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Apple AirPods Pro 3 Review: Still The Best for iOS
Product Reviews

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Review: Still The Best for iOS

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The same mildly flat indent on the stem of each bud indicates the location of the touch/squeeze controls, and there are black spots where heart rate sensors, wear detection sensors, and microphone ports hide. As with previous models, silvery tips bless the end of each elephant trunk, where a beamforming mic aims at your lips for maximum fidelity. These are all familiar, refined design cues from previous AirPods, and they are better executed than ever, even with such slight changes.

Well-Supported

Review: Apple AirPods Pro 3

I’ve been very impressed with Apple’s software support when it comes to AirPods Pro; last year it added a bunch of free hearing health features as a software update. That trend continues here with the addition of real-time translation and heart rate monitoring on these buds.

The translation can be activated by squeezing both of the buds at once, at which time any Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (any iPhone 16 Pro or later with the feature on) will pull up the Translate app on iOS. Siri will then listen to the speaker in front of you and translate what they are saying in real time, provided they are speaking English, Spanish, German, French, or Portuguese. I tested this with my multilingual wife, who found it to be very accurate with her Spanish phrases.

This is great for multilingual work or education environments in the United States in particular, as well as for travel, and should help folks who struggle with more advanced phrases or need to deliver a more nuanced message in their native language.

I’ve seen this feature enabled on headphones like the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 (which do this, but using Google Translate). Side by side, Google’s Buds and associated app offer many more languages and bit better translation (my Thai mother-in-law was very excited at how well it worked with Thai, which isn’t available on AirPods Pro 3), but Apple’s version is still more than welcome.



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Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max: Specs, Release Date, Price, Features
Gaming Gear

Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max: Specs, Release Date, Price, Features

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Bearing in mind this is the Chinese model (there’s no word on a global edition yet), I was unable to test all of the functionality, but I have a good idea what will work here and what doesn’t. I love the time and notifications, because I don’t have to pick up my phone as much when it’s face down on the desk and I’m working.

The customizable themes and pets are fun. It’s an opportunity to add a little more personality to your phone. While the real-time updates work only with select Chinese apps right now, the utility is clear, and the music controls are very handy. The selfie preview is an obvious benefit, as the photos you can take with the main camera far surpass those taken with any front-facing camera.

Photograph: Simon Hill

I’m also excited about the pin function. You know that awkward dance you do when you’re queuing? You have the QR code that they’ll scan in a minute open on your phone, but you want to continue reading or messaging. Well, this allows you to pin it on the back display and get on with what you’re doing. While I wasn’t able to test it, I know this will be handy.

As a big retro gaming fan, I love the look and feel of the case, and it automatically connects via Bluetooth and triggers the game mode. But once I got over the novelty, I was left wondering why I would ever want to play a game on a tiny screen interrupted by camera lenses when I have one of the most gorgeous 6.7-inch phone displays I’ve ever used in my hand. I tried Angry Birds 2, and it’s totally playable on the back display, but just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

And the Rest

Naturally, the 17 Pro Max is a specs beast, and the 17 Pro isn’t far behind. Both are powered by Qualcomm’s brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and my review unit has 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. The displays feature Xiaomi’s new M10 display technology, and it is sharp and power-efficient, and it gets very bright.



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Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro are impressive phones soon to be outdated
Gaming Gear

Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro are impressive phones soon to be outdated

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Xiaomi just announced the 15T and 15T Pro, a pair of near-flagship phones that would be more exciting if they hadn’t arrived less than 24 hours before the company is set to unveil its next set of flagships. Odd release schedule aside, the 15T handsets have a lot going for them — I’ve been using the Pro for a week and a half, throughout a demanding vacation in New York, and have more good than bad to say about the phone.

First, let’s try to make sense of Xiaomi’s release strategy. The 15T phones are follow-ups to the 15 and 15 Pro, which first launched in China in October 2024, delivering similar specs at a slightly more affordable price. They’re launching globally today, including in Europe. But tomorrow the company will announce the 15 series’ true successors, the 17 series (Xiaomi is skipping a number to keep up with the Joneses Apple). Those phones will be more powerful, using the soon-to-be-announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and featuring second screens on the rear of the Pro models, but likely won’t launch outside of China until spring 2026.

The 15T handsets run on MediaTek silicon: the Dimensity 8400-Ultra in the 15T, and the more powerful Dimensity 9400 Plus in the 15T Pro. Both offer 12GB of RAM, with up to 512GB storage in the regular model and a 1TB cap for the Pro. These are both pretty powerful devices.

Both phones are the same size, with no sign of a smaller handset to match the original 15. The 6.83-inch OLED displays are huge, in fact — larger than either the 15 Pro or 15 Ultra — though the 15T models are thinner than both those phones too, less than 8mm each. The Pro is the thicker and heavier of the two, at 7.96mm and 210g, but it’s still pretty comfortable by big phone standards.

I’m not entirely sold on the rose gold and mocha gold finishes my review units arrived in, though both phones are available in black or gray if you prefer. They also share IP68 ratings, 5,500mAh batteries, and fast wired charging — though only the Pro supports wireless charging too. Battery life on the Pro has certainly impressed me, staying the course throughout long vacation days with plenty of photos, navigation, and LTE usage, rarely dropping much below 50 percent in the process.

It’s the cameras that have impressed me the most though. The 15T Pro’s lenses aren’t quite a match for the 15 Ultra’s — close to the gold standard for smartphones right now, behind only Vivo’s X200 Ultra — but the difference is slight. The 50-megapixel f/1.62 main camera is fantastic and the 12-megapixel ultrawide gets the job done, but I’ve been most impressed by the 50-megapixel telephoto. This is where the Ultra models have leaped ahead in the last year or two, but the 5x periscope here held its own in all but the most challenging restaurant mood lighting.

