Szabo

Check out the snouts on these longnose gars. This species of ray-finned fish has been around since the time of the dinosaurs and may have been present in North America for about 100 million years.

Isaac Szabo, an underwater photographer from Arkansas, specializes in documenting the freshwater ecosystems of North America. To snap this photo, he wrapped his feet around a downed tree in a Florida river, capturing the moment a female spawned in the crystal-clear waters.





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Best Window Air Conditioners 2025: 11 Picks to Cool You for Years
Product Reviews

Best Window Air Conditioners 2025: 11 Picks to Cool You for Years

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Others We Tested

EcoFlow Wave 2 for $1,299: Lisa Wood Shapiro tested the newest model for this update. The EcoFlow Wave 1 has cooled down my wife’s office for more than a year just fine—we can’t use a window AC there because it would block the fire escape. Lo and behold, there’s a new version that’s slightly cheaper (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s a little lighter than its predecessor at 32 pounds, yet has a higher 5,100 BTU rating (up from 4,000). New here is a heating mode rated at 6,100 BTU, so you can keep using it in the winter to warm up a room. The company says it’s best for rooms up to 107 square feet. You do need to place it near a window to have one of the included ducts connected to the vent to take hot exhaust from the back of the unit out of the room. What makes this unit versatile is how you can power it. You can use a standard AC outlet, but you can buy the version with a battery to keep it working when you don’t have access to power, or you can hook it up to solar panels. —Julian Chokkattu

Dreo Smart Air Conditioner for $460: The Dreo Smart Air Conditioner not only cools a large bedroom effectively and quickly, it also can be controlled by the app in my iPhone. Along with the Dreo’s easy-to-use app, it can be paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. It has an easy-to-read LED display and control panel, along with a magnetized place for the remote, and louvers that open and close, adding to its robotlike aesthetic. The setup was easy, and I didn’t drill in a single screw, as I was able to close the window on the expanders. It’s not entirely clear how I was supposed to snap the hose into the window hole, but I shoved it in and it seems to fit in there. It’s not super airtight, which is fine. One of the issues with portable air conditioners is the single hose. It can create a vacuum in an airtight space; think pressure in your ears like an airplane. And it can create enough negative pressure that the room can potentially suck in hot air from the outside. So, leave the window open a crack. However, we now only recommend dual-hose portables, as they don’t create a vacuum and are more efficient. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

Zero Breeze Mark II for $999: With its 2,300 BTU, you won’t be able to get the same cooling power as with the EcoFlow Wave, but the Zero Breeze (7/10, WIRED Review) is much lighter at 17 pounds. This bundle includes a battery that will make the whole thing weigh about 30 pounds, but you’ll get four hours of use without needing to be near a wall outlet. Like the EcoFlow, you get a few vent pipes to direct exhaust away and direct cool air to a specific area, but unlike the EcoFlow, you can’t charge the battery and use the AC at the same time. —Julian Chokkattu

Zero Breeze Mark III for $1,399: As WIRED contributor Chris Null notes (7/10, WIRED Review), the Mark III is both larger than the Mark II and quite a bit heavier, now 22 pounds. Add on the 1,022-Wh battery pack and you’ll pack on another 14 pounds, though that frees you from having to be near a power outlet. New for the Mark III is the fact that batteries can now be stacked and charged in sequence, each daisy-chained to the next (though at $600+ per battery, this can get pricey fast). Each Mark III battery also has extra outputs that can be used for other devices—one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a 12-volt DC socket. However, the Mark II battery has all of the above plus a second USB-A port. No word on why this was removed. However, it’s a bigger, punchier unit by most standards and a worthwhile buy for outdoors enthusiasts.

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BTU stands for British thermal units. In the case of air conditioners, BTU is a way to measure how much heat the compressor can remove from a room. It’s a quick and easy way to figure out whether an AC unit is powerful enough to cool your space. First, you’ll want to find the square footage of your room by multiplying the length and width. Then, use the US Department of Energy’s guidance on the BTU capacity you need. For example, a 150- to 250-square-foot room needs a 6,000 BTU AC unit or higher for adequate cooling.

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Check the combined energy-efficiency ratio (CEER) rating. The specs on any air conditioner you buy should list a CEER rating, which is one of the best ways of checking the energy efficiency of a unit. You’ll usually see a number between 9 and 15. The higher the number, the less you’ll pay when the electricity bill comes around. A cheap window AC unit might save you money at first, but you may end up shelling out more in the long run. The US Energy Star program has a website that lets you browse AC units based on their CEER ratings.

Check local laws. Some cities, like New York, require installing brackets to support your window AC. A simple one like this model should do the trick, though we haven’t tried it out. You may also need to head to a hardware store for some plywood to make sure your window sill sits flat, but this depends on the type of windows you have and the AC model you buy. When installing, you should get a friend to help you out. These units can be heavy and difficult to hold, and the last thing you want is to drop one out the window.

Measure your window. Before you buy, read up on the supported window types and sizes for the AC unit you’re looking at, and measure your window to be safe. Make sure to seal any gaps as best you can with the included foam. (You can always buy more if you need it.)

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe today.



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Product Reviews

Save up to $500 on tech from Apple, Anker, Dyson, Shark and others

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Labor Day may bring about the unofficial end to summer, but on the bright side, it can be a good time to save on tech. While seasonal holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day aren’t the boon for tech deals as Prime Day or Black Friday can be, you can still find some good deals across the web. That’s particularly true if you’re going back to school soon, or are shopping for someone imminently heading back to campus.

Engadget has you covered for all of the best Labor Day sales on tech. Since this time of year does overlap with the back-to-school season, students should be first in line to check out these deals. If you need some new gadgets for college, or refreshed tech to help you out in your first job after graduating, now’s the time to see if you can get it for less. Student discounts are handy and exclusive to those who can prove their student status, but the good thing about Labor Day sales is that anyone can take advantage of them — student ID not required.

