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Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 Review: A solid 2-in-1, though not without compromise

by admin June 6, 2025

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Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1: One-minute review

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is the latest hybrid laptop from the venerable Windows laptop maker, marking its first 2-in-1 since the company’s major rebranding earlier this year, which replaced the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 2-in-1.

Fortunately, as with the clamshell Dell 14 Plus, Dell’s latest 2-in-1 offers very solid performance at a fantastic price. But given that this is a 2-in-1, typically a form factor where the display takes center stage, the dim, lackluster panel makes this a less attractive option as a 2-in-1 than its clamshell sibling.

Starting at $649.99 / £849 / AU$1,498.20, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 does earn its place among the best 2-in-1 laptops this year thanks to its affordable starting price, especially in the US and Australia where the AMD Ryzen AI 300 configurations are available. When these configurations make it to the UK, the prices there ought to be much cheaper to start as well.

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Performance-wise, the 14 Plus 2-in-1 isn’t much different than the standard 14 Plus, so what you’re really looking for here is the versatility that comes with a 2-in-1.

Unfortunately, this versatility is undermined by the display quality, which is much more important on a 2-in-1. So while I found the rather dim FHD+ display on the 14 Plus to be an acceptable compromise to keep the price down, it’s a much bigger negative on the 14 Plus 2-in-1.

That’s not to say the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is necessarily bad, or even that its display is an absolute dealbreaker. Given its price and level of performance, the display doesn’t keep it from being one of the best student laptops on the market right now, and it also remains one of the best Dell laptops on offer currently. Just be prepared to look past a couple of flaws if you decide to pick one up.

Dell 14 Plus: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

How much does it cost? Starts at $649.99 / £849 / AU$1,498.20
When is it available? It’s available now
Where can you get it? You can buy it in the US, UK, and Australia through Dell’s website and other retailers.

Easily the best feature of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is its excellent pricing. Starting at $649.99 / £849 / AU$1,498.20, there aren’t going to be many Windows laptops with solid entry-level specs at this price point. For those who are more price-sensitive (such as students, general users, and enterprise fleet managers), the 14 Plus 2-in-1 really should be at the top of your list if you’re in the market for a 2-in-1.

Even better, of course, is that Dell regularly runs sales on its products, so it should be fairly easy to find this laptop for even cheaper (especially around holidays or other major sales events like Amazon Prime Day).

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1: Specs

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Configurations vary considerably between the US, UK, and Australia
Options for both Intel Core Ultra 200V and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors
No discrete graphics options

The starting specs for the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 feature 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD storage, and a 16:10 FHD+ (1200p) IPS touchscreen display with 300-nit max brightness. The only difference between the US, UK, and Australia is that the US and Aussies start off with an AMD Ryzen 5 AI 340 processor with Radeon 840M graphics, and the UK starting configuration comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V chip.

This also means that while the US and Australian starting configuration only has two USB-C Gen 3.2 ports, the UK swaps one of these out for a full Thunderbolt 4 port.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyDell 14 Plus 2-in-1 Base Specs

Region

Australia

Price:

$649.99 at Dell.com

£849 at Dell.com

AU$1,498.20 at Dell.com

CPU:

AMD Ryzen AI 5 340

Intel Core Ultra 5 226V

AMD Ryzen AI 5 340

GPU:

AMD Radeon 840M Graphics

Intel Arc Xe2 (140V)

AMD Radeon 840M Graphics

Memory:

16GB LPDDR5X-7500

16GB LPDDR5X-8533

16GB LPDDR5X-7500

Storage:

512GB SSD

Screen:

14-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1200p), 300-nit, touch IPS

Ports:

2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack

2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack

Battery (WHr):

64 WHr

Wireless:

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

Camera:

1080p@30fps

Weight:

3.35 lb (1.52 kg)

3.42 lbs (1.55kg)

3.35 lbs (1.52kg)

Dimensions:

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.65 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.39mm)

For the max spec, the US and UK can configure the 14 Plus 2-in-1 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor with Intel Arc Xe2 (140V) graphics, while Australia tops out at an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with Radeon 840M graphics. The US config also maxes out at 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB storage, while the UK and Australia max out at 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB and 1TB storage, respectively.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyDell 14 Plus 2-in-1 Top Specs

Region

Australia

Price:

$1,499.99 at Dell.com

£1,299 at Dell.com

AU$1,498.20 at Dell.com

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 9 288V

AMD Ryzen AI 7 350

GPU:

Intel Arc Xe2 (140V) Graphics

AMD Radeon 840M Graphics

Memory:

32GB LPDDR5X-8533

16GB LPDDR5X-7500

Storage:

1TB NVMe SSD

512GB NVMe SSD

1TB NVMe SSD

Screen:

14-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1200p), 300-nit, touch IPS

Ports:

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack

2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 w/ DP and Power Delivery, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x combo jack

Battery (WHr):

64 WHr

Wireless:

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

Camera:

1080p@30fps

Weight:

3.42 lbs (1.55kg)

3.35 lb (1.52 kg)

Dimensions:

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.65 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.39mm)

The configuration I reviewed is much more in the middle of the pack, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V chip, 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, and a 1TB SSD. This specific configuration isn’t available in the UK and Australia, but the UK can get close enough (though with half the storage capacity).

Swipe to scroll horizontallyDell 14 Plus Review Unit Specs

Price:

$1,099.99 / £999 / (about AU$1,650, but Intel systems not yet available in Australia)

CPU:

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

GPU:

Intel Arc Xe2 (140V) Graphics

Memory:

16GB LPDDR5X-8533

Storage:

1TB NVMe SSD (512GB in the UK)

Screen:

14-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1200p), 300 nit, touch IPS

Ports:

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DP 1.4 and Power Delivery, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 w/ DP 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x combo jack

Battery (WHr):

64 WHr

Wireless:

WiFi 7, BT 5.4

Camera:

1080p@30fps

Weight:

3.42 lbs (1.55kg)

Dimensions:

12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 ins | (314 x 226.15 x 16.95mm)

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1: Design

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Thin and light
Trackpad can feel ‘sticky’
Display isn’t great for a 2-in-1

The design of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is nearly identical to the standard 14 Plus, with the major difference being its 360-degree hinge. Otherwise, it sports a functional design language that, while not premium, doesn’t necessarily look or feel cheap either.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The keyboard on the 14 Plus 2-in-1 is functional, if not incredible, but for most people it’ll do the job just fine. The trackpad occassionally felt somewhat ‘sticky’ to me, however, and it’s something that kind of gives away the laptop’s price point, if I’m being honest. I’ve felt similar trackpads on much cheaper Chromebooks in the past.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The webcam is a solid 1080p at 30 frames per second, which is pretty much standard nowadays. It does feature a physical privacy shutter though, which is excellent.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

For ports, you have a good mix, especially for a laptop this thin, and if you’re using an Intel-based configuration, you get a Thunderbolt 4 port, which is very handy. Regardless of the processor brand, though, with USB-C Gen 3.2 ports available, you can display out using DisplayPort 1.4, and all USB-C ports support power delivery.

Where this laptop was more of a letdown than its clamshell cousin is the display. At 300 nits peak brightness and just 67.5% of the sRGB color gamut and only 47.8% DCI-P3 (according to my testing), the color quality and brightness on the display just isn’t very good.

It’s one thing when the display on a cheap clamshell isn’t great, but if you plan on taking notes or maybe even do some sketch work on your 2-in-1, this display is not going to give you the best experience. If you plan on using this laptop for school, try to avoid using it outside on a sunny day, or else you’re really going to struggle to see things clearly.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Solid performance
Can do some modest gaming
Not the best for creative work

Here’s how the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Geekbench 6.4 (Single): 2,673; (Multi): 10,880
Crossmark (Overall): 1,708; (Productivity): 1,655; (Creativity): 1,934; (Responsiveness): 1,293
3DMark (Night Raid): 31,074; (Fire Strike): 8,462; (Time Spy): 3,896; (Steel Nomad): 601
Civilization VI Gathering Storm (1080p, Max Graphics, Avg): 53 fps
Civilization VII (1080p, Medium, Avg): 59 fps; (High): 34 fps
Web Surfing Battery Test: 15 hours, 14 minutes

The performance of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is going to vary quite a bit depending on your configuration, but like the clamshell 14 Plus, the 14 Plus 2-in-1 is a very solid performer when it comes to everyday computing and general productivity tasks that are typical of laptops at this price point.

To be clear, this isn’t a professional mobile workstation like the MacBook Pro 14, and definitely isn’t one of the best gaming laptops, but if what you’re looking for is a laptop that does its job, does it reasonably well, and doesn’t try to do too much beyond the everyday, then the 14 Plus 2-in-1 is a very solid pick (especially if you’re on a budget).

Thanks to the integrated Intel Arc Xe2 or Radeon 840M graphics (depending on your configuration), you’ll also be able to get some casual to moderate gaming out of this laptop, though you’ll definitely want to keep things at or below 1080p and reasonable graphics settings.

In my testing, Civilization VII (one of the more graphically demanding sim games out there) managed to get close to 60 FPS on average on medium settings, which is more than enough for a thin and light laptop like this.

This is a 2-in-1, though, and the focus really is on note-taking, drawing, and the like, and for that the responsiveness of the display was good enough for the price, though nothing spectacular.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1: Battery Life

How long does it last on a single charge? 15 hours and 14 minutes
How long to fully charge it to 100%? 2 hours and 36 minutes

I haven’t tested one of the AMD Ryzen AI 300 models of this laptop, but the Intel Core Ultra 256V in my review unit is a very energy-efficient chip, so this laptop’s battery life is good enough to rival many of the best laptops of the past few years, though it’s not in the top five or anything like that.

It ran for just over 15 hours in my battery test, which involves using a script and custom server to simulate typical web browsing behavior. This is more than enough for a typical work or school day, and with the included 65W charger, it took about two and a half hours to recharge the 64WHr battery to full from empty (though higher wattage chargers will likely get you there faster).

Should you buy the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1?

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)Swipe to scroll horizontallyDell 14 Plus 2-in-1 Scorecard

Buy the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 if…

Don’t buy it if…

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June 6, 2025 0 comments

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play turntable on a wooden stand

Product Reviews

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: The absolute distillation of a ready-to-go turntable that will grow with you

by admin June 6, 2025

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.

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play: two-minute review

The Avid Ingenium Plug&Play is a belt-driven unsuspended turntable and it’s the very smallest and simplest turntable that the company makes. This might sound surprising for a turntable with a price tag of £1,500 (about $2,500 / AU$2,500, where available) but it is a reflection of quite how far up the Avid range goes.

If you want to purchase the brand’s flagship Acutus Reference Mono turntable, Nexus V2 arm and Ruby cartridge, you will need a not inconsequential £48,950 (or around $66,250 / AU$102,260, give or take) to do it. Judged by this metric, then, those aforementioned prices are indeed fairly entry level.