The regular 15T shares only the ultrawide and the 32-megapixel selfie camera, using slightly different sensors in its main and tele cameras. The latter is especially different, with only 2x zoom, though it gets a much faster f/1.9 aperture instead.

The 15T phones are also the first Xiaomi phones outside China to support its satellite voice calls, which you can use to make calls without cell service or Wi-Fi, at distances of up to 1.3km (0.8 miles) from the 15T or 1.9km (1.2 miles) from the Pro. The catch? Right now you can only call other 15T users, a limitation that probably makes it pretty useless for most people.

The 15T Pro is available to order now in the UK, starting at £649 (around $870), while the 15T starts at £549 (around $740).



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iBuyPower Y40 Pro
Product Reviews

iBuyPower Y40 Pro Review: Style first

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Why you can trust Tom’s Hardware


Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

iBuyPower casts a wide net with its desktop lineup, aiming to please everyone from frugal shoppers to hardcore enthusiasts. And while it often delivers, the Y40 Pro, reviewed here ($1,899.99 as tested, on sale for $2,099.99), raises a few eyebrows. Its aquarium-like glass shell and RGB-lit interior certainly make a statement, and the performance appears promising at first glance. But the focus on aesthetics brings compromises that may lead you to look elsewhere.

Design of the iBuyPower Y40 Pro

As the Y40 Pro’s name suggests, the system is built in Hyte’s Y40 chassis, a more compact, pared-down sibling to the Hyte Y60 found in the iBuyPower Y60 Pro. (Hyte is owned by iBuyPower.) Aesthetics take center stage here. The borderless glass panels on the front and sides evoke a fishtank-like display, offering an unobstructed view of the internals. Its dimensions of 18.58 x 17.28 x 9.44 inches (HDW) are standard mid-tower fare.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

  • iBuyPower Y40 Pro at Amazon for $2,106.79

The tower is equipped with five 120 mm RGB fans: two side intakes, one rear exhaust, and two mounted on its own 240 mm liquid CPU cooler. RGB lighting extends to the cooler’s waterblock and the system’s RAM, creating a cohesive glow throughout the build.

To manage the lighting, I had to manually install MSI Center. Identifying which fans were mapped to which headers eluded me, but the “Select All” function allowed me to apply settings across all zones simultaneously. That’s slightly disappointing – being able to control individual zones would have allowed more personalization. The RGB DIMMs, however, can be independently controlled.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The case itself is sturdy, with generous use of rolled steel. Side panels are secured with metal ball pins that release with a firm pull, a simple and effective solution. That said, a few design choices feel counterintuitive. The right side panel’s dust filter is molded in, making it non-removable – cleaning it requires removing the entire door. The two bottom filters slide out in opposite directions, meaning you’ll likely need to shift the entire tower if it’s placed near a wall. There’s also a dust filter on the top panel, despite it serving as an exhaust rather than an intake.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The Y40 Pro’s fan noise proved distracting. Even at idle, the fans remain consistently audible, often rising above ambient household sounds. Thermal management appears poorly tuned, with fan curves reacting aggressively to brief CPU activity spikes. During gaming sessions, noise levels increased noticeably, prompting me to switch to closed-back headphones just to catch subtler in-game sounds. While advanced users can tweak the fan curves in the motherboard BIOS or using an app, this desktop should have come better-tuned out of the box.

iBuyPower Y40 Pro Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

Motherboard

MSI PRO B650-BC WIFI

Memory

32GB DDR5-5200 (2x 16GB)

Graphics

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (16GB GDDR7, 2,452 MHz boost clock)

Storage

2TB SSD (AGI2T0G43AI818)

Networking

2.5 Gbps Ethernet, RealTek RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Front Ports

2x USB Type-A, USB Type-C, 3.5 mm audio

Rear Ports

USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2, 7x USB-A 3.2 (3x Gen 2, 4x Gen 1), 3.5 mm audio connectors, DisplayPort, HDMI

Power Supply

750 watts, non-modular

Cooling

240 mm liquid cooling (iBuyPower)

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

Dimensions (WxDxH)

18.58 x 17.28 x 9.44 inches

Price (as configured)

$1,899.99

Today’s best iBuyPower Y40 Pro deals

Ports and Upgradeability on the iBuyPower Y40 Pro

The Y40 Pro delivers standard connectivity for a mid-tier gaming desktop – nothing unexpected, but nothing lacking either. Up front, you’ll find a 3.5 mm audio jack, two USB Type-A ports, and a USB Type-C port, with the power button centered between the group.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The MSI PRO B650BC motherboard backplane features seven USB-A ports (three rated at 10 Gbps, four at 5 Gbps), a 20 Gbps USB-C port, and six 3.5 mm audio jacks. HDMI and DisplayPort outputs are available if the CPU includes integrated graphics, as our Ryzen 9 7900X test unit does. That said, monitors should be connected to the GPU’s outputs: the RTX 5070 Ti provides one HDMI and three DisplayPort connectors.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

For networking, the system includes a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and a RealTek RZ616 wireless card supporting Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Note that the external antennas shown in the photos must be attached for reliable wireless performance.

This case’s priority on form over function limits expansion. The vertically mounted GPU obstructs the motherboard’s PCIe slots, ruling out the installation of any additional full-height cards. It’s just something to be aware of when you buy this desktop – most users are not installing additional PCIe cards. That said, you can install a half-height card in either of the remaining slots, one x1 and one x16.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Storage options are surprisingly limited for a case of this size. Aside from the two M.2 slots on the motherboard, the only additional drive support is behind the motherboard, where there’s room for either two 2.5-inch drives or a single 3.5-inch drive. Meanwhile, memory expansion is more forgiving – our test unit has two of the four UDIMM slots open, and the board supports 192GB of RAM.