Best Labor Day sales: Engadget’s top picks

Apple

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $799 ($200 off): Apple’s latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and it earned a score of 92 in our review. The M4 model isn’t a major refresh overall, but that’s not a bad thing — the design remains exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it’s a bit faster thanks to the updated chipset.

Apple iPad (11-inch, A16) for $299 ($50 off): Apple’s entry-level iPad is, unsurprisingly, the best iPad option for those on a budget. It has solid performance thanks to the A16 chipset, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life.

Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) for $449 ($150 off): The latest iPad Air is a relatively minor update; the only big addition is a more powerful M3 chip. However, we still recommend this iPad over the base model in our iPad buying guide: Its display is more color-rich and better at fending off glare, its speakers are more robust, it works with Apple’s best accessories and its performance should hold up better in the years ahead.

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) for $220 ($30 off): This is the latest version of Amazon’s color ereader that has half of the storage of the original model, but otherwise functions the same. That makes it a little cheaper to start off, but you’re still getting a 7-inch color e-paper display, full access to the Kindle shop and a waterproof design. We also appreciate that the Colorsoft comes with no lockscreen ads by default.

Google Pixel 10 smartphone + $100 Amazon gift card for $799 ($100 off): More of a pre-order deal than a Labor Day deal, this bundle includes a free gift card when you order the latest Google Pixel phone in advance. You’ll find different gift card deals at Amazon depending on which phone you go with: the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a $200 gift cards included, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a free $300 gift card.

Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum for $159 (43 percent off): This model is one of our favorite budget robot vacuums thanks to its slim design that lets you get underneath furniture more easily and strong suction power for its size. Note that it does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, but it comes with a remote that lets you control the robot to your liking.

Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum for $298 (50 percent off): This Shark robot vacuum is a version of one of our favorites and it comes with a auto-empty base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. It has strong suction power and home mapping capabilities, so you can tailor cleaning jobs to your liking in addition to putting the robot on a cleaning schedule.

Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 ($500 off): Dyson made one of the most impressive robovacs with the 360 Vis Nav. It has some of the strongest suction power of any robot vacuum I’ve tried, and its impressive obstacle avoidance allows it to move around furniture and other objects with basically not intervention from humans necessary.

Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras (3 camera system) for $100 (47 percent off): Some of our favorite security cameras, Blink Outdoor 4 devices support 1080p video, two-way talk, motion alerts and night vision. The most convenient thing about these is that they’re totally wireless and run on AA batteries that can last up to two years before you need to replace them. That combined with their weather-proof design allows you to place them both inside and outside.

Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): One of our picks for the best air fryers, this Cosori model has a spacious six-quart cooking basket and nine prep modes to choose from. In our testing, it consistently crisped up all kinds of foods, from frozen appetizers to raw proteins, and it has a nifty safety feature with its built-in basket release button.

HORI Piranha Plant camera for Switch 2 for $40 (33 percent off): If you plan on taking advantage of the Switch 2’s video and group chat feature, there’s no cuter way to do it than with this Piranha Plant camera. In addition to using it with the pot as a stand, the plant itself detaches from the pot so you can use the camera in portable mode with the USB port on the new console.

ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $30/month ($6/month off): ESPN’s new streaming service is officially available now, and new subscribers can get Disney+ and Hulu included for one year when they sign up. The regular price of the new ESPN Unlimited plan is $30 per month, but this bundle offer throws in Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for one year at no extra cost. If you want to break it down, you’re essentially getting each of the three services for $10 monthly with this offer.

NordVPN deal — Get up to 77 percent off two-year plans: Most of NordVPN’s two-year plans are on sale right now. You’ll get 77 percent off the Prime tier, bringing the price down to $189 for 27 months of service (Nord throws in an extra three months for free). Arguably the best plan for most people is the Plus tier, which is 73 percent off and down to $108 for the 27-month term.

MasterClass deal — Get 50 percent off one-year subscriptions: You can sign up for one year of MasterClass access for as low as $5 per month thanks to this sale that runs through September 1. A subscription lets you watch hundreds of online video classes taught by experts in their fields, and subject matter ranges from writing to cooking to sports.

Best Labor Day sales on tech

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.





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Matt Smith as a punk rocker and Austin Butler walk down a pier
Product Reviews

Caught Stealing review: Darren Aronofsky’s punk-rock 90s crime caper is a cat-sitting gig gone haywire

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Caught Stealing is a nostalgic slice of ’90s New York City life that comes out swinging. Set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Darren Aronofsky’s new movie captures the nostalgic atmosphere of the time in this cat-and-mouse crime caper chase.

Austin Butler (Elvis; Eddington) plays Henry Thompson, a former baseball player turned bartender with a drinking habit, who insists on being called Hank. Tormented by a car accident that ended his promising sports career, the San Francisco Giants fan has been lifted straight from the pages of Charlie Huston’s novels that the movie is based on.

Hank gets caught up in a case of mistaken identity when his neighbor Russ, played by Matt Smith (The Crown; Doctor Who) – who looks like a punk-rocker that just stepped out of Camden in London (mohawk, studded leather jacket, piercings – the full uniform’s here) – asks him to look after his Maine Coon cat named Bud (who you might recognize from Pet Sematary), setting in motion a chaotic chase with a growing group of eclectic goons across underpasses, subways and basements through East Village.

Caught Stealing is a chaotic crime caper crashing into the summer box office (Image credit: Columbia Pictures; Protozoa Pictures)

You wouldn’t expect that cat-care could get you killed, but that’s exactly the catalyst that drives the next 107 minutes of the white-knuckle drama. The bone-splitting violence splattered throughout does not hold back, letting you hear every crunch and snap against the backdrop of a soundtrack composed by Rob Simonsen (The Whale; Deadpool & Wolverine).