Most importantly, the Avid Ingenium Plug&Play is built around the same principles as the top-tier Acutus. Everything that Avid does is developed from the top down. The company begins by making the best example of something that they know how to make. When they want to make a more affordable version, they change the absolute minimum number of parts and design elements. Then, when a more affordable version still is required, this second level becomes the point from which development begins. By this process, the Acutus has become the Ingenium.

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This process also means that the Ingenium is designed with different priorities to some of the best turntables at the price and it looks and feels different as well. Is the result exactly what you need in a turntable or do other approaches work better?

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Price & release date

The original Ingenium has been around for over a decade but it has changed a little in that time. Originally, it could be ordered with different cutouts from the factory that allowed you to choose different arms. You could also have one that had a longer chassis that allowed it to work with 12 inch arms. Not only that, if you were feeling really keen, you could order one where the chassis extended in both directions and could mount two arms at once. As someone who is the very definition of keen when it comes to turntables, I have owned a twin-armed Ingenium for many years as it is a fantastic piece of test equipment.

The Plug & Play was released in 2018 and quickly became the sole version of the Ingenium. By simplifying the versions, Avid could keep the price down and ensure that installing one is as simple as possible. Though there is only one version for sale, the company makes a series of upgrades that can be added at a later date, which we will cover as well.

As of May 2025, an Ingenium Plug & Play is £1,500 in the UK. In the US, the current liveliness around imports makes the price a little volatile but it appears to be around $2,500. In Australia, it is yours for AU$2,500.

This price is inclusive of everything you need to get up and running out of the box, with the exception of a phono stage. Avid does make these if you need and, as the Ingenium Plug & Play is fitted with a moving magnet cartridge, many owners will have a phono stage built into their existing electronics that will allow them to connect directly.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Features

Metal chassis built around a custom bearing
Motor acts on subplatter with MDF or optional metal platter
Upgradable power supply
Arm and cartridge fitted

Every Avid turntable from the Acutus down is designed around the same principle. It is intended to dissipate energy away from the playing surface via the bearing. The chassis of the Ingenium Plug&Play takes the form of a two-piece cruciform with the longer section housing the bearing and tonearm mount, and the shorter crossbeam adding stability. The motor is not attached to the chassis; instead it sits in free space behind the main chassis member. The feet are pliant rubber and add some useful isolation from the outside world.

The bearing is hugely important to how the Ingenium works and considerable attention has, rightly, been lavished on it. It is set forward from the center of the chassis which means that you can see the entire assembly from the front. The bearing comprises a shaft, with the actual bearing itself sat at the top. A subplatter sits on top of this and this is what the belt acts on. On top of this, the platter is then fitted.

This platter is cork topped and used on other Avid turntables. As standard, it is made of MDF and feels pretty substantial but you can also order the Plug&Play with a metal platter. This looks very similar to the standard one but is much heavier and more inert. The upgraded platter comes with bolts that screw into the underside. These drop into holes in the subplatter to tighten up the relationship between the two. Order the metal platter at the same time as the Ingenium and it will cost you £350 ($475, AU$730 where sold) or you can order it later on for £450 ($610 / AU$940, where sold).

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

The Ingenium makes use of another Avid design feature in the form of a clamp. This screws down via a threaded spindle to physically press the record against that energy-dissipating bearing. This is another feature present on all Avid turntables and is absolutely integral to how they work.

As supplied, the Ingenium’s motor plugs directly into the wall and simply has an on/off switch most of the way up the wire. Depending on how you place the Avid, this can make it hard to reach and it means that changing between 33 and 45 RPM is a matter of lifting the platter off and moving the belt from one motor pulley to another.

Both of these can be corrected by upgrading to the Electronic PSU. This allows for electronic speed control via a motor with a different pulley that allows two belts to be run at the same time. This is not a cheap upgrade – at £1,500 ($1,355 / AU$2,085 approx.) it’s the same price as the turntable itself and there is no saving to be had ordering it at the same time.

The arm that comes pre-fitted is something Avid calls the TA1. It is designed with a view to working with the supplied cartridge but will accept others that are content working with its fixed anti-skate system. It outputs via a captive lead and Avid has ensured that the VTA is correct out of the box. This arm is not expensive; it appears with the same cartridge on a turntable that costs £330 ($445 / AU$690, where sold) but it reflects Avid’s design priorities. Their argument is that, unless the turntable itself is correctly engineered, nothing else will be right. For some people, this price balance will seem somewhat lopsided but is a ratio that Avid employs on many of their turntables.

Should you wish to change it in future, any arm using the same mount and geometry should fit but this does not include either of the arms that Avid makes. Something that can also be done, though, is to change the stylus on the cartridge. By origin, this is an Audio Technica design called the AT-91 and it has sold in huge quantities. Roll your sleeves up and get online and you’ll find a variety of upgraded stylus options for it that simply slide on in place of the existing one and can offer substantially better performance.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: sound quality

Exceptionally cohesive and controlled performance
Excellent bass; made even better with the upgrades
Some limitations to fine detail
Can be very good fun

Turntables are fascinating and slightly maddening things. They perform one job that has very few variables – at the most basic level, support a record and rotate it at 33 or 45 RPM, and yet, the performance they offer varies hugely. Put simply, every single design and engineering decision makes a difference to how the turntable performs. Done well, this manifests itself in how the information on the record is presented. The more capable the turntable, the better it avoids information on the record becoming congested and confused.

It doesn’t take very long listening to the Ingenium Plug&Play to realize that, at its fundamental core, it is incredibly capable. I’ve been using The Cinematic Orchestra’s Man with a Movie Camera as a piece of test material for years. The version of Burn Out used here is bigger and has a larger overall sense of scale than the original and, as the track builds, it can start to sound a little muddled. On the Avid, this simply doesn’t occur; it has the bandwidth and ability to keep everything sounding as it should. The Ingenium hangs together, even when a number of similarly priced rivals are beginning to struggle.

It also possesses extremely good bass and when I say, ‘good bass’ I mean more than straightforward low-end thudding. From the moment that lower midrange starts to become bass, there is a heft to it that is perfectly judged – weighty without tipping over into being dominating or overblown. It does rather justify Avid’s belief in the turntable itself as the final decider of the quality of playback. I have never heard anything else using a remotely similar arm and cartridge achieve the same level of sheer low-end tone and texture as what the Ingenium extracts from it.

There is more to be had from it. Avid supplied an example of the upgrade platter with my review sample and fitting this improves the bass response even further. Not only does the absolute extension improve but the texture and control to low notes improves even further. Rogues Gospel by Duke Garwood is an exceptionally natural recording, underpinned by surprisingly deep bass notes. With the metal platter present, the percussion is better defined against the mix and it starts and stops with greater precision.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Adding the external power supply (I also used the motor from my own Ingenium for this as it has the correct pulley and connecting cable) yields more performance. It might sound odd that changing the power feed for the motor has any effect on the performance but it’s important to remember that this is the only part of the turntable where electrical power is added – everything else is entirely passive. The power supply allows me to more easily listen to a 45RPM version of Peter Gabriel’s eponymous third album. The already orderly and spacious presentation takes a further step forward. Without losing the building urgency of Family Snapshot, the Avid is astonishingly capable.

There are some limits, though, that would need attention before spending £1,500 (approx. $1,355 / AU$2,085) on the power supply. The Avid extracts more from its cost-effective arm than you would ever credit but it will show its limitations. Compared with the arm and cartridge combination used regularly on my resident Ingenium (which I am compelled to admit costs more than the Plug&Play and the optional power supply combined), there is a loss of fine detail and tonal realism that is the absolute limiting factor to the Avid’s performance. As noted, changing the stylus would be a cost-effective means of starting to correct this, and there is a decent choice of arms that will bolt straight on that I would probably look at ahead of the power supply.

Crucially, though, you won’t need to rush to do this. In the time the Avid has been in situ, it’s been sharing a rack with more expensive, and notionally more capable, decks but I’ve never rushed to switch over from listening to it. What it does so effectively is balance attributes I have long associated with Avid turntables – a confidence and realism that is unaffected by the scale and complexity of the material being played, with the ability to be plain and simple good fun when you want it to be.

Playing the belated vinyl release of Superabundance by the Young Knives on the Ingenium is a neat demonstration of this. Even after a remaster, it’s not a great recording but the Plug&Play takes in its stride and will have you yelling along to the utterly nonsensical chorus of Terra Firma in fine style.

Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Design

Simple, but attractive with it
Superbly made
Easy to set up
No dust protection or cover of any kind

Avid is first and foremost an engineering company. They don’t really go in for ‘styling’ as it might be defined in the usual sense. There is absolutely nothing on the Ingenium Plug&Play that doesn’t need to be there for it to work. Despite this (or, partly because of it), I love it. The Avid doesn’t set out to be pretty but thanks to the absolute lack of frippery and adornment, it looks fantastic. You don’t need to know anything about vinyl to know it’s a very special thing.

It is also superbly made. Extracting the Avid from its box allows you to get a handle of the sheer heft of the metalwork and the precision involved in the construction. I won’t insult your intelligence by calling it cheap but I don’t know of many turntables at the price that feel anything like as substantial. It very effectively gives a little taste of just how incredibly well assembled the company’s more premium offerings are.

It also delivers on the name as well. It can be momentarily intimidating to see all the parts sat in the box when you open it but, thanks to a genuinely good set of instructions, the Avid is a pleasure to put together and should not be beyond even a complete novice. The quality and care of the execution is evident from the moment you start slotting the parts together and the whole process inspires confidence in what you’re doing. Pay attention, avoid distractions and you should be spinning a record within 10 to 15 minutes of opening the box.

Something to remember when choosing an Ingenium Plug&Play is that as a ‘skeleton’ deck, the Avid has no dust or child protection as standard. This means that it is rather more vulnerable than some rivals to the outside world. Avid offers some covers, and other options are available, but this of course will come at an extra cost. I have generally kept an old record on my Ingenium’s platter to help keep dust off the playing surface.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Value

There are two levels to judging the Plug&Play. Judged on what you get in the box for £1,500 (about $2,500 / AU$2,500, where available), it’s good but there are other turntables that can keep it honest, ones which also offer lids, electronic speed control and other niceties. The Ingenium is competitive and can hold its own but it doesn’t deliver a knockout blow.

The thing to consider, though, is that the Ingenium can be taken to places that almost nothing else for the price can. My twin-armed one has the upgrade platter and the power supply and uses arms that cost more than the Plug&Play does on its own. It’s still mechanically the same basic turntable as the review unit but it can deliver a level of performance far beyond what the basic unit is capable of.

If you know you are committing to vinyl for decades to come, this is a turntable that will grow with you. Viewed in this way, the Ingenium represents rather more impressive value.