The 750-watt power supply isn’t modular, but it covers the standard connectors and delivers enough juice for mid- to enthusiast-tier GPUs. With clearance for cards up to 422 mm long, this case shouldn’t hold you back when it’s time to upgrade.

Gaming and Graphics on the iBuyPower Y40 Pro

Our Y40 Pro test configuration features a Ryzen 9 7900X CPU, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, and 32GB of DDR5-5200 RAM.

For my game testing, I fired up F1 24 and played at the game’s Ultra preset at 3840 x 2160 with DLSS enabled, seeing anywhere from the high-80 to the low-100 frames per second range. The gameplay was exceptionally smooth.

We compared the Y40 Pro to two other gaming desktops: the Asus ROG G700 ($2,029 as tested) features an Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF, though it sticks with the vanilla GeForce RTX 5070, while the Corsair Vengeance a7500 ($2,799) pairs the gaming-focused Ryzen 7 9800X3D with an RTX 5070 Ti. While the Corsair and the iBuyPower have similar GPUs, we’ll see some big performance gaps at 1080p due to the CPU, which also makes the Corsair far more expensive.

Image 1 of 5

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Starting with Shadow of the Tomb Raider at the Highest detail preset, the Y40 Pro trailed the Corsair significantly at the CPU-bound 1080p resolution, with 228 FPS versus the Corsair’s 261 FPS. At 4K, however, both systems leveled out at 89 FPS. The RTX 5070-powered Asus predictably fell behind, posting 199 FPS at 1080p and 68 FPS at 4K.

In Cyberpunk 2077’s demanding Ray Tracing Ultra preset, the Y40 Pro narrowed the gap, achieving 87 FPS at 1080p compared to the Corsair’s 95 FPS. At 4K, both machines converged again, each producing 29 FPS.

Far Cry 6 at Ultra settings showed a wider disparity at 1080p, with the Y40 Pro reaching 125 FPS while the Corsair surges ahead at 197 FPS. At 4K, the performance is almost identical. The Asus sits between the two, with 110 FPS at 1080p and 80 FPS at 4K.

In Red Dead Redemption 2 (Medium preset), the Y40 Pro clocked in at 161 FPS at 1080p, just behind the Corsair’s 174 FPS. At 4K, the difference is negligible: 66 FPS for the Y40 Pro and 67 FPS for the Corsair. The Asus trailed again, with 120 FPS at 1080p and 50 FPS at 4K.

Finally, in Borderlands 3 at the “Badass” preset, the Y40 Pro stayed competitive, posting 215 FPS versus the Corsair’s 227 FPS at 1080p. Both systems match at 94 FPS at 4K. The Asus finished with 175 FPS and 74 FPS, respectively.

Overall, the Y40 Pro delivers stable gaming performance, though it falls short of the Corsair in CPU-intensive titles and lower resolutions, where the Ryzen 7 9800X3D clearly extracts more from the RTX 5070 Ti. At 4K, where GPU limitations are apparent, the two systems perform nearly identically. Since the Y40 Pro is also available with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, its performance gap isn’t necessarily a strike against it, though as of this review, no RTX 5070 Ti configuration was available with that chip (see the configuration section for more).

To evaluate sustained gaming performance, we run 15 loops of the Metro Exodus stress test at RTX settings. During the approximately 30-minute test, the Y40 produced an average framerate of 163 FPS across all runs, with almost no variation between runs. The Ryzen 9 7900X maintained an average temperature of just 50 degrees Celsius while the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti averaged 61 C.

Productivity Performance on the iBuyPower Y40 Pro

The Y40 Pro is built for high-performance productivity, featuring a Ryzen 9 7900X processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD.

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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

In Geekbench 6’s synthetic CPU test, the Y40 Pro landed behind its rivals in both single- and multi-core scores. It posted 2,953 points in single-core, just shy of the Asus’ 3,029 and well below the Corsair’s leading 3,247. Multi-core results followed a similar pattern, with the Y40 Pro scoring 17,226 compared to 19,057 for the Asus and 18,124 for the Corsair.

The Y40 Pro also lagged in our 25GB file transfer test, where its SSD delivered 1,501.6 MBps. That’s notably slower than the Asus at 1,816.5 MBps and far behind the Corsair’s impressive 2,659.9 MBps.

In our Handbrake video transcode test (4K to 1080p), the Y40 Pro redeemed itself slightly, finishing in 2 minutes and 29 seconds to be second fastest overall. It trailed the Asus (2:03) but outpaced the Corsair (3:02).

Performance may improve with the newer Ryzen 9 9700X configuration, which could help close the gap in CPU-heavy workloads. As noted in the Configurations section of this review, iBuyPower offers many different CPUs in this tower, including Intel chips.

Keyboard and Mouse with the iBuyPower Y40 Pro

iBuyPower bundles its Chimera K7 RGB mouse and keyboard with the Y40 Pro, which are basic peripherals but a cut above the generic kits often tossed in with mainstream desktops.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The Chimera K7 mouse sports a gamer-friendly shape that fits comfortably in medium-sized hands, though it’s designed exclusively for right-handed users. While the primary buttons and scroll wheel feel like nothing special, it does include two side buttons and a DPI toggle behind the wheel. A dedicated RGB switch on the underside cycles through ten LED modes, including off. The lighting is impressively bright, with effects like breathing, strobing, solid color, and a starlight mode that illuminates sections of the mouse in sequence.

Despite its membrane construction, the keyboard delivers a surprisingly tactile typing experience. I had no trouble maintaining my usual speed of about 120 words per minute and near-perfect accuracy on MonkeyType. It lacks premium features like USB passthroughs, but compensates with vibrant RGB backlighting across multiple colors. Lighting is controlled directly via Fn+ScrollLock, with options for static or breathing effects, and can be disabled using Fn+Pause. Flip-out feet provide a slight incline for ergonomic comfort, though iBuyPower unfortunately doesn’t include a palm rest.