What starts with Russian mafia, played by Yuri Kolokolnikov (Tenet; The White Lotus) and Nikita Kukushkin (Attraction), beating up Hank (Kukushkin’s mobster has a signature headbutt move) quickly snowballs as more players become involved to look for a mysterious key that they all believe Hank is hiding.

This hunt has got the attention of not just the Russian mobsters but a Puerto Rican gangster, played by Benito Martínez Ocasio aka Bad Bunny (Bullet Train; Happy Gilmore 2), and two extremely ruthless Orthodox Jewish brothers.

These last two might be the most threatening characters of the movie, but who also happen to have the most comedic lines. That’s largely down to menacing performances from Liev Schreiber (Spotlight; X-Men Origins: Wolverine) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket; Men in Black) that make for a humorous contrast when you find them slurping soup or refusing to drive during Shabbat.

Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio provide some of the best laughs in the film (Image credit: Columbia Pictures; Protozoa Pictures)

There may not be any baseball in this film (apart from the brief opening scene) but funnily enough, it’s the more violent scenes where it really comes out as we watch Hank sprinting past pedestrians like he’s on a home run and swinging a baseball bat at his assailants as if he’s a deadly batter.

The sport offers a bridge between the violence and Hank’s soft nature. After all, Hank’s not a fighter – a fact we’re reminded of throughout by police detective Roman, played by Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk; Ray), as well as by his relationships with people (and creatures) around him, from his mother to the homeless man on the street outside of his apartment that he helps out.

Zoë Kravitz’s (The Batman; Blink Twice) Yvonne, Hank’s girlfriend, is a welcome respite from all the violence, breaking up the gut punches and shootouts with a softer charm that shares the heart of the film with the weight of a drink driving accident from when Hank was younger.

Bad Bunny joins Russian mobsters played by Yuri Kolokolnikov and Nikita Kukushkin. (Image credit: Columbia Pictures; Protozoa Pictures)

The biggest highlight of the movie is the nostalgic set created by production designer Mark Friedberg (Joker; Noah) that immerses the characters in the gritty streets of East Village in 1998 during its transformation into the trendy art scene it is today. This is complemented by a soundtrack that includes ’90s hits such as Bitch by Meredith Brooks and Wandering Star by Portishead.

However, unlike the secrets of Bud’s litter tray, Caught Stealing isn’t too mysterious, relying on action movie ideas you’ve seen many times before. From the reluctant hero to the classic revenge storyline, it goes exactly where your brain naturally expect it to go based on the familiar elements – despite it coming from an interesting an unpredictable filmmaker in Darren Aronofsky.

It also lacks the intensity that his movies are known for, and can feel disjointed at times as it transitions from scene to scene, sometimes brushing over key moments. For instance, a lingering shot of a chameleon seems like it could be a reference to Hank’s resourcefulness, but this idea isn’t hinted at again, making it feel like a stray musing rather than an interesting theme.

Caught Stealing is not a deep psychological character study like Aronofsky’s The Whale or Black Swan, it’s an action-packed adventure centered around a self-destructive protagonist that’s trying to turn the corner.

Indeed, the sunny grasses of California where Hank is originally from are in real contrast to the grimy streets of the Lower East Side, where he now finds himself, is not the subtle backstory that we’re used to seeing from the filmmaker. They say stealing third base is a high risk, low reward play in baseball; unfortunately, I think that phrase captures the end result of Aronofsky’s push into a new genre.

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A spaceship landing on an alien planets
Product Reviews

No Man’s Sky adds buildable custom spaceships big enough to fit all your friends on board

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How many bases do you need in a single game? Ask someone who likes base-building, like me, and they’ll probably say “As many as you can give me.”

No Man’s Sky already has a few kinds of player bases. Base-building was added to the space sandbox in 2016, along with freighters that can be parked in orbit and customized. Settlements can also be built and managed, which is like making an entire alien town your base.

And in the new No Man’s Sky Voyagers update, you can build and customize huge new ships called Corvettes that are big enough to fly around the galaxy with your friends acting as crew. You can even get out of the cockpit while in flight, stroll around the ship, and edit the layout while you’re in transit.


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“These ships have real interiors, med-bays, sleeping quarters, war rooms, radars, teleporters. It comes with you everywhere, which totally changes how you play. Decorating it with your friends gives you a space that you share together,” Sean Murry said in an email sent to PC Gamer. “Having multiple Corvettes flying over a planet together is incredible, especially when you pop the hatch and spacewalk or skydive from one ship to the other!”

Yep, you can jump right out and float around in space, or if you’re in the atmosphere, do a bit of skydiving, as you can see in the Voyagers trailer below.

For those of you who were hoping this announcement from Murray would involve Light No Fire, well, the planet-sized fantasy sandbox did get a mention, too. The same ship-building tech will appear in Light No Fire, though there it’ll be for the boats you need to cross the realistically massive oceans.

Along with the trailer, you can watch a more in-depth video about Voyager below. The update is live right now, and includes a new expedition so you can get started building your new mobile spaceship base.



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Smart Glasses, Buggy Voice Assistant
Product Reviews

Smart Glasses, Buggy Voice Assistant

by admin


Smart glasses are an exciting idea right now. In theory, they’re a new gadget that does lots of the stuff that our phones do, but in an always-there form factor. They can take pictures, make calls, translate menus, and—if the tech and the investment get there—they might slap a screen right onto eyeballs for notifications, navigation, and maybe even augmented reality à la Pokémon Go.