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Should I buy the Avid Ingenium Plug&Play?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Metal chassis, with possible upgrades available

4 / 5

Sound quality

Cohesive and controlled with excellent bass; some limitations to fine detail

4.5 / 5

Design

Simple and attractive; superbly made; easy to set up

4.5 / 5

Value

A little pricey, but good-quality equipment means it grows with you

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

Avid Ingenium Plug&Play review: Also consider

(Image credit: Future / Ed Selley)

How I tested the Avid Ingenium Plug&Play

The Avid was parked on a Quadraspire rack and run both in out-of-the-box and upgraded forms, connected to a Cyrus Classic Phono phono stage, which outputted to a Cambridge Audio Edge A integrated amplifier and Kudos Titan 505 speakers. As the Cyrus has four inputs, it meant other turntables that live here all the time could be run alongside and everything played through my standard reference system.

All listening took place in a 3.5m x 4m lounge that I use as a listening space. As well as the listed recordings, I used a huge selection of records, ranging from very audiophile indeed to Boss Drum by The Shamen which, with the best will in the world, is not.

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June 6, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

U.S. House Set to Review Crypto Bill ‘CLARITY Act’ on June 10

by admin June 6, 2025

On June 10, 2025, the U.S. House Financial Services Committee shall have a big hearing to consider the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, or the ‘CLARITY Act’.

The session is set to convene at 10:00 AM EST and will also consider several financial bills. A markup occurs when legislators gather to debate, mark up, and vote on bills before sending them on to the full House for consideration. The markup will happen in the Rayburn House Office Building and can be watched online in real-time.

What is the CLARITY Act?

The CLARITY Act seeks to establish a clear regulatory landscape for digital assets such as cryptocurrencies. The act will resolve the ambiguity regarding which U.S. agency will regulate various forms of crypto assets. It has also attempted to address the confusion in crypto regulation by establishing which digital assets are securities and which are commodities.

The act also provides crypto firms with an appropriate way to register with the appropriate regulators. While doing that, it wants to protect consumers without stifling new ideas and innovation within the industry.

The markup of the CLARITY Act is a major step forward for U.S. crypto regulation. If passed, the law could provide much-needed certainty for the growing digital asset industry and encourage responsible innovation in blockchain technology.

French Hill, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, is leading the process. The CLARITY Act is part of a broader push by Congress to modernize financial laws to include emerging technologies.

CLARITY Act Faces Praise and Pushback

The CLARITY Act has received strong criticism and also support. Former CFTC Chairman Timothy Massad warned lawmakers that the CLARITY Act may create more confusion than clarity. He said the bill relies too heavily on intangible concepts like “decentralization,” which can evolve.

He also argued that the bill could weaken long-standing financial rules, particularly if it redefines what constitutes a “security.” Massad suggested a simpler approach: creating a joint SEC-CFTC oversight body to regulate platforms like Coinbase, Kraken and Gemini, which already handle most digital asset trading.

At the same time, Ethereum supporter Vivek Raman, CEO of blockchain firm Etherealize, backed the bill. He said the CLARITY Act could give Ethereum the clear legal status it needs in the U.S. It would do this by recognizing Ethereum as decentralized infrastructure, rather than treating it like a traditional financial product.

This upcoming session on June 10 will be closely watched. Whether lawmakers embrace or revise the CLARITY Act, the outcome could shape the future of crypto in the U.S.

Also Read: New Crypto Bill Comes to Light as SEC Updates Staking Rules

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June 6, 2025 0 comments

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk during our tests

Product Reviews

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk review

by admin June 5, 2025

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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.

Yo-Yo’s Wellness 2+ smart desk presents a unique offering; the ability to control and track your standing desk activity using its companion app, helping you understand and visualize the benefits of using a standing desk.

With its robust build quality, great array of features and customizability option, it’s a contender for our ranking of the best standing desks.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Price & availability

You can find the Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk from online retailers and from the official Yo-yo website. The retail price is currently £732 for the frame only, putting it firmly into premium standing desk territory.

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Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Specs

The control panel is very easy to use (Image credit: Yo-Yo)

With fairly premium build quality and materials, the desk can support up to 100kg (including the tabletop, which is a lightweight veneered surface). It’s wonderfully robust; unlike some more affordable models I’ve used there’s little-to-no wobbling or juddering.

The Wellness 2+ ranges in price, starting at £732 for the frame only (if you want to reuse an existing desktop). There are six sizes ranging from extra small (100 x 60cm) for £804 up to £900 for the extra-large (180 x 80cm) tabletop model.

My version came with a free Yo-yo mat and there’s free installation, and you can also add Yo-Yo’s Ongo Stool with a £100 discount, to boot. Models with portholes (all sizes barring small and extra small) include plastic grommets, and all models come with a basic up/down switch.

The legs have dual motors and a 3-stage design with a minimum height of 617mm and a maximum height of 1267mm, moving at a rate of 32 mm/sec.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Shipping and unboxing

All Yo-Yo desks come with free installation, which takes 7 – 12 days (check out Yo-Yo’s Zone Map for further insight) or you can expedite the process by installing yourself, meaning you’ll get the desk in just 1-2 days.

It arrives in two boxes, one for the legs and one for the surface and attachments, but the legs come pre-assembled and ready to attach to the tabletop; you’ll want a helping hand to carry the boxes if you’re not particularly strong and opt for the self-installation. Everything came securely packaged, and the team even took the boxes with them when they left.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Assembly

Loaded up with devices (Image credit: Yo-Yo)

I opted for the free installation as I’m not the strongest office worker in the world; however, I was in the room to observe the process, which was completed by a single builder. It’s definitely a two-person job when it comes to actually upturning the desk if, like me, you’re not built for heavy lifting, but the rest is very easily done following Yo-Yo’s quick and easy instructions. You’ll need your own electric and manual screwdriver, tape measure and spirit level, but the desk does come with an Allen key.

From start to finish, building the Wellness 2+ took around 40 minutes, including some light chatter along the way – a wonderfully quick process expedited significantly by the pre-built legs which you simply unbox, unfold, and attach to the table with the provided brackets. Then, add the feet and any accessories, affix the manual height controls and all that’s left to do is plug it in, flip the table and get it in situ.

Once upright, you can use a spirit level to determine the straightness of the surface, then use the feet to tweak it to perfection; a satisfying process I almost wanted to interrupt and do myself.

The hardest part is making sure the wires aren’t dangling around, if that’s something that will bother you, and I wish there was a bracket over the desk leg motor control power supply as I’ve seen in other models. While the wire that connects to your laptop for app controls does magnetically attach two the metal beam across the middle of the desk’s underside, it’s still prone to sliding off, so I’d recommend investing in some under-desk wire clips if you’re a cable control freak like me.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: First impressions

All set up and ready to go (Image credit: Yo-Yo)

My immediate thought when I first saw the this smart desk set up in my home office was that, while it’s simple and professional, it’s a wonderfully blank canvas to work from. Personally, I’m not a fan of lighter surfaces on desks, as they’re prone to showing wear and tear far quicker, but fresh out of the box it does look lovely.

Getting myself set up with the app was simple and speedy, though I did have the added benefit of Yo-Yo’s founder Gavin Bradley attending my installation himself and talking me through the process. Still, I could have very easily done it myself.

To connect the desk to the app, you’ll need to plug in the included USB-A cable to your laptop, which requires some thoughtful wiring and desk organisation. You can download the app directly from Yo-Yo’s website, after which you set your desired standing and sitting default heights to be saved in the app.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Design

(Image credit: Yo-Yo)

Simple in looks, the Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk I tested came with silver motorized legs and a light grey surface; not light enough to be marred by grubby fingers, but enough to maintain a neutral aesthetic.

The surface is also available in a white colorway for free, or you can opt for a timber, beech, oak, maple, Nebraska oak or walnut veneer finish for an added £25. While its lightweight nature might cause concern for the longevity of the surface, the reality is you need to keep things as slight as possible to allow for more heavy items on top of the desk. The legs also come in white or black, featuring dual motors and a 3-stage design.

I opted to place a cable management shelf at the rear of the desk, which doesn’t come included in the basic price but is a real boon given there are a few extra wires with this desk to accommodate the necessary USB-A connection with the companion app, and no included bracket to affix over the leg motor connector.

As highlighted in the specs section, this desk comes with the Yo-Yo Mat medium, which is designed to encourage small amounts of motion and also provide some cushioning on harder floors. Clad in black lining and measuring at 77 x 50 x 2cm, it’s a fantastic addition that made a world of difference for me.

The basic controls that come included with the Wellness 2+ are fine, allowing you to move the desk up and down, but you can’t see your selected height nor can you set or toggle defaults. That can be a little frustrating if, for whatever reason, you don’t have a device paired with the desk handy – which did happen to me a few times.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Performance and app

Here’s the Yo-Yo mat sitting neatly under the desk (Image credit: Yo-Yo)

Even as a standalone desk and without considering the app and included mat, the Wellness 2+ is accomplished. It’s responsive, fairly quiet and fast, graduating smoothly through its different height settings to reach your desired setting. While it is, as I say, fairly quiet at a maximum volume of 50dB (which is louder than the advertised 45dB), I have certainly used quieter desks.

It also feels very robust; on my desk, I had a large monitor, laptop stand and several peripherals, all of which felt well-secured thanks to the legs’ smooth transition. Its anti-collision smarts work well too, which genuinely came in very handy when I accidentally switched modes and forgot I’d stashed some boxes under my desk.

I’ve always wanted to try using a standing desk, but my biggest, perennial issue with anything wellness and fitness-related is my rather low commitment to the cause. So, when I was offered the opportunity to review the Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ desk with its companion app and extensive user education, I leaped at the opportunity.

Once you’re set up, you can choose from within the app which setting and height you want to use, as well as what ratio of sitting to standing you’d prefer to target yourself on. Bradley says the optimum setting is 45/45 minutes, which I tried for the first few times I used the desk.

After you’ve finished one session, the app notifies you that it’s time to change position, and with the click of a button, it will rise or descend to the appropriate measure. It’s incredibly satisfying, even after a few weeks, and broadly speaking this did help me build some good standing habits. However, there were a few times I couldn’t exactly transition between positions, such as during an interview or while in the thick of some spreadsheets, but in such situations you can simply snooze the notification.

I loved being able to not only track my time spent standing and sitting, but also the estimated calories burned and how many times I switched throughout the day, which served as really positive reinforcement for my habit-building.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Accessories

The desk’s cable storage in action (Image credit: Yo-Yo)

I kept my desk fairly light and simple when it came to accessories outside of the aforementioned cable tray, which, as I say, is a must-have in my opinion. This comes at an added cost of £45, but there’s also a smaller version for £36, should you want to keep things simple.

There’s also a selection of add-ons such as metal grommets, a digital display with smart settings, various other cable management accessories, power accessories, monitor arms and more advanced standing mats. You can find more of those in our round-up of the best standing desk mats.

Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Final verdict

Ready for work (Image credit: Yo-Yo)

Overall, I have to say I’ve mostly been splitting hairs when critiquing the Yo-Yo Wellness 2+ smart desk. It’s impressively well-built, performs very well, and its smart features offer a unique benefit that could really help someone trying to habit-build or track their usage. It’s only flaw is being very basic in terms of what’s included, given its price.

I really put the Wellness 2+ through its paces, stacking it high with a full array of weighty peripherals, and it stayed resolute through it all, still moving with the smoothness and responsiveness I’d expect.

I can absolutely see myself using this desk for a long time in my home office, though in retrospect I’d have probably opted for a different surface colorway to make it feel a little less corporate. Still, it’s a brilliant desk that has had a genuine positive impact on my working habits and well-being, and for that alone it’s a real win.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

While it’s no show-stopper, the desk is certainly well-built. I’d have liked to see more in-built features at this price that aren’t costly add-ons, however.

⭐⭐⭐

Material quality

The veneered tabletop is no solid wood slate, but it keeps the weight (and cost) low. Otherwise, everything is of excellent build quality.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Assembly

I’d estimate a self-install would take 45 minutes to an hour, but with the included free installation completed by a professional it can take as little as 30 minutes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Both the build-in manual controls and app are wonderfully easy. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

There’s no storage, and all of the power and cable management options are add-ons, which can rack up the cost.

⭐⭐⭐

Price

It’s by no means overpriced as a basic desk, but it’s not cheap. Plus, the Wellness 2+ could become a big investment if you throw in accessories, some of which feel like must-haves.

⭐⭐⭐

For more workspace accessories and office furniture, we reviewed the best office chairs.

Yo-yo Wellness 2+ smart desk: Price Comparison

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June 5, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX Review: Hall Effect With New Tricks

by admin June 5, 2025

Every gaming keyboard manufacturer seems to be jumping on the Hall effect bandwagon, and why wouldn’t they? The keyboard technology has been proven in both esports arenas and home office setups worldwide and offers countless advantages over standard mechanical keyboards, with no real performance compromises.

Hall effect keyboards have also arrived as countless other technologies enter the keyboard space: Everything from gasket-mounting to touchpads is now in mainstream keyboards. That also means I regularly see new products, mechanical and Hall effect, with features I’ve never even considered before. Case in point, the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX, a small keyboard with a large name and a lot of unusual features.

This $200 wired-only keyboard has Hall effect switches, an 8,000-Hz polling rate, multidevice connectivity with two USB-C ports, and a programmable touchpad on the back edge. Not to mention countless on-keyboard controls and a flipable lever to enable or disable the rapid trigger feature found on most Hall effect keyboards. While it does have some strange design decisions, it has a lot of really clever ones too.

Unique Switches

Photograph: Henri Robbins

The Falchion has one of the deepest typing sounds compared to other Hall effect keyboards. This is likely a combination of the keyboard’s unique HFX magnetic switches, one of the few I’ve tested that aren’t made by Gateron, and the sound dampening inside. It consists of multiple layers of foam, Poron, and silicone, and a sheet of small rubber domes.

The switches feel incredibly smooth, even when pressed slowly, with a consistent feel throughout the entire keypress. They use a polycarbonate top housing, a POM stem, and a POM bottom housing, contributing to the deeper typing sound and ensuring smoothness across the entire keystroke. Unlike most Hall effect switches, the HFX doesn’t have a hole in the center, instead, it moves the magnet to the front, where the metal contact leaf would typically be on a mechanical switch. This makes the Falchion incompatible with standard Hall effect switches, but likely improves the sound profile as well: Open-bottom switches tend to have a more hollow typing sound, which can be heard on competitors.

The springs are weighted to 55 grams of total force, which is 5 grams lighter than the Gateron Nebula dual-rail switches used by Keychron, and 10 grams lighter than the standard Cherry MX Red. There aren’t any other switches available for this keyboard, but because Hall effect switches are contactless, the existing switches can be removed without any desoldering or extensive disassembly.

I didn’t find myself wanting to change the switches, though—they have a poppy and deep sound that’s incredibly crisp, and they feel responsive and smooth, especially with rapid trigger enabled. My largest issue with the typing experience was the keycaps. They have a rough texture that, while grippy, felt noticeably coarse and unpleasant when typing. It comes down to preference, but I found them less enjoyable than smooth or lightly textured keycaps.

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June 5, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour review

by admin June 5, 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a suped-up version of the Switch 1, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is a playable explanation of what’s new and different about the console. It’s not really a “game.”

Whereas the Switch 1 had games like ARMS and 1-2 Switch to show off the new tech, NS2 Welcome Tour carries the burden of being somewhere in the middle-ground of those and a free tech demo. I think, as a free pack-in, this would’ve felt like an entirely different experience. But alas, it is unfortunately its own thing, and it’s a thing that I hope does not become commonplace.

Worth the price of admission?

Screenshot by Destructoid

You have to pay for admission to get into most museums in the world, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is no different. At $10, many are scoffing at the price for what’s basically an educational tech demo, and I can’t fault anyone for it.

NS2 Welcome Tour presents the Switch 2 and its peripherals as an explorable museum. You select a character from people standing in line and then use them to walk around the giant Switch 2 and all of its components.

You begin at the left JoyCon and then gain access to the rest of the console by discovering all of its buttons and functions, completing mini-games and challenges along the way. Games include using the new mouse function of the right JoyCon to dodge spiked balls or honing in on a spot that’s vibrating hardest with the new Rumble 2 features of the controller, but nothing exciting or worth playing again.

One mini-game showed off the original Super Mario Bros. game in its original pixel size when compared to 4K resolution. Another demo utilizing the touch screen forces you to contort your fingers to touch a bunch of colored circles all at the same time. This and other demos feel more like a chore than anything else.

Screenshot by Destructoid

The digital museum is populated with a bunch of silly little demonstrations of how far we’ve come in technology and how Nintendo has iterated on the original console, but as a “game,” there’s not much replay value or fun outside of the initial playthrough.

Learning is fun! (?)

Screenshot by Destructoid

The demos and exploration as supplemented by quizzes that you can take after learning about new features on the console, like the new console stand, its screen, and more. It’s educational, but also feels like doing homework.

It’s nice to see the new technology behind the console. But this could’ve been presented as a free demo, and it would’ve been just fine. Asking people to pay $10 for it is absolutely playing with fire, and I think Nintendo knows it.

Completionists may find joy in running around, finding secrets, discovering all of the ins and outs of the new console and its peripherals, and finishing off a checklist. Even then, the game requires a 4K TV, the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, and the Switch 2 Pro Controller for full completion. Yikes. And outside of that, the “fun” level here is pretty low.

Is it worth the $10? That’s entirely up to you and how much you value each penny. For myself, it’s tough to say because I got it for free to review it. If you’re super into Nintendo and want to know more about how the console was made, it’s a nice addition. But the playable parts of the game itself are nothing special, and it all comes down to your own financial situation whether or not it’s worth it to try out.

In the end, NS2 Welcome Tour feels like an interactive manual on how the Switch 2 works. It’s not entirely devoid of joy, but I also can’t recommend it. But, if you come from the camp of “hey, it’s just $10,” then by all means, have at it.

Poor

Went wrong somewhere along the line. The original idea might have promise, but in practice it has failed. Threatens to be interesting sometimes, but rarely.

A tech demo that would have been an awesome pack-in for the new console. As a $10 “game,” your money is likely better spent elsewhere, but some may find the low price justifiable.

Pros

Charming introduction to the new hardware
Educational quizzes explain the Switch 2’s tech
Silly mini-games and tech demos are enjoyable for a few minutes

Cons

Basically a playable hardware manual for the Switch 2
Not much substance or replay value as a game
Should have been a pack-in with the console
$10 for very little actual gameplay is a tough sell
Cannot be fully completed without certain peripherals

A copy of this game was provided by the publisher for review

Review Guidelines

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June 5, 2025 0 comments

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge from a 3/4 angle with black lights and an Android figuring blurred in the background

Product Reviews

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: a little bit less and never the most

by admin June 5, 2025

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.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Samsung understood the assignment with the Galaxy S25 Edge, but it didn’t strive for extra credit. The goal was to make a Galaxy S25 Plus that’s easier to hold, but Samsung did not set out to make the thinnest phone possible – in fact the Galaxy S25 Edge isn’t even the thinnest phone Samsung makes today. Instead, it did what Samsung does best: it gave us a little more inside a little less.

The Galaxy S25 Edge is a very good phone, and it feels like something unique compared to every other phone I’ve reviewed. The difference is noticeable; it’s much slimmer and lighter than almost everything else, even when wearing a case. Still, the S25 Edge isn’t a revolutionary new design, and I can’t help but anticipate the competition it’s going to face from Apple in the shape of the rumored iPhone 17 Air.

This is the thinnest Galaxy S device Samsung has ever crafted. It’s 1.5mm thinner than the Galaxy S25 Plus, and almost 2.5mm thinner than the Galaxy S25 UItra.

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Could I feel that millimeter in my hand? I’m not sure, but between the thinness and the weight reduction – it’s almost a full ounce lighter than the Plus and two ounces lighter than the Ultra – the Galaxy S25 Edge is undoubtedly a standout.

Front to back: Galaxy S25 Edge, Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 Ultra (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Galaxy S25 Edge isn’t the phone for you if you want the thinnest phone possible. It’s the phone for you if you want a Galaxy S25 Plus, but wish it were easier to hold. It’s the Galaxy S25 Ultra, minus the extra bits that you wouldn’t use, like the S Pen stylus. It’s not something totally new, but it’s a better option for the right buyer.

But why didn’t Samsung go for broke? Why not make the Edge the absolute thinnest smartphone ever? The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is 5.6mm thin when it’s unfolded. Had it shaved another 0.3mm off the Edge, Samsung could have at least said that this is the thinnest Samsung phone you can buy.

The answer, of course, is battery life. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is super thin, but the battery is split between the two halves. Each half of the Z Fold 6 packs only about 2,200mAh of battery life (for 4,400mAh total), which is a lot less than the 3,800mAh the Galaxy S25 Edge offers.

A thinner Galaxy S25 Edge would have meant a smaller battery, and based on my testing, the S25 Edge is using the smallest battery it can get away with.

The Edge had trouble lasting past dinner time in my testing period. If Samsung had made the Edge the thinnest phone ever!, it probably wouldn’t last through my lunch break. I have no doubt Samsung could build such a phone, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

That makes the S25 Edge a pleasantly thin phone that is simply not very special. There are no special features that set it apart from the rest of the Galaxy S25 family. There’s nothing new here. It’s a well-crafted device that delivers exactly what I expected; no more and no less. That’s not a bad thing! It’s just… predictable.