Software and Warranty

Besides the usual smattering of Windows 11 default apps, iBuyPower preloads no software onto the Y40 Pro, which is mostly great. I had to install MSI Center myself for RGB lighting control.

iBuyPower backs the Y40 Pro with an industry standard one-year warranty.

iBuyPower Y40 Pro Configurations

iBuyPower offers a vast selection of prebuilt desktops, including fully customized systems on its website. Our Y40 Pro test unit, a $2,099 model from Amazon, uses the older Ryzen 7 7900X CPU; an $1,899 version at Best Buy swaps in the Ryzen 9 9700X and keeps all other specifications the same, including the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD.

Other configurations available at Best Buy begin at $1,499 with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Radeon RX 7800 XT, followed by a $1,599 model with a Ryzen 7 8700F and RTX 5070, and a $1,699 option pairing a Ryzen 7 7800X3D with a Radeon RX 9070. Higher-tier models include a $1,999 build with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Radeon RX 9070XT, and a $2,299 version matching our test unit’s specs but upgraded to a Ryzen 9 9900X. Systems featuring the RTX 5080 start at $2,499, with the flagship $2,999 configuration combining that GPU with a Ryzen 9 9900X.

iBuyPower is competitive on price: a similarly equipped Corsair Vengeance a7500 was listed at $2,899 with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 1TB SSD, Alienware’s Aurora came in at $1,949 with a Core Ultra 7 265KF, and the Asus ROG G700 was priced at $2,399 with a Ryzen 7 9800XD.

Bottom Line

iBuyPower’s Y40 stands out visually and delivers solid mid-tier gaming performance, backed by decent build quality and ample connectivity. Above-average peripherals and competitive pricing further enhance its value proposition.

That said, noticeable fan noise detracts from the overall experience, and the limited RGB customization may disappoint users seeking more personalization. While most won’t need to expand storage or install additional full-height PCIe cards, it’s worth noting that the chassis offers little flexibility in those areas.

Ultimately, the Y40 Pro is among the more stylish mid-towers we’ve tested and holds its own against competitors like the Asus ROG G700. Still, for those prioritizing acoustic performance, the quieter G700 earns our preference.

iBuyPower Y40 Pro: Price Comparison



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Anker Magsafe Charger Compatible, Maggo 3 In 1 Charging Station
Game Reviews

Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station Hits All-Time Low, Charge AirPods Pro 3, iPhone 17, and Apple Watches at Once

by admin


Nobody should have to decide which one of their devices gets the fast charger while the other ones get the slow version, or none at all. You carry your smartphone and earbuds and wear your smartwatch at the same time, so you should be able to fast-charge them the same way.

That’s what Anker’s MagGo 3-in-1 charging station does for your Apple devices, including the brand-new iPhone 17, Apple Watch 11, SE 3, and Ultra, and AirPods 4 and Pro 3. They all get 15W charging power, and your desk or nightstand get a clean, organized look with just one cable for 3 devices. Speaking of cleaning up, that’s what you’ll be doing with this limited-time Amazon sale that cuts the price of the MagGo 3-in-1 charging station by 30%, down to just $63.

See at Amazon

Apple Certified

The Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charging station is one of the rare chargers that’s officially certified by Apple as a fast charger for the Apple Watch. It’s powerful and fast enough to bring an Apple Watch Series 10 from 0 to a full charge in just an hour and 13 minutes — over 2 hours less than other wireless chargers. (It’s not compatible with Samsung or other non-Apple smartwatches.)

That amazing speed also applies to your MagSafe-compatible iPhone — watch your iPhone 16 Pro Max go from totally dead to 20% in just 20 minutes, a task which takes a 7.5W wireless charger over twice as long. And the Qi pad at the rear of the stand is a perfect fit for your AirPods wireless charging case, with a non-slip surface to prevent you (or your cat) from knocking them off in the middle of the night.

Nightstand Upgrade

The MagGo is a charging stand, so let’s not lose sight of that feature. Your iPhone charges with equal speed in portrait or landscape position, and the powerful MagSafe grip holds the phone in place and allows you to tilt it back vertically by as much as 45 degrees. That’s perfect if you want to watch a video or take a FaceTime call at your desk hands-free while your phone charges, and on your nightstand, your iPhone can be placed in StandBy mode and act as your bedside clock, all while receiving an optimal charge.

Anker’s rep for top-of-the-line charging device is well established, especially for the Apple ecosystem. This one’s not going to damage that rep one bit — the MagGo 3-in-1 fast charger earned an Amazon’s Choice tag, and this 30% limited-time deal makes it a $63 steal that will keep your devices charged and your desk or nightstand organized.

See at Amazon



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The Questyle QCC Dongle Pro with a smartphone to denote size, on a light wooden table
Product Reviews

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: the Bluetooth upgrade your phone has been waiting for

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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.

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro: Two-minute review

You may not realise it, but your phone and your wireless headphones don’t always agree on how good your music should sound. It’s a question of compatibility, and it can be a thorny issue.

Bluetooth audio codecs are the invisible lines of code that translate your music (whether streamed from a subscription service or stored locally on your phone) into something that can be transmitted wirelessly to your headphones, earbuds, or portable speakers.

All Bluetooth products support SBC, a codec that provides basic ‘vanilla’ audio quality, but when it comes to high-quality advanced codecs, like LDAC and aptX Adaptive (which preserve far more of your music’s detail), it’s the wild west out there. Some Android handsets support both. Some just support one. iPhones (in fact, all Apple devices) support neither. Support on the headphones/earbuds side of the equation can be equally messy – and it doesn’t always follow that the more you pay, the more codecs your buds (or cans) will support.