I say “in theory” because just because smart glasses can do all of those things on paper doesn’t mean they can do them well, and if they can’t do them well… they may as well not do them at all. We’re still in the early stages of the grand ascension of smart glasses as a device category, but a brave few are venturing to do it all right now, and one of those few (at least in the U.S.) is a company based in China called Rokid (pronounced rock-id).

See Rokid Glasses at Amazon

I got a chance to try Rokid’s plainly named Rokid Glasses, and while there was a lot that intrigued me, I can say for certain that the kinks are still being worked out. One thing that these smart glasses have that big-time entrants from the likes of Meta and its Ray-Bans don’t have is a screen. That screen is a very simple dual-micro LED display that only shows things in a very Matrix-style green. I got to use the Rokid Glasses for 15 minutes and was surprised at how sharp the screen was, even if the display functions were fairly basic. And look, you can see the screen from outside the glasses. And that’s good because sharpness is crucial for some of the things that make the Rokid Glasses unique.

© James Pero / Gizmodo

One of those distinct capabilities is a teleprompter feature that displays a presentation in front of your eyes, so you can read along and not sound like a total moron during your big keynote. A thing that I found very cool is the fact that the Rokid Glasses actually use the onboard microphone to listen to your words and scroll the prompter in stride with the words. Even in a crowded room with lots of noise, the feature worked smoothly, which is no small feat.

Another screen-centric feature I got to try was translation, which—though my conversation was fairly brief—seemed to work better than you’d expect. My demo companion spoke to me in Mandarin Chinese, and the Rokid Glasses were able to translate his speech in small snippets and slap them onto the screen. Again, the microphone did all of this in a noisy room, which was legitimately impressive. The microphones on Rokid’s smart glasses work so well that I’m pretty sure you could use them for spying—it picked up bits of conversations across the room that I wasn’t even able to make out with my own ears. Cool! Also scary!

© James Pero / Gizmodo

To use all of this stuff, it’s best to couple the Rokid Glasses with an app (Android-only right now) where everything you’re doing is displayed. As sharp as the screen is, it’s also quite small, and words are pushed off when new information arrives at a fairly quick pace. If you need to see something, it’s best to have the app ready, lest you ask someone to repeat themselves multiple times. And in case you’re wondering, you can control the display from the smart glasses by swiping the right arm and using a tap to select things like settings, translation, and other stuff, but it’s not exactly the smoothest experience. That’s why voice assistants—for Rokid and any company making smart glasses right now—are also critical. That brings me to a not-so-bright spot.

The Rokid Glasses voice assistant, which is supposed to activate with the wake phrase “Hi, Rokid,” was basically broken. No matter how many times I screamed “Hi, Rokid” into the smart glasses, it wouldn’t answer my calls. Others around me were also having the same issue, which is not great from a UI perspective. The interesting thing is that when a native Mandarin-speaking represenative said  the phrase, it seemed to work every time. American English-speaking people, not so much. I thought maybe it was the loud, crowded room at first, but after noticing that strange quirk, I think it may be a problem with how the voice assistant is trained. I can’t say for sure without testing the Rokid Glasses more thoroughly, but it’s definitely a concern for anyone buying a pair in the U.S.

© James Pero / Gizmodo Just one lone sensor on these glasses.

Like Meta’s Ray-Bans, the Rokid Glasses can also use AI for computer vision-based tasks like asking your glasses to read a menu in a different language using the built-in camera. I wasn’t able to launch that task myself, given the aforementioned voice assistant issues, but when a Rokid representative asked the smart glasses to translate a menu in Finnish, it did so (at least I think) fairly well, displaying the translated Finnish words in the Rokid app. Again, I’d need to test this feature out more thoroughly in a better environment to verify the translation separately and determine how well (or terribly) it actually works on a consistent basis.

As long as we’re talking about computer vision, I was pleasantly surprised with the camera, which is a 12-megapixel sensor from Sony. Just one sensor, not two, though. I would say it’s on par with Meta’s Ray-Bans, but I didn’t get to test video recording out in my demo. I wouldn’t try and use the Rokid Glasses to win any photo contests, but then again, I wouldn’t do that with any pair of smart glasses.

I won’t know until I get to try Rokid Glasses for a longer period, but I get the sense that they’re smart glasses with some peaks and valleys. Translation could be impressive, as could computer vision, and they’re incredibly light (as light as Ray-Bans), but if there isn’t a functional, English-ready voice assistant to tie it all together, that’d be a big problem for anyone in the U.S. who wants to buy a pair. That’s potentially not the best news for smart glasses enthusiasts in America, but I assume Mark Zuckerberg would welcome that quirk with open arms.

See Rokid Glasses at Amazon



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A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers
Product Reviews

A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers

by admin


“I’ve spent most of my career researching right-wing media and sounding the alarms about the collapse of our old information environment,” Ellie Langford, the director of programming at Chorus, said on a Zoom call with dozens of creators in June. “Our political systems haven’t been able to figure out a real solution, and I’ve been really excited to see you all treading the path forward. I deeply, deeply believe that the work you all are doing is what’s going to make the difference in supporting and frankly resuscitating our democracy.”

Already, creators in the program are creating content together. In a new weekly series titled “Good News in Politics,” six creators in the program shared a collaborative video running through political wins. “Follow these creators bringing you hope instead of doomscrolling: @sander_jennings, @eorlins, @jesscraven101, @tono.latino, @gemma_talks, @thezactivist,” they posted.

While some creators have been eager to work with Chorus, others distrust the organization. This spring, Chorus faced a wave of backlash from prominent content creators whose images were included in the firm’s fundraising decks without permission. “I was included on some [of Chorus’] decks like, ‘We have access to V,’ when you do not,” said V Spehar, a liberal content creator with over 3.5 million followers on TikTok.