Front to back: Galaxy S25 Edge, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The big problem is that Samsung is competing against a specter. The iPhone 17 Air could arrive later this year, and it’s hard not to see the Galaxy S25 Edge as a preemptive attack by Samsung on Apple’s next design concept. Because make no mistake, Apple is going to make a big deal out of going thin.

Apple is going to pretend it invented the millimeter. If and when Apple launches an iPhone Air in September, it will act like thinness is the biggest design innovation since the capacitive touchscreen. All other specs be damned! And I think Apple will be willing to shrink the battery and cut back on cameras even more severely than Samsung.

If that happens, the iPhone 17 Air will probably be less capable than the Galaxy S25 Edge in many ways, but it will give Apple the all-important bragging rights. Apple could use the dual-OLED display found on the iPad Pro, and recent rumors suggest the rumored phone will be around 5.5mm, making it thinner than any phone Samsung currently sells.

In a way, this takes the pressure off Samsung. The Galaxy S25 Edge is a very nice phone, and it fits neatly into Samsung’s price ladder as a little nicer than the Galaxy S25 Plus, but not as feature-packed as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It doesn’t need to prove anything – the Galaxy S25 Edge does fine with less, without trying to be the most.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Price and availability

Starts at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 for 256GB/12GB configuration
That’s $100 / £100 / AU$500 more than S25 Plus, $200 / £150 less than the Ultra

Left to right: Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Edge, Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Galaxy S25 Edge slots in neatly between the Galaxy S25 Plus and S25 Ultra in Samsung’s lineup. It’s closer to the Plus, which makes sense because it lacks more of the Ultra features than it possesses – there’s no S Pen, no telescopic zoom lens, and no big battery inside, for instance, although it is, like the S25 Ultra, built from titanium.

Otherwise, you get most of what you’d expect from the Galaxy S25 Plus, minus the zoom camera. It packs a sensor with a lot of megapixels, and that sensor is actually larger than the main sensor on the Galaxy S25 Plus. Both cameras use sensors that are smaller than the main 200MP sensor on the mighty Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Now I need a moment with my Australian friends, because something very odd is happening down under. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has come down in price by AU$400 since launch, which means it costs less than the Galaxy S25 Edge by AU$100. Also, the S25 Edge seems priced a bit high in Australia compared to the rest of the world – it’s AU$500 more than the Galaxy S25 Plus?! That seems like a mistake, but it’s the real price for now, so I would wait until Samsung offers a discount to buy the Edge.

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Storage

US price

UK price

AU price

256GB

$1,099

£1,099

AU$1,849

512GB

$1,219

£1,199

AU$2,049

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Specs

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (left) and Galaxy S25 Plus (right) are very similar inside (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Like the rest of the Galaxy S25 family, the S25 Edge gets 12GB of RAM to support the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset inside. This platform has proven powerful and very efficient in my reviews of the best Android phones this year.

The 6.7-inch display on the S25 Edge seems to be identical to that on the S25 Plus. The main camera uses a new 200MP sensor that we haven’t seen before, which is a bit smaller than the 200MP sensor on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but larger than the 50MP sensor on the Galaxy S25 Plus. There’s no telephoto lens, but the Edge seems to use the same 12MP ultrawide camera as the S25 Plus.

The Galaxy S25 Edge comes with a 3,900mAh battery under its display, which is even smaller than the 4,000mAh battery beneath the Galaxy S25’s 6.2-inch screen. That’s what you sacrifice when you make a phone thin.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Samsung Galaxy S25

Dimensions

158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm

Weight

163g

OneUI 7, Android 15. 7 major Android upgrades promised.

Display

6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz

Chipset

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

RAM

12GB

Storage

256GB / 512GB

Battery

3,900mAh

Rear cameras

200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide

Front camera

12MP

Charging

25W wired, 15W wireless

Colors

Titanium Silver, Titanium Icyblue, Titanium Jetblack

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Design

Feels exceptionally light when you hold it
Even with a case, it’s a very thin phone

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The real selling point for the Galaxy S25 Edge isn’t the thinness, it’s the lightness. You have to hold this phone to appreciate it; you can’t just look at the S25 Edge if you want to experience how thin and light it is. Photos don’t do justice to the remarkably light weight, and that’s a big part of the experience.

If you get pinky-finger fatigue from balancing your phone, the S25 Edge might be the phone that will save your favorite digit. Even though it has a huge 6.7-inch display, the Galaxy S25 Edge is lighter than the iPhone 16 (6.1-inch screen, 170g), or the Pixel 9 (6.3-inch screen, 198g). It’s only one gram heavier than the 6.2-inch Galaxy S25, but it feels lighter since it’s less dense.

I almost always use a case with my phone, and since Samsung did not have cases ready for my review period, I asked my friends at Casetify to send over their thinnest cases for the Galaxy S25 Edge. Even with a case on the phone, it still feels remarkably thin and light, especially considering that huge screen size. My S25 Edge in a protective Casetify shell is still lighter than my Galaxy S25 Ultra with no case.

Image 1 of 3

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is almost as thick as the Galaxy S25 Edge in a case, including the camera bump(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)The MagSafe magnets make this Casetify case worth buying(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Still thin, even in a case(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The design overall looks nearly identical to that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but on very close inspection things are less impressive. Frankly, the build quality of the Galaxy S25 Edge seems messy compared to the Ultra or to any Apple iPhone.

There are gaps between the frame and the back glass. The SIM card tray doesn’t line up perfectly. There’s a gap between the camera bump and the back of the phone that I worried would pick up dirt – and by the end of my review period, that was the dingiest part of the phone.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

This phone could have been special. Samsung could have tried something new, like capacitive buttons on the side – a trick that rumors say Apple is considering. It could have had super-fast charging to go with that slim battery. It could have had unique colors or a unique finish.

Instead, it’s just a slimmer version of a phone we got six months ago, and it’s not even a really nice version at that.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Display

More Galaxy S25 Plus than Ultra, but that’s pretty great
Fingerprint scanner was totally unreliable

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The Galaxy S25 Edge, like the Galaxy S25 Plus, is sort of a hidden gem in Samsung’s lineup when it comes to display quality. While the S25 Ultra has a slightly-larger 6.9-inch screen, all three phones all have the same resolution. When you pack the same pixels into a smaller display, you get a screen that’s technically sharper, in terms of pixel density.

Which is to say the Galaxy S25 Edge has a fantastic screen, one of the best you can find on any phone. It is plenty bright, even in bright sunlight, though the Ultra does beat the Edge thanks to the addition of the remarkable coating that Samsung has been using for a couple of years to eliminate glare on its flagship flat phone.

The display can refresh at up to 120Hz – take that iPhone 16 Plus – and thanks to LTPO tech you can even get a full-color always-on display that refreshes as slowly as 1Hz to save power.

I’ve never had great luck with Samsung’s fingerprint scanners, and the S25 Edge didn’t recognize me any faster than other Galaxy phones, and unlocking failed more often than not. I know I have fingerprints because my OnePlus 13 sees them with 99% accuracy, so I assume this is a Samsung problem, not a me problem.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Software

OneUI 7 is well built, but doesn’t add much to the Edge experience
AI features can be useful, but many feel like even more bloat

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

For better and for worse, the Galaxy S25 Edge uses the same One UI 7 interface as the rest of the Galaxy S25 family, with Android 15 serving as the engine. Samsung and Google seem to be locked in a perpetual struggle to control Samsung’s phones, so you’ll get two web browsers, two photo gallery apps, even two wallets and two different password managers.

It’s getting to be a bit much. I’m the first to insist that Samsung’s software – like its Internet web browser – performs better than Google’s alternative. But nobody wants two of everything; you don’t get an extra steering wheel when you buy a car. It’s time for Samsung to end the duplicate-apps project.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

There are plenty of Galaxy AI features on the phone, and it comes with Google Gemini preloaded and ready to take over the power button at your beck and call.

I think we may have already hit the wall with AI features. Samsung has been touting its Now Brief widget and app since the Galaxy S25 launched, and it’s a completely useless piece of software. It’s supposed to learn things about me and then offer information tailored to my needs, but nothing like that happens.

I’ve been wearing a Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro while using the S25 Edge for weeks. The Now Brief offers no more than today’s weather, a missive that feels creepy coming from an AI (‘Wishing you well’?!), and the first few events on my work calendar, which are usually the first three people who took the day off and logged it properly.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

At worst, Now Brief offers me partisan political news. I filter out most politics from my social feeds, and I don’t talk about politics in my text messages, so I’m not sure why Now Brief thinks politics are what interests me. It’s inescapable.

Thankfully, Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S25 Edge will get seven years of major Android and security updates, so it should last through Android 22, just like the rest of the Galaxy S25 family.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Cameras

Exactly what I expected based on the specs
Samsung’s processing can be fun, or inconsistent

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

When I heard that the Galaxy S25 Edge would use fewer cameras than its S25 stablemates, with one big 200MP main sensor and a supporting ultra-wide, I was excited at the prospect. After all, one of Leica’s most popular cameras, the Leica Q3, uses a single large sensor and a wide lens, and fakes all of the zoom with digital cropping. If anybody can pull off the same trick on a camera phone, it’s Samsung.

Nope. I’m disappointed to say the cameras are fine, but not groundbreaking. I was hoping the Edge would be a trendsetter. Instead, it runs down the middle of the road without faltering. It does a great job at the things Samsung camera phones do well, but it can’t handle the all-in-one duties of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

There are no surprises with the Galaxy S25 Edge cameras. The main camera uses a 200MP sensor with a wide lens, and that sensor is a bit smaller than the 200MP sensor on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. No surprise then that the Ultra is still the best Samsung camera phone, in more ways than one.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The main camera produces images that are a bit fuzzier than what I got from the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and I was surprised to find the colors dialed back a bit as well. The Edge’s cameras don’t seem to be tuned to pop colors as much as the Ultra cameras do. It still managed to take excellent food photos and warm portraits, like I expect from Samsung.

Image 1 of 2

Taken with Galaxy S25 Edge(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Galaxy S25 Edge 100% crop

Taken with Galaxy S25 Ultra(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Galaxy S25 Ultra 100% crop

If you need a zoom lens, the S25 Edge isn’t going to satisfy you. The digital zoom doesn’t come close to providing the detail and quality I get with optical zoom on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max. A heron across the river looked like a white, featherless blob when I snapped a pic with the Edge. The iPhone and Galaxy Ultra images revealed a beak and some plumage.