So wouldn’t it be nice if there were a tiny, simple (yet powerful) gadget you could plug into any phone, tablet, computer, or game console that would assure you’ve always got support for these codecs? Behold – the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro.

Plug it in, open the app, and pair your headphones. Done. You’re now listening wirelessly at the highest possible quality (perhaps even losslessly) and you didn’t even have to mess around in Android’s Developer Options.

All of this makes the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro a very attractive little accessory for anyone who wants to maximize their listening experience.

One of the best portable DACs around – and more specifically, one of the best wireless Bluetooth DACs we’ve tested? Let’s get to it.

Oh, it’s red and no mistake (Image credit: Future)

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Price and release date

  • Release date: August 29, 2025
  • Price: $99 (around £70; AU$150)

$99 may seem like a lot for what you get. After all, it is tiny – and this device doesn’t make music or even play music; it just makes the music you already have access to sound better, with no guesswork.

I’ve also tried the $50 FiiO BT11, a nearly identical-looking product that, on paper at least, does all the same things. But it’s so maddeningly difficult to use, I’d happily pay the difference for the QCC Dongle Pro.

Still, there is another option. If you don’t need LDAC (perhaps because your Android phone already supports it), you can get the aptX-family-only QCC Dongle for $69 and save yourself some cash.

Elsewhere (and if you’ve got hard-to-drive headphones and a little more to spend), we love the FiiO BTR17 for its amplification powers on top of its codec mastery, and TR’s audio editor still uses the FiiO BTR7 – both around $200 / £175 / AU$279.

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontallyQuestyle QCC Dongle Pro: specs

Dimensions

25mm x 10mm x 15mm

Weight

2.5 grams

Supported codecs

SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC

Supported interfaces

USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)

System compatibility

WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS

Bluetooth version

5.4

Power draw

37mA

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Features

  • Excellent codec support
  • Easy, intuitive app
  • Works with almost all USB-equipped devices

A helpful app lets you control the dongle’s two main functions: getting it paired with your headphones and picking which codec and optional settings you want to use. An LED on the QCC Dongle Pro gives visual feedback on its pairing status as well as which family of codec is currently in use – a reassuring feature.

Better yet, as long as your headphones or earbuds support Bluetooth Multipoint, it’s possible to connect them to the dongle and your phone simultaneously. Doing so maintains your ability to adjust the headphones’ settings via their mobile app (if any).

Oh, and one more thing: the dongle also supports USB Audio Class 1 (UAC 1), which is a spec-speak way of saying you can use it as a wireless audio transmitter with gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation families – devices that don’t play nicely with run-of-the-mill USB Bluetooth dongles. Full disclosure: I didn’t test this feature.

You can use it as a transmitter for a PC or Mac, too, though with one caveat: there’s no Windows or macOS app, so you’ll need to initially pair your preferred headphones using the mobile app on a phone, then move the dongle over to your PC. It will automatically re-pair with your headphones and then you simply need to choose the Dongle Pro from your computer’s sound output menu.

Worried about the Dongle Pro sapping your phone’s battery life? Don’t be. With a 37mA draw, Questyle estimates that even if you used it intensively (e.g., with LDAC) for 10 hours straight, you’d only dent an iPhone 16’s full battery capacity by about 10%. Using aptX Adaptive would consume less juice. I didn’t notice any impact on my day-to-day use of my iPhone.

The bulk of my testing was done with the Sennheiser IE900 or the Austrian Audio ‘The Composer’ (Image credit: Questyle)

The QCC Dongle Pro is so easy and effective that it’s hard to find flaws. But if I were to nitpick, I’d point to the fact that the Questyle app doesn’t give audio nerds as much control over codec behavior as, say, Android’s Developer Options, or the uber-handy Bluetooth Codec Changer app.

For instance, purists often want to avoid additional resampling between their source of digital music and the output that gets to their headphones. With the apps/settings I mentioned above, you can set LDAC’s bit-depth and sampling rate to match that of your source. The QCC Dongle Pro doesn’t provide this level of control. The same goes for LDAC’s bitrate; however, you can nonetheless choose to favour sound quality over connection stability, which should accomplish the same thing.

I might also note that the dongle can’t support simultaneous Bluetooth connections. So if you were hoping to connect a set of wireless earbuds using LDAC and a set of headphones using aptX HD so you can hear the difference, I’m afraid you’ll have to find another way of satisfying your inner scientist.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

Note the ‘wings’ (Image credit: Future)

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Design

  • Tiny and featherweight
  • Fits most phone cases
  • Might block adjacent ports

The QCC Dongle Pro can plug directly into any device that can output audio over USB. At 2.5 grams, it weighs less than half as much as a single AirPods Pro earpiece. On its own, it will snap into USB-C ports, and a small ledge lets it protrude about two millimeters, making it compatible with many 3rd-party protective phone cases. It also comes with an adapter for gadgets that are still rocking USB-A ports. The only devices it can’t support are older iPhones/iPads with Lightning ports.

It’s a phone-friendly design, as long as you don’t mind using wireless charging while it’s plugged in. For laptops, especially those like the Apple MacBook Air with just two, closely spaced USB-C ports, the Dongle Pro forces the same choice, but without the fallback of wireless charging: You can have better Bluetooth audio or you can charge your computer, but not both.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Everything in its right place… (Image credit: Future)

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Sound quality

  • Perfect match for LDAC/aptX devices
  • Lets you choose which codec to use when more than one will work

How does it perform? Brilliantly. Which is to say, when I use it on an iPhone 16 in either LDAC or aptX Lossless mode, with a compatible set of headphones, and then compare it to a phone with these codecs built in (e.g., Motorola ThinkPhone), they sound the same to me. I’m not sure I could ask for anything more.