The faces of several well-known influencers were featured prominently on the Chorus website beneath a giant DONATE button. However, users who clicked the button were taken to a fundraising page for Chorus instead of anywhere their dollars would go directly to the creators featured.

Progressive YouTuber and former Media Matters staffer Kat Abughazaleh, who’s running for Congress in Illinois, was pictured on Chorus’ website and included in fundraising decks without her consent. She asked that her image and name be removed and no longer used for fundraising purposes.

Spehar and other content creators have accused Chorus of attempting to establish themselves as a gatekeeper to Democratic political leaders. “What we need is for people to invest in independent media, and that doesn’t necessarily mean investing in a consulting group that is going to become a middleman for independent media,” says Spehar.

Several influencers who doggedly defended Chorus throughout that controversy, including Elizabeth Booker Houston, a Democratic comedian and content creator on Instagram, and Allie O’Brien, a progressive creator with more than 600,000 followers on TikTok, were involved in membership talks for the highest-paid tier in Chorus’ new creator incubator program. (Houston did not respond to requests for comment; O’Brien declined to comment.)

Still, some creators heard about The Sixteen Thirty Fund and Chorus funding initiative and applied to join.

One creator named Chesko, who goes by @thespeechprof online, applied to join the program because he viewed it as an “opportunity to get access to people that have funding or backing and actual research that I could use,” he says.

Ultimately, he wasn’t accepted and received an email on June 26 rejecting his application. “We are planning to bring more creators into the Incubator program in the near future,” Chorus wrote.





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Product Reviews

The best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases for 2025

by admin


The best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases do more than just guard against drops — they can add MagSafe compatibility, extra grip, built-in stands or even a touch of luxury. Whether you’re after slim and stylish, rugged and shockproof or something that adds a bit of personality, there’s a case to match every need. With so many options to choose from, finding the best iPhone case overall depends on how you use your phone day to day. Maybe you need something minimal for pockets, or maybe you’re after serious protection for travel and outdoor use. Either way, we’ve rounded up the best picks for both the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, so you don’t have to waste time scrolling through endless listings.

Best iPhone 16 cases for 2025

Spigen

Features: MagSafe | Material: Polycarbonate, TPU | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases out now

If you want a basic, protective case for your Apple iPhone that comes at an affordable price, Spigen has you covered with some of the best iPhone 16 cases. The company’s Ultra Hybrid MagFit clear cases and MagSafe cases show off the color of your iPhone and we like their raised bezels that protect the rear camera. The cases also have tactical buttons on the side that make it easy to feel around and adjust your phone’s volume without even looking at it. The overall slim profile of the polycarbonate case allows it to snap to your iPhone without adding too much bulk, and it’s MagSafe compatible as well so wireless charging is easy. Spigen offers a range of Apple cases, including iPad cases, plus screen protectors for all-around protection. Also, the Ultra Hybrid case was one of the most secure we tried – to the point where it was almost difficult to extricate the iPhone when we needed to test out a new phone cover.

$15 at Amazon

ESR

Features: MagSafe | Material: Acrylic, TPU | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases out now

ESR’s Classic Pro MagSafe iPhone cases are another option similar to Spigen’s if you want a decent amount of protection in a slim, attractive and affordable package. They have reinforced corners plus raised edges to protect the screen and the iPhone’s camera bumps, and the magnetic hold is one of the strongest I’ve tried. There are a number of different colors and finishes to choose from, and you get interchangeable “easy-press” buttons that can be swapped out with the default ones on the case to give you more tactile feedback when you press the volume, power and action buttons. It’s also convenient that this pack-up includes a tempered-glass screen protector, so you don’t have to purchase that separately.

$13 at Amazon

Casetify

Features: MagSafe | Material: Synthetic leather | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases out now

It doesn’t get much better than Casetify for those that care about getting their phone to match their personality as closely as possible. The brand has an impressive number of prints, patterns, graphics and designs available on its iPhone cases, including multiple influencer collaborations, so you’re likely to find something that fits even the most niche requirements. The Impact series in particular fits the bill as some of the best iPhone 16 cases — it’s a good option for everyday protection since these cases won’t add too much bulk to your iPhone, but will still protect it from drops up to 8.2 feet. With drop tests and a 4x MIL-STD-810G standard, these cases can also withstand harsh environments, so your iPhone will be protected, whatever the weather. You’ll find Impact cases for iPhone models going back to the iPhone 13, and many of them are MagSafe compatible, too.

$88 at Casetify

Smartish

Features: MagSafe, Waterproof | Material: Polycarbonate, TPU | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases out now

We’ve recommended Smartish cases in the past for their artistic designs, but we particularly like the Gripmunk series as a best iPhone 16 case. These thin cases are a bit rougher around the edges than Spigen’s cases, literally – Gripmunk covers have textured edges that make them easier to grip and less likely to slip out of your hands, while the backs of the cases show off cute patterns and designs like floral arrays, cosmic scenes and more. There are a few solid-color options too, if you want to go the True Basic route (no shame), and these are all MagSafe cases as well, so they’ll be compatible with your favorite MagSafe chargers. If you’re a minimalist and don’t like to carry a lot on your person, you could ditch your billfold and spring for Smartish’s Wallet Slayer, a cardholder case that has similarly textured edges along with a sleeve on the back. This wallet case can hold up to three credit cards and a few notes of cash.

$20 at Amazon

Engadget

Features: N/A | Material: Flax shive, biopolymer | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases out now

Without a doubt, our favorite eco-friendly phone cases are those made by Pela. We absolutely love their colors and designs, plus the fact that the entire line is 100 percent plant-based and compostable. The case material is called “Flaxstic,” which the company says is made from flax straw and compostable bioplastic elastomer. Importantly, it’s also free of BPA, phthalates, cadmium and lead. If you ever decide to get rid of it, you can indeed just chuck in a compost bin and it’ll be completely biodegradable.