Image 1 of 2

Taken with the Galaxy S25 Edge(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)

Galaxy S25 Edge 10X digital zoom

Taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

iPhone 16 Pro Max 5X optical zoom, enhanced to 10X

If you take a lot of photos outdoors, the S25 Ultra has a coating on the display to reduce glare, and it makes a big difference even compared to the S25 Edge, which has a nearly-identical display otherwise. The Edge can get bright, but it’s much easier to see the Ultra’s screen if the sun is shining directly on you.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Camera samples

Image 1 of 7

(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)(Image credit: Philip BerneFuture)

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Performance

Excellent performance from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
The Edge stayed very cool under conditions that break other phones

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

I was expecting excellent performance from the Galaxy S25 Edge, and this phone delivered beyond my expectations. It was plenty fast, with that overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset providing a bit more boost than you’ll get on a non-Samsung Snapdragon phone. Samsung has also done a remarkable job of keeping the phone cool, even when you push the performance to the limit.

I perform a stress test where I run multiple mapping apps on a phone, and play music over Bluetooth, then sit the phone above my car dashboard in the sunshine. Most phones take less than an hour of this punishment before they shut down due to overheating.

The S25 Edge never quit, managing to stay cool enough to function for as long as I needed. That’s incredible – every iPhone, Pixel phone, and Galaxy phone I’ve tested has failed this endurance test. The Edge really lives up to Samsung’s claims of much better cooling – that 10% larger vapor chamber clearly makes a real difference.

This makes the Galaxy S25 Edge an easy contender for a best gaming phone ranking. It offers great performance and superior cooling – everything a gaming phone needs.

I also had fun playing games with the Galaxy S25 Edge clipped onto my Xbox wireless controller using a cheap third-party attachment from Amazon. The phone is so lightweight that gaming for long periods was a breeze – it’s a nice way to kill time while I wait for my Switch 2 to arrive.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Battery

Good battery for the thin size, but not great
Couldn’t last a full day if I used it aggressively

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

As I said above, Samsung could have made a thinner Galaxy S25 Edge, but the battery life would be terrible – as it is, during my review period the S25 Edge often needed a recharge while I was eating dinner, especially if I played games, took a lot of photos, or otherwise taxed the phone heavily.

If I scrolled my social feeds and listened to music on the train into work, I would be concerned about whether the battery would last until the train ride home.

It’s too bad Samsung didn’t use the latest silicon carbon battery technology found in the OnePlus 13, which might have helped it to pack in more power. I also wish this phone charged faster than other Galaxy S25 models, not slower – if it had 80W charging like the latest OnePlus phones I wouldn’t be worried about having to top up throughout the day, because that top-up would take less than 15 minutes.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

As it stands, 15 minutes of charging got me just past 25%, and a full charge took about an hour. That’s pretty slow by today’s standards, especially considering that this battery is smaller than any other inside a Galaxy S25 phone.

Samsung might also be exaggerating its battery claims. It told us to expect the Edge to offer longevity somewhere between the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25, but in our lab benchmark tests the S25 Edge lasted for less than 13 hours of constant use where the Galaxy S24 lasted more than 13 hours, and the Galaxy S25 topped 15 hours.

If you really need good battery life the Galaxy S25 Plus is the Samsung champ, delivering almost 19 hours of screen time in our rundown test. But it’s not the Edge’s lack of battery life as such that bugs me; it’s how long it takes to top the phone up.

Swipe to scroll horizontallySamsung Galaxy S25 Edge score card

Value

Not a bad price for the svelte design and pocketability. You know what you’re getting, there are no surprises, so it seems like a fair upgrade from the Galaxy S25 Plus (or is it a downgrade from the Ultra?)

4/5

Design

A bit thinner and much lighter than any other flat phone you’ve tried. You can’t tell by looking; you have to pick it up to feel the difference. The finish is a bit shoddy, but the design might still satisfy buyers with a sore pinky.

3/5

Display

The same great display I saw on the Galaxy S25 Plus (with the same lousy fingerprint scanner). It’s super sharp and very bright, though if you’ll often be in bright sunshine the Ultra has a better anti-glare coating that makes it worth a look.

5/5

Software

Samsung’s One UI looks as good as ever, though the AI features are starting to wane in terms of their usefulness. Thankfully, this phone gets seven years of updates, so it will have no problem running your favorite apps and hopefully improving in the years to come.

3/5

Cameras

You get fewer cameras on a thinner phone, but the main camera still takes fantastic shots, albeit ones that are a bit subdued by normal Samsung standards. They don’t pack the same detail as the Ultra, but food photos and portraits are especially gorgeous.

3/5

Performance

Fantastic performance from the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is paired with some of the most impressive cooling I’ve experienced on a smartphone. I couldn’t get the Edge to fry itself, no matter how much I pushed past its performance limits.

5/5

Battery

Battery life isn’t terrible considering the weight reduction, but I wish the smaller battery came with faster charging to make me forget how long I need to wait. I had to charge the phone most nights after dinner, unless I was careful.

3/5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus

Galaxy S25 Ultra

Price:

$1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849

$999 / £999 / AU$1,699

$1,299 / £1,249 / AU$2,149

Display:

6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED

6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED

Cameras:

200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide

50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto

200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x telephoto

Battery Life HH:MM (Future Labs test):

12:45

18:46

18:35

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

I tested the phone for two weeks
I took dozens of photos
I played games and watched movies
I checked email and worked in Slack
I used AI features extensively
Benchmark testing is for comparison, not scoring purposes

I tested the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge for more than two weeks before posting this review. I received the Edge before I traveled to Google I/O, and I took the phone along as my primary work device and for entertainment on flights.

When I got back from Google I/O I had Covid, so the Galaxy S25 Edge was my primary couch companion, and my source of entertainment and contact with the world. I used it to play games, watch movies, and listen to audiobooks.

When I’d recovered, I took the S25 Edge car shopping and connected it to a number of different cars to test. I used the phone to take photos, research cars, and more. I even asked for help from Google Gemini and Samsung’s Galaxy AI to do research, answer calls, and respond to solicitors.

I connected the Galaxy S25 Edge to a Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and an Xbox Wireless controller, among numerous other devices.

Future Labs tests phones using a mix of third-party benchmark software and proprietary, real-world tests. We use Geekbench, CrossMark, JetStream, WebXPRT and Mobile XPRT, and 3DMark for performance testing. We test a phone’s performance on video tasks using Adobe Premiere Rush. We also measure display color output and brightness.

For battery testing we perform proprietary tests that are the same for every phone, which enable us to determine how long it takes for the battery to run down.

Shark PowerDetect Upright vacuum review: a powerful, smart and versatile dust-buster

by admin June 5, 2025

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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.

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum: two-minute review

Product info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Shark POWERDETECT Upright Vacuum with TruePet Upgrade AZ407UPG1

Shark POWERDETECT Upright Bagless Vacuum With Ultimate Cleaning Tools AZ407KT1

UK: Shark PowerDetect Powered Lift-Away Upright Pet Vacuum Cleaner AZ3900UKT

AU: Shark PowerDetect Corded Upright AZ3900

For this review, I tested the AZ407UPG1 version. There may be minor differences between different countries’ models.

The Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum is one of the most versatile upright vacuums on the market. Like other Shark vacuums, it’s outfitted with a Detect mode that adjusts the suction based on the floor type and how clean it is. You don’t have to worry about unseen dirt because the vacuum can sense debris, dust, and dirt, and increases the suction as required to clean it up.

While you could use the three manual modes (hard floor, carpet/low pile, and thick carpet/area rug), with the Detect mode, the vacuum informs you when the floor is clean with lights on the vacuum head that turn from purple (i.e. dirty) to white (i.e. clean).

During testing, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum performed wonderfully on various floor types, especially when it came to picking up fine materials like tea and hair. Though it missed a couple of large oat clusters on a single pass, it’s still a top-tier vacuum, with suction capability that’s well above average. It’s one of the very best upright vacuums I’ve tested, as well as one of the best vacuums for carpet.

You may like

Sure, the vacuum head is a bit bulky, and the cord may get in the way, but Shark made this upright vacuum as versatile as possible. You can remove the pod (which holds the dust bin) from the wand, allowing you to use it as a stick vacuum to reach under couches and beds or in conjunction with one of the three accessories to clean tight spaces. If you need something less bulky, there’s a stick vac in the same range – read about it in my Shark PowerDetect Cordless review, or head to TechRadar’s best Shark vacuums guide to see other options, some of which have similar features.

All in all, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum is a great choice for those who have homes with carpet and/or lots of rugs as it does a stand-up job with deep cleaning.

Shark POWERDETECT Upright Vacuum at Sharkclean for $449.99

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum review: price & availability

List price: from $549.99 / £399.99 / $699.99
Launched: Announced September 2024
Available: Worldwide, including US, UK and Australia

In the US, there are a couple of different PowerDetect Upright options – the one I reviewed is the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum with TruePet Upgrade, and it’s priced at $549.99. There’s also the Shark PowerDetect Upright Bagless Vacuum With Ultimate Cleaning Tools, which costs $449.99. The base model is the same, but the different bundles come with different cleaning tools. In the UK and Australia, there’s just one Shark PowerDetect Upright, with a list price of £399.99 / AU$699.99.

At full price, that puts this vacuum in the upper-mid or premium price bracket. However, at time of writing, there are significant discounts available in all territories, taking this vacuum down more firmly into the mid-range market.

I think it’s good value for what you’re getting here. There are cheaper upright vacuums on the market, but this one has a flexible design and several advanced features that help set it apart from the competition. As you might have gathered from the above, this brand isn’t averse to a discount either, and I expect more price drops to appear as time goes on.

Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Weight:

17.6 lbs / 8 kg

Bin size:

2 qts / 1.3 L

Cord length:

30 ft / 9 m

Cleaning path:

12 in / 30.5 cm

Flexible hose length:

1.9 ft / 0.6 m

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum review: design

Corded vacuum with LED lights and a 12in cleaning path
Detachable dust cup lets you use the wand with the three specialty tools
Four cleaning modes including an automatic mode

The Shark PowerDetect Upright is a corded upright vacuum that can be used in various configurations for different cleaning tasks.

Although typically I prefer the freedom of a cordless stick vacuum, I do understand the appeal of a corded upright – in a battle of upright vs cordless vacuums, the former tends to last longer, will never run out of juice, and almost always deliver more powerful suction too.

(Image credit: Future)

The cable here is fairly generous at 30 feet / 9m long – that’s not the longest on the market, but it should still enable you to clean a decent-sized space before having to unplug and replug.

Similarly, at 17.6 lbs / 8kg, it’s not the lightest vacuum but it’s not overly heavy either. The vacuum head is a bit bulky, but comes with useful design features like a self-cleaning brushroll which means the vacuum can pick up pet and human hair easily without it tangling on the brush, and LED headlights to make it easier to see in dark corners. In fact, you’ll notice a lot more lights and indicators on this vacuum than most, plus an odor neutralizer capsule designed to prevent bad smells and keep your floors smelling fresh.