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 (LDAC) revealed the subtle details in Dire Straits’ You And Your Friend that tend to go missing when listening via AAC. Similarly, Sennheiser’s aptX Lossless compatible Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds were able to tame the blurry bass notes and crunchy highs that I typically hear when playing Bob Dylan’s Man in the Long Black Coat.

Given how convenient it is to pop the Dongle Pro into the bottom of my iPhone, I can easily see it becoming a permanent fixture in my daily listening life.

Sound quality score: 5 / 5

This white light (for aptX Lossless) was oddly hard to come by when using sources able to handle it… (Image credit: Future)

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Value

  • Pricey compared to other transmitters
  • Unmatched codec support
  • Perfect size/shape for mobile use

Though a pricey little device, you need to look at the QCC Dongle Pro in the context of your other options.

Most companies that make USB-C Bluetooth transmitters that sell for between $25-$55 on Amazon come with one or more compromises. They’re primarily intended for PC use, so they’re often equipped with a USB-A interface. Even the ones with USB-C tend to stick out too far and could easily snap off during portable use. The Dongle Pro’s one direct competitor, the $50 FiiO BT11, is a bargain by comparison – but I found it much harder to use.

Value score: 4/5

Note the new ‘rails’ on the casework to help with cooling (Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Features

Gives any phone or PC the most popular hi-res Bluetooth audio codecs.

4 / 5

Sound quality

Works as well as any phone with these codecs built in.

5 / 5

Design

Tiny, lightweight, and elegant. If only it were a tad narrower, it would be perfect.

4.5 / 5

Value

Pricey, but worth it.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Product

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro

FiiO BTR11

Dimensions

25mm x 10mm x 15mm

28mm x 9mm x 21mm

Weight

2.5 grams

3 grams

Supported codecs

SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC

SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC

Supported interfaces

USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)

USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)

System compatibility

WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS

WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS

Bluetooth version

5.4

5.4

Power draw

37mA (LDAC)

22mA (static)

iFi makes strong design choices and you love to see it (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro

  • Tested for 2 weeks
  • Used it at home and while at the gym
  • Predominantly tested using Apple Music on an Apple iPhone 16, but also: Google Pixel 7 Pro, Apple MacBook Air M1

Testing the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro was primarily a case of comparisons. In other words, how easy was it to use, and how did the sound quality compare to a smartphone with the same Bluetooth Codecs built in?

To do this, I paired the Dongle Pro first with the Sony WH-1000XM6 (to test LDAC performance) and then with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds (to test aptX Adaptive/Lossless), with the Dongle Pro plugged into an iPhone 16.

Since both devices support Bluetooth Multipoint, I was able to pair them simultaneously with a Motorola ThinkPhone, which supports both codec families.

While using the same Apple Music Playlist on both the iPhone and the ThinkPhone, I swapped back and forth between these two sources, listening for any perceptible differences. I couldn’t detect any.

For additional testing, I swapped the dongle over to my MacBook Air and a Google Pixel 7 Pro. Both performed without issue.

First reviewed September 2025

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro: Price Comparison



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The iPhone 17 Pro Max alongside the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Gaming Gear

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: Apple’s got a new top phone

by admin



The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a new design, major camera upgrades, loads of power, a vapor chamber, and some of the best battery life you’ll find in a phone, though the screen hasn’t been changed much.

Pros

  • Useful camera upgrades
  • A vapor chamber
  • Superb battery life

Cons

  • Little change to the screen
  • New design could be divisive
  • Bigger and heavier than iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max remains a superb smartphone, with more power than most users will need and good all-round specs. But its cameras, performance, and battery life can’t match that of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Pros

  • Iconic design
  • Very powerful
  • Great screen

Cons

  • Only a 12MP telephoto camera
  • No vapor chamber
  • No 2TB model

iPhones don’t always get huge upgrades over their predecessors, but Apple has really shaken things up this year, making some of the biggest changes to the lineup in a long time.

Sure, there aren’t any new buttons this time around, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max has had a visual overhaul from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and there are even bigger changes behind the scenes.

So is the iPhone 17 Pro Max worth upgrading to? Or should you stick with the iPhone 16 Pro Max? Below, we’ll take a closer look at how these two phones compare, to help you make that decision.


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iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: specs comparison

You’ll find a detailed look at the specs and features of these phones below – along with their prices – but first, here’s just a brief overview of their specs sheets, so you can see how they compare at a glance.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Dimensions and weight:

163.4 x 78 x 8.8mm, 233g

163 x 77.6 x 8.3mm, 227g

Display:

6.9-inch 120Hz

6.9-inch 120Hz

Peak brightness:

3,000 nits

2,000 nits

Chipset:

A19 Pro

A18 Pro

RAM:

12GB

8GB

Rear cameras:

48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto

48MP wide, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto

Front camera:

18MP

12MP

Battery:

5,088mAh / 4,832mAh

4,685mAh

Storage:

256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

256GB, 512GB, 1TB

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: price and availability

Image 1 of 2

The iPhone 17 Pro Max(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)The iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The iPhone 17 Pro Max was available from September 19, though at the time of writing you might be waiting longer than that, as it’s in high demand.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, meanwhile, launched in September of 2024, but Apple has now discontinued it, so you can’t buy it from Apple direct. Buying it new from retailers is still possible right now, but it could become increasingly tricky over the next few months unless you’re happy to look at pre-owned or refurbished units.

As for the cost, the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, for which you get 256GB of storage. You can also pay $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,599 for 512GB of storage, $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,999 for 1TB of storage, or $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,799 for 2TB of storage.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, which again gets you 256GB of storage. So the starting price is identical – though in practice you may well be able to find the iPhone 16 Pro Max for less, if you can find it new at all.