What’s more, Pela cases are available for a wide array of handsets. They can accommodate Apple iPhones (from iPhone 5 onwards), including Pro Max cases, Samsung Galaxies (Galaxy S10 and newer), Google Pixels (from the Pixel 4a on) and even some OnePlus and Huawei models.

For iPhone users, we should note that Pela cases are not MagSafe-compatible by default, but you can purchase a $12 MagSafe module separately. Applying it to my phone was pretty straightforward, so that’s not a big concern, but it’s something to keep in mind. — Nicole Lee, Former Commerce Writer

$50+ at Pela

CYRILL

Features: MagSafe | Material: Faux leather, polycarbonate, TPU | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases out now

Cyrill makes a number of sleek and elegant cases and the Kajuk Mag is no exception. It’s one of the thinnest and lightest cases we tried, but it does have four layers of protection: a soft-touch microfiber lining, a sturdy PC back, TPU bumpers and a vegan leather exterior. Since the company doesn’t boast a certain level of drop protection, this slim case is a good option for those that care more about aesthetics and case design, but also want a simple, protective layer standing between their iPhone and hard concrete. As the name suggests, you can use the Kajuk Mag with MagSafe accessories, and it even has an accessory hole built in, for those that want to attach charms, straps and other things.

$14 at Amazon

Peak Design

Features: MagSafe | Material: Recycled nylon canvas | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases out now

Peak Design’s Everyday Case not only looks attractive, but it turns your phone into a bunch of different things when you pair it with any of the accessories in the company’s mobile ecosystem. We like its protective rubberized bumper and nylon shell, and its SlimLink connector sits in the middle of the case’s back, waiting for whichever gadgets you need that day. The company’s mobile tripod is one of our favorites for taking better photos with your phone, but also propping it up any which way you need. Commuters can opt for the dashboard mount to keep their phone within reach while driving, or the bike mount when you need to read directions on its screen. If you use your phone for everything and want a case that can support all of that functionality, this one is a good option.

$50 at Peak Design

Case-Mate

Features: MagSafe | Material: Polymer | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases available now

If you’re looking for a bold, eye-catching case that has tons of personality, Case-Mate has a ton of great options to consider. Its iPhone 15 series has glittery cases, prismatic covers and everything in between, but the one that stuck out most to me is the Blox line. These cases have squared-off corners that give your iPhone a modern, blocky look. Combine that with their bright neon colors and you’ll likely never have to ask your friends where your phone is again – you won’t miss it. I also appreciate that the Blox cases are fingerprint-resistant, provide protection against 10-foot drops and have built-in magnetics for MagSafe accessory compatibility.

$30 at Amazon

Tizag

Features: N/A | Material: Plastic | Availability: iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases available now

If you’re intrigued by the display tech in ereaders and wonder what else it can do (or if you just want a cool pic on the back of your phone), Tizag’s iPhone case is worth checking out. The case back houses a credit card-sized, electrophoretic display (EPD), similar to what most ereaders use. The advantage is that no power is required to maintain an image — it only draws power when you change up the image. You can display whatever is in your photos library, including things like QR codes to get into venues or maybe a shopping list you want to keep on hand. Swapping the picture is easy through the Tizag app and watching the image “develop” on the display is fun. Black and white images look true to life, but color photos are muted and almost sepia-toned — as is the way with color e-paper — but the effect is attractive.

The case itself kept my phone safe through a month’s worth of drops and bumps, and the raised edges protected the screen and camera lenses from scratches. The only downside is that you won’t be able to use MagSafe charging or accessories, as the case blocks those connections. But for some, an updatable personalized case could be worth the trade-off. — Amy Skorheim, Reporter

$60 at Amazon

Best iPhone 16 case FAQs

What is the most protective brand of phone cases?

There is no one “most protective” brand of phone cases, but rather there are many that tout extra security for your handset. Some of the most protective phone cases we’ve tried come from Otterbox; most of the brand’s cases have a bit more protection than your standard phone case, even the ones that are designed to be on the slim side. Otterbox also makes a wide variety of phone cases, so there’s a good chance you’ll find one that suits your style and provides the level of protection you’re looking for. Otterbox’s Defender series is one of the best you can get if you care first and foremost about making sure your phone survives all kinds of accidents (save for a dunk in a pool).

Silicone vs hard case: Which one is better?

Neither silicone nor hard cases are better than the other. Silicone cases tend to be thinner and feel soft to the touch, and they’re often easier to put on and take off of phones. Hard cases can be on the thicker side, but they provide a bit more drop protection than silicone cases. Which type of case is best for you depends on the type of experience you want from your phone. It’s also worth nothing that both silicone cases and hard cases come in a variety of colors, designs and styles, so you have plenty of choose from to match your personality on both sides.

Does an iPhone 16 need a screen protector?

The iPhone 16 features Apple’s tough Ceramic Shield front, which is definitely more durable than standard glass — but it’s not invincible. If you want to avoid scratches from keys, drops onto pavement or just the wear and tear of daily use, a screen protector is still a smart move. It adds an extra layer of defense without getting in the way of touch sensitivity or Face ID. So, while it’s not absolutely essential, using one is a good idea if you want to keep your screen looking flawless for the long haul.

Is the iPhone 16 drop-proof?

The iPhone 16 is built to be tough, with Ceramic Shield on the front and a sturdy aluminum or titanium frame (depending on the model), but it’s not completely drop-proof. It can handle the occasional bump or short fall, especially if it lands on a flat surface — but drops on concrete or at awkward angles can still cause cracks or damage. If you’re prone to butterfingers, pairing your iPhone 16 with a durable case and maybe even a screen protector is the best way to play it safe.