(Image credit: Future)

The handle has five buttons: a power button and four cleaning mode buttons (Detect mode, Hard floor, Carpet/Low pile, and Thick Carpet/Area rug. When using the Detect mode, this upright vacuum senses the floor type and adjusts the speed of the brushroll and the suction power to clean. Upon sensing dirt, the LED indicator light on the vacuum head turns purple. When the light is white, users know that section of the floor is free of dust and dirt.

(Image credit: Future)

The vacuum is outfitted with two other Detect modes. With Edge Detect, arrows on the top sides of the vacuum light up when the vacuum moves close to an edge of a room, and the suction increases on the relevant side of the floorhead to clear any dust that might have gathered there. There’s also Direction detect, which is designed so that the vacuum cleans just as well on the reverse stroke as it does when it’s pushed forwards.

The dust cup on this PowerDetect vac has a capacity of 2 quarts / 1.3L, which is on the smaller side for an upright vacuum, but is still far bigger than the bin you’d find on a cordless stick vacuum.

For greater flexibility, this dustbin section can also be removed and held in the hand. A flexible hose connects the wand to the dustbin, and from there you can reattach the motorized vacuum head to the wand, to allow you to reach under furniture without the dustbin getting in the way.

(Image credit: Future)

You can also attach one of the detail tools, to tackle awkward or hard-to reach areas. Exactly what tools are included depends on which bundle you opt for. The review model I tested here came with a Duster crevice tool, Pet multi-tool, and HairPro Self-cleaning pet power brush.

As far as sound goes, the vacuum has a dB rating between 77-83, which is dependent on the mode being used or the increase in suction by the vacuum when it senses dirty floors.

Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum review: performance

Excellent edge and reverse cleaning
Accessories make it easy to clean furniture, ceiling, and tight spaces
Great at detecting dirt and adjusting suction on various floor types

The Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum took only a couple of minutes to assemble. When I first tried to use it, the machine wouldn’t turn on despite pressing the power button and having it properly plugged in. Eventually, I realized I didn’t have the hose connected all the way. I love that the vacuum ‘protects’ the user from accidentally turning the vacuum on and sending dust and debris they’ve just vacuumed back into the room.

On test, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum did not disappoint. I have historic hardwood floors, laminate floors, and low pile rugs in my house. On my first go, I cleaned my entire house with the vacuum, jumping between the Detect mode and manual surface modes (hard floor, carpet/low pile, and thick carpet/area rug) to get a feel on how each one worked.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve tested a number of Shark vacuums, and I’m a huge fan of the Detect mode, which detects unseen dirt on the ground. I love when the lights turn from purple to white, indicating the surface is dust-free. So many vacuums lack this feature and it’s truly a shame, because it’s difficult otherwise to know if my floors are actually clean.

No matter the mode, I felt like the vacuum picked up dirt, dust, and debris on all my different floor types wonderfully. The only drawback I observed was that the vacuum head wasn’t able to fit into tight spaces. Not to mention, I was unable to reach under my couch or bed because the dustbin got in the way. (There is a workaround this; keep reading.)

(Image credit: Future)

During my testing period, I had the opportunity to take the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum to my parents’ home and test it on the carpet in their bedrooms. I was stunned by how much dust and dirt it picked up from the carpet. When using the Detect mode on their carpets, I found myself vacuuming over one strip of floor about six times before the light turned from purple to white indicating it was clean. (According to my dad, they hadn’t deep cleaned their carpets in a while…) Anyone who has carpet in their home would do well to have this vacuum on hand.

(Image credit: Future)

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this upright vacuum is the ability to break it down and use the detail tools provided. The main pod (which holds the dust bin) can be removed from the wand, and the wand can be removed from the vacuum head. This allowed me to attach the duster crevice tool to the end of the wand and clean the corners or my ceiling.

Granted, I had to hold the pod in one hand and the wand in the other, but there aren’t too many upright vacuums that offer this feature, and it’s very useful. I was also able to use the wand and the vacuum head to clean under my couch and bed without the pod getting in the way.

The only drawback to breaking down the vacuum is that it’s not easy to move the unit around the house in that mode. I’d have to pick up the pod in one hand and hold the wand in the other and walk to a new spot. Sometimes, I’d have to go back and grab accessories or the vacuum head or make sure not to get the hose tangled in the cord.

(Image credit: Future)

I don’t have pets so I used the Pet Multi Tool and HairPro Self-Cleaning Pet Power Brush to remove my own hair from my couch. Compared to other vacuums that offer similar accessories, I thought they performed slightly better – although that might be more to do with the fact that the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum has a more powerful suction. Nevertheless, it’s worth putting this model in the mix if you’re looking for the best vacuum for pet hair.

Maintenance isn’t too much of a hassle. When I was done cleaning, I removed the dust bin and placed it over a trash can before opening the latch, allowing the dust and debris to fall in. Because the dust cup is much larger than you’d find on most cordless vacuums, you shouldn’t have to do this too regularly. The only other required maintenance is cleaning the pre-motor filters every month, the HEPA filter every year, and hand washing the soft roller as needed. Sensors must also be occasionally cleaned, and blockages must be checked for in the hose, wand, and nozzle. The squeegee bristle strip has to be cleaned or replaced occasionally too.

Suction tests

I went on to run a few standardized tests so I can get an even better look into the suction power of the vacuum and how it compares to other models. To do that, I placed loose leaf tea and oats on one of my rugs and on the laminate floor in my kitchen. From there, I used both the Detect mode and the manual modes of Hard Floor and Thick Carpet/Area Rug to see how well the vacuum sucked up the debris.

One update on this Shark range is ‘Direction direction’ tech, where the vacuum is designed to vacuum just as well when pushed forwards as when it’s pulled backwards (some previous Shark vacuums tend to pool debris behind the floorhead when reversing). I also kept an eye on this aspect in my tests.

(Image credit: Future)

When it came to the loose-leaf tea, the vacuum performed perfectly on my laminate floor and area rug. No matter if I vacuumed forward or in reverse, or what mode I used, it sucked up every single piece of the fine material in a single pass.

(Image credit: Future)

Now for the oats test… When it came to vacuuming oats on my laminate floor, the vacuum did a pretty good job. It looked like the vacuum had picked up all the oats in a single pass. However, I later found that the vacuum missed five clusters. Compared to other models I’ve tested, this is still impressive. Most vacuums push the oats forward or I find that the oats get trapped behind the wheels. The Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum didn’t do that. Sure, it missed a couple of oats, but they were quite large clusters and only needed one more pass to remove them from my floors.

(Image credit: Future)

For the carpet/rug test, the results were slightly different. No matter the mode, the vacuum suctioned oats perfectly when vacuuming in reverse. Oddly, it missed a few of the larger clusters of oats when vacuuming forward. It took me two to three swipes of the vacuum to remove all the oats from the rug. Again, this is not as big of a drawback as it seems. Most vacuums struggle with picking up x-large clusters of oats, no matter the floor type.

(Image credit: Future)

With its Edge detect feature, the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum senses when it’s near the edge of a room, where dust can collect, and boosts suction on the relevant side of the floorhead to clear it. To test this feature, I sprinkled loose leaf tea along a wall. The vacuum head picked up every bit of the fine material in a single pass. I give the edge cleaning a perfect rating.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum?

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Sits in the upper-mid / premium price bracket, and while it’s not the cheapest upright option, the flexibility and features justify the cost.

4.5 / 5

Design

An upright corded vacuum with four cleaning modes and sensors that detect edges, vacuuming direction, surfaces, and dirt. Versatile design that can be broken down into different configurations.

4.5 / 5

Performance

In addition to superb edge and reverse cleaning, it excels in cleaning all floor types, especially carpet. It may miss extra-large debris on a single pass but still outperforms most battery-powered vacuums.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

How I tested the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum

I tested the Shark PowerDetect Upright Vacuum with TruePet Upgrade over the course of two weeks. Not only did I use the numerous cleaning modes on my hard floors and low pile carpets, but I also took the vacuum to my parents’ house and tested the vacuum on the high pile carpets in their bedrooms. As part of my review, I ran two vacuum tests with fine and thick materials on two different floor types to see how well the vacuum picked up the items on the lowest suction setting.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

Shark POWERDETECT Upright Vacuum: Price Comparison

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June 5, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch review

by admin June 5, 2025

I have always had a soft spot for the Surface Pro X. It was the thinner, lighter, and fanless Surface tablet that I had always wanted Microsoft to make, but when it came out nearly six years ago, Windows wasn’t ready to handle the Arm chip inside — and vice versa. Sluggish performance and app compatibility issues kept the Surface Pro X from living up to its beautiful design. It was a heartbreaker.

Microsoft is once again trying to perfect the Surface Pro design with a $799 12-inch version of its tablet and laptop hybrid that ditches the fan and uses Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X Plus chip. This time around, it’s warming my heart instead of breaking it, thanks to a redesign of the entire tablet and the performance and battery life to match.

The result of the overhaul is a tablet that combines some of the best design elements you’ll find on an iPad or Samsung’s tablets, with the versatility of Windows. While the competition has been trying to copy the Surface Pro for years, Microsoft has now borrowed from the best tablets to improve its own laptop and tablet hybrid even further.

$800

The Good

Beautiful fanless design
Great battery life
The keyboard is a lot sturdier

The Bad

Windows still needs a better UX in tablet mode
The thick display bezels
No haptic touchpad

Last year’s Surface Pro 11 (now the Surface Pro 13-inch) had the same basic design Microsoft had been using since the Surface Pro 8 in 2021, with an airflow vent wrapped around the top half of the chassis that your fingers would tend to find if you were using it as a tablet. The most obvious design change to the 12-inch Surface Pro, other than its smaller display, is that it doesn’t have those vents. It’s sealed off and rounded in a way that an iPad is, so it feels a lot softer to hold.

I love this new design. The lack of a fan has allowed Microsoft to push ahead with this change, and it’s one that I really hope sticks for all future models because I never want to use a Surface Pro with a fan ever again.

While the kickstand is largely unchanged, this new rounded design also enables some big changes to how the stylus and keyboard work on the 12-inch Surface Pro. Microsoft has moved the stylus storage and charging to the top rear of this smaller Surface Pro, much like Samsung’s Galaxy Tab devices. It’s more convenient than having to dig into the keyboard and fiddle to get the Surface Pen out, and Microsoft has managed to use strong enough magnets that the stylus never once dropped inside my bag over the past few weeks.

However, that does mean that if you’re in tablet mode but not actively using the pen, it’s often in the way. The keyboard cover won’t sit flush with the back of the Surface if you fold it back while the pen is attached; there’s a gap at the top where it rests against the pen, and it feels a bit wobbly. And if you use the Surface Pro as a pure tablet, but don’t use the stylus, then you’ll probably end up resting your fingers on it or shaking the slightly loose button. It’s not a big deal, especially when you consider that the Surface Pro ships without a keyboard ($149) or stylus ($129), and you have to purchase them separately or in a $249 bundle. Most people probably won’t bother with the stylus, but if you do, that’s something to be aware of.