If you move up the price brackets then the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s pricing remains identical to that of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, outside Australia at least, where the new phone is slightly more expensive. Though note that the iPhone 16 Pro Max tops out at 1TB of storage, so you can’t get a 2TB model.

Winner: tie – unless you can find the 16 Pro Max for less (or already own it!)


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iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: design

Image 1 of 2

The iPhone 17 Pro Max(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)The iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The most obvious difference between these phones is their designs, as the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a redesigned back. Here, you get a large camera bump running across the width of the rear, while on the iPhone 16 Pro Max there’s a smaller camera housing in the top-left corner.

The top half of the rear and the sides of the iPhone 17 Pro Max are aluminum, with a glass panel on the bottom half of the back – whereas the whole rear of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is glass, and its sides are titanium.

From the front, though, the two phones look far more similar, as they both have a flat screen with a Dynamic Island at the top. Both phones also have an Action button and a Camera Control key.

Their weights and dimensions do differ, though, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max coming in at 163.4 x 78 x 8.8mm and 233g, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 163 x 77.6 x 8.3mm and 227g. So Apple’s newer phone is slightly taller, wider, thicker, and heavier.

The colors also differ, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max being sold in Silver, Cosmic Orange, and Deep Blue shades, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium.

Some less visible design elements include their water and dust resistance, with both phones having an IP68 rating, and the protection on their screens, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max using Ceramic Shield while the iPhone 17 Pro Max uses Ceramic Shield 2 – which is said to offer three times better scratch resistance.

These are both good looking phones and it will be subjective which you prefer, with our iPhone 17 Pro Max review describing it as having “a fresh, possibly divisive look” and our iPhone 16 Pro Max review praising its “iconic design with excellent materials.”

Still, while the looks themselves are down to personal preference, the improvement in scratch-resistance alone gives the new phone a slight advantage here.

Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: display

Image 1 of 2

The iPhone 17 Pro Max(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)The iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

The iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro Max both have 6.9-inch 1320 x 2868 OLED screens with a 120Hz refresh rate and 460 pixels per inch resolution.

Both have a Dynamic Island, both support always-on display, and both have a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. So there’s really very little to choose between them on this front.

However, they’re not quite identical. You see, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s peak outdoor brightness is 2,000 nits, the iPhone 17 Pro Max increases that to 3,000 nits. On top of that, the iPhone 17 Pro Max also has a new anti-reflective coating on its screen.

The result is that the newer phone’s display should look less washed out in bright sunlight, and should pick up fewer reflections.

There hasn’t been much in the way of screen upgrades otherwise, but that’s okay – because they weren’t really needed. As our iPhone 17 Pro Max review has it “images pop and blacks are as inky and dark as you would hope they’d be”.

Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: cameras

Image 1 of 2

The iPhone 17 Pro Max(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)The iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

While the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s screen hasn’t had many upgrades, its cameras certainly have. This phone has a 48 MP f/1.6 main camera (also capable of optical-quality 2x zoom photos), a 48MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view, and a 48MP f/2.8 telephoto camera capable of 4x optical zoom or 8x optical-quality zoom. Where we mention ‘optical-quality’, that’s achieved by cropping into the sensor.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max also has an 18MP f/1.9 front-facing camera with a new Center Stage feature that will rotate between portrait or landscape shots as needed, without you having to change the angle you hold the phone at.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max has similar 48MP main and ultra-wide cameras, but its telephoto snapper is just 12MP, and can only take photos at 5x optical zoom. Its selfie camera is also just 12MP, and lacks the Center Stage feature. But both phones can record video in up to 4K quality at up to 120fps.

So the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a substantial upgrade in terms of its telephoto and front-facing cameras, and our review described this as “Apple’s best camera array ever”. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is no slouch here either, of course, with our review of that saying it has “a great array of lenses” – but the 17 Pro Max does beat it overall.

Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: performance and software

Image 1 of 2

The iPhone 17 Pro Max(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)The iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

You’d expect a new iPhone to be more powerful than an older one, and such is the case here, but the upgrades are actually even greater than usual.

First, there’s the bit you’d expect: the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a new A19 Pro chipset, in place of the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s A18 Pro. This provides the generational upgrade in performance you’d expect, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max also has more RAM, with 12GB rather than 8GB, and it features a vapor chamber which helps keep it cool – thereby allowing it to sustain peak performance for longer.

So the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a seriously powerful handset, with our review describing it as “fast and effective in every scenario”. That said, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is still a very powerful phone even a year on from launch, so unless you have really high-end performance demands, you might not notice much difference.

You shouldn’t notice any difference in the software, either, as both of these phones run iOS 26 – though the iPhone 17 Pro Max will probably receive software updates for one year longer than the iPhone 16 Pro Max now will.

Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: battery

Image 1 of 2

The iPhone 17 Pro Max(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)The iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

While Apple doesn’t detail the capacity of its phones’ batteries, certifications have revealed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 5,088mAh cell in the US and a 4,832mAh one elsewhere. The difference is because the phone is eSIM-only in the US, so there’s space for a larger battery.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, meanwhile, has a 4,685mAh battery wherever you buy it, so it’s a lower capacity, and that translates to worse life.

Apple claims the iPhone 17 Pro Max will last for up to 37 hours of video playback between charges, while the figure for the iPhone 16 Pro Max is 33 hours.

Our own tests similarly found that the new model lasts longer, and it charges faster too, with a 40W or higher charger able to juice it to 50% in around 20 minutes, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will take around 35 minutes to reach the same level of charge.

But while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the clear winner for battery life, the iPhone 16 Pro Max still has many phones beat, so neither handset should disappoint on this front.