Georgie Peru contributed to this report.



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Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i review: just falls short of perfection
Product Reviews

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i review: just falls short of perfection

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i: Two-minute review

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i may face some stiff competition from the usual excellent offerings from Apple, Dell, and the like, but it’s more than up to the challenge. In fact, I believe it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the best Ultrabooks of this generation.

It’s very slim and portable, helped by the fact that the webcam is hidden under the display in a unique and space-saving measure. And its performance is snappy and responsive, comparing well to the best laptops of this type (don’t expect it to match the power of a gaming laptop, of course). Just as important, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is a gorgeous-looking laptop with an equally gorgeous-looking OLED display.

Really, there are only two drawbacks. The first is price. It’s not anywhere near a budget offering, though that’s to be expected of this type of laptop, not to mention that an OLED display always brings a price bump.

The other issue is a little more concerning. The port selection is worse than on an Apple MacBook Air, which is saying something, as that’s already very minimal. More specifically, there’s no audio jack, so hopefully, you have a good pair of Bluetooth earbuds on hand.

However, that’s a pretty short list of things to be concerned about, and one of them (price) is to be expected with a nice Ultrabook. All in all, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is a wonderful laptop that will make a solid upgrade for anyone looking for an attractive, portable, and powerful Ultrabook.

  • Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) (14-inch Teal) at Lenovo USA for $1,601.59

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

  • How much does it cost? Starting at $1,759.99 / £1,800.00 / AU$3,829.00
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The 10th-generation model of the Yoga Slim 9i comes in two configurations, with both available in the US, UK, and Australia. And both configurations are very similar.

The more basic configuration goes for $1,759.99 / £1,800 / AU$3,849 and comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU and 16GB of RAM. The more robust configuration with Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and 32GB of RAM costs a nominally higher price tag of $1,899.99 / £1,900 / AU$4,199. There’s very little difference in performance between the CPUs – it’s just that the 258v supports 32GB of RAM. Essentially, the price difference comes down to whether you want 16 or 32GB of RAM. Everything else is the same, from the color options to the screen and the storage capacity.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4) makes for an easy comparison. Not just because they have a similar-sized screen, though the Yoga Slim 9i has better resolution, but because they have similar price points. This 14-incher from Apple starts at $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499, but that gets you a 512GB SSD. If you want the same amount of storage (1TB), the price goes up to $1,799 / £1,999 / AU$3,299, which is a little more than the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i. Of course, you’ll probably gravitate towards one over the other, mostly depending on whether you want macOS or Windows.

The Dell XPS 13 offers an interesting comparison, too. It comes in at a similar price – $1,999.99 / £2,049 / AU$3,998.50 – if you opt for a touchscreen like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i has, but the screen is smaller. And while the Dell XPS 13 does have an OLED display, it’s at a lower, though still pretty good, 2880 x 1800p resolution. Both laptops have limited ports, but both have plenty of power.

However, the Dell XPS 13 has an interesting design with its edgeless keyboard (meaning it stretches edge to edge) and a touchpad that just uses haptic feedback and doesn’t have a defined physical boundary. This is one of those love-it-or-hate-it design choices and will probably be a deciding factor for most.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i: Specs

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

Of the two available configurations, there’s very little difference. You basically get to choose between two almost identical CPUs, the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V and the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, which is about 0.5% better.

However, if you select the ever-so-slightly better CPU, you get 32GB of RAM instead of 16GB, since that CPU supports the higher amount of RAM.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyLenovo Yoga Slim 9i SpecsHeader Cell – Column 0

Base configuration

Review / Max configuration

Price:

$1,819.99 at Lenovo.com / £1,830 at Lenovo.com / AU$3,849 at Lenovo.com

$1,979.99 at Lenovo.com / £1,900.00 at Lenovo.com / AU$3,909.76 at Lenovo.com

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

Intel Core Ultra 7 258V

Graphics:

Intel graphics

Intel Arc graphics

RAM:

16GB LPDDR5X

32GB LPDDR5X

Screen:

14″ WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), OLED, Glare, Touch, HDR 600 True Black, 100%DCI-P3, 400 nits, 120Hz, Glass, Camera Under Display

14″ WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), OLED, Glare, Touch, HDR 600 True Black, 100%DCI-P3, 400 nits, 120Hz, Glass, Camera Under Display

Storage:

1TB SSD

1TB SSD

Ports:

2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4

2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4

Wireless:

Wi-Fi 7 2×2 BE 320MHz & Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7 2×2 BE 320MHz & Bluetooth 5.4

Camera:

32MP camera-under-display with e-privacy shutter

32MP camera-under-display with e-privacy shutter

Weight:

Starting at 1.25kg / 2.76lbs

Starting at 1.25kg / 2.76lbs

Dimensions:

312.93mm x 203.5mm x as thin as 14.55mm / 12.32 x 8.01 x as thin as 0.57 inches

312.93mm x 203.5mm x as thin as 14.55mm / 12.32 x 8.01 x as thin as 0.57 inches

Outside of the internal upgrades to CPU and RAM, there are no other upgrades. Both configurations come in one color, Tidal Teal, which is admittedly beautiful.

And there’s just the one display available. Thankfully, it’s also very nice with high-resolution and responsive touchscreen capabilities.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i: Design

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

  • Attractive and slim
  • Gorgeous and impressive display
  • Limited ports, including a lack of an audio jack

Available in Tidal Teal, a shimmery blue with hints of green, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is a beautiful laptop even before opening it up. It’s slim and light, even for a laptop of this size, and is about as portable as it gets.