The stylus doesn’t fall off easily in a bag, thanks to strong magnets.

Repositioning the stylus has allowed Microsoft to make some significant changes to the keyboard on the 12-inch Surface Pro. While it still magnetically clicks into place on the bottom edge of the tablet, it now lays perfectly flat. The keyboards of previous models had a second magnetic attachment point at the bottom of the front bezel, optionally giving the keyboard a slight angle. Without it, the keyboard feels a lot sturdier.

Previous Surface Pro keyboards also had a lot of flex to them, which always put me off using the Surface Pro on work trips where I’d be writing thousands of words for stories. The new keyboard has no flex whatsoever. Even on my lap, it feels sturdier for typing, though the kickstand prevents you from having it far back on your legs as you would a regular laptop, and I quickly got used to the slightly smaller size. The other big change is that it’s no longer lined with alcantara fabric on the palm rests. The rear cover still has alcantara, but Microsoft is now using a plastic for the palm rests instead of the fabric that could easily get dirty. I think I still prefer the softer touch of the alcantara palm rests, though.

You can’t use the keyboard wirelessly like you could with the 13-inch Flex keyboard, and Microsoft has also ditched the haptic touchpad. I never used the wireless option, but the lack of haptics really makes the touchpad feel a lot more bland, and it’s something I’ve missed a lot over the past few weeks.

I like how sturdy this flat keyboard feels.

One thing I haven’t missed is the larger OLED display found on the 13-inch model. I really hate the grainy effect that the OLED has, especially around black text on a white background. On the 12-inch model, Microsoft is using a regular 3:2 PixelSense LCD display, and while it’s a slightly lower resolution and a 90Hz panel instead of 120Hz, I far prefer it for reading text. I do wish the bezels were a lot slimmer, but Microsoft has at least made them the same size all around the 12-inch display, so they feel a little less distracting than on the 13-inch model.

In keeping with Microsoft borrowing ideas from other tablets, the company has repositioned the rear camera on the 12-inch Surface Pro so it’s in the corner like on Samsung’s tablets or Apple’s iPads. I still wouldn’t be caught dead taking photos using a tablet, but it makes more sense like this, rather than centered on the long edge, so you can at least hold the Surface Pro vertically if you really want to take photos or videos.

The front-facing 1080p camera isn’t ultrawide this time around, so it doesn’t have the unflattering fish-eye effect and framing found on the 13-inch Surface Pro. I’ve used it for plenty of calls, and while I’m still not a fan of the way the eye contact feature changes the shape of my eyes, the other Windows Studio Effects are super useful for improving your lighting or blurring out the background automatically.

Inside the 12-inch, Microsoft is using Qualcomm’s eight-core Snapdragon X Plus chip. It’s an Arm-based processor, so that means apps will run emulated unless a developer has natively compiled their app for Arm64. That used to be a big issue with the Surface Pro X in 2019, but a lot has changed over the past 12 months, let alone six years.

The 12-inch doesn’t have any fans and it makes the design far more tablet-like.

Most of the apps I use on a daily basis are now native Arm64. The big exceptions for me include Discord and Premiere Pro. While Discord has been busy adding currencies for ads instead of releasing a native Arm version of its app, that might be about to change. I’ve been using an early Arm-native development build of Discord recently, and it totally solves all of the sluggish performance issues.

The same can’t be said for Premiere Pro, though. While Adobe has created an Arm64 version of Photoshop, you still have to install the Intel-based version of Premiere Pro. It’s not totally unusable, but I wouldn’t recommend any Arm-based machines for Premiere Pro usage until Adobe finally addresses this.

The Snapdragon X Plus chip inside the 12-inch Surface Pro has two fewer cores than the base LCD 13-inch model, and four cores less than the 12-core OLED variant. I’ve been using a 10-core Surface Laptop regularly over the past year, and this Surface Pro hasn’t felt slower at all.

As this is a Copilot Plus PC, Microsoft also uses the neural processing unit (NPU) built into Qualcomm’s chip to enable a bunch of AI-powered features in Windows. The controversial Recall feature is now available, which takes snapshots of mostly everything you do on the Surface Pro to create a scrollable timeline. I’ve found Recall to be creepy, clever, and compelling, but it’s not a big reason to buy a Copilot Plus PC. I’ve loved using the improved AI-powered Windows Search though, which lets me search for text inside files or photos, and find documents a lot more quickly.

Microsoft has removed the Surface Connect charging port, but you can charge with either of its USB-C ports.

If you’re like me and most of your work is in the browser or involves apps that are native Arm64, then the Surface Pro 12-inch feels like the performance of a laptop squeezed into a tablet. I’ve found that I get around nine hours of battery life with mixed usage of the browser, apps like Photoshop and Slack, and maybe the odd Teams call here or there.

I’ve never really worried about charging the Surface Pro 12-inch, and on some days I even used it for an eight-hour working day and still had 30 percent battery remaining. I’d wake up the next day and it still had that 30 percent, or close to it, ready for the day ahead. Microsoft has also ditched its magnetic Surface Connect charging cable, but there are two USB-C ports that can be used to charge up the Surface Pro. I only use USB-C to charge my devices, so I don’t think I’ll miss the Surface Connect port other than the neat way it attaches on the 13-inch model.

While the Surface Pro is great at resuming instantly and not draining battery life in your bag or overnight, if you don’t use it for a couple of days over a weekend then you’ll have to wait 30 seconds or so for it to be ready to use on a Monday morning. This isn’t a huge issue, but the iPad never goes into a deep sleep mode like this, and on a couple of occasions I’ve resumed the Surface Pro on a Monday and the Windows Hello camera has failed to work. I kept getting a “something went wrong” message, but rebooting the device brought it back to life again.

I’ve used this Surface Pro on a train, on my sofa, on a desk, and in pubs and cafes over the past few weeks. I still find that I have to adjust my posture or body to use the Surface Pro in my lap because of the kickstand, but it almost feels worth this slight compromise for the versatility of using a small PC on the go.

The Surface Pro is getting even closer to a dream miniature PC.

This Surface Pro redesign also presents some of the best bits of rival tablets into a piece of hardware that feels a lot more tablet-like than Microsoft has ever created. I’ve been using this Surface Pro in tablet mode more often as a result, simply because of the smaller size and the ease of switching between laptop and tablet modes. The operating system and apps still feel like more of a laptop, though. Microsoft also sells the Surface Pro without a keyboard, as if it’s a pure tablet, but as always, you really need to purchase that $150 keyboard to unlock the best experience.

That pushes the pricing up to $950, which is more than you’d pay for a 13-inch Surface Laptop, and close to the $999 launch price of the Surface Laptop 7. While the Surface pricing situation seems more complicated than ever, I love small computers, and the 12-inch Surface Pro has this allure to it that makes me want to keep picking it up for the day.

I’d still like to see Microsoft improve the tablet experience in Windows 11 with a mode that’s more like what existed in Windows 8. But even without those improvements, the 12-inch Surface Pro is as close as Microsoft has ever gotten to fulfilling my dream of a lightweight PC you can throw under your arm and carry around all day without worrying about battery life. It’s still not perfect, but it’s not the heartbreaker the Surface Pro X once was.

2025 Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch specs (as reviewed)

Display: 12-inch (2196 x 1464) 90Hz touschscreen

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (8-core)

Webcam: 1080p front-facing, 10-megapixel rear-facing

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.47 x 0.30

Photography by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

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June 5, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Shokz OpenFit 2+ review: A marked improvement for an incremental price increase

by admin June 5, 2025

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Shokz OpenFit 2+: One minute review

After just 24 hours with the Shokz OpenFit 2+ I can already tell they’re great headphones that are worthy of inclusion in our best open-ear headphones buying guide, and perhaps our best running headphones guide as well.

They’re comfortable to wear, even for glasses wearers like myself, with Shokz’ flexible nickel-titanium alloy ear hooks looping over your ears and weighted down by a bulbous end, while the driver sits snugly against your temples.

The silicon covering, which Shokz labels its “ultra soft silicone 2.0” is comfortable to wear in sweaty conditions. The whole earbud weighs 9.4g, making it light, but a gram heavier than the original OpenFit.

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The drivers aren’t bone-conduction headphones like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 or Shokz Openswim Pro. Instead, they’re more like traditional drivers or speakers, directing sound towards your ears without covering the lughole entirely.

The sound is really very good, perhaps even coming close to the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (our gold standard in open-ear sound) in terms of quality. The addition of Dolby is noticeable from the moment you flip the setting on in the Shokz app: everything becomes richer and more pronounced.

(Image credit: Future)

Likewise, I had fun tinkering with the EQ settings in the app, switching from Vocal mode to listen to my podcast during the first part of the run, and Bass Boost once I got up the giant hill I’d foolishly decided to tackle. I needed something heavier to get myself through the second part of my run, and Bass Boost paired nicely with the pounding roars of Linken Park’s new Heavy is the Crown.

While the sound is comparable to the Bose Ultra Open, the OpenFit 2+ are certainly more reassuring to wear during strenuous exercise. I was continually worried that the Ultra Open would fall off my ears during jogs due to their pendulous wobbly clip design, and I personally know one person who had this happen during a marathon – a disaster, as the earbuds are very expensive.

Taking the Shokz OpenFit 2+ on a run, I felt very secure even during a trail that demanded a little lateral agility to navigate: I felt them shift slightly a few times, but never feared they would drop off.

I probably wouldn’t, however, wear them during circuit training with explosive movements like burpees, as I’d feel they might leave my ears during dynamic jumps. That’s something to test and report back on in my full review.

Shokz OpenFit 2+: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

$179.95 / £169
$100 / £100 cheaper than Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at launch
Only $20 / £10 more expensive than regular OpenFit 2

The Shokz OpenFit 2 cost $179.95 / £169 (about AU$350), while the Shokz OpenFit 2+ cost $199.95 / £179 (about AU$370). Official pricing for other regions is TBC. The Shokz are available to order now.

For the extra few dollars and pounds, you get the Dolby audio setting and wireless charging on the hard plastic case, whereas the OpenFit 2 need to be charged via USB, and they’re still much cheaper than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds were at launch.

It’s such a nice convenience, and Dolby makes a big difference for such a small price increase, that my initial thoughts are that the standard OpenFit 2 will rapidly become obsolete; I can’t imagine a situation in which I’d recommend them over the 2+.

Shokz OpenFit 2+: Early Verdict

The Shokz OpenFit 2+: are great open-ear headphones for both workouts and general listening, with Dolby Audio as the flagship sound-enhancing feature – and the OpenFit 2 now seem a bit redundant as the two models are so similar in price. You’ll be able to check back soon for our definitive verdict in our full Shokz OpenFit 2+ review,.

First reviewed: June 2025

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June 5, 2025 0 comments