Winner: iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 16 Pro Max: verdict

(Image credit: Apple / Future)

This may not be a huge surprise, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max is an upgrade over the iPhone 16 Pro Max in every category above other than price, with everything from its chipset to its RAM, its cameras, its screen brightness, and its battery life all improved over the previous model. Plus there’s the new vapor chamber, which should improve performance.

The display hasn’t been massively upgraded, admittedly, and the new design could prove divisive, but in most ways the new model is a better phone, and Apple hasn’t even had to raise the price to achieve this.

Whether it’s worth buying if you already have the iPhone 16 Pro Max is more debatable, and you might want to read our full iPhone 17 Pro Max review before deciding. But of the two it’s clearly the better phone, and if you’re rocking a handset that’s a few years old then upgrading to the iPhone 17 Pro Max should make a night and day difference.

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AirPods Pro 3
Game Reviews

Amazon Is Going All In, Selling the New AirPods Pro 3 Cheaper Than Apple

by admin


Apple introduced the new iPhone 17 and AirPods Pro 3 just a few days ago, and even though they are available only from Friday, something totally absurd is happening: Amazon of is now offering the AirPods Pro 3 at $239, which is $10 lower than Apple’s current offering. This kind of day-one price reduction by Amazon is unheard of and it’s mind-blowing to see this kind of thing occur so rapidly with brand-new materials.

See at Amazon

Better Sound with Clever Features

These AirPods Pro 3 offer what is perhaps some of the best in-ear active noise cancellation available on the market. Apple has raised the stakes with a guarantee to cut out twice as much extraneous noise as the AirPods Pro 2 so when you’re listening with them, you’re fully immersed in your music (check out the AirPods Pro 3 review at Gizmodo here). It’s not just about noise-blocking, though – they’ve completely rebooted the sound experience. The 3D spatial sound creates this amazing depth where you can clearly hear every instrument, the bass is more complete and vocals are heard in glorious detail.

And then there’s the heart rate sensor. Yes, these earbuds don’t only pump sound; they track your heart rate and calories burned during any of up to 50 different workouts. Coupled with the fitness capabilities of your iPhone, including the Move ring and new Workout Buddy, you’ve got a dead serious personal trainer in your ears. Cool, right?

Live translation is fueled by Apple Intelligence and it’s another doozy: That equates to being able to overcome language barriers in real time when you’re chatting with friends or traveling abroad. The feature is intelligent and effortless so conversation is like you shared the same language.

Battery life is also excellent as you can listen for 8 hours with Active Noise Cancellation on, and 10 hours when you’re listening with Transparency mode enabled with Hearing Aid. And new ear tips come in five sizes so you can find your best fit for yourself, with them staying put and sound even better.

With these changes in mind, it’s incredible to think that Amazon is offering them for less than Apple charges. If this combination of features and this price is sounding like a deal too good to resist, that’s because it is. Don’t wait too long – this sale doesn’t last forever.

See at Amazon



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Gaming Gear

8Bitdo’s Pro 2 controller with travel case drops to $40

by admin


It has been just over a month since 8Bitdo released its Pro 3 controller. While the new model is a great option, its predecessor shouldn’t be kicked to the wayside — especially when it’s on sale.

Right now, Prime members can get the 8Bitdo Pro 2 wireless Bluetooth controller and a travel case for $40, down from $60. The 34 percent discount solves our biggest gripe about the device: that it’s too big to carry around sans case. Plus, it gives you a cheaper option that’s also compatible with the new Nintendo Switch 2. However, this Amazon deal is strictly available for Prime members.

8Bitdo

Prime members can get the duo now for 34 percent off. 

$40 at Amazon

Despite launching in 2021, the Pro 2 was still our choice for best PlayStation-style mobile gaming controller this year. It works well with Android and iOS systems and has extensive customization options when you use your phone. Plus, the design is comfortable to hold and available in multiple colors.

If you’re interested in upgrading to the Bitdo Pro 3 instead, now is a good time. Amazon is offering a 10 percent discount at checkout for the $70 wireless Bluetooth controller, bringing it down to $63.

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





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Product Reviews

Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 are already on sale

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It’s barely been two weeks since Apple announced the AirPods Pro 3, but you can already find them at a slight discount. The new earbuds are currently listed as $239 on Amazon, which is $10 cheaper than their normal price. The AirPods Pro 3 were introduced at Apple’s “Awe Dropping” iPhone event, boasting Live Translation, heart-rate tracking and significant improvements to sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC). But, if you’re not looking to shell out that much, the AirPods Pro 2 are on sale right now too for $199.

Apple

Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 are a big step up from the previous generation. 

$239 at Amazon

The AirPods Pro 3 are no small upgrade from the previous generation. ANC is twice as effective as that of the AirPods Pro 2, thanks to a combination of ultra-low noise microphones, computational audio and new foam-infused ear tips, which make for both a better fit and improved noise isolation, according to Engadget’s Billy Steele, who spent some hands-on time with the earbuds. The Live Translation feature fared well when tested on Spanish-to-English and French-to-English translations, making the earbuds a potentially handy tool to have for travel. (You’ll need an iPhone with Apple Intelligence in order to use Live Translation, though).

The earbuds earned a score of 90 in Engadget’s review, which notes noticeable improvements in sound quality and battery life. Apple says you’ll get up to eight hours on a charge with ANC enabled. With the addition of heart-rate monitoring and support for 50 workouts using Apple’s Fitness app, the AirPods Pro 3 allow you to get heart rate metrics during exercise without wearing an Apple Watch.

There’s a lot to like about the latest version of the AirPods Pro, so discount or not, you can’t go wrong if you’ve been holding out for a meaningful upgrade. Per our review, “The AirPods Pro 3 is the biggest update to Apple’s earbuds lineup in years.”

Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.





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