In terms of form factor, the one unusual thing I noticed is that there is a raised bar near the top of the lid. This houses the 32-megapixel webcam that’s hidden under the display and pops up near the top-middle of the screen when in use. Though there’s no physical shutter for the webcam, it does have an effective e-privacy toggle next to the right USB-C port.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

It’s also worth noting that, despite having a touchscreen, this is not a 2-in-1, so don’t expect to be able to fold it to use as a tablet. That said, the touchscreen is very responsive and very sensitive, enough so that I’ve accidentally closed my browser multiple times when lightly touching the corner of the screen without thinking.

The screen is pretty remarkable beyond its touch capabilities. This 14-inch OLED panel has a 4K or 3840 x 2400 resolution (that’s a 16:10 aspect ratio) with a 120Hz refresh rate, along with 100% sRGB and DCI-P3 color coverage, which is ideal for photo editing. It also has a Vesa Certified DisplayHDR True Black 600 rating. It even supports Dolby Vision. You get the idea – the display is pretty spectacular.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The keyboard is a bit shallow, so it’s not the most comfortable one I’ve used, but that’s to be expected with a laptop this slim. It’s otherwise accurate and responsive, and I had no trouble pounding out a couple of articles on it.

The touchpad is just as snappy and accurate. While a lot of newer laptops seem to increase the size of the touchpad, that’s not the case here. If you want a really big touchpad, you’re not going to get it here.

Finally, the port selection is very, very minimal. There are just two USB-C ports, one on each side. They’re both Thunderbolt 4, so there’s plenty of throughput if you want to use a dongle. Still, it’s very limited. What I’m most upset about is the fact that Lenovo has done away with any kind of audio jack. As ubiquitous as wireless earbuds are, some of us still use wired headphones from time to time.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i: Performance

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

  • Snappy, responsive performance
  • Copilot+
  • Great audio quality with spatial audio

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i is quite powerful. It can handle day-to-day work easily. Opening, scrolling, clicking links, typing, photo editing: all the sorts of things most people want from an Ultrabook. For example, I was able to open 20 browser windows very quickly, just by pressing the Plus sign in Microsoft Edge.

Each window, which opens the MSN homepage filled with different news stories and information, loaded up almost immediately. Of course, I reviewed the 32GB configuration, but the CPU and RAM still do quite a bit of heavy lifting.

Even the camera behind the screen pops up promptly. Speaking of which, the webcam performs smoothly and looks good, though it does struggle with noise in low light.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyLenovo Yoga Slim 9i CPU / System Benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

Geekbench 6.4 Single Core

2,755

Geekbench 6.4 Single Core

11,186

Crossmark Overall

1,689

Crossmark Productivity

1,638

Crossmark Creativity

1,934

Crossmark Responsiveness

1,234

25GB File Copy Transfer Rate (MB/s)

1,032.87

Now, it’s not a gaming laptop, but I was able to run some less demanding or older games without any trouble, like Sable and Alan Wake. For those games, the action was crisp, clear, and smooth. That gorgeous OLED screen really helps. Still, there were some games I tried to run that wouldn’t even open.

As this is a newer laptop, it comes with Copilot+. Using the app is quick and responsive, though I still don’t find it to be a game-changer in my computing experience.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Swipe to scroll horizontallyLenovo Yoga Slim 9i GPU / Gaming Benchmarks

Benchmark

Score

3DMark Fire Strike

9,107

3DMark Time Spy

4,436

3DMark Speed Way

6,094

3DMark Steel Nomad

823

3DMark Night Raid

35,326

Borderlands 3 (Badass, 1080p)

27fps

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest, 1080p)

46fps

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Gathering Storm (Max impact, 1080p)

67fps

Total War: Warhammer III (Ultra, 1080p)

37fps

I’ve rarely been impressed by the audio from a laptop. I was when I reviewed the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, and I am here. That’s probably because there are more than two speakers in the Lenovo Yoga Slom 9i. Specifically, there are two 2-watt tweeters and two 3-watt woofers. There’s also some virtual spatial audio since the laptop supports Dolby Atmos.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i: Battery life

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

  • Decent if disappointing battery life
  • Doesn’t seem to do fast charging

Laptops with OLED displays aren’t always the most efficient, so the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i’s just under 10 hours of battery life in the PCMark 10 Battery benchmark is not surprising, though it is a bit disappointing. It did manage a better showing in our Web Surfing test, where it managed to get just over 11 hours of battery life.

While not the best results we’ve seen, this isn’t terrible battery life. However, we’re seeing a few laptops, particularly ones that this one competes with, hitting up to double those numbers. To be fair, I turned off the laptop’s battery-saver feature, which makes the laptop run more efficiently when the battery is low, so you might manage to squeeze more juice from the battery depending on the settings.

On the bright side, it was very good at maintaining battery life when the lid was closed. I’ve used and tested some laptops where the battery would continue to run down when idling, and that’s not an issue here.

Should you buy the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyLenovo Yoga Slim 9i scorecard

Category

Notes

Rating

Value

While pricey, this laptop is thin, powerful, and comes with a wonderful OLED screen.

4 / 5

Design

It’s not only thin and light, but it is gorgeous. Too bad it lacks an audio jack and only comes with two USB-C ports.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The performance (and audio quality) is excellent, especially for productivity work.

4.5 / 5

Battery Life

The battery life is decent, but compared to the competition is lower than expected.

4 / 5

Final score

It’s gorgeous, light, and comes with robust performance. Plus, it has that OLED screen.

4.25 / 5

Buy the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

If my Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider…

How I tested the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

  • Tested for a month
  • Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
  • Tested its various features

I used the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i for a month, testing it for work, including this review (along with the requisite online research). I used it to stream video. I even did some light gaming. I played with the webcam, the audio, and the AI features as well.

After spending time with the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i, it’s clear that this is perfect for those who want a premium experience (and can pay for it) in a gorgeous wrapping.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

  • First reviewed August 2025

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10): Price Comparison